Only take heed in your heart, least it becomes proud

It is truly amazing what we can learn from Torah. All the principles of life, all human understanding, psychology, philosophy and more are contained in its pages. Torah is the wisdom of HaShem, a wisdom that was echoed and taught to the nations by Yeshua’s talmidim (disciples). Everywhere in the Brit Chadasha (Renewed Covenant) we find example after example of the Torah being taught to both Jew and non-Jews alike. It is possible even to say that a good portion of the Brit Chadasha is a D’Var Torah. Following in my D’var Torah is an example of a talmid (disciple) of Yeshua teaching on a subject taken form the pages of Parsha Vaeira.

Shemot {7:1} HaSHEM said to Moshe, "Behold, I have made you as G-D to Pharaoh; and Aharon your brother shall be your Navi (Prophet). {7:2} You shall speak all that I command you; and Aharon your brother shall speak to Pharaoh, that he let the bnei Yisrael (Children of Israel) go out of his land. {7:3} I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Mitzrayim. {7:4} But Pharaoh will not listen to you, and I will lay my hand on Mitzrayim, and bring forth my hosts, my people the bnei of Yisrael, out of the land of Mitzrayim by great mishpatim (judgements). {7:5} The Mitzrayim shall know that I am HaSHEM, when I stretch forth my hand on Mitzrayim, and bring out the bnei Yisrael from among them."

Many people read this passage and say that Pharaoh did not have a chance. HaShem hardened his heart so that he did not have the capability of making the right decision and releasing the bnei Yisrael. Well nothing can be farther from the truth! If you want to truly understand what was going on with Pharaoh then you need to reread Parsha Shemot.

A new dynasty had arisen in Mitzrayim, a king that had no regard for Yoseph and who feared bnei Yisrael. So this king determined to put bnei Yisrael under forced labour and slowly exterminate them by killing off all the male children. This man did not need HaShem to harden his heart it was already hard. His heart was already filled with arrogance, pride, unrighteousness, maliciousness, murder and contempt for the knowledge of the One True G-d. All HaShem did was gave him over to his own reprobate mind.

Do you know what I believe? I believe HaShem actually had compassion on Pharaoh. Yes, I believe the plagues were actually designed to bring Pharaoh and the Mitzrayim (Egyptians) to acknowledge HaShem as the One True G-d. In fact He tell us in this Parasha that this was the intention of the plagues:

Shemot {7:5} The Mizrayim shall know that I am HaSHEM, when I stretch forth my hand on Mizrayim, and bring out the Bnei Yisrael from among them."

HaShem’s every intention and I am sure his desire was for Pharaoh and all of Mitzrayim to come to Him. That is after all what Scripture tells us HaShem wants from all peoples:

Kefa Bet (2 Peter) {3:9} HaShem is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

In the Brit Chadasha I believe Rav Shaul (Rabbi Paul) took the principle of HaShem hardening the heart of Pharaoh and used it to describe a parallel situation involving perverted, unnatural sex practices:

Romim (Romans) {1.28} And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; {1.29} Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, {1.30} Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, {1.31} Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: {1.32} Who knowing the judgment of G-d, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Does that mean that HaShem hates these people and wants them destroyed? Of course not! As quoted in the Scripture from Kefa Bet, HaShem wants everyone to come to repentance. So sometimes in order to accomplish this He turns them over to an even harder heart then they already have. Yes, He sends them affliction and trouble hoping, I am sure, that they would recognize His power working in their live, repent and turn from their wicked ways back to Him.

Sadly many times HaShem’s efforts, because of His respect for our free will, go unheeded, resulting in tragedy, as was the case with Pharaoh and the Mitzrayim. However G-d does have His success stories as well.

Perhaps you are reading this Parasha today and your life and heart are a reflection of Pharaoh and Rav Shaul’s examples. Perhaps you are caught up in some type of religious system, where you think you are serving G-d but you are actually serving man-made religious traditions. Perhaps even HaShem has sent a plague or two your way in an effort to get your attention so that you might stop whatever it is that you are doing and start serving Him. Take heed therefore to Parsha Vaeira, take heed to Romim 1.28ff, take heed now before HaShem turns you over to a reprobate mind.

Rabbi Jack "Yaacov" Farber is the spiritual leader of Congregation Melech Yisrael in Toronto, Canada.

Copyright 2004