MBM-UK - Weekly studies

In our final discussion on parsha Yitro we cover some of the following topics.

How does the High Priest of Midian compare to the High Priest of Israel. 

Does it reveal that religious systems are only relevant if the heart of the individual is changed and that the identification with the religion of the nation does not guarantee obedience to the instructions of GOD

We also look more carefully at elements of the 10 words and the profound and far reaching implications that they have when we see them as more just a list of do's and dont's as they reveal the character of GOD and His love and compassion toward all of mankind.

Our study this week examines how the prepartion for the Giving of the Torah and the timeline of the events reveal the intention of Adonai's restoration of relationship with mankind through His people Israel and for the rest of humanity through Yeshua His Messiah.
We discuss the significance of the third month/third day metaphor in chapter 19 followed by the examination of the first of the 10 words and how they are part of the group of mitzvot on the 1st tablet.

This week we begin the study of the Torah portion called Yitro which includes the Giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.
We discuss how chapter 18 which begins with the reunting of Moses with his father-in-law appears to out of chronological order of events, but that the essential nature of the testimony of Yitro reflects the practical witness of the Gentiles who by faith declare the Sovereignty of the Eternal One who is Adonai the GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Israel.

This week we conclude the portion named Beshelach.

In our review of the portion we discuss the events that it contains and what is the roadmap that is being set out as an example to us regarding the nature of salvation and redemption.

We discuss how our purpose is to glorify Adonai in the framework of the Shabbat and its impact on our lives both spiritually and physically as a people set apart by Adonai who have been allowed to experience the benefit of the covenant He made with the forefathers.

This week we discuss the provison of the manna and the teaching of the importance of the Sabbath.
What is the most important aspect of the manna?
Its provision is held as a memorial in the Ark, but the Sabbath? That is an eternal covenant.

We discuss how not keeping the Sabbath impacts the believing community, both Jewish and Gentile, when the Sabbath is not adhered to and how it is a key part to understanding it as the part of the glue that binds us to Adonai and His Messiah Yeshua.

As we return to our discussions after our break, we continue by looking at the Song of Moses.
What is it and how is it significant to us today?

Clearly it has future implications as it is mentioned in the book of Revelation and it referred to frequently in both the Psalms and the Siddur (the daily prayers), as well as being recounted each year at Passover. 

We look at how the song is set out on a Torah scroll and the significance of the parts of the song as they trace the path of the Israelite tribes through the Red Sea and give us hope in the world we live in today as it pertains to the Messianic Redemption to come.

In our study this week we look at the time between Pesach and the crossing of the Red Sea in the context of Psalm 67 which is read each day during the Counting of the Omer.

We discuss how the Exodus from Egypt is not just an historical moment in the history of Israel, but how it heralds the redemption that Adonai brings across the whole earth and that the thirst for true justice and equity, freedom from oppression and righteous judgment will be acheived not by force of arms and the warring nations, but by the mercy of Adonai through Messiah Yeshua.

We also discuss how this is a template of how we are to live each day as we recognise that our fears and past experiences should not be the main influence of how we live our lives today, but that the transformative power of Adonai's word and the power of the death and resurrection of Messiah Yeshua lead us as we turn away from the misinformed actions of lawlessness that we witness through social media and "influencers".

This week we discuss the final part of parsha Bo which deals specifically with the sanctification of the firstborn.
We look at how this comes immediately after the night of Passover but before the Red Sea crossing.
We also discover how the redemption of the firstborn donkey by the lamb connects to the death and resurrection of Messiah Yeshua and the redemption of all mankind.
We discover the connection between the hebrew words for womb, compassion and donkey, and how important they are to our understanding of the Passover story at the time of the Exodus and the time of the crucifixion and resurrection of Messiah Yeshua.

This week we discuss the final plague, the Death of the Firstborn.

We look closely at the words used by Adonai regarding the final words of Pharaoh and how they imply the complete end to the relationship between Egypt and Israel to prepare the way for their arrival at Mount Sinai and establishing a further relationship with the Children of Israel developing beyond the covenant of circumcision through the Giving of the Torah

We also discuss how the commandments concerning Passover and how Paul in Colossians explains how those who are outside of the people of Israel are able to join with the remembrance of the feast to celebrate their freedom from slavery based on the instructions of Exodus 12 and the work of Messiah Yeshua through His death and resurrection at Passover

This week we continue to look at the plagues preceding the Exodus, looking at the last three, Hail, Locusts and Darkness, prior to the Death of the Firstborn.

We discuss Hail in particular as an instrument of Adonai's judgment and how it is applied from Creation, through Job, the Exodus and into the book of Revelation. 

We look at the distinction Adonai makes between those who heed the instructions of Moses and those who do not and between the Children of Israel in Goshen, and the residents of Egypt.

We discuss the connection with Shabbat and how Adonai uses the plagues as a tool for repentance prior to judgment.