V’eira
I appeared
“The Finger of God”
Exodus 6:2-9:35
Ezekiel 28:25-29:21
excerpted from TorahScope, Volume II
In our Torah portion for this week, V’eira or “I appeared,” we continue to focus on the great deliverance which the Holy One of Israel would bring about, as He heard the cries and moans of His chosen people in bondage to Ancient Egypt. As we learned last week in Shemot, the Lord had chosen to work through various human vessels, to be His agents to communicate to the world how He is a covenant-keeping God, as Moses was used to speak of His will and demands to the Pharaoh. The word given to Abraham regarding how his descendants would only be strangers in a foreign land four centuries, must come to a conclusion:
“He said to Abram, ‘Know for sure that your offspring will live as foreigners in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them. They will afflict them four hundred years. I will also judge that nation, whom they will serve. Afterward they will come out with great wealth; but you will go to your fathers in peace. You will be buried at a good old age” (Genesis 15:13-14, WMB).
The four centuries of oppression and enslavement to Ancient Israel were coming to an end, with the judgment upon Egypt and a dramatic deliverance of Israel ready to commence:
“‘Moreover I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered my covenant. Therefore tell the children of Israel, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments. I will take you to myself for a people. I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it to you for a heritage: I am the LORD.”’ Moses spoke so to the children of Israel, but they didn’t listen to Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage” (Exodus 6:5-9, WMB).
Interestingly, we discover that as the Lord remembered His covenant and promises with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that the oppression and bondage have been so cruel to the Israelites that the people turned a deaf ear to Moses. It is actually recorded, “they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery” (Exodus 6:9, ESV). Apparently, the lack of freedom and harsh treatment at the hands of the Ancient Egyptians, had widely obliterated the Israelites’ hope of ever returning to the Promised Land. As we read through the narrative, Moses turned his attention to delivering the news of the soon coming plagues to Pharaoh and his court of counselors (Exodus 6:10-13).
For most of V’eira, the first seven plagues God would issue upon Egypt are chronicled, including judgments of: blood,[1] frogs,[2] gnats,[3] insects/wild beasts,[4] death of livestock,[5] boils,[6] and hail.[7] Moses and Aaron dynamically communicated the successive judgments which the Lord issued upon the various gods of Egypt, Egyptian pride and prestige, and the Egyptian people themselves—all the while with the Pharaoh hardening his heart[8] to the requests of “Let My people go!”[9] Throughout the parashah the magnitude of the plagues and their specific objectives are detailed. But while reading and contemplating the implications of these horrific challenges for the people of Egypt, it became quite clear that the people of Israel were being separated out as those who had the favor and protection of the Initiator of the plagues, God Himself.
By the time the third plague arrived, that of gnats—after water was turned to blood and there had been a frog attack—the magicians of the Egyptian court were not able to imitate the plague. Earlier, they were able to turn their staffs into snakes (Exodus 7:11), turn water into blood (Exodus 7:22), and bring frogs up from the river (Exodus 8:7), but when the gnats came up from the dust of the ground, the secret arts of the sorcerers could not match the “finger of God”:
“Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, ‘This is God’s finger;’ but Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he didn’t listen to them, as the LORD had spoken” (Exodus 8:19, WMB).
From this point on until the actual Exodus transpired, the distinct separation of the Israelites from the Egyptians became crystal clear. The Lord was setting His people apart in order to communicate eternal principles to not only instruct them, but also the Egyptians:
“I will set apart in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, to the end you may know that I am the LORD on the earth. I will put a division between my people and your people. This sign shall happen by tomorrow” (Exodus 8:22-23, WMB).
Let us not think, though, that the “difference” (NKJV) which was intended between God’s people and those of Egypt was simply so—as later generations might have viewed it—the chosen could have a sense of self-pride about them. Throughout V’eira we see that God’s intention was to make His glory and power known to the whole Earth. With this came the missional imperative that as His judgment fell, all people were to acknowledge and turn to Him for their deliverance:
- “But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there; that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth” (Exodus 8:22, RSV).
- “For this time I will send all my plagues against your heart, against your officials, and against your people; that you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth” (Exodus 9:14, WMB).
- “but indeed for this cause I have made you stand: to show you my power, and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth” (Exodus 9:16, WMB).
- “Moses said to him, ‘As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the LORD. The thunders shall cease, and there will not be any more hail; that you may know that the earth is the LORD’s’” (Exodus 9:29, WMB).
Throughout the ordeal of plagues, the protective hand of the Almighty was ever-present and steady over the Israelites, as the Egyptians were pummeled. The “finger of God,” etzba Elohim, was raised from the Heavenly realm to point out that there was a distinct difference between those who trusted in Him, and those who looked to mortal rulers like the Egyptian Pharaoh for guidance. In many ways, as God judged Egypt, it was almost like He drew a line in sand to demarcate the difference between being His own and protected from His anger, versus the alternative of having to see His omnipotent power be issued against idols.
A Powerful Stylus
As I read our Torah portion, and specifically those parts regarding the different plagues issued upon Egypt, I was really struck by the concept of the finger of God. After all, this is a powerful mental image of an anthropomorphic description of our Heavenly Father. Even the unbelieving Egyptian magicians were able to discern that a Supreme Power had used His abilities to spring up gnats from out of the dust of the ground. It was something which they were unable to duplicate. Looking for other places in Scripture where “finger of God” terminology is used, a most notable location where it appears, is how it is used to describe how the Lord inscribed the Decalogue or the Ten Commandments:
- “When he finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, he gave Moses the two tablets of the covenant, stone tablets, written with God’s finger [ketuvim b’etzba Elohim]” (Exodus 31:18, WMB).
- “The LORD delivered to me the two stone tablets written with God’s finger [ketuvim b’etzba Elohim]. On them were all the words which the LORD spoke with you on the mountain out of the middle of the fire in the day of the assembly” (Deuteronomy 9:10, WMB).
The finger of God transcribed the Ten Commandments, the highest principles which the human race has ever been given to follow. The powerful image of God’s hand, and by extension His finger, actually touching stone tablets and hewing out the Ten Words, is a most comforting thought. After all, as the Great Shepherd guided His people away from the plagues and devastation falling upon Ancient Egypt, His hand and now finger were visible in actions of deliverance. So much more intimacy can be achieved with a finger, as opposed to just a hand!
Looking at some other times in the Torah where the finger is used, we find that it is a critical component of the examination and healing of lepers (Leviticus 14:2-57). The priests were to dip their fingers into the blood of various sacrifices in order to apply the atoning blood to the altar horns, or sprinkle it before the veil of offering (Leviticus 4). The finger was employed when the sacrifice of the red heifer was used to purify the altar (Leviticus 19:2-22). Each of these things signifies an intimacy which is relegated to the finger of a human person, as the priest in each ritual serves as a proxy for God.
Yeshua’s Finger Pointing
Considering the concept of the finger of God, I was drawn to a significant place in the Gospels which employs this description. In the Gospel of Luke, Yeshua the Messiah made use of the finger of God,[10] when He was accused of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul. After giving His Disciples some instruction about prayer (Luke 11:2-4), He then went on to describe how giving and how merciful the Heavenly Father is, when His own approach Him and ask for needed things (Luke 11:5-13). In an act of great mercy, Yeshua cast out a demon from a dumb man (Luke 11:14), in the sight of those gathered to hear His words of hope.
At this point, some doubters began to resist Him with questions. The Lord was accused, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons” (Luke 11:15, NLT). Insults were hurled at Yeshua, along with further challenges for Him to demonstrate additional supernatural signs (Luke 11:16). Yeshua responded to all of the naysayers with some excellent instruction about how the enemy uses division to tear down kingdoms, and by extension, people, families, fellowships, congregations, and even nations:
“But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation. A house divided against itself falls. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. But if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if I by God’s finger cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come to you. When the strong man, fully armed, guards his own dwelling, his goods are safe. But when someone stronger attacks him and overcomes him, he takes from him his whole armor in which he trusted, and divides his plunder. He who is not with me is against me. He who doesn’t gather with me scatters’” (Luke 11:17-23, WMB).
Reading these words of instruction and applying them to my own life and recent experiences—I was once again intrigued by how the study of the Torah, is indeed most beneficial to consider on a consistent basis!
I thought about the concept of division and how the enemy uses all sorts of distortions to bring division, strife, and contention into our own hearts, or our families, and also various congregational assemblies. The Devil knows that if he can make an entity divide over an issue—most frequently something which can be rather small and insignificant—he has a much better chance of creating havoc, chaos, and a lack of peace. This can happen to a person who has let some unclean spirit have access to themselves, due to sin which has not been confessed and repented of. It can occur to families, as the enemy exploits lack of oneness and harmony in a marital relationship, or the frequent lack of honor displayed by children for fathers and mothers and/or harsh treatment of children on the part of parents. Wherever we willingly give the Adversary an opening, he is apt to take advantage of the opportunity to rob, steal, and destroy us of our joy and peace.
When it comes to groups of Messiah followers, the variety of opinions and beliefs which are often present can frequently complicate matters. Because we are each “works in progress” and humanly limited—with none of us truly having the intricacies of God fully understood—the possibilities for confusion are multiplied exponentially. This is particularly a problem when we need to be mindful of the words of Yeshua, and to utilize the sensitivity of casting out demons by the “finger of God.” Just as the finger is more useful in cleaning out the burrs caught in the wool coats of sheep, or cleaning disease or debris from the tender eyes of newborn lambs—so is the finger able to point out the errors of the human fold as we assemble together. And yet, the Book of Proverbs tells us plainly how it is the pointing of a finger, which can be considered an attribute of a worthless and wicked person:
“A worthless person, a man of iniquity, is he who walks with a perverse mouth, who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who motions with his fingers, in whose heart is perverseness, who devises evil continually, who always sows discord. Therefore his calamity will come suddenly. He will be broken suddenly, and that without remedy” (Proverbs 6:12-15, WMB).
Consider this admonition, and realize that it is finger pointers who are most often the ones who cause contention. In the immediate verses following, the Lord listed some of the main things He hated:
“There are six things which the LORD hates; yes, seven which are an abomination to him: arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers” (Proverbs 6:16-19, WMB).
Is it possible that in the context of describing a wicked and worthless person who is always pointing fingers, the things which are abominable to the Lord are often the negative, personal characteristics traits of the actual finger pointer? Instead of finger pointing and spreading strife and contention with the tongue, the Book of Proverbs actually provides a much better usage for fingers. Here in a passage which has been traditionally used in Judaism to help emphasize the need to wrap tefillin or phylacteries,[11] it is suggested that instead of pointing with fingers, the faithful should bind God’s commandments upon their fingers:
“My son, keep my words. Lay up my commandments within you. Keep my commandments and live! Guard my teaching as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers [qashreim al-etzbe’oteykha]. Write them on the tablet of your heart” (Proverbs 7:1-3, WMB).
Here, God’s people are instructed to keep His words and treasure His commandments in order to live in harmony. Are these words not the very words which originate directly from the finger of God? The instruction here is to keep these His words as the “apple of your eye,” or to let God’s Law be the filter through which you observe everything you do in life. And, if it takes one going through the regular discipline of binding tefillin on your fingers, do it so that you will be reminded to inscribe His commandments into your own heart and mind!
The Finger of God and His Kingdom
When Yeshua asserted, “But if I by God’s finger cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come to you” (Luke 11:20, WMB), He did not choose His words aimlessly. He knew that evidence of the Father’s abilities and sovereignty was demonstrated by Himself as Son. Yeshua surely knew that the finger of God had been used to write the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone, and what the Book of Proverbs had to say about the misuse or abuse of one’s finger. When Yeshua declared that He exercised demons by the finger of God—and that it was appropriate evidence that the Kingdom of God had manifested itself—the Lord executed proper judgment by His use of the finger.
Yeshua’s continuing instruction remarked about the need for strong, properly equipped people of God, to powerfully protect and guard their homesteads and possessions (Luke 11:18-23). These words can be understood on various spiritual and physical levels. As the followers of the Most High, it is our responsibility to remain strong and vigilant to strongly protect ourselves, our families, and our local assemblies from the wiles and distractions of the enemy. We know that in the spiritual arena that we war not against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities in high places. The Apostle Paul detailed some of the specific spiritual equipment available to Believers, to maintain their strength and overcome the world forces of darkness:
“For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist [Isaiah 11:5], and having put on the breastplate of righteousness [Isaiah 59:17], and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace [Isaiah 52:7], above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation [Isaiah 59:17], and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:12-17, WMB).
After describing how “we are not contending” (RSV) or “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood” (ESV), likened unto a kind of “battle” (HCSB), Paul described a variety of key weapons which are to be employed against the Adversary. The Lord Himself was described as a Warrior who goes out to battle for His people. Isaiah 42:13 exclaims, “The LORD will go out like a mighty man. He will stir up zeal like a man of war. He will raise a war cry. Yes, he will shout aloud. He will triumph over his enemies” (WMB). Psalm 35:1-3 says, “Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help. Brandish the spear and block those who pursue me. Tell my soul, ‘I am your salvation’” (WMB). Part of being an imitator of God (Ephesians 5:1) is going out and joining the fight against evil! The various elements of the armor of God are derived directly from the Tanakh (OT):
Girded Loins and the Breastplate of Righteousness:
“but he will judge the poor with righteousness, and decide with equity for the humble of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips he will kill the wicked. Righteousness will be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his waist” (Isaiah 11:4-5, WMB).
“He put on righteousness as a breastplate…” (Isaiah 59:17, WMB).
Feet Shod with the Gospel of Peace:
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (Isaiah 52:7, WMB).
Shield of Faith:
“After these things the LORD’s word came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward’” (Genesis 15:1, WMB).
“For you will bless the righteous. LORD, you will surround him with favor as with a shield…As for God, his way is perfect. The LORD’s word is tried. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him…The LORD is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank him” (Psalm 5:12; 18:30; 28:7, WMB).
Helmet of Salvation[12]
“…a helmet of salvation on his head…” (Isaiah 59:17, WMB).[13]
The analogies of girded loins or belt for protection, a chest covering breastplate, appropriate protective shoes, a shield, a helmet, and a sword, all suggest that the struggle God’s people are to endure is interminable warfare going from battle to battle. The implied fact that the faithful soldier of God can utilize His truth, His righteousness, the gospel of peace, personal faith, the salvation experience, and the (spoken) Word of God[14] is to give him or her great comfort. But if these spiritual weapons and tools are not employed during the frequent skirmishes, then victory over the Devil and his temptations will not be achieved. Paul elaborated on this point to the Corinthians, as he noted that within the spiritual war, Messiah followers are to take every thought captive, and see that any speculation or lofty thing raised up against God is taken down:
“For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Messiah, and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience when your obedience is made full” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6, WMB).
Ephesians 6:12-17, especially with its various intertextual references from the Tanakh Scriptures, is excellent advice to men and women of God who urgently desire to have the best protection available for defending themselves from the attacks of the spiritual forces of wickedness. If we do not possess each of these protective armaments, and even offensive weapons, then we will only find ourselves in a weakened position, which will allow the enemy to harass, attack, and render us almost completely ineffective for the Lord’s service.
The Power of the Finger
So much of what people can do with their fingers, be it throughout history or even today, can involve harsh judgment, mean-spirited accusation, or just scolding or complaining. While we often think of the classic scene of someone waving the index finger at someone else, indicating displeasure over a situation—I really would be remiss if I did not at least mention how the most widespread insulting gesture used in much of Western society is directed by the middle finger, frequently with profanity spoken.
The fingers on a person’s hands do make human beings quite different from the animals. Fingers are most often the means by which we get to demonstrate our great abilities through writing, artwork, construction, gardening, athletic activities, and many other useful things which testify of the unique skills God has blessed each of us with. Let us not be found ever misusing our fingers!
Yeshua the Messiah issued the rather severe warning, “He who is not with me is against me. He who doesn’t gather with me scatters” (Luke 11:23, WMB). The objective of the Adversary is one of division, as Satan takes the opportunity to overwhelm those who do not protect themselves from his attacks and temptation. Surely, if one does not gather with the Messiah, and is accomplishing more in terms of dividing God’s people and causing discord, then you are opposed to Him and are responsible for the inadvertent scattering of His flock. This is not a place where any seekers of the Holy One should want to be! While there are surely legitimate reasons to be divided, such as casting people out of assemblies who bring in severe theological error or heresy, the great majority of things “God’s people” get divided over, most often concern minutiae.
Each of us needs to be fully committed in our desire to be conformed to the image of Messiah Yeshua (Romans 8:29), with His teachings and example for living permeating every aspect of our being. His example of faithfulness unto the Father should be our heartbeat and credo. It is imperative that after you have had any demons, evil spiritual forces, or just bad influences cast out of your life by the finger of God, it is critical to let this same finger of God write His commandments onto your heart, as is promised in the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27; cf. Hebrews 8:7-13; 10:14-18). It is not simply enough to see unclean spirits removed from one’s heart, if it is not followed by being filled and transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit. Yeshua’s definite warning is that demonic influences can return to people if there is not a change of behavior enacted:
“The unclean spirit, when he has gone out of the man, passes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will turn back to my house from which I came out.’ When he returns, he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first” (Luke 11:24-26, WMB).
Here, the unclean spirit cast out into “dry places” (KJV) looks for a house to occupy. So it returns to the habitation from which it was cast out, and discovering the place “swept and put in order,” it goes and gets seven other spirits, more evil than itself, and returns to further torment the one from whom it was cast. This is a terrible fate, but lamentably it can be the result of many who get delivered from demons, yet then do not let the Word of God change the way they live and how they are to obey God. A temporary deliverance from sin and evil influences is followed by a relapse and return to sin, and the person who was delivered allows the demon with its evil companions to re-enter. The person forgets or neglects to cry out and ask that he or she be filled up with the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) and His truth to fill the void.
This tragic oversight is primarily a byproduct of unbelief and a lack of faith. The great irony is that although many people often witness the almost tangible deliverance power of the finger of God and get a glimpse of His Kingdom in action, they react like the Ancient Egyptians of millennia ago. They make it a practice to harden their hearts to the requirements to cry out to the God of Israel for mercy, repenting of their evil ways, and seeing the void in their hearts filled up with faith and love provided by God’s Spirit.
The Egyptian magicians were in awe when the finger of God brought forth gnats from the ground. They knew that the God of the Hebrews was very powerful. Yet, they did not repent and cry out to Him for salvation and deliverance, and they suffered the consequences of their pride. Months later, that same finger of God wrote the Ten Words onto tablets of stone which would frame the entire Torah, and help define the instructions for living a life pleasing to Him. When the Messiah Yeshua finally arrived, He helped clarify just how potent the finger of God can be, when He cast out demons, a major evidence that the Kingdom of God has manifest itself.
May we all bind our fingers with the Word of God, and pray that the finger of God has written it upon our redeemed hearts of flesh. By so doing, perhaps He will continue to extend His mercy to us, and beckon each of us closer to the work of His Kingdom, so that in short order in all of its fullness—the Kingdom will come! May we be so blessed to see even greater works demonstrated by the finger of God in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead.
NOTES
[1] Exodus 7:14-25.
[2] Exodus 8:1-15.
[3] Exodus 8:16-20.
[4] Exodus 8:21-32.
[5] Exodus 9:1-7.
[6] Exodus 9:8-17.
[7] Exodus 9:18-35.
[8] Exodus 7:13, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 12, 34-35.
[9] Exodus 7:16; 8:1, 20f; 9:1, 13.
[10] Grk. daktulō Theou.
[11] Exodus 13:16; Deuteronomy 6:8.
Cf. Michael V. Fox, “Proverbs,” in Adele Berlin and Marc Zvi Brettler, eds., The Jewish Study Bible (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004), 1459.
[12] Cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:8.
[13] Also detailing the armor of God is Wisdom 5:17-20 in the Apocrypha:
“The Lord will take his zeal as his whole armor, and will arm all creation to repel his enemies; he will put on righteousness as a breastplate, and wear impartial justice as a helmet; he will take holiness as an invincible shield, and sharpen stern wrath for a sword, and creation will join with him to fight against the madmen” (Wisdom 5:17-20, RSV).
[14] Ephesians 6:17 employs rhēma Theou and is likely the spoken gospel message of salvation (cf. Ephesians 5:26). The principal way this is to be accomplished is obviously using the written Word of God.
