When He Let Go

Parasha:  b’schlach – when he let go
Torah:  Shemot 13:17 – 17:16

This week’s Torah lesson is highlighting  an incident that never happened because of the foreknowledge of Avinu.  Here is how the Scripture describes the situation:

17 And it came to pass, when Paro had let the people go, that Elohim led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for Elohim said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Mitzryim: 18  But Elohim led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Mitzryim. (Shemot 13:17-18)

Israel was still too close to Mitzryim.  They could be back in their old homes in two or three days if they decided to change their minds and return to their slavery.

Avinu, who is “omnipresent” probably knew that some of the Israelites would be “spooked”  when faced with a tough trial and try to desert the ranks and run back “home”. 

In a way, it’s much easier for us to slip back into Mitzryim that it was for Israel.  Especially after they passed through the sea.  At that point, they were pretty “committed” to the journey, whether they liked it or not.

We are faced with the same decision every day.  Do we stay and resist or do we slip back into  that counterfeit comfort zone that Mitzryim waves  in front of us?

Listen to what the Scripture teaches:

By which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached to you, unless you have believed in vain. (1Co 15:2 )

But Meshiach as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. (Heb 3:6 )

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Yeshua the Son of Avinu, let us hold fast our profession. (Heb 4:14 )

But that which you have already hold fast till I come. (Re 2:25 )

Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come on you. (Re 3:3 )

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown. (Re 3:11 )

The lesson for us is are we strong enough to face whatever trial that we encounter without  trying to slip back into the slavery of Mitzryim?