Parsha Shmot

[itiswritten]

Last week we completed B'resheet and this Shabbat we begin sefer Shmot. (The Book of Exodus)

Needless to say things have been at a crawl lately, but I would be interested in hearing your insights on this Torah portions and others. I will try to post a few things that I have found later.

[itiswritten]

Exodus 4:1-9 1And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee. 2And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. 3And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. 4And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand: 5That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee. 6And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow. 7And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh. 8And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign. 9And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.

I have been working on my study for the Torah teaching this week and thinking about this section. Three signs are given for Moshe to show unto Bnai Yisrael as evidence that he was sent by YHVH.

• Casting down staff and it becomes a serpent
  
• Hand becoming leprous and then clean again
  
• Pouring water on dry land that becomes blood
  

Some believe that the first sign represents idolatry. The second sign represents sexual sin and that the third sign represents the sin of murder.

I think that there is more to these signs than that. I'm curious what you all think that the three signs symbolize. Thanks for your participation.

[Jonatan]

It sounds quite logical (those three sins) - it give sense: serpent as figure used in occultism, hands or whatever unclean - sexual sin and blood as murder. But just why would Moses or the Lord want Moses to show and represent sins?

Next thing, the second looks rather like CLEANING FROM sexual sin. But why? Why such signs for sins?

[itiswritten]

The interpretations that I gave were from Judaism sources. I happen to think that there is much more to it. Remember, these were signs so that the leaders of Israel would believe initially, not the Egyptians.

I think that they primarily are a picture of Messiah and the work that he would do in bringing redemption and deliverance.

Consider these passages:

• Staff turning to serpent

Ps 110:1-4 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. 3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. 4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

• Hand turning leprous
Illustrates power to strike with disease and then to heal. Leprosy often occurs when people do not respect proper authority. (see Miriam and Ahaziah)


Jeremiah 32:18
18Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom (same word that is in Ex) of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,

Isa 65:6-7 Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,7 Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.

Ps 74:9-13 We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.10 O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?11 Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy bosom.12 For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.13 Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters.

The right hand of Elohim seems to be symbolic for the Messiah. It seems that the sign of leprosy is showing the redemption through the Messiah’s first and second coming.

Romans 8:3
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

2 Corinthians 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Hebrews 9:28
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin [/b]unto salvation.

• Water into blood on dry land

Psalm 22:14
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

Isaiah 53:12
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Psalm 79:3
Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.


Revelation 11:6
These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

Consider also these:

Luke 10:18
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Ezekiel 32:6
I will also water with thy blood the land wherein thou swimmest, even to the mountains; and the rivers shall be full of thee.

Some food for thought. Hopefully I'll come up with more.

[Jonatan]

I think that they primarily are a picture of Messiah and the work that he would do in bringing redemption and deliverance.

So do I. I would believe that if there's said about sins, it is also remez or pre-figure of salvation from them. Every thing in Bible points out to Messiah and is somehow related to Him.

• Hand turning leprous
Illustrates power to strike with disease and then to heal. Leprosy often occurs when people do not respect proper authority. (see Miriam and Ahaziah)


Jeremiah 32:18
18Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom (same word that is in Ex) of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,

into the bosom! Oh, that I never thought of it like that! So you've brought new invention, haven't you? I never found pre-figure for sexual sin in such words. Actually, I never knew what it means when Bible says "into bosom".
Do you also think that "into bosom" is referring to that?
Wait! That would mean why the people - sinners are delivered TO sin. If someone rebels against authority, is spiritually easily lead away from purity and piety and everything what's righteous. That what's spiritual, have a short time until it become in flesh.
Do you think so of this as well?

[itiswritten]

So do I. I would believe that if there's said about sins, it is also remez or pre-figure of salvation from them. Every thing in Bible points out to Messiah and is somehow related to Him.

I agree.

into the bosom! Oh, that I never thought of it like that! So you've brought new invention, haven't you? I never found pre-figure for sexual sin in such words. Actually, I never knew what it means when Bible says "into bosom".
Do you also think that "into bosom" is referring to that?
Wait! That would mean why the people - sinners are delivered TO sin. If someone rebels against authority, is spiritually easily lead away from purity and piety and everything what's righteous. That what's spiritual, have a short time until it become in flesh.
Do you think so of this as well?

I'm sorry Jonatan, but I didn't totally understand the above statements. If you could try to reword things and ask again I will try to respond.

[John]

I like your messianic interpretations: the serpent is a sign of the messiah (nachash is equal to mashiach gematrically), healing a man of leprousy was one of the messianic miacles, and he was to spill blood-- with water as one of the witnesses! (there are three that bear witness, the blood, water, and something else, lol)

shalom

[itiswritten]

Jan 12, 2010 21:06:30 GMT -5 John said:

I like your messianic interpretations: the serpent is a sign of the messiah (nachash is equal to mashiach gematrically), healing a man of leprousy was one of the messianic miacles, and he was to spill blood-- with water as one of the witnesses! (there are three that bear witness, the blood, water, and something else, lol)

shalom

Thanks John. It sounds like we are on the same page regarding these Messianic signs. It's funny that you bring up that verse from John's writings. I used that one as I was teaching on this passage last week. It's spirit, blood and water. I have heard different things regarding the Messianic miracle of healing leprosy. Do you have any sources from Judaism mentioning this? I know they are out there. Also thanks for mentioning the nachash gematria. I didn't realize that the two were the same. That's cool. I always find it amazing that few Christians realize the context of probably the most quoted verse.


John 3:14-16 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

[Jonatan]

Jan 11, 2010, 7:03pm, Itswritten wrote:
I'm sorry Jonatan, but I didn't totally understand the above statements. If you could try to reword things and ask again I will try to respond.

I meant to say that you related those verses where there is written that the Lord will measure iniquity "into bosom", to sexual sins because of the formulation "into bosom". Is that correct?

Jan 12, 2010, 9:06pm, John wrote:
I like your messianic interpretations: the serpent is a sign of the messiah (nachash is equal to mashiach gematrically), healing a man of leprousy was one of the messianic miacles, and he was to spill blood-- with water as one of the witnesses! (there are three that bear witness, the blood, water, and something else, lol)

Ah yeah! So THIS IS THE SERPENT PARALLEL FOR MESSIAH!
I never understood why John 3:14 - the serpent in the wilderness should be a pre-figure for Messiah.
I have always thought that serpent is only pre-figure of Satan, the evil one, who, by the way, developed sorcery - divination. Diviners use serpents.
I am very surprised. This is something new for me!

So the serpent is in Judaism somehow related to Messiah in positive sense?

[itiswritten]

Jan 14, 2010 11:21:34 GMT -5 Jonatan said:

I meant to say that you related those verses where there is written that the Lord will measure iniquity "into bosom", to sexual sins because of the formulation "into bosom". Is that correct?

No, I had stated that some rabbis link leprosy with sexual sin. I was showing a connection with sin being brought into the bosom/heart and being made clean. I think that those signs are pointing to the Messiah and things that he would accomplish.

So the serpent is in Judaism somehow related to Messiah in positive sense?

Most symbols have both positive and negative aspects to them. On one hand the Messiah is symbolized as "lamb without blemish", yet he is also symbolized by the serpent being lifted up on the pole. He who knew no sin became sin. Just as Aharon's rod turned into a serpent and swallowed up the serpents of Pharaoh's servants, Y'shua became sin to destroy sin.

[John]

Messiah took on sin when he was put on the cross. that is why he was prefigured as a serpent- a serpent is a symbol for sin.

-john

[Jonatan]

Jan 17, 2010 0:14:23 GMT -5 itiswritten said:

Most symbols have both positive and negative aspects to them. On one hand the Messiah is symbolized as "lamb without blemish", yet he is also symbolized by the serpent being lifted up on the pole. He who knew no sin became sin. Just as Aharon's rod turned into a serpent and swallowed up the serpents of Pharaoh's servants, Y'shua became sin to destroy sin.

Ah, yes! Nicely done!
Thank you for explanation. I can clearly now see into battle between Moses and Pharaoh's servants.
Moses's staff (Yeshua) turned into serpent (became sin), to devour their serpents (to destroy the works of devil - 1 John 3:8)

[itiswritten]

Thanks for the help guys on the symbolism. Now, I've been seriously looking at the plagues for a while and examining the order and construct of the ten plagues. Why did they occur in the order that they did? Also, why were the things affected in the order that they were? You help is appreciated.

1 Waters to blood
2 Frogs from the water
3 Struck the dust and it became Lice (Egyptians were not able to duplicate after this point)

4 Flies (Division between Egypt and Goshen (light and darkness)
5 Disease upon Cattle
6 Boils (ashes sprinkled toward heaven became boils on man and beast.
7 Hail mingled with fire (upon man and beast, herbs of the field and trees)

8 Locusts (herbs of the field, fruit of the trees, and every green thing)
9 Darkness for three days
10 Death of Firstborn

[John]

1 Waters to blood
2 Frogs from the water
3 Struck the dust and it became Lice (Egyptians were not able to duplicate after this point)

4 Flies (Division between Egypt and Goshen (light and darkness)
5 Disease upon Cattle
6 Boils (ashes sprinkled toward heaven became boils on man and beast.
7 Hail mingled with fire (upon man and beast, herbs of the field and trees)

8 Locusts (herbs of the field, fruit of the trees, and every green thing)
9 Darkness for three days
10 Death of Firstborn

There is a theory that the plagues represented a humilitation of the egyptian god's powers. See perry Stone on this. also: answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091215140757AAv73iB

The mystical interpretation is:

The Egyptian sorcerers and magicians did the same with their enchantments, but God caused Aaron’s rod to swallow their serpents. The serpent is a symbol of Wisdom. God performed this wonder to demonstrate how the Wisdom of the One God of Israel would absorb the lesser wisdom of other religions.

(i.e., the serpent is both a symbol of fertility and wisdom, both of which apply to the genesis narrative of eden: The tree of KNOWLEDGE of good and evil. They were NAKED and were not ashamed)

A detailed explanation of one mystical viewpoint can be found at miriams-well.org/lectures/Plagues.html (ignore the astrological overtones).

another interpretation concerning the plagues:

The classic understanding of the metaphor is that the bush is Israel and the flames are its persecutors. Despite the intensity of its persecutions, Israel will never consumed. Alternatively, the bush is Egypt and the flames are the ten plagues. Despite the intensity of the plagues Egypt would survive to absorb every last one of them.

It can also be seen as an inner struggle as well as a collective struggle of humanity-- who eventually killed the first-born son of God as in the 10th plague. Darkness was upon the earth for three days during this time period. All of the plagues from 8 up are in revelation.

many different interpretations, "partzufim de haPasukim", faces of the verses.

-john

[itiswritten]

Thanks very much John. Very good information.

[Jonatan]

It can also be seen as an inner struggle as well as a collective struggle of humanity-- who eventually killed the first-born son of God as in the 10th plague. Darkness was upon the earth for three days during this time period. All of the plagues from 8 up are in revelation.

many different interpretations, "partzufim de haPasukim", faces of the verses.

-john

Yeah, these are Midrashim, aren't they? Free interpretations. And it's good. I think such Midrashim are important to become rhemas for different types of people. We should find application for our theology, unless it's eschatology or prophecies. If it concern future, our only duty is to believe it and prepare ourselves promptly. But we should make our theology applied, if it concern presence, time when we live. Not just theory.
I wish you good fruit of your service and ministry when you'll present it as Midrashim for people. May it help people.