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The Text:
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9:1-4 The Eternal said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh and say to him, 'Thus says The Eternal, the God of the Hebrews: Let My people go to worship Me. For if you refuse to let them go, and continue to hold them, then the hand of The Eternal will strike your livestock in the fields--the horses, the asses, the camels, the cattle, and the sheep--with a very severe pestilence. But The Eternal will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of the Egyptians, so that nothing shall die of all that belongs to the Israelites."
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The Context:
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Moses comes to understand his role in leading the Israelite people from slavery to redemption. With his brother Aaron by his side as spokesman, Moses confronts Pharaoh. Moses receives confirmation before the people of God's power in the form of the first plague. Pharaoh continues to change his mind about letting the Israelites go and God continues to bring down new plagues upon Egypt.
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What it Means for Advocates:
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Every five years, the United States Congress passes the Farm Bill. This bill is the primary food and agricultural implement of the federal government. Dealing with anything related to the scope of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), farm subsidies, food stamps, food safety, and environmental concerns are some of the domains of this bill. Do you know what is included in the most recent Farm Bill or what is happening about reauthorization for a new bill? (You can find out through this link). The Torah describes an agricultural disaster. In recent history, do you know of such a disaster? Was it in the United States or abroad? How did or didn’t you hear about this disaster? What was the last meal that you ate? Do you know from where the components came? How would the present legislation, the most recent bill or the one currently in formation effect those components? Get involved. Do some research and contact your representatives about the Farm Bill and learn their position.
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