From Promises to Power

Parashat Va’era: “I Am the L-RD”

Knowing the G-D Who Redeems

Torah: Exodus 6:2–9:35Haftarah: Ezekiel 28:25–29:21 Brit Chadashah: Romans 9:14–17; Revelation 15–16

Parashat Va’era opens with a divine declaration:

“I am ADONAI. I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as El Shaddai, but by My Name ADONAI I was not fully known to them.”— Exodus 6:2–3

The patriarchs knew G-D as the Promise-Maker.Israel in Egypt would come to know Him as the Promise-Keeper.

The Name ADONAI (יְהוָה) is connected to faithfulness, covenant, and redemption. This is not just theology—it is lived reality. The Israelites would soon witness G-D’s power through the plagues, deliverance, and the birth of a redeemed nation.

Yet before freedom comes, things get harder.

Moses brings G-D’s message to Pharaoh. Instead of relief, Israel receives more oppression. This is a familiar pattern for many of us. Obedience does not always bring immediate comfort—but it always moves us toward redemption.

The Four Promises of Redemption

In Exodus 6:6–7, G-D gives Israel four powerful promises:

1. “I will bring you out” – Hotzeiti (הוֹצֵאתִי)

2. “I will deliver you” – Hitzalti (הִצַּלְתִּי)

3. “I will redeem you” – Ga’alti (גָּאַלְתִּי)

4. “I will take you to be My people” – Lakachti (לָקַחְתִּי)

These are the foundations of the Passover seder and to the four cups of redemption.

For Messianic believers, these promises point directly to Yeshua, our Redeemer:

• He brings us out of bondage

• He delivers us from sin

• He redeems us by His blood

• He makes us G-D’s people

¹³ The Messiah redeemed us from the curse pronounced in the Torah by becoming cursed on our behalf; for the Tanakh says, “Everyone who hangs from a stake comes under a curse.”— Galatians 3:13

Redemption is not only historical—it is personal.

Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart

Throughout Va’era, Pharaoh’s heart becomes increasingly hardened. Sometimes the text says Pharaoh hardened his own heart; other times, G-D hardened it.

This is not G-D removing Pharaoh’s free will. It is G-D confirming the direction Pharaoh had already chosen.

The Hebrew word for harden, chazak (חָזַק), means “to strengthen or make bold.” Pharaoh’s resistance was strengthened because his heart was already set against G-D.

This serves as a warning: Repeated rejection of truth eventually leads to spiritual blindness and hardness. We become unable to hear the voice of the Ruach HaKodesh and ignore our own conscience regarding right and wrong.

Yeshua echoes this same reality:

“Whoever has, to him more will be given… but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away.”— Matthew 13:12

Signs, Wonders, and the Kingdom of G-D

The plagues were not random punishments. They were judgments against the false gods of Egypt (Exodus 12:12).

Each plague revealed something about the true G-D:

• He controls nature

• He rules over life and death

• He alone is worthy of worship

The Kingdom of G-D is not just a future hope—it is a present reality breaking into history.

Yeshua demonstrated this same Kingdom authority:

“If I cast out demons by the Spirit of G-D, then the Kingdom of G-D has come upon you.”— Matthew 12:28

Just as the plagues exposed Egypt’s false gods, Yeshua’s miracles exposed the emptiness of religious systems without true repentance and faith.

Redemption Requires Trust

Even after G-D’s promises, Scripture tells us:

“They did not listen to Moses because of their broken spirit and harsh labor.”— Exodus 6:9

Pain can make it hard to hear hope.

Yet G-D remained faithful, even when Israel struggled to believe. Redemption was not based on Israel’s strength—but on G-D’s covenant faithfulness.

This is the heart of the Gospel:

“While we were still sinners, Messiah died for us.”— Romans 5:8

A Messianic Reflection

Va’era reminds us that:

• G-D reveals Himself through action

• Redemption often begins in hardship

• The Kingdom of G-D confronts false power

• Faith grows through obedience

Just as Israel was redeemed from Egypt, we have been redeemed from sin through Yeshua the Messiah with the absolute certainty that Mashiach will rule and reign from Jerusalem.

The same G-D who said, “I am ADONAI,” still reigns today.

A Closing Prayer

Avinu Malkeinu, Faithful G-D of Israel, You revealed Your power in Egypt, And You revealed Your mercy in Messiah Yeshua.

Strengthen our faith when the journey feels heavy. Open our ears when hope seems distant. Teach us to trust in Your promises And to walk in the power of Your Kingdom.

May we live as Your redeemed people, For Your glory and Your purposes.

B’shem Yeshua HaMashiach, Amein.