A couple of comments before we start the reading for today.
Today is the last day of Sukkot (booths) which commemorates the time spent in the wilderness after Moshe (Moses) brought the children of Israel out of bondage. I have been living outside for a week as prescribed by the instructions of the Torah. Three of those days were days of rest as observed every Friday night of the year.
Prior to the above described Moed (appointed time) there were the Feast of Trumpets, Days of Awe, and Day of atonement that I have been busy with. So for the first time in years, I missed a couple of posts. I regret that this has happened, but as the time gets shorter, my focus places more time in prayer and reading. There is much to prepare for than ever before.
Next week will be a normal weekend with Shabbat starting on Friday night as usual
Welcome to my Hebrew reading & language series.
Exodus 4:18-23
When I watched the classic movie that portrays Exodus, they get to the part where Pharaoh's son is killed. The movie portrays that as some sort of surprise as a result of the leader's intention to kill all the first born of the Hebrews. But in today's reading, we see God saying plainly that he will kill Pharaoh's first born if he refuses to let His firstborn go. And Moshe (Moses) is instructed to tell Pharaoh that bit of information.
Going back to our story, this passages says that Moshe was assured again that the people who sought his life in to Mitsraim (Egypt) are all dead, so he put his wife and kids on donkeys and headed to Mitsraim with the staff of God in his hand.
He was told to do all the miracles that the Almighty gave him the power to do and to tell Pharaoh to let his people go. Then he says that he will make the will of Pharaoh's heart strong so that he refuses to do so. And finally he tells Moshe to threaten Pharaoh, stating that Israel is His firstborn son and if you do not let him go, I will kill your firstborn.
All of this happened before Moshe ever left Midian and likely within a day or two of the meeting at the burning bush. Amazing.
Today's reading
English
Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, “Please let me go back to my brothers in Egypt to see whether they are still alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.” And the Lord said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.” So Moses took his wife and his sons and had them ride on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the staff of God in his hand.
And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son, and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’"
Hebrew
Next week continues with an odd ritual...
Info on each letter starting at the beginning
If you are just starting, my lessons are all here starting at Alef, adding vowels (the dots and lines) as we go. I explain the meaning of each letter and its numerical value. Just go to my blog and scroll to the bottom or click here
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Thanks for reading.