Parashat Bo (Come)
Shemot (Exodus) 10:1 -13:16
Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13-28
In Exodus 10:27-29 we read:
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was not willing to let them go. Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me! Be careful, do not see my face again, for on the day you see my face, you shall die!” Moses said, “You have spoken correctly; I shall never see your face again!”
These verses are a reminder that, while Pharaoh thought he was in control, it was God who held everything in His hands. Even though Pharaoh’s pride filled him to the point that he was considered a god, he had no control over the events that took place in Egypt. God hardened Pharaoh’s heart in order to fulfill His purposes in Egypt as we read,
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, so that My wonders will be multiplied in the land of Egypt.”
Exodus 11:9
It was after Pharaoh threatened Moses in Exodus 10: 27-29 that the plague of the firstborn occurred in Egypt. Pharaoh’s actions not only hurt himself, but also caused the Egyptians to suffer greatly. Only after Pharaoh lost his beloved son did he allow the children of Israel to leave. His pride was broken, and it cost him dearly:
Then he called for Moses and Aaron at night and said, “Rise up, get out from among my people, both you and the sons of Israel; and go, worship the LORD, as you have said.”
Exodus 12:31
Pharaoh gave up because he finally understood that Israel’s God is the one and only true and most powerfulGod there is. Pharaoh could no longer fight God’s plan!
As I am writing this, I am thinking about the reality in Israel now. Hamas terrorists violently rose up against God’s people; just like Pharaoh, they thought they were in control. They had hoped that Hezbollah in Lebanon would simultaneously attack Israel from the north. The reality is that this plan failed. I personally believe that God did not allow it to happen. Just like with Pharaoh, God demonstrated that His will prevails – no one will thwart His plan.
As we know, Israel responded to Hamas’s attack, and since Israel did, the Palestinian people are suffering greatly. Yet, it seems that Hamas and its leaders’ hearts are being hardened and they refuse to surrender, no matter the cost. They refuse to let the Israeli hostages go…
In Jeremiah 46:25-26 we read:
The LORD of armies, the God of Israel says: “Behold, I am going to punish Amon of Thebes, and Pharaoh, and Egypt along with her gods and her kings, indeed, Pharaoh and those who trust in him. I shall hand them over to those who are seeking their lives, that is, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to his officers. Afterward, however, it will be inhabited as in the days of old,” declares the LORD.”
I believe God’s judgment will come once again on those who attack His people, the children of Israel. God alone will deliver us from this extremely challenging, difficult, and hopeless situation; it is His battle. Hamas and its allies may think that they are in control; those who support Hamas around the world through their pro-Hamas (not pro-Palestinian) demonstrations think they are in control; the world and their governments think that they are in control. But only the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of Israel, is in control! And we will see His plan prevail!
“But as for you, Jacob My servant, do not fear, nor be dismayed, Israel! For, see, I am going to save you from far away, and your descendants from the land of their captivity; and Jacob will return and be undisturbed and secure, with no one making him afraid. Jacob My servant, do not fear,” declares the LORD, “For I am with you. For I will make a complete destruction of all the nations where I have driven you, yet I will not make a complete destruction of you; but I will correct you properly and by no means leave you unpunished.”
Jeremiah 46:27-28
Shabbat Shalom,
Moran
6 Comments on “It’s Not Our Battle”
Goodwill show up on a mighty way. We must be patient. This is His battle.
Moran.
Send me the prayer requests because I have to speck on prayers needs for Israel.
Blessings
Bob & bunny
Dear Bob and Bunny,
Thank you so much for your continued support and for standing with Israel! We publish daily prayer points either on our website (at the bottom of the home page under “prayer points”) or via our daily news update on the war in Israel, which you can subscribe to also at the bottom of the home page or via the following link:
https://hope4israel.org/join/
Blessings!
Sarah from the HFI Team
There are so many parallels, so many scriptures that seem to apply to the current situation. I have been thinking about Purim coming up and the similarities to the chants being heard now. Very recently, I heard someone point out that Haman did not take out his jealousy only on the one person he was angry with (Mordecai), but he wanted to kill all Jews. Talk about blowing things way out of proportion. All Jews should die because of what only one did? Even if what Mordecai did had indeed been wrong, how is that proportionate? How would that be a suitable response? But then the Jews were permitted to defend themselves and their lives, and the tables were turned. Hallelujah.
My long-time Torah teacher, a believer in Yeshua, told us many times that the word usually translated into English as “hardened” should probably more accurately be translated as “strengthened.” The difference being that “hardened” gives the impression that God did it to him against his will, whereas “strengthened” indicates that Pharaoh made his choice and God confirmed his decision, made him stronger in his thinking. As a native Hebrew speaker, Moran, could you give your perspective on this?
I like Deanne’s statement I think God will strengthen you rather then harden you.
Leo