I have been asked how to communicate with friends or family over faith issues countless times. Typically, those asking are excited about what the Lord has done for them or about new information they have found in Scripture. But when they approach people with new insights, they become discouraged because their words are rejected. So how do we talk about spiritual topics, especially when the topics seem to contradict each other?
This week, in B’shalach (When he let go), we seem to have one of those issues. How do wars, songs, and bread line up with one another? And how can we possibly see images of our Savior and Redeemer in them?
Often, we are anxious to prove our point. We want others to hear us so badly that we forget they may have different background experiences affecting their interpretation. So rather than trying to convince, maybe we should start asking and sharing to find out what another person might think of a particular Biblical event or text.
This week, I thought I would share how I approach the Scriptures and in so doing maybe assist you in learning how to identify understanding with yourself and with others.
My approach is pretty basic. It starts with a question. For instance, this week’s title “When He Let Go” lends me to ask, “Who is he and who did he let go?” This leads to several other questions like: what happened to the people who were let go, what did they do, were they able to survive, and how did they survive? And finally, the obvious most important questions of “How does any of this stuff relate to me and how does it convey the gospel of Salvation or Redemption?”
At the start of this study, we see that Pharoah lets Israel go. And Yahweh then leads Israel to a route that keeps them away from war with the Philistines, because Israel “might change their mind when they see war.” So, He leads them by the way of the Red Sea. Is this a good idea? While at first glance it doesn’t seem to be, because we know in the next chapter that Egypt will change its mind and Israel will face war rather quickly, whether they are ready or not.
Why does Yahweh put Israel in an impossible position? And of course, doesn’t this action by God seem to show that He is not all-knowing. . . or is He all-knowing?
Let’s look at three texts:
“When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people, and they said, “What is this that we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” So he had horses harnessed to his chariot and took his people with him, and he took six hundred select chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them.” Exodus 14:5-7
But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will perform for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again, ever. The LORD will fight for you, while you keep silent.”
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.” Exodus 14:13-15
After reading these three verses what do you see? From my perspective I see an army that can kill me, causing me to fear for my life. But in relating this to myself and the gospel, I understand that I need to let “The Lord” fight for me. Then I need to keep silent and move forward.
The Song of Moses
Within this text, I saw a few other things that allowed me to see the gospel, or at least I think it does. Here are the texts I picked, followed by texts from the book of Isaiah. Naturally, I asked a few more questions to find what I believe to be the gospel message.
“The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation;
This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
The LORD is a warrior; The LORD is His name.” Exodus 15:2-3
“Who is like You among the gods, LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness,
Awesome in praises, working wonders? “You reached out with Your right hand,
The earth swallowed them.” Exodus 15: 11-12
The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war.
He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies. Isaiah 42:13
“Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights.
I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. Isaiah 42:1
From these texts, I now get to ask some rather pointed questions: Whose name means salvation? What is the meaning of Lord? Who performs wondrous works on earth and is given authority to do so? Who is the right hand of Elohim? Who is the servant that brings justice?
Are you having fun yet? I am, for I continually find a common denominator that allows my faith to grow. The answer points (at least for me) to Yeshua, the One who promises me Salvation from my bondage and whose name means “salvation”!
In the Haftorah We See a Similar Pattern
We see a cry out from bondage, war, more chariots, and yet another song. So naturally, how does the story in Judges 4 & 5 line up with the Exodus story and the gospel message found in the New Testament?
Here are some key texts once again:
“The sons of Israel cried out to the Lord; for he (King Jabin and Sisera his general) had nine hundred iron chariots, and he oppressed the sons of Israel severely for twenty years.”
“Awake, awake, Deborah;
Awake, awake, sing a song!
Arise, Barak, and lead away your captives, son of Abinoam. Judges 5:12
“For the leaders leading in Israel,
For the people volunteering,
Bless the Lord!
3 Hear, you kings; listen, you dignitaries!
I myself—to the Lord, I myself will sing,
I will sing praise to the Lord, the God of Israel! Judges 5:1-3
Answers to my questions now include other questions like: Do I need to be awake to see the Mighty hand of Yah? Do I need to sing in the midst of my trials? Should I volunteer? And am I required to let my voice for Salvation be heard even among kings? Wow! This stuff does apply to today!
The New Testament Shines More Light on our Topic
Finally, we have the portion from the New Testament, found in John 6, where the disciples ask Yahshua, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?
“Yahshua said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. The one who eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, the one who eats Me, he also will live because of Me.” John 6:54-57
Wow, this text caused many of Yeshua’s followers to get up and leave. Why? The leaders thought he was comparing himself to God. Others couldn’t get past the idea of eating flesh and drinking blood. And there were, of course, many who just didn’t want to take the time to understand. But to me, I see this text as a spiritual command. To understand the works of Yahweh, one must “know” Yahweh. And as Yeshua reminded so many, “We must come to Him Yahshua, before we can even come to the Father.”
Friends, if you are confused as to how to speak to others, start with a question first. Allow someone to share their viewpoint. Open the Scriptures and examine them. Compare other texts and take the time to look at the landscape—the pictures of the gospel. I believe you will be shown a lot!
May you be blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn
