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Va-Era "And I appeared"
1 JAN
2011
Exodus
6:2-9:35
Ezekiel
28:25-29:21
Romans
9:14-25
We continue in Shemot after Moshe was unsuccessful in
getting Pharaoh to release G-d’s people after his first court visit.
Not only did Moshe not secure the release of his people but a heavier
burden was placed upon them when they were required to gather their own
straw to make bricks, something that was provided for them previously.
Moshe needed encouragement from G-d. He was given a word
directly from the Great I Am. G-d revealed that He is HaShem
(6:6) and that the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was
established and in effect. G-d would bring about the promise to their
children to be a free people in the land of promise. G-d states,
“Therefore say to the Children of Israel; I am HaShem and I shall take
you out from under the burdens of Egypt; I shall rescue you from their
service; I shall redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great
judgments; I shall take you to Me for a people and I shall be a G-d to
you; and you shall know that I am HaShem your G-d, Who takes you out
from under the burdens of Egypt.”
One striking passage is when G-d states that He is HaShem
and He will take them out from under the burdens of Egypt. This shows
us a G-d who keeps His promises (Numbers 23:19). G-d is not a man that
He should tell a lie, neither a son of man, that He should feel
repentance or compunction, [for what He has promised]. Has He said and
shall He not do it? Or has He spoken and shall He not make it good?
As I see it, G-d promised Abraham that his descendents
would be enslaved in a strange land, yet He will lead them out from the
land of bondage to the land of promise. We too, have been promised
freedom from our personal bondages, as it is written (John 8:36) so if
the Son liberates you, [makes you free], then you are really and
unquestionably free indeed!
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z.
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