Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue
Parashah 51&52 (Read together in regular years)
D’varim (Deuteronomy) 29:9-30(20) and 31:1-30
Haftarot: Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 61:10-63:9 and Hoshea (Hosea) 14:2-10(9); Mikhah (Micah) 7:18-20; Yo’el (Joel) 2:15-27
B’rit Chadashah: Romans 9:30-10:13; Hebrews 12:14-15 and Hebrews 13:5-8
Applicability of these parashot to mankind today and accessibility to all the instructions G-d so lovingly and carefully commanded for an optimal relationship between man and G-d, and man with other human beings are described in Deuteronomy 29:13-14 and Deuteronomy 30:11-14. Although there exists some societies that may never receive the written or spoken Word of G-d, G-d reaches those who He knows will respond to His commands in His way and time. There is no excuse for anyone not to follow G-d’s instructions however He may deliver them to various peoples of the world (Romans 1:16-23). Furthermore, warnings against rebellious living with an arrogant false hope of forgiveness no matter how one lives described (Deut. 29:17-28; Rom. 1:18-32;2:1-9), and the result of such antinomianism also stated in Romans 2:6 is repeated in Revelation 22.
The “bad news” being delivered first, G-d follows with the opportunity for forgiveness and restoration IF we finally repent after we have been punished for our rebellion against G-d described in Deut. 30: 1-9; 10-13). Note that just as rebellious children who ignore a parent’s warning of harm or punishment for disobedience suffer an adverse effect of such behavior, hopefully the child will the “straighten up and fly right!” In the context of G-d’s instructions this means “ When the time arrives that all these things have come upon you, both the blessing and the curse which I have presented to you; and you are there among the nations to which Adonai your G-d has driven you, the, at last, you will start thinking about what has happened to you; and you will return to Adonai your G-d and pay attention to what he has said, which will be exactly what I am ordering you to do today- you and your children, with all your heart and with all your being. At that point, Adonai your G-d will reverse your exile and show you mercy; he will return and gather you from all the peoples to which Adonai your G-d scattered you. If one of your was scattered to the far end of the sky, Adonai your G-d will bring you back into the land your ancestors possessed and you will possess it; he will make you prosper there, and you will become even more numerous than your ancestors.”
Moving forward to Deuteronomy 30:10 again we see that these blessings are conditional: “However, all this will happen only if you pay attention to what Adonai your G-d says, so that you obey his mitzvot and regulations which are written in this book of the Torah, if you turn to Adonai your G-d with all your heart and with all your being.” Referring to Revelation 22:18 we are reminded that “this book” is defined as G-d’s Torah, his commands/instructions. As a side note, I find it difficult to understand how any clergy person can stand before a congregation and teach that G-d’s laws/instructions are “dead” or that they can be changed as the Catholic Church did with changing the biblical Sabbath to Sunday and giving man the authority to absolve sin. Especially when G-d’s Torah describes the result of such errant teaching and living so clearly throughout the Old testament and the B’rit Chadashah (Refreshed renewed Covenant). G-d will rightly judge when He returns. Yes, I mean G-d because Yahshua (G-d saves) is the Messiah and is G-d (See John 14).
The decision that is as crucial for us today as it was for the Israelites is whether or not to love or hate G-d. Moshe could not decide for them, and no one can be blamed for any bad choices we make. We will all be held accountable individually. Although a decision to love G-d with all our heart, soul, and might opens the “access” road to future salvation, the race to win the prize of an eternity with G-d is a lifelong journey that is maintained through continual loving obedience. There is no such thing as a once saved always saved event. Accordingly, Moshe enjoined the people to cleave unto G-d, which by default requires exclusive devotion in our daily lives. we must always be on guard of our hearts and minds, not allowing ourselves to be in a situation whereby our lifestyle testimony may be compromised. The choices we make throughout our sojourn on this earth are crucial and have eternal implications. In the words of Moshe given by G-d “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have presented you with life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore, choose life, so that you will live, you and your descendants, loving Adonai your G-d, paying attention to what he says and clinging to him- for that is the purpose of your life! On this depends the length of time you will live in the land Adonai swore he would give to your ancestors Avraham, Yitz’chak and Ya’akov” (Deut. 30:19-20). May we live our lives for G-d in this way and be blessed with an eternity in the heavenly “Land” of G-d’s abode!
In parashah #52 Moshe is preparing to turn over the reins to Y’hoshua and die (Deut. 31:14). Understanding the peoples’ fear and anxiety with such a change in leadership and the move across the Jordan where there are pagan peoples, he tries to comfort them by reminding that “G-d will cross over ahead of you [ the Jordan River]. He will destroy the nation s ahead of you, and you will dispossess them… Adonai will defeat them ahead of you, and you are to do to them just as I have ordered your to do. Be strong, be bold, don’t be afraid or frightened of them, for Adonai your G-d is going with you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you” (Deut. 31:1-6).
All that G-d had revealed through Moshe to the Israelites was committed to writing. G-ds’ commands and the history past, present, and future of Israel was too important to their future to entrust it to oral transmission. This is called the Song of Moshe The priests and elders were given custody of the written copy of the law, and it was read to the people every seven years during the feast of tabernacles. In this way, each generation was taught to fear G-d. There was a cohesiveness of community and families that was consistent and in line with G-d’s instructions/laws that provided a solid foundation for living one’s life. When every generation was taught the same set of standards set forth by G-d, even those who could not read were able to understand G-d’s instructions and live confidently in a relationship with their fellow man and G-d. The Song of Moshe served then as it does today a witness to the Israelites then and all true believers now concerning all G-d has done for his people. Even though there would come a time when G-d would forsake them because of their disobedience to his las and instructions, and his presence would be removed from them, they would have a written record of G-d’s design and purpose for his people.
Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10-63:9
This is the seventh and final installment of a series of seven “Haftarot of Consolation.” Isaiah begins on a high note, describing the great joy that we will experience with the Final Redemption, much like the joy of a newly married couple. Then he declares his refusal to passively wait on the Redemption: “For Zion’s sake I will not remain silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be still, until her righteousness emerges like shining light…” The haftorah recounts G-d’s oath to eventually redeem Zion when the Jews will praise G-d in Jerusalem. There is also the description of the punishment G-d will mete out to Edom and the enemies of Israel to their final destruction. I encourage those reading this parashah or listening to the podcast to research the line of Edom even back to Yishma’el. The information you will discover will certainly open your eyes to Israel’s true enemies. May it be soon and in our lifetime!
Brit Chadashah: Hebrews 12:14-15: The consistency of G-d’s Torah is proven again in these verses. We are admonished to keep pursuing shalom (the whole peace of G-d), and to see to it that no root of bitterness springs up causing trouble and thus contamination for many. It recalls the story of Esau who exchanged his right as the firstborn for a single meal and then changed his mind to no avail. It is also interesting that this parashah falls on Shabbat just before Rosh Hashana when we are to ask for forgiveness from our fellow man and then G-d for the sins we committed against them during the year. We should seek wisdom from above and knowledge by asking G-d to “Examine me, G-d, and know my heart; test me, and know my thoughts. See if there is in me any hurtful way, and lead me along the eternal way” (Psalm 139). The eternal way is true heartfelt, learning, internalizing, and living G-d’s Torah. “The fear of the L-rd is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Let us not defer either to the right or left but enter and remain on the “King’s Highway.” I close this commentary with a recommendation that we all take time to meditate on Psalm 119… Shalom!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Tamah Davis-Hart