Vaera “And I Appeared”

Exodus 6:2 - 9:35

In this reading, God tells Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh and demand freedom for the Isrealites. Pharaoh refuses, and God unleashes plagues on the Egyptians. Pharaoh promises to free the Israelites, but God hardens Pharaoh’s heart. The portion ends with the plague of hail stopping and Pharaoh changing his mind once again…

Important to point out….. in Exodus chapter 3 that we read last week, it is where Moses asks God what His name is and how he should address Him to the Israelites.

Moses begins to struggle with God’s command. God reminds Moses to repeat all that He commands him and Aaron. It is important to God for the Israelites to know exactly who HE is. And the Egyptians and the Israelites will soon know and understand who this is, when God delivers them from out of Egypt.

Moses was 80 years old and Aaron was 83.

Moses and Aaron perform miracles in front of Pharaoh. Pharaoh quickly decides to summon his own magicians to perform their own miracles. The magicians rods turn into serpents, but Aaron’s rod swallows up their rods. Pharaoh’s heart continues to harden and he doesn't heed them.

We soon see God’s hand in saving His people and proving He is the One and Only True God, and the plagues soon begin. First with the water turning to blood and any life that was in the river dies. Then we see the plague of frogs. During this we continue to see Pharaoh’s stubbornness. God continues to command Moses and Aaron as to what to bring to the land to cause harm and damage. We read about horrible things that are brought to Pharaoh’s land in order for him to free the Isrealites.

This portion ends with Moses spreading his hands up to the Lord and soon the hail and thunder ceases. Moses is hoping that Pharaoh will soon conclude that the earth belongs to the Lord God…..but we quickly see Pharaoh’s heart stiffen again and he won’t let the Israelites go.