Parashat Beshalach 5767/2007
EJD
The weekly reading for the week of 15 Shevat, 5767 - February 3rd, 2007 Parashah: Beshalach Exodus 13:18 to 17:16; Haftarah: Judges 4:4 to 5:31 (Ashkenazi) Judges 5:1-31 (Sephardi); Mei Kituvim: Daniel 3:1-30; Brit Chadashah: Luke 1:39-55; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4
Parashah Lite Edition (Focuses on one verse or idea anywhere in the readings.)
The Bagel: The Tree that heals.
"through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations" (Revelation 22:2).
Tu B'Shevat on a Shabbat reminds us of the songs. There is the Song of Miriam in Exodus 15, the Song of Devorah in Judges 5, then there is the song for this Shabbat known as Shabbat Shira. But there will be another song that celebrates the glories of the messianic kingdom. One of the features of that kingdom is the Tree of Life (Etz Chaim) that will be in the midst of the New Jerusalem and will be for the healing of the nations.
The sickness of humanity is sin. Indeed, sin is more than sickness, it is death! Thus, in our normal state, we are "dead in tresspasses and sins" (Ephesian 2:1). But there is a Tree that cures the sickness/death of sin. Like the tree in this week's Torah reading that cured the bitter waters of Marah (Exodus 15:22-26), so there is a Tree saves from sin.
That Tree is The Tree (Ha Etz) and it is the one that Yeshua hung upon in His crucified dying in order to make the permanent atonement for our sin. But the tree at Marah could not cure the waters until it was thrown in. The Cross of Jesus will be nothing more than an historical artifact unless you personally apply the results of His atonement by receiving Him into your life. Now, this is a song that can be sung for eternity.
Cream Cheese That dead wood planted in the ground two thousand years ago still gives life to all who come by faith.
Unless noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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