Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue
Parashah # 46: Ekev (Because) D’varim (Deuteronomy) 7:12-11:25
Haftarah: Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 49:14-51:3
B’rit Chadashah: Ya’akov (James) 5:7-11
Today I am going to focus on the final Judgement described in Revelation 20:11-15 and admonish everyone to really consider the fact that G-d means what He says when He laid the ground rules for His people about to enter and occupy the land promised to their ancestors. Six times in this parashah alone G-d said that we are to “take care and obey” all the mitzvot of G-d and not to add nor subtract from it[everything He commands us to do] (Deut. 11:26-28, 32; 12:1;13:1,19; 15:5).
We can easily draw a parallel between Moshe’s intercession on behalf of Israel and Yahshua’s intercession for those who repent, becoming reconciled to G-d through Yahshua’s sacrifice, and lovingly follow G-d’s commands. Lest we believe in error that today’s true believers are righteous and are superior to the Israelite nation described in our parashah, Sha’ul refers back to the unchanging truth of human nature in Romans 3:19-23 and 7:15-20. This unrighteous nature is part of our humanity from which the yetzer hara, the evil inclination arises. Thankfully, Yahshua provides us a way to overcome this unrighteousness with a “new nature” described in several scriptures including Ephesians 4:22-4: “ To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of G-d in true righteousness and holiness.”
In Chapter 10:12 we read a summary of sorts on what is expected of the true believer; and what is essential to a saving relationship with G-d. The answer is reverence, fearing G-d, following His commands, loving and serving Him with all of our heart and all our being. These criteria are repeated in Deuteronomy 6:5, 13,14. In the B’rit Chadashah we see these criteria described seven different but similar ways in the book of Revelation as the Seven-fold Witness (G-d’s definition of a true believer). Romans 2-3 and John 14 also define a person who loves and follows G-d according to Yahshua who is G-d.
Who is this G-d? He is the Creator of all the universe, the One True G-d, the righteous Judge, the Sovereign G-d over all history past, present, and future, and all of creation. Through the sacrifice of his only begotten Son Yahshua, G-d provided the way to reconciliation with Himself and forgiveness for the imputed sin of Adam which all men inherit. Without Yahshua’s sacrifice, we would all be destined to eternal separation from G-d. But G-d so loved us that we have a way back to Him and a new nature that gives the true believer the power to resist evil and rebelliousness.
In Deuteronomy 10:12-11:32 we see three explicit instructions Moshe gave to the people as they prepared to enter Canaan. These instructions may be compared to Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Mark 12:28-34. YHVH/Yahshua always repeats such critical guidance in both the Old Testament and the B’rit Chadashah to prevent anyone who mistakenly chooses half of His Torah over the other half from a complaint that “I didn’t know.”
Moshe’s plea for commitment to G-d is consistent with these commands. Note that each is stated a little differently without changing the concept. Deuteronomy 10:13 reads: “So now, Israel, all that Adonai your G-d asks from you is to fear Adonai your G-d, follow all his ways, love him and serve Adonai your G-d with all your heart and with all your being; to obey for your own good, the mitzvot and regulations of Adonai which I am giving you today.”
The second explicit instruction is found in Deuteronomy 10:16: Therefore, circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and don’t be stiffnecked any longer!” The third is found in Deuteronomy 10:19: “Therefore you are to love the foreigner, since you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.” A more accurate translation of this verse is found in the Chumash: “You shall love the proselyte for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” The Hebrew-English Bible translates the word for “foreigner” as “stranger.” These various translations are provided to illustrate that the concept of loving a stranger/foreigner/proselyte mandates just treatment without discrimination. However, people in these categories must conform to the same rules/commands/regulations given by G-d to the Israelites. I submit that the translation for “stranger/alien as “proselyte” is less likely as it would be easier to love someone who has already converted to the faith system of the nation.
Moshe did not refer to the physical circumcision incumbent on all biological male Jews to this day because of the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 17) remains in effect for all biological Jewish males. Romans 2-3 describes a true “Jew” and the fact that even with physical circumcision, one must circumcise the heart. This is consistent with the inextricable relationship between G-d’s Law/commands/regulations, and Grace. G-d’s Law /commands/instructions were not abrogated with Yahshua’s execution. His role on Earth was to teach mankind that humans can follow His commands and instructions and that they are to be followed with compassion.
The horizontal responsibility for caring for a stranger/alien, foreigner/proselyte cannot be misinterpreted if we study Scripture carefully. Love for an individual unknown to us takes faith and trust in Yahshua that no matter how the individual responds, we are to initiate compassion because G-d loved us. The establishment and quality of our vertical relationship with G-d depends on our understanding of and progressive lifestyle of self-nullification. G-d loves the stranger, widow, orphan. If we really love G-d, we are obligated to care for our fellow man.
These two responsibilities, a complete love for G-d and loving thy neighbor (see the definition above) are the essence of what G-d requires of mankind. This was the crux of the message given by G-d through Moshe to the people at Horeb.
Haftarah: Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 49:14-51:3
The Israelites were depressed, feeling like G-d had forgotten them in Babylon although He promises to never leave or forsake us (Deut. 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5,9: Isaiah 41:10; Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5). Isaiah pointed out that G-d will never forget them, as a loving mother would never forget her children. When we feel like G-d has forsaken us, I submit that the first thing we should do is to ask ourselves if we are the ones responsible for our feeling of abandonment. Psalm 139 specifically verses 23 and 24 provides a “go to” scripture that makes us focus on our hearts, praying that G-d will show us any unclean thing in us and cleanse our hearts, and help us return to the road to salvation.
The prophecy continues describing how G-d will “prove” to the world that He is G-d by doing impossible things that are consistent with His attributes of Justice, Loving Kindness, and Mercy. He will cause warriors to set their captives free and return their plunder just as He did in the Exodus. We should never doubt that G-d’s plan for mankind will come to fruition and that He fulfills all of His promises.
Israel (the 10 Northern Tribes) were divorced for a time because of their arrogant sins against G-d. Torment always follows rebellion and the Israelites are not immune to G-d’s judgement. However, Yahshua will “marry” a repentant Israel according to the book of Revelation with the “Bride” consisting of all true believers defined by G-d Himself in Romans 1-3, John 14, and Revelation’s Seven-fold Witness and NOT the Church. According to the Interlinear Bible (Hebrew-Greek-English), Revelation 19:7 reads: Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.”
According to Deuteronomy 24:4 a man cannot remarry the same woman once divorcing her. Accordingly, G-d does not violate his own laws. In this case we learn that Israel was divorced for a time (Is. 50:1) but Judah was also punished for her sins. The 10 northern tribes (Israel in this context) which includes Israel and her fellow travelers Jew and Gentiles who are true believers (Ezek. 37:15-28) will be married to Yahshua who is G-d. Judah is the “wife” of G-d and Israel will be the “Bride” of YHVH/Yahshua.
I understand that the above information may be very confusing to one who has no background in Messianic Judaism, G-d’s plan for Israel in the context of true believers, the Jewish wedding process to which the designated times of G-d and the plan of marriage to Yahshua/G-d and salvation are modeled after, and other biblical truths either not identified, omitted, replaced, or added to various translations. However, for any questions I can be reached through our website at https://rabdavis.org and click the “ask the rabbi” link.
B’rit Chadashah: James 5:7-11
James was the half-brother of Yahshua, because Joseph was James’ physical father and Yahshua was born of Mary when she was still a virgin. In this narrative James encourages those who love Yahshua to essentially hold our peace until G-d’s perfect timing for His comprehensive plan for Israel, both physical and spiritual, comes to fruition with His return.
Reflecting back on October 7,2023 those who love Israel and her people were appalled and dismayed at the lack of condemnation by the rest of the world against Hamas. However, as painful as it is to “hold our peace until G-d exacts his judgement and remaining plan for the world, that is exactly what we must do. This is not to say that we are not to simply sit back and wait for Yahshua to return and establish His kingdom . Rather, we are to live a lifestyle testimony that G-d would be glorified in all we do both privately and publicly. Such examples are the narratives of the prophets and Job described by James all of whom I submit had to learn the type of patience we are to exercise as we wait for our Messiah to return.
Our journey begins with complete submission to G-d, repentance for our past sins (Rom. 3:25; 2 Pet. 1:9), placing our faith in Yahshua’s sacrifice, then hearing, learning, and lovingly following G-d’s commands/instructions/law (Deut. 6:4-11). Then we are born of the Spirit and are given the “new nature” which provides us a way to resist our animal nature and HaSatan’s attacks. As a metaphoric parallel, the Israelites were “born again” in the sense that they were delivered from the bonds of slavery to Egypt, “Mitzrayim” that symbolizes a pagan/secular paradigm, and received the commands of G-d with Moshe to lead them as G-d’s representative. Once the Israelites crossed over the Sea of Reeds, they were taught how to live their lives in such a way that they would receive the blessings of acquiring the Promised Land. Similarly, once we are “born again” through our repentance and acceptance and obedience to G-d’s commands/law/instructions, we receive the “new nature” that provides us the “ammunition” to resist sin and if we persevere, enter the promised land of heaven.
The outcome for each of us is dependent on G-d’s judgement. I am going to provide two perspectives on this subject to show you how varied Scriptural interpretation can be. According to the Christian interpretation provided by GraceLife Ministries as one source, there are two judgements. True believers, defined by G-d, will face the Judgement seat of Yahshua (bema). In this judgement, believers will have to give an account for how they used their lives. One’s works determine whether one is rewarded or denied rewards. This will occur after the Rapture and before the Marriage Supper of the Lamb ( Rom. 14;10; 1 Cor. 3;11-15; 4:1-5; 2 Cor. 5:10:2; 2 Tim. 4:8).
The Great White Throne Judgement described in Revelation 20:11 is a final judgment of condemnation for unbelievers. John 5:24 relates to those who love and follow Yahshua and receive eternal life. They will not have to face the final judgement of unbelievers after Yahshua’s return to earth as King. Works are mentioned there as evidence that their condemnation and suffering are deserved. In this judgement, the witness is the Books and the Book of Life (Dan. 12:1-3; John 5:22-29; Rev. 20:11-15). By maintaining that there are two judgements, works and grace are separated with works not being a prerequisite to salvation. Their position is that if there is only one judgement, “it would be impossible to say that we are saved by grace as a free gift from G-d. Works are mentioned in both judgements, but never as a basis or condition for salvation.” I hope you can readily notice that this statement and belief is in direct contradiction to G-d’s Word.
In contrast, Matthew 25:31-46, Revelation 20:11-15; Dan. 12:2; Acts 17:31;1 Pet. 4:5; Rom. 14:10-12; Ps. 96:13 we see a different scenario that is consistent with G-d’s Word. All of these scriptures speak of a single event. For example, Matthew 25:31-46 reads: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all of the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people from one another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” The narrative continues describing the fact that “ whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40). This is a very clear description of works done out of love for G-d and obedience to the two greatest commands defined by Yahshua (Matt. 22:36), for G-d knows the motivation for everything we do.
The above comparison clearly shows us how different Scripture is interpreted between those Christians who subscribe to a “grace only” “free salvation” scenario and those who understand that “works” are a non-negotiable requisite for salvation in tandem with G-d’s grace. The evidence is overwhelming for the belief that we will be judged for our deeds. According to Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, there is a book of remembrance both for good and bad and the book of the sinner’s conscience; though formerly secret, will then be opened. Every man will recollect his past actions, though he had forgotten many of them. Then the Book of Life is opened that represents the L-rd’s knowledge of his people, and his declaring their repentance, faith, and good works; showing the blessings of the “New Covenant.” By their works, men will be justified or condemned. It is at this judgment that Yahshua will declare whether we are saved to eternal life or destined for eternal suffering. If we claim to be “born again” believers in Yahshua, we must act like it. Yahshua has provided everything we need to resist HaSatan and glorify G-d. G-d’s Law and Grace are not separate entities. Yahshua came to this world to show us how His Law/Torah is to be lived with compassion/grace.
The fall and spring rains spoken of in this narrative has a double meaning as does much of G-d’s Word. The first reference is to the climatic pattern in Israel, where the most rainfall occurs between November and March. Substantial rains in November and March are not common, but they are greatly beneficial to crops.
The spiritual application of latter and early rains is to Shavu’ot (Acts 2), and Yahshua’s return, hopefully soon, based on the plethora of unprecedented events in our world today including the exponential increase in lawlessness, antinomian lifestyles, and most importantly, the information concerning the end times and Yahshua’s imminent return. The latter and early rains associated with the end times are also described in this narrative (James 5:1-7).
As James stated “so brothers, be patient until the L-rd returns. See how the farmer waits for the precious ‘fruit of the earth”-he is patient over it until it receives the fall and spring rains. You too, be patient; keep up your courage; for the L-rd’s return is near.”
Whichever interpretation you choose to accept is up to you. However, the crux of the matter is that whether there are one or two “Judgement” events, we must be ready to give an account of our lives because we will no doubt be required to do so. Patiently and persistently must we hear, learn, and follow G-d’s commands/law/instructions even unto His coming and may our lives be found acceptable for G-d’s blessing of eternal life.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Tamah Davis-Hart