My family loves this rice dish much that we make it a few times a week. It works with just about anything you’d like to top I with and it’s also delicious on its own. You can add meat to it if you’d like to make it more hearty. Ground beef or shredded chicken both taste great with this rice!
This roasty salsa is great on chips, tacos, burritos, enchiladas,
eggs, and much more! You can spice it as
much as you’d like – chop the Serrano peppers separately and add to taste. It’s difficult to tell how hot they are when
I purchase them. They’re sometimes
blazing hot and sometimes milder.
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When I started on my Hebraic path, not only did I not know what to expect, but I wasn’t sure I’d even be welcome at a Messianic Jewish Synagogue. Not being Jewish by heritage, I wondered if they’d be open to my visitation. But I had to find out, so I packed up my nine-month-old baby and decided to slip into the back of the sanctuary and observe a service.
Fast-forward to today, and I’m so glad I did! The first synagogue I attended was completely different from any Christian church I’d ever been to. However, what I could understand of the teaching and service was very Biblical and rich!
So, to help the Christians interested in visiting their local Messianic synagogue but hesitant to do so, I’ve compiled this list of things it would be helpful to know ahead of time. All synagogues are different, so my list is based on the synagogues I’ve attended and those I’ve watched online. Your experience will undoubtedly differ from mine, but here are a few things you may find if you decide to visit.
They Meet on Saturday
Since the 7th day of the week is the Sabbath Biblically, they come together for worship on Saturdays.
All of the synagogues I know start later than the churches I’ve attended. Services begin at 10 am at the earliest, and some even meet as late as 5 pm. The reason for a later meeting time is that the Sabbath is supposed to be restful, allowing for an unhurried morning, separating the Sabbath from the rest of the week’s busy mornings.
You’ll Probably Meet People Like Yourself
There aren’t just Jewish people at Messianic Jewish synagogues. I’ve found that most of the congregation is often Christian, with no Jewish heritage or background! They’re there to learn and worship just like you are!
You’ll find that many of the teachings are the same as what you’ll find at a Christian church. They teach that we’re saved by grace through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and not by works. They teach from the Old and New Testaments and serve communion similarly to the Christian church.
They’ll Greet You With “Shabbat Shalom”
Upon reaching the door of the first Messianic synagogue I attended, the smiling, friendly men standing outside said “Shabbat Shalom” as I approached carrying my little one. I didn’t understand them at all at that time, though! I smiled awkwardly, said “Good Morning” in response, and walked in the door, making a mental note to look that one up later!
Shabbat is Hebrew for Sabbath, and Shalom means peace. So when someone wishes you a Shabbat Shalom, they wish you a peaceful Sabbath. What a pleasant way to greet one another!
The Accessories are Unique
In the Christian church, it’s commonly known etiquette that the men remove their hats for a prayer. In a Messianic congregation, it’s just the opposite. Many men have their heads covered, either by a kippah, the traditional small hat many Jewish men wear, or by a fedora or other hat. Some women wear head coverings during prayer, liturgy, or Torah reading as a sign of reverence to God. Male congregants often have a prayer shawl, which rests on their shoulders but is also placed over their heads (and sometimes the heads of those close to them) during prayer.
You’ll probably also see blue and white tassels hanging from peoples’ clothing or prayer shawls. These are called tzitzit and are worn in response to the command in Numbers 15:37-41 and Deuteronomy 22:12. They serve as a reminder not to stray from God’s commands.
You’ll Hear a LOT of Hebrew
Hebrew is the predominant language of the Old Testament and likely some of the New Testament. Many learn biblical Hebrew to aid in their study of the Bible and participate in the synagogue worship service.
If you don’t know Hebrew, it may seem like everyone around you at the synagogue knows Hebrew, but that’s probably not true. Those I’ve encountered are at varying levels of Hebrew knowledge, and because of this, the synagogue usually has an English translation to accompany what’s said in Hebrew. And a bonus – if you attend regularly, you can’t help but learn some Hebrew merely through exposure!
The Music is Intense
Although some of the music you’ll hear at a Messianic synagogue is the same as that of a Christian church, some is also very different. They commonly play music with an energetic Jewish rhythm. Other songs are deep and meaningful, and many are based on either stories or direct verses from the Bible. Here are some examples of popular songs for you to listen to.
There’s Dancing!
On the same subject of the music is the dancing. Both men and women, young and old, can participate in the dances that take place as part of the worship service. Most of the time, these dances are not for performance but out of worship. People don’t generally use this as a time to bust out their moves, though. Instead, the dances are organized and comprised of steps the dancers have learned and practiced. They’re group dances, commonly circle dances, that are fun to participate in and pleasant to watch.
The Shema is said (at least once) during a Messianic service. The reason for this is two-fold. First, there’s an Old Testament command to say the Shema twice daily. The second is that Jesus answered with the Shema when asked what the greatest commandment is (Matt 22:36-40).
It’s usually said in Hebrew and then English, and congregants often face East when reciting the Shema. They face East because East is the direction of Jerusalem, where God’s Temple site is and where our Messiah will set up the New Jerusalem, where all who believe in and follow him will reside with him one day!
Or they may not. I’ve been to synagogues that do both, but I wanted to include this because it may be foreign to those used to a more contemporary church setting. Some Messianic communities use a Messianic Siddur for the order of service, prayers, etc. Others use parts of the Siddur and put the words on a screen for congregants to follow. And, like I said before, some don’t use one at all.
The Torah is Celebrated
During what’s known as a “Torah Service,” the Torah scrolls are paraded around the sanctuary, accompanied by joyful music, and then read afterward in Hebrew and English. This lively parade is to celebrate and revere the words of God. As Christians, we often forget what a tremendous blessing it is for God to have given us His written Word, but this is a beautiful weekly reminder of what a gift God’s Word is to us!
They Bless the Kids
Each Messianic community I’ve observed and attended has had a heart for the next generation. Biblically, we’re to teach our faith to our children, and these congregations take that directive very seriously and are deliberate about it. Sometime during the service, there’s a blessing over all of the children. The synagogues I’ve attended are also surprisingly child-friendly. They encourage those attending services to pass their faith on to their children, even if that means some background noise from wiggly children during the service.
There May Be a Shabbat School
Speaking of children, many Messianic synagogues have Shabbat School for the children. Shabbat School is a program similar to Sunday School, where the children learn biblical truths and about their faith. The Shabbat Schools my kids have attended also teach basic Hebrew letters and words.
One synagogue I attended didn’t have a Shabbat School because it encouraged parents to keep their children with them during services. The rabbi stated each Saturday that he loved having the kids in the service and that their noise and activity were a blessing, as they could learn from the synagogue proceedings and watching their parents worship.
It’s always a sweet moment when the end of the service arrives, and it’s time for this blessing. Families and friends gather together, sometimes joining hands, putting arms around each other, or covering each other with their prayer shawls to receive the blessing. It’s a warm and fuzzy moment where everyone in the room feels like family! The Aaronic Blessing is usually said in Hebrew, then in English.
Commonly referred to as an Oneg or “joy,” there’s often a meal following the Sabbath service. Members each bring a dish and eat together before going home or to further studies in the afternoon.
If you plan to attend an Oneg, they’ll probably welcome you regardless of whether you bring a dish. Just know that many synagogues have rules (biblically-based dietary rules) on what can be served if you decide to contribute. Ask ahead of time if you’re bringing a dish, but either way, enjoy this time of great food and fellowship!
Whether you’re just curious or planning a visit to a Messianic Jewish synagogue near you, this list should give you an idea of what goes on there. While the experience will be very different from what you’d have at a Christian church, I’ve found that both the teaching and practices are Biblically sound. Each of my family members has grown spiritually through the instruction we’ve received at the Messianic synagogues we’ve attended.
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There are a few foundational ideas that make up the basics of the Hebrew Roots perspective – Jesus didn’t abolish the Law (Matt 5:17), Christians are grafted into the faith (Romans 11), and the Law is a blessing and given for our benefit (Romans 7:12 and others). Once you see and understand these concepts, you won’t be able to un-see them! These are fundamental concepts throughout the Old and New Testament and understanding them will be a blessing to your faith-walk and provide much in the way of biblical context.
As we Hebrew Roots Christians understand the Torah (or Law)
as being a righteous and good thing, we also understand that it does not save
us. Our salvation comes from grace alone
through the sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah.
We’re to rejoice in the Law because God gave it for our benefit. Following it allows us to live the way God
intended and it sets us apart from the world.
Imagine how humankind would be living if we didn’t have any instruction
from God!
The Law Remains
One of the key foundations of the Hebrew Roots perspective
comes from the teaching of Jesus himself during the Sermon on the Mount. This is the only recorded sermon that Jesus
gave, and it’s very powerful.
In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus clarifies:
17 Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:17-19 (NASB)
View from the Mount of Beatitudes where it is believed that Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount.
The Law that Jesus is speaking of is the Torah given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. Jesus is reminding everyone that the Torah is not being abolished, at least not until heaven and earth is gone. The Greek for the word fulfill in verse 17 is pleroo. If you look up the definition of pleroo in the Strong’s Concordance, you’ll see that it means something a little different than how it’s commonly translated.
When someone fulfills their duty, it generally means they’re
done. For example, when Azeem fulfills his vow at the end of Robin Hood:
Prince of Thieves, it means he’s done, and can now relax and return home. But the definition of pleroo is
different. Its meanings include “to make
full”, “to fill up”, “to consummate”, or “to complete”.
These definitions are all quite different then what we typically understand as “fulfill”. None of the definitions of pleroo means to “end” and this is important to understand. Using the word fulfill in verse 17 does a disservice to Christians and provides a source of error among believers because many people interpret fulfill to mean the same as end or abolish. This causes many to interpret this verse as “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to abolish” which is certainly not correct.
It is much better to use the word complete in this context as in “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to complete.” You can see that this is much more consistent with the rest of Jesus’s teaching.
In context, Jesus then continues in his Sermon on the Mount
where he doesn’t abolish the Law, but affirms it. Not only does the Law say not to murder, but this
includes not being angry with your brother as well (Matt 5:21-22). The Law says you are not to commit adultery,
and Jesus explains that this includes lusting wrongly after a woman. (Matt
5:27-28). By affirming the Law of Moses,
Jesus is not abolishing the Law, but completing it, just as he said in Matt
5:17.
These teachings by Jesus are some of the primary reasons why many who embrace the Hebrew Roots perspective question the doctrine of abolition of the Law. Looking back on Verse 19 above and we will notice the warning Jesus provides against teaching disobedience to the law:
19 Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:19 (NASB)
In fact, a few chapters later, Jesus offers a second warning against practicing disobedience to the law. In (Matthew 7:21-23) it is written:
21 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
Matt 7:21-23 (NASB)
Jesus was certainly not a fan of disobeying the Torah, which makes sense as he was a Jewish Rabbi, along with being the Son of the God who established the Law for us.
As a Christian, this should make you pause for a moment and think about what this means to the Christian faith. If we take Jesus at his word, and he didn’t abolish the law, then our walk needs to look a lot different.
Christians are Grafted in
The second concept that’s profound to the Hebrew Roots Movement, and Christians in general, comes from the teachings of the Apostle Paul. We Christians are Gentiles, so many denominations assume that means we have different rules than Jewish believers, like Jesus and Paul. Paul clears this up in Romans 11 where he explains that Gentiles are grafted into the faith like a wild olive tree grafted into a cultivated olive tree. We are not a separate tree, we’re grafted into the tree that exists, therefore inheriting the promises that God has made to biblical Israel.
16 If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.
Romans 11:16-18
Paul understood that Christians were not of a separate religion, but that both Jews and Gentiles were one in Messiah. I think it is translated best in the Complete Jewish Bible:
27 because as many of you as were immersed into the Messiah have clothed yourselves with the Messiah, in whom 28 there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor freeman, neither male nor female; for in union with the Messiah Yeshua, you are all one. 29 Also, if you belong to the Messiah, you are seed of Avraham and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:27-29 (CJB)
Read our article on being grafted in to find out more details about Paul’s teaching.
Have you ever asked yourself why God gave us the Law? Was the Law just a collection of rules that
made life unnecessarily hard for everyone, showing us we can never live up to
God’s expectations, or was it instructions from God Himself as to how people
can live a righteous life? The Hebrew
Roots perspective affirms the latter and we try to understand and embrace the
Law as a holy and righteous gift from God.
If you read through the bible with an understanding that the Law is a
gift from God and those who have it are blessed, then it can really change the
meaning of the verses. Some supporting
verses are below.
In Romans 7:7-12 Paul explains that the function of the Torah is to inform us what sin is. Because the Torah says “Thou shalt not covet,” Paul then understands what greed is. However, Paul found that sin held more power after knowing the commandments. He explained that the law that was intended to bring him life was instead bringing him death because of the powerful pull of sin. If it’s difficult to understand the powerful pull of sin, count yourself blessed then go pick up a newspaper. You’ll quickly see both the draw and effect sin has on all of us.
Paul then concludes with the following:
12 So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
Romans 7:12 (NASB)
Sin is bad, but the Torah is good.
Some further supporting verses are below:
24 So the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God for our good always and for our survival, as it is today. 25 It will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all this commandment before the Lord our God, just as He commanded us.
Deut 6:24-25
28 Be careful to listen to all these words which I command you, so that it may be well with you and your sons after you forever, for you will be doing what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God.
Deut 12:28
26 See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am commanding you today; 28 and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known.
Deut 11:26-28
7 You shall consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. You shall keep My statutes and practice them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.
Lev 20:7
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
1 John 5:3
Defining Sin
One of the differences that Hebrew Roots Christians have is
how we define sin. I find it interesting
that in all the years I’ve been a Christian I’ve never seen sin defined. Torah means direction, instruction, or law. Sin on the other hand means to miss the mark
or do something incorrectly. If there’s
a way of living that’s wrong, we should strive to know what’s a right, or
righteous, way to live. It’ll be
extremely valuable for us to make a quick list of what is sin and what is
not. We need to know specifically what’s
prohibited for us, otherwise we Christians end up doing whatever we feel.
For example, is gossip an actual sin, and if so, why? How about sexual immorality? Different Christian denominations will answer this question differently. In fact, there is a fast growing group that believes all commandments have been done away with, and every act that a Christian may want to do is acceptable.
The book of 1 John explains succinctly what sin is:
4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
1 John 3:4
And lawlessness is when we don’t follow the commandments written in the Law. Why don’t we? Well, we often don’t even know what’s written in the Law. At some point scholars of the Old testament counted the commandments that God handed down and found 613 of them. Some are for women, some for men, many are for priests and courts, and some are only valid when there’s a functioning Temple in Jerusalem. 613 commandments is a lot more than I ever thought there was, but many of them you’ll find familiar.
Here are a few Laws you likely agree with, but may not have
known them to be actual commands:
Do not Gossip
16 ‘You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people…
Lev 19:16a
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
18 …but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.
Lev 19:18b
Do not be superstitious or engage in Astrology
26 ‘You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor practice divination or soothsaying.
Lev 19:26
Or how about these?
Do not stand by if someone’s life is in danger.
16 …and you are not to act against the life of your neighbor; I am the LORD.
Lev 19:16b
Do not kill a murderer before he stands trial
12 … the manslayer will not die until he stands before the congregation for trial.
Num 35:12b
Immoral Sexual relations are Forbidden
5 You are to observe my laws and rulings; if a person does them, he will have life through them; I am ADONAI. 6 “‘None of you is to approach anyone who is a close relative in order to have sexual relations; I am ADONAI…
(continues through the rest of Leviticus 18)
Lev 18:5-30 (CJB)
One thing’s for sure, if you follow these commandments of
God, you’ll certainly look different from the world – set apart – and what
Christian doesn’t want that?
Again, as Christians, we understand that we’re not saved
through obedience to the Law, but through the sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah
and our faith in him. Even so, it is
right for us to follow God’s commandments.
Understanding that the Law is still in effect, that
Christians are grafted into the faith, and that the Law is a blessing given for
our benefit will greatly strengthen your faith.
The Law is so often mentioned in the bible, yet we easily forget how
central it is to our faith. It’s what
sets us apart and makes us different from the world.
If these perspectives are new to you (as it was for me for many years) or if you’re convicted to dig deeper into these concepts, here are a few resources you may find helpful.
Messianic Judaism 101 – This is a 6 part series put on by Rabbi Hershberg from Beth Yeshua International. If you like forwardness and conviction, you will enjoy these sermons.
Old Testament Bible Studies – From Tom Bradford’s Torah Class. This will provide more insightful information about the Old Testament then you will find anywhere.
New Testament Bible Studies – Also from Tom Bradford’s Torah Class. This is an amazing study, and you will learn so much.
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Tzimmes is a traditional Jewish recipe, usually served on Rosh Hashanah. It has a base of carrots with a root vegetable and dried fruit added. Cooked in a syrup of honey and cinnamon, this is a delicious addition to the sweet dishes on your Rosh Hashanah table or with any meal during the Autumn season.
I used dried apricots and cherries, but you can also use raisins, prunes, or other dried fruit. Yams or sweet potatoes are called for in this recipe, but you could use another root vegetable as well. Click here to view the original recipe.
Although not Hebrew in origin, Tzimmes starts with the sound of the Hebrew letter tsadi, which makes the sound at the end of the English word “nuts.” It’s “tsim-ees”.
Ingredients
1
pound carrots, peeled and chopped into 1-inch chunks
2
pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1-inch chunks
1/2
cup dried cherries
1/2
cup dried apricots
1/2
cup fresh orange juice, plus the zest from 1 orange
1/2
cup dry white wine
1/2
cup brown sugar
1
teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4
teaspoon kosher salt
1/4
cup (1/2 stick) butter, plus more for greasing pan
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 11×7 inch baking pan and place carrots, sweet potatoes, dried cherries and dried apricots in pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together orange juice, zest, white wine, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Pour over the vegetable mixture and bake for 1 hour.
After 1 hour, if liquid is completely reduced, add a touch of water. Dot with butter and bake for 30 more minutes until vegetables are tender and liquid has become a glaze.
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This is just a basic
hummus recipe; made the way my family likes it.
We often make it on Friday so that we have something to snack on or
serve with lunch on the Sabbath (Shabbat) that we don’t have to prepare. We serve it with pita bread and veggies or
put it on sandwiches or in wraps. Sometimes
we double the recipe so there’s plenty to go around and leftovers in the
fridge.
3 cans garbanzo beans (leave a few whole if you
plan to garnish with them)
1/3 cup tahini
½ cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
4 cloves garlic, halved (or more if you like
garlic as much as we do!)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Paprika
Parsley (fresh or dried)
Blend garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, salt, and garlic
in blender or food processor until smooth.
Add small amounts of water to aid in blending if necessary.
Transfer mixture to a serving bowl and drizzle oil over hummus.
Garnish with paprika, parsley, and whole garbanzo
beans.
Serve with fresh vegetables and pita bread or spread on
crackers or sandwiches.
Enjoy!
Here’s a convenient dish to use to have your hummus and veggies ready for your Shabbat snacking or lunch. Fill with hummus and cut veggies on Friday and keep it in the fridge overnight. Just take it out and serve or take it with you on a picnic!
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Passover is the account of God using Moses to lead his people out of slavery in Egypt. While this amazing story is traditionally read during the Passover Seder, read it ahead of time if you’re unfamiliar with it. Even if you are, reading it again will get your heart in the right place in preparation form Passover and may reveal something new God wanted to show you!
Our children always watch The Prince of Egypt at least a few times during the Passover season. They pretty much know it by heart, but it never fails to bring up some great conversations about different aspects of the story.
The Passover itself can be found in Exodus 12, but start in Exodus 3 and read through chapter 15 for the whole story. While this summary can be read during a Seder or used for a brief re-cap, there’s no substitute for the bible version, so make sure to read it and take time to marinate in the awe of it sometime. Its message is life-changing!
Here’s a basic chapter breakdown (very paraphrased):
Exodus 3: God talked to Moses from the burning bush. He told Moses he had heard the cries of His enslaved people and of His plan to rescue them from Pharaoh in Egypt. He told Moses that Pharaoh wouldn’t listen at first, but he would later after he saw the wonders God would perform.
Exodus 4: Moses came up with some excuses as to why he shouldn’t be the one to carry out God’s plan. God got a bit miffed that Moses tried to get out of the job, then assured him he was well-equipped and the right man to lead the exodus of His people. Moses left for Egypt, and his brother, Aaron, met him along the way. Aaron told the Hebrew people of the plan when they arrived in Egypt.
Exodus 5: Moses and Aaron appeared before Pharaoh and told him they were sent by God to take His people out of Egypt. Pharaoh then had his taskmasters increase the work of the Hebrew slaves. The Hebrew people turned on Moses because he’d caused them even more grief by angering Pharaoh. Moses questioned God because of the harsh circumstances brought on the Hebrew people.
Exodus 6: God told Moses He knew what He was doing and that He would do exactly as He said. Moses attempted to tell all of this to the enslaved people, but their spirits had been broken and they refused to listen. God once again told Moses to ask Pharaoh to let the people go but Moses was hesitant. God said, “I’m God. I say do it anyway”.
Exodus 7: God said, “Go and tell Pharaoh to let the people go. His heart will be hardened, and he won’t, but I will multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt. Also, do that miracle I told you to”. Before Pharaoh again, Moses threw down his staff, which turned into a serpent. Pharaoh again didn’t listen. God then told Moses to tell Pharaoh that the Nile River would be turned to blood. Moses dipped his staff in the Nile, and it turned to blood, and everything died, but Pharaoh again didn’t listen. God said to tell Pharaoh that a massive frog infestation was next.
Exodus 8: God told Moses to tell Aaron to stretch his staff out over the waters of Egypt and frogs covered the land when Aaron obeyed. Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and told them to ask God to take the frogs away. Moses cried out to God about the frogs. The frogs died and were piled up and made all of Egypt stink. Pharaoh hardened his heart again. God told Moses to have Aaron strike the dust and, when he did, it turned into gnats, which filled the land of Egypt. The next plague was of flies. They ruined all the land of Egypt, except Goshen, where the Hebrew people lived. Pharaoh agreed to let the people go but changed his mind once God removed the flies.
Exodus 9: A plague was brought on the Egyptian livestock and they died. Still Pharaoh didn’t let the people go. A plague of boils and sores followed. It again only affected the Egyptians and Pharaoh again refused to let the people go. God said He could’ve wiped the Egyptians out by now but hadn’t so He could show His power. The next plague was hail, which destroyed everything and everyone that wasn’t protected. It only fell on Egypt, not Goshen. Pharaoh agreed to let the people go, then again changed his mind.
Exodus 10: Two plagues were sent in this chapter – locusts to destroy the rest of Egypt’s land and a terrible darkness. Again, Goshen was spared. Pharaoh still refused to free the slaves.
Exodus 11: Moses warned Pharaoh that the next plague would be the death of the firstborn of all Egypt. Both livestock and humans would be affected but the Hebrew people would be kept safe. Pharaoh still did not let the people go.
Exodus 12: The Passover begins. God told Moses and Aaron the instructions to give the Hebrew people for protection from the plague of the firstborn. They were to slaughter a lamb and paint its blood on the doorpost or their house. Instructions were given for the cooking and eating of the meat and this was called God’s Passover. When God brought this plague onto Egypt, the blood on the doorposts caused Him to pass over the homes of the Hebrew people. God repeated the command to observe this Passover Feast forever many times in this chapter. Pharaoh finally caved and let the Hebrew people go. They fled Egypt.
Exodus 13: God commands the people to set apart every firstborn for Him and gives further instructions for the observation of Passover. God led the people to the Red Sea in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
Exodus 14: Pharaoh realized what he had done and went after the Hebrew people to bring them back. The people were then trapped between the Egyptians and the Red Sea. God miraculously divided the sea so His people could cross, then closed the divide on the Egyptians as they followed, drowning them.
Exodus 15: Moses and his sister, Miriam, sang songs of praise to God for saving them and bringing them out of Egypt. They then headed into the wilderness as God’s free people.
It’s such an awesome story, isn’t it? I can’t help wondering what took Pharaoh so long. I’d like to think I’d cave long before the 10th plague, but it does say God hardened his heart, so there’s that. Please read about the Passover and the Exodus with a heart softened to hear what God has to teach you through it. Don’t let it become so familiar that you miss God’s supernatural glory in all of it!
My family and I are on a journey to grow spiritually and strengthen the roots of our faith for the next generation. It’s my desire for other Christians and their families to grow along with us. I’ll share our beliefs, traditions, recipes, parenting advice and more to help you on your Hebrew Roots journey also. Welcome!
