Parashah #16: B’shallach (After he had let go) Sh’mot (Exodus) 13:17-17:16

Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue
Parashah #16: B’shallach (After he had let go) Sh’mot (Exodus) 13:17-17:16
Haftarah: Shof’tim (Judges) 5:1-31
B’rit Chadashah: Revelation 15:1-4
As we learn from our parashah this week, sometimes the “long” road home is a better option than the “short” road. Concerning our spiritual development, taking the long way “home” is the only way we can grow and ultimately graduate from our finite, self-gratifying earthly existence and the constant conflict between the animal soul and the spiritually to a focused soul that loves and obeys G-d’s Torah, both the written and the Living. In this context, G-d’s omniscience is demonstrated when He chooses to lead the Israelites the “long way” to the land(home), knowing that if they were able to look back and see Egypt, would turn back due to their lack of trust in G-d and the possibility of war (Ex. 13:17-18).
Even after experiencing so many extraordinary events(miracles) early in their journey to G-d’s ultimate destiny for Israel, the people were feint of heart. As Pharaoh approached, the people immediately grumbled against Moshe, making statements that were untrue regarding their slavery in Egypt. In Ex. 14:12 we read “Didn’t we tell you in Egypt to let us alone, we’ll just go on being slaves for the Egyptians?” How quickly we forget! This is not the kind of lifestyle evangelism we are to demonstrate to the world as G-d’s people. Their reaction was based on human instinct and not a confidence in G-d’s ability to conquer Israel’s enemies. In other words, the people were not ready to come out of the “oven.” ☹
In contrast, we read of Moshe’s confidence and trust that G-d would save them that very day, doing battle for them. Comparing this event to the one where Moshe struck the rock twice, disobeying G-d’s instructions which cost him a trip to the Land, we learn that no one, not even G-d’s people are perfect. It is much easier to judge the events and people in G-d’s Torah in the comfort of our homes and relative freedoms that we enjoy, at least for now. For many in the United States, water is obtained by turning on a faucet. Our choice of food can be picked off a shelf in a grocery store. I submit most people do not give a thought to the fact that every blessing we enjoy is from G-d: “ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).
But life was not so easy in biblical times. In the context of the Exodus, people had to make choices that contradicted human nature and instinct. They left a familiar albeit horrible environment of slavery, slaughtered a young lamb or goat,( an animal that was sacred to their Egyptian captives) ate it according to G-d’s instructions, spread the blood on the lentils of their doors to protect them from the plague of death of the firstborn, literally ate and ran out of Egypt, and then walked on dry land as the Sea of Suf was separated and “held” on each side by the hand of G-d as the Israelites crossed safely. They witnessed the destruction of the Egyptian army and were then led through the desert by a column of cloud by day and a column of fire by night. This may symbolize G-d’s grace through Yahshua as the cloud by day, and G-d’s justice as the column of fire by night. Note that the two become one in chapter 14:19-20: “The angel of G-d, who was going ahead of the camp of Israel moved away and went behind them; and the column of cloud moved away from in front of them and stood behind them. It stationed itself between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel- there was cloud and darkness here, but light by night there; so that one did not come near the other all night long.” So, we must take care to consider how we might have felt had we been the ones going through this phase of redemption and deliverance from sin with the sinful anti-G-d lifestyle represented by Egypt.
The attitude of the people changed at least for a short time after they crossed the sea, singing the song of Moshe (Ex. 15:19) with Miryam singing with the women as they danced (Ex. 15:21). The people believed in Adonai and in his servant Moshe. But remember what James said “You believe that there is one G-d. Good! Even the demons believe that- and shudder (James 2:19).
The next phase in the deliverance of G-d’s people is one which repeated reading, internalizing and striving to consistently apply to our lives can determine our final destination at the judgment. Exodus 15:25-6 reads “There Adonai made laws and rules of life for them, and there he tested them. He said,” If you will listen intently to the voice of Adonai your G-d, do what he considers right, pay attention to his mitzvot and observe his laws, I will not afflict you with any of the diseases I brought to the Egyptians; because I am Adonai your healer.”
Today we know that the majority of Christians are taught that G-d’s laws were abrogated on the execution stake, meaning they no longer apply to mankind. They are taught that all sins, past, present, and future have already been forgiven and there is no danger of “losing” salvation. This is a critically erroneous teaching and belief that will cost those who subscribe to it their salvation. Recall that Yahshua told us that the road to destruction is broad, and many will enter through it and that small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matt.7:13-14). Further support that loving obedience to G-d’s laws, commands, and rulings are required of all whose names will be written in G-d’s Book of Life is found throughout the Old and “New” Testaments, including the Book of Revelation and our parashah (Exodus 15:25-6).
One example alluding to the fact that our spiritual growth is based on our loving obedience to G-d’s instructions is found in Exodus 16:4 where “Adonai said to Moshe, ‘Here, I will cause bread to rain down from heaven for you. The people are to go out and gather a day’s ration every day. By this I will test whether they will observe my Torah or not.” This is an example of a statement with multiple meanings. G-d’s Word is the Bread of Life. Like the man that was to be gathered daily, we are instructed to hear, internalize, and act upon G-d’s Word daily (see Deut. 6:4-11; John 6:25-59). Unfortunately, the peoples lack of trust and faith that G-d would provide man every day prompted them to hoard the leftovers from the previous day. G-d remedied their disobedience by causing worms and rot to destroy the leftovers (Ex. 16:19). Similarly, we are not to hoard our blessings, G-d’s provision in our lives. We are to use what we need, then share with others so that there is no excess or shortage; that there is no rust, decay, loss of value (Matt. 6:19-33). I find it interesting that a parallel teaching is found in numerically the same chapter and verse in the Old and “New” Testaments!
Another conceptual parallel is found in Ex. 16:32 and Matt. 6:34 where G-d tells us not to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” We are also told by Yahshua in Luke 12:22-26 that “Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens; they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet G-d feeds them. The two quarts of man that Moshe was instructed to set aside before the testimony to be kept throughout all generations is symbolic of G-d’s promise to feed us and His promise to provide the Bread of Life, G-d’s Torah for all who choose to partake of it and become reconciled to G-d through Yahshua’s sacrifice.
An interesting side note concerning the man, subsequently used to symbolize the Bread of Life is the fact that anyone considered a true believer in G-d’s eyes must partake of the Bread of Life(lovingly following G-d’s laws, commands, and rulings).All who choose to reject G-d’s Word for apostate religion identified in Revelation 17 as Protestant and Christian systems are described in Isaiah 4:1 concerning the End of Days. Wewe are told “On that day, seven women will grab hold of one man and say, ‘We will supply our own food and wear our own clothes. Just let us bear your name; take away our disgrace.’” This statement tells us that in the End of Days there will be people who will attempt to identify themselves as G-d’s people, but who do not follow G-d’s Torah; do not partake of the Bread of Life. They are counterfeit believers of whom G-d says to them including many prophets and teachers when compared to the definition of a true believer in G-d’s Torah, (John 14, Rom. 1-3; Seven-fold witness in Revelation) “Many will say to me on that day, ‘L-rd, L-rd, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and, in your name, perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers!” (Matt. 7:22-9).
So we can learn much more about the consistency of G-d’s Torah by researching additional scriptures relating to subjects and concepts found in the five books of Moshe comparing them to the B’rit Chadashah (Refreshed, renewed Covenant) man that was to be set aside through all generations, and the implications of that command.
Finally we are told in Ex. 17:114-15 “Adonai said to Moshe, “Write this in a book to be remembered and tell it to Y’hoshua: I will completely blot out any memory of ‘Amalek from under heaven.” Moshe built an altar, called it Adonai Nissi [Adonai is my banner/miracle], and said, “because their hand was against the throne of Yah, Adonai will fight ‘Amalek generation after generation.”
We previously learned that Amalek still exists through Hamas and Hezbollah and the Houthis; that it has not been exterminated to date. Recall that Amalek is not one man. Rather it is a way of life; of evil and antinomianism against G-d and His people. What G-d loves, the Satanic line hates. We can say with confidence that Amalek will not be completely destroyed from under heaven until Irael is safe in the land and no longer has any enemies. We read in Deuteronomy 25:19 “Remember what ‘Amalek did to you on the road as you were coming out of Egypt, how he met you by the road, attacked those in the rear, those who were exhausted and straggling behind you when you were tired and weary. He did not dear G-d. Therefore, when Adonai your G-d has given you rest from all your surrounding enemies in the land Adonai your G-d is giving you as your inheritance to possess, you are to blot out all memory of ‘Amalek from under heaven. Don’t forget!” This final battle is yet to come, and Israel (true believers) will be victorious just as G-d promised (Exodus 17:14).
Haftarah: Shof’tim (Judges) 5:1-31
Music and singing were a cherished part of Israel’s culture. Devorah’s song in this narrative describes one of Israel’s great victories, giving G-d all the glory and praise. Stories told through songs are very effective for passing events from one generation to another. Such is the case with the song recorded on our parashah after the Israelites were delivered from Egypt at the crossing of the Sea of Suf.
In their victory, Devorah and Barak sang praises to G-d. Singing to G-d provides us with an outlet for our loving gratitude and serve as a reminder of G-d’s faithfulness and character. Whether we are experiencing a victory or a test of any magnitude, singing praises to G-d can have a profoundly positive effect on our hearts and minds.
B’rit Chadashah: Revelation 15:1-4
“ Then I saw another sign in heaven, a great and wonderful one- seven angels with the seven plagues that are the final ones; because with them, G-d’s fury is finished. I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire. Those defeating the beast, its image and the number of its name were standing by the sea of glass, holding harps of gold which G-d had given them. They were singing the song of Moshe, the servant of G-d, and the song of the Lamb…”
Just as the Israelites stood by the edge of the Sea of Suf after their Egyptian pursuers were defeated and sang the Song of Moshe, the victorious believers in heaven learn and sing the song that Yahshua sings. Like the Song of Moshe which encompasses G-d’s commands, law, and statutes, the Song of the Lamb describes G-d’s grace and mercy; His provision of our Messiah Yahshua. Both songs exults in the just and true ways of G-d, using the language found in the Tanakh found in Jeremiah 10:7; Amos 3:13; 4:13; 1 Chronicles 16:9,12; Malachi 1:11, Psalms 86:9-10, not all inclusive. However, unlike the Song of Moshe, this chapter brings the final judgment to our attention. G-d is revealed as the king of the nations, king of the entire world, prophesized in Zechariah 14:9. All nations will come to worship before him as we continue to read Zechariah 14:16-20.
Let us not become weary as we continue our earthly race towards our goal of being judged a good and faithful servant and an eternity with YHVH/Yahshua in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21).