Vayakhel- Pekudei Reading #2

VAYAK'HEL/PEKUDEI

Exodus 35:1-40:38

Reading #2 - Exodus 35:30-37:16 

My Thoughts:

In verse 30 we read about Bexalel who is “filled with the Spirit of Elohim, in wisdom, understanding, in knowledge and in all kinds of workmanship.” It is so interesting that Hashem would take an everyday man and fill Him with His Spirit and create in him many gifts. I think He has done that with many people throughout the centuries. Famous people, people who have made magnificent beneficial discoveries and inventions! And I also believe He does that for you and for me. I was the Executive Director of a Pregnancy Center for years. And I know for a fact that Hashem “equipped” and trained me for this position. I felt His hand on my life every day, in every task -- I still do! If you are “gifted” in areas of work and service, know that it only comes from Hashem and be grateful. Praise you Elohim for the gifts you give us!

Challenge:

Hashem picked men with wisdom to design and create the Tabernacle. I believe He picked only His “best” to do this awesome task. After all, they were creating a “resting place” for our one and only Elohim. What a privilege that would have been. And people gave -- even beyond what was needed. Everyone as a community was in the awesome task of creating the Tabernacle. So, here is my challenge for you today. Ask Hashem if there is a community project that YOU can become involved in. Where you can be “equipped” by Hashem to do some awesome and incredible tasks! Then thank Him and join Him and be used by Him to create and serve those around you. It will be a total blessing for you!

Reading #2 - Exodus 35:30-37:16

35:30 Moses said to the children of Israel, “Behold, Hashem has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 31 He has filled him with the Spirit of G-d, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship; 32 and to make skillful works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 33 in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of skillful workmanship. 34 He has put in his heart that he may teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. 35 He has filled them with wisdom of heart to work all kinds of workmanship, of the engraver, of the skillful workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of those who do any workmanship, and of those who make skillful works.

36 “Bezalel and Oholiab shall work with every wise-hearted man, in whom Hashem has put wisdom and understanding to know how to do all the work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that Hashem has commanded.”

2 Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart Hashem had put wisdom, even everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to the work to do it. 3 They received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, with which to make it. They kept bringing free will offerings to him every morning. 4 All the wise men, who performed all the work of the sanctuary, each came from his work which he did. 5 They spoke to Moses, saying, “The people have brought much more than enough for the service of the work which Hashem commanded to make.”

6 Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, “Let neither man nor woman make anything else for the offering for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing. 7 For the stuff they had was sufficient to do all the work, and too much.

8 All the wise-hearted men among those who did the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, blue, purple, and scarlet. They made them with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman. 9 The length of each curtain was twenty-eight cubits,[a] and the width of each curtain four cubits. All the curtains had one measure. 10 He coupled five curtains to one another, and the other five curtains he coupled to one another. 11 He made loops of blue on the edge of the one curtain from the edge in the coupling. Likewise he made in the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the second coupling. 12 He made fifty loops in the one curtain, and he made fifty loops in the edge of the curtain that was in the second coupling. The loops were opposite to one another. 13 He made fifty clasps of gold, and coupled the curtains to one another with the clasps: so the tabernacle was a unit.

14 He made curtains of goats’ hair for a covering over the tabernacle. He made them eleven curtains. 15 The length of each curtain was thirty cubits, and four cubits the width of each curtain. The eleven curtains had one measure. 16 He coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves. 17 He made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the coupling, and he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain which was outermost in the second coupling. 18 He made fifty clasps of bronze to couple the tent together, that it might be a unit. 19 He made a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering of sea cow hides above.

20 He made the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing up. 21 Ten cubits was the length of a board, and a cubit and a half the width of each board. 22 Each board had two tenons, joined to one another. He made all the boards of the tabernacle this way. 23 He made the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side southward. 24 He made forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards: two sockets under one board for its two tenons, and two sockets under another board for its two tenons. 25 For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, he made twenty boards 26 and their forty sockets of silver: two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. 27 For the far part of the tabernacle westward he made six boards. 28 He made two boards for the corners of the tabernacle in the far part. 29 They were double beneath, and in the same way they were all the way to its top to one ring. He did this to both of them in the two corners. 30 There were eight boards and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets—under every board two sockets.

31 He made bars of acacia wood: five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, 32 and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the hinder part westward. 33 He made the middle bar to pass through in the middle of the boards from the one end to the other. 34 He overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold as places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.

35 He made the veil of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. He made it the work of a skillful workman. 36 He made four pillars of acacia for it, and overlaid them with gold. Their hooks were of gold. He cast four sockets of silver for them. 37 He made a screen for the door of the tent, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of an embroiderer; 38 and the five pillars of it with their hooks. He overlaid their capitals and their fillets with gold, and their five sockets were of bronze.

37 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Its length was two and a half cubits,[b] and its width a cubit and a half, and a cubit and a half its height. 2 He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold for it around it. 3 He cast four rings of gold for it in its four feet—two rings on its one side, and two rings on its other side. 4 He made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 5 He put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, to bear the ark. 6 He made a mercy seat of pure gold. Its length was two and a half cubits, and a cubit and a half its width. 7 He made two cherubim of gold. He made them of beaten work, at the two ends of the mercy seat: 8 one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end. He made the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends. 9 The cherubim spread out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces toward one another. The faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat.

10 He made the table of acacia wood. Its length was two cubits, and its width was a cubit, and its height was a cubit and a half. 11 He overlaid it with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it. 12 He made a border of a hand’s width around it, and made a golden molding on its border around it. 13 He cast four rings of gold for it, and put the rings in the four corners that were on its four feet. 14 The rings were close by the border, the places for the poles to carry the table. 15 He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold, to carry the table. 16 He made the vessels which were on the table, its dishes, its spoons, its bowls, and its pitchers with which to pour out, of pure gold.

Vyakhel-Pekudei - Reading #1

VAYAK'HEL/PEKUDEI ויקהל/פקודי

Exodus 35:1-40:38

Reading #1 - Exodus 35:1-29 

My Thoughts:

Today we learn about being wise-hearted and having willing hearts. These were the people who gave to the Tabernacle and helped create the items needed. Hashem was only looking for people with these types of giving hearts. He did not make it mandatory to give, and He never does. It makes me think about how I give to Hashem in different ways. I want to do it with a “wise heart and a willing heart”. And it is really important to “listen” to Hashem and He will definitely direct you how to give. He does for me. But, it’s important to listen to Him -- so that you don’t miss out on blessings.

Challenge:

Right in verse 1 we read that it is Hashem that gave Moses the words of the Law, and that we are commanded to do them. What a wonderful honor that Hashem has given us HIS instructions on how to live our lives and how to live in community. And yes, how to serve Him in the Temple (Tabernacle). Maybe we don’t have a Temple right now, but even the “essence” of Temple worship is clear. Obedience, cleanliness, repentance, servitude and righteousness. The Jewish people have passed the Torah down to generation to generation throughout the centuries. They have done it carefully and sacrificially. What a privilege that we can study it and obey. Torah is LIFE. May we be grateful today for Torah and the LIFE it gives us. Amen.

Reading #1 -  Exodus 35:1-29 

35 Moses assembled all the congregation of the children of Israel, and said to them, “These are the words which Hashem has commanded, that you should do them. 2 ‘Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of solemn rest to Hashem: whoever does any work in it shall be put to death. 3 You shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations on the Sabbath day.’”

4 Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which Hashem commanded, saying, 5 ‘Take from among you an offering to Hashem. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as Hashem’s offering: gold, silver, bronze, 6 blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, 7 rams’ skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, 8 oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense, 9 onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate.

10 “‘Let every wise-hearted man among you come, and make all that Hashem has commanded: 11 the tabernacle, its outer covering, its roof, its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets; 12 the ark, and its poles, the mercy seat, the veil of the screen; 13 the table with its poles and all its vessels, and the show bread; 14 the lamp stand also for the light, with its vessels, its lamps, and the oil for the light; 15 and the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door, at the door of the tabernacle; 16 the altar of burnt offering, with its grating of bronze, its poles, and all its vessels, the basin and its base; 17 the hangings of the court, its pillars, their sockets, and the screen for the gate of the court; 18 the pins of the tabernacle, the pins of the court, and their cords; 19 the finely worked garments for ministering in the holy place—the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons—to minister in the priest’s office.’”

20 All the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. 21 They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and brought Hashem’s offering for the work of the Tent of Meeting, and for all of its service, and for the holy garments. 22 They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought brooches, earrings, signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold; even every man who offered an offering of gold to Hashem. 23 Everyone with whom was found blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, rams’ skins dyed red, and sea cow hides, brought them. 24 Everyone who offered an offering of silver and bronze brought Hashem’s offering; and everyone with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it. 25 All the women who were wise-hearted spun with their hands, and brought that which they had spun: the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen. 26 All the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats’ hair. 27 The rulers brought the onyx stones and the stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate; 28 with the spice and the oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense. 29 The children of Israel brought a free will offering to Hashem; every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which Hashem had commanded to be made by Moses.

Vayakhel-Pekudei - Week #10

Vayakhel-Pekudei - He gathered/Countings — וַיַּקְהֵל־פְקוּדֵי

Torah Reading Exodus 35:1 - 40:38

Haftarah:  Ezekiel 45:16-46:18

Apostolic Reading:  John 13:1-19 Luke 16:1-13

First Reading: Exodus 35:1-29

Second Reading: Exodus 35:30-37

Third Reading; Exodus 37:17-29

Fourth Reading: Exodus 38: 1-39

Fifth Reading: 39:2-21 

Sixth Reading: Exodus 39:22-43

Seventh Reading: Exodus 40:1-38

Ha'Azinu - Reading 37

Haazinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!

Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Haftarah: 2 Samuel 22:1-51

Apostolic Writing: John 6:26-35

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 32:44–52

My Thoughts:

Here is the end of Moses' journey with Hashem to the Promised Land. It is so very sad that after all of Moses’ dedication and work that he can not enter the land. But it is a stark remembrance to all of us, that sin is powerful and has strong repercussions. Yes, we know Hashem forgave Moses, but He did not forget. He passed a judgment at the time of Moses sin (at the water of Meribah) and He held to that judgment. It makes me think that there is a consequence to disobedience. We can repent and teshuvah, but we still must suffer the effects of what we have done. This reminder to us today should keep us in check. Let us think carefully before disobeying the Father. Amen. 

Challenge:

Today we are reminded also that Torah is life! In verse 47 we read, “...it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long…”. As we have studied Torah each day throughout this past year we have been “filled” with Hashem’s Word. What a blessing it is to have eaten it every day. Now soon we will go back to the beginning of Torah and start all over again. It will be a new year with new revelation and more miracles in our lives. We will be reminded every day of Hashem’s promises and His requirements of how to live our lives! My challenge to you today is to start over again after Sukkot in the new Torah cycle. Read, study, pray, worship and live His Word every day! It will give you abundant life and liberty! Amen!

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 32:44–52

32:44 Moses came and recited all the words of this song in the hearing of the people, he and Joshua the son of Nun. 45 And when Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, 46 he said to them, “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. 47 For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.”

48 That very day the Lord spoke to Moses, 49 “Go up this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, opposite Jericho, and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel for a possession. 50 And die on the mountain which you go up, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died in Mount Hor and was gathered to his people, 51 because you broke faith with Me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, and because you did not treat Me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel. 52 For you shall see the land before you, but you shall not go there, into the land that I am giving to the people of Israel.”

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

Here is a beautiful testimony from David about Hashem’s deliverance, love and faithfulness. In verse 36 we read, “You have given me the shield of Your salvation, and your gentleness made me great.” Hashem gave David a special anointing. He protected in fierce ways and yet was gentle in displaying His love for him. This is just what we can look forward to today in Hashem. Again His faithfulness and protection requires us to be righteous and faithful to Him. We must be obedient to His Laws and Commandments. Make today a new day and resolve that you will do this. That you will serve Hashem with your whole heart, soul and strength. Amen!

Challenge;

If you are in trouble, sick or need Hashem’s help -- here is wonderful Scripture to read -- especially verse 7, “In my distress I called upon Hashem; to my Elohim I called. From His Temple He heard my voice, and my cry came to His ears.” I believe when we call out to Hashem with all of our heart, that He does hear us. Sometimes it may not seem so because it doesn’t appear that our prayers are being answered. But from my experience, I can testify He always does hear you. He just may have a different way of hearing your prayer. Sometimes we pray for healing for someone and they die. We think He didn’t hear our prayer. But He did. That person we prayed for has ultimate wonderful healing in Paradise with Him! That person is in the best part of eternity! My challenge to you is to ask for more faith from Hashem. Faith that He does hear us and that we have evidence of that. Amen.

Haftarah: 2 Samuel 22:1-51

22:1 And David spoke to Hashem the words of this song on the day when Hashem delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. 2 He said,

“Hashem is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

3     my Elohim my Rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield, and the horn of my salvation,

    my stronghold and my refuge,

    my Savior; You save me from violence.

4 I call upon Hashem, who is worthy to be praised,

    and I am saved from my enemies.

5 “For the waves of death encompassed me,

    the torrents of destruction assailed me;

6 the cords of Sheol entangled me;

    the snares of death confronted me.

7 “In my distress I called upon Hashem;

    to my Elohim I called.

From His Temple He heard my voice,

    and my cry came to His ears.

8 “Then the earth reeled and rocked;

    the foundations of the heavens trembled

    and quaked, because He was angry.

9 Smoke went up from His nostrils,

    and devouring fire from His mouth;

    glowing coals flamed forth from Him.

10 He bowed the heavens and came down;

    thick darkness was under His feet.

11 He rode on a cherub and flew;

    He was seen on the wings of the wind.

12 He made darkness around him His canopy,

    thick clouds, a gathering of water.

13 Out of the brightness before Him

    coals of fire flamed forth.

14 Hashem thundered from heaven,

    and the Most High uttered His voice.

15 And He sent out arrows and scattered them;

    lightning, and routed them.

16 Then the channels of the sea were seen;

    the foundations of the world were laid bare,

at the rebuke of Hashem,

    at the blast of the breath of His nostrils.

17 “He sent from on high, He took me;

    He drew me out of many waters.

18 He rescued me from my strong enemy,

    from those who hated me,

    for they were too mighty for me.

19 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,

    but Hashem was my support.

20 He brought me out into a broad place;

    He rescued me, because He delighted in me.

21 “Hashem dealt with me according to my righteousness;

    according to the cleanness of my hands He rewarded me.

22 For I have kept the ways of Hashem

    and have not wickedly departed from my Elohim.

23 For all His rules were before me,

    and from His statutes I did not turn aside.

24 I was blameless before Him,

    and I kept myself from guilt.

25 And Hashem has rewarded me according to my righteousness,

    according to my cleanness in His sight.

26 “With the merciful you show Yourself merciful;

    with the blameless man You show Yourself blameless;

27 with the purified You deal purely,

    and with the crooked You make Yourself seem tortuous.

28 You save a humble people,

    but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.

29 For you are my lamp, Hashem,

    and my Elohim lightens my darkness.

30 For by You I can run against a troop,

    and by my Elohim I can leap over a wall.

31 This Elohim—His way is perfect;

    the word of Hashem proves true;

    He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.

32 “For who is Elohim, but Hashem?

    And who is a rock, except our Elohim?

33 This Elohim is my strong refuge

    and has made my way blameless.

34 He made my feet like the feet of a deer

    and set me secure on the heights.

35 He trains my hands for war,

    so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

36 You have given me the shield of Your salvation,

    and your gentleness made me great.

37 You gave a wide place for my steps under me,

    and my feet did not slip;

38 I pursued my enemies and destroyed them,

    and did not turn back until they were consumed.

39 I consumed them; I thrust them through, so that they did not rise;

    they fell under my feet.

40 For You equipped me with strength for the battle;

    you made those who rise against me sink under me.

41 You made my enemies turn their backs to me,

    those who hated me, and I destroyed them.

42 They looked, but there was none to save;

    they cried to Hashem, but He did not answer them.

43 I beat them fine as the dust of the earth;

    I crushed them and stamped them down like the mire of the streets.

44 “You delivered me from strife with my people;

    You kept me as the head of the nations;

    people whom I had not known served me.

45 Foreigners came cringing to me;

    as soon as they heard of me, they obeyed me.

46 Foreigners lost heart

    and came trembling out of their fortresses.

47 “Hashem lives, and blessed be my Rock,

    and exalted be my Elohim, the Rock of my salvation,

48 the Elohim who gave me vengeance

    and brought down peoples under me,

49 who brought me out from my enemies;

    You exalted me above those who rose against me;

    You delivered me from men of violence.

50 “For this I will praise you, O Hashem, among the nations,

    and sing praises to Your name.

51 Great salvation He brings to His king,

    and shows steadfast love to His anointed,

    to David and his offspring forever.”

Apostolic Writing

My Thoughts:

In verse 29 Yeshua tells His disciples to believe in Him who Hashem has sent. I believe that to “believe in Him” means to "believe Him". We are to trust in who He is and what He represents. He is an emanation of Hashem -- His representation to us. And when He came His teaching was to bring people back to Hashem through obedience in Torah. That is what He said. To believe in Him is to believe in Hashem and His Torah. He always “pointed” everyone to Hashem, to the Father. It is no coincidence that shortly after Yeshua was killed that the Temple came down. Maybe Yeshua was Hashem’s last chance for people to come back to Him. His people had strayed and followed other gods. Yeshua came to bring them back to Truth. He was not accepted. He was killed. The Temple was destroyed and the people were exiled. Someday the Mashiach will return and all will be well. But until that day, we must follow Hashem and His Torah with all of our being. Amen.

Challenge:

How beautiful is verse 35, “Yeshua said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.” I believe what He is saying is that the “bread” is Torah. If we study (eat) the Torah (bread) we will never be hungry. If we follow Hashem and Torah we will never be thirsty because we will be filled up. Isn’t that a wonderful analogy? The challenge today is that you partake in the “daily bread” of Torah. Make sure you are eating and consuming the Word of Hashem every day. Get filled up with HIM and your life will be the best. Amen.

Apostolic Writing: John 6:26-35

6:26 Yeshua answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him Elohim the Father has set His seal.” 28 Then they said to Him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of Elohim?” 29 Yeshua answered them, “This is the work of Elohim, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” 30 So they said to Him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe You? What work do You perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Yeshua then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of Elohim is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to Him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

35 Yeshua said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.”

Ha'Azinu - Reading #6

Haazinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!

Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 32:40–43

My Thoughts:

Even though the people of Israel will fall after they arrive into the Land, Hashem is always faithful to bring them back. His love is so strong for His people that He will protect them through it all. We see this in verse 43, “He avenges the blood of His children and takes vengeance on His adversaries. He repays those who hate Him and cleanses His people's land…”. Even if people stray from Hashem, they still will have enemies or people after them. Hashem says He will take vengeance on these enemies and will “cleanse” the land. Somehow He will get rid of those who tempt and torment His people. That is unconditional love. Imagine if you “turned” on your best friend. But, then he/she saw that you were in trouble with another person. I’m sure he/she would defend you, even if you had hurt them. That is true friendship/love. To help someone when they have turned their back on you. Think about it. Amen.

Challenge:

Torah is clear that we are to “rejoice” with Hashem in all we do. The beginning of verse 43 says, “Rejoice with Him, O heavens; bow down to Him, all gods…”. Not only are we to bow to the King of the Universe, but He wants us to rejoice with Him! What does that look like? It could simply be giving praise and honor throughout your day. Every time you see His Hand and work, or feel His presence, or witness a miracle -- you thank Him with all your heart. That is my challenge to you today. Look for Hashem and praise Him when you find Him. If you can’t seem to find Him, praise Him anyways. He is always there, that is His promise. Amen.

Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 32:40–43

32:40 For I lift up my hand to heaven

    and swear, As I live forever,

41 if I sharpen my flashing sword

    and my hand takes hold on judgment,

I will take vengeance on my adversaries

    and will repay those who hate me.

42 I will make my arrows drunk with blood,

    and my sword shall devour flesh—

with the blood of the slain and the captives,

    from the long-haired heads of the enemy.’

43 “Rejoice with Him, O heavens;

    bow down to Him, all gods,

for He avenges the blood of His children

    and takes vengeance on His adversaries.

He repays those who hate Him

    and cleanses His people's land.”

Ha'Azinu - Reading #5

Haazinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!

Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 32:29–39

My Thoughts:

Verse 36 should clarify the future for us, ”For Hashem will judge His people, and have compassion on His servants…”. It’s not like we can lead a sinful life, ignoring Hashem’s commands and not be judged. That is why we repent, teshuvah and make restitution -- so that He will have compassion on us. Make sure your heart is right with Hashem. If not, make it so. We want to experience Hashem’s compassion and not His judgment. Amen.

Challenge:

Sometimes it helps to understand that Hashem really dictates the length of our days. Verse 39 explains, “I kill and I make alive,  I wound and I heal. There is no one who can deliver out of My hand.” He can keep us alive or He can let us go. But the greater promise is no one can take you out of His hand. We must remember that Hashem can and will keep us alive and will heal us too. We just need to ask Him. That is my challenge today. If you need healing, maybe you have a serious disease. Don’t give up. Go to Hashem. Worship and pray before Him. Pray this Scripture that He heals. Then ask Him to heal you. Or someone you love or care about. It’s up to Him and we can ask. It will be in His time and in His way. Amen.

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 32:29–39

29 Oh that they were wise, that they understood this,

    that they would consider their latter end!

30 How could one chase a thousand,

    and two put ten thousand to flight,

unless their Rock had sold them,

    And Hashem had delivered them up?

31 For their rock is not as our Rock,

    even our enemies themselves concede.

32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom,

    of the fields of Gomorrah.

Their grapes are poison grapes.

    Their clusters are bitter.

33 Their wine is the poison of serpents,

    the cruel venom of asps.

34 “Isn’t this laid up in store with me,

    sealed up among my treasures?

35 Vengeance is mine, and recompense,

    at the time when their foot slides;

for the day of their calamity is at hand.

    Their doom rushes at them.”

36 For Hashem will judge His people,

    and have compassion on His servants,

when He sees that their power is gone;

    that there is no one remaining, shut up or left at large.

37 He will say, “Where are their gods,

    the rock in which they took refuge;

38 which ate the fat of their sacrifices,

    and drank the wine of their drink offering?

Let them rise up and help you!

    Let them be your protection.

39 “See now that I Myself am He.

    There is no god with Me.

I kill and I make alive.

    I wound and I heal.

    There is no one who can deliver out of my hand.

Ha-Azinu - Reading #4

Haazinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!

Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 32:19–28

My Thoughts:

After Moses explains the “trouble” they are going to be getting into when they abandon Hashem, he says in verse 28, ”For they are a nation void of counsel. There is no understanding in them.” He is predicting that they will have a time in the future when they will no longer “consult” with Hashem. They will be “void” of His counsel. Therefore, since they are not in relationship with Hashem there will be “no understanding”. That’s what is happening today. People no longer believe or communicate with the one true Elohim. They are going it alone. And the end result is that they have no understanding in spiritual matters. People have become totally carnal, devoid of the one true spiritual relationship with Hashem. This is sad. You and I can be a part of changing this. We can be “lights” to His truth and existence and bring His real love to others. We can teach people about Him and how to communicate (pray) with Him. If they do this they will gain understanding. 

Challenge:

In verse 20 we read that the result of disobedience amongst His people is that, “I will hide My face from them.”. Having the face of Hashem “hid” from you means He is no longer visible or tangible in your life. It is like when we sin, the “hand” of Hashem is lifted off our lives -- we can only go it alone. Do you want that? I don’t. And I can feel this happening every time I deliberately sin against Him. It’s like He really does “hide His face” from me. It takes true repentance and teshuvah to regain that personal relationship with Him. My challenge today is for you to assess your spiritual life. Do you feel Hashem’s Hand in upon your life, or do you feel He is “hiding His face” from you? If it is the latter, please do something about it. Repent and return to Him. Make restitution for what you have done and pray that He will return to you. Scripture says He will (Malachi 3:7). Don’t be content with a life absent of Hashem, invite Him back into your life. And show Him that you really mean this. Amen?

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 32:19–28

19 Hashem saw and abhorred,

    because of the provocation of His sons and his daughters.

20 He said, “I will hide My face from them.

    I will see what their end will be;

for they are a very perverse generation,

    children in whom is no faithfulness.

21 They have moved Me to jealousy with that which is not Elohim.

    They have provoked Me to anger with their vanities.

I will move them to jealousy with those who are not a people.

    I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

22 For a fire is kindled in my anger,

    that burns to the lowest Sheol,

    devours the earth with its increase,

    and sets the foundations of the mountains on fire.

23 “I will heap evils on them.

    I will spend my arrows on them.

24 They shall be wasted with hunger,

    and devoured with burning heat

    and bitter destruction.

I will send the teeth of animals on them,

    with the venom of vipers that glide in the dust.

25 Outside the sword will bereave,

    and in the rooms,

    terror on both young man and virgin,

    the nursing infant with the gray-haired man.

26 I said that I would scatter them afar.

    I would make their memory to cease from among men;

27 were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy,

    lest their adversaries should judge wrongly,

    lest they should say, ‘Our hand is exalted,

    Hashem has not done all this.’”

28 For they are a nation void of counsel.

    There is no understanding in them.