44th Portion
[11-17 Aug 2024]
Theme of the Book of Deuteronomy:
Possessing the Promised Land
Meaning of "vaetchanan" = "I pleaded"
This week's Torah portions:
Sunday: Deuteronomy 3:23-4:4
Monday: Deuteronomy 4:5-40
Tuesday: Deuteronomy 4:41-49
Wednesday: Deuteronomy 5:1-18
Thursday: Deuteronomy 5:19-6:3
Friday: Deuteronomy 6:4-25
Shabbat: Deuteronomy 7:1-11 & Isaiah 40:1-26
Apostolic Writings:
Matthew 23:31-39
Mark 12:28-34
Daily Bread for Busy Moms portions:
Ezekiel 28-32
1 Chronicles 8-12
Colossians 4
1 Thessalonians 1-4
Luke 24
John 1-4
We are in our second reading of the book of Deuteronomy - the last book in the Torah. In this portion Moses again mentions the fact that he pleaded (vaetchanan's meaning) God to allow him to enter into the Promised Land. Remember that God declared that Moses would not enter because of His disobedience. When they were in the desert (of Zin) - the Israelites were asking for water. God told Moses to speak to the rock and God will then bring forth water out of the rock. However, Moses was annoyed with the Israelites constant complaint and continious questioning whether God would provide for them or not - despite the fact that He has done so the entire time... In his frustration, instead of speaking to the rock - Moses struck it with his rod. God then told Moses because of his disobedience - he would not enter the Promised Land. It might seem insignificant what Moses has done - but the spiritual implication of it was not insignificant. Moses acted out of his own power and flesh - instead of in obedience to God's instructions.
The fact that God told Moses that he would be able to see the Promised Land but not enter it; is so profound and applicable to our lives today as well! There is a massive difference between seeing Abba's promises for our lives (knowing about it) and actually entering into it / living it.
In the last portion of Numbers - we read about the importance of being reminded & reminding ourselves of the past events and things which Abba has carried us through / made a way for us. As these are the very things which strengthens our faith walk!
In this week's portion, Moses continued where he left off in the last portion of Numbers. He continued to speak about everything which the Israelites went through during their time in the desert. He also reminded them how very fortunate they were - because not many people are able to say that God has done as many miracles in their lives as the amount of miracles which the Israelites saw time and time again. We also see in this portion that Moses prophecied that some of the Israelites would fall away and get involved in idolatry.
A few weeks ago I did a video on a brief look into who the Israelites were and where does the Jews come from. If you haven't seen it yet - I'd highly recommend you go and watch it. As it will make a great difference in the picture which this portion also creates.
Back to this week's portion... Moses prophecied that some of the nation would get involved in idolatry. He told them that they would be exhiled from their land and that they would be scattered amongst the nations.
As mentioned in the video which I have linked above - the Israelites divided into two groups. Namely the tribe of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin, who later on became the Jews as we know today. And the other 10 tribes of Israel became the Gentiles. The Gentiles are the ones who walked away from Abba's instructions and fell into idol worship - and it happened as prophecied - they got scattered accross the nations.
Today we know that what Moses prophecied, came true. But more than that - we know that through Yeshua, the Gentiles have the option / opportunity to come back! They have an opportunity to turn back and "return" to spiritual Israel (God's nation) - when they obey His commandments!
The fact that I am writting these blogs and you are reading them is literally part of Moses's prophecy being fulfilled! We are part of the Gentiles which were scattered amongst the nations and now we are seeking to return to His ways! Hence so many believers are turning back to learn more and obey Abba's principles! Moses prophecied that it would happen and we are the fortunate ones to be a part of this! If it wasn't for Yeshua's work on the cross - we would never have had the option to return to our Beloved, the King of kings!
From this portion we can learn that it's not only important for us to look back at what we have been through... But we also have to look forward, to what the future holds.
Moses repeated the Ten Commandments in this portion, reiterating it's continual importance.
In Deuteronomy 4:4-5 we read "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."
The original Hebrew for "hear, O Israel" is the words "Shama" which meas more than just to "hear." The real meaning of the word "shama" is to "listen and obey" or "to hear and do."
Thus it's not something we should only hear or only listen to... It's also something that needs to go over into action, it should become the way we live. A lifestyle of obedience.
In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 we read "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."
Thus although it's good and we are instructed to remember the past - it's not limited to that. We should also remind ourselves often that we have a future! If we continue to walk in obedience, we will experience His blessing / promises over our lives. Yet, if we are disobedient / do not turn back to His ways - we might be able to see the promises which He has in store for us but we won't be able to enter in / live in time.
In this portion we read where the idea of the "tefillin" and the "mezuza" comes from. The tefillin is a small black box which the Jews, still to this day, wear on their arms and on their foreheads. And the mezuza is a scroll holder which is put up against the doorpost of your house. Both the tefillin and the mezuza contained this portion's Scripture. The importance to "shama" - to listen and obey. A reminder in the physical to remember the past but also the future and the importance of walking in obedience.
It's a reminder for us - everytime we see it that we have hope! We have a promised and we have LIFE because we obey His commandments!
It's not about the physical item like the tefillin or the mezuza that's important. What is important is that we do remind ourselves of the promise - the hope for the future!
When we "shama" - listen and obey - Abba's instructions, we WILL experience His blessings! HalleluYAH!
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Portion 39: Vaetchanan (The blog you are reading now)
