Parasha Beshalach 5783

Me

Ministry is tough…

We

(Make connection with everyone in the house…)

God

This week we read Parasha Beshalach, Exodus 13:17-17:16, which brings us the finale of the Exodus from Egypt. We begin with the end of Exodus 13, after Pharaoh has already kicked Israel out. But, the shortest route from Egypt to the Promised Land is through the territory of the Philistines and the Lord knew that if Israel went that route they’d see war and instantly become afraid and want to return to Egypt. So, instead, God leads them in a round about way to the Yam Suf, and the Torah specifically says that Israel left Egypt armed and with the bones of Joseph, and with a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night which lead the Israelites and did not depart from them.

In chapter 14 we see the Lord directing Israel to journey and encamp in an odd fashion, which was specifically for the purpose of making Pharaoh think Israel was lost and wandering aimlessly. At the same time HaShem hardens Pharaoh’s heart so that he’d chase after Israel so that HaShem could, once and for all, be glorified over Pharaoh. He does in fact chase after Israel and there is a tremendous account of Israel’s final redemption as the Yam Suf is parted and Israel walks through on dry ground, while the Presence of God creates a barrier between B’nei Israel and Egypt’s forces, followed by Pharaoh and his armies rushing into the sea and the waters crashing down upon them.

In chapter 15 we see the first of the two songs of Moses, the second being in Deuteronomy 32, as well as Miriam’s song. Next we see Israel grumble because they’re thirsty and by Adonai’s instruction Moses turns the bitter waters sweet.

In chapter 16 we read about the miraculous provision of Man Hu (manna) from heaven, with a double portion provided on Friday for Shabbat and none provided on Shabbat itself. And in chapter 17 we read about Israel grumbling for water again and Adonai directing Moses to hit the rock and water miraculously being provided from it. And at the end of our Parsha we se the Amalekites (descendants of Esau) attacking B’nei Yisrael and Aaron and Hur holding up the arms of Moses while Joshua leads Israel in battle and victory.

But as we look at Parasha Beshalach today there’s one specific aspect I want us to focus on which I believe the Word of God has something vital to our walk to reveal to us today… An in this we see our principle for this Shabbat revealed…

We have been promised Salvation and freedom in Yeshua, but God never said this journey to sanctification will be easy or quick.

(Repeat)

So let’s dig into the text together today…

Exodus 13:17–22 TLV

After Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them along the road to the land of the Philistines, although that was nearby, for God said, “The people might change their minds if they see war and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Sea of Reeds, and Bnei-Yisrael went up out of the land of Egypt armed. Moses also took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made Bnei-Yisrael swear an oath saying, “God will surely remember you, and then you are to carry my bones away with you.” So they journeyed from Succoth and encamped in Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. Adonai went before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead the way and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light. So they could travel both day and night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night never departed from the people.

—Expound—

—Chamushim “armed”—

—The key to walking faithfully despite the difficulty is that God’s Presence will lead us, discuss pillar of cloud and fire—

—TRANSITION to next passage, Complaining in fear about Egypt’s army behind them and the sea in front of them with no apparent way out, the pillar never left them even when they were grumbling and complains—

Exodus 14:10–12 TLV

When Pharaoh drew near, Bnei-Yisrael lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them! So they were terrified, and Bnei-Yisrael cried out to Adonai. They said to Moses, “Have you taken us away to die in the wilderness because there were no graves in Egypt? Why have you dealt this way with us, to bring us out of Egypt? Did we not say to you in Egypt, ‘Let us alone, so that we may serve the Egyptians?’ It was better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness!”

—Expound—

—Transition to next passage, Complaining about lack of water—

Exodus 15:22–27 TLV

Then Moses led Israel onward from the Sea of Reeds. They went out into the wilderness of Shur. But they travelled three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink from the waters because they were bitter. On account of this it was called Marah. So the people complained to Moses saying, “What are we going to drink?” So he cried out to Adonai, and Adonai showed him a tree. When he threw it into the waters, they were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them. He said, “If you diligently listen to the voice of Adonai your God, do what is right in His eyes, pay attention to His mitzvot, and keep all His decrees, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians. For I am Adonai who heals you.” Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. So they camped there by the waters.

—Expound—

We have been promised Salvation and freedom in Yeshua, but God never said this journey to sanctification will be easy or quick.

—Expound—

—Discuss David’s call and promise to become King then spending years in service to Saul under torment from him followed by years in exile while waiting for God’s promise fulfilled.—

Psalm 23:1–6 TLV

A psalm of David. Adonai is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me: Your rod and Your staff comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of Adonai forever.

—Expound—

—Transition to next passage, Yeshua promising the Ruach HaKodesh as our Helper & connect to the pillar of cloud and glory—

John 14:15–26 TLV

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper so He may be with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him. You know Him, because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not abandon you as orphans; I will come to you. In a little while, the world will no longer behold Me, but you will behold Me. Because I live, you also will live! “In that day, you will know that I am in My Father, you are in Me, and I am in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.” Judah (not the one from Kriot) said to Him, “Master, what has happened, that You are about to reveal Yourself to us and not the world?” Yeshua answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words. And the word you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me. These things I have spoken to you while dwelling with you. But the Helper, the Ruach ha-Kodesh whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you everything and remind you of everything that I said to you.

—Expound—

We have been promised Salvation and freedom in Yeshua, but God never said this journey to sanctification will be easy or quick.

—Expound—

You

(If our worship team will make their way back up to the stage.)

Are you trusting in God’s Presence in your life? Are you trusting in His calling on your life?

Are you standing before a proverbial Sea of Reeds feeling like there’s an army hot on your trail and you can’t see a way out? Look to the pillar of cloud and fire that has been leading you all along, press into the Ruach HaKodesh, our helper and comforter. The Ruach who is not only guiding your steps but is also fighting your battles for you.

We

—Close—