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VA’ERA “And I appeared”
16 JAN
2010
Exodus
6:2-9:35
Isaiah
66:1-24
Romans
9:14-26
This is the Finger of G-d
Last
week we began the book of Shemot/Exodus. It began with the names of the
children of Israel. We were introduced to Moshe, the chosen of G-d to
bring deliverance to His people. Pharaoh rejected the claim that there is
a G-d above him and the other Egyptian gods.
This week
is Rosh Chodesh (New Month) Shevat, as we see the new moon rise. For this
reason we have Isaiah 66 as our reading in place of Eze.28:25-29:21.
This week
also we read how G-d reveals to Moses the "four expressions of
redemption." He will take the Jewish people out from Egypt, deliver them
from enslavement, and redeem them for Himself so they will be His own
treasured people. Then He will bring them to the Promised Land.
(Shemot/Exodus 6:12) G-d also began His divine judgment with the ten
plagues. He said to Moshe, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and
strike the dust of the land; it shall become lice throughout the land of
Egypt.’” So they did. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and
struck the dust of the land, and the lice infestation was on man and
beast; all the dust of the land became lice, throughout the land of
Egypt. This plague was the third of the ten.
The
court magicians were able to imitate the previous two plagues. This one,
however, they could not reproduce using their magic. (Chapter 6:15) The
magicians said to Pharaoh, “It is the finger of G-d!” Think of it! These
pagan magicians witnessed a miracle that they could not reproduce and
declared that it is the finger of G-d!
Yeshua, like Moshe, was sent forth to proclaim freedom. He was sent to
heal the sick and free those who were imprisoned (Isaiah 61). He
performed miracles, which proved who He was and by whom He was sent.
(Matt 12:24-28; Mark 3:23-26; Luke 11:14-15) Yeshua was not only rejected
as being The Deliverer, he was accused of being in league with Beelzebub,
the prince of demons. The teachers of the Law could not see what
Pharaoh’s court magicians saw, that the finger of G-d was acting and the
time of visitation had come.
They
are not the only ones who rejected Yeshua. In the book of Romans, Shaul
declared (1:25) that mankind is guilty of exchanging the truth of G-d for
a lie and worshiped the creature rather than the creator. (Revelations
9:6) Also, even when things look bleak and all seems to be lost, the
unbelievers declare that they would rather die than cease from paying
homage to their idols. (Revelations 9:20) They would not cease or repent
of their murder or their practice of magic or sexual vices or their
thefts.
As we
see our world descend more and more into the hands of those who are not
G-d fearers, let us not be deceived. Let us be ready as a pure bride
waits with eagerness for the return of the Bridegroom. Be watchful for
the finger of G-d!
Shavua Tov
Rabbi
Z.
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