MBM-UK - Weekly studies

This week we begin the study of the Torah portion called Yitro which includes the Giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. We discuss how chapter 18 which begins with the reunting of Moses with his father-in-law appears to out of chronological order of events, but that the essential nature of the testimony of Yitro reflects the practical witness of the Gentiles who by faith declare the Sovereignty of the Eternal One who is Adonai the GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Israel.

This week we look at the calling of Moses. We discuss the Burning Bush and how the redemption of the children of Israel shows the plan of redemption for all men from the Garden of Eden to the coming of Messiah and the Messianic Kingdom. We look at why Adonai uses this moment in time and in particular Moses as the template for redemption and the Torah as the instruction manual that is also the blueprint for life.

As we begin our study in Exodus/Shemot, we look at what has brought the Children of Israel to the point that the nation of Egypt has begun to despise and fear them.We talk about the characteristics that are carried forward from when they first arrived under the auhority of Joseph and how their assimialtion into Egyptian society brings about the ire of the new Pharaoh and his people.We look at how Moshe, as a member of the tribe of Levi, when acting in his own strength and power only reinforces the nature of his forefather and the final words of Jacob, and that when he is named as Moshe begins to fulfill his destiny as the one who draws those he encounters out of the waters of strife.We briefly discuss how these two natures embody the nature of Torah and whether it is used to condemn or bring life.

This discussion focuses on the distribution of food by Joseph and the comparison and contrast of the chapter in Revelation that speaks of the mark of the beast.We also discuss the blessings that are conveyed upon Ephraim and Manasseh and the importance of the burial of Rachel in Ephrathah and how this has implications upon the gentiles who join themselves to the Master through faith and rejecting the idols of the nations.

In the discussion this week, we conclude chapter 44 where we see the final test set by Joseph to establish whether his brothers have changed or whether they remain the same people as before when they sent Joseph into exile.We discuss how the tests reflect the way the difference between false piety and humility is exposed through our encounters with "nachash", and how the Master, Yeshua experienced the same attitudes as he sought to understand and reveal the hearts of his own people.The review of this passage is essential to understanding how the next section, Vayigash, (and he drew near) prefigures the restoration of the people of Israel and the reunification and repair of their relationship with Messiah Yeshua, prefigured by Joseph.

The discussion this week asks the question of the Joseph narrative as to the purpose of Adonai's intention with all of the events that we see in Joseph's story.With hindsight we understand the typology of the chosen one, but by placing ourselves in the narrative at the moment it is happening, this gives us potential for insight and to ask how events may have been perceived by the characters and why they act and speak in the manner they do. We also discuss the prohetic implications regarding Israel, Gentiles and the future events that will unfold.

This week we discuss the time of Joseph in prison and the interpretation of the dreams of the imprisoned chamberlains.We look at the perspective of this time through Psalm 105 and the impact of the life of Joseph as the saviour of Israel and the comparison of the sufferings with Messiah ben Joseph.

In our study this week, we discuss the account of Judah and Tamar. We look at why it appears where it does and how it impacts the future of the Messianic kingdom, Israel and Christianity. We also discuss how redemption comes from the most unlikely places.