[youtube url=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=QUpwAKC9rvs&feature=youtu.be”]<\/p>\n
In Parashat Beshalach, we are told when the people left Egypt, the Lord had delivered Israel with a mighty hand and both Pharaoh and his people drove Israel out of the land.\u00a0 We are then told \u05d9\u05d6\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b9\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05e0\u05b8\u05d7\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e7\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 | \u05d0\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05df-\u05d9\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b8\u05d7\u05b5\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05de\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05d1\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d4: 13:17 Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, \u2018The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.\u2019 (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 As a result, the Lord took the people in a direction that didn\u2019t quite make sense to them or to Pharaoh.\u00a0 This teaches us today in regard to the manner of God\u2019s guidance in our lives.\u00a0 The problems we face today may be summarized according to Mishley \/ Proverbs 14:12<\/span><\/em> which states \u201cthere is a way which seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death.\u201d (NASB)<\/span><\/em> Jeremiah states the problem is related to man\u2019s inability to direct his own life; in Jeremiah 10:23 he said, \u201cLord, we know that people do not control their own destiny. It is not in their power to determine what will happen to them.\u201d (NASB)<\/span><\/em> Because of man\u2019s finite wisdom and ability, his limited understanding of the facts coupled with his sinfulness, man simply cannot direct his steps. What seems right to him results in the way of destruction and death.\u00a0 As man\u2019s thoughts are not God\u2019s, so do his ways fall short of God\u2019s perfect and all-wise plan.\u00a0 This is why it is important to follow in God\u2019s footsteps according to His Word.\u00a0 Isaiah 55:8-9 states, \u201c55:8 Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds, 55:9 for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans.\u201d (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 When we are faced with real life hurts and issues, trusting God when we don\u2019t understand is easier said than done.\u00a0 It\u2019s easy to say, \u201cgive your cares to the Lord and trust Him\u201d<\/span><\/em> when everything in life seems to be going well.\u00a0 When we learn to trust the Lord completely, we begin to have a sense of rest in Him.\u00a0 We begin to realize that God has everything under control even when life appears to be out of control.\u00a0 Trusting the Lord God of Israel when we do not understand brings us to a point where we decide to trust the Lord and NOT in our own logic and understanding.\u00a0 As the children of God, we must make the decision to trust God regardless of how scary the situation may seem. (Note Yeshua\u2019s comments on the little children, see Matthew 18:3, and note the situation at the beginning of Parashat Beshalach<\/em>)\u00a0 Trusting the Lord does not prevent us from being in uncomfortable situations but it does allow us to be placed in a position where we seek the Lord\u2019s presence, provisions, guidance and promises.\u00a0 This was the situation occurring to the people of Israel when leaving Egypt, they did not understand what the Lord had in plan for them.\u00a0 As a result, they said, \u05d9\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05bc\u05e4\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b9\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05d1 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05d4 \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd | \u05e0\u05b9\u05e1\u05b5\u05e2\u05b7 \u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05d3 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4: \u05d9\u05d0\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b2\u05de\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05df-\u05e7\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b8\u05de\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8 \u05de\u05b7\u05d4-\u05d6\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05ea \u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05b4\u05b9\u05d9\u05ea\u05b8 \u05dc\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05e6\u05b4\u05d9\u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd: 14:10 As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord. 14:11 Then they said to Moses, \u2018Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Moshe however reassured them saying, \u05d9\u05d2\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05bc\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d9\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05bc\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8-\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05b9\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b9\u05e1\u05b4\u05e4\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05d3 \u05e2\u05b7\u05d3-\u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b8\u05dd: 14:13 But Moses said to the people, \u2018Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Within the greater context of the Torah portion, we learn that if we are not seeking the Lord and His righteousness, we will not see the Lord working in our lives in powerful ways.\u00a0 Moshe speaks of a great and powerful salvation (\u05d9\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05bc\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea, 14:13<\/span><\/em>) which has led to the future expectation of what we have in Yeshua the Messiah.\u00a0 This draws in the context of our seeking the Lord and His ways for our lives, recognizing our need for forgiveness and redemption, and for us to cleave unto the Father in heaven in His son Yeshua the Messiah.\u00a0 This is the definition of a life lived as a child of God (a repentant attitude).<\/p>\n This week we are looking at the Scriptures from Shemot \/ Exodus 13:17-14:13<\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n Shemot \/ Exodus 13:17-14:13<\/span><\/em><\/strong> \u05d9\u05d6\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b9\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05e0\u05b8\u05d7\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e7\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 | \u05d0\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05df-\u05d9\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b8\u05d7\u05b5\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05de\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05d1\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d4: \u05d9\u05d7\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b7\u05e1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd | \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b7\u05dd-\u05e1\u05d5\u05bc\u05e3 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05de\u05bb\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05de\u05b5\u05d0\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd: \u05d9\u05d8\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05e2\u05b7\u05e6\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05e1\u05b5\u05e3 \u05e2\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05e2\u05b7 \u05d4\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e2\u05b7 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u05b9\u05d3 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05e7\u05b9\u05d3 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05e2\u05b7\u05e6\u05b0\u05de\u05b9\u05ea\u05b7\u05d9 \u05de\u05b4\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd: \u05db\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e1\u05b0\u05e2\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b4\u05e1\u05bc\u05bb\u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05ea \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e6\u05b5\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8: 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\u05d4\u05b2\u05de\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05df-\u05e7\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b8\u05de\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8 \u05de\u05b7\u05d4-\u05d6\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05ea \u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05b4\u05b9\u05d9\u05ea\u05b8 \u05dc\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05e6\u05b4\u05d9\u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd: \u05d9\u05d1\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d4\u05b2\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05d6\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d1\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d7\u05b2\u05d3\u05b7\u05dc \u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b6\u05e0\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d8\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1 \u05dc\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05e2\u05b2\u05d1\u05b9\u05d3 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05bb\u05ea\u05b5\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8: \u05d9\u05d2\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05bc\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d9\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05bc\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8-\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05b9\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b9\u05e1\u05b4\u05e4\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05d3 \u05e2\u05b7\u05d3-\u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b8\u05dd:<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The Torah portion (Parashat Beshalach), opens saying, \u05d9\u05d6\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b9\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05e0\u05b8\u05d7\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e7\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 | \u05d0\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05df-\u05d9\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b8\u05d7\u05b5\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05de\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05d1\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d4: 13:17 Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, \u2018The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.\u2019 (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 These words illustrate for us that God\u2019s ways are not man\u2019s ways, and that the Lord knows our deepest thoughts and desires.\u00a0 While bringing the people out of Egypt, the Lord took the people in a direction that didn\u2019t quite make sense to them or to Pharaoh.\u00a0 This is related to the manner of God\u2019s guidance in our lives.\u00a0 When we are faced with real life hurts and issues, trusting the Lord when we don\u2019t understand is easier said than done.\u00a0 These Scriptures reminds us that regardless of our own understanding, we must remain faithful to the Lord trusting that all things are in His hands and designed for a special purpose.<\/p>\n Midrash Rabbah Shemot Parashat 20, Part 18<\/span><\/em> describes the Lord\u2019s leading His people out of Egypt in the following way:<\/p>\n Midrash Rabbah Shemot Parashat 20 Part 18<\/span><\/em><\/strong> The midrash speaks on Shemot \/ Exodus 13:18 \u05d9\u05d7\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b7\u05e1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd | \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b7\u05dd-\u05e1\u05d5\u05bc\u05e3 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05de\u05bb\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05de\u05b5\u05d0\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd: 13:18 Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea; and the sons of Israel went up in martial array from the land of Egypt. (NASB)<\/span> focusing upon the word \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b7\u05e1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d1 (vayasev).\u00a0 The rabbis say that the Holy One led the people out of Egypt, and in doing so, He surrounded them, protecting them, and delivering them from their enemy.\u00a0 The Torah says in Shemot \/ Exodus 13:21 The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 13:22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 We are also told that the pillar stood between Israel and Egypt to protect Israel from the Egyptian army.\u00a0 Many examples are given in the midrash:<\/p>\n The idea is that the Lord is here in the midst of His people.\u00a0 This concept of a holy God being in the midst of His people leads us to understand the kind of people we are called to be.\u00a0 In Midrash Tehillim 110, Part 4<\/span><\/em>, the rabbis state, \u201cThe Holy One blessed be He, reassured him, Where your feet tread, there is no stain of iniquity.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 This is written in the context of Abraham slaying the men who took his nephew Lot and questioning whether there was a righteous man among them, drawing in the context of righteousness, death, success in battle against one\u2019s enemies, and the presence of God.\u00a0 Note how Abraham\u2019s enemies were living in unrighteousness that leads to death.\u00a0 This suggests that we are to daily seek the righteousness of God, to walk in that righteousness, to live a holy life, to seek justice, and to dwell in God\u2019s truth (in His word).\u00a0 Now the fact of the matter is that we all fall short of these things, where we don\u2019t always live a righteous life, we are not always holy, and sometimes, especially in our hearts, we think of great injustices against others.\u00a0 The important thing to remember is taking a Torah centric understanding of Scripture, the context the Torah brings us is of the mercy of God that He shows towards us, His empowering of our lives to get back up to repent, to seek Him and his Mashiach, and His helping us to turn from our former ways to begin (start over) again.\u00a0 This is the message of the Torah.\u00a0 It is not a message of condemnation as the modern church theologies would have one believe.\u00a0 The message of the Torah is one of repentance, seeking the Lord God and his Mashiach, and starting over again!\u00a0 Yeshua taught these things as our example according to the Apostolic Writings (see John 13:15, John 14:21-23, 1 John 2:4-6, 1 John 5:3<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 To summarize the point, Yeshua said in John 15:13 \u201cFor I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 We are told that Yeshua washed his disciples\u2019 feet, that he might teach us to think nothing of ourselves but to think of others.\u00a0 In 1 John 2:6 He that said he stays in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he. (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Just as the midrash states, \u201cHence, he will sit to it in truth in the tent of David.\u201d\u00a0 The meaning of the word \u201csit\u201d is to dwell, therefore, we are to \u201cdwell\u201d in the truth, meaning that we are to look to the Messiah of God and do as he did living his life according to God\u2019s Word.\u00a0 It is the Lord God Almighty who fights our battles for us, just as it is the Lord, according to the midrash, that caused Abraham to sit at God\u2019s right hand saying that \u201cI\u201d<\/span><\/em> (the Lord) will fight all the battles for you.\u00a0 What is significant is how the midrash connects these things to a prophetic message about David, according to Tehillim \/ Psalm 110<\/span><\/em>, and then to the Messiah in which his throne will be established forever in truth and in the tent of David.\u00a0 Notice how all of these things are distilled down to the concept that the Lord will bring one man (Yeshua the Messiah) to lead the way, to be seated at the right hand of God, drawing in the context of the power and presence of God in the midst of His people who are walking in righteousness, holiness, justice, and truth.\u00a0 It is within this context the Lord God Almighty was leading His people with Moshe as their Mashiach according to Parashat Beshalach.\u00a0 In addition, we can see how concerned the Lord was for His people in the statement that He did not want to frighten the people with war and cause them to turn back to Egypt.\u00a0 Can you see the pattern here the Lord is showing us in the Exodus from Egypt?<\/p>\n Rashi has the following to say concerning the opening verses in this week\u2019s Torah Portion.<\/p>\n Rashi on exodus 13:17, Part 1, 2, 3, and 4<\/strong><\/span><\/em> \u05db\u05d9 \u05e7\u05e8\u05d5\u05d1 \u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 BECAUSE IT WAS NEAR, and it would therefore be easy to return by the same route to Egypt. \u2014 Of Midrashic explanations there are many (cf. Mekhilta d\u2019Rabbi Yishmael 13:17).<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u05d1\u05e8\u05d0\u05ea\u05dd \u05de\u05dc\u05d7\u05de\u05d4 WHEN THEY SEE WAR \u2014 For instance the war mentioned in (Numbers 14:45) \u201cThen the Amalekites and the Canaanites came down etc.\u201d If they had proceeded by the direct route they would have then turned back. This is evident, for what would have been the case? If, when He led them about by a circuitous way, they said, (Numbers 14:4) \u201cLet us appoint another chief and go back to Egypt\u201d, had He led them by a direct route how much the more certainly would they have spoken so.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u05e4\u05df \u05d9\u05e0\u05d7\u05dd PERADVENTURE [THE PEOPLE] REPENT \u2014 peradventure they cherish a different thought (they change their mind) about having gone out and set their hearts on returning (cf. Rashi on Genesis 6:6).<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Rashi re-iterates the idea that the route back to Egypt (bondage, sin, unfaithfulness, etc) is short and easy for the people.\u00a0 The Lord however was going to show them that He is able to overcome anything in their lives.\u00a0 The people as well as Pharaoh thought they were going in the wrong direction.\u00a0 The basic idea is if the land of Canaan was given to the people, they should have gone straight up to Canaan, however they circled around to the Red Sea.\u00a0 The Lord, by the hand of Moshe, took the people in a direction that didn\u2019t quite make sense to them or to Pharaoh.\u00a0 The point however was due to their weakness, the Lord moved them slowly towards the Land of Promise, and not quickly.\u00a0 Note here based upon these opening verses, from Parashat Beshalach, how repentance (Teshuvah) is taken to be interpreted in two differing ways, which may be understood as either turning towards the righteousness of God or turning towards sin (i.e. returning to Egypt).\u00a0 Rashi says that this slow route was taken so the people would not cherish a different thought and change their minds and return to their bondage, sin, and unfaithfulness.\u00a0 This is an illustration of our thought life and the need to guard our thought life very carefully.\u00a0 This same issue is very relevant for us today, whether we will repent (turning) towards God\u2019s ways, or repent towards the ways of bondage, sin, and unfaithfulness.<\/p>\n Sforno has the following to say concerning the opening verses in this week\u2019s Torah Portion.<\/p>\n Sforno on exodus 13:17<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Sforno states that the way to the Red Sea was neither to the Land of Canaan nor to the mountain of Sinai.\u00a0 Sforno states, \u201cremember that Moses had stood at Chorev (Mt Sinai) at the burning bush and he did not have to cross the sea to do this.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Sforno states that the Lord deals with man due to his free will, and it is necessary for the Lord to move slowly towards his end goal because of our own will and desire for self, as opposed to learning spiritual lessons that would draw us nearer to the Lord and to what His will is for our lives.\u00a0 This is Sforno\u2019s conclusion saying, \u201cG\u2019d needs to create a scenario which gives man a chance to delude himself, thus bringing him to act in a manner enabling G\u2019d to insure that His design will be carried out. Ed.]\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The Lord works in a way so that man deceives himself to live according to God\u2019s plan.\u00a0 In the sense of Pharaoh, this would be the case.\u00a0 For God\u2019s people however, we are not unaware of the Lord working in our lives for His righteousness.\u00a0 The Lord has a plan and His plan is explained in Shemot \/ Exodus 14:13<\/span><\/em> which states, \u05d9\u05d2\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05bc\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d9\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05bc\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8-\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05b9\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b9\u05e1\u05b4\u05e4\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05d3 \u05e2\u05b7\u05d3-\u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b8\u05dd: 14:13 But Moses said to the people, \u2018Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The example given to us in Parashat Beshalach is of a powerful and mighty work of God in the lives of His people to save them from their enemies, from bondage, and from sin.\u00a0 The point of the matter is that the Lord guides us and takes care of us and sometimes we don\u2019t always understand why the Lord chooses the path that He does for our lives.\u00a0 The Lord worked a great and powerful salvation (\u05d9\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05bc\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea, 14:13<\/span><\/em>) which led to the future expectation of what He has for our lives as well.\u00a0 Do you expect the Lord to work in your life in a powerful way, just as the Lord did for His people in the past?\u00a0 This Torah centric understanding of God\u2019s word draws in the context of our seeking the Lord and His ways for our lives, recognizing our need for forgiveness and redemption, and the need for us to cleave unto the Father in heaven in His son Yeshua the Messiah. This is what all of Scripture is teaching us and why Teshuvah (Repentance) is so important for us as His people!<\/p>\n
\n 13:17 Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, \u2018The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.\u2019 13:18 Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea; and the sons of Israel went up in martial array from the land of Egypt. 13:19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, \u2018God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones from here with you.\u2019 13:20 Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness. 13:21 The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 13:22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. 14:1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 14:2 \u2018Tell the sons of Israel to turn back and camp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it, by the sea.14:3 \u2018For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, \u2018They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.\u2019 14:4 \u2018Thus I will harden Pharaoh\u2019s heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.\u2019 And they did so. 14:5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people, and they said, \u2018What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?\u2019 14:6 So he made his chariot ready and took his people with him; 14:7 and he took six hundred select chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 14:8 The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he chased after the sons of Israel as the sons of Israel were going out boldly. 14:9 Then the Egyptians chased after them with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and they overtook them camping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. 14:10 As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord. 14:11 Then they said to Moses, \u2018Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? 14:12 \u2018Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, \u2018Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians\u2019? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.\u2019 14:13 But Moses said to the people, \u2018Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
\n What does \u201c\u2026led the people around (vayasev)\u2026\u201d (Exodus 13:18) mean? That the Holy One surrounded them, just as it says \u201cBut I will be for it-says the Lord-a wall of fire around (saviv)\u2026\u201d (Zechariah 2:9) Like a shepherd who was shepherding his sheep and saw wolves descending upon them, he turned back the sheep in order that they not be hurt. So to, when Israel came out of Egypt the chiefs of Edom, Moav, Canaan and Amalek stood around and took counsel on how to come upon Israel. When the Holy One saw this He sent them around in order that they not come upon them, as it says \u201cSo God led the people around\u2026\u201d (Exodus 13:18) Not only was this so in this world, but it will be so in the next as well. From where do we do know this? As David said \u201cJerusalem has mountains around it, and the Lord is around His people\u2026\u201d (Psalms 125:2) Another explanation. \u201cSo God led the people around\u2026\u201d (Exodus 13:18) From here our Rabbis said that even the poorest in Israel should not eat until he reclines (yasev), because this is what the Holy One did for them \u2018So God led the people around (vayasev).\u2019<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
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\n \u05d5\u05d9\u05d4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05e9\u05dc\u05d7 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e2\u05d4… \u05d5\u05dc\u05d0 \u05e0\u05d7\u05dd AND IT CAME TO PASS WHEN PHARAOH HAD SENT [THE PEOPLE AWAY] THAT GOD GUIDED THEM NOT \u2014 The word \u05e0\u05d7\u05dd means He guided them, just as, (Exodus 32:34) \u201cGo, guide (\u05e0\u05d7\u05d4) the people\u201d, and (Proverbs 6:22) \u201cwhen thou goest it shall guide (\u05ea\u05e0\u05d7\u05d4) thee\u201d.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
\n \u05d5\u05d9\u05d4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05e9\u05dc\u05d7…\u05d5\u05dc\u05d0 \u05e0\u05d7\u05dd \u05d0\u05dc\u05d5\u05e7\u05d9\u05dd \u05d3\u05e8\u05da \u05d0\u05e8\u05e5 \u05e4\u05dc\u05e9\u05ea\u05d9\u05dd, even though it had been G\u2019d\u2019s plan to lead the Israelites to Mount Sinai to receive the Torah there, and only from there to the land of Israel, as He stated Himself in Exodus 6:7-8 \u201cI will take you as My people, and I will bring you to the land, etc.,\u201d at this point, G\u2019d\u2019s plan was to lead them to the Sea of Reeds, which was neither the route to the land of the Philistines, nor the route that led to Mount Sinai. [we must remember that Moses had stood at Chorev (Mt Sinai) at the burning bush and he did not have to cross the sea to do this. Ed.] The major reason for this was to bring about the drowning of Pharaoh and his army in the sea. [it is important to always remember that due to man\u2019s free will, G\u2019d cannot deal with man in the way He deals with inert objects or even animals, none of which could oppose Him. G\u2019d needs to create a scenario which gives man a chance to delude himself, thus bringing him to act in a manner enabling G\u2019d to insure that His design will be carried out. Ed.] An example of G\u2019d acting in this manner is described in Judges 4:7 where G\u2019d Himself speaks about how He \u201cdragged\u201d Sisera and his army and 900 armored vehicles across the river Kishon to face Barak. The simplest route to get to the Sea of Reeds was by traversing the land of the Philistines. \u05d3\u05e8\u05da \u05d0\u05e8\u05e5 \u05e4\u05dc\u05e9\u05ea\u05d9\u05dd, G\u2019d did not want them to travel this route<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n