Post by R' Y'hoshua Moshe on Jan 28, 2007 16:18:29 GMT -8
Who Is Like Him?
By Reuel D.
Parashah B’shallach
“Who is like you, YHVH, among the mighty? Who is like you,
sublime in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?”
- Shemot/Exo. 15:11
By Reuel D.
Parashah B’shallach
“Who is like you, YHVH, among the mighty? Who is like you,
sublime in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?”
- Shemot/Exo. 15:11
Among those of the renown, among those of whom are considered mighty ones, whom is like Adonai our Elohim? Who is like our God whom stretched out the Heavens and made the Earth? Whom is like our God whom knows the thoughts and the intents of man and whom brings the plans of the wicked to nothing? Whom is like our God who makes such wonderful covenants and promises to our forefathers for our good...and indeed keeps them? Whom is like Adonai whom was able to save Noach and his family from the judgment befalling the wicked? Whom is like our Mighty One whom brought Avraham out enabling him to cross over into a covenant relationship while doing wonders, providing atonement, and giving such great promises as we have today?
Whom is like our God whom has saved our forefathers Yitzchak and Ya’akov as it is to this day while nation after nation has sought our destruction…yes, has diligently sought the destruction of Yisrael. Whom else would be able to save Yisrael other than our God?? Adonai said that he would bring all other nations to naught, but His people Israel he would chasten, yet not destroy. What other mighty one was willing to give peoples and lives for us? Indeed, what other mighty one was willing to sacrifice that which is precious to Him for our sake….even when we were not worthy? Whom among the mighty is able to judge all other mighty ones while leading His chosen to salvation?
In parashah B’shallach we see that those that hear the voice of Adonai and are willing to follow our God’s instruction will be lead in the way of salvation. As His Malach, His Holy Messenger leads us to salvation and redeems us with an outstretched arm our enemy is enraged and pursues us diligently. But, Adonai does not call us out just to be destroyed by the enemy in our weak state...
“No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” - 1Corinthians 10:13
And, this is why Adonai led Am Yisrael (People Of Israel) in a way where they would not immediately see war and be tempted to return to Egypt. As we take those first steps in obedience to His instruction He acts as a pillar of fire and a rearguard coming between us and the enemy that would destroy us if only given the chance. But, our Great Elohim is also a consuming fire and we dare not turn back and return to the likes of Egypt…. This pillar of fire, this Malach HaAdonai (Messenger/Angel of The Lord) was one of the first ways that Adonai sanctified the people of Yisrael as He separated them, making them holy unto Himself. It was His doing and all we had to do was respond to Him in trust. He is the one that enables us to do all things which are righteous.
But, as we continue to read on after the exiting of Egypt we see there are multiple levels of sanctification that Adonai will take His people through as they continue their walk with Him. This was just the beginning as the people of Yisrael exited Egypt. Adonai did not share all of His all at once and did not expect them to be immediately perfect in their observance of it. And, when people are just beginning their walk in we must also be patient with them. But, at the same time, Adonai does have a time line as we also see in proceeding parashas. What a wonderful God that we serve whom takes us from bitterness to sweetness! He took us from the bitter bondage of sin as we were serving an unrighteous taskmaster as we see was the case with Am Yisrael (Children Of Yisrael).
Like our father Avraham, in parashah B’shallach Adonai causes His people to cross over from the bitter bondage of sin. Perhaps this was signified by the children of Yisrael crossing the river of marah (bitterness). Many times a river signifies an abundance of something. Before coming into saving relationship with our God we experienced the abundance that sin had to offer us…This abundance led to mass death in every area of our lives that it touched. In parashah B’shallach we see God preparing and instructions for the life style of the redeemed (Yisrael). We see Him turning the bitter river which one could not bear to drink into water that was sweet and good tasting….Our God in His chen v’chesed (His grace, loving kindness, and mercy) turns what was meant for evil into an abundant blessing as we see expressed in the words of Yosef echoing throughout the parashahs of Beresheet….
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive.” - Beresheet/Gen. 50:20
Only after 400 years of life in Egypt does this become a reality for the children of Yisrael. If we are patient in our affliction and in the day of our trials….we too can experience this reality. And, if we are found faithful following His instruction during it all, God will be able to save many people alive through us and turn many to righteousness, as it says in the book of Daniel…
“And those who act wisely shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and those turning many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.” - Daniel 12:3
And, with this do the words of haftarah B’shallach agree…
“So let all your enemies perish, YHVH, but let those who love him be as the sun when it rises forth in its strength.” - Shoftim (Judges) 5:31
The question is, will we prove to be God’s enemies or those whom love Him? Our Master and Rabbi once said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
- Yochanan (John) 14:15
And, I think He speaks for God.
May Adonai richly bless you,
B'shem Yeshua HaMashaich