Yeshua's Light

"And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been, nor ever shall be again. But against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast, not a dog shall growl; that you may know that the L-rd makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel." Ex.11.5-8

What does it mean when this text says that the L-rd will make a "distinction" between the Egyptians and Israel? Does He really choose sides? We do not think so, but we do sincerely believe He cares about our hearts and where it is. Even John the Baptist warned the scribes and the Pharisees that, "G-d is able from these very stones to raise up children of Av'raham", Matt.3.9.

As we look back into the story of the Exodus, we find a little further on we find a requisite on those who homes were on affected by this plague for He said:

"For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will smite all the first born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgements: I am the L-rd. The blood shall be a sign for you, upon the houses where you are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall fall upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt." Gen.12.12-13

And later it says,

"A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very many cattle, both flocks and herds." Gen.12.38

A Jew isn't restricted to only those who share the blood of our father Av'raham, but rather one who prays and believes in the G-d of Av'raham Yitzak and Yaakov. It is as John the Baptist stated about those fruits that "bear fruits that befit repentance", Lk.3.8, for as our Moshiach also said, "everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin, the slave does not continue in the house forever; the son continues for ever", Jn.8.34-35.

Pesach is the first Mitzvah HaShem taught the multitude of His children. Then as they traveled through the wilderness, He used the giving of manna to teach them to keep Shabbos, Ex.16.4-7, 22-30. If all Jews keep Shabbos, why did our fathers have to be taught this great Mitzvah again? The answer is they did not really know Shabbos, circumcision, Purity, the New Year, etc… at all, but they kept as a whole Egypt's customs and they looked like any other Egyptian slaves. Therefore HaShem, who measures the heart, commanded them all who call themselves by His Name to keep Pesach. Thus only those who willingly accepted His ways were considered Israelites. Consider that even ALL those in each house even the beasts, and the dogs (Goyim) would not make a sound, even a growl, because HaShem was with them and they were Israel.

May we never forget that it is not our birthright, but rather our hearts that we give unto Him that counts!