Vayelech - Reading #6

Vayelech וַיֵּלֶךְ - And He Went

Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30

Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 31:20–24

My Thoughts:

Oh no! Hashem says when they have eaten of the Land filled with milk and honey, and they have grown FAT and turned to other gods -- they will break His covenant (verse 20)! What is this about growing fat? I hate to admit it but when our bodies get physically fat, we are beginning to “worship” another god -- food. And that is a huge problem. I believe America is the most overweight country in the world. And we may be the most “godless” country in the world. We must ONLY serve the one true Elohim! If you have a weight issue, please think about this today. Go to Hashem, repent and ask for His help to lose weight. Start praising Him and worshiping Him every day. Immerse yourself in the Torah. I encourage you to get back on track! You can do it!

Challenge:

Remember Hashem will be with us (verse 23). He went with Joshua and He will go with us into the “lands” that He calls us to. But we must be “covenant” people. We must join and participate in His covenant with Israel. We must support the Jewish people and their land. There is an incredible project called “Lev Haolam”. Go to their website and consider supporting them: Lev Haolam. That is my special challenge to you today.

Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 31:20–24

31:20 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,

Vayelech - Reading #5

Vayelech וַיֵּלֶךְ - And He Went

Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 31:14–19

My Thoughts:

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 #5 - 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.

Vayelech - Reading #4

Vayelech וַיֵּלֶךְ - And He Went

Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 31:10–13

My Thoughts:

Can you imagine reading the Torah every 7 years at Sukkot? In front of thousands of people? How long would that take? What does that look like? It is called the “Hakhel Ceremony”. Not all of Torah is read, but selected verses. This is why it is important to join the Jewish people in Israel who have carried on for centuries the Laws and Feasts of Torah. They will instruct us how to do these things. If you research this apparently this particular ceremony has not occurred since the destruction of the Temple. I believe we need to study about this. Connect to Israel and its people and we will learn! And this commandment confirms to us that we must be immersed in Torah every day! Amen.

Challenge:

Why is it important to study Torah every day (just like we do through the portions and daily readings)? In verse 12 we learn it is so that “...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.” That is my challenge to you today. Stay with these daily readings, every year! So that you HEAR AND LEARN. Share them with your family and friends. It is life to you. Hashem will help you to “hear” and He will teach you so that you “learn”. The end result is that we will “fear” Hashem -- that means we will love Him so much we will want to obey Him in every way! AMEN!

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 31:10–13

3:10 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.”

Vayelech - Reading #3

Vayelech וַיֵּלֶךְ - And He Went

Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 31:7–9

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 #3 - Deuteronomy 31:7–9

31:7 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.

Vayelech - Reading #2

Vayelech וַיֵּלֶךְ - And He Went

Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30

Reading #2 - Deuteronomy 31:4–6

My Thoughts:

Verse 5, “Hashem will deliver them up before you…”. Not only does Hashem protect you and pave the way for you -- He also will deliver your enemy to you. What does that look like? Maybe it means He will defeat them or He will prepare for them to be defeated by YOU. Either way He is in it. It is a sure thing. As long as we are following Him and His Torah. By the way, the defeat may not look like what you thought it would. It may be “compromising” or meeting someone “halfway”. That may be how you “win” the battle you are in. It is important to be open to alternate solutions -- other than “demolishing” them! Remember we are to love Hashem and love others. That includes our enemies!

Challenge:

It’s really, really important to remember when Hashem calls us to do something, either big or small, that we don’t forget He won’t fail or forsake us (verse 6). It may feel like He isn’t helping but we can’t see the unseen. We aren’t able to see what He is doing “behind the scenes”. Sometimes I know it may appear that we are working “alone”, but if you recall this important Scripture you will remember that He never does fail us or forsake us. The challenge today is to look at your life and think about what is going on that you are really requesting His help. Then pray, worship and ask Him to be there to direct you and to assist you. You want His leading and His path, not yours. Be strong and courageous. Take G-dly risks and walk in obedience. Take some time to thank Hashem for delivering you from the enemy and for His protection. Amen.

Reading #2 - Deuteronomy 31:4–6

31:4 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.”

Vayelech - Reading #1

Vayelech וַיֵּלֶךְ - And He Went

Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30

Reading #1 - Deuteronomy 31:1–3

My Thoughts:

In verse 3 we read, “Hashem your Elohim Himself will go over before you. He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them.” This has been His promise. Hashem will go ahead and clear the path. And He will help you to keep it clean. It makes me think about how life is today. For those of us who follow and love Hashem, and obey His voice, keep His commandments -- He goes ahead of us. Right now I am working on a huge project. It is a pro-life ministry and we are starting it from scratch. A very large task, but Hashem has been going ahead of us and clearing the way! He has opened doors and directed our path. Honestly, we could not do this without Him. What have you got going in your life that you need Hashem to go ahead of you? Ask for His help today!

Challenge:

Moses has been leading the way for over 40 years. And now, his predecessor Joshua, is going to take over. Remember Joshua has been the super faithful one. He came back from spying the land and gave a confident, faith-filled report. He basically said, “No problem! With Hashem’s help we will enter the land!”. While his friends had all sorts of doubts and fears (except Caleb). And we see shortly when Hashem sends him into the land, He tells him to be strong and courageous. That He will go with him (Joshua 1:9). My challenge for you today is to think about how you need Hashem in your life -- maybe a special project/relationship/job you are working on. Ask Him to lead the way for you and to get rid of any interference. When you realize that you are not alone, but have the Mighty One with you, your attitude will surely change for the good! Amen!

Reading #1 - Deuteronomy 31:1–3

31:1 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.

Vayelech - Week #9

Vayelech וַיֵּלֶךְ - And He Went

Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30

Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20; Joel 2:15-27

Matthew 21:9-17

1.1 First reading — Deuteronomy 31:1–3

1.2 Second reading — Deuteronomy 31:4–6

1.3 Third reading — Deuteronomy 31:7–9

1.4 Fourth reading — Deuteronomy 31:10–13

1.5 Fifth reading — Deuteronomy 31:14–19

1.6 Sixth reading — Deuteronomy 31:20–24

1.7 Seventh reading — Deuteronomy 31:25–30