Parasha Shemot: "And these are the names"

17 Jan 2009

Exodus 1:1-6:1

HafTorah:Ashkenazic custom: Isaiah 27:6-28:13, 29:22-23

Sephardic custom: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3

Acts 7:17-29

The book of Exodus begins by telling us the names of all of Jacob’s children who went into exile in Egypt. There, they grew into a numerous and mighty nation. In conjunction with the end of the book of Genesis, Exodus follows the process from exile and slavery to freedom with mighty acts of miracles.

The nation is growing despite centuries of oppression. But the time has come, for G-d to bring forth His nation as promised to Abraham over four hundred years before. G-d had promised that his descendants would multiply (Genesis 13:16).

G-d kept His word and continues to do so even today, despite the hatred, the anti Israel statements and physical violent attacks against G-d's people and the Nation of the modern state of Israel. We who believe G-d's word need to pray for Israel (Psalm 122:6), for protection from those who seek to destroy her and cast her into the Sea.

SO, WHY DO WE STAND WITH ISRAEL?

To the world’s way of thinking, it is foolish to stand with Israel. Israel is a small country with no oil wealth, or other great wealth for that matter. Many people and countries hate Israel while the UN condemns Israel more than any other country.

We must stand with Israel because we believe the Bible to be true. The G-d of the Bible, always keeps His word. G-d promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel) in Genesis 12:3, “I will bless them that bless thee and curse him that curses thee; and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” This has proved to be true ever since the judgments on Egypt during the Exodus of Israel from Egypt, to the present time.

Israel and the Jewish people are the most prominent physical proof that the Bible is true. For this reason, Satan, the god of the world system, hates the Jews and Israel, and is trying to destroy them.

G-d, who created this planet, has deeded the land of Israel to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. As long as there is a planet Earth, the land of Israel will belong to the Jewish people because the Abrahamic Covenant outlined in Genesis 12:3, Genesis 15:18-20, and Genesis 17:1-14. It is an everlasting covenant. The land of Canaan is an everlasting possession. This promise is reaffirmed in Psalm 105:8-11, Luke 1:72-74, Hebrews 6:13-20, and many other scriptures.

G-d is a Zionist. Psalm 132:13, “For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation.”

Psalm 135:4, “For the Lord has chosen Jacob unto Himself and Israel for His special treasure.”

Even when all the nations gather to make war on Jerusalem (Israel), G-d says in Zechariah 14 that the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations.

Whose side will you be on? Will you be with the world system or stand with the G-d of Israel.

Shavua Tov

Rabbi Z.

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