Parashat Shemot

Shabbat Table Talk

Parashat Shemot – Erev Shabbat 5th January 2018

Torah portion: Ex 1:1-6:1 Haftarah: Is 27:6-28:13, 29:22-23

“Do what you’re told, and you won’t get in trouble!” As a mom of ten, I have lost track of how many times I said something close to that. Usually exclaimed in exasperation to a child who refused to obey or follow simple directions, and who regularly found themselves in troubling situations, my message was clear. Obedience results in protection and blessing. Disobedience results in trouble and harm. Most of us have probably heard similar refrains directed at us – whether as children from our parents, or as adults from our supervisors. If we are honest, this thinking probably drives much of our thoughts even as we watch the news, interact with neighbors, and counsel friends. Follow simple rules and it will go well with you.

What a shock it is then, when we read the opening verses of this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Shemot. “But the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them” (Exodus 1:7). Those unfamiliar with the rest of the narrative perhaps may not find this simple verse shocking. But we are, and this statement jars us. From the opening lines of Scripture, God has been instructing his creation to be fruitful and multiply, to increase in numbers, and to fill the earth. In Genesis, God first makes it possible for vegetation to multiply, and then commands the creatures of the sea, the birds of the air, the wild animals, the livestock, and the animals that move along the ground to be fruitful and multiply. And finally in Genesis 1:28, he blesses his image-bearers and instructs them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.”

God’s refrain continues as he instructs Noah (Gen 9:1) and Jacob/Israel (Gen 35:11) to do the same. As God cuts covenant with Abraham, God promises he will make Abraham fruitful and multiply his offspring to be numerous (Gen 17:6). And even as Genesis closes, the dying Jacob tells Joseph of God’s promise to make their family fruitful and increase in numbers (Gen 48:3). The repeated refrain leaves no doubt in a reader’s mind what obedience looks like. They are to be fruitful and multiply. And yet, that obedience is precisely what sets the stage for the Hebrews’ trouble in Egypt. “Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. ‘Look,’ he said to his people, ‘the Israelites have become far too numerous for us’” (Ex 1:8-9).

The problem is not obedience; the problem is our mindset that obedience leads to ease, comfort and all things going well. The over-simplified formula of obedience leading directly to goodness is not accurate. Sometimes following the ways of the Lord can bring about difficulty and pain in the short-term. Obedience leading to pain is evident throughout Parashat Shemot. Moses obeys God and speaks to Pharaoh, and immediately the situation for the Hebrew slaves worsen (Ex 5:1-9). The Hebrew overseers reject Moses and ask that God’s judgment would fall upon him (Ex 5:20-21). In exasperation, Moses returns to the Lord, protesting the outcome of his obedience saying, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all” (Ex 5:22-23).

Moses questions the Lord and his calling when faced with difficulty and pain arising out of his obedience. I think we often tend to do the same. In the end, Moses’ obedience leads to a beautiful story of redemption and hope that continues to be rehearsed and remembered today. But as we read Parashat Shemot this week, let us remember and be encouraged that in the short-term obedience can often lead to greater difficulty, pain and challenges. The parental refrain many of us have heard and said does not necessarily apply; our personal comfort and ease are not central to God’s larger plan. But, we can hope and trust in the Lord who sees our misery, hears our cries, concerns himself with our suffering and comes to our rescue (Ex 3:7-8).

For Reflection and Discussion: 1. How has the call to “Do what you’re told, and you won’t get in trouble!” been a guiding principle in your life? Are there times that obedience has actually created potentially more problems and difficulty? How does this principle apply to your life of faith in God? How do you respond when that “formulaic” result does not happen? What might be a better guiding principle? How have you experienced the God who cares (Ex 3:7-8)? 2. The role of disobedience to authorities is also teased about in Parashat Shemot, with the results often surprisingly bringing forth goodness. Shiprah and Puah disobey the Pharoah and refuse to kill newborn boys (Ex 1:17). Moses’ mother disobediently hides her son from the murderous king, hoping to somehow save him (Ex 2:2). Moses’ sister dishonestly “searches for some Hebrew nursemaid” (Ex 2:7-9). Where and when is disobedience proper and good? What are some times in history this has been the case? What about in your life? Or in today’s society?

This week’s teaching commentary was prepared by

Rev. Kristen B Marble, MDiv, MEd, Bat Kol Alumni 2013

Senior Pastor, West Morris Street Free Methodist Church, Indianapolis IN
Email address: kristen@kristenmarble.com

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