Domesticated elephants are chained to a stake while young. Over time, the elephant becomes convinced that he cannot break away when he is older and stronger. Eventually, he accepts his captivity, unable to change.
B’shalach means, “when he let go.” The study refers to Pharaoh, who finally releases Israel so that they can leave the chains of slavery. But what will happen to Israel when they leave their land of bondage? Will they be able to accept freedom? Will they be able to walk in faith towards a new way of life; or will they accept a stake of false belief?
Chains of addiction, sin, and world influence are at times our bondage. Many are bound to patterns of sin, which at first glance seem impossible to leave. Like the Israelites, we have become accustomed to slavery. We have allowed captors to convince us that we cannot pull up stakes to claim freedom. We comply. We look the other way and accept our captivity.
But there is hope. It is in the Name of the Living God, who puts forth His mighty hand to redeem us. He knows our hearts and what we can endure. The study of B’shalach demonstrates thoughtful action from YHWH, when He directs Israel away from Egypt, choosing a longer route over a shorter one.
“Now it came about when Pharaoh had let the people go, that YHWH did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for Yah said, ‘Lest the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt.” Exodus 13:17-18
From this point forward, YHWH leads the people with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. In short, he “covers” His people when the “captor lets go” of his captives. This picture of grace is too tremendous to over look. Surrounding nations (in covenant with the evil one) would love to attack or take captive a vulnerable nation. But YHWH God protects Israel’s vulnerability to begin the process of faith and strength. He chooses a longer route so that Israel can come to know Him.
“And the Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from the people.” Exodus 13:21-22
When we leave the bondage of sin, we are not typically ready for spiritual warfare. Israel was not ready for war, even though they saw the mighty works of Yah. Yes, they had experienced something no other group of people had ever experienced. But like the elephant, our human nature can be easily swayed to accept “known bondage” over freedom. So the questions begging to be asked are:
*When are we ready for warfare?
*Are we willing to accept His “pillars” and start walking as He leads?
*Are we ready to endure trials in the wilderness to be strengthened, so we can battle the enemy?
Notice how Yahweh begins to work with Israel to help them form a new way of thinking. Slaves do not believe they can win. They have learned to comply. So, Moses puts them in military/warlike order. Why is this? Could it be that they now need to picture themselves as a winning army? By aligning themselves in a military fashion, slaves begin the process of changing a weak mind that believes lies to a mind of strength believing in truth.
Ok, so we go ahead and start walking in a new life. But, shortly after our escape, the chariots of sin started coming after us. Like Israel, we can see them. We can feel them. Panic sets in. We don’t want to die and we state:
“Isn’t it better to just be who I am—a slave to sin?” But notice the words of Moses, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today . . . the Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.” Exodus 14:13-15
When you go into your prayer room, have you ever just kept silent to wait on the Lord? Do you look for the Messiah? Do you look for truth? “. . . for you are all sons of light and sons of day, we are not of night nor of darkness. I Thessalonians 5:5
Then YHWH Himself says to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.” Exodus 14:14-15
Wow! What an edict. It sounds very similar to the man who couldn’t walk and Yeshua said to him: “Take up your bed and walk!” John 5:8
Is this the new learning curve to a life of freedom? I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be an elephant. I want my stake pulled up, so I too can walk. From this Torah section, we find that the Lord not only pulls up Israel’s “sin” stake, but He sends their captors into confusion, so they can escape to freedom. Praise His Name!
Are you willing to be set free? The Almighty Hand of Yah is willing to do this for you if you but cry out to Him. The story of Israel being freed from “the great nation” displays the work of Yahweh.
For to be set free, the hold of the slave master must be broken. Yah’s power is stronger than the slave master and He has broken the slave master at the cross.
Secondly, the hold that the master has over the slave must be broken (memory patterns). And again, Yah demonstrates the power that assures the slave that he is indeed free by covering the slave in times of weakness. Finally, the slave must work to form a new life. A new identity is created by putting on armor and fully accepting Elohim’s family inheritance.
When you feel chains starting to wrap around you, make a bold statement, “I am a child of Yahweh God and you slave master have no power over me—leave in the Name of Yeshua.”
Be Blessed,
Rollyn