Torah Nugget: Parsha Bo

I am still out of town, but wanted to make a quick post about something that jumped out to me this year, likely due to my study of Amalek.

Pharaoh is the epitome of one that desires to control, enslave, and oppress. He views people as a commodity, sheep that he can shear and fleece. During the plagues (miracles) of judgment, Pharaoh’s servants advise him to just let the MEN go to worship Adonai. Pharaoh heeds their advice and calls Moses and Aaron back into his presence. He asks them, “Who will go (halak)?”

“Pharaoh’s servants said to him, “How long will this man be a snare to us? Send the men, so they may serve Adonai their God. Don’t you realize yet that Egypt is being destroyed?” So Moses and Aaron were brought to Pharaoh again. “Go, serve Adonai your God,” he said. “But who will be going?” Moses answered, “We will go with our young and our elderly, our sons and our daughters. We will go with our flocks and our herds—for we must have Adonai’s feast for Him.””  (Ex. 10:7-9 TLV)

All the people, including the women and children, even all the livestock will go to worship Adonai. This is not the answer Pharaoh wanted to hear. In his mind, they all belong to him. By allowing the women and children and the livestock to be released with the men, the whole Body or nation would be set free. He would no longer be able to profit from their labor.

We would do well to keep a couple of spiritual truths in mind. Pharaoh believes he owns you and yours. You are no more than a good that can provide cheap service and labor to further his earthly kingdom. He is the opposite of rest and freedom. It took 7 plagues to get him to partially relent. But even then, he couldn’t let go of the thought of future revenue. That’s what the women, children, and livestock represent – the future. Moreover, when any gender or racial group is required to remain enslaved, this is not the “freedom” Adonai has in mind. (Livestock is often a symbol of the nations.) Paul knew this well and advised the Galatians:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female—for you are all one in Messiah Yeshua. And if you belong to Messiah, then you are Abraham’s seed—heirs according to the promise.”  (Gal. 3:28-29 TLV)

A spiritual “Pharaoh” knows that restraining the women, children, and nations, will keep the Body under his control. This is the way of fearful, flesh ruled men. If Pharaoh can keep them hostage, he has the men also, even though they have a facade of liberty. Adonai and Moses know that true freedom must include the women, little ones, and even the livestock (nations).

“But he (Pharaoh) said to them, “So may Adonai be with you, if I ever do let you go, with your little ones. See clearly now! Evil is in your face. Not so! Go now—the men—and serve Adonai! For that’s what you were seeking.” Then they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.”  (Ex. 10:10-11 TLV)

Adonai and Moses’ demand that the whole Assembly leave Eygpt to worship YHWH. This infuriates Pharaoh. He calls Moses ra or evil. He even implies that Moses is deluded and cannot see clearly by telling him to ra’ah or see that evil is neged or in front of his paniym (face).

Did you catch that? I’ll repeat it. Pharaoh believes Moses is blind and cannot see what is right in front of his face! I wonder how many have bought into Pharaoh’s twisted words? How many blind lead the blind? Is it evil to desire that the WHOLE Assembly serve and worship Adonai as He has called? Pharaoh thinks so.

Interestingly, the first use of neged, the word that means “in front of” is kenegdo in reference to the creation of woman. She is right in front of man’s face. I don’t believe it is a coincidence that Pharaoh refuses to let the WOMEN go with the men. They are the first step in the whole Body, including the nations, being set free.

The Exodus is one of the largest motifs in the Bible. (For a great book about this, click here.) In fact, the whole Bible is about Adonai moving one from slavery to freedom. We must grasp every detail of the Exodus to understand true redemption, salvation, deliverance, sanctification, and restoration. Enemies like Pharaoh reveal (to those with eyes to see) the heart issues of depraved man. The desire to control and subject others is never godly, even if the perpetrator believes himself to be a god.

Consider modern government today. How much of it is corrupted by the beastly desire for selfish gain, the drive to build a name and kingdom for self, greed and acquisition? What about religious man? Is he any different? Don’t these same desires nest in the hearts of many that lead flocks? I wonder how many actually believe they are building Adonai’s Kingdom when they are in fact only serving their own selfish desires?

Don’t let Pharaoh frighten you, especially if you are considered marginalized, inferior, or a minority. You are NOT a commodity; rather, you are an HEIR according to the Promise. Adonai, Moses, and Yeshua proclaim the Good News. They work to set the captives free from the House of Bondage and Slavery. The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. And, contrary to what oppressors like Pharaoh will tell you, these gifts and callings are meant to SERVE Adonai and build His Kingdom – no matter your sex or race. Stop building for Pharaohs that call good evil and evil good.

(Is. 61:1-6 TLV) 1 The Spirit of Adonai Elohim is on me, because Adonai has anointed me to proclaim Good News to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, 2  to proclaim the year of Adonai’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn 3  to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of Adonai, that He may be glorified. 4  They will rebuild the ancient ruins. They will restore former desolations. They will repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations. 5  Strangers will stand and shepherd your flocks, children of foreigners will be your plowmen and vinedressers. 6  But you will be called the kohanim of Adonai, They will speak of you as the ministers of our God. You will eat the wealth of nations and boast in their abundance.

(Jer. 46:27 TLV) “But you, fear not, Jacob My servant, nor be dismayed, O Israel. For behold, I will save you from afar, your offspring from the land of their exile. And Jacob will return and be at peace and secure, no one frightening him.