Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue
Parashah #45: Va’etchanan (I pleaded) D’varim (Deuteronomy) 3:23-7:11
Haftarah: Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 40:1-26
B’rit Chadashah: Mattityahu (Matthew)22:33-40
From the standpoint of G-d’s revelation to man, the book of Deuteronomy is the most important book in the Old Testament. It is one of the most frequently cited books in the B’rit Chadashah, nearly 200 times according to the Greek New Testament.
As I taught last week, Deuteronomy was second in importance only to the Psalms in the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is proposed that this is because the Essenes considered themselves in a special covenant relationship to G-d in which obedience to G-d’s laws was a priority. Deuteronomy represents the core or foundation of what G-d revealed to Moshe to tell this new generation of Israelites who were about to enter the promised land all that was significant and crucial to not only their survival, but their ultimate welfare.
The commands, laws, and rulings given to the Israelites were given out of G-d’s love for his people, instructing them in the way to establish a vital relationship of loving obedience to G-d. Remember that love for man was initiated by G-d. As a recipient of that love, Israelites (all true believers) then and now are expected to respond with loving obedience to G-d’s commands/laws/Torah. True loving devotion to G-d stems from a heartfelt and total consecration to G-d which involves all of our being; our hearts, souls, and resources. This devotion could not be and cannot be shared or “split” between the G-d of Avraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and other gods.
It was in the book of Deuteronomy that Yahshua and the religious leaders discovered the foundational revelation to man in written form. Yahshua also made the point that this book represented the essence of all that is written in the Old Testament. With the profound import of all that is contained in the book of Deuteronomy as it relates to how we are to serve G-d and live with our fellow man, it will behoove us to carefully and prayerfully read it and pray for wisdom and understanding of all that is contained within it. The Deuteronomic instructions are paramount for the individual who is concerned about how we should express our love for G-d and our fellow human beings.
Now I refer you to Deuteronomy 4:2 that is reiterated in the book of Revelation for those who claim the Old Testament is “just for the Jews” and/or that it is historical and has no application to today. We read “In order to obey the mitzvot (commands) of Adonai your G-d which I am giving you, do not add to what I am saying, and do not subtract from it.” Revelation 22:18-19 reads “I warn everyone hearing the words of this prophecy in this book that if anyone adds to them, G-d will add to him the plagues written in this book. And if anyone takes anything away from the words in the book of this prophecy, G-d will take away his share in the Tree of Life and the holy city, as described in this book.”
Examples of violating this law of G-d abound in Christianity and rabbinic Judaism. Those who subscribe to these faith systems should carefully compare the teachings of rabbis and pastors who teach, advocate, and promote anything that is not consistent with G-d’s Torah/law/instructions. Adding to the laws of G-d would make them burdensome and to subtract from them would render them incomplete. Just three of many examples of subtracting from the Word of G-d on the Christian side is the teaching that deeds/works are no longer required of G-d for salvation, that the designated times of G-d no longer need be observed, and that dietary laws are no longer applicable. These modifications to G-d’s Word are simply not supported in either the Old Testament or the “New” Testament (Refreshed Renewed Covenant). The G-d of the Christian religion is not the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Examples of subtracting from G-d’s Torah on the rabbinic/Orthodox Judaism side include the exclusion of Isaiah 53 that clearly identifies Yahshua as the Messiah, and disregard for the entire “New” Testament which is correctly translated as “Refreshed, Renewed Covenant. Teaching in Yeshivot (Jewish study halls) that the Sages and rabbis who interpret the Oral Torah which is not the same as G-d’s Torah, have the authority to establish Jewish law (Halacha), which in some cases contradict G-d’s Torah results in omission of over half of G-d’s Torah from being taught in Orthodox Judaism.
A few examples of adding to G-d’s laws/commands found in Christianity include the Catholic manipulation of the 10 Commands of G-d: changing G-d’s Sabbath to Sunday and giving man the authority to absolve sins. Another is numerous scriptural manipulations that attempt to replace Israel with Christianity as the “New” Israel, thereby teaching a replacement theology which is not biblically supported. Adding pagan holidays such as Easter and Christmas under the guise of “loving Jesus” and just wanting to celebrate His resurrection and birth are blatant additions Yahshua taught against and who will hold those who follow these antinomian practices accountable just as described in the parashah, the entire book of Deuteronomy, and in fact, the entire Word of G-d.
A sad reality is that despite all the encouragement, admonishment, and detailed description of the blessings for following G-d’s commands, laws, and rules, and the curses for disobedience, G-d knew that after the people had been in the land for a long time, they would become corrupt and worship idols (Deut. 4:25). Although this truth was given to the Israelites and their fellow travelers at the time, this applies to everyone. Recall that Israel was made the new priesthood replacing the system of inheritance not because they are more righteous than anyone else, but because they as a people were and are to set the example for the rest of the world concerning how to relate to G-d and fellowman. Just as there have been many failures by Israelites and now Gentiles who consider themselves true believers in setting the example as we were commissioned to do, there are many examples of a remnant of people who lovingly follow G-d’s instructions.
Applying these issues to our society and world today is not difficult. In America, we have lived a long time in the land that was blessed by G-d with unfathomable resources and opportunities. Yet, it is not difficult to recall the profound changes in America’s value system that were becoming more obvious in the 1960’s. Today, America’s youth is being coopted by foreign gods and goddesses through the Internet and the educational system that promotes a complete antinomian paradigm. That is teaching secular humanistic ideals consistent with idol worship that takes many forms in addition to “the sky, sun, moon, stars, and everything in the sky (Deut. 4:19). The return of pagan deities (Ba’al, Moloch, Ishtar) and their influence on American culture and religion is described in detail by Jonathan Cahn in his book “The Return of the gods” (2022).
G-d took another step in the process of administering his commands, laws, and rulings lest the people claim they were unaware of G-d’s instructions. G-d told Moshe call all of the people together for a “review” of the laws and rulings that were previously given so that there would be no excuse for disobedience (Deut.5:1-28). If this review wasn’t sufficient, the need to follow G-d’s laws and rulings was and is reiterated in another way. In Deuteronomy 5:29, the people (and we) are told “Therefore, you are to be careful to do as Adonai your G-d has ordered you; you are not to deviate either to the right or left. You are to follow the entire way which Adonai your G-d has ordered you; so that you will live, things will go well with you, and you will live long in the land you are about to possess.”
We are given yet another warning against disobedience of G-d’s laws, instructions, and rulings in Deuteronomy Chapter 6:13 “You are to fear Adonai your G-d, serve him and swear by his name. You are not to follow other gods, chosen from the gods of the people around you; because Adonai your G-d, who is here with you, is a jealous G-d. If you do, the anger of Adonai your G-d will flare up against you and he will destroy you from the face of the earth.”
YHVH/Yahshua’s anger is just beginning to flare against America and the world for the continued antinomian behavior and worship of other gods which include those discussed in this commentary and anything else that we may place before obedience to G-d’s instructions. As much as many people choose to believe that G-d’s laws have been abrogated, let me refer you to Revelation 20:11-12 and 22:12:
“Next I saw a great white throne and the One sitting on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, both great and small, standing in front of the throne. Books were opened; and another book was opened, the Book of Life; and the dead were judged from what was written in the books, according to what they had done. The sea gave up the dead in it; and Death and Sh’ol gave up the dead in them; and they were judged, each according to what he had done.”
Revelation 22:12: “Pay attention!” [ says Yahshua] “I am coming soon, and my rewards are with me to give to each person according to what he has done.”
These scriptures make it very clear that works(deeds) are an inextricable requirement for salvation along with G-d’s grace. It is crucial for humans to realize that repentance and loving obedience stated in the seven-fold witness in the Book of Revelation is not negotiable. This fact is made clear in the Old and the “New” Testaments and is irrevocable.
One more clarification concerning what is required for salvation is described in Revelation 22:14-15: “How blessed are those who wash their robes (repent), so that they have the right to eat from the Tree of Life and go through the gates into the city! Outside are the homosexuals, those involved with the occult and drugs, the sexually immoral, murderers, idol-worshippers, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” Where do you fit into this equation?
Haftarah: Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 40:1-26
This Haftarah is generally read after the 9th of Av, a very tragic day in Israel’s history. This is a message of comfort, G-d promising to restore Israel now that “her guilt has been paid off, that she has received at the hand of Adonai double for all her sins” (Is. 40:1-2). This passage reiterates that G-d is a G-d of grace, and justice and He means what He says. His commands hold true and unchanging.
Even the “love of His life” who are the children of Israel must be punished for disobedience. This takes us back to the subject of the 9th of Av. I submit that if we look deeply enough, we will find some type of collective sin which resulted in each tragic event, even though the dates of some of these tragedies may not be accurate. The concept remains the same; tragedy follows disobedience of G-d’s Torah.
Just as G-d punishes for disobedience, He is also able and willing to forgive the repentant. Verses 10-11 describe Him coming with his reward, “gathering his lambs with his arm, carrying them against his chest, gently leading the mother sheep.” How tender is this passage and what a contrast to the horrible things that befell the Israelites in Chapter 39!
The remaining verses reflect G-d’s pleading with man to essentially “get his act together” and consider who G-d is; that He made himself known to man in the beginning and that man needs to look to heaven and consider Who created the universe rather than worshiping the created. We are admonished to humble ourselves and consider how insignificant our human efforts, governments, and wisdom are in the eyes of G-d. Indeed, the global community today would do well to consider this chapter and re-evaluate the world situation in light of what is being taught to our children, how we are living, and how we perceive ourselves in the scheme of the universe. This Haftarah provides a valuable checkpoint for believers as well to help recalculate the spiritual compass toward G-d and not in some worldly direction.
B’rit Chadashah: Mattityahu (Matthew) 22:33-40
Have you ever heard someone who has been offended in some way declare “I am going to treat ______ just like they treated me!” Yahshua clearly teaches the opposite. We are to treat others as we want to be treated; not how they treat us. How do we exhibit our love and devotion to our G-d? A good place to start is learning the fruits of the Spirit defined in Galatians5:22-3. These are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Treating others as we would like to be treated sets us apart from the human nature that initially prompts us to “get even” for bad attitudes, cheating us in business or personal affairs; not paying us back for money loaned, etc.
In this narrative, it was the Pharisees who were trying to trap Yahshua with a sh’eilah which means “question.” But among Jews speaking English it means “a question about Torah or halakhah,” usually asked of one who is expected to give an authoritative response. Yahshua referred them back to Deuteronomy 6:4-15, for in this passage, everything we are commanded to do in our relationship to G-d and man are included in these verses. We must dissect each concept; loving G-d with all our hearts, all our souls, and all our strength/resources. Within these words are the command to obey the words of G-d’s Torah, live a lifestyle worthy of a child of G-d, and to teach our children. Deut. 6:4-15 includes much more, and I encourage the reader to explore these verses for further insight concerning their meaning and why Yahshua answered the Pharisees in this way.
There is also a common misconception that just “being nice” is what Yahshua is talking about in the second mitzvah to “love your neighbor as yourself.” This in no way means that all we must do is “be nice.” If that is all it takes to make it to eternity with G-d, Yahshua would not have had to die for us; there would have been no need for a perfect sacrifice of the innocent Lamb of G-d. First, we need to figure out how the word “neighbor” is defined. Then we must realize that as hard as it may be, we are to treat them as we would like to be treated, not as they treat us. Remember, G-d is the Judge who will administer His justice and kindness accordingly for all the injustices we suffer in this life as well as the ones we cause. This concept is reiterated in Romans 12: 14-21 reads as follows: “Bless those who persecute you-bless them, don’t curse them! … Repay no one evil for evil but try to do what everyone regards as good. If possible, and to the extent that it depends on you, live in peace with all people. Never seek revenge, my friends; instead, leave that to G-d’s anger; Adonai says, ‘Vengeance is my responsibility; I will repay.’ On the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For by doing this, you will heap fiery coals [of shame] on his head.” Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.”
Our ability to do this will not come overnight and hasatan will challenge us to take the path of least resistance every time and simply repay evil for evil. We must take the higher road and resist this human temptation. Accordingly, our Father will be glorified, we will be blessed with G-d’s peace, and we will have denied the Adversary a victory.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Tamah Davis-Hart