Saturday, September 28, 2024

Nitzavim-Vayelech - Reading #7

Nitzavim-Vayelech
Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30
Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10-63:9
Apostolic Scripture: Luke 24:1-43

Reading #7: Deuteronomy 31:20-30

My Thoughts:

Moses seems anxious about how the Israelites will fare after his death. In verse 29 he says, “For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves…”. How sad is this? After 40 years of substantial miracles and witnesses of Hashem’s power and glory, the chosen people are still disobeying Him. What is it about humankind that just can’t seem to get it together? How could they have looked upon the pillar of the cloud in the day and the pillar of fire at night? Wouldn’t that miracle alone (His presence) be enough in your life to want to stay on your knees day and night? Why are we so weak? Even today, look at the world. It is crazy. Right is wrong and wrong is right. We are so upside down. Those of us who profess to know Hashem and love Him -- still disobey Him and sin. The beauty of it all is teshuvah.  We must repent and turn around. When we turn around we don’t look back. We must become “lights” for Hashem for the rest of the world. So that He wants to send the Mashiach. Right?

Challenge:

The book of the Law in verse 25 reminds them (us) about how to live. It is a witness. That’s why they carry it in the ark. It needs to be with them at all times. Just like now. We need the Torah by our side every day. It needs to be in plain view where we can study it and learn from it. That is the advantage of doing the daily reading schedule. It is always in your life -- every day. And that is my challenge to you today. Make a promise to yourself that as the new Torah cycle begins (after Sukkot) that you will immerse yourself. Pick a time every day to study and if you happen to miss a study, make it up. Get yourself a journal to record your thoughts. Let the Torah speak to you in powerful ways each day. Remember it is life!

Deuteronomy 31:20-30

20 For when I have brought them into the land which I swore to their fathers, flowing with milk and honey, and they have eaten and filled themselves, and grown fat, then they will turn to other gods, and serve them, and despise me, and break My covenant. 21 It will happen, when many evils and troubles have come on them, that this song will testify before them as a witness; for it will not be forgotten out of the mouths of their descendants; for I know their ways and what they are doing today, before I have brought them into the land which I promised them.”

22 So Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it to the children of Israel.

23 He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land which I swore to them. I will be with you.”

24 When Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, 25 Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of Hashem’s covenant, saying, 26 “Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of Hashem your Elohim’s covenant, that it may be there for a witness against you. 27 For I know your rebellion and your stiff neck. Behold, while I am yet alive with you today, you have been rebellious against Hashem. How much more after my death? 28 Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to witness against them. 29 For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn away from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will happen to you in the latter days, because you will do that which is evil in Hashem’s sight, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands.”

30 Moses spoke in the ears of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song, until they were finished.

Haftarah - Isaiah 61:10-63:9

My Thoughts:

I was thinking about verse 63:7 and about how good He has been to me, “ to all that Hashem has given to us.” Sometimes as we study His Scriptures we get caught up on history, or poetry, or the people of the Bible and we tend to forget all He has done for us! For me! When I look back on my life and see all the amazing and wonderful things Hashem has done - I am amazed and grateful. Thank you Hashem for all you do for us, and Your loving kindness. Trust in Him today for all that is going on in your life. He is loving you and being kind. Amen.

Challenge:

First verse in this Haftarah is “rejoice in Hashem”.  So, what does that look like to you? Are you experiencing joy today because of who He is in your life? Are you rejoicing about Him through your prayers of thanksgiving? Are you so happy and full of joy that others see that in you? I challenge you today to reflect on our life. Make sure you are displaying His love in all you do and say. If not, make it a point to improve and be better. We are to be “lights” to the nations!

Haftarah - Isaiah 61:10-63:9

10 I will greatly rejoice in Hashem!
    My soul will be joyful in my Elohim,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation.
    He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
    as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth produces its bud,
    and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring up,
    so Hashem Adonai will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

62 For Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace,
    and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
until her righteousness shines out like the dawn,
    and her salvation like a burning lamp.
2 The nations will see your righteousness,
    and all kings your glory.
You will be called by a new name,
    which Hashem’s mouth will name.
3 You will also be a crown of beauty in Hashem’s hand,
    and a royal diadem in your Elohim’s hand.
4 You will not be called Forsaken any more,
    nor will your land be called Desolate any more;
but you will be called Hephzibah,
    and your land Beulah;
for Hashem delights in you,
    and your land will be married.
5 For as a young man marries a virgin,
    so your sons will marry you.
As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
    so your Elohim will rejoice over you.

6 I have set watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem.
    They will never be silent day nor night.
You who call on Hashem, take no rest,
7     and give him no rest, until He establishes,
    and until He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

8 Hashem has sworn by His right hand,
    and by the arm of His strength,
“Surely I will no more give your grain to be food for your enemies,
    and foreigners will not drink your new wine, for which you have labored,
9 but those who have harvested it will eat it, and praise Hashem.
    Those who have gathered it will drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.”

10 Go through, go through the gates!
    Prepare the way of the people!
Build up, build up the highway!
    Gather out the stones!
    Lift up a banner for the peoples.
11 Behold, Hashem has proclaimed to the end of the earth,
    “Say to the daughter of Zion,
    ‘Behold, your salvation comes!
Behold, His reward is with him,
    and His recompense before him!’”
12 They will call them “The Holy People,
    Hashem’s Redeemed”.
You will be called “Sought Out,
    A City Not Forsaken”.

63 Who is this who comes from Edom,
    with dyed garments from Bozrah?
Who is this who is glorious in his clothing,
    marching in the greatness of his strength?
“It is I who speak in righteousness,
    mighty to save.”
2 Why is your clothing red,
    and your garments like him who treads in the wine vat?

3 “I have trodden the wine press alone.
    Of the peoples, no one was with me.
Yes, I trod them in my anger
    and trampled them in my wrath.
Their lifeblood is sprinkled on my garments,
    and I have stained all my clothing.
4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart,
    and the year of my redeemed has come.
5 I looked, and there was no one to help;
    and I wondered that there was no one to uphold.
Therefore my own arm brought salvation to me.
    My own wrath upheld me.
6 I trod down the peoples in my anger
    and made them drunk in my wrath.
    I poured their lifeblood out on the earth.”

7 I will tell of the loving kindnesses of Hashem
    and the praises of Hashem,
    according to all that Hashem has given to us,
and the great goodness toward the house of Israel,
    which he has given to them according to his mercies,
    and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.
8 For He said, “Surely, they are My people,
    children who will not deal falsely;”
    so He became their Savior.
9 In all their affliction He was afflicted,
    and the angel of His presence saved them.
In His love and in His pity he redeemed them.
    He bore them,
    and carried them all the days of old.


Apostolic Writing: Luke 24:1-43

My Thoughts:

A curious story, indeed - how Yeshua was resurrected from the dead and meets up with some disciples on the road to Emmaus. What is so cool is that he reflects on the Scriptures pertaining to the Messiah. Their hearts are “burning” and when they break bread their eyes are opened. Then he “vanishes”. I have often thought that people “missed” the truth about Yeshua because they weren’t familiar with the Word of Elohim. And could we miss when he comes again - because we don’t study the Word and prepare. Something to think about.

Challenge:

In verse 32 we read, ““Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?”  My challenge to you is to really reflect on this verse. Does your heart “burn” when you read the Bible? Should it? You (and I) should be so filled with the Holy Spirit through prayer and worship that when we read Scripture that should literally touch our hearts with His power and revelation! We should be burning with “truth” in our whole being. If this isn’t happening to you - you may want to ask why? Get closer to Hashem today. Study His word everyday - including the daily Torah Portion. Guaranteed the “light” in your life will begin to “burn” brighter.

Apostolic Writing: Luke 24:1-43

24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they and some others came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They entered in, and didn’t find the L-rd Yeshua’s body. 4 While they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing. 5 Becoming terrified, they bowed their faces down to the earth.

They said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He isn’t here, but is risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again?”

8 They remembered his words, 9 returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now they were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them told these things to the apostles. 11 These words seemed to them to be nonsense, and they didn’t believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he departed to his home, wondering what had happened.

13 Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. 14 They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened. 15 While they talked and questioned together, Yeshua Himself came near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. 17 He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?”

18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?”

19 He said to them, “What things?”

They said to Him, “The things concerning Yeshua, the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before Elohim and all the people; 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. 21 But we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Also, certain women of our company amazed us, having arrived early at the tomb; 23 and when they didn’t find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive. 24 Some of us went to the tomb, and found it just like the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”

25 He said to them, “Foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Didn’t the Messiah have to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, He explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. 28 They came near to the village where they were going, and He acted like He would go further.

29 They urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.”

He went in to stay with them. 30 When he had sat down at the table with them, He took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, He gave it to them. 31 Their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, then He vanished out of their sight. 32 They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while He spoke to us along the way, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them, 34 saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 They related the things that happened along the way, and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

36 As they said these things, Yeshua Himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”

37 But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See My hands and My feet, that it is truly Me. Touch Me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.” 40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 While they still didn’t believe for joy, and wondered, He said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”

42 They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 He took them, and ate in front of them.

Friday, September 27, 2024

Nitzavim-Vayelech - Reading #6

Nitzavim-Vayelech
Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30

Reading #6: Deuteronomy 31:14-19


Verse 17 carries strong discipline, “Then My anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them…”. Hashem is prophesying that after the people begin to live in the Land they will turn from Him and follow other gods. They will be influenced by the people and tempted to live a life outside of Hashem. How does Hashem react to this? He simply leaves them. He forsakes them and hides His face. Kind of like now. When we sin, we are “separated” from Hashem. He is no longer with us. Not until we “teshuvah”. We turn completely from our sin, we repent, and we make restitution. After sinning and repentance we must fully return to Hashem. Not just a part of us but all of us. He is serious when He tells us to love Him with “all your heart, soul and strength”. Remember all this the next time you consider sinning. Remember the cost. And stop in your tracks. Pray each day for Hashem to give you strength to withstand temptation. Amen.


Challenge:


Joshua and Moses “met” Hashem in the Tent of the Meeting (the Tabernacle). Hashem appears in a pillar of cloud. I believe this is because the cloud in a special way, hid His presence from them so that they wouldn’t die. No one can see Elohim. In fact in the Apostolic Scriptures, Yeshua says He is the only one that has ever seen Elohim in heaven. That makes sense. But, here is my challenge for you today. For you and for me. Let’s search for the “cloud” that Hashem can present Himself to us. This “cloud” could be through worship, through prayer and through service. It may not look like a “cloud” but He does present Himself in many ways to us. I see Him work miracles in my life every day. Some small, some large. Just take the time to “look” for Him. You will be surprised how He “shows up” so many times during your day. Really it’s true.


Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 31:14–19


31:14 Hashem said to Moses, “Behold, your days approach that you must die. Call Joshua, and present yourselves in the Tent of Meeting, that I may commission him.” Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the Tent of Meeting.


15 Hashem appeared in the Tent in a pillar of cloud, and the pillar of cloud stood over the Tent’s door. 16 Hashem said to Moses, “Behold, you shall sleep with your fathers. This people will rise up and play the prostitute after the strange gods of the land where they go to be among them, and will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them. 17 Then My anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall come on them; so that they will say in that day, ‘Haven’t these evils come on us because our Elohim is not among us?’ 18 I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evil which they have done, in that they have turned to other gods.


19 “Now therefore write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for Me against the children of Israel.


Thursday, September 26, 2024

Nitzavim-Vayelech - Reading #5

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.”


Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Nitzavim-Vayelech - Reading #4

Nitzavim-Vayelech

Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30


Reading #4: Deuteronomy 30:15-31:6


My Thoughts:


If your heart turns away, you will perish (verses 16-17). This is a concurrent theme throughout Scripture. We must not turn to other gods (money, relationships, sin). Our life depends on it. We must only follow Hashem and His Torah. This requires us to “guard” our hearts. And how does that work? That means we stay saturated in His Word. That means we don’t go places or hang out with people that give us temptation to sin. Instead we surround ourselves with people who love Hashem with all their hearts. It also means we pray and worship Him consistently. Remember, Torah is life. To not follow Hashem and His Torah is death. I choose life.


Challenge:


When you choose life it is required (according to today’s reading) that you; love Hashem, obey His voice, and cling to Him. We know how to hear His voice (I hope). We know how to obey Him. But, how do we cling to Him? Ruth “clung” to her mother-in-law Naomi. She told her she would love her, follow her and her G-d, her country - everything. That is what “clinging” is. You hold close. It’s not letting go when you hug someone. I challenge you today to not let go of Hashem. To cling to Him. Give Him everything you have. Do everything for Him and for others. He is your life. Don’t let go.


Reading #4: Deuteronomy 30:15-31:6


5 Behold, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and evil. 16 For I command you today to love Hashem your Elohim, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His ordinances, that you may live and multiply, and that Hashem your Elohim may bless you in the land where you go in to possess it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away and worship other gods, and serve them, 18 I declare to you today that you will surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you pass over the Jordan to go in to possess it. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your descendants, 20 to love Hashem your Elohim, to obey His voice, and to cling to Him; for he is your life, and the length of your days, that you may dwell in the land which Hashem swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

31 Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. 2 He said to them, “I am one hundred twenty years old today. I can no more go out and come in. Hashem has said to me, ‘You shall not go over this Jordan.’ 3 Hashem your Elohim Himself will go over before you. He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua will go over before you, as Hashem has spoken. 4 Hashem will do to them as He did to Sihon and to Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when He destroyed them. 5 Hashem will deliver them up before you, and you shall do to them according to all the commandment which I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them; for Hashem your Elohim himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.”

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Nitzavim-Vayelech - Reading #3

Nitzavim-Vayelech

Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30


Reading #3: Deuteronomy 30:7-14


My Thoughts:


Verse 8, “You shall return and obey Hashem’s voice…”. What are we returning from? It is simple. We are returning to Him from a godless, disobedient and rebellious life. We are returning to spiritual things that are wonderful, from a dark, callous world. We are returning to the Light from the darkness of evil. We must try and remember that He has so much and IS so much, and the earthly life we live is so selfish. We must make an effort every day to return to Him in all we do. To love Him with our whole heart and soul and strength. There is no other way to live. Amen.


Challenge:


To continue my thoughts above, in verse 10 we read we are to return to Hashem with “all your heart and with all your soul”. This is not just being flippant about how we serve Him -- but intentional. It is giving Him ALL we have within us! That’s the challenge today. Think about how you can give Hashem “your whole heart and soul”. Not just part of it, but all of it! Then we have the greatest blessing of all -- “Hashem will again rejoice over you for good”. Can you even begin to imagine what it means for Hashem, the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to rejoice over us? What does that look like? Does He smile or sing, does He speak kind words about us? Whatever He does, we look forward to being able to receive it. And we will do our part to follow Torah to the best of our ability. In every minute of every day. Amen.


Reading #3: Deuteronomy 30:7-14

7 Hashem your Elohim will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you. 8 You shall return and obey Hashem's voice, and do all His commandments which I command you today. 9 Hashem your Elohim will make you prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground, for good; for Hashem will again rejoice over you for good, as He rejoiced over your fathers, 10 if you will obey Hashem your Elohim’s voice, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law; if you turn to Hashem your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul.

11 For this commandment which I command you today is not too hard for you or too distant. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, “Who will go up for us to heaven, bring it to us, and proclaim it to us, that we may do it?” 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who will go over the sea for us, bring it to us, and proclaim it to us, that we may do it?” 14 But the word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.

Monday, September 23, 2024

Nitzavim-Vayelech - Reading #2

Nitzavim-Vayelech

Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30


Reading #2: Deuteronomy 30:1-6


My Thoughts:

The idea here today is that if Hashem’s people are dispersed among the nations (as they have been) then they must “return” to Hashem with their whole heart and soul. When they do that, He will gather them from the nations (verses 2-3). In the 1940’s after World War 2 that is exactly what happened. People prayed, people returned to Hashem, the Holocaust was over and He brought them back to Israel. And now Hashem is restoring the country. However, there is a cost -- that is the people must serve only Him and not false gods. It is mandatory from Him, or else we will lose everything. We must pray every day that the people of Hashem will return their hearts to Hashem and love Him with their whole heart and soul (everything), as will the rest of the world.


Challenge:


In verse 5 we read “He will do you good”. What does that look like? Will He give you things, bless you with good health, give you good relationships -- a new car, house, job? I’m thinking it means just what it says, that He will be good to you. Maybe He will meet you in worship in a special way. Maybe He will speak to you in a small, still voice. Or maybe you will just feel content in knowing that He loves you. It doesn’t have to be material things, it can be beautiful spiritual things. That’s the kind of “good” I am looking and waiting for. My challenge to you is that you take a minute today and look at the “good” Hashem has given you. Then praise Him for it all. I see Him do “good” in my life, several times a day. Thank you Hashem!


Reading #2: Deuteronomy 30:1-6


30 It shall happen, when all these things have come on you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you shall call them to mind among all the nations where Hashem your Elohim has driven you, 2 and return to Hashem your Elohim and obey His voice according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul, 3 that then Hashem your Elohim will release you from captivity, have compassion on you, and will return and gather you from all the peoples where Hashem your Elohim has scattered you. 4 If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of the heavens, from there Hashem your Elohim will gather you, and from there He will bring you back. 5 Hashem your Elohim will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you will possess it. He will do you good, and increase your numbers more than your fathers. 6 Hashem your Elohim will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your offspring, to love Hashem your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.


Sunday, September 22, 2024

Nitzavim-Vayelech - Reading #1

Nitzavim-Vayelech

Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30


Reading #1: Deuteronomy 29:9-28


My Thoughts:


Verse 9 reads, “...keep the words of this Covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.” What does it mean to keep? Can we “keep” the Temple and priestly laws? No. But we can “keep” the rest, to the best of our ability. We can avoid unclean foods. We can honor and remember the Feasts. We can protect the Sabbath. And we can follow the rest (including the big ten)! When we do this, and Hashem does know our hearts -- we have the blessing of prosperity. That does not necessarily mean money. It could be wonderful children, a wonderful job and a wonderful house/car. It could also mean the best friendships and relationships. Most of all it could mean that we could be prosperous in our relationship with Hashem. That we could really get to know Him and His Torah. We could serve Him and love Him. True prosperity is in the heart. And it is a blessing only from Him. Amen!


Challenge:


In verse 10 we read, “All of you stand today in the presence of Hashem your Elohim…”. Were they really visibly seeing Hashem at this time? I don’t think so. But, because Moses who was speaking for Hashem and the community of the people standing together -- I believe Hashem was in their presence -- by His Spirit. So my challenge today is this. If they could be in His presence, maybe we could be in His presence also. Take a minute to think about what this would look like. Maybe through your worship, your prayer, your obedience or just taking a moment to be silent and talk to Him. You will get to know and become familiar when He is there. And when that happens, you will want to be with Him more. We are just getting reading on this planet for a time when we will be with Him always in the Olam Haba. Practice this now. Get to know Him now. Ask Him to come and visit you, walk with you and show you His ways. Amen.


Reading #1: Deuteronomy 29:9-28


Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do. 10 All of you stand today in the presence of Hashem your Elohim: your heads, your tribes, your elders, and your officers, even all the men of Israel, 11 your little ones, your wives, and the foreigners who are in the middle of your camps, from the one who cuts your wood to the one who draws your water, 12 that you may enter into the covenant of Hashem your Elohim, and into his oath, which Hashem your Elohim makes with you today, 13 that He may establish you today as His people, and that He may be your Elohim, as He spoke to you and as He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. 14 Neither do I make this covenant and this oath with you only, 15 but with those who stand here with us today before Hashem our Elohim, and also with those who are not here with us today 16 (for you know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the middle of the nations through which you passed; 17 and you have seen their abominations and their idols of wood, stone, silver, and gold, which were among them); 18 lest there should be among you man, woman, family, or tribe whose heart turns away today from Hashem your Elohim, to go to serve the gods of those nations; lest there should be among you a root that produces bitter poison; 19 and it happen, when he hears the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, “I shall have peace, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart,” to destroy the moist with the dry. 20 Hashem will not pardon him, but then Hashem’s anger and His jealousy will smoke against that man, and all the curse that is written in this book will fall on him, and Hashem will blot out his name from under the sky. 21 Hashem will set him apart for evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant written in this book of the law.


22 The generation to come—your children who will rise up after you, and the foreigner who will come from a far land—will say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sicknesses with which Hashem has made it sick, 23 that all of its land is sulfur, salt, and burning, that it is not sown, doesn’t produce, nor does any grass grow in it, like the overthrow of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which Hashem overthrew in His anger, and in His wrath. 24 Even all the nations will say, “Why has Hashem done this to this land? What does the heat of this great anger mean?”


25 Then men will say, “Because they abandoned the covenant of Hashem, the Elohim of their fathers, which He made with them when He brought them out of the land of Egypt, 26 and went and served other gods and worshiped them, gods that they didn’t know and that He had not given to them. 27 Therefore Hashem’s anger burned against this land, to bring on it all the curses that are written in this book. 28 Hashem rooted them out of their land in anger, in wrath, and in great indignation, and thrust them into another land, as it is today.”


Week #8 - Nitzavim-Vayelech

Nitzavim-Vayelech


Torah: Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30

Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10-63:9

Apostolic Scriptures: Luke 24:1-12, Luke 24:13-43


1: 29:9-28 · 20 p’sukim ·  

2: 30:1-6 · 6 p’sukim ·  

3: 30:7-14 · 8 p’sukim ·  

4: 30:15-31:6 · 12 p’sukim ·  

5: 31:7-13 · 7 p’sukim ·  

6: 31:14-19 · 6 p’sukim ·  

7: 31:20-30 · 11 p’sukim