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Friday, January 26, 2024

17 Shevat 5784- January 26 2024 Shabbat Readings Thought and Teaching Ideas

What Might We Learn From the 17 Shevat 5784 Prescribed Readings?

Updated  23 Shevat 5784
Readings for 17 Shevat  5784 posted on the Assembly of Called-Out Believers Website are as follows:
  • Torah - Exodus 13:17-17:16 Beshalach
  • Haftarah (Prophets) Judges 4:4-5:31
  • New Covenant- Matthew14:22-33
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Shabbat Readings Overview

Usually, I post a link to Rabbi David Stone's Live Shabbat Study from Beaumont Texas, but he posted that there would be no Shabbat Study, as he suddenly became quite ill. Please pray for his health to improve.

Although I missed the opportunity to take part in the online Torah portion study, with Assembly of Called-Out Believers, I did listen to quite a few YouTube video teachings about the first section of the scriptures studies for this week like this YouTube from Shalom Macon and learned some rather surprising things. 

Surprising Ancient Exodus Hebraic Teachings

Did you know, there is an ancient Hebrew commentary about today's Exodus scripture that has been handed down orally for centuries that expands on the scene where the Israelites are caught between the Pharaoh's army and the Sea of Reeds (Red Sea). This midrash (commentary) says the brother-in-law of Aaron, Nashon, saw the people were angry with Mose, so he showed faith in what Mose said about the LORD saving them by wading into the water. It was when the water was about to close over Nashon's head, that Mose finally raised his staff and the sea parted.

Another interesting ancient Jewish midrash teaching is about Miraiam's song. Rabbis have taught for centuries that Miriam's mother and father separated when the genocide decree went out stating all baby boys would be thrown into the Nile; Miriam persuaded her parents to reunite saying that she believed they would have a son that would rescue everyone. This is why Miriam is referred to as a prophetess and sings so joyfully - her early prophecy had come true!

Although I have read these scriptures many times, listening to the scriptures using the YouVersion Bible App something new struck me that I had never noticed before here in Exodus Chapter 14.
Did you know the angel of the LORD went before Israel's army as well as the pillar of fire/smoke? When I heard this, I just had to go back and double-check.    When I played it again- there it was! "The angel of the LORD!" A song came into my heart - "Jesus Lamb of G-d!"
Previously, when I had read this scripture, I had somehow been blind to the fact that the angel of the LORD was with the Israelites as well as the pillar of smoke/fire. No wonder the scriptures say that faith comes by hearing the word - not reading the word!
This experience really emphasized for me the importance of listening to someone else read the scriptures aloud.  I know that when we read something silently to ourselves, quite often our brain will skip over words, sentences and even full paragraphs- then kindly fill in the blanks from our memory banks with similar words.

One of the interesting resources I have been using is a women's devotional and Scripture study about the women surrounding the life of Moses on the YouVersion Bible App. In this part of the devotional, it looks at the rejoicing of Miriam and points out that although there were definitely going to be more problems to come, it was important to take the time to celebrate the victory  of gaining their freedom that day.

Children's Ministry Ideas for Beshalach

There are tonnes of resources on the internet that could be used for children's ministry with this scripture section of the Torah. Here are a few ideas from around the internet:

 Haftarah (Prophetic Book) Contemplations

This section of Judges is about the miraculous battle where the prophetess Deborah went to war alongside Barak because she received a prophecy that Our Father was going to put the victory into a woman's hands. I guess she could not imagine that Our Father would have Sisera, leader of the oppressors, run away to Jael's tent, where she smashed his head with a tent peg. 

For me,  this scripture shows how a prophetess might get a word to share but misinterpret it. A good cautionary tale is not to try to interpret a word, but just say what we receive.

On the other hand, it also shows that Our Creator will use any means possible to get what He wants done. If He had not revealed a bit of what He planned to do, Barak might not have gone to war, because it gave Deborah a reason to go to war with Barack and give him the courage to go.

Some Surprising Teachings About Deborah

On Chabad.org I discovered that Rabbis teach that Deborah sat under a palm tree because it symbolized that the Jewish people were all united and turning their eyes to G-d once more - like the upturned leaves of the palm tree.

I also discovered something very interesting in this article by Yitzi Hurwitz about this week's readings - something that the Jewish sages taught for centuries that points to the birth of Yeshua- Our Saviour! Did you know that Jewish sages taught for centuries that 

 "in the merit of righteous women our ancestors were redeemed from Egypt, and in the merit of righteous women we will be redeemed in the future.”
Wow!

Children's Ministry Ideas for the Story of Deborah and Barak

Hmmm... this is a very tricky passage to share with children.  However, thankfully there are people much wiser than me

New Covenant Thoughts and Resources- Matthew 14:22-33- Water Walkers

Matthew 14:22-33 is the passage that tells the story of how Our Saviour can walk in the water in the middle of the night. His disciples were afraid that it was a ghost! Peter wanted proof that it really was his friend and teacher and said "If it is really you, then call me to walk on the water and come to you!" Peter starts walking on the water but then looks around and gets distracted by logic and fear and starts slipping under the water. He cries out my favourite desperate prayer "Lord Save me!"
Yeshua then reaches down and pulls Peter out of the water.

It is interesting that this week's studies started with Jews miraculously walking through the Red Sea while the floods were held back and ended with a Jew walking on top of the water!

Children's Ministry Ideas for  Water Walking

Thankfully there are lots of free resources that can be useful to teach about Our Saviour and Peter walking on the water. Unfortunately, if you are looking for resources using a name other than Jesus for Our Saviour, I have not been able to find any of these online yet.

I have been very ill this week and has been excruciating for me to write online. However, I am believing Our Father for a miracle. However, I will need to close this post and rest my eyes. Your prayers are very much appreciated

Sources:

About This Author

Sister Su is grateful to God for keeping her alive. She is a Trent/Queen's Concurrent Education graduate with over 20 years of teaching experience. She writes on several blogs, has a YouTube channel and is most easily reached through Twitter @Sister_Su See her link tree for more details:@Sister_Su | Linktree

This post was proofread with the free version of Grammarly
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