Torah: Exodus 6:2–9:35
PROPHETS: Ezekiel 28:25–29:21
APOSTOLIC WRITINGS: Acts 7:23–39, 55–60

The devotional below is designed to help you dive deeper into God’s heart by exploring Torah as the gateway into transformational Bible reading.

SUNDAY

Torah 1 and 2

Torah 1: 
God’s Message Comes Through Moses
Exodus 6:2–13

Moses has delivered God’s demands to Pharaoh and as a result of the immediate consequences, his own people are furious with him. Disheartened, Moses cries out to God (5:22–6:1).

6:2–5
What about God’s continued response to Moses is supposed to be reassuring (cf. Genesis 9:15, Psalm 111:5)?

6:6–8
God then gives Moses instructions to speak to Israel again. Verses 6 and 7 contain God’s four “I will” promises that are commemorated in the four cups of wine at Passover, the third being the cup of redemption that has become our cup of communion (Nizkor, lit. ‘we remember’).

6:9
But Israel is too overwhelmed by suffering to lift their eyes and trust the LORD (contrast 4:31). Can you relate to this!?

6:10–13
God tells Moses to go back to Pharaoh (vv. 10–11) to which we can almost hear Moses scoff (v. 12)! The next verse is a summary verse that sets apart the narrative break that follows (v. 13).

Torah 2:
God’s Anointed Priests Will Come Through Aaron
Exodus 6:14–28

This genealogy breaks the narrative by surveying six generations and linking Moses and Aaron back to their patriarchal father.

6:14–16
Jacob’s first three sons: Reuben (v. 14), Simeon (v.15), and Levi (v. 16) are traced through Levi’s line.

6:17–19
His three sons: Gershon (v. 17), Kohath (v. 18), and Merari (v. 19) are traced through the middle son.

6:20–22
Kohath’s line bears Moses and Aaron through firstborn Amram (v. 20) and other sons through Amram’s brothers (vv. 21–22).

6:23–24
Aaron’s line (v. 23) is distinguished from his cousin Korah’s line (v. 24) because the anointed priesthood is given to Aaron (cf. the resulting conflict in Numbers 16:1–3, 8–11).

6:25
This priesthood will continue through Aaron’s descendants Eleazer and Phinehas.

6:26–28
While this genealogy links Moses & Aaron backward to the patriarchs and God’s promises to them, it also links them to the present “exodus” event (vv. 26–27) as well as forward to the choosing of the priestly line through Aaron’s family. The narrative then resumes (v. 28). What is the effect of the literary “seam” that is created by the section ending here? 

MONDAY

Torah 3 and 4

Torah 3: 
"Speak to Pharaoh… Again!"
Exodus 6:29–7:7

6:29–30
The narrative break ends by picking up were we left off: God commanding Moses (6:29; cf. vv. 10–11, 13) but Moses doubting himself (v. 30; cf. v. 12).

7:1–5
God explains Moses and Aaron’s role in freeing Israel (7:1-2) and also that Pharaoh’s hardness of heart (vv. 3–4) would end up resulting in Egypt’s hearing about God (v. 5).

7:6–7
God’s servants, through whom He demonstrates His power through obedience (v. 6), would be considered old and weak by today’s standards and thus very unlikely redeemers (v. 7; cf. 1 Corinthians 1:27)!
 

Torah 4:
Perform Signs and Wonders: Snakes, Blood, and Frogs…
Exodus 7:8–8:10

7:8–9
Let’s go back and review Moses and Aaron’s journey so far. They receive God’s call and go. They bring God’s word, along with “signs,” to Israel’s elders who believe (4:29–31). Pharaoh, however, does not believe (5:1–4). Instead of honoring God he lashes out and Israelite foremen get beaten. When Pharaoh rejects the foremen’s plea (vv. 15–18) they respond by just about cursing their redeemers (vv. 20-21). Disheartened, Moses cries out to God (vv. 22–23). God encourages him (6:1–5) and tells him to go back to his people (6:6–8) who do not listen this time (v. 9). So, God tells him to go present God’s demands to Pharaoh once again (v. 10), this time, however, he is to bring Pharaoh a “sign” to authenticate the message (7:8–9).

7:10–11
Pharaoh’s magicians, however, mimic this sign with their own staffs turning into snakes (vv.10-11).

7:12–13
Even though God’s power is proven superior (v. 12) Pharaoh's heart is hardened (v. 13). As a result, more signs will be poured out in the form of plagues (7 in this week’s portion).

7:14–23
The First Plague: BLOOD begins like many others will. God instructs Moses to go to Pharaoh and repeat God’s demands (vv. 14–15) with specific words that Aaron will speak (vv.16-18). After Aaron delivers these words to Pharaoh, Moses will then tell Aaron (in Pharaoh’s presence) to raise his staff and Pharaoh will watch God’s power flow into the Nile (v. 19). Moses & Aaron obey and the Nile turns to blood (vv. 20–21). Pharaoh’s magicians, however, mimic this sign also and so Pharaoh disregards it (v. 22–23). Even so, all of Egypt suffers for seven days (vv. 24–25).

8:1–15
The Second Plague: FROGS, also begins with God’s words to be delivered to Pharaoh by Aaron (8:1–4). Again, Moses will tell Aaron to raise his hand and Pharaoh will watch God’s power flow out of the Nile (v. 5). When they obey and frogs come up (v. 6), Pharaoh’s magicians again produce similar power (v. 7). This time, however, Pharaoh does respond (vv. 8–10). What specific lesson is God teaching Pharaoh about Himself (v. 10b; cf. 2 Samuel 7:22, David has learned this lesson). How has God taught you this lesson? 

TUESDAY

torah 5 and 6

Torah 5: 
LIce and swarming INsects…
Exodus 8:11–22

8:11–15
Moses tells Pharaoh that the frogs will leave “tomorrow” (v. 11). When Moses intercedes (v. 12) the frogs die (vv. 13–14). With relief, however, Pharaoh hardens again (v. 15).

8:16–19
The Third Plague: LICE is described more briefly (vv. 16–17). This time the magicians cannot counterfeit God’s power (vv. 18–19).

8:20–32
The Fourth Plague: SWARMING INSECTS, begins like the first one with God telling Moses to go to Pharaoh down by the water (vv. 20–21). How does this plague differ in term of what God will do and what God is teaching (v. 22)? 
 

Torah 6: 
Pestilence and Boils… 
Exodus 8:23–9:16

8:23–24
God distinguishes Israel from Egypt (v. 23) by flooding only Egypt with these swarming insects (v. 24).

8:25–27
Pharaoh responds and appears to “give” a little more (v. 25). In what way is his “offer” inadequate (vv. 26–27; Egyptians viewed Israel’s sacrificial animals as sacred just like cows are sacred in India)? But how does it reveal that Pharaoh actually did learn something from what God taught Him at the end of v.22?

8:28
Pharaoh seems to “give” even more and let Israel go outside the land but just not too far (v. 28). Interestingly, the most powerful man in Egypt seeks prayer from a shepherd. (For Lord of the Rings fans: Perhaps Pharaoh is having a Gollum/Smeagol “inner-struggle” - opposing God vs. submitting to Him).

8:29–32
Moses agrees but warns Pharaoh to let his “yes” be “yes” (v. 29; cf. James 5:12). When Moses prays (v. 30) God answers (v. 31) but Pharaoh hardens yet again (v. 32).

9:1–7
The Fifth Plague: PESTILENCE, begins with Moses’ instructions from God (vv. 1–3) which once again will set Israel apart (v. 4). God inflicts Egypt but spares His people, Israel (vv. 5–6). Even after Pharaoh investigates the reality of God’s “sign” of distinction, he nonetheless maintains his hard heart (v. 7).

9:8–12
Even though the Sixth Plague: BOILS unleashes God’s power upon even Pharaoh’s magicians (vv. 8-11), this “hardness” of heart is unyielding, as God foretold (v. 12; cf. 4:21 and 7:3–5).

9:13–14
Before the next plague, God gives Moses instructions to go to Pharaoh and once again repeat the demand (v. 13) with a stern warning (v. 14)! Again, why is God going to do this according to the end of v. 14? What is He trying to teach (cf. 8:10; Isaiah 46:9)?

9:15
God could have wiped Egypt out already (v.15). Why didn’t He (v. 16; cf. Ezekiel 38:23, the verse from which the Kaddish prayer is based; Isaiah 11:9b)? How does Yeshua further this purpose of God (Isaiah 45:22–23 & Philippians 2:9–11)? How are you furthering this purpose of God (Acts 1:8)?