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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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

Ki Tavo - Reading #7

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Isaiah 60:1-22

Matthew 4:13-24

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 29:1–8

My Thoughts:

In verse 6 we read that the Hebrew people had not eaten bread nor drank wine for 40 years. I did a little research on this, and it seems like the “manna” or “bread” from heaven was not leavened bread. It may have been a seeded type of wafer. But, think of this -- no bread or wine for 40 years. And then celebrating bread and wine at every meal has been a tradition ever since. He takes away and He gives you back. He does this to show that He is Elohim. And the really cool part is HE IS THE BREAD AND THE WINE. He is everything we need to live. Thank you Hashem!

Challenge:

In verse 5 we read, “I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not grown old on you, and your sandals have not grown old on your feet.” Isn’t that amazing. Hashem provided everything! Food, water, clothing and sandals. And they never wore out. I have a son-in-law that has saved his clothing from 25 years ago. The amazing thing is that it hasn’t worn out. But, in all fairness -- neither has he worn them every day, like the Hebrew people did. Imagine wearing shoes for forty years and they never, ever wear out! It truly is a miracle. My challenge today is that you think about how Hashem has always provided for you. You have never been for want -- right? Thank Him and praise Him. He is the giver of everything, He is the giver of life. Amen.

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 29:1–8

29:1 These are the words of the covenant which Hashem commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, in addition to the covenant which He made with them in Horeb. 2 Moses called to all Israel, and said to them:

Your eyes have seen all that Hashem did in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land; 3 the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders. 4 But Hashem has not given you a heart to know, eyes to see, and ears to hear, to this day. 5 I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not grown old on you, and your sandals have not grown old on your feet. 6 You have not eaten bread, neither have you drunk wine or strong drink, that you may know that I am Hashem your Elohim. 7 When you came to this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon and Og the king of Bashan came out against us to battle, and we struck them. 8 We took their land, and gave it for an inheritance to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of the Manassites.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

In verse 19 we read, “The sun will be no more your light by day; nor will the brightness of the moon give light to you, but Hashem will be your everlasting light, and your Elohim will be your glory.” This is such an incredible prophecy. In the Olam Haba, the world to come, we will actually not need the sun or the moon --the glory of Hashem, His shekinah glory will fill the earth. His Light will fill the world and it will be wonderful. We have no idea how to imagine what this would be like. I believe to be in the presence of His glory will bring us prostrate. We will not be able to stand, just lay flat. We only see in part right now, but then we will see in full. And it will be totally amazing. Thank you Hashem!

Challenge:

In verse 5 we read how people will feel when they are “brought” back to Israel -- to the Land. Verse 5 reads, “Then you shall see and be radiant, and your heart will thrill and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you. The wealth of the nations will come to you.” We will “reflect” HIs glorious light in our lives, in those days. We will be blessed with wealth from the nations. But, as I am reading this today, I think, “why can’t we reflect His light today?” And we should. We are to be a “light” to the nations. My challenge is to start being that “light” today. Let us prepare for His Light to go forth throughout the world. Let us start “shining” His light through all we do and say. Maybe we can begin to “light the way” for Hashem to come. Amen?

Haftarah: Isaiah 60:1-22

60:1  “Arise, shine; for your light has come,

    and Hashem’s glory has risen on you.

2 For, behold, darkness will cover the earth,

    and thick darkness the peoples;

but Hashem will arise on you,

    and His glory shall be seen on you.

3 Nations will come to your light,

    and kings to the brightness of your rising.

4 “Lift up your eyes all around, and see:

    they all gather themselves together.

    They come to you.

Your sons will come from far away,

    and your daughters will be carried in arms.

5 Then you shall see and be radiant,

    and your heart will thrill and be enlarged;

because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you.

    The wealth of the nations will come to you.

6 A multitude of camels will cover you,

    the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah.

All from Sheba will come.

    They will bring gold and frankincense,

    and will proclaim the praises of Hashem.

7 All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered together to you.

    The rams of Nebaioth will serve you.

They will be accepted as offerings on my altar;

    and I will beautify my glorious house.

8 “Who are these who fly as a cloud,

    and as the doves to their windows?

9 Surely the islands will wait for me,

    and the ships of Tarshish first,

to bring your sons from far away,

    their silver and their gold with them,

for the name of Hashem your Elohim,

    and for the Holy One of Israel,

    because He has glorified you.

10 “Foreigners will build up your walls,

    and their kings will serve you:

for in my wrath I struck you,

    but in my favor I have had mercy on you.

11 Your gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night, that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, and their kings led captive.

12 For that nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; yes, those nations shall be utterly wasted.

13 “The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress tree, the pine, and the box tree together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of My feet glorious.

14 The sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you;

    and all those who despised you will bow themselves down at the soles of your feet.

They will call you Hashem’s City,

    the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

15 “Whereas you have been forsaken and hated,

    so that no one passed through you,

I will make you an eternal excellency,

    a joy of many generations.

16 You will also drink the milk of the nations,

    and will nurse from royal breasts.

Then you will know that I, Hashem, am your Savior,

    your Redeemer,

    the Mighty One of Jacob.

17 For bronze I will bring gold;

    for iron I will bring silver;

    for wood, bronze,

    and for stones, iron.

I will also make peace your governor,

    and righteousness your ruler.

18 Violence shall no more be heard in your land,

    nor desolation or destruction within your borders;

but you will call your walls Salvation,

    and your gates Praise.

19 The sun will be no more your light by day;

    nor will the brightness of the moon give light to you,

but Hashem will be your everlasting light,

    and your Elohim will be your glory.

20 Your sun will not go down any more,

    nor will your moon withdraw itself;

for Hashem will be your everlasting light,

    and the days of your mourning will end.

21 Then your people will all be righteous.

    They will inherit the land forever,

    the branch of my planting,

    the work of my hands,

    that I may be glorified.

22 The little one will become a thousand,

    and the small one a strong nation.

    I, Hashem, will do this quickly in its time.”

Apostolic Writing

My Thoughts:

What did Yeshua mean when He said, “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” (Verse 11) Did He mean that He was bringing in the Kingdom? Was He? All that has been taught says He came to be crucified and when He was the Kingdom was “delayed”. My thought is that He did come to bring the Kingdom of Heaven. He taught Torah and His objective was to bring people back to Hashem. He knew if people did not quickly turn their hearts to Hashem, that the Temple was coming down, and the people would be dispersed. Could it be that if they would have not crucified Him -- the Temple would have stayed and He would have ushered in the Kingdom of Heaven. Something to think about.

Challenge:

In verse 23 we read, “Yeshua went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.” Yeshua was a Jewish Rabbi. He taught in the synagogues. He taught Torah and repentance. He taught about the Kingdom of Heaven. And we killed Him. The only begotten Son of Hashem. But, here is the real good news. The Mashiach will return to Jerusalem to the Temple, where He will rule and reign forever. Alongside the glory of Hashem will fill the earth. These are wonderful things to look forward to. Your challenge today -- study the words of Yeshua and try to reflect His teachings. All His teachings are about the heart of Torah, the heart of Hashem. If you follow Him and follow His teachings your life will be full, and you will have real hope for the Olam Haba (the world to come). Amen. 

Apostolic Writing: Matthew 4:13-24

4:13 Leaving Nazareth, He came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

    toward the sea, beyond the Jordan,

    Galilee of the Gentiles,

16 the people who sat in darkness saw a great light;

    to those who sat in the region and shadow of death,

    to them light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:1-2

17 From that time, Yeshua began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

18 Walking by the sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.”

20 They immediately left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them. 22 They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

23 Yeshua went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24 The report about Him went out into all Syria. They brought to Him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.