Parashat Bo: God, I will do your will...my way

Torah: Ex 10:1-13:16

Haftarah: Jer 46: 13-28

Luke 22:7-30, 1 Cor 11:20-24

Main Points

The eighth plage. Locusts are sent.

Darkness comes with the ninth plague.

Passover is celebrated.

The last plague- Death of the Firstborn.

The long-awaited Exodus happens.

God directs Moses to consecrate the firstborn.

God teaches Moses about the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

In Parashat Bo the great showdown comes to a climax as the last of the plagues force Egypt to capitulate. The ten plagues were thought to occur roughly over a year. The last plague (makah) was the death of the firstborn. All of the difficult suffering throughout the land came down to a single person's will striving against the will of God. In Ex 10:8-11, 24 it appears that Pharoah is trying to make a concession to do God's will, but with strings attached. He still wanted his say and if the will of God was going to get done, it would have to get done his way.

An extreme example, right? Not really. We all strive with our will. We struggle with those things we cannot see and often cannot understand. We tend to be ego-centric about how we view the will of God and can question why this, why here, why now? God leads us, he speaks to us, and we try to submit but sometimes we also attach a few strings. We want the will of God to affirm us, but that does not always happen. We want our version of things and what we think is best. Often, we commit to God in the beginning, then take control back if things do not work out the way we want. We are obedient, sort of.

Some of this comes out of frustration. The will of God seldom comes when or how we want it to (see the prayer of Habakkuk, Hab 3). We need to keep in mind who is serving who. Often, God will give us his will with a waiting period so that we can gain the proper motive, prepare, and fully submit. This time comes complete with trials, testing, and everything that is needed to prepare us to pursue God's eternal plan. There is a purpose for all that he asks us to do.

We can get tied up in our control issues and forget that God's will is different from our own (Prov 19:21). Controlling people are normally judgmental people. This person's frustrations with self and others can be void of compassion, empathy, or mercy. Anger, frustration, and the "blatant offenses" of others fuel strong emotions that make us more self-centered, less focused, and less sensitive to God's will due to feeling constantly violated. In the end, a hard heart and partial obedience can result in the death of things we hold dear and place above God.

We don't know everything (see God's rebuke of Job in Job 38-41). We cannot be God. God often designates a way to his will and gives us both the means and the end. When we submit we do not know all of what God wants to do and who he wants to affect. Our knowledge even for ourselves is incomplete.

Being both submitted and obedient is not just about seeking the will of God, but it is also about seeking the way of God. It is seeking to do the will of God with a holy regard for all that he wants. We need to be committed to do the right things, the right way. We cannot pursue the will of God for ourselves while derailing the will of God in the lives of others. When we consecrate both the journey and destination, we may not know all of the details, but we will never miss and our journey will unify more and more people to follow and pursue God. This is a quality of a tzaddik. To pursue righteousness in all things. "Tzedek tzedek tirdof" Justice, justice, you shall pursue (Deut 16:20)

Submission is a continual process (Heb 5:8-10). One that defines how we carry out life. It defines our uncompromisables and asserts our dedication to holiness. Sometimes, when contrasted with the frustrations of life, it is a minute-by-minute process. If we are to be dedicated to do God's will it requires a dedication of our words. Be conscious to never speak against the word of God. Our words mean something and should always uphold and assert what God is doing. Speaking against the direction and promise of God degrades the very faith that God is trying to establish.

When frustrations come, our worship will draw the Spirit of God near to light our way. This may have been one of the reasons why Abraham continually built altars. Worship and praise are the best combatants of that low feeling when we are frustrated and upset. When coupled with rehearsing God's promises we have a powerful place to stand through the worst. It doesn't matter if our praise is spontaneous or liturgical. What matters is that we praise and worship from our hearts. That will ignite faith and strength to stand.

Learn the discipline of waiting, watching, and seeking. This marks the difference between a mature person pursuing the will of God and a person who is weak in faith and constantly throws tantrums. Pray for God's plan, God's time, and God's way (or method). Waiting is difficult but it is a necessary field of faith that we are commonly called to dwell in. If it is not looked at as "down time" and we keep investing and seeking what God wants in that pace, we will not frustrate ourselves from inaction.

Don't let time cloud your memory of what God said. Write it down. Bathe it in prayer. Prophetically proclaim it regularly and don't let anyone alter or hijack it for their own purposes.

Learn to see the love of God in all things. The way is just as important as the destination. Our avodat hakodesh (sacred service) seeks the revelation of the love of God for us and all connected to us. The will of God is worth pursuing with a loving heart. God reveals himself to us and allows us more and more insight into his person and character so that we can emulate those qualities in our calling. The love of God helps us fit all things together so that we can be whole in the pursuit of his will (Eph 4:16). We can be obedient and wholly given.Rav Calev

Apostolic Messianic International-Gulf Coast

Next Feast:

Purim begins sundown on March 13th and ends at sundown March 14th.

Hebrew Words to Know:

Father- Aba

Mother- Ima

Sister- Achot

Brother- Ach

Grandfather- Saba

Grandmother- Sacta

Cousins- Bnei Dodim

Uncle- Dod

Aunt- Doda