Truth from the Torah - February 1, 2010

Torah Reading for Today: Exodus 18:13-23

What was it like to be Moses?

Can you imagine how easy it would have been for him to believe that he had it all figured out? Moses should have been dead as a baby. Instead, he was miraculously rescued and ended up growing as a prince in the palace of the Pharaoh. He was chosen by Yahweh as his special messenger. He saw Yawheh's presence in the burning bush. Yahweh's power inhabited his rod. He took part in Yahweh's manifestation of power as Yahweh destroyed the ten most powerful Egyptian gods through the plagues. His rod was stretched over the Red Sea and the waters parted. The people walked through on dry land, and then Moses saw as Yahweh destroyed the greatest army on the Earth. When Israel was forced to battle the Amalekites (descendants of the Nephilim - giants!), Moses was instructed to raise his arms over the battlefield. When his arms were raised, Israel began to win the battle. When his arms were lowered, they were defeated. This guy experienced more than you and I could ever have imagined!

Now, this old man, not even a Hebrew, is coming to him and saying, "Moses, if you're smart you'll take my advice." Moses may have inaccurately begun to think that we was something special. He had instructed that every dispute, problem and question should go through him. His father-in-law, Jethro, now comes to him and says, "This isn't the way to do it."

How would you have reacted? I can imagine that Moses may have thought, "Who does this guy think he is? Doesn't he know who I am? I'm Moses! I just finished telling him about everything that has happened since I left Midian, and he's giving me advice on how to lead these people? Give me a break!"

How would you have reacted to Jethro's advice?

Tags: Israel, Jethro, Moses, Torah, humility, pride

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Permalink Reply by Judith Jesse on February 1, 2010 at 12:02pm

I don't know......I always thought "Jethro" was a "hillbilly"..... :).....but he DID find that "bubblin crud"... :)

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Permalink Reply by Eliora BatTziyon אליאורה בת-ציון on February 1, 2010 at 1:44pm

Shalom!!

This was Ziporah's father, Mosheh's father-in-law, whom he respected.
Where Mosheh had lived for 40 years. Whom Mosheh had worked for for 40 years.
Yahuah sent him to Mosheh when
Mosheh needed him and his wise counsel.
And Mosheh was wise (and/or worn down) enough to heed it.

halleluYAH!!, how in each instance you listed above to Mosheh's "rod", there is the correspondence of how Yahuah's power is manifest in our world,

and also in our daily lives. When we do seek haTorah for wisdom and actually apply it to our lives, relationships, circumstances. (all of the Bible).
WOW. Yahuah is just too cool.

as I was reading through this account, I'm reminded how "haTorah" is also known as "the rod".
As in Proverbs 13:24 "spare the rod שֵׁבֶט‎ and spoil the child"
(no Torah = lawlessness, lack of absolute truth, child's life ruined by confusion, chaos.)
the Scripture verse continues
but the one who loves him instructs מוּסָר‎ him diligently [in haTorah].

also in Psalm Tehillim 23:4 Your rod שֵׁבֶט‎ and staff comfort me. (or reassure me CJB)
SAME Hebrew word שֵׁבֶט in both the Psalm and the Proverb that has been translated as "rod."

We need standards by which to live. haTorah is the source of truth, reality, wisdom and power. (sanity)

The rod or shepherd's staff in Exodus 4:2 that Mosheh was carrying is מַטֶּה .
BOTH of these Hebrew words for rod שֵׁבֶט and מַטֶּה include the concepts of, branch or to branch off, scepter (symbol of power for King), also for walking. Although Mosheh's מַטֶּה ALSO includes the concept that it's "support of life" as in bread.

Yahusha IS the bread of life, etc...
He calls us to follow after Him, because He is the Way, Truth and Life. (John 16:4)
how we "walk" out our lives. (Matthew 28:18-20; John 8:31-32)
He is also haTorah (John 1:1,14). The Word made flesh.
also He is the branch of shoot from the tree of Jesse.