Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Bo - Reading #3

Bo, בֹּא - Come!

Exodus:10:1-13:16

Reading #3 - Exodus 10:24–11:3


My Thoughts:


With this reading I think about the times Pharaoh is going back on his word. He says he will let them go, then always changes his mind. You may say this is because Hashem “hardened” his heart. And I am sure this is a large part of it all. But, regardless, he is not a man of his word. Today we have many people who are not “people of their word”. We say a lot of things, but we don’t stand behind what we say. In fact, many times, we don’t even do what we promise. How many times have you said, “I will be praying for you”. Only you walk away and never do? Or you say “I will call you soon”. But, you never do. Make sure when you tell someone you are going to do something -- you do it! You are representing Hashem and His faithfulness. Be careful.


Challenge:


In the last verse we see Moses was great in the sight of the people. What made him great? The miracles, his bravery, his strength, perseverance -- what? Maybe all those things. I challenge you today to think about what makes you “great” in the sight of others? What kind of traits do you have that others respect and admire? If you can’t think of many things then maybe it is time to change. Become a “light” to the nations. It is our purpose.


Reading #3 - Exodus 10:24–11:3


24 Pharaoh called to Moses, and said, “Go, serve Hashem. Only let your flocks and your herds stay behind. Let your little ones also go with you.”


25 Moses said, “You must also give into our hand sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to Hashem our Elohim. 26 Our livestock also shall go with us. Not a hoof shall be left behind, for of it we must take to serve Hashem our Elohim; and we don’t know with what we must serve Hashem, until we come there.”


27 But Hashem hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he wouldn’t let them go. 28 Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me! Be careful to see my face no more; for in the day you see my face you shall die!”


29 Moses said, “You have spoken well. I will see your face again no more.”


11 Hashem said to Moses, “I will bring yet one more plague on Pharaoh, and on Egypt; afterwards he will let you go. When he lets you go, he will surely thrust you out altogether. 2 Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man ask of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.” 3 Hashem gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants, and in the sight of the people.