Parasha #53: Ha’ azinu (Hear) D’varim (Deuteronomy) 32:1-52
Halftarah Ha’azinu: Sh’mu’el Bet (2 Samuel) 22: 1-51
B’rit Hadashah: Romans 10:14-21; 12:14-21; Messianic Jews (Hebrews) 12:28-39
This Parasha contains “The Poem (Song) of Moshe.” The poem begins by giving a basic overview concerning B’nai Yisrael’s behavior, from the Exodus until the inheritance of land. Then moving into the future, it describes what will happen when the nation becomes too comfortable in the Land. Because of their sins, G-d will remove Himself from the people and let them fend for themselves. In the end however, G-d will come to rescue His nation from the clutches of its enemies. Moshe begins by praising G-d then asks the people how they have the audacity to rebel against Him.
When referring to their punishment, G-d says that He will send a goy nahval, a non-believing nation.” In all other places that G-d says that He will send a nation to punish B’nai Yisrael, there is ho mention of the word “non-believing” to describe that nation. Why is this phrase used here?
The word “non-believing” is used to describe a nation whose driving force is to prove to the world that there is no G-d. Everything it does, focuses on that issue.
The reason this type of nation is used in this case is because of the unique sin committed here. Unlike previous times, when the nation sins because they leave G-d’s path, here, Moshe predicts, “They will not believe in G-d.”
If that is true, then G-d’s punishment makes a great deal of sense. If B’nai Yisrael will sin by denying G-d’s existence, then G-d will send a nation that also doesn’t believe in Him to wipe them out.
Towards the end of the poem, Moshe tells B’nai Yisrael that G-d will say, “Now look, for I am He…I can kill or let live. I can crush and I can cure…”
It is only when these words are engraved in our minds that we can be assured that G-d will never leave our side.
What was G-d’s last reminder to Moshe? Moshe is told to go up to Mt Nevo where he will die. He will not enter into the Land because he hit the rock (A Type of Yahshua). Moshe had rejected the will of G-d and did not sanctify Him among the people and as a result was not permitted into the Land.
Sages Wisdom:
“All His ways are just.” (32:4)
The foundation of Judaism is the knowledge that all of G-d’s ways are just, even if we don’t understand them. We must not behave like children who think the doctor is cruel when he gives them medicine or that their parents are mean if they punish them.
When the Hafetz Haim once asked someone how he was doing, the man replied that it couldn’t hurt to be a better. The Hafetz Haim said, “How do you know it wouldn’t hurt? G-d is merciful. He knowsbetter than you do what’s good for you and what will harm you.”
“He and Hoshea the son of Nun.” (32:44)
Why is Yehoshua’s old name, Hoshea , used here? To show us that even though Moshe was introducing the nation as it new leader, Yehoshua felt that he had not changed, and was still unworthy as ever to lead the nation. This is a type of humility that leaders should aspire to today.
As Messianic Believers we also see another reason for the name change as Yehoshua was a type of the Messiah and even bore His name.
Something to think about:
1. Why does Moshe end his speech with such negative imagery and visions?
2. In 32:7 it says to remember the good old days and ask your fathers and elders about them. But didn’t the generation of the desert already die out? So who was there to ask?
3. In 32:32 Moshe talks about Sodom and Amora. What connection do these two cities have with what Moshe is telling B’nai Yisrael?
Halftarah connection:
2 Samuel 22:1-51
Our Parsha consists of Moshe’s last poem of praise to G-d., “before going to meet his Maker.” In the Halftarah, we read of a song sung by King David in praise G-d, after G-d had delivered him from his enemies.
Gematria:
Ha’azeenu ha’shamayim va’adabayra (Listen and heavens and I will speak) 32:1
Moshe tells the heavens to listen while he speaks. The numeric value of the words ha’sahamayim va’adabayra is 613, the number of commandments stated in the Torah.
This is to tell us we have to listen to the 613 commandments.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Davis