Parashah 14: Va'era (I appeared)

Parashah 14: Va'era (I appeared) - Exodus 6:3 through 9:35

Haftorah (Writings and Prophets): Ezekiel 28:25 through 29:21.
B'rit Hadasha (New Testament): Romans 9:14-17; 2 Corinthians 6:14 - 7:1.

Summary & Overview

TORAH
o Exodus 6:3 | The Genealogy of Moses and Aaron
o Exodus 6:28 | Moses and Aaron Obey YHVH's Commands
o Exodus 7:8 | Aaron's Miraculous Rod
o Exodus 7:14 The First Plague: | Water Turned to Blood
o Exodus 8:1 The Second Plague: | Frogs
o Exodus 8:16 The Third Plague: | Gnats
o Exodus 8:20 The Fourth Plague: | Flies
o Exodus 9:1 The Fifth Plague: | Livestock Diseased
o Exodus 9:8 The Sixth Plague: | Boils
o Exodus 9:13 The Seventh Plague: | Thunder and Hail

PROPHETS
o Ezekiel 28:11 | Lamentation for the King of Tyre (Added to connect to
Last week’s theme)
o Ezekiel 28:25 | A Prophecy Against Sidon
o Ezekiel 29:1-21 | A Prophecy Against Egypt

Last week we looked into Isaiah 27 and 28 and discovered information on the
enemy, who manifests as the Serpent Leviathan. This Torah Portion “Va’era,”
starts in Exo 6:3 with the words; “And I appeared, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
by the name El Shaddai, but My Name YHVH was not known to them.”
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob knew YHVH as the God of the Covenant, the one
Who called them, but the name YHVH was only revealed to Moses at the
appointed time when Israel was delivered from the Serpent’s authority. Only then
would Israel submit under the name (shem) or authority of YHVH, as we
discovered in last week’s study. The Book of Ezekiel reveals a bit more about
Leviathan and how he rebelled and was cast from the Mountain of YHVH.

Creating Israel, then Separation of Israel.

“Va’era” comes from the word “ra-ah” ‫ ָראָ ה‬,
meaning to cause to see, show, to be shown,
face. “Ra-ah” is first found in Scripture in Gen
1:4 where YHVH spoke light into existence and
then saw (ra-ah) the light, that it was good, and
then divided the light from the darkness. The
phrase used where it says; “Elohim saw the
light…” or “Elohim ra-ah ‘eth oor” ‫ֹלהים ָראָ ה אֵ ת‬
ִ ֱ‫א‬
‫אֹור‬.

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There is an “aleph-tav” through which Elohim saw. The Aleph-Tav represents the
Messiah through Whom all things were created and the natural light was seen
through Him. He is the “mediator” between “spiritual light” that manifests
“physical light.” We learn from this that anything in the Spiritual that needs to be
“spoken” into the physical must be done through Messiah and then perceived by
Him, as the Spiritual Authority or Representative. In the story of the Exodus,
specifically when YHVH “spoke” the plagues through Moses, the same attribute
was given to Moses as an “Aleph-Tav,” allowing him to manifest into the physical,
that which had originated in the spiritual. What we also learn is that words are
seen as spiritual compared to objects that are physical. When you speak, you are
actually speaking from a “higher dimension” than the physical and can change
and transform the physical if your words have “prophetic weight.” When Moses
spoke the plagues over Egypt, it was similar to Elohim speaking through the
Aleph-Tav to create and then separate. The plagues are the process that
followed the creation process, where YHVH separated the light from the
darkness, and in this Torah Portion, separated His people from Pharaoh. It was
as if YHVH created Israel and then had to separate Israel from “darkness” to
complete their creation process so that it would be good. What we see (re-eh) in
the physical as plagues, are complex spiritual processes completing the “creation
process” through separation? Last week we saw the concept of the Sword, that is
the Word or “words” of YHVH, designed to “separate” and then “destroy” all that
is not “light” but “darkness.”

Ezekiel the Prophet

Background: The Book of Ezekiel is the third of the
Latter Prophets in the TaNaK and one of the major
prophetic books in the Old Testament, following
Isaiah and Jeremiah. According to the book itself, it
records six visions of the prophet Ezekiel, exiled in
Babylon, during the 22 years 593–571 BC. The
visions and the book are structured around three
themes:
(1) Judgment on Israel (chapters 1–24);
(2) Judgment on the nations (chapters 25–32); and
(3) Future blessings for Israel (chapters 33–48).
The vision starts with Ezekiel depicted as the divine warrior, riding in his battle
chariot. The chariot is drawn by four living creatures, each having four faces
(those of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle) and four wings. Beside each "living
creature" is a "wheel within a wheel", with "tall and awesome" rims full of eyes all
around. YHVH commissions Ezekiel as a prophet and as a "watchman" in Israel
(Ezekiel 1:1–3:27).
These prophetic words spoke judgment on Jerusalem and Judah (Ezekiel 4:1–
24:27) and on the nations (Ezekiel 25:1–32:32). YHVH warns of the certain
destruction of Jerusalem and of the devastation of the nations that have troubled
his people; the Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, Philistines, and the Phoenician
cities of Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt.

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The prophecy concludes with the building of a new city (Ezekiel 33:1–48:35) and
foretells that the Jewish exile would come to an end. This new City would have a
new Temple, and the Israelites would be gathered and blessed as never before.
Ezekiel is the word “Yĕchezqe'l” ‫יְ חֶ זְקֵ אל‬, which means “Elohim strengthens.” His
name consists of two parts; “el” ‫אֵ ל‬, which is the short form for Elohim (God), and
“chazaq” ‫ חָ זַק‬, which means strength. “Chazaq” is first used in Scripture in Gen
19:16 where the two Angels laid hold (chazaq) on the hand of Lot, his wife and
their two daughters, rescuing them from the judgement against Sodom and
Gomorrah. This prophet places his prophecies in the context of “Judgement by
Fire,” which is based on the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and points to
the future destruction of the System of Babylon.

Lamentation for the King of Tyre

This section gives context to our Haftorah portion
that starts in Eze 28:20. This prophecy continues
on from where we left off last week. It describes
the history of Leviathan and how he was
transformed from initially being a “covering
cherub” on the Mountain of Elohim, and changed
into the image of the Serpent Leviathan, the
Devil also known as Satan, because of his sin
and rebellion.
Eze 28:1, 11-19 The word of YHVH came to me again, saying,
“Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, ‘Thus says the YHVH
Elohim: “Because your heart is lifted up, And you say, ‘I am a
god, I sit in the seat of gods, in the midst of the seas,’ 11 Moreover
the word of YHVH came to me, saying, 12 “Son of man, take up a
lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘Thus says
YHVH Elohim: “You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom
and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of Elohim;
Every precious stone was your covering: 14 “You were the
anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the
holy mountain of Elohim; you walked back and forth in the midst
of fiery stones. 15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you
were created, till iniquity was found in you. 16 “By the abundance
of your trading you became filled with violence within, and you
sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the
mountain of Elohim; and I destroyed you, O covering cherub,
From the midst of the fiery stones. 17 “Your heart was lifted up
because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake
of your splendour; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before
kings, that they might gaze at you. 18 “You defiled your
sanctuaries by the multitude of your iniquities, by the iniquity of
your trading; Therefore I brought fire from your midst; it
devoured you, and I turned you to ashes upon the earth in the
sight of all who saw you. 19 All who knew you among the peoples
are astonished at you; you have become a horror, and shall be no
more forever.”

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Tyre is the word “tsor” ‫צֹ ר‬, which means rock, flintstone, sharp stone or knife.
Last week we looked at the Sword of YHVH (cherev), which is the only weapon
that can overcome and destroy Leviathan. In this Haftorah Portion we see the
Serpent, represented by the King of Tyre. He also has a similar weapon, namely
a knife made of stone. A knife is similar to a sword, but not as effective as a
sword when used in battle. There is a story recorded in the Book of Judges
where Ehud killed the fat king with his knife. The knife is a symbol of a
“counterfeit sword,” which represents false doctrines. The enemy creates these
“knives” to replace YHVH’s Sword (Word) in order to make YHVH’s people
ineffective in destroying the enemy.
The words spoken against the King of Tyre are similar to the words spoken
against Leviathan and they foretell the future of this rebellious leader who
opposed and destroyed YHVH’s people. The end result would be that he would
be no more, forever, as stated in verse 19.

Prophecy Against Sidon

Eze 28:20-25 The word of YHVH came to
me: 21 “Son of man, set your face against
Sidon; prophesy against her 22 and say: ‘This
is what the Adonai YHVH says: “‘I am
against you, Sidon, and among you I will
display my glory. You will know that I am
YHVH, when I inflict punishment on you and
within you am proved to be holy. 23 I will
send a plague upon her and make blood flow
in her streets. The slain will fall within her, with the sword against her
on every side. Then you will know that I am YHVH. 24 “‘No longer will
the people of Israel have malicious neighbours who are painful briers
and sharp thorns. Then they will know that I am the Adonai YHVH.
25 “‘This is what the Adonai YHVH says: When I gather the people of

Israel from the nations where they have been scattered, I will be proved
Holy through them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their
own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob.
This Haftorah Portion relays the words of the prophet Ezekiel prophesying
against Sidon, one of the worldly nations who opposed Israel. Sidon is the word
“Tsiydown” ‫ ִצידֹון‬, which means catching fish, fishery. It comes from the root
word “tsud” ‫צּוד‬, which means to hunt, catch an animal (figuratively – a man). It is
first used in Gen 27:3 where Isaac called Esau to take his weapons and hunt a
deer to prepare it prior to receiving the firstborn blessing. Verse 25 reveals that
Sidon represents the ten lost tribes of Israel who will be gathered at the time of
the end. Connecting this thought with Gen 27 gives the idea that Esau, who sold
his birthright, represents the scattered tribes of Israel. YHVH reveals through this
prophecy that they will have the opportunity to be united with the rest of Israel.
The nations are represented by the sea and they will be “fished out” from the
power and authority of Leviathan, the Serpent of the sea, as we discovered in
last week’s teaching.

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The Torah Portion covers the events associated with the plagues that came
against Egypt as part of the process to release YHVH’s people from the bondage
of Pharaoh. In this passage, we see the “plagues” that came against Sidon
(scattered lost Tribes of Israel) who were trapped in the “ocean” (nations) under
the authority and bondage of Leviathan.

Three Levels of Holiness

Eze 28:25 “‘This is what the Adonai YHVH says:
When I gather the people of Israel from the nations
where they have been scattered, I will be proved holy
through them in the sight of the nations. Then they will
live in their own land, which I gave to my servant
Jacob.
This verse states that YHVH will be proved Holy in Sidon, in the sight of the
nations. What does this mean? Normally we find words that instructs Israel to be
holy, and that is one interpretation, but in this verse, it puts the emphasis on
YHVH’s Holiness. Sidon represents the scattered tribes of Israel that are being
gathered back to YHVH. They are known as people from the nations who come
into the Covenant through faith in Y’shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ). The Words
of Ezekiel have a positive message saying that the scattered Tribes will be
gathered and display His glory. It could mean that YHVH’s glory will be upon
them and that it will be seen by others, but I think it has more to do with the
process of gathering them that reveals YHVH’s glory (Name – “shem”). His Glory
is revealed by the fact that He does what He promised, and His Word will never
return void. When He has said or promised something, it will come to pass, as
sure as His name is YHVH. The passage ends by promising them their own
Land, which He promised to Jacob.
Within this very same prophecy, we read harsh words where YHVH will bring
“plagues” or “curses” upon these “gathered Tribes” known as Christians
(followers of Messiah).
Q - Why is that necessary and what do they need to be released from?
Eze 28:20-23,25 The word of YHVH came to me: 21 “Son of man, set
your face against Sidon; prophesy against her 22 and say: ‘This is what
the Adonai YHVH says: “‘…when I inflict punishment on you and within
you am proved to be holy. 23 I will send a plague upon her and make
blood flow in her streets. The slain will fall within her, with the sword
against her on every side. Then you will know that I am YHVH. 25 “‘This
is what the Adonai YHVH says: When I gather the people of Israel from
the nations where they have been scattered, I will be proved Holy
through them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their own
land, which I gave to my servant Jacob.
YHVH will bring the Sword against them, implying that the Enemy or Serpent has
infiltrated the Body of Messiah, and those who are “secret agents of the dark
side” (False Prophets & Teachers), will be slain within Her. This is confirmed by
Paul who said that YHVH will judge (measure) the Body (church) first before He
will judge the nations.

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 1 Pet 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God;
and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not
obey the gospel of Elohim? ..... Verse 17. - For the time is come that
judgment must begin at the house of Elohim. (The house of Elohim is the
Church or Body of Messiah - see 1 Tim 3:15; 1 Cor 3:16)
The problem we face today is that Christians have lost their perception of Who
YHVH really is and that He is a Holy God. Y’shua / Jesus is not your mate or
friend, He is the Holy King and should receive our respect and adoration as the
King of Kings. The Seraphim worshipped YHVH saying; “…Holy, Holy, Holy, is
YHVH of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory."(Isa 6:2-4)
The repeating or declaring YHVH’s Holiness three times is as if there are three
levels of Holiness we need to move through before we can become one with
Him. When someone is in a fallen state, he is the furthest removed from YHVH,
separated by these three levels of holiness. To explain this, we have to look at
how “man” is created and the levels every one of us consists of.

Man is represented by the letter “vav” v and has the number 6. This implies that
man consists of six parts or “grows” into spiritual maturity through these 6 levels.
Your soul consists of 5 different levels and if you add the body, it gives you the
number 6. Below is the Body with the 5 levels of the soul, listed from the lowest
to the highest level:

1. “Basar” ‫ בָ שָ ר‬- Body / flesh.

2. “Nephesh” ‫ – נֶפֶ ׁש‬Fleshly soul or
personality.
3. “Neshamah” ‫ – נְ ׁשָ מָ ה‬Spiritual soul
or revived soul (born again), new
nature.
4. “Ruach” ַַ‫– רּוח‬YHVH’s Spirit
equipping through the Anointing.
5. “Chayah” ‫ – חָ יָה‬interconnection
with others (collective soul)
6. “Yechidah” from “yachad” ‫– יָחַ ד‬
Unity, intimate relationship with
YHVH (Oneness with YHVH –
Echad)
These six levels explain how you, from birth, start as an immature baby only
existing in the first two levels, namely the body and the fleshly soul (basar +
nephesh). When you become born again, YHVH revives your spiritual soul
(nashamah) through the breath of life (Ruach). Now you have become a “child of
YHVH” and need to grow up spiritually (basar + nephesh + nashamah). This is
the First Level of Holiness.
The next step and Second Level of Holiness is when you receive the gifting and
Anointing of YHVH’s Holy Spirit (basar + nephesh + nashamah + Ruach). This
step usually coincides with the Mikvah or Immersion (baptism in the Name of
Y’shua). These gifts allow you to become active in the Body of Messiah and be
part of executing YHVH’s Plan as one of His Members.

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The Third Level of Holiness is achieved after years of following in the footsteps of
Messiah and growth in spiritual maturity, which is called the “chayah” level.
People on this level have achieved the highest spiritual level in a physical form.
They are more prone to give than to receive and serve than to be followed. This
is how Y’shua led His Disciples by serving them even unto death.
The next and final 6th level can only be achieved after the Coming of Y’shua and
when you receive a renewed body (yechidah). This is when you can ultimately
become one with Y’shua and is known as the Marriage between Y’shua and His
Bride.