B.

Scott 2/10/12

Yitro 2012
This weeks Torah Portion is one of the select few that is named after an individual! So from the very start we have a flag that waves and beckons us to look closer! It is titled Yitro Jethro after Moshehs father-in-law and covers Exodus 18:1 20:23. Its within this portion that we have some of the most well known commandments, the Ten Commandments and the beginning of the wedding ceremony that takes place at Mt. Sinai! Its within these chapters that we are given very specific details about the order and the process of how to properly approach Yahweh without bringing harm to ourselves. It behooves us to understand the events of this portion because this is the foundation of our Covenant and relationship with the Creator! Exodus 18:1 2 Jethro: Strongs #3503 Yithrow his abundance; from #3499 yether remainder, excess, rest, remnant, excellence; from the root #3498 yathar to be left over, remain, remain over, leave; his name is also connected with the meaning of a cord, rope, or something hanging over or down, such as the cords used when pitching a tent *Its here within this name and these root words that we are given an understanding of what a remnant is from Yahwehs viewpoint! Isaiah 10:21 The remnant shall return, [even] the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty Elohim. Jeremiah 23:3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. The existence of a remnant comes about from the idea that something cant be exterminated, that there is more than enough, and that leads to the connections with abundance. Yet its also connected to the terms meaning rope or cord something that binds and holds together. And its from these definitions that it seems to point towards the most fundamental idea of the Biblical remnant (the remnant that will be regathered and return) is a designated selection that holds and binds the house together in other words bringing unity to the house! The role of the remnant is to bring unity to the house! *Breaking the name Jethro apart = prefix - He will, to search out, suffix His He will search out what is His, this remnant gathering in unity that cant be cut off is promised to be searched out by Yahweh! Here in this portion, Jethro/Yitro is specifically mentioned as being from Midian. Midian: Strongs #4080 Midyan strife, contention, division; 1

breaking it apart my garment & suffix = to diminish, make small; one who seeks to diminish and make small the garment through strife and division! *It is in the face of strife and division that the remnant is to excel above this and bind the house together in unity! Mark 3:25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. Divided: Strongs #3307 merizo to divide, separate; gematria = 962, the same as the phrase in Hebrew For ever, O Yahweh, thy Word is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89) And the same as Thou art clothed with honor and majesty (Psalm 104:1) *Notice the connection to a garment/piece of clothing and the Word of Yahweh! The division of this will cause the house to be unable to stand! Now that we have an understanding of the role of the remnant during this last days and the significance that it plays, we must ask ourselves how do we accomplish this? How can we bring unity to the house in the face of strife? And what is this garment that is diminished by contention in the camp? The clues begin to unfold as we continue to read! Here in chapter 18 we read of individuals being set up to help judge the camp of Israel (this is Yitros advice to Mosheh). Later in Numbers and Deuteronomy when these same people are referred to there are 2 terms used to describe those that were appointed to these positions. Deuteronomy 16:18 Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which Yahweh thy Elohim giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment. *They are to be positioned at the gates! Gates: Strongs #8179 shaar gate; its closely related to the word that is also used for remnant in addition to yether, #7604 shaar to remain, be left over, be left behind, a remnant (this is the word used in Jeremiah & Isaiah). There is an intricate connection between being part of the remnant that is gathered and brings unity to the house and sitting at the gates! Judges: Strongs #8199 shaphat to judge, govern, vindicate, punish Officers: Strongs #7860 shoter official, officer, a scribe; from the unused root meaning to write (*It is at the gates that the Torah is written Deut. 6:9) Both of these terms contain the root = a defection, a revolt; added to this is the of shaphat/judges & the of shoter/officers the fruit of our lips *Its at the gates where the remnant is found those who at one time had 2

been involved in defection and revolt (scattered) now make the Torah (that which is written here) the fruit of their lips the Torah is proclaimed forth releasing the Word/Seed of Yahweh! And it is the Torah that is the garment that unites the house together! Any that bring strife into the house are diminishing the garment of the Torah and are excluding themselves from the remnant! Exodus 19:1 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they [into] the wilderness of Sinai. The 3rd month = the month of Sivan: Strongs #5510 Ciyvan their covering (*Further connecting the covering/garment and the Torah, this term is used only once in Esther 8:9 and its referencing the time when the scribes were called to write!) Plus it is at this point that they are given the Covenant/Torah! *Gematria of Yitro = 616, same as HaTorah the Torah, the remnant are those under the covering/garment of Torah! This is the 17th portion of the year and the 5th portion of the book of Exodus/Shemot. Both of these numbers continue to elaborate on the garment/covering that the yether/remnant is under and what unites the house! 17 = Joseph was 17 years old when he received the coat of many colors, the highly esteemed garment that marked him as the one operating under the blessing and authority of the first born! The 1st reference of the root of Yitro, yether (#3499) is in reference to Reuben, the physical first born of Jacob yet lost this right by defiling his fathers couch. Genesis 49:3 Reuben, thou [art] my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency (yether) of dignity, and the excellency (yether) of power: Following the same pattern of the Bride who has defiled the place of intimacy, lost the highly esteemed garment (Adam & Eve in the Garden) but now, if she comes to the gates, if she comes to the place where it can be written upon/cover her again she can once again be the excellency of dignity and power! 17th letter = the mouth this is accomplished by changing the fruit of your lips! 17 is also the number of years that Jacob spends in Egypt there are two options for the house in the days ahead, choose to cause strife and division, diminishing the garment and therefore remain in Egypt, or choose to allow Torah to be the fruit of our lips and receive our covering at Sinai! 5 = representing the breath, light, and Word of Yahweh the proper covering! This letter was added to Abraham and Sarahs names when they joined in covenant and came up under the garment/covering.

17 + 5 = 22 the number of letters of the Hebrew Alephbet! Once again pointing towards the restoration of the Hebrew language, the language of Torah to the house causes the fruit of our lips to be changed and marks us as the remnant/yether! 22 is also the gematria of yachad (#3161) to join, unite, be joined, be united remember the purpose/role of the remnant is to unite the house? The way this is accomplished is when the language is restored and we come under the proper covering of the garment of Torah! Now back to looking at Jethro throughout chapter 18, Jethro is mentioned as the father-in-law of Mosheh 12 times (As a side note, 17 5 = 12 further connecting the remnant and these numbers)! Father-in-Law: Strongs #2859 chathan to become a father-in-law, give ones daughter in marriage; in Arabic this same root means to circumcise or cut off, the place of circumcision *The sages teach that the way Joseph revealed himself to his brothers (once again uniting the 12) was that he revealed his circumcision the pattern is set for this being the means for the remnant to be regathered and unified again, by the circumcision of our hearts and flesh! The term chathan is spelled with the same letters as #2860 chathan bridegroom, husband & the term for father-in-law/chathan is the root of both this word for bridegroom as well as #2861 chathunnah wedding, marriage the whole climax and purpose of the portion is leading up to the wedding/marriage that takes place at Sinai when Israel is presented before the Bridegroom! By putting these pieces together, we now realize as well that the remnant in the end that is gathered is being brought to this same position. We have the choice to come under the Bridegrooms covering (the Torah) and be unified as we allow our hearts to be circumcised and the fruit of our lips to be His Word, or we can choose to diminish the garment and cause strife in the camp! In this portion very specific instructions are given to Israel concerning their preparation for meeting the Bridegroom! These same instructions apply to us as well as we sit at the gates preparing for this same encounter. Its right here in the Hebrew language that we have revealed to us why its so important to be under this covering and not have the garment diminished! Exodus 19:9 And Yahweh said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto Yahweh. Thick: Strongs #5645 ab darkness, cloud, thicket; also an architectural term referring to thresholds or steps; the threshold covenant or crossing over the threshold is always symbolic of entering into a marriage covenant for eternity! But what is the significance of the association with steps? *Exodus 20:26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar,

that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon. Nakedness: Strongs #6172 ervah nakedness, shame; from #6168 arah to be bare, uncover, empty used in the Torah referring to a womans menstrual flow being exposed her niddah condition Discovered: Strongs #1540 galah to uncover, remove, depart, go into exile; when this term (galah) is used with ervah are used together like they are here concerning walking up steps its a common euphemism for intimacy, but one outside of marriage! Yet when the term ervah is used with the word kasah (meaning to cover) it forms a common idiom for entering into a marriage contract! And remember that this is taking place during the month of Sivan their covering and the whole portion has been teaching us of how take on the garment! Now we can understand the significance of being one who brings unity to the house under the covering of Torah because this is the garment that allows us to enter into our marriage covenant for all eternity with our Bridegroom! It enables you to be part of the remnant that crosses the threshold, ascends the steps at Sinai! However, those who cause strife and division in the camp, they have diminished the garment, meaning their niddah condition is exposed and they are unable to cross the threshold instead of being gathered they depart into exile! Amos 5:15 Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that Yahweh Elohim of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph. Establish: Strongs #3322 yatsag to place, set, establish; he represented, he presented himself, to be introduced Gematria = 103, same as #5926 illeg speaking inarticulately, stammering, the inability to speak clearly *The way to hate evil and love good (especially during days when evil is called good and good is called evil Isaiah 5:20) and therefore receive the favor of Yahweh and be part of His remnant is to present yourself, to be represented, set and established at the gates where one who stammers and is unable to speak has the judgments/Torah placed upon their mouth making the fruit of their lips pleasing unto Him!