Prophet Pearls #13 – Shemot (Isaiah 27:6-28:13; 29:22-23)

In this episode of Prophet Pearls,  Shemot (Isaiah 27:6-28:13; 29:22-23), Nehemia Gordon and Keith Johnson discuss the theme of exile and restoration as this Prophet’s portion corresponds to the turning point in the Egyptian exile when the midwives were told to commit murder, the Israelites were told to make bricks without straw, and Moses was told “Now you will see what I will do".

The Portion begins with a translation quandary (“those that come” versus “days to come”) and Gordon relates how sages have interpreted this passage through the centuries. We learn the different purposes of the shofar in the Tanakh and Gordon explains how this portion’s simple instruction to “give rest to the weary” has morphed into more than 600 commandments. Regarding the “here a little, there a little” passage: Gordon and Johnson discuss whether this means we should piece together God’s word or understand it in context. Word studies include: “fruit/tenuvah,” “smite/lehakot” “atone/kaper,” “line/qav,” and “sanctify/qadesh.” In closing, we are challenged to learn that sanctifying God’s name is a call to action and comforted to learn that whatever an “east wind” may scatter, Yehovah will glean “one by one.”

"And they shall come who are lost in the land of Assyria and those cast off in the land of Egypt" (Isaiah 27:13)

I look forward to reading your comments!

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