Can we do תפילות prayers for:
Mike Clayton and his ministery?
That also through them The האור Light, רפואה The Healing and The ואהבה Love of ישועת יהוהYeshuath YHWH may come back to הארץ The Land of Israel?
 | | December 23, 2010 |
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TEACHING THE HEBRAIC PERSPECTIVE OF FAITH IN AND OBEDIENCE TO THE ONE TRUE GOD
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| Shemot "Names"
Exodus 1:1-6:1
Isaiah 27:6-28:13; 29:22-23
Judges 13-15
*Archived teaching from 2009*
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| Torah Commentary |
| Shemot "Names"
Exodus 1:1-6:1
Isaiah 27:6-28:13; 29:22-23
Judges 13-15
They Became Slaves
When we hear of the Hebrews in Egypt, we normally think of their time as slaves. We think of the stones they were making for the cities of Egypt and the forced labor they endured on a daily basis. But the life of slavery did not happen suddenly, but rather over time. Remember they had entered Egypt, not as slaves, but as the exalted family of the man who had saved Egypt from the famine. They began with hero status, but over the years, life changed and changed dramatically, even if gradually.
So, what happened to these people that caused such a change in life and lifestyle? Could the answer to this question unlock answers for us today? Let's examine it further and see.
The Hebrews entered into Egypt as shepards. They began their lives in the Land of Goshen and though they were respected for the sake of Joseph, they were not brought into the life and culture of Egypt because of their occupation. Scripture states that the job of a shepard was abhorrent to the Egyptians.
At first the lifestyle of the Egyptians was in turn abhorrent to the Hebrews. The life of outward appearance with bright fancy clothes, make up and worldly possessions were just not what the Hebrews had been accustomed to. During the first years of life in Goshen the cultural differences of a people called to be in Egypt, but not of Egypt, kept a relatively thick wall of division between these two people.
But with time and generations the Hebrews would begin to forget their life in Canaan. The life that was would be relegated to the older folks sharing memories of a past life. At first, younger people would listen intently, but as time went on their interest would wane. They would gradually begin to turn their eyes increasingly to Egypt and her ways. The casual looks toward Egypt would eventually lead to daydreams of what life would be like if they just did not have this stigma of Hebrew around their neck. They began to think that maybe being a Hebrew was not such a great thing after all. Maybe the Egyptians are right about this shepard thing. "They are a bit on the smelly side" would be among new thoughts that popped into their heads. One idea would lead to another as the culture and styles of Egypt crept into Goshen. At first the older generation put up a bit of a fight, but as time went on those things no longer looked as wrong as they once did. Seemingly overnight the older generation would be found no longer fighting Egypt, but rather embracing her.
We do not know how many years it took for the Hebrews to go from living in Egypt to Egypt living in them, but as we read, it did happen. They were now a people who were not only in the world, but they were of the world. What they did not realize during their downward spiral was that though they would accept Egypt, Egypt would never accept them. The call of HaShem inside them would mean they could never truly be Egyptians, no matter how hard they might try. The change would also cause them to forget that life in Egypt had numbered days. The call would not allow them to stay in a foreign land. One day they would be called home and Egypt would have to be left behind.
So how would Yah keep the Hebrews separate? How would He be faithful to them even if they were not faithful to Him? He would cause an Egyptian culture and leader to arise that would push the Hebrews away, even though they were trying with all their might to push their way in. He would make them slaves to that which they so desperately desired - Egypt. Since the Hebrews would not maintain the wall of division, He would. His plans, purposes and Word spoken to their fathers would not be thwarted because of their desires. Yes, they were in Egypt now, but only for a time, and during that time they were going to be made sick of what they had allowed themselves to swallow.
It is truly amazing how history repeats itself. The family of Yah is once again in Egypt and once again we find Egypt in us. How Egypt in us works in our lives is as individual as we are. Whether through entertainment, sports, fashion, pagan customs or any number of other areas, it seems like Egypt has a firm grip on most if not all of us. If you do not see this, then deliverance will come very hard for you. But if you can look into the mirror of your life and see that just like our ancestors, Egypt has become far too much of our lives and in fact has taken us into its hold, then there is hope. Coming to grips with Egypt's hold on our lives is part of the battle of breaking free. Coming to grips with the fact that we have been taken slaves is the key that will unlock the door to freedom.
The difference between most of our ancestors and many of us is that we are not only crying for deliverance, but we know Who we are crying to. We understand that we have inherited Egypt and are trying desperately to be free from her hold. We know we cannot break her hold on our own, but must do so with the power of the One who has called us to live not as slaves to Egypt, but rather as bondservants unto Him.
We cannot today take our bodies out of Egypt. Egypt covers the earth in every country including Israel. We can however ask that the work would begin in this Torah portion to take Egypt out of us, so when the final deliverance comes, we not look back in our journey as our ancestors did. The work of taking the slave out of Egypt will then be a bit easier, for Egypt will have already been taken out of the slave!
Shabbat Shalom,
Mike
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