Gateway to Freedom Torah Notes
Bo – Go
Exodus 10:1 – 13:16
Haftorah:
Jeremiah 46:13-28
B’rit Chadashah:
1 Corinthians 11:20-34
Introduction:
In this week’s parashah we read about the last three plagues upon Egypt – locusts, darkness and death of Egypt’s firstborn. While the awesomeness of YHVH’s miracles and process of deliverance should be ever present in our being, we again will focus what the Ruach is telling those of us who live in these end times. It is critical that we continue to see the patterns in order to build ourselves in our most holy faith to stand in the days of trial. Therefore, what does YHVH do with His people once he has led them into repentance? He builds our faith that we might be able to move on with Him.
Exo 10:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh.. The word “go in,” from which we get this week’s title – is “Bo.” “Bo” is defined as either, “to go or come.” (Strongs H935) – as in “come along Moses?” The very beginning of this study should be an encouraging, faith- building reminder to us that when YHVH commands us to do His will, we are not going alone into the darkness of ruling principalities which surround the strongholds of our enemies. In the turmoil of His deliverance we must always remember Yeshua’s promise, “..lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:20)
Many have even felt this accompaniment when we are commanded to “go in”– especially on mission trips where we have felt to be in YHVH’s “bubble” - even when sometimes facing great obstacles. Do you remember one of the first tests of the wilderness journey – Will God be with us and defend us? Let’s get it settled in our spirit right NOW.
Exo 10:2 Notice the purpose of God’s conquest against Egypt (10:2-3): “that you may tell in the hearing of your son, and of your grandson, how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I performed My signs among them, that you may know that I am Adonai.” What was the fifth test of the wilderness journey: Is YHVH God - the one and only God?
Exo 10:3-7 Upon Moses and Aaron’s proclamation of impending judgment by locust, even Pharaoh’s servants believed and withered saying to Pharaoh, “knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?” Thus, we should realize that as we speak to the mountains in our life, even the hills are falling before we can see the mountain come down. In other words, we must muster our most holy faith through the assurance of His word to go forward in belief of victory. We must know that because God is with us, we have His power to speak as He tells us to do so! Remember, what we are reading is YHVH’s plan for our deliverance.
Now, turn our attention back to Pharaoh’s spirit, “knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?” How often do we see others (or ourselves) in the position of fighting for our will against the power of God – AND CAN’T SEE that which we are holding onto and is causing us to be ensnared? Can man fight against a forgone sentence of being burnt up, eaten up and consumed by YHVH’s judgment? But yet, our flesh often tries - unto our destruction.
Exo 10:8–19 Pharaoh’s partial permission, (just like partial obedience) is not acceptable and incurs the plague of locust to eat up everything left from the hail. While this plague was a direct attack on Seth, the Egyptian protector of crops, it can be understood that the locusts are also a destruction of Egypt’s economy. The love of money and wealth brings barrenness and emptiness to the soul. It is a place that can never be filled up nor at peace for fear of loss.
At this point there wasn’t any straw or even any food in the land, except Goshen. This is the second and third tests of the wilderness journey unto total redemption: Will God supply? Can we apprehend faith by these examples?
Notice that Pharaoh first agrees to let them go…, but only the men! Do you ever hear, "Compromise or listen, it's just a little sin…a little out of the will of God." These are the tactics of the enemy. Compromise of YHVH's values as revealed by the Holy Ghost under the camouflage of morality, good, love or good intentions is still comprise and at odds with God's directions for our lives. Your resistance to compromise will probably get the same reaction as Moses received - Pharaoh's heart was hardened and he was driven away. YHVH tells Moses to release the locusts.
Now plagues of locust apparently had happened before. So just as the doubt of miraculous providence arose in Pharaoh's heart, it was like YHVH put an exclamation point upon the plague. Look what happened next.
Exo 10:20-29 Without warning YHVH commands Moses to stretch out his hand toward heaven that there may be darkness that can be felt. I was once in a deep underground cavern admiring the stalactites and stalagmites when the pathway lights were extinguished. Yes, you could feel the darkness and not see your hand in front of your eyes.
However, while Egypt was in three days of heavy darkness so dense that no one could leave their dwelling place, Goshen was in the light. Is this not an example to us that yes, the judgments are all around, but those who are YHVH’s dwell in His light. Even more specifically, as we walk through the tribulation redemption, approaching the Day of the Lord, YHVH tells us through his prophet Isaiah:
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. (Isaiah 60:1-3) BELIEVE IT!
The enemy gives in a little more with each repeated demand. Pharaoh wanted no more to do with YHVH’s prophet, but yet he is still holding on and not obeying from his hardened heart.
Exo 11:1-9 Instructions for avoiding the plague/judgment, commandment to "borrow" jewels of silver and gold, and Moses is exalted.
And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people. (Exodus 11:3)
YHVH had exalted Moses from being scorned and a reject among his own people to that of great honor in a very short time because God so said it would be and was with him. Is God with you? (..lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:20)
Exo 11:10 Moses tells of the forthcoming death of the firstborn, but YHVH hardened Pharaoh's heart and refuses to let the people go. YHVH did this so that His "wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt."
Chapter 12 is the story of the death of the firstborn and the commandments for redemption - by the blood of a lamb. Let us note that as we read, there was a required preparation for observing the Passover and a required way of applying the blood. Today, we don't often slay our own lamb as we commemorate the Passover feast. But that little lamb tied to the bedpost from the 10th to the 14th should remind us that there is a preparatory obedience in our deliverance.
Exo 12:1-3 YHVH informs Moses that this is the first month of the year which is called Aviv (Abib) or spring time. (Later called Nisan i.e. Ester 3:7, Neh 2:1). Then, later in verse 3 Moses is commanded to tell the people to begin preparations for Pesach on the 10th day. If he went to Pharaoh the day before (9th day) after the darkness, and the darkness was for three days, then we might calculate that the darkness began on the 6th day. Some Messianic scholars parallel this date to Rev 9:2 when the earth is once again placed in darkness (also Rev 6:2). Through mathematical calculations they predict that the 6th day of Nissan will once again be a day of darkness.
Exo 12:21-28 Recognize that there are two mitzvah (commands): Pesach (Passover) was given before Israel exited Egypt. And unleavened bread (Chag HaMatzot) was a reminder (given after - ref: 13:3-8) as it commemorates what took place.
And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. (Exodus 13:3)
The scriptures illustrate four Passovers:
The First Passover: This Passover was kept in Egypt (the first Passover). Unique aspects of this Pass¬over are:
• Leaving Egypt
• Loins girded, sandals on and walking staff in hand
• No Levitical priesthood yet, each household head was the priest who killed the lamb for his family
• Passover kept in the home
The Second Passover: The Passover that ancient Israel kept. Unique aspects of this Passover are:
• Passover was kept wherever YHVH placed his name
• Passover lamb was killed in the Tabernacle or Temple
• A memorial meal was eaten on Passover in the homes of families at the place of Aliyah
The Third Passover: The “Lord's Supper” or Passover that Yeshua instituted in the Renewed Covenant for Believers. Unique aspects of this Passover are:
• Yeshua instituted this at his “Last Supper.”
• This Passover is totally Yeshua-centered and focuses on the salvation of the individual believer through the redemptive work of Yeshua at the cross (Matt. 26:28; 1 Cor. 11:24-26).
The Fourth Passover: The Millennial Passover kept during the 1000-year-long Millennium or Messi¬anic Age. Unique aspects of this Passover are:
• This points to the wedding feast of Yeshua the Lamb when he will drink of the fourth cup (Cup of Praise) of the Passover Seder (Matt. 26:29). (NL)
There are many elements of the Passover that could be reiterated, but I think the Spirit would have us recognize only those pertinent to the teaching the Spirit is trying to give us today. Let us take note, that the sacrificial lamb in of itself was not sufficient for salvation. The blood of the lamb had to be applied to the doorposts of their dwelling. Likewise, although keeping Passover gives testimony to things of the past and gives prophetic understanding to things of the future, we must apply the blood to the doorposts of our life. If we can not believe in the saving power of God (including His provision, protection, omnipotence, etc.), then all the knowledge will avail us nothing.
Another thing we must recognize in the Passover is the instructions to partake of the lamb by morning. This speaks to the fact that God’s salvation is only offered for a specified time – “in that day when he can be found.”
As we apprehend the blood of the lamb we must do so clothed with loins girded, sandals on and staff in hand - i.e. looking forward to the salvation walk YHVH has for us. This celebration is to be a remembrance AND a forward looking to the “redemption that draweth nigh”; We celebrate Yeshua's sacrifice until He comes. We must know, by faith, that our redemption is secured.
Exo 12:29-33 The death of Egypt's firstborn and expulsion of Israel from the land.
Exo 12: 35-36 Israel was to "borrow" gold, silver and raiment. All wealth is a loan from God that if not properly used, (including honoring YHVH's in the portion of tithes and offerings) could be taken away. (see Mal 3:8) This was in fulfillment of YHVH's word given in Genesis 15:13-14 (see following).
Exo 12:37-39 The exodus began with 600,000 men plus a mix multitude. With women and children the number of individuals is estimated between two and three million souls. All this from the seed of 70 souls who went down to Egypt in obedience to YHVH's word.
Exo 12:40 Israel spent 210 years spent in Egypt from the time Jacob and his family went down to Israel at Joseph's invitation until the exodus. However, some imagine a conflict between the two scriptural accounts of the total time of sourjourning.
And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. (Genesis 15:13-14)
Since this related directly to Abraham's decendents or "seed" it was believed to have been counted from Isaac's birth 30 years after Abraham followed God. Then there is the following passage that the sages count from his call - thirty years before Isaac's birth:
Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. (Exodus 12:40)
Exo 13:1-3 They go out with a “high hand” (spoils of Egypt), receive instructions for future observance, and sanctification of the Firstborn. As YHVH spared the lives of the firstborn of Israel, he expects them to be dedicated to him as His possession.
Exo 13:3-10 Moshe again instructs the people to commemorate this day that you came out of slavery by the strong right hand of God. We too, were in the bondage to Egypt and sins of Egypt - the world. But like the Israelite's we must also remember (and commemorate) that by the blood of the Pesach Lamb, Yeshua, we are also made free. Just like Israel's letter chet that was written in blood upon the doorpost of their dwellings, so too is chai (life) found in the blood of the lamb. By His blood sacrifice and resurrection He overcame he who opposes life and freed all those who would call upon His name and apprehend His atoning sacrifice that sets us free from the law of sin and death through the law of the Spirit of life in Christ. (Rom 8:2)
Haftorah: Jeremiah 46:13-28
The Haftorah is, “The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles; Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt,..” by the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon. (Jeremiah 46:1-2)
B’rit Chadashah:
1 Corinthians 11:20-34
These passages tell us how we are to celebrate the communion cup and in what spiritual condition. If we partake with unforgiveness in our heart, we bring sickness upon ourselves (11:30).
Shabbat Shalom,
Randy
File: Bo 2011