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YITRO
11 FEB 2012
Exodus 18:1-20:23
Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-6
Mathew 5:17-32, Heb.12:18-24
In this Parasha, Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, hears of the great miracles which GOD performed for the people of Israel. He comes from Median to the Israelite camp, bringing with him Moses' wife and two sons. Jethro advises Moses to appoint a hierarchy of magistrates and judges to assist him in the task of governing and administrating justice to the people.
The Children of Israel camp opposite Mount Sinai, where they are told that GOD has chosen them to be His "kingdom of priests" and "holy nation." The people respond by proclaiming, "All that GOD has spoken, we shall do."
On the sixth day of the third month (Sivan), seven weeks after the Exodus, the entire nation of Israel assembles at the foot of Mount Sinai. GOD descends on the mountain amidst thunder, lightning, billows of smoke and the blast of the shofar, and summons Moses to ascend.
GOD proclaims the Ten Commandments, commanding the people of Israel to believe in GOD, not to worship idols or take GOD's name in vain, to keep the Shabbat, honor their parents, and not to murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness or covet another's property. The people cry out to Moses that the revelation is too intense for them to bear, begging him to receive the Torah from GOD and convey it to them.
GOD calls for total commitment. Exodus was written to give Israel a record of its history and law and to instruct the people how they were to live, serve and worship GOD. It was written to all people of all generations. To give us an example and warning about how not to live:
Now all these things happened unto them for examples; and they are written for our admonition (warning), upon whom the ends of the world are come (1Cor 10:11). To teach us so that through the Scriptures we might be encouraged and have great hope: For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning. We, through patience and comfort of the scriptures, might have hope (Ro 15:4).
GOD called Abraham to believe Him and to seek the great promises of GOD. He also called Israel to obey Him and to become a holy people and to be His witnesses to the world. Duty follows deliverance. Complete redemption involved more than getting Israel out of Egypt. It also involved getting Egypt, the world, out of them. Not unlike believers of today, the Israelites often lusted for the things of Egypt instead of fulfilling their duty. Their duty was to follow GOD’s law in order to receive GOD’s blessing. So what are you waiting for, obey and receive His blessings.
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z
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