TORAH: Exodus 10:1-13:16
HAFTARAH: Jeremiah 46:13-28
GOSPEL: John 19:31-37
Portion Outline:
The fifteenth reading from the Torah is named Bo, which means “Come.” The title comes from the first words of the first verse of the reading, which say, “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘[Come] to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart” (Exodus 10:1). The portion begins by concluding the narrative of the ten plagues, the tenth of which is the slaying of the firstborn. To avoid the plague, the Israelites are given the instructions for the Passover sacrifice and the laws of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Pharaoh finally consents to let Israel go, and they leave Egypt.
Torah
Exodus 10:1 The Eighth Plague: | Locusts
Exodus 10:21 The Ninth Plague: | Darkness
Exodus 11:1 | Warning of the Final Plague
Exodus 12:1 | The First Passover Instituted
Exodus 12:29 The Tenth Plague: | Death of the Firstborn
Exodus 12:33 The Exodus: | From Rameses to Succoth
Exodus 12:43 | Directions for the Passover
Exodus 13:3 | The Festival of Unleavened Bread
Exodus 13:11 | The Consecration of the Firstborn
Prophets
Jer 46:13 | Babylonia Will Strike Egypt
Jer 46:27 | God Will Save Israel
Portion Commentary:
Darkness
Exactly how dark is a plague of darkness? In the Bible, darkness symbolizes spiritual ignorance. Light symbolizes revelation from God.
The ninth plague on Egypt was the plague of darkness. It was not normal darkness like that of an eclipse. It was a supernatural darkness, “even a darkness which may be felt” (Exodus 10:21). The darkness persisted for three days. Not even artificial lights such as lamps and torches could pierce the blackness. The Egyptians stayed indoors for the three-day duration. But the Israelites had light.
The plague of darkness symbolized a defeat of the Egyptian sun god, chief over the pantheon. It also symbolized the spiritual darkness of Egypt. Though the Israelites were the slaves and the Egyptians the masters, the plague of darkness illustrated that it was the Egyptians who were in servitude. They were enslaved to the adversary and their false gods. They were under the dominion of the kingdom of darkness. Though the Hebrews were slaves, they were spiritually free. As servants of the truth, they were part of the kingdom of light.
A person in spiritual bondage might not know (or will not admit) that he is in bondage. He feels as if he is in control of his life, calling the shots and making decisions, but ultimately, he serves a great emptiness.
Read complete commentary at First Fruits of Zion.
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