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Last Shabbat, after God instructed the children of Israel to gather double manna on the sixth day, He said that on the following day, which is Shabbat, there would be none. But some of the Israelites couldn't stand it, so they went out to gather, and they found none. And God questioned them by saying: "How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws?" So the children of Israel rested on the Shabbat.
The next chapter, they still complained and contended with Moshe, asking for water to drink. Then God told him to strike the rock in Horeb, and he did.
After that, through the leadership of Joshua, they fought against the Amalekites in Rephidim. Moshe stood on the top of the hill and used the rod of God. Every time he raised his hand, they prevailed. When he put down his hand, the Amalekites prevailed. Moshe grew tired, but Aaron and Hur helped him to keep his hands steady. As a result, Joshua defeated the Amalekites.
This Shabbat, our Torah portion has three chapters. Chapter 18 deals with the visitation and advice of Jethro to Moshe. The news quickly reached Jethro about how God brought the Israelites out from the land of Egypt through Moshe. Together with his daughter Zipporah and his grandchildren Gershom and Eliezer, they visited Moshe in the wilderness, where he was encamped at the mountain of God.
On the next day, Jethro witnessed how Moshe judged the children of Israel from morning to evening without any helper. He told Moshe that it was not good for him to be alone. Jethro’s visit was not an accident. God allowed it for a special purpose, and that was to give Moshe advice on how to deal with God’s people.
Jethro was not only concerned with Moshe but with the Israelites as well. Verse 18 says: “Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.” So he told Moshe to select able men from all the people, particularly God-fearing men, men of truth, hating covetousness (see also 1 Timothy 3:1–7), and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. Surprisingly, the Hebrew word for “able” is khayil, which means “strength, ability, efficiency, wealth, force, army.” These men or elders had special purposes like Jethro, for they would be Moshe’s strength—men with the ability to help him in judging and teaching the children of Israel.
Jethro, a priest from Midian, knew that his son-in-law would one day be gone. His concern was who would follow Moshe as leader. For the nation of Israel had to continue their journey—not only toward the Promised Land, but also in their journey of faith and obedience to the God of their forefathers. They needed someone who would guide, teach, disciple, and help them discover their purpose for the next generation.
Now in chapter 19, we see the special purpose of the children of Israel. God told Moshe to tell the people that they needed to obey God's voice and keep His covenant. And if they did:
They would be a special treasure to God above all people.
The Hebrew word for “special treasure” is segulla, meaning “valued property, possession.”
Going back to Exodus 6:7 where God said: “I will take you as My people, and I will be your God.”
Here, God is speaking to Israel as a husband taking a bride. Psalm 135:4 also says:
“For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His special treasure.”-
They would be a kingdom of priests.
“Kingdom” (mamlaka) means dominion or reign.
“Priest” (kohen) means “principal officer” or “chief ruler.”
Israel would be God’s representative to bring the nations closer to Him.
Revelation 21:9–21 reveals the New Jerusalem with its twelve gates named after the twelve tribes, and the precious stones reflecting the High Priest’s breastplate—signifying Israel’s identity as God’s treasured priesthood. -
They would be a holy nation.
“Holy” (kadosh) means “set apart.”
Since God is holy, Israel must reflect His holiness.
That is why God gave the Torah in chapter 20—as their guide, mirror, and help for righteous living.
Notice in verse 1: “And God spoke all these words, saying.”
We are familiar with the phrase “Ten Commandments,” but it should be Aseret HaDevarim, “the Ten Words.”
“Davar” means “speech, talk, saying”—this is why God begins by saying He is the One who brought them out of Egypt, therefore they must have no other gods before Him.
Another thing: HaDevarim is a covenant.
Exodus 34:28 CJB:
“(Adonai) wrote on the tablets the words of the Covenant, the ten words.”
To connect the three chapters:
Jethro (a Gentile) was used by God to instruct Moshe to choose able men as helpers.
Then in chapter 19, God assembled Israel to tell them that if they obey and keep His covenant, they will be His treasure, His priests, and His holy nation.
And the Ten Words reveal how to live out this purpose.
Holiness is not a title, it is a calling lived out in obedience.
Exodus 19:5
“If you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My treasured possession.”
Are you living like God’s treasured possession, or merely like someone passing through life without distinction?
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In the Haftarah, my understanding is that the prophet Isaiah was prophesying about the special purpose of Messiah Yeshua. But Yeshua Himself is the One speaking here. To support this, let me share Isaiah 11:1–2 NKJV as the prophecy that says:
“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.”
These verses help us understand how Yeshua can fulfill His special purposes in Isaiah 61:1–2:
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To preach good tidings to the poor and heal the brokenhearted;
To proclaim liberty to captives and the opening of the prison to those bound —
Yeshua has the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, and might (Isa. 11:2). -
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, the day of vengeance of God, and to comfort all who mourn —
Yeshua has the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD (Isa. 11:2).
Only Messiah Yeshua is capable of fulfilling this.
Isaiah then shifts from Messiah’s mission to the restored identity and calling of God’s people. Through the work of the Anointed One:
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They become oaks of righteousness (v. 3)
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They rebuild ancient ruins (v. 4)
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Outsiders serve them (v. 5)
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And they become priests and ministers of Adonai (v. 6)
This is a radical reversal of Israel’s suffering. The stranger tending Israel’s vineyards is not superiority — it is restoration to God’s original intention:
Israel was never meant to be enslaved by the nations;
Israel was meant to be a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6).
When Messiah reigns in the Millennium, God’s people will finally walk in this identity.
Scriptures and translations highlight this restoration beautifully:
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“You will feed on the wealth of nations.” (CJB)
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“The treasures of the nations will belong to them.” (CEV)
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“Their former glory will be yours.” (NCB)
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“Foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers.” (TLB)
Even for us who are “grafted in,” the Apostolic Writings confirm the same calling to serve Adonai in holiness, empowered by Messiah.
1 Thessalonians 5:9–10 (CJB)
Romans 8:29–30 (VOICE)
Both passages show that God’s intention is for His people to be conformed to Messiah, living as His servants.
Charles Spurgeon said:
“If we live up to our privileges… men shall see that we are set apart for holy service, and shall name us the priests of the Lord.”
The world will only recognize you as God’s priest when you begin living as if He is truly your King.
Is your life proclaiming the kingdom of YHVH or a different kingdom?
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Our Apostolic portion fulfills the Haftarah. On the Shabbat, Yeshua went to the synagogue and He declared the accomplishment of Isaiah 61:1–2. That is why in verse 21 He said:
“Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Being called for a special purpose is the connection of Parasha 59.
In the Torah, God called Israel to be His special treasure, priests, and holy nation.
In the Haftarah and Apostolic writings, Yeshua reveals His own special purpose—and He fulfilled it as He read the Scripture on the Shabbat day.
So what do you think your purpose in life is? Have you found it already? According to Austine Ikeru, a journalist and professional blogger:
“A life without purpose is a life without meaning, and a life without meaning is a life without hope, and a life without hope is a worthless life."
Each of us has a unique purpose, and part of our purpose is to fear God and obey Him.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 NLT
“Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone’s duty.”
Purpose begins where obedience starts.
Micah 6:8 — “What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God?”
Will you keep waiting for purpose to find you, or will you begin walking in obedience so that your purpose can be revealed?
As we step back and look at the Torah, Haftarah, and Apostolic portions together, a unified message emerges:
God calls His people to Himself so they can fulfill His covenant purpose for them.
All three portions declare that God’s people are:
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Called (Torah: delivered and provided for),
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Anointed (Haftarah: restored and empowered), and
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Sent (Apostolic: shaped to serve like Yeshua).
This is our identity:
We are Called for Covenant Purpose.
Going back to my introduction, our purpose is not defined by fame or human recognition, but by God’s calling for your life:
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Trust God and rely on Him for guidance and provision.
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Receive Messiah’s anointing and be empowered to live out your calling.
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Serve others faithfully and reflect God’s love and priestly ministry in daily life.
When you align your life with God’s covenant purpose, your life will leave an eternal mark, not just in memory, but in the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom through you.
Your purpose is not discovered by what you achieve, but by whom you serve and how faithfully you walk in His calling.
Shabbat Shalom,
Topher
Sources:
blueletterbible
ancient-hebrew.org
dorshav.typepad.com
myjewishlearning.com
jewishawareness.org
bethmelekh.com
reformjudaism.org
thetorah.com
cbnisrael.org
jtsa.edu
The MacArthur Study Bible
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