Beshalach - Day #5

Beshalach בְּשַׁלַּח - When He Sent Out  

Exodus:13:17-17:16

Reading #5 - Exodus 15:27–16:10

15:27 They came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. They encamped there by the waters.

16 They took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt. 2 The whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron in the wilderness; 3 and the children of Israel said to them, “We wish that we had died by Hashem’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots, when we ate our fill of bread, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

4 Then Hashem said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from the sky for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. 5 It shall come to pass on the sixth day, that they shall prepare that which they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.”

6 Moses and Aaron said to all the children of Israel, “At evening, you shall know that Hashem has brought you out from the land of Egypt. 7 In the morning, you shall see Hashem’s glory, because He hears your murmurings against Hashem. Who are we, that you murmur against us?” 8 Moses said, “Now Hashem will give you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to satisfy you, because Hashem hears your murmurings which you murmur against Him. And who are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but against Hashem.” 9 Moses said to Aaron, “Tell all the congregation of the children of Israel, ‘Come close to Hashem, for He has heard your murmurings.’” 10 As Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the children of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, Hashem’s glory appeared in the cloud.

Today’s Meditation:

Imagine bread from the sky (verse 16:4). Can you even believe that Hashem loves His people (and us) so very much that He heard their hunger pains and blessed them with bread literally from the sky? I never thought of it this way before, but that’s how it covered the ground. If our Elohim can send bread from the sky and part the waters of the sea so that thousands of people can walk through it, well, I guess He can do anything. I encouraged you to take a moment to reflect on how deep and how high Hashem’s love for us is. No matter how rough things get, if we are following Him with complete faith, He will meet our needs, even in miraculous ways.

Today’s Challenge:

Hashem is getting ready to test His people. Yes, He delivers this miraculous bread from heaven (actually for forty years), but He also sets a Law. Only gather enough on the 6th day of the week to last you that day and the Shabbat. The rest will rot. How tempting it would have been to gather more. Think of it, you are starving, and you never want you or your family to starve again. So, you naturally want to gather as much information as possible. However, Hashem says not to do that. What faith and courage it would take to obey Him. 

Do you have a situation in your life where God has blessed you, but you still yearn for more? I challenge you to put your trust in Him for your future and to accept with gratitude what He has given you now. He will provide all you need if you ask Him.

Beshalach - Day #4

Beshalach בְּשַׁלַּח - When He Sent Out  

Torah Portion: Exodus:13:17-17:16

Exodus 14:26–15:26

14:26 Hashem said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come again on the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen.” 27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it. Hashem overthrew the Egyptians in the middle of the sea. 28 The waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even all Pharaoh’s army that went in after them into the sea. There remained not so much as one of them. 29 But the children of Israel walked on dry land in the middle of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 30 Thus Hashem saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great work which Hashem did to the Egyptians, and the people feared Hashem; and they believed in Hashem and in his servant Moses.

15 Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to Hashem, and said,

“I will sing to Adonai, for He has triumphed gloriously.

    He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea.

2 Adonai is my strength and song.

    He has become my salvation.

This is my Elohim, and I will praise Him;

    my father’s Elohim, and I will exalt him.

3 Adonai is a man of war.

    Adonai is His name.

4 He has cast Pharaoh’s chariots and his army into the sea.

    His chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea.

5 The deeps cover them.

    They went down into the depths like a stone.

6 Your right hand, Adonai, is glorious in power.

    Your right hand,  Adonai, dashes the enemy in pieces.

7 In the greatness of Your excellency, You overthrow those who rise up against You.

    You send out Your wrath. It consumes them as stubble.

8 With the blast of Your nostrils, the waters were piled up.

    The floods stood upright as a heap.

    The deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea.

9 The enemy said, ‘I will pursue. I will overtake. I will divide the plunder.

    My desire will be satisfied on them.

    I will draw my sword. My hand will destroy them.’

10 You blew with Your wind.

    The sea covered them.

    They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

11 Who is like You, Adonai, among the gods?

    Who is like You, glorious in holiness,

    fearful in praises, doing wonders?

12 You stretched out Your right hand.

    The earth swallowed them.

13 “You, in Your loving kindness, have led the people that You have redeemed.

  You have guided them in Your strength to Your holy habitation.

14 The peoples have heard.

    They tremble.

    Pangs have taken hold of the inhabitants of Philistia.

15 Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed.

    Trembling takes hold of the mighty men of Moab.

    All the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.

16 Terror and dread falls on them.

    By the greatness of Your arm, they are as still as a stone,

    until Your people pass over, Adonai,

    until the people You have purchased pass over.

17 You will bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance,

    the place, Adonai, which You have made for Yourself to dwell in; the sanctuary, Adonai, which Your hands have established.

18 Adonai will reign forever and ever.”

19 For the horses of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and Hashem brought back the waters of the sea on them; but the children of Israel walked on dry land in the middle of the sea. 20 Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances. 21 Miriam answered them,

“Sing to Adonai, for He has triumphed gloriously.

He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea.”

22 Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. 23 When they came to Marah, they couldn’t drink from the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore, its name was called Marah. 24 The people murmured against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 Then he cried to Hashem. Hashem showed him a tree, and he threw it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them. 26 He said, “If you will diligently listen to Adonai your Elohim’s voice, and will do that which is right in His eyes, and will pay attention to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am Adonai who heals you.”

Today’s Meditation:

Here is your answer to being healed. It is so clear, you don’t have to look anywhere else. Hashem says in 15:26 “He said, “If you will diligently listen to Hashem your Elohim’s voice, and will do that which is right in His eyes, and will pay attention to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am Hashem who heals you.” There you go. If you want healing, then listen to Hashem, do what is right, pay attention to His Law, and keep it. The problem is that no one teaches us what those statutes and commandments are. But if you stay with this daily devotion, you will learn as you go through the first five books of the Bible what they are. In His Law, you will find healing.

Today’s Challenge:

The Hebrew people are led out of Egypt with a huge miracle. The sea literally parts for them to cross. But, within three days, with no water, the doubts return. Did Hashem really tell them to leave? They are wondering. Did they do the right thing? Doesn’t that happen to you? Hashem will do something really huge in your life, and then, in just a short time, you face challenges, and you forget His faithfulness? If you have forgotten how loving and faithful Hashem is, remember what He has done for you today. Take a piece of paper and write down all the incredible miracles Hashem has done in your life. I promise it will help you navigate your situation.

Beshalach - Day #3

Beshalach בְּשַׁלַּח - When He Sent Out  

Torah Portion: Exodus:13:17-17:16

Exodus 14:15–25

14:15 Hashem said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Speak to the children of Israel, that they go forward. 16 Lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. Then the children of Israel shall go into the middle of the sea on dry ground. 17 Behold, I myself will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will go in after them. I will get myself honor over Pharaoh, and over all his armies, over his chariots, and over his horsemen. 18 The Egyptians shall know that I am Hashem when I have gotten myself honor over Pharaoh, over his chariots, and over his horsemen.” 19 The angel of Elohim, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them, and stood behind them. 20 It came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel. There was the cloud and the darkness, yet it gave light by night. One didn’t come near the other all night.

21 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and Hashem caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 The children of Israel went into the middle of the sea on the dry ground; and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the middle of the sea: all of Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 In the morning watch, Hashem looked out on the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and of cloud, and confused the Egyptian army. 25 He took off their chariot wheels, and they drove them heavily; so that the Egyptians said, “Let’s flee from the face of Israel, for Hashem fights for them against the Egyptians!”

Today’s Meditation:

Imagine seeing a pillar of cloud. It protected them from the hot sun and obscured them from the Egyptians. It makes me wonder whether there are times in life when Hashem presents Himself between the enemy and us, hiding us from evil. I’m sure He does, and that is a very comforting thought. It is vital to pray for His protection every day over our lives and those we love. We should pray that He continues to present a cloud of covering between the enemy and us.

Today’s Challenge:

What do you need protection for in your life? Your finances, your health, your spouse, your children, your home? It is super important to ask Him for that protection. Ask daily. He is our Protector and our Shield. And I am grateful for that. Today, I challenge you to go before Hashem and ask Him for specific protection. Then praise Him for His faithfulness.

Beshalach - Day #2

Beshalach בְּשַׁלַּח - When He Sent Out  

Torah Portion: Exodus:13:17-17:16

Exodus 14:9–14

14:9 The Egyptians pursued them. All the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen, and his army overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baal Zephon.

10 When Pharaoh came near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were very afraid. The children of Israel cried out to Hashem. 11 They said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you treated us this way, to bring us out of Egypt? 12 Isn’t this the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

13 Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of Hashem, which He will work for you today; for you will never again see the Egyptians whom you have seen today. 14 Hashem will fight for you, and you shall be still.”

Today’s Meditation:

What a scene. The Egyptians are approaching the Hebrews, and suddenly doubt seizes them. Did they make a mistake following Moses away from their homes? Will the Egyptians catch up with them and destroy them? They were scared. 

Moses says to them, “Stand still,” and that Hashem will fight for them. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you doubted that Hashem was there to help you? I have. I have always had a firm faith in Hashem, but there have been times of crisis when I cried out to Hashem, and I wasn’t really sure He heard me. After all was said and done, I can see that He was there. And that He worked everything out for good. But, in the middle of it all, sometimes we do get scared. That’s when we have to hold on to our faith and stand still.

Today’s Challenge:

If you are in the middle of a crisis, then this Scripture today is Hashem speaking to you. He is telling you clearly to hold on, stand still, and know that He will fight for you. It may not look like He hears you or that He is doing anything, but I promise you He is. You will see. Pray and be strong.

Beshalach - Day #1

Beshalach בְּשַׁלַּח - When He Sent Out  

Torah Portion: Exodus:13:17-17:16

Exodus 13:17–14:8

13:17 When Pharaoh had let the people go, Elohim didn’t lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for Elohim said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt”; 18 but Elohim led the people around by the way of the wilderness by the Red Sea; and the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt. 19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the children of Israel swear, saying, “Elohim will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones away from here with you.” 20 They took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 21 Elohim went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them on their way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, that they might go by day and by night: 22 the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, didn’t depart from before the people.

14 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn back and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal Zephon. You shall encamp opposite it by the sea. 3 Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, ‘They are entangled in the land. The wilderness has shut them in.’ 4 I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will follow after them; and I will get honor over Pharaoh, and over all his armies; and the Egyptians shall know that I am Hashem.” They did so.

5 The king of Egypt was told that the people had fled. The heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 He prepared his chariot, and took his army with him; 7 and he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, with captains over all of them. 8 Hashem hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel; for the children of Israel went out with a high hand.

Today’s Meditation:

In verse 14:2, we see a slight change in plans. They actually change directions. Some sages say that they went south instead of southeast. Hashem’s goal was to get them safely to the Red Sea, where He would perform His greatest miracle. It makes me think that sometimes in our lives, we see Hashem tweaking His plans for us. That happened to me last year. Hashem changed my places of work, and when it first happened, I didn’t understand. Now that I have been working in my new position, I can see exactly what He was doing. It was all meant for good. The important thing is that you are in His will daily. Seek His face, read His word, pray, repent, and follow Him. Ultimately, His plans will become yours.

Today’s Challenge:

Today, I challenge you to be flexible. If things aren’t happening the way you think they should, give Hashem a chance to show you why. As mentioned before, stay close to Him. Trust that whatever is happening, as long as you are obedient and prayerful, will soon make sense to you. Whatever change you are going through, ask Hashem to turn it all to good. Maybe praise Him for making it that way.