Va’era (I appeared) Exodus 6:2 – 9:35 - Messianic Education Australia (MEA)

The notes below are from a point of view, it is not the intention to cause anyone offense. It is suggested to do your own research, have a teachable spirit and listen to what the Lord is saying to you currently, through these study notes. Bible references may differ slightly. Paraphrasing what the writer this week has specified may not be conclusive. Please note: Not all scripture verses have been stated for each example. All of God’s words are living. Each scriptural example may not be in context, of where stated in the bible, but used as a supportive element to help the reader establish a better understanding of what is trying to be discussed. Red lettering has been used to indicate either God speaking and or Yeshua. Please note: weekly notes may not be available due to unforeseen circumstances. It is the intention of the writer to be led when notes shall be given. Thank you for your patience in reading.

God’s will vs man’s will

God’s chosen people though at times disappointed, discouraged (broken spirit), and distressed, must expect opposition and misunderstanding from others. That is part of leadership. Being part of the body, we endeavor to pour out the heart, seek God’s strength and wisdom. A few suggestions for us all to look at are outlined below:

Spiritual leaders must be bold before people, but broken before God (see Jer 1), and must claim God’s promises and do His will even when everything seems to be against them. (Ex 6:1-8) God spoke, gave promises, (33:11; Dt 34:10), and outlines that;

Four times God reminded Moshe, “I am the Lord” (Ex 5:2; 6-8) and used his covenant name Yehovah, and seven times God said, “I will”.

Claiming promises, believers can experience peace and courage in life’s battles. v7 in the middle of the I will passage’s (a key element) says, I will take you as my people and I will be your God. This is the heart of God and something we can attain.

Getting to know God’s character is through His titles/names, from there we can go deeper, understanding the implications of those names, and claim them in our individual situation.

God had explained the name Yehovah (Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh) starting in Ex 3:14 to Moshe when called him in Midian. Now in (6:4) he associated His name with the Covenant, His people.
The Lord assured Moshe that He felt the peoples’ burden and was working on their behalf (6v5; 2:24). Just as the Lord has promised us, “I will never leave you nor abandon you”, (Dt 31:8; 1 Chron 28:20; Heb 13:5).

Everything works according to His plan. Our part is remembering God has not abandoned us and practice casting as in 1 Pet 5:7 states, “Cast/Throw all your anxieties (darkness) upon Him, because He cares for you.”

We belong to the house of God. Yeshua quoted it and has echoed throughout scripture. Looking also at Mt 12:25 however is interesting.

Knowing what they were thinking Yeshua said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not survive”. Any group, family, nation, organization with deep internal conflict and disunity will weaken and ultimately fail/fall. This concept is re-iterated in Mk 3:24-25. “… that household can’t survive.” Sticking together and with God to do anything. To do anything else is to invoke disaster.

Ex 6:9-13 the Lord commanded Moshe to speak to Pharaoh again. Moshe had depths of discouragement when the elders wouldn’t listen to him. They had forgotten God’s signs and promises that Moshe and Aharon had performed in front of them (4:29-31) and in anguish were convinced that the situation was hopeless. Moshe and the elders had given up, but God hadn’t.
God commissioned Moshe, he had to return to face Pharaoh and confront him.

This is significant for us also. In times of despair, push through any feelings and do what God tells us to do, leaving the consequences to Him. God’s calling, is God’s enabling, and what He begins, He always completes (Eph 2:10; Phil 1:6).

The genealogy (Ex 6:14-27) reminds us God had prepared Moshe and Aharon for their ministry in Egypt. Part of God’s providential working was the arrival in Jacobs family. Reuben, Jacob’s first born then Simeon then Levi.

Jer 2 gives some insight of journeys, not only echoed to Moshe but for Jeremiah and us. A key of remembrance is Jer 1:4 states, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I separated you for myself. I have appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.”

God keeps drawing, he doesn’t give up. For again in Jer 29:11-14 is a reassurance to us. “For I know what plans I have in mind for you” says ADONAI plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hop and a future. When you call to me and pray to me, I will listen to you when you seek me you will find me, provided you seek for me whole heartedly and I will let you find me”, says ADONAI.

Ex 6:28-8:7 reveals Pharaoh belittling Gods miracles. Up to here Moshe and Aharon in their confrontation with Pharaoh simply delivered Gods ultimatum. Now Gods power was to be revealed. Moshe still discouraged at this point and saying he wasn’t a competent speaker, has God remind him he is not alone and has provided Aharon as a spokesperson. (6:26-7:2; 4:15-16).

God was revealing His power simultaneously to both the Israelites and the Egyptians. (Ex 7:5).

Miracles and plagues were Gods ways of judging the 80 different gods of Egypt, proving them false and futile.

Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgement, I am the Lord. (Ex 12:12; 18:11; Num 33:4).

According to Ezek 20:1-9, some Hebrews had begun to worship Egyptian gods. When they were delivered from Egypt, they took their gods with them. Compromising faith is a dangerous demonstration. So is not remembering the multitude of Gods mercy.

Ps 106:7 supports this statement, “Our ancestors in Egypt failed to grasp the meanings of your wonders. They didn’t keep in mind your great deeds of grace but rebelled at the sea, at the Sea of Suf. In seasons of destruction, look for moments of joy. vv8-9 yet he saved them for His own name’s sake, to make known His mighty power.

Jn 2:18-22 Yeshua revealed glimpses of His glory and compels us to believe in Him.
Ps 147:3 He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds.
In Ex 7:8-13 the sign of the serpent* (See notes last paend of this section, some scolars suggest it was a crocodile.) God gave this sign o Moshe, when He called him in Midian (4:1-15), but now it was Aharon who performed it in Pharaohs palace.

The cobra was a symbol of immortality. Aharon’s rod became a serpent by the power of God. It ate up the magicians serpents. (Some characteristics of crocodiles, serpents and demonic are; they consume each other and or power, masters of their environment and are ferocious in their hierarchical structure.) Whatever entity it was, it ate up the magicians counterfeit.

The first three signs/miracles were duplicated/counterfeited.
1. Staff turned to serpent
2. Water turned to blood
3. Invasion of frogs, but not excluding

Satan can empower his people to perform lying wonders, (2 Thess 2:9-10; Mt 24:24; Rev 13:11-15). Jannes and Jambres opposed Moshe, opposed the truth (2 Tim 3:8).

Just as Yeshua taught the parable of the Tares (Mt 13:24-30; 36-43). Every tactic, person and place of the enemy, Yeshua overcame. A suggestion is to look at every place that Yeshua visited and be transpired with greater revelation.

We should recognize false brethren/counterfeit believers (2 Cor 11:26), with an imitation gospel (Gal 1:6-9), a counterfeit righteousness (Rom 10:1-5), even counterfeit ministers who spread lies (2 Cor 11:13-15) and one day a false Messiah deceiving (2 Thess 2: 1-12). We should know what is and who is truth, and stand in only that authority.

By satan’s limited and imitating Gods power, it tried to minimize God’s power. The longer Pharaoh resisted God, the more serious the judgements became.
The Nile River, named Hapi, was treated like god and Isis the goddess were part of the economic system.
The plague lasted a week (7:25) and consequences lasted much longer.
The sign of the invasion of frogs (8:1-7), also is sited in the chambers of the kings (Ps 105:30).

The frog a symbol of Fertility. Note: Hequet the goddess of resurrection, fertility and childbirth.

Pharaoh hardens his heart against God (Ex 8:8-19). This begins in the 1st miracle of the magicians and v22., and again in (v15) and continued throughout the entire series of plagues (vv32:9:7; 34-35: 13:15).

Hardening the heart means, clear evidence of the hand of God at work and still refusing to accept His word and submitting to His will.

Resisting Him by showing ingratitude, disobedience and not having the fear of the Lord (reverence), or of His judgements, God will withdraw his protection.

Hardening of Pharaoh’s heart is specified in (4:21; 7:3; 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10; 14:4, 8, 17).

Pharaoh was proud, unrepentant, and refused to hear God’s word. He hardened his heart to God’s mercy. (8:15).

If we find ourselves in that position the writer suggests a short account is necessary. “I stand at the door and knock” Rev 3:20.

Because of the invasion of frogs, Pharaoh admitted they had been sent by the Lord. Pharoah offered to let the Hebrew people go on their worship journey if Moshe and Aharon compiled with his request. This stratagem to remove the pests at the set time and to leave, was to prove to Pharoah, and the nation that Yehovah was the living God who heard their words and responded to the prayers of his servants. Why did Pharoah request immediate disposal of the frogs? Postponing the time would exemplify the crowds expectation and bring credit/honor where credit was due. It takes time for a nation to be advised of an upcoming event. This impact would be heightened.

The Egyptians were forced to remove the dead animals from their midst, reinforcing the stench and the stench of Pharaohs rebellion.
God, Moshe, Aharon kept their promise. Pharaoh refused to keep his word.

Many people aren’t willing or interested in keeping their word, or in repenting and receiving God’s grace. They only want to be delivered from the situation and God’s judgement – His withdrawal of His protection. “But the just shall live by faith”. (There are 39 verses that explain this phrase). Faith in Him and His word.

As believers in the one true God, we are cautioned what comes out of our mouths.

Pharaoh hardened his heart to God’s power (Ex 8:16-19). In stopping the plague of frogs, this was God’s mercy. Pharaoh still didn’t surrender, which led to the dust of the ground becoming gnats/lice. Some scolars think in this instance it may have been mosquitoes. In any case it would have been an annoyance and making life misery.
The magicians in their craft couldn’t duplicate this miracle and had to admit it was the finger of God. Even this evidence didn’t turn the heart of Pharaoh. (the phrase, “finger of God” is mentioned 4 times in the bible, three in the old covenant and one in the new covenant).
Turning the desert dust to gnats was judgement against Set the Egyptian god of the desert.
The Egyptians were fanatical about cleanliness. The priests frequently washed and shaved their bodies in order to be acceptable to their gods. Their gods couldn’t elevate the discomfort from the unclean manifestations.

God’s outstretched arm (Ex 6:1,6) was seen explicitly. The finger of God is associated with the giving of the law (31:18; t 9:10), the creation of the heavens (Ps 8:3) and the casting out of demons (Lk 11:20). All these signs are demonstrations of God’s authority and power. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Heb 10:31). Seeking his face and loving kindness and mercy with a repentant heart, coming back into alignment with His will is much more satisfying.
7 times “Let my people go” is quoted in exodus. (5:1; 7:16; 8:1,20; 9:1, 13; 10:3).
Pharaohs pride – one sinful characteristic, blinded him from hearing and seeing what God wanted him to do.
Since the lord is holy, just, good and His ways are perfect, nobody has to defend what He does or explain why He does it (Rom 9:14-21). God gave Pharaoh many opportunities to repent. His own response held his own heart in bondage. It was a clear revelation of himself.

Sometimes we need the body of people around us to show gently what we cannot see in ourselves to come back in alignment with God.

Pharoah though not willing to hear what his advisors could have spoken because on the fear of death, the fear of man, weren’t willing to step forward.

Here we have an idea of some of the spirits that were behind the motivation of the heart.

Ex 8:20-10:29 reveals the Lord, mighty in battle. If we walk contrary to Him, He will walk contrary to us. (Lev 26:23-24).
Repeatedly we read;

To the faithful show yourself faithful

To the blameless show yourself blameless

To the pure, show yourself pure

But to the crocked show yourself shrewd. (Ps 18:25-26)

God will and does show himself to everyone according to His character.

As you study the moral and spiritual deterioration of a man who doesn’t submit to God and listen and obey His voice, the rebellion brings a heavy price.

Examine our own hearts, national leaders included, are being called to have the radical submission to turn back to the one true living God, repenting with the whole heart and submitting to Him. God’s ways are not our ways (Is 55:8-9). God chooses to give all the opportunity to repent. We have that opportunity to receive that gift.

Bargaining with God brings consequences. (Ex 8:20-32).
God brings warnings (vv20-21). Refusing to believe in the word of God and persistence in disobedience again brings consequences.

Ex 19:5-6 and Dt 32:8-9; 33:16 can be looked at closer. Balaam recognized the distinctiveness of Israel as a nation when he called the Israelites, “a people who live apart and do not consider themselves one of the nations. (Num 23:9).
In Rom 9:1-5 Paul lists the blessings God gave to the people of Israel.

The fact that they are God’s chosen people doesn’t mean they’re better than any other people (Dt 7:6-11) but that they belong to God in a special way, having special tasks to perform in this world and are held accountable because of these privileges (Amos 3.2).

Whether we are Hebrew or grafted in, we all have a specific assignments for God at His specified time and purpose.

God’s wrath or grief: (v24). Flies carrying disease affected people. The fly sacred to the Egyptian god Uatchit, was challenged. This presented plague was a way of dishonoring one of the false/counterfeit gods of Egypt.
Pharaohs offers: (vv25-32). He offered 4 compromises to Moshe and Aharon. 1st two are recorded during the fly plague (vv25-28), the 3rd the locust plague (10:7-11). The 4th occurred during the three days of darkness (vv24-26).

The thought of bargaining with God shows pride as already been discussed. It was a hypocritical scheme to try to outwit God, Moshe and Aharon. All it revealed was a stubborn and unyielding heart. All Pharaoh wanted was the plagues to cease. It didn’t seem apparent that he cared about anyone or the will of God.

People today are warned in 2 Cor 6:14-18, “Don’t go too far away”. The enemy wispers, we have to distinguish what is Gods voice and the enemy and our own flesh. God warns us not to go outside His boundaries.

People may call you a fanatic just because you have a close relationship with God. (James 1:27 and 44 demolishes that proposal.

True dedication to God means giving him full authority over our family, possessions, whom we are responsible for. Not to do so is to disobey (Mk 10:13-16; Eph 6:4 and Dt 6:6-13).

To give an overview: the first proposal. Pharoah offered to let the Hebrew people hold their worship feast in the land of Egypt (Ex 8:25). This rejected offer by the leadership of Moshe and Aharaon was and can be controversial as they knew some of the animals were sacred to the Egyptians.
The goddess Hathor was pictured having the head of a cow, the god Apis the head of a bull and Khnum the head of a ram. The cow was sacred to Isis and the ram to Amon.
The 2nd offer was to leave the land, but not too far away (v 28). Pharaoh gave an appendix offer. “Now pray for me”. Moshes and Aharon accepted the offer of praying.
Pharaoh had a habit/practice of begging for help only when he needed it (v8; 9:28; 10:16-17) and then changed his mind, once the situation changed. (8:15, 32: 9:34-35; 10:20).
Resisting (Ex 9:1-12). Keep in mind the purposes and will of God and not resist.
The 5th plague (1-7). Pestilence towards the Egyptian livestock. But God kept His promise that what belonged to the Hebrews living in the land of Goshen would be spared. When Jacob and his family came to Egypt during the time of Joseph, they brought their flocks and herds (Gen 45:10; 47:1; 50:8). When they left, they took their livestock with them (Ex 12:37-38).

Prov 28:14 “How blessed is the man who fears always, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

The opposite of a hard heart is one who has reverential fear, motivating us to obey the Lords commands, believe in His promises.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 9:10). But the hard hearted is ignorant of God and His truth (Eph 4:18).

The 6th plague (vv8-12). Moshe and Aharon gathered soot from the lime kilns, (some scholars believe), throwing the dust into the air, God did the rest. The soot landed on the Egyptians and their cattle producing painful festering ulcers and boils. Again, the people in Goshen were protected. Again, obsessed with cleanliness the magician’s sores would have been difficult to cure.
Prov 29:1 He who is often reproved and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed without remedy.
Deceiving (Ex 9:13-35). The Lord always has a word for His servants, all that is necessary is to listen and obey.

Each new plague brought distress (darkness).

A 5th warning (vv 13-21), the longest warning, introducing the most destructive plague. v14 the hard heartedness had to become more severe. (Dt 28:27,35) same warning.
God’s mercy outweighs what we deserve. God’s sovereign grace (v16; Dan 4:28-33; Acts 12:20-24), shows many had to learn the hard way.

Rom 9:17 is one explanation of the justice and mercy of God with reference to Israel. God doesn’t deprive people of the privilege of choice, nor does He deny human responsibility.

Note vv 19-21 killed in open fields – the hail plague (v9:18), people and livestock were advised to be in a safe place for protection.
7th plague. thunder, rain, hail, lightning. This now includes, trees, plants, in the fields, further impact to the Egyptian economy. Flax and barley ready for harvest (v31). During Jan/Feb Goshen again protected.
Another royal lie (vv27-35). Pharaoh again summoned Moshe and Aharon like (8:8) and would do again (10:16). Except this time, the proud ruler admitted he had sinned. His confession was (in-sin-cere), because it didn’t lead to obedience, or repentance.
The word Pharaoh is one of six in scripture who said, “I have sinned”, but gave no evidence of true repentance. Others though they may have, it is not recorded: Balaam (Num 22:34), Achan (Josh 7:20), King Saul (1 Sam 15:24, 30; 26:21), Shimei (2Sam 19:20), and Judas (Mt 27:4).

Those that proved their repentance by their obedience were David (2 Sam 12:13; 24:10, 17, 1 Chron 21:8, 17; Ps 51:4), Prodigal son (Lk 15:18.21).

Parallels in Ex and Rev are worth noting. Water turns to blood (8:8; 16:4-6; frogs (16:13), painful sores (16:2); hail and fire (8:7), locusts (9:1), terrible darkness (16:10).

Some key words;

Otot = sign

Moftim = wonder

Osiris = god of the underworld

Ex 6:26 armies: Hebrew word tsibotham, battalions, regularly arranged troops under the direction of Yehovah-Sabaoth, Lord of Hosts. Yehovah has 16 titles.Ex 7:9, 12 a serpent*: Hebrew word tannin a marine and land monster some references say not nachash, serpent or 4:3; 7:15; Gen 9. It is trans. serpent only here and v13. It is trans. Dragon (Dt 32:33; Neh 2:13; Job 30:29; Ps 44:19; 74:13; 91:13; 148:7; Is 13:22; 27:1; 34:13; 35:7; 43:20; 51:9; Jer 9:11; 10:22; 14:5; 49:33; 51:34, 37; Ezek 29:3; Mic 1:8). Sea monster (Lam 4:3). Some scolars say crocodile.

Goshen = “drawing near”

Strongs <07186> Hardhearted קשׁה qasheh pronounced kaw-sheh’

1) hard, cruel, severe, obstinate

1a) hard, difficult

1b) severe

1c) fierce, intense, vehement

1d) stubborn, stiff of neck, stiff-necked

1e) rigorous (of battle)

Strongs <03820>heart לב leb pronounced labe

1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding

1a) inner part, midst

1a1) midst (of things)