1.24.25 ~ Let It Rain

Good morning!

There's a children's rhyme that says, "rain, rain, go away, come back another day..." The Prophet Isaiah may have countered that thought with, "Word, Word, keep pouring down until you've finished what you need today..."

"For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it."
(Isa. 55:10,11)

The trip is wet, wet, wet and soaking us with the water from heaven and our time has been filled with opportunities to drink in His Word to water the seed that has been planted (Lk. 8:11). What a blessing we are experiencing on this Island off the main island of Utila, Honduras!

In our studies this week, in the Torah portion Vaeira, we have been examining a common issue to all of us, abuse within relationships. Within every abusive and violent situation there are two individuals: The perpetrator and the victim. And for the victim, they are praying desperately for a savior to intervene, not just spectate. Let's keep our mining truths out of our Exodus text :-)

The Biblical narrative of the Exodus, the inspiring story of God's 1st born son, the victim, relates beautifully to the oppressed, enslaved, and downtrodden throughout history.

Unfortunately, but purposefully, Moses’ first visit to Pharaoh demanding liberty for his people only brought more misery to the Hebrew slaves; which often happens with the appearance of the savior. Consequently, the Hebrews would not listen any longer to the promise of redemption (Ex. 6:9). Then God gives Moses an interesting command...

So God spoke to Moses and to Aaron, and He commanded them to the children of Israel and to Pharaoh the king of Egypt, to let the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt (Ex. 6:13)

Take your time and read the verse again :-). God is charging Moses with two directives: command the people of Israel and then command Pharaoh the king. However, the verse is pretty vague when it comes to the message that God commanded Moses to instruct the people. The message for Pharaoh is clear: Let the children of Israel out of Egypt. But what is it that Moses is supposed to command the people themselves? Enquiring minds want to know; and this is the key to getting out of the victim mentality.

Later in Jeremiah 4, we get the answer...

Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying: So says the Lord God of Israel; I made a covenant with your fathers on the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slaves, saying: "At the end of seven years you shall let go every man his brother who has been sold to you, and when he has served you for six years you shall let him go free from you." (Jer. 34:12-14)

The commandment to the children of Israel was to set free their brothers who had become their slaves. Wow, that's a pretty cruel command to give to the 1st born son, while they are crushed and tormented as slaves under the tyrannical regime and horrific torture of the Egyptian Pharaoh; the perpetrator! Within the verse, we can see the link between Israel and Pharaoh, but why command Israel first?

The answer to this question is simple and moving,  not easy, and is vital to the understanding of liberty found in God's instructions/Torah. Before Pharaoh can liberate the Hebrew slaves, they must be ready to become free. You can take a man out of slavery, but it may prove more challenging to take slavery out of a man (I resemble that reality). Externally, you may be free; internally, you may still be enslaved...you know what I mean?? The first and foremost symptom of being free is that you must learn to confer freedom on others.

The dictator, the control freak, the perpetrator of family violence, the abusive spouse or parent does not know how to give others freedom. He or she feels compelled to force others into the mold that he/she has created for them. Uncomfortable in his own skin, he is afraid that someone will overshadow him, expose his weaknesses, usurp his position, or make him feel extra in this world. Outwardly he attempts to appear powerful, but inwardly his power is a symptom of inner misery, insecurity, and confinement.

When I do not confront the parts in me that are wounded, my animal-soul bent on survival, my yetzer hara, which has developed myriads of coping mechanisms, emotions, drives, instincts, and belief systems to keep it safe and in control, will be running my inner operating system. Without even noticing it, I am trying to control the people around me through all types of creative and sometimes brilliant ways so that I can feel superficially safe and comfortable. My relationships and emotions are shaped by my internal wounds and terror—the need to survive in a scary and unsafe world.

With this mindset, I am not capable of truly celebrating another person's life and individuality because I am desperate each moment for emotional oxygen; all I can think of is how to remain protected in a world that is dangerous.

Having said this, it begs us to ask the question: "Who is powerful"? The individual who truly knows how to empower and trust. "Who is free"? He who can free others. "Who is a leader"? He who creates other leaders.

Abraham Lincoln said, "Nearly all men can stand adversity (as was testified at our in-home dinner from a local pastor), but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." Ask yourself: Do you know how to celebrate internally the presence and heartbeat of the other? Can you enjoy the soaring success of your loved ones and constituents? Do you encourage them to spread their wings and maximize their potential? Can you allow others to shine (Rom. 12:15; Jer. 31:4)?

Pharaoh may set you free physically. But former slaves can become present tyrants. People who were abused sometimes become abusers themselves. It is what they know about life; it is the paradigm they were raised with. They grew up in abuse and slavery, so they continue the cycle with others.

The first Mitzvah/command the 1st born son had to hear from Moses, before even he could go to Pharaoh to let them go free was: One day you will be free. Remember that freedom is a gift; use it to free others. Don’t internalize and materialize what the Egyptians have done to you. Find the spark of freedom, the inner divine core, that no trauma can tarnish or paralyze; that part has remained free and will cherish pouring it out on others!

May your day be filled with rain!

Shalom