Post by alon on Jan 25, 2019 7:34:19 GMT -8
Par’shah 17.2 Yitro
This week’s readings: Par’shah 17
Date of reading: January 26, 2019/20 Sh’vat 5779
Name of Par’shah: (Yitro) Jethro
Par’shah: Sh’mot 18:1-20:23(26)
Haftarah: Yesha’yahu 6:1-7:6; 9:5(6)-6(7)
Brit Chadashah: Mattityahu 5:21-30; 15:1-11; 19:16-30; Mark 7:5-15; 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30; Acts 6:1-7; Romans 2:17-29; 7:7-12; 13:8-10; Ephesians 6:1-3; 1 Timothy 3:1-14; 2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:5-9; Messianic Jews 12:18-29; Ya’akov 2:8-13; 1 Kefa 2:9-10
D’rash: If one was to go to the internet and look up the responses of loyal fans towards the early rock group, the Beatles, one would see some images of temporary fences set up in locations they were scheduled to visit, in order to contain these fans. Quite often, law enforcement officers were pressing hard against these fences (or even the crowds themselves) to maintain control so that they would not break through in order to get closer to the famous group.
An unusual way to begin our par’shah, I know, so let’s get to our scripture:
Sh’mot 19:20-25---Adonai came down onto Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; Then Adonai called Moshe to the top of the mountain; and Moshe went up. Adonai said to Moshe, “Go down and warn the people not to force their way through to Adonai to see Him; if they do, many of them will perish. Even the cohanim, who are allowed to approach Adonai, must keep themselves holy; otherwise, Adonai may break out against them.” Moshe said to Adonai, “The people can’t come up to Mount Sinai, because You ordered us to set limits around the mountain and separate it.” But Adonai answered him, “Go, get down! Then come back up, you and Aharon with you. But don’t let the cohanim and the people force their way through to come up to Adonai, or He will break out against them.”
Notice that Adonai tells Moshe to go down and warn the people to remain within the set boundaries. Moshe responds by saying that these limits have been set up, yet Adonai repeats His instructions, only more emphatically. It is true that, as one reads further in the par’shah, the people trembled at the sight of what was happening at Mount Sinai; but just like in our beginning illustration, there was a good chance that some were tempted to cross these boundaries to get a closer look. Thus was the reason that Adonai repeated His instructions to Moshe. This can be considered one of the first mitzvah at Mount Sinai, and an established fact that there would always have to be a certain distance between a Holy G-d and sinful man. Only a few select individuals would be allowed to approach Him more closely. This concept was instilled deeply in the Hebrew mindset: when the Mishkan was constructed in the desert (and in later Temples), only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies and that but just once a year. In Shof’tim chapter 13, the messenger of Adonai gave instructions to Manoach and his wife on how to raise the child they were to have (Shimshon). When their offering was consumed by fire, Manoach expressed fear that they would die for seeing Him, which, of course, didn’t happen since He chose them as part of His plan to deliver Isra’el from the P’lishtim. Sh’mu’el Bet 6:1-10 records the account when king David wanted to bring up the Ark of G-d to Yerushalayim. They transported it on a new cart pulled by oxen and when they stumbled Uzah reached out his hand to steady it and was struck down by Adonai for that offense. This appears to be harsh but recall that
instructed that the L’vi’im were to transport the Ark and only by its carrying poles. Uzah meant well but that respectful distance of the Presence was to be honored.
In our Scripture we see that Isra’el was not allowed to go beyond the boundaries set at Mount Sinai and anyone who did so would be put to death. In a spiritual sense, if we were to approach G-d and experience the full light of His glory (1 Yochanan 1:5), how overwhelming would it be when It would reveal every sin, flaw and evil motive of our hearts? It would be like having a completely out-of-shape individual immediately run a 26-mile marathon nonstop. G-d, out of His love and mercy, draws us to Himself in small steps that we can handle, primarily through His Word. As we are successful and obedient, He reveals more to us---a new commandment, a behavior to eliminate, making something right with an individual we have wronged, or whatever. Sometimes the steps might get a little steep but never impossible when we are led by the Ruach HaKodesh; just like the out-of-shape person who starts off walking short distances, then increases to longer ones, then incorporates jogging, then works on increasing speed until he/she can competently complete the entire 26 miles nonstop. Of course, in our spiritual journey, perfection comes after death or when Yeshua returns.
At times, even the most godly and humble can feel like their efforts and accomplishments still seem small, especially when they see how much there remains to work on. But then, when you compare yourself to a Holy G-d, what would you expect? Let’s see what the prophet Yesha’yahu said when he saw the glory of Adonai fill the Temple:
Yesha’yahu 6:5---“…Woe to me! I [too] am doomed! --- because I, a man with unclean lips, living among a people with unclean lips, have seen with my own eyes the King, Adonai Tzva’ot!”
Like training for a marathon or any other discipline, godliness requires the same effort, yet is much more valuable:
1 Timothy 4:8---"For although physical exercise does have some value, godliness is valuable for everything, since it holds promise both for the present life and for the life to come.”
Messianic Jews 12:14---"Keep pursuing shalom with everyone and the holiness without which no one will see the L-rd.”
References: Scriptures taken from the Complete Jewish Bible, copyright 1998 by David H. Stern
MRD
This week’s readings: Par’shah 17
Date of reading: January 26, 2019/20 Sh’vat 5779
Name of Par’shah: (Yitro) Jethro
Par’shah: Sh’mot 18:1-20:23(26)
Haftarah: Yesha’yahu 6:1-7:6; 9:5(6)-6(7)
Brit Chadashah: Mattityahu 5:21-30; 15:1-11; 19:16-30; Mark 7:5-15; 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30; Acts 6:1-7; Romans 2:17-29; 7:7-12; 13:8-10; Ephesians 6:1-3; 1 Timothy 3:1-14; 2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:5-9; Messianic Jews 12:18-29; Ya’akov 2:8-13; 1 Kefa 2:9-10
D’rash: If one was to go to the internet and look up the responses of loyal fans towards the early rock group, the Beatles, one would see some images of temporary fences set up in locations they were scheduled to visit, in order to contain these fans. Quite often, law enforcement officers were pressing hard against these fences (or even the crowds themselves) to maintain control so that they would not break through in order to get closer to the famous group.
An unusual way to begin our par’shah, I know, so let’s get to our scripture:
Sh’mot 19:20-25---Adonai came down onto Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; Then Adonai called Moshe to the top of the mountain; and Moshe went up. Adonai said to Moshe, “Go down and warn the people not to force their way through to Adonai to see Him; if they do, many of them will perish. Even the cohanim, who are allowed to approach Adonai, must keep themselves holy; otherwise, Adonai may break out against them.” Moshe said to Adonai, “The people can’t come up to Mount Sinai, because You ordered us to set limits around the mountain and separate it.” But Adonai answered him, “Go, get down! Then come back up, you and Aharon with you. But don’t let the cohanim and the people force their way through to come up to Adonai, or He will break out against them.”
Notice that Adonai tells Moshe to go down and warn the people to remain within the set boundaries. Moshe responds by saying that these limits have been set up, yet Adonai repeats His instructions, only more emphatically. It is true that, as one reads further in the par’shah, the people trembled at the sight of what was happening at Mount Sinai; but just like in our beginning illustration, there was a good chance that some were tempted to cross these boundaries to get a closer look. Thus was the reason that Adonai repeated His instructions to Moshe. This can be considered one of the first mitzvah at Mount Sinai, and an established fact that there would always have to be a certain distance between a Holy G-d and sinful man. Only a few select individuals would be allowed to approach Him more closely. This concept was instilled deeply in the Hebrew mindset: when the Mishkan was constructed in the desert (and in later Temples), only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies and that but just once a year. In Shof’tim chapter 13, the messenger of Adonai gave instructions to Manoach and his wife on how to raise the child they were to have (Shimshon). When their offering was consumed by fire, Manoach expressed fear that they would die for seeing Him, which, of course, didn’t happen since He chose them as part of His plan to deliver Isra’el from the P’lishtim. Sh’mu’el Bet 6:1-10 records the account when king David wanted to bring up the Ark of G-d to Yerushalayim. They transported it on a new cart pulled by oxen and when they stumbled Uzah reached out his hand to steady it and was struck down by Adonai for that offense. This appears to be harsh but recall that
instructed that the L’vi’im were to transport the Ark and only by its carrying poles. Uzah meant well but that respectful distance of the Presence was to be honored.In our Scripture we see that Isra’el was not allowed to go beyond the boundaries set at Mount Sinai and anyone who did so would be put to death. In a spiritual sense, if we were to approach G-d and experience the full light of His glory (1 Yochanan 1:5), how overwhelming would it be when It would reveal every sin, flaw and evil motive of our hearts? It would be like having a completely out-of-shape individual immediately run a 26-mile marathon nonstop. G-d, out of His love and mercy, draws us to Himself in small steps that we can handle, primarily through His Word. As we are successful and obedient, He reveals more to us---a new commandment, a behavior to eliminate, making something right with an individual we have wronged, or whatever. Sometimes the steps might get a little steep but never impossible when we are led by the Ruach HaKodesh; just like the out-of-shape person who starts off walking short distances, then increases to longer ones, then incorporates jogging, then works on increasing speed until he/she can competently complete the entire 26 miles nonstop. Of course, in our spiritual journey, perfection comes after death or when Yeshua returns.
At times, even the most godly and humble can feel like their efforts and accomplishments still seem small, especially when they see how much there remains to work on. But then, when you compare yourself to a Holy G-d, what would you expect? Let’s see what the prophet Yesha’yahu said when he saw the glory of Adonai fill the Temple:
Yesha’yahu 6:5---“…Woe to me! I [too] am doomed! --- because I, a man with unclean lips, living among a people with unclean lips, have seen with my own eyes the King, Adonai Tzva’ot!”
Like training for a marathon or any other discipline, godliness requires the same effort, yet is much more valuable:
1 Timothy 4:8---"For although physical exercise does have some value, godliness is valuable for everything, since it holds promise both for the present life and for the life to come.”
Messianic Jews 12:14---"Keep pursuing shalom with everyone and the holiness without which no one will see the L-rd.”
References: Scriptures taken from the Complete Jewish Bible, copyright 1998 by David H. Stern
MRD
