I study the Torah every year using the teaching tools of Scripture. (Why?)
Today is the 15th Sabbath of the annual Torah cycle: parashah (Torah portion) Bo / Come, Exo 10:1-13:16. Read Exodus 10:1-13:16 at Bible Gateway.
This week’s Torah portion forms numerous smaller and larger, and many overlapping, chaistic structures. In addition, a larger chiastic structure is finished in this week’s portion which began with the first verse of Exodus:
Exo 1:1-12:42
1a) Exo 1:1-7, Israel began their sojourn in Egypt;
1b) Exo 1:8-6:9, Egypt plagues Israel;
1c) Exo 6:10-7:2, Moses commanded to meet with Pharaoh and tell him YHVH’s demand;
central axis) Exo 7:3-5, YHVH will glorify His name;
2c) Exo 7:6-13, Moses meets with Pharaoh;
2b) Exo 7:14-12:36, YHVH plagues Egypt;
2a) Ex0 12:37-42, Israel ceased their sojourn in Egypt.
Some of the other interesting chiastic structures within this parashah preach the gospel of grace by faith from Torah in interesting ways:
Exo 12:1-13:16
1a) Exo 12:1-28
1) Exo 12:1-20 (p), Passover + Unleavened Bread instruction;
2) Exo 12:21-25, The LORD will pass through the strike the Egyptians + observe this ordinance forever;
3) Exo 12:26-28 (s), When your children ask you what this service means;
1b) Exo 12:29-36 (p), Final plague: death of the firstborn;
1c) Exo 12:37-42 (p), Israel ceased their sojourn in Egypt;
central axis) Exo 12:43-50 (s), The ordinance of the Passover;
2c) Exo 12:51 (p), YHVH brought Israel out of Egypt;
2b) Exo 13:1-2, Consecrate the firstborn of both man and beast to YHVH;
2a) Exo 13:3-16
1) Exo 13:3-8, Ordinance of Unleavened Bread;
2) Exo 13:9-13, You shall keep this ordinance year by year + the Law of the Firstborn;
3) Exo 13:14-16 (p), When your son asks you what this means.
Exo 13:1-16 (p + p)
1a) Exo 13:1-2, Consecrate to Me the firstborn of man and beast, it is Mine;
1b) Exo 13:3a Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt + for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out;
1c) Exo 13:3b, No unleavened bread shall be eaten;
1d) Exo 13:4, On this day in the month of Abib you are going out;
1e) Exo 13:5a, When the LORD brings you into the Land
central axis) Exo 13:5b, Which He swore to your fathers to give you;
2e) Exo 13:5c, A land flowing with milk and honey;
2d) Exo 13:5d, You shall keep this service in this month;
2c) Exo 13:6-7, Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread;
2b) Exo 13:8-10 (p), Memorial + with a strong hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt + therefore keep this ordinance;
2a) Exo 13:11-16 (p), Ordinance of the firstborn.
Exo 13:9-16
1a) Exo 13:9, Marked on hand and forehead + by strength of hand the LORD brought us out;
1) Exo 13:9a, Sign on your hand + memorial between your eyes + Law may be in your mouth;
2) Exo 13:9b, For with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt;
1b) Exo 13:10, You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year;
1c) Exo 13:11, When the LORD brings you into the Land as He swore to you and your fathers, to give it to you;
1d) Exo 13:12, The firstborn males shall be set apart and sacrificed to the LORD;
1e) Exo 13:13a, Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb;
central axis) Exo 13:13b, If you will not redeem it, you will break its neck;
2e) Exo 13:13c, All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem;
2d) Exo 13:14a, When your son asks you in time to come, what this is, you shall say;
2c) Exo 13:14b, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage;
2b) Exo 13:15, The LORD killed all the firstborn in Egypt + therefore I observe the ordinance of the firstborn;
2a) Exo 13:16, Marked on hand and forehead + by strength of hand the LORD brought us out;
1) Exo 13:16a, It shall be as a sign on your hand and frontlets between your eyes;
2) Exo 13:16b, For by strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.
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