Bo “Come"
Exodus 10:1–13:16
Jeremiah 46:13–28
John 12-16

The First Instruction

In the midst of reading through the plagues of Egypt and the war between Moses and Pharaoh, it is all too easy to miss a very important instruction to the Hebrews. In fact it is really the first instruction they are to receive as a perpetual instruction to be observed throughout the ages.

Look carefully at Exodus 12:2 and we will find this first of the 613 instructions. The first instruction to the people is not about sacrifices, diet or even Shabbat. The first instruction is to look for the New Moon and begin their yearly calendar with its sighting. It sounds like such a simple thing and almost meaningless within the story, but this instruction sets the stage for so much. With its sighting they will then determine the time for the Feasts. With its sighting they will forever be reminded of who they are and their purpose for being.

Why did HaShem begin with the moon and not the sun? The moon is of course associated with the night – a time God has given us to rest. The sun is associated with the day – the time we are to work. In this very simple, yet so meaningful instruction to the Hebrews and, by the way, to us today, we find a pattern for our very lives. HaShem is saying to those who have ears to hear that we are to begin everything we do by first resting in Him. We are to walk by resting in faith, which will then prepare us for the work that lies ahead. He is saying to us that no matter what is happening around us, whether it be plagues or shofars of judgment, we can rest in His plans and purposes for us all.

The message of the New Moon is an excellent way to approach the whole of Torah because of its message of rest. When we approach the 613 commands of Torah in our own strength it is like putting the sun first. We start to see Torah through the blinding light and burning heat of the sun and our own works. It becomes overwhelming to us, too large of a task. It becomes unapproachable and we turn away. When we look through the message of the Moon we see something far different. We first see that we are to be a reflection of Him. We see that in our own strength we are but a piece of dust that has no meaning in itself. Our purpose is only brought forth when in humility we rest in who we are, in what He has done in us and we allow His light to shine forth from us.

The New Moon can teach us so much about how to walk out the other instructions of God. When we keep its message first, it will teach us many things. It will teach us to always keep an attitude of humility for we understand that the light we reflect is but a reflection and we have no light of our own. It teaches us to always look unto HaShem as our source for all things. It tells us that our relationship with our creator must begin by resting in Him and this resting in Him will produce the works, which bring further glory to His name. If we ponder long enough it will even teach us that just as the moon revolves around the earth it allows the earth to get in the way of the suns light and it's reflection is diminished. The message? Never allow man and his teachings, traditions and ways to get in the way of the source of your light.