Yom ha Shoah. By Raphael ben Levi
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his officials so that I might perform these signs of mine among them”
Ex.10-13 sets the stage for the most nail-biting climax concerning Moses’ confrontation with Pharaoh. 7 calamities (makot) were inflicted by God upon Egypt when Pharaoh refused to agree to the terms set before him, On each occasion, Divine judgement increases exponentially with the final most devastating calamities being unleashed: the plague of locusts, darkness and the death of the firstborn. It is staggering that Pharaoh would eventually agree without hesitation or demand to set the Israelite’s free only after experiencing the 10th calamity. Despite this tragedy, something even worse would befall the Egyptians shortly afterwards when Pharaoh had a change of heart – the 11th calamity – something so devastating that would leave it in shreds and spell its final demise as a super power.
The Book of Exodus (Shemot) is the breathtaking description of God’s dealings and redemptive acts for His covenant people. But, the first few chapters open where the Israelite’s circumstances couldn’t have appeared worse. It has been like this on many occasions throughout Israel’s history not least in modern times with the Shoah that will be commemorated this Friday.
Fast forwarding to the future, Israel has yet to experience a ‘2nd Exodus’ marking the end of this Age known as “The Day of the Lord.” Their survival will be hanging by a thread with only despair to comfort them. Yet, at the point of imminent annihilation, Yeshua will reveal Himself to them in a most moving prophecy described by the prophet Zechariah: “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”
God always has the last word and His eternal purposes will always prevail!
