24 January 2025
Week of 19 January 2025 – 25 January 2025
Torah portion : Ex. 6 :2-9 :35 Haftarah: Ezek. 2::25-29 :21
Theme: “Covenant and Continuity”

The story of divine reaffirmation unfolds during a challenging time for Moses and the Israelites, who are feeling demoralized due to their increasingly difficult circumstances ( ETZ HAYIM, Ex 6:2-7:13). In this moment of despair, God reassures Moses, echoing his initial encounter at the burning bush where he first heard his name and responded, “Here I am” (Hineni) (3:4). This response not only highlights the importance of communication but also emphasizes the need for decisive action. It illustrates how individuals can recognize their vital role in a larger narrative that connects to the promises made to the patriarchs (ETZ HAYIM, p. 351). Through this powerful exchange, we see an opportunity for renewal and hope amidst adversity.
In this crucial moment, Moses is invited to witness God’s powerful revelation through the liberation of His suffering people in Egypt. He experiences a profound connection with God’s compassion, as expressed in the powerful words, “I have now heard the moaning of the Israelites because the Egyptians are holding them in bondage, and I have remembered my covenant” (ETZ HAYIM, Ex 6:5, p. 352). Moses is then entrusted with a significant dual calling from God: “I will send you to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt” (ETZ HAYIM, Ex 6:9-10, p. 353). This mission not only underscores Moses’ vital role in God’s divine plan but also illustrates the collaborative effort between Moses and God to bring about meaningful change and deliverance for Israel. (Lectio Divina, Ex 6:13, pp. 83-84).
Moses found himself in a challenging situation, grappling with fear for his life as a fugitive in Egypt. He was also deeply aware of the suffering his people endured. In this crucial moment, it became vital for him to change his perspective from asking, “Who am I, my God?” to “Who are You, my God?” This shift allowed him to receive the comforting promise from God: “I will be with you!” (The Catholic Study Bible, Ex 6:12 p. 89; ETZ HAYIM, Ex 6:12 p. 354). This assurance reignited his sense of purpose and empowered him to trust in God, prompting him to take courageous steps forward. In response to the profound anguish of the Israelites, God intervened significantly, guiding Moses to convey a message of hope and liberation. He instructed Moses to tell the Children of Israel: “I am the Lord. I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians and deliver you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my people, and I will be your God. You shall know that I am the Lord, your God, who has freed you from the burdens of the Egyptians” (The Catholic Study Bible, Ex 6:6-7 p. 83; ETZ HAYIM, Ex 6:7 p. 353). This promise stands as a powerful reminder of God’s unwavering commitment to His people and their imminent deliverance. Through this, Moses embraced the opportunity to lead his people toward a hopeful future.

Ezekiel’s oracles against foreign nations (ETZ HAYIM, Ezekiel 25:32) illustrate God’s profound engagement with the struggles faced by His people. These redemptive acts culminate in the uplifting promise: “And I shall be your God,” emphasizing a future filled with hope and restoration for the people of Israel as they anticipate their return from exile to their homeland (ETZ HAYIM, Ezekiel 28:25-26, 29:21).
Moses, chosen by God, embodies the experiences of joy and challenge in leading the Israelites through the desert. He stands out as an exceptional leader, teacher, and friend to God, renowned for his humility. The prophet’s critique of an unreliable Egypt reflects Israel’s misplaced hopes (ETZ HAYIM, Ezekiel 29:27). Through his close communication with God, Moses acquired invaluable wisdom that enhanced his leadership qualities. Additionally, the oracle’s mockery of Egypt, particularly its Pharaoh (ETZ HAYIM, Ezekiel 29:3-5), serves to highlight the contrast between divine guidance and human folly, reinforcing the importance of faith in God’s promises.
The liberation of the Israelites from slavery represents a definitive judgment against Egypt, underscoring the promises of Israel’s ingathering and the powerful emergence of its “horn” of strength and victory (ETZ HAYIM, Ezekiel 29:21). This history illustrates a clear and recurring pattern of divine acts of redemption, demonstrating that it is indeed the work of God. His presence transforms history, and the Israelites’ release from bondage is a bold symbol of salvation in both material and spiritual dimensions. In his oracles of future liberation, Ezekiel powerfully draws upon the imagery of this monumental act of divine salvation, asserting that only divine power can liberate the people (ETZ HAYIM, Ezekiel 28:25-29:21).
For Reflection and Discussion: 1. Reflect on the divine efforts of God to reveal that Elohim is the ultimate architect of our lives and the source of our freedom. 2. What steps can I take to effectively fulfill my covenant promises while embracing my commitments and responsibilities?
Bibliography : ETZ HAYIM, Torah and Commentary: The Rabbinical Assembly, The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, 1999; The Catholic Prayer Bible (Lectio Divina Edition copyright 2010 by Paulist Press); The Catholic Study Bible 3rd Edition; New American Standard Bible, Third Edition, 2010.
This week’s Parasha Commentary was prepared by
Dunhill Malunar Timkang, Jerusalem-Israel, Bat Kol Alumna: 2023
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