1.29.26 – Four Choices

Every week, I get the privilege of studying the traditional Torah portion for that week, and every Sunday morning, I review the previous week's Torah portion and dig a little deeper :-). This week is Beshalach from Exodus 13:17–17:16. Like the daily proverbs that many read on a daily basis (31 proverbs for 31 days per month), this portion saturates our minds on how we respond to current worldwide events.

In Beshalach there is "water, water, everywhere"! We have the crossing of the Reed Sea (Yam Suf), the "bitter" waters at Marah, the abundance of water at the twelve wells and seventy palm trees in Elim, and the striking of the rock at Rephidim where the people contended with Moses. Inserted in the story is the bread from heaven and the Sabbath.

Actually, not just this portion, but the whole of Scripture is saturated with water. Water is present before the creation story begins (Gen. 1:2). We find it in the four rivers surrounding the earthly Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:1–14). We see it cover the earth once again in the flood (Gen. 7–9). Its life-giving or retributive characteristics manifest all throughout the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation, ultimately making its presence known flowing from the throne of God (Rev. 22:1–5), where we find its consistent and clear representation of God's Word, the Torah (Isa. 2:1–4).

Because of water's ability to magnify the Lord (Ps. 93) and accomplish His will on earth (Isa. 55:8–13), it is revealed as the life-giving substance that all who are truly thirsty seek (Isa. 55:1; John 4; 7:37–38; Rev. 7:17; 21:6; 22:17; Isa. 12:3).

Like the Torah, it is free. It comes from heaven. It goes from one end of the earth to the other. It is the source of all life. It makes many sounds in praise of His name! It satisfies the thirsty soul. It cleanses the body from impurity. Tiny amounts accumulate into rills, creeks, streams, rivers, and seas. It always seeks out the lowest and humblest terrain to provide life-giving water. Yet, for those who have not been instructed on how to handle it, they can easily drown.

Life is about achieving what you were designed to become! It is about moving forward. It is about arriving at your destination! And for us, spiritually, emotionally, physically, relationally, and financially speaking, Egypt (slavery to the world system) is not it.

Besides, water, water—Beshalach ("he sent")—is anything but stationary! It is all about moving forward! Overcoming fear and doubt! Believing! Learning! Trusting! And always moving forward according to God's leadership!

As you already know, the Apostle Paul tells us that the journey of the Israelites is the blueprint for our spiritual journey and race in Messiah (1 Cor. 9:24–10:11). There is a prize waiting for those who run to win (1 Cor. 9:24–27) and nothing for those who stay in the parking lot, at the dock, or in the default setting of Egyptian slavery (1 Cor. 10:6, 11).

"They" say, "It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks." It is so true! Once habits are established in life, it is tough to overcome those ingrained patterns that have molded us into what we are today. However, God, by His mighty right hand and outstretched arm, provides deliverance for us to leave our past enslavement and mindsets behind (Deut. 26:8). Unfortunately, four-fifths of the Israelites, through their unbelief in that provision, stayed behind in Egypt. Only one-fifth of them started their car, untied the rope from the dock, and left for the Promised Land (Ex. 13:18).

God's faith-filled people made the choice: "We're leaving! We're heading toward our destiny." The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, and it was going to take them nearly fifty days to get to their first major stop at Mount Sinai, where they would receive God's Torah (instructions) and come into marriage covenant with their Bridegroom King (Ex. 3:12; Ex. 12:6–8; 19:3–8; 24:7–8; Jer. 31:31–34).

Life is filled with obstacles—moments in time when it feels like there is no way out. Yet, with every obstacle there are options. The question we must all ask ourselves, when we arrive at these moments brought upon through God's leadership, is "What do I do?" There are really only four options at every roadblock in life.

Moses addressed them all in this week's Torah portion (Ex. 14:13–14):

"And Moses said to the people, Do not be afraid! Stand still and see the salvation (Yeshua) of the Lord, which He will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall see them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."
(Ex. 14:13–14)

Israel was up against the wall. There was no escape. It had been six days since they left Egypt, and now Pharaoh's army was breathing down their neck, trapped on the edge of the Reed Sea (Yam Suf) (Ex. 14:9). It was option time:

1. They could let despair control their emotions and drown themselves in the sea.

2. They could go back to Egypt and become slaves again to their previous life.

3. They could fight the 600 chariots and trained warriors of Pharaoh's army, which they could have easily overpowered.

4. They could wait and see the salvation (Yeshua) of the Lord.

Life decisions haven't changed in 3,500 years, have they? Whether it is an addiction or simply being up against the proverbial wall, there are really only four choices: end it all, revert back to your old way of life, fight, or be still and recognize that God guided you to this point and He will deliver you out.

• For those who want to end it all, Moses says, "Do not be afraid. Hold your peace."

• For those who choose the default setting and opt to go back into their previous lifestyle of slavery, Moses says, "You are never going to see these Egyptians again."

• For those who are fighters, regardless of the outcome, Moses says, "The Lord shall fight for you."

• For those who recognize that God guided you to this rock and a hard place, Moses says, "Stand still and see the salvation (Yeshua) of the Lord."

Life decisions are hard, but the strong hand and outstretched arm of the Lord are just as powerful today as they were the day He delivered them through the sea. It is time to unhitch your boat from the dock and pass through the waters!

Shalom!
Alan