Exodus 13:17 to 17:16
Judges 5:1-31
John 6:25-35
Revelation 15:1-4

Continuing from last week’s lesson, the Israelites have come through the Passover and started to walk out into the desert. YHVH said that they were to “hold a feast to Me in the wilderness'" (Exodus 5:1).

The seven days after the Passover are called the feast of Unleavened Bread, where the Children of Israel are commanded to eat only unleavened flat bread. The seven days are likened to a personal consecration time for those who are called by YHVH.

YHVH’s people were to come through the Passover and start walking out into the desert to worship Him. The feast they were coming to in the wilderness was called the Feast of Shavuot, a high holy Sabbath day commemorated every year fifty days after the Passover. Shavuot is when YHVH betrothed Israel to Himself and gave His Bride her Ketubah, the instructions to their wedding covenant called the Torah.

In this, YHVH was also giving prophetic revelation using the Israelites as a living parable for our time. Today, we are coming into the Passover season, a time when YHVH offers us an opportunity to leave our sinful natures behind, remove all wants, needs and desires that contaminate our soul, to come near Him in Betrothal preparation, to be sanctified, cleansed and redeemed.

Yeshua’s blood cleanses us from sin–the sin of breaking our marriage covenant with Him. Now the walk of redemption is before each of us. Every one of us is given a choice, the same choice the Israelites were given in the living parable of the exodus. The choice is whether we want to leave Egypt, a representation of the world and our earthly natures? Since we came to believe and put our trust in Yeshua, many of us may still have been acting and behaving as if we had not left Egypt and that Yeshua’s blood had not cleansed us. Many times the ways of the world still rule and reign in our lives instead of Yeshua’sways. We may still have characteristics and attitudes operating in our hearts that reflect unredeemed lifestyles and cause our behavior to be opposite that of Yeshua’s. Many of us still need our hearts cleansed and our minds purified and conformed to reflect Yeshua and the redemption He offers us.

The Passover season offers us a chance to deal with all of the areas of our souls that hold us back, so that we can come to Shavuot and worship Him in the wilderness. Following YHVH into the Passover and obeying His Word by eating unleavened bread for the seven days consecrates those who choose to cross over from death to life during this season. Those who choose life have, in the same way, chosen to separate from their past and all that separates them from YHVH, so that they can press in to serve and worship Him alone.

Yeshua made the way for us. He alone gave us the deed to holiness. And in His sacrifice for usHe also cancelled the certificate of divorce that had resulted from our being a wayward Bride. His death as the perfect sacrifice, the Lamb of YHVH, opened for us the way of Holiness. No other blood sacrifice could do that for us. Only Yeshua’s blood brought cleansing, redemption and sanctification. Before, it was just one man who could walk into a place of complete Holiness once a year. Now we who are under the covering of Yeshua’s blood are all given the opportunity to enter into that Most Holy Place and have intimacy with our beloved Messiah. It is a gift but it is also a choice to walk in holiness as only a holy Bride enters into the Bridal Chamber.

Exodus 13:17-22 Passing Through the Sea

When Pharaoh let the people go the Israelites left Egypt in their full divisions, all twelve tribes, as a mighty army. Witnessing the faithfulness of YHVH, the people were transformed from slavery to victory overnight. This is a prophetic picture of the book of Revelation [of Yeshua], which speaks of the twelve gates into the New Jerusalem. This reveals that all twelve tribes will come out in their full divisions once again, transformed to rule and reign with Him!

When the Israelites left Egypt, Moses took Joseph’s bones with him. Joseph had made his brothers swear before he died that they would take his bones home with them when YHVH delivered Israel from Egypt. How important were a bag of bones? A person’s DNA represents their IDENTITY! Joseph’s bones are a picture of the House of Israel, the “lost” ten tribes, and are therefore prophetic of the return of not just Judah and Benjamin, the two tribes currently living in the land, but of all twelve tribes returned and living in the land. His bones represent a continuous heritage promised to Abraham’s descendants generations ago. Another reason the bones had to be brought back was because Joseph’s brothers had tried to kill him. Without his DNA, or identity, it could be alleged that Joseph was not “alive” and that his ancestors no longer existed. Today, not many of Joseph’s brothers believe Joseph is still alive. The oath Joseph made his brothers swear, however, is still valid today (Genesis 50: 24-25). Joseph is alive, and his descendants today are ready to return home. According to Scripture the West Bank in Israel is Joseph’s land that is just waiting for Joseph to return and redeem it for YHVH and for His people. Not one tribe will be left behind or left out. All twelve tribes will return and live in their YHVH-appointed lands. (Ezekiel 47:13-48:35)

The Israelites left Succoth and on the second day of their journey camped at Etham. Archaeologists feel Etham was a region around the top of the right fork of the Red Sea at the edge of the desert.

By day YHVH went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people (Exodus 13:21-22).

When we feel alone or lonely as in a wilderness experience, or feel we just have no direction in our lives, we need to remember the Exodus. There was a pillar of cloud to guide the Children of Israel by day, and a pillar of fire to give them light by night. We are never alone or without direction when Yeshua, the Light of the world, is in our hearts.

When Yeshua spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).

Exodus 14:2 Turn Back?

Fleeing Pharaoh’s mighty army and carrying off the plunder of Egypt was hard enough, but for YHVH to ask the Israelites to turn back and encamp by the sea must have seemed like the most perilous thing to do during this critical time of leaving. Yet that is just what YHVH had the Israelites do. The command was to turn back. Though the Israelites did not know that YHVH was setting an ambush for Pharaoh’s army, they obeyed His directive. But when the Israelites saw the Egyptians approach in full armored regalia, sheer terror overcame them. Instead of looking to YHVH for help, they brought judgment upon Moses. They judged Moses for what they saw. In a sense, their imaginations already had them “slain” by the Egyptian guard. In spite of the ever-present cloud and fire cover of YHVH, they still did not acknowledge His covering over them because fear had entered their hearts. Therefore they were unable to understand the value and significance of YHVH’s plan at this time (Isaiah 35).

How many of us have left YHVH when the pressure has mounted, and made decisions for our lives without the thought that maybe the challenge we face has appeared in our lives in order to bring about our deliverance? How many of us stand firm in extreme situations, and wait upon the faithfulness of YHVH? In the face of the Israelites’ grumbling, Moses encouraged the people, "Do not be afraid. Standstill, and see the salvation of YHVH, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever” (Exodus 14:13. Isaiah 12:2; Psalm 118:14).

The word for salvation in Hebrew is Yeshua (Strong’s #H03444). Yeshua is the Deliverer, the Deliverance and the Power of YHVH. What Moses was saying to the people was, “Stand still and see Yeshua deliver His people... today!”

The key was to keep moving “forward.” With no ability to save themselves against Pharaoh’s army, and confronted with the Red Sea and a watery grave, YHVH told the Israelites to move forward into the sea. Moses raised his staff and the sea separated and mounted up into a wall of water on either side, revealing the way YHVH had prepared for them to walk …on dry ground! The Israelites had little or no faith in themselves, but now before them was YHVH’s Faithfulness being revealed for all to see and understand His Glory.

Then the angel of YHVH, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long (Exodus 14:19-20).

An east wind blew through the night, drying the land before them. The path was made ready and the Israelites crossed over in safety. By faith in YHVH’s love and care for them, they walked between the two powerful walls of water.

This is what YHVH says — your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am YHVH your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go" (Isaiah 48:17).

They shall come with weeping, and with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they shall not stumble; for I am a Father to Israel... (Jeremiah 31:9).

Yeshua answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).

As mentioned earlier, the day after Passover was the start of the seven-day feast of Unleavened Bread. The first and last days of this feast are to be holy days set-apart as Sabbaths (no-work days). It was on this seventh or last day of the feast of Unleavened Bread that the waters parted for the Israelites. This seven-day consecration time concluded in what can be seen as a giant mikvah for the Children of Israel. Passing through the waters of cleansing effectively brought a dying people the opportunity for a change of status, essentially washing away the uncleanness of Egypt (the world). They were set-apart with YHVH, no longer pursued or tortured by the presence of the enemy. They now walked with the Holy One of Israel who was faithful and true. (Leviticus 23)

This is where our walk begins. It is the same process for us today. What the Israelites experienced can be likened to what we experience when we respond to YHVH’s calling. John’s baptism was for the repentance of sins, which led to redemption. The people who had fallen away from YHVH’s ways met him in the wilderness. We too come to meet our Bridegroom in the wilderness to deal with the sinful nature of our souls. Yeshua is purifying His bride. As we come to Yeshua we do not approach in our uncleanness. The Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread is for the Bride’s consecration (walk out) and status change (mikvah) to enter into a faithful covenant relationship with the One who reached out to save her.

Keeping the Feasts of YHVH will bring deliverance in our lives. May we be a people who understand the importance of YHVH’s season of Passover. The rehearsals are just as important as the real thing, as we do not know the day or hour of His return. The Bride is to make herself ready.

Only when the Israelites had passed through the waters and were safely on the other side did YHVH lift the cloud of protection. Even though the Egyptians pursued the Israelites through the night they could not see past the cloud and where overwhelmed with mechanical difficulties. By morning when all the Israelites were safely on the other side the parted Red Sea return to its normal state entombing the Egyptians into their watery graves. When the Israelites saw the great power YHVH displayed in destroying this mighty Egyptian army, they feared YHVH and put their trust in Him. Then Moses and the Israelites sang a song called the Song of Moses.

YHVH also gave instructions for the Song of Moses to be sung in Deuteronomy 31:19-22:

"Now therefore, write down this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel; put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for Me against the children of Israel... Then it shall be, when many evils and troubles have come upon them, that this song will testify against them as a witness; for it will not be forgotten in the mouths of their descendants, for I know the inclination of their behavior today, even before I have brought them to the land of which I swore to give them." Therefore Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it to the children of Israel."

This song of Moses is prophetic and represents the people of the end times singing again the “Song of Moses."

Those who keep YHVH’s commandments and walk in YHVH’s ways sing the Song of Moses. According to Scripture, there is a time that God’s people will have forgotten the words of Moses and to keep God’s commandments, His feasts days, His Sabbath and New Moon festival. When those who have forgotten to keep the words go to sing the song of Moses, the song will be a witness against them that they have not kept YHVH’s ways. Those are the ones who fear the end times. This is why the Ruach HaKodesh/God’s Spirit is breathing life into the dry bones and restoring Moses to the hearts of His people among the Synagogues, Churches and Fellowships today.

YHVH in His mercy showed us the end before it happened. In the book of Revelation of Yeshua, we see a description of YHVH’s people being restored to His ways, and they are singing the Song of Moses.

And they sang the Song of Moses the bond-servant of God and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and marvelous are Thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Thy ways, Thou King of the nations" (Revelation 15:1-4).

According to the book of Revelation those who are victorious over the beast will sing the Song of Moses after the last plague. They will be a people who have returned and kept the words given Moses at Mount Sinai. Together they will sing the song as a thanksgiving offering to Yeshua (their Savior and Redeemer) (John 5:46-47). Why? Because the song speaks of the saving power of YHVH, and because keeping His Word brings victory in our lives.

Moses’ song is a prophetic message and song for us today. When we return to Yeshua’s ways and keep his moedim/feast days, we too are the victorious. We are not to fear the destruction around us. Judgment such as demonstrated against the Egyptians meant deliverance to YHVH’s people. The same is true in the book of Revelation. That is why, when we walk in YHVH’s ways, we are not to entertain any spirits of fear. As in the days of Moses, we are told to stand firm. Those who stand firm will see the salvation of Yeshua (Revelation 15:3-4).

Exodus 15:22 The Waters of Marah and Elim

The Israelites were now directed to journey into the wilderness. By the third day the Israelites came to Marah. No water could be found there, and so the people began to grumble against Moses yet again.

Three days without water is synonymous with being without the Living Torah, the Living Word, or the Living Water that brings Life. Water represents the Spirit Life of Torah, Yeshua. Yeshua is the Living Word. He is the author of the Word (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1, 14). The Torah on its own cannot save or give life. Rather, our souls would become dry and parched without His Life giving Spirit. If we look deeply into the Word of YHVH for the Living Water we will find abundant life. But when the soul goes without water, it is that much easier to be influenced by a spirit of grumbling. This is exactly what we see in the case of the Israelites and Moses at Marah.

YHVH showed Moses a piece of wood that he was commanded to throw it into the water. This caused the water to become sweet, making it palatable for all the people to drink. Wood signifies the Tree of Life, the Torah. When YHVH’s Spirit (represented by the water) and Torah come together, there is a wellspring of life… and Torah is made palatable for YHVH’s people.

YHVH then reminded the Israelites of their identity as Children of the Covenant and warned them against grumbling, saying:

If you listen carefully to the voice of YHVH your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am YHVH, who heals you (Exodus 15:26).

This still holds true today. Selah.

YHVH spoke this before they arrived at Mount Sinai, before the laws and decrees were spoken. This meant that the principles that govern the earth–called Torah–had been with them in Egypt and had been with their fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as well as with Noah and with Adam. Torah is eternal and is not synonymous with the law given at Mount Sinai. Torah is timeless and everlasting because the Torah became life and dwelt among us–in the person, Yeshua! (John 1:1,14).

Then YHVH brought the Children of Israel to Elim, a beautiful oasis where they camped beside twelve springs and seventy palm trees (Exodus 15:27). YHVH taught them at Marah, then showed them this teaching in “picture” form at Elim. The twelve springs of water represent the twelve tribes of Israel, the royal priesthood of Yeshua to the Nations (Exodus 19:5-6). The seventy palm trees represent the seventy nations. The twelve tribes are to present the Living Word, the Torah, in spirit and truth to the nations through the Messiah, the Living Torah. The twelve tribes are to supply living water (Yeshua) to the nations. Living water streams from the well in the Garden of Eden that still flows out to us today. This living water from the Torah is for the healing of the nations.

On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree [of life/Torah] are for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2).

This is a picture of us, when we return to YHVH’s Torah and walk in His ways. There will be streams of living water flowing out of us (all twelve tribes) to share with and nourish others. We are returning to the Garden.

Yeshua said to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well,

"If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?” (John 4:10-11).

Later, at the Feast of Tabernacles, Yeshua declared in a loud voice,

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him (John 7:38).

Exodus 16 Manna and Quail

As the whole Israelite community set out from Elim they came to the Desert of Sin, between Elim and Sinai. On the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt they again grumbled to Moses.

The supplies they brought with them from Egypt had quickly dried up. They could no longer rely on themselves for their basic needs. Water and food were the two biggest needs, especially in a desert situation with over a million people. There was nothing in the wilderness to sustain life... or so they thought. Moses was an instrument of YHVH who had been used by Him time and again to reveal YHVH’s deliverance. So why did they continue to grumble and blame him for their situation? YHVH was teaching and testing them during this walk into the desert as they were coming to worship Him. Would they put their trust in YHVH? Or, ultimately, was their faith in themselves? YHVH had shown them that faith in themselves was insecure. They needed to put their faith in the One who was and is and will forever be Faithful and offer security, YHVH. No one could ever have enough faith, as if we have to manufacture it every day. This is the reason we put our faith in the Faithfulness of YHVH.

How could the Children of Israel worship YHVH when they were yet grumbling at Him? He was teaching them that everything came from Him and that He had never left them. The cloud and the fire were still overhead. The signs and wonders were signposts of His love for them. But they were quick to forget their Elohim as they reminisced of how “abundant” food was for them in Egypt. In only four short weeks they had forgotten the Egyptian abuse and had begun to convince themselves it would have been better had they remained in Egypt.

Pray that we do not easily forget our Redeemer when we are faced with trials and tribulations; they may be placed there to test us and reveal His Faithfulness to us.   

Then YHVH said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days" (Exodus 16:4-5).

Keeping the Sabbath is a test of our faithfulness to YHVH.

If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of YHVH honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, then you shall delight yourself in YHVH; and I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father (Isaiah 58:13-14).

While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of YHVH appearing IN the cloud (Exodus 16:10).

That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread YHVH has given you to eat" (Exodus 16:13-15).

In the book of John, the people ask Yeshua,

"What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’" Yeshua said to them, “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." "Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." Then Yeshua declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:31-35 ref. Exodus 16:4; Nehemiah 9:15; Psalm 78:24, 25).

This manna appeared on the fourth week out of Egypt. Four can, in Hebrew understanding, symbolize the four thousandth year from Creation. They were aware that the Messiah would be coming in that four thousandth year period of time. The “manna” from heaven appeared in the fourth week and was prophetic of the time when the Messiah came to appear in bodily form to the Israelites in the four thousandth year.

Each person was to gather an omer of manna every day. It was not to be saved into the next day. They were only to gather enough for that one day. The one who gathered much and the one who gathered little, they all had the amount that each person needed.

Scripture records what happened when they disobeyed YHVH and saved manna into the next day.

However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell (Exodus 16:20).

We have all left pieces of bread out overnight or even for many days and not experienced or even worried about having maggots form in the bread. Maggots form in dead, decomposing FLESH. This manna that fell in the desert, that sustained the Israelites for forty years, was “flesh”–the body of Yeshua’s, sacrificed for us.

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world (John 6:51).

YHVH is teaching us that we need to come out to Him and eat His Word daily so that it is fresh everyday in us. When we do this we are eating His very life and filling our life with his life. His life is life sustaining.

On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him (John 14:20-21).

Only on the sixth day were they allowed to gather up twice the amount and keep it over for the seventh day/Sabbath. On this seventh day the “manna” would not rot or disintegrate but be fresh for them.

"This is what YHVH commanded: 'Tomorrow is to be a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to YHVH. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.'" So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it. "Eat it today," Moses said, "because today is a Sabbath to YHVH. You will not find any of it on the ground today" (Exodus 16:23-28).

“You will not find any of it on the ground today” is a reference to the Messiah Yeshua–that He would not be found in the ground (grave) on the Sabbath. This passage is prophetic of Yeshua’s death and resurrection. His flesh did not see decay, as He did not die–He is alive! Yeshua is the “living” word (John 1:1;14).

After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).

He is alive...

Exodus 16:15 “What Is It?”

Manna is Hebrew for What is it? After feeding the four thousand,

Yeshua and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" [Likened to the question “What is it?”] They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Messiah [the Living Manna]" (Mark 8:27-30).

The Israelites ate manna for forty years. After his death and resurrection, Yeshua showed himself for “forty days” upon the earth, another sign that he was the living manna that was with the Israelites in the Desert (Exodus 16:35).

The Sabbath is an eternal prophetic commandment. It prophetically reveals Yeshua. The key to the Millennial Kingdom is to enter and keep the Sabbath. It is called the “wedding ring” of the bride of the Messiah, the “sign” of the bride. The bride of Yeshua is the one who is faithful to obey His words and keep her wedding ring on.

The Hebrew word for rest is sabbath (Strong’s #6942), its meaning: to sanctify; set apart as in prophetic, holy, betrothal; dwell in His people; and the Day of the Lord (Hebrew understanding).

YHVH will sanctify His people. He will set them apart, taking them out from among the Nations by their obedience to His Word, which keeps them holy unto Him. He will betroth her by the sign of His Sabbath, His “wedding ring”. His intention is to dwell eternally with His people, those who find rest in Him and His Sabbath. This is the Day of the Lord (Hebrews 4:1-13).

YHVH commanded Aaron to put an omer of manna in a jar and place it before YHVH to be kept for the generations to come. Aaron placed the jar in front of the Testimony (Exodus 16:33-34).

Exodus 17 Water From the Rock

With the journey continuing, the whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, to a place called Rephidim. There, again, was no water. This brought quarreling from the people, who threatened Moses to the point of stoning. YHVH asked Moses to walk ahead of the people. He was to take some of the elders with him and the staff in his hand used to perform the signs before Pharaoh in Egypt. YHVH stood before him at Horeb (Mount Sinai). As Moses struck the rock, water gushed out.

On the heels of this, the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites. Joshua was sent with chosen men to fight them while Moses, Aaron and Hur went up the hill. Joshua was winning against the enemy while the hands of Moses were raised, but when Moses dropped his hands the Israelites would lose. Moses finally sat on the rock with his hands supported and held up by those with him and the victory was won. (Note: Raised hands can also be a Hebrew idiom for holding up a Torah scroll).

YHVH let everyone know that if they grumbled, complained and quarreled, the nations around them would attack. If they rested in YHVH and in His Faithfulness to them they would have His protection, peace, covering and guidance. This is true for us today. The story of Moses and the people quarrelling in the wilderness is a prophetic lesson for us. The enemies of Israel are on the doorstep and in the land today. May we learn from Moses and apply these teachings in our lives to help deliver Israel for her enemies. Selah.

The Judge of Israel: Deborah

In the Haftarah section, the Israelites had just come through the ruling of Judge Ehud and were once again doing evil in the eyes of YHVH. This brought the enemies of Israel upon the land, causing the people to cry out to YHVH for help. YHVH did bring help, a new judge for the people this time in the form of a woman. In the story of Deborah, an Ephraimite woman, we learn that the men were weak in her day. YHVH told her to command Barak to go with ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead the way to Mount Tabor to fight against the enemy. Barak told her he would not go unless she came. Deborah said if she went, the victory would be at the hands of a woman and not a man, and this is just what happened. YHVH chose the best person for the job, a woman who rose and stood in the gap (Judges 4:6-9).

Where are the men and women who will stand up for YHVH? What will cause men to rise up and step into the leadership role appointed for them? Today, as Israel is coming out of Egypt (the world system), YHVH continues to consider men and women as equal, both with designated roles, giftings and abilities. If they are not in their positions, then one has to carry a double load and life becomes out of order.

The challenge for men and women today is to serve YHVH in His priesthood. Barak refused to obey YHVH’s commandment to lead the army. Many men today refuse to lead even though they have been anointed to do so. Praise YHVH for the Deborah’s in our history! Even still, this is not YHVH’s best, nor is it His intention for His people. Women are to be covered by the men. YHVH honors those who honor Him. We pray that men and women will together rise and carry the Banner of YHVH. The challenge in these scriptures is for men to respond to the call of leadership and respond to the call of the priesthood as Moses and Aaron did, and to trust and obey Yeshua when He calls. He wouldn’t ask us if we couldn’t do it. So may we trust YHVH to bring His deliverance and peace to Israel and to all who worship Him in Spirit and Truth. Amen!

Shabbat Shalom
Carl and Julie Parker

References:

Omer measurement is approximately two quarts.

Map of the Exodus: http://www.genesisfiles.com/Exodus.htm

Redeemed Israel – Reunited and Restored by Batya Wootten

The 7000 year Redemptive Plan of God by R. Ralph Messer

Past Parshot: www.messianicisrael.com/sheepfold-gleanings/
Sheepfold Gleanings written by Carl and Julie Parker: www.sheepfoldgleanings.com
Parsha Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
2008 © Sheepfold Gleanings