Exodus 1:1-6:1
Isaiah 27:6-28:13, 29:22-23
Introduction
Moses is now called into God’s service as leader of the people. He sees a bush burning without being consumed and God then calls out to him, “Moses, Moses!” Moses responds, “Here I am.” God repeats to Moses the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and instructs Moses to approach Pharaoh as spokesman of the Hebrew slaves to allow them to go free.
Exodus 3:13-15 13 Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" 14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" 15 God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. (ESV)
From the Hebrew Study Bible: God’s proper name, disclosed in the next verse, is YWVH (spelled “yod-heh-vav-heh” in Hebrew; in ancient times the “vav” was pronounced “w”). But here God first tells Moses its meaning: Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh, probably best translated as “I Will Be What I Will Be,” meaning “My nature will become evident from my actions.” He answers Moses’ question about what to say to the people: “Tell them: ‘Ehyeh’ (“I Will Be,” a shorter form of the explanation) sent me.” This explanation derives God’s name from the verb “h-v-h,” a variant form of “h-y-h,” “to be.” Because God is the speaker, He uses the first-person form of the verb. The Lord is actually a translation of “Adonai” (lit. “my Lord”) because that is what Jews now pronounce whenever the consonants YHVH appear. YHVH was probably originally pronounced “Yahweh,” but in Second Temple times, as an expression of reverence, Jews began to avoid uttering it, substituting “Adonai” and other surrogates. (As a reminder to do so, in printed Hebrew Bibles the consonants are accompanied by the vowels of the surrogate words, leading to such hybrid English forms as Jehovah or “Yehovah” or the consonants YHVH with the vowels from Adonai.
Recently I was told a discussion took place involving Genesis 27:19 where Jacob says “I am Esau.” The point that they were trying to make is the “I am” used here was referring to God’s name, but that is incorrect. In Hebrew the word used is a-no-chi, which is a formula of introduction. It is a pronoun independent 1st person common singular. It is not the I Am the Holy One uses to refer to Himself as we saw in 3:14 and covered by the commentary I just shared. We need to be very careful in reading too much into a passage or word. This is just as bad as when someone tries to make Scripture mean what they want it to say, rather than what it really says.
I am not going to debate the pros and cons of how to address our Creator. To debate over what we call our heavenly Father is a misuse of our time and energy, and Scripture tells us we are not to engage in debates of this sort.
Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the Torah, for they are unprofitable and worthless. (ESV)
Some may say that what we call God is not foolish, but it does usually wind up in dissension and quarrels, which is not healthy for the Body of Messiah. When we stretch a verse to make it fit our theology we are not doing anything different from what we say the Church is doing. Scripture must confirm Scripture. We need to find areas of agreement, or we will forever be striving against each other, accomplishing nothing worthwhile except irritating one another. Whether you choose to address the Creator as God, Lord, YHWH, YHVH, HaShem, the Almighty, the Eternal, etc., it is your choice and we need to learn to respect one another’s choices. What we call God has led to splits, division, and dissension within the Messianic Body. We are no different from the Church in how many denominations we have. Our differences have led to our own denominations, with everyone claiming the higher ground and believing they have the truth. We need to understand: no one has all of the truth except for the Holy One of Israel. Our differences do nothing but hurt the Body of Messiah. We need to be about healing, but must be mindful of non-Torah based differences that harm the Body. We need to be careful of those who desire to place themselves in positions of leadership to receive the admiration of others, which is not from God but from their own desires. The Lord warns us about this and we must carefully weigh the teachings coming our way.
2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. (NKJ)
We have touched on this issue before, but it bears repeating because there are always new teachers coming up whose teachings do not edify the Body of Messiah, and actually do harm. These teachers have no idea what awaits them in the Day of Judgment. How can they stand before the Holy One and give an accounting of their teachings without a thought of remorse? It is beyond me, because teachers are held to a higher level of accountability. The problem we have in our congregations is the way they are set up. The leaders are simply figureheads and lack the respect of the members of the congregation; but the Lord has set up the system.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your lives, as people who will have to render an account. So make it a task of joy for them, not one of groaning; for that is of no advantage to you. (CJB)
A leader’s responsibility is to watch over his flock like a shepherd, and to care about each one of the people under his care. There are times when a leader must do things that are distasteful in order to maintain the stability of the congregation, but they must be done. If the problem cannot be corrected or it continues, despite reassurances from the one causing the problem, leadership must act for the sake of the rest of the congregation. It is not easy for leaders to take action they feel is necessary to maintain the peace of the congregation, but it must be done. If people choose to disagree over what calendar to follow or how to address the Holy One of Israel, etc. and it brings dissension to the Body, something must be done. If there are those in the congregation who are teaching others things which go against Torah, leaders must take action or the disease will spread. If it is leadership teaching things that may be in error, it is the right of the congregation’s members to ask questions. If leaders refuse to answer or dismiss the individual’s questions, thought must be given as to what the next step will be. No congregation will agree 100% with what a leader teaches, but there is nothing wrong with that. Leaders are human and make mistakes at times, but if the subject is in a gray area, differing opinions are allowed as long as they are within the criteria of Scriptural teaching. We may not use “cut and paste” theology to prove a point. We must read Scripture in context, using other supporting Scriptures. Scripture will validate itself and is our final test of whether a teaching is valid or not.
Matthew 23:2 saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3 "Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 "For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 "But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 "They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 "greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, `Rabbi, Rabbi.' 8 "But you, do not be called `Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Messiah, and you are all brethren. 9 "Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 "And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Messiah. (NKJ)
Usually someone will only quote verses eight through ten to prove their point that someone is not to be called Rabbi, but they have taken the Scripture out of context, leaving out verses two through seven, which lay the groundwork for verses eight to ten. Yeshua is not against the title. If he was, then according to verse nine we are not to call anyone father, and in verse ten we are not to call anyone teacher. The Messiah is cautioning us not to allow titles to puff us up and cause us to believe we are somehow better than others. Leaders must be humble and prepared to take the abuse that will be flung their way. It is not an easy thing to do. I have been through this many times but bore it in lengthy silence, knowing that some would intentionally provoke me to anger to discredit me, or just to make their point. No matter who we are we must learn to admit when we are wrong. We must be prepared to explain our teachings or thoughts when asked. None of us enjoys admitting we are wrong, and we may get irritated when questioned about a teaching, but we must learn to hold our tongues and patiently respond when asked to explain ourselves. There are times when arguing serves no purpose, and to argue simply to make a point or just to get the last word profits us nothing.
Matthew 10:12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the Day of Judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. 16 "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (ESV)
Yeshua was sending out seventy of His disciples in pairs to give them a taste of what it would be to share the gospel with the people of Israel. He was preparing them to be His witnesses, His teachers to the people. When we share with our congregations or with other people, whether brothers or sisters in the Lord or unbelievers, we must allow the Ruach HaKodesh - the Holy Spirit - to speak through us. Allow the spirit of the Holy One of Israel to work in you so those you share with see there is something different about you that will cause them to ask questions. If they are not ready to hear what you want to share, or to see your witness, then shake the dust off your feet and move on. Pray for them and the Ruach of the Lord God Almighty will move. It may not happen according to your timeframe, but it will happen because our God hears our prayers.
Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 "And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? (NKJ)
It is not easy to love someone you disagree with, but as brothers and sisters in the Lord we must love one another, and at times just agree to disagree.
Isaiah 28:5-6 5 In that day the LORD of hosts will be a crown of glory, and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people, 6 and a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. (ESV)
Have you noticed how the prophets bring a word of exhortation to the people and then close it out with a promise of hope and restoration for the people of God? The Almighty loves us so much He desires us to walk with Him in a correct manner. Like any loving parent He takes the time to give us correction, so we know what He expects from us.
Deuteronomy 23:5 But the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam; instead the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loved you. (ESV)
The Lord loves all of us and does not want to see anyone lost, but in the end there will be those who will be lost. We will receive correction from our Master Yeshua if we are His, because he loves us. He does not want to see us walk to the left or to the right, but to stay the course and come to Him at the end of the road. This is a truth and the reality of the love of our God. He is love, the very embodiment of it, and it was through this love He used Yeshua to create all there is, including us. If He did not love us He would have destroyed us as soon as Adam and Chavah sinned in the Garden, but He allowed them to live. If He did not love us He would have allowed all of us to die in the flood in Noah’s day, but He let Noah and his family live, knowing full well sin came through the flood and manifested itself shortly afterwards.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV)
If this is not true love then I don’t know what is. The Lord does not agree with everything we say or do, but He loves us enough to allow us to find our way and will help us if we ask. He does not strike us down for making mistakes, but He expects us to realize what it is we have done and ask forgiveness for it. Every day we spend on the earth we have to take stock of where we are in our relationship with Yeshua. If we fall short in some areas that is alright. We are not perfect; we are a work in progress.
Romans 9:20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?" 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory-- 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Nations? (ESV)
When the Apostle Shaul spoke these words he was quoting Job. Job was a righteous man in the eyes of the Lord, but the Holy One allowed Satan to test him to the very limits of his life. He was not allowed to take his life, but he took everything else Job had. Job questioned the Holy One and the Holy One responded. The bottom line is we are not God and never will be, no matter what anyone tells us. Remember what Job had to say.
Job 10:9 Remember that you have made me like clay; and will you return me to the dust? 10 Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese? 11 You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. 12 You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit. (ESV)
What more is there to add? Don’t worry, as men and women we will always have something to add.
Blessings,
Mordecai Silver
Torah Man Says: “Marriage is a 3-ring circus: engagement ring, wedding ring, suffering.”
Tree of Life Messianic Ministries
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