Don’t we all start out with optimistic plans? We are going to accomplish great things, be great spouses and parents, build our businesses and ever so much more. Yet, somehow, we sometimes find ourselves still single, still yelling at our kids, still working at a dead-end job struggling to make ends meet. We haven’t made the impact we hoped to on our communities, family or friends. Perhaps a Hebrew word can move us back on track.
Just before Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh, God threatens Moses for neglecting to circumcise his son. God would have terminated Moses’ career, had Moses’ wife, Tziporah, not intervened. (Exodus 4:24-26) What is going on?
We get a clue from the language used in and around this event:
…the Lord met him (Moses)
(Exodus 4:24)
… (Aaron) go into the desert to meet Moses…
(Exodus 4:27)
While there are a number of Hebrew words throughout the Bible that translate in English as, “meet,” the specific root word used here is P-G-SH. One of the tools for understanding Scripture is to note when a Hebrew word is rarely used. In those cases, we should look for similarities in the unusual appearances. P-G-SH appears only four times in the Five Books of Moses. We see it twice in our instance in Exodus and twice while Jacob is on his way to meet his brother Esau.
…when Esau my brother meets you…
(Genesis 32:18)
…what did you intend by that whole camp that I met…
(Genesis 33:8)
פ ג ש
SH ← G ← P
Thus the word P-G-SH (meet) appears in only two stories in the Torah, both of which involve a man (Jacob/Moses) on a mission, traveling with his entire family, leaving his father-in-law (Lavan/Yitro). In the midst of the journey, each man encounters a Divine being who presents a mortal threat. (In Jacob’s case, he meets the angel with whom he wrestles, Genesis 32:25-33)
Ancient Jewish wisdom tells us that Jacob did not leave Lavan’s house as promptly as he should have, to some degree from fear at confronting the terrifying Esau. Similarly, Moses, on his way to confront a frightening Pharaoh, made an unnecessary stop at a hotel. (Exodus 4:24) Even though God had promised His protection, both men delayed approaching their destiny partially out of fear of a scary personality. In each case, they end up in a life-threatening situation. The lesson to us is clear: Despite our fears, avoiding our life purpose and destiny is more dangerous than meeting it head on.
You or I may not be on the level of Jacob or Moses. God may speak to us more subtly and our missions may be on a smaller scale. Yet each and every one of us has a purpose in life, the reason for which God put us on this earth. Our path to that achievement has many milestones, each a little challenge on its own. Invariably, we face formidable challenges on our road to accomplishment. Intimidating people or frightening circumstances often stand in our way, telling us we are foolish for following our path or even threatening us if we continue to move forward. The intimidation may even come from inside ourselves!
The accounts of Jacob and Moses remind us that when we have a mission to do, we should unhesitatingly race past all obstacles to do it. Like all else in Scripture, the details of the stories and the specific words used serve as blueprints for enhancing our lives, encouraging us to courageously meet our own destinies.
adapted and reprinted from March 2013
Yes, Martin,
there is such a tool; There is more information on it in our “Income Abundance Set” but to reduce an enormously complex edifice to one layer of bricks, seek the way in which you can be the most profound service to the most people. Then learn to love doing it enough to make it your mission.
Thanks for your kind words
Cordially
RDL
Many thanks to the Lapin family for this great message.
However if one knows not where he is going (or where he should be going), the knowledge of evercomming obstacles is meaningless.
Is there any biblical tool for finding one’s life mission? So many struggle with this question these days.
Thanks for the ongoing support, great job!
Thank you for a timely message for me. Also, I enjoy reading the differences encountered when translating from Hebrew to English.
I love your CD Let Me Go. I keep it in my car to listen to it as needed. It has been a struggle to get the record of my day down. As a wife and mother I’m constantly planning ahead. I am working on making this vital step in my day – to journal succinct and routine. Thank you!!
Dear Rabbi Lapin,
I have followed your “Thought Tools” with keen interest for a good many years. As an evangelical pastor I find your insights very helpful in seeking to understand accurately what God seeks to impart of His own heart to His people.
Perhaps you explain Tziporah’s actions and words in more detail in your other available materials, but I am wondering, does she speak of her “bloody husband” in disgust or is it actually a statement of faith? If you cover this detail in another book or CD I would be interested in hearing your thoughts.
Would love to meet you and your good wife some day.
Pastor,
Derald Hunt
Always refreshing to get your weekly thought tools .
It has always amazed me how some people grab their destiny and opportunities while others hesitate to move forward. Once again, your explanation from a biblical perspective unlocks that reason.
Thank you for thought provoking ideas on a regular basis.
PS If they had taught things like this in Hebrew school I think I would have enjoyed it more!
I was thinking of asking the silly question of how do I know I’m on the right mission, but I am asuing part of that answers is in the CD. Is this assumption correct?
Louis, the answer to your question isn’t the focus of the CD but there is a discussion of what you should NOT be aiming for. The CD is more focused on overcoming the obstacles that stop us from moving forward.