Hebraic Torah-based reflection on "Shemot"
Shemot (Exodus 1:1-6:1): Remembering Names, Rekindling Hope
Have you ever felt forgotten? Like nobody remembered who you were, or how special you are? It’s a sad feeling, isn’t it? This week's Torah portion, Shemot – which means “Names” – begins with a list of names. It might seem a little boring at first, just a bunch of people who came to Egypt with Jacob, also known as Israel. But these names aren’t just labels; they represent a promise. A promise that Yahweh hadn’t forgotten His people, even when things looked incredibly dark. And it’s a promise that continues today, for us and for all of Israel.
A People Multiplied, A Heart Afraid
Let’s quickly remember the story. After Joseph, Jacob’s son, saved Egypt from a terrible famine, our ancestors – the children of Israel – settled there in the land of Goshen. They were welcomed and even prospered! But time passed, and a new king arose in Egypt who didn’t remember Joseph, or the good he had done. (Exodus 1:8) This king saw how quickly the Israelites were growing in number – they were becoming a large and strong people! – and he became afraid. He worried they might side with Egypt’s enemies in a war.
So, he decided to make their lives miserable. He forced them into hard labor, building cities for him. (Exodus 1:11-14) But even that didn’t stop them from multiplying! Then, the king gave a terrible command: All newborn Israelite boys were to be thrown into the Nile River and drowned. (Exodus 1:16) Can you imagine how frightening that must have been for the Israelite mothers? It was a time of great sorrow and desperation.
Yet, even in this darkness, Yahweh was at work. We read about two midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, who feared Yahweh (Exodus 1:17). Because of their reverence for Yahweh, they didn't obey the king’s command. When the king demanded to know why they were letting the baby boys live, they bravely said, “The Hebrew women do not deliver like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and deliver before the midwives arrive.” (Exodus 1:19) Yahweh blessed these women for their faithfulness and allowed the Israelites to continue to grow.
The portion continues with the story of Moses, born during this time of oppression. His mother hid him for three months, but when she could no longer protect him, she placed him in a basket (a tevah – which foreshadows the Tevah built by Noah!) and set it afloat on the Nile. (Exodus 2:1-3) Yahweh guided the basket to Pharaoh's daughter, who took pity on the baby and decided to raise him as her own son. Unknowingly, she paid Moses' own mother to nurse him! This meant Moses grew up knowing he was an Israelite, even while living in the royal palace.
Later, Moses defended a fellow Israelite from an Egyptian taskmaster and killed the Egyptian. (Exodus 2:11-12) Fearing Pharaoh’s wrath, he fled to Midian. There, he became a shepherd and eventually married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, a priest of Midian. While tending the flock, Moses encountered Yahweh in a burning bush (Exodus 3:1-6), and Yahweh revealed His name – YHWH – and commissioned Moses to return to Egypt and lead His people out of slavery.
Moses, initially hesitant, returned to Egypt with his brother Aaron. They repeatedly asked Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, but Pharaoh stubbornly refused. The portion ends with Yahweh reaffirming His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, setting the stage for the dramatic events to come – the ten plagues and the eventual Exodus from Egypt. (Exodus 6:1-6)
The Echo of Names and the Pattern of Oppression
The very beginning of Shemot deliberately lists names. Scholars have noted something remarkable: this list isn't a straightforward retelling of the family tree. It’s structured with repetitions and focuses on the sons of Jacob. Why? Because names in Hebrew culture aren't simply identifiers; they carry meaning and represent a legacy. By listing these names, the Torah is declaring that despite the hardship they will face, this people, this lineage, is remembered by Yahweh. He hasn't forgotten the promises He made to Abraham!
This theme of remembering and being remembered echoes throughout the Tanakh. Yahweh repeatedly reminds Israel of His covenant and His deliverance from Egypt – “I am Yahweh, who brought you out of Egypt” (Numbers 15:41). It’s a foundational statement for their identity. And it highlights the danger of forgetting – forgetting Yahweh, forgetting His Torah, and forgetting His promises.
The pattern of oppression is also significant. We see a powerful nation – Egypt – becoming fearful of a growing people. This fear leads to harsh treatment and attempts to control the Israelites. This isn't a unique story in history, is it? Throughout the Tanakh, we see this pattern repeat itself – Israel is often a small and vulnerable nation surrounded by powerful empires who seek to dominate them. This pattern continues even into the time of the Brit Chadashah (New Covenant), with Herod and the Roman Empire’s power looming over the land.
Look closely at the language used to describe Pharaoh’s actions. He didn’t just limit the Israelites’ freedom; he afflicted them (Exodus 1:11). The Hebrew word for “afflict” – anah – is the same word used to describe the suffering of the Israelites in Egypt, and it’s also used to describe the suffering that Yahweh will bring upon those who oppress Israel in the future. This shows us that oppressing Yahweh’s people isn’t just a political or economic issue; it’s a direct affront to Yahweh Himself. It’s a key element of understanding the nature of ha-satan, the adversary, who attempts to turn people away from obedience to Yahweh.
The act of Pharaoh ordering the killing of male infants is chilling. It’s a blatant attempt to destroy the future of the Israelite nation. This echoes the serpent’s deception in the Garden of Eden – trying to prevent the coming of the promised seed (Genesis 3). It’s also a foreshadowing of Herod's attempt to kill baby Yeshua (Matthew 2:16-18), which we read about in this week’s Brit Chadashah portion. In all these instances, we see the adversary using fear and violence to try to thwart Yahweh's plans.
The Haftarah: A Glimmer of Restoration
This week’s Haftarah, from Isaiah, offers a powerful message of hope and restoration. Isaiah 27 speaks of Yahweh's future victory over His enemies and the ultimate redemption of Israel. The passage begins with a poetic description of Yahweh’s powerful judgment, symbolized by Leviathan, a monstrous sea creature. However, it quickly shifts to a beautiful picture of Israel being planted in Yahweh's land and flourishing (Isaiah 27:6). This signifies a time of complete security and blessing.
Then, Isaiah 28 describes the impending judgment on Ephraim (representing the northern kingdom of Israel) due to their rejection of Yahweh’s Torah. They relied on false prophets and made a covenant with death. This reflects the same kind of stubborn refusal to listen to Yahweh that we see in Pharaoh. But even within this warning, there’s a promise of a future remnant who will find security in Yahweh and His Torah. (Isaiah 28:16)
The Haftarah concludes with a brief but significant verse: “In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll clearly, and the eyes of the blind will see out of gloom and darkness.” (Isaiah 29:23) This speaks to a time when Yahweh will remove the spiritual blindness and deafness that prevent people from understanding His truth.
The connection to Shemot is clear. Both portions deal with oppression, rebellion against Yahweh, and the promise of eventual deliverance. Pharaoh’s oppression in Egypt is a type of the greater oppression that Israel has faced throughout its history. And Isaiah’s prophecy offers a glimpse of the ultimate redemption from that oppression.
Notice the imagery of "seeing out of gloom and darkness." This contrasts starkly with the initial darkness of Shemot, where the Israelites are plunged into slavery and despair. The Haftarah suggests that Yahweh will bring light and clarity to those who are lost in darkness. This motif echoes the theme of Yahweh revealing His name – YHWH – to Moses in the burning bush. This name represents Yahweh’s self-disclosure, His bringing light into the darkness.
Yeshua: The Fulfillment of Deliverance
How does all of this point to Yeshua HaMashiach? Let’s consider a few powerful connections.
First, Yeshua Himself is often described as the one who brings light into darkness. John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (The Greek word for “overcome” – katalambano – is better understood as “comprehend” or “grasp.” The darkness cannot understand the light.) This aligns perfectly with Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the eyes of the blind seeing out of gloom. Yeshua revealed the Father, just as the Father revealed His name to Moses. Yeshua is the embodiment of Yahweh's truth and the means by which people can be delivered from spiritual blindness.
Second, the story of Moses is a powerful foreshadowing of Yeshua’s life and mission. Just as Moses was spared from Pharaoh’s decree and raised in the royal palace, Yeshua was miraculously preserved from Herod’s attempt to kill Him. (Matthew 2:13-18) The Brit Chadashah passage we read this week highlights this parallel.
Furthermore, Moses led the Israelites out of physical slavery in Egypt. Yeshua leads people out of the slavery of sin and ha-satan. He doesn’t abolish the Torah; He fulfills it. He demonstrates what it looks like to live a life of perfect obedience to Yahweh’s commands. He is the ultimate expression of Torah in human form. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “But when the fullness of time had come, Yahweh sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the Torah…” (Galatians 4:4). The Greek word for “under” – hupó – can also mean “subject to” or “obedient to.” Yeshua wasn’t escaping the Torah; He was living it perfectly.
The midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, who feared Yahweh and defied Pharaoh’s decree, remind us of those who bravely stood up for their faith in the face of opposition. They are a picture of righteous gentiles protecting the seed of the Messiah. Their faithfulness demonstrates that obedience to Yahweh isn’t always about grand gestures; it’s often about small acts of courage and defiance against evil.
Finally, the tevah (ark) that saved Moses foreshadows the ultimate Tevah – the ark of Noach, and ultimately the protection offered through Yeshua. Just as Noah’s ark preserved life during the flood, Yeshua provides a refuge from the storm of sin and death.
Living Shemot Today: Remembering Our Identity and Embracing Hope
What does all of this mean for us today?
First, Shemot reminds us of the importance of remembering our identity. As followers of Yeshua, we are part of the continuing story of Israel. We are grafted into the olive tree (Romans 11), and we share in the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We must never forget our roots and the legacy of faith passed down to us through generations. This is especially important for those of us who aren't Jewish by birth, as it reminds us to honor the Jewish people and their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh.
Second, Shemot teaches us to embrace hope even in the darkest of times. The Israelites faced unimaginable suffering, but Yahweh didn’t abandon them. He raised up a deliverer – Moses – and He ultimately brought them out of slavery. Similarly, we may encounter challenges and hardships in our lives, but we can trust that Yahweh is with us and that He will provide a way forward.
Third, let us learn from Shiphrah and Puah and choose to fear Yahweh above all else. This means living a life of obedience to His Torah and standing up for what is right, even when it’s difficult. It means being courageous in the face of opposition and refusing to compromise our faith.
Finally, let us seek to understand the fullness of Yahweh’s revelation in Yeshua HaMashiach. He is the one who perfectly embodies Torah and reveals the heart of the Father. By studying His life and teachings, we can learn how to live a life of genuine love, joy, and peace.
Let’s ponder these questions together as a family:
- What does it mean to ‘fear Yahweh’? How can we show that fear in our daily lives?
- Can you think of a time when you felt forgotten or overlooked? How did that make you feel?
- How does the story of Moses give us hope for the future?
- How can we support our brothers and sisters in Israel today, remembering Yahweh’s enduring covenant with them?
May Yahweh bless you and keep you, and may He make His face shine upon you, as He promised to do for His people in Shemot. May we all be mindful of His Names and live lives worthy of the calling we have received. Shalom! (Peace, wholeness, completeness)
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