Parashat Shemot 5766/2006
EJD
The weekly reading for the week of 21 Tevet, 5766 - January 21, 2006 Parashah: Shemot Exodus 1:1 to 6:1; Haftarah: Isaiah 27:6 to 28:13; 29:22-23 (Ashkenazi) Jeremiah 1:1 to 2:3 (Sephardi); Mei Kituvim: Job 14:1-22; 15:1-14;19:23-27; Brit Chadashah: Matthew 2:1-23; 3:1-2
Parashah Lite Edition (Focuses on one verse or idea anywhere in the readings)
The Bagel: Missing asher.
"I AM THAT I AM" (Exodus 3:14).
In Hebrew the "THAT" in the verse above is "asher." It is not missing in this text. If we think of the first I AM as G-d in eternity past and the second I AM as G-d in eternity future, then we have a concept of Elohim as being over time. He simply is the I AM. Between those eternities is the asher or "THAT." If we make the "THAT" as a description of the creation, then we have a complete statement of G-d in relation to creation:
I AM (in eternity past) - THAT/(asher) (The creation) - I AM (in eternity future)
G-d is over all: I AM THAT I AM
The problem with creation is the alienation that occurred in the Garden of Eden when Adam sinned and brought sin and judgment on the created order. "THAT" became "that." How does the that get restored to THAT? It took the sacrifice of the Messiah Yeshua to restore it. How? By His dying on the cross, which was signified by those other words: "MY GOD, MY GOD....why have You forsaken me?"
What is all over all time are those words: MY GOD, MY GOD. This was the cry of Yeshua on the cross for the sin of the world. His righteous life in exchange for our sinful ones. It was in the plan of G-d from eternity past, that the MY GOD MY GOD should be experienced by the Son. It will also be the enjoyment of all the redeemed for eternity future. We understand the role of the MY GOD MY GOD in our redemption. The word that is missing is the word asher or "that." It is not "MY GOD THAT MY GOD" or "Eli asher Eli" There is not a fallen creation between the words MY GOD MY GOD, rather there is a redeemed creation. Hence, in Moses' day when G-d uttered "I AM THAT I AM" there was confidence that one day the fallen asher or "that" will become the restored THAT. The asher was missing between His cry of agony precisely because He was restoring the true asher to its sinless state. Now, we can experience with confidence the I AM THAT I AM because Yeshua made the way open to behold Elohim face to face.
Cream Cheese My "I am" becomes fully realized in the "I AM."
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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