Va'etchanan וָאֶתְחַנַּן - Pleaded
Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11
Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 5:23–6:3
My Thoughts:
In regards to obedience verse 32 sums it up well, “You shall observe to do therefore as Hashem your Elohim has commanded you. You shall not turn away to the right hand or to the left.” A simple command. Do what He says and don’t deviate (to the left or right). I am finding when I do “deviate” or sin that it feels awful for days. Last night I came home and my husband was working on a project that really upset me. Instead of talking it out, I got really, really angry. It’s like I lost control. I said things I never should have said. And even when I’m spouting off I say to Hashem, “Please forgive me”. But, I was going to say them anyway. I spent the night repenting and even today I feel horrible about it all. It just wasn’t worth it. I should have stayed quiet or spoken calmly and I didn’t. I deviated, and now I feel the consequences. Whether I was justified or not, it was wrong. Can you relate at all?
Challenge:
We have an eternal promise in verse 33, “You shall walk in all the way which Hashem your Elohim has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.” We may not live in the Land (yet), but His promise is still the same today. If we obey Him and His Commandments we will LIVE, things will be good and we will serve Him with a long life. My challenge to you today is to once again review if you are following Him and Torah. It only makes sense that if we are obeying Him we have life, and if we don’t we have “death”. It is said, “sin separates us from Hashem”. And if you ever sin (like I do) then you know this is true. I would rather have “life” -- wouldn’t you? Start obeying and following Him today. I am going to try and do the same, with all my heart, soul and strength.
Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 5:23–6:3
5:23 When you heard the voice out of the middle of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, you came near to me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders; 24 and you said, “Behold, Hashem our Elohim has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the middle of the fire. We have seen today that Elohim does speak with man, and he lives. 25 Now therefore, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us. If we hear Hashem our Elohim’s voice any more, then we shall die. 26 For who is there of all flesh who has heard the voice of the living Elohim speaking out of the middle of the fire, as we have, and lived? 27 Go near, and hear all that Hashem our Elohim shall say, and tell us all that Hashem our Elohim tells you; and we will hear it, and do it.”
28 Hashem heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me; and Hashem said to me, “I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They have well said all that they have spoken. 29 Oh that there were such a heart in them that they would fear me and keep all My commandments always, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!
30 “Go tell them, ‘Return to your tents.’ 31 But as for you, stand here by me, and I will tell you all the commandments, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which you shall teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess.”
32 You shall observe to do therefore as Hashem your Elohim has commanded you. You shall not turn away to the right hand or to the left. 33 You shall walk in all the way which Hashem your Elohim has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.
6 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances, which Hashem your Elohim commanded to teach you, that you might do them in the land that you go over to possess; 2 that you might fear Hashem your Elohim, to keep all His statutes and his commandments, which I command you—you, your son, and your son’s son, all the days of your life; and that your days may be prolonged. 3 Hear therefore, Israel, and observe to do it, that it may be well with you, and that you may increase mightily, as Hashem, the Elohim of your fathers, has promised to you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.
