B’SHALACH בְּשַׁלַּ֣ח (When he sent) EXODUS 13:17-17:16

PROPHETS: JUDGES 4:4-5:31 | GOSPEL: MATTHEW 14:22-33

by Min. Donald H. Garrett

TORAH:

The “he” in this reading is Pharaoh, who finally sends the Israelites out. Note how YaHVaH takes them on a journey, instead of to the nearest land of the Philistines. Yet, the Israelites were armed with weapons when they left, but they weren’t warriors yet. They would have lost ❤ and returned if confronted with war. Even when confronted at the Red Sea, they were ready to give up and capitulate to Pharaoh again. YaHVaH shows His power in delivering them through the Red Sea.

They then sing a song to YaHVaH:  “I shall sing to YaHVaH for He is exalted above the arrogant,  having hurled horse with its rider into the sea. The might and vengeance of YaH was salvation for me. This is my God* and I will build Him a Sanctuary; the God of my father and I will exalt Him. YaHVaH is Master of war – His name is YaHVaH.” Exodus 15:1b-3, Tanach with HASHEM changed to YaHVaH.

*The commentary by Rashi says, “So clear was the manifestation of Godliness that even the humblest Jew could literally point with his finger and say, ‘This is my God!’”  However, Rashi is wrong. It was every Israelite doing this, not just Jews. Remember, Jews are only those from the tribe of Judah at this point.

(c) Copyright January 2024 Min. Donald H. Garrett and Odon Obadyah Ministries, Inc.

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