Nitzavim-Vayelech
Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30
Reading #5: Deuteronomy 31:7-13
My Thoughts:
Here they are, getting ready to go into the promised Land. Moses is speaking to the people and encouraging them. And now he is presenting Joshua as their new leader. He tells both the people and Joshua not to be afraid. That Hashem is going ahead of them and He won’t fail them. And most important not to be discouraged. I think of the times when Hashem has called me to do something, only maybe it doesn’t look like I think it should. Discouragement and confusion can set in -- but that is NOT from Hashem! We need to seek His face and trust in Him that He has the plan. And then we try to follow Him the best we are able. Moses wanted the people to have peace in a time of change. And I pray that - for your life today!
Challenge:
Preparation. Moses is preparing the people and giving them specific instructions for entering the Land. And here are the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark always goes first, even into battle. In your life the “Ark” should be first also -- that is the Torah. Make sure you are “carrying” it everywhere you go. Torah is life and it has to be a big part of our life! That’s my challenge to you today. Place Torah study in your life every day. Fill up your heart and soul with Torah Scripture. Then resolve yourself to follow it the best you are able. “Carry” the Torah in your heart all day long. It will change you, mold you, and make you the best person. Guaranteed.
Reading #5: Deuteronomy 31:7-13
7 Moses called to Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which Hashem has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 Hashem Himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged.”
9 Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of Hashem’s covenant, and to all the elders of Israel. 10 Moses commanded them, saying, “At the end of every seven years, in the set time of the year of release, in the feast of booths, 11 when all Israel has come to appear before Hashem your Elohim in the place which He will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little ones, and the foreigners who are within your gates, that they may hear, learn, fear Hashem your Elohim, and observe to do all the words of this law, 13 and that their children, who have not known, may hear and learn to fear Hashem your Elohim, as long as you live in the land where you go over the Jordan to possess it.”
