Devarim - Reading #7

Devarim דְּבָרִים - Words
Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22
Isaiah 1:1-27
Matthew 24:1-22

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 3:15–22

My Thoughts:

Hashem is working things out for the tribes who want to stay east of the Jordan, verse 20 “Then you shall each return to his own possession, which I have given you.” It is so wonderful to know that Hashem is the One who gives us anything in our life. Where we live, where we work, our relationships and our lives. We just need to be in a relationship with Him so that we realize this. He creates and owns everything, and we must take good care of the things that He places in our lives. We have been in the process of selling our house and moving. I have stayed in close contact with Hashem every step of the way. And I must admit I have seen several “moves” of His hands on all of this. But, bottom line -- He owns our house, He owns my family and He owns my life. And I am glad. I am His. And that is a privilege. And a comfort for sure.

Challenge:

Hashem fights our battles. We read in verse 22, “You shall not fear them; for Hashem your Elohim Himself fights for you.” Hashem has been putting something on my heart - a ministry - to create. I think about all the miracles He would do through this ministry and then I start thinking about how the “enemy” would not like this and may attack. Then I realize that this will be Hashem’s ministry and He will protect it! He will defeat the enemy -- if the enemy plans any attempts to cause trouble! That is so reassuring! My challenge to you is today to trust in Hashem. If you are going through a “battle”, seek His face and ask for help. Ask Him to defeat the enemy and protect you. We assured through the Torah that He will do this. Amen.

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 3:15–22

3:15 I gave Gilead to Machir. 16 To the Reubenites and to the Gadites I gave from Gilead even to the valley of the Arnon, the middle of the valley, and its border, even to the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon; 17 the Arabah also, and the Jordan and its border, from Chinnereth even to the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, under the slopes of Pisgah eastward.

18 I commanded you at that time, saying, “Hashem your Elohim has given you this land to possess it. All of you men of valor shall pass over armed before your brothers, the children of Israel. 19 But your wives, and your little ones, and your livestock, (I know that you have much livestock), shall live in your cities which I have given you, 20 until Hashem gives rest to your brothers, as to you, and they also possess the land which Hashem your Elohim gives them beyond the Jordan. Then you shall each return to his own possession, which I have given you.”

21 I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, “Your eyes have seen all that Hashem your Elohim has done to these two kings. So shall Hashem do to all the kingdoms where you go over. 22 You shall not fear them; for Hashem your Elohim Himself fights for you.”

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

The commands and promises are simple. We read in verses 18-20, “Come now, and let’s reason together,” says Hashem:  “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword; for the Hashem’s mouth has spoken it.” If you obey you will be blessed, if you are not you will be “devoured”. Plain and simple. What is it about this that we don’t get? Why do we continue to sin and turn our faces away from Hashem? There is no excuse. Yes we are exiled, but we need to get over that. We must follow and obey Torah and Hashem. That’s all there is to it. Amen.

Challenge:

Here is the answer to disobedience in verses 16-17, “Wash yourselves. Make yourself clean. Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil. Learn to do well. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed.

Defend the fatherless. Plead for the widow.” Easy. Stop sinning and do good (help others). That’s your challenge today. You know exactly what I am talking about. Amen.

Haftarah Reading: Isaiah 1:1-27

1:1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

2 Hear, heavens,

    and listen, earth; for Hashem has spoken:

“I have nourished and brought up children

    and they have rebelled against me.

3 The ox knows his owner,

    and the donkey his master’s crib;

    but Israel doesn’t know.

    My people don’t consider.”

4 Ah sinful nation,

    a people loaded with iniquity,

    Offspring of evildoers,

    children who deal corruptly!

They have forsaken Hashem.

    They have despised the Holy One of Israel.

    They are estranged and backward.

5 Why should you be beaten more,

    that you revolt more and more?

The whole head is sick,

    and the whole heart faint.

6 From the sole of the foot even to the head there is no soundness in it:

    wounds, welts, and open sores.

    They haven’t been closed, bandaged, or soothed with oil.

7 Your country is desolate.

    Your cities are burned with fire.

    Strangers devour your land in your presence

    and it is desolate,

    as overthrown by strangers.

8 The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard,

    like a hut in a field of melons,

    like a besieged city.

9 Unless Hashem of Armies had left to us a very small remnant,

    we would have been as Sodom.

    We would have been like Gomorrah.

10 Hear Hashem’s word, you rulers of Sodom!

    Listen to the law of our Elohim, you people of Gomorrah!

11 “What are the multitude of your sacrifices to me?”, says Hashem.

    “I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams

    and the fat of fed animals.

    I don’t delight in the blood of bulls,

    or of lambs,

    or of male goats.

12 When you come to appear before me,

    who has required this at your hand, to trample my courts?

13 Bring no more vain offerings.

    Incense is an abomination to me.

    New moons, Sabbaths, and convocations:

    I can’t stand evil assemblies.

14 My soul hates your New Moons and your appointed feasts.

    They are a burden to me.

    I am weary of bearing them.

15 When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you.

    Yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear.

    Your hands are full of blood.

16 Wash yourselves. Make yourself clean.

    Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes.

    Cease to do evil.

17 Learn to do well.

    Seek justice.

    Relieve the oppressed.

Defend the fatherless.

    Plead for the widow.”

18 “Come now, and let’s reason together,” says Hashem:

    “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.

    Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

19 If you are willing and obedient,

    you will eat the good of the land;

20     but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword;

    for the Hashem’s mouth has spoken it.”

21 How the faithful city has become a prostitute!

    She was full of justice.

Righteousness lodged in her,

    but now there are murderers.

22 Your silver has become dross,

    your wine mixed with water.

23 Your princes are rebellious and companions of thieves.

    Everyone loves bribes and follows after rewards.

    They don’t defend the fatherless,

    neither does the cause of the widow come to them.

24 Therefore the L-rd, Hashem of Armies,

    the Mighty One of Israel, says:

“Ah, I will get relief from my adversaries,

    and avenge myself on my enemies.

25 I will turn my hand on you,

    thoroughly purge away your dross,

    and will take away all your tin.

26 I will restore your judges as at the first,

    and your counselors as at the beginning.

Afterward you shall be called ‘The city of righteousness,

    a faithful town.’

27 Zion shall be redeemed with justice,

    and her converts with righteousness.

Apostolic Reading

My Thoughts:

Here Yeshua is speaking about end times, before He returns as Mashiach. Here is the promise in verse 13, “”But he who endures to the end will be saved.” He is explaining that things are not going to get better, they are going to be really tough. He describes circumstances that will occur. A huge experience will be the Temple being destroyed. He knew this was going to happen and is now telling the disciples. I have often wondered if this is why Yeshua really came in person -- to warn us that if we did not start earnestly following Hashem -- the Temple would be removed (for a very long time!). This is a discussion for another time. The point is, the Mashiach was explaining to His people to get prepared and there were tough times ahead. But, those who will endure through it all -- will win. They will be granted eternal life with Hashem. So, be strong and obedient, starting today.

Challenge:

In verse 4 Yeshua specifically tells His people to be careful and to watch out for people that will lead you astray. That false prophets will come and say they are the Mashiach. You may think that it would not be possible that you would obviously know when the real Mashiach shows up. But, think of this -- many did not recognize Yeshua when He came to the earth. Maybe you don’t believe He was the Mashiach, but did you ever study it? Have you ever studied what it will be like when the Mashiach comes in the Olam Haba? My concern is that we are not really familiar with Scripture on this subject. We actually may believe that someone is the Mashiach when they are NOT. So my challenge to you today is to STUDY. Let us not get confused or be led astray. It’s too important. Following the wrong person would be a huge mistake. An eternal mistake. There are many Scriptures on the subject of the Mashiach. Study them and become familiar. Amen.

Apostolic Scripture: Matthew 24:1-22

24:1 Yeshua went out from the Temple, and was going on His way. His disciples came to Him to show Him the buildings of the Temple. 2 But He answered them, “You see all of these things, don’t you? Most certainly I tell you, there will not be left here one stone on another, that will not be thrown down.”

3 As He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?”

4 Yeshua answered them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Mashiach,’ and will lead many astray. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places. 8 But all these things are the beginning of birth pains.

9 “Then they will deliver you up to oppression and will kill you. You will be hated by all of the nations for

My name’s sake. 10 Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will arise and will lead many astray. 12 Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end will be saved. 14 This Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

15 “When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take out the things that are in his house. 18 Let him who is in the field not return back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are with child and to nursing mothers in those days! 20 Pray that your flight will not be in the winter nor on a Sabbath, 21 for then there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be. 22 Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened.

Devarim - Reading #6

Devarim דְּבָרִים - Words
Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22

Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 2:31–3:14

My Thoughts:

Here is where people have struggles with Torah history. Why the battles? Why the killing of children and women? The only answer is this. Hashem told them to do so. There are things we can not understand in our earthly minds. And that is when we have to trust Hashem. We know that the people that were conquered were most likely approached first with some “bargaining” points. They most likely offered to travel through peacefully and pay for water and food. If they refused, then Hashem delivered them into the Israelites hands. War is hard to understand and makes us very sad. That is why we must strive toward unity with our enemies. We must treat others better than ourselves. We must be kind and generous. And we must be forgiving. This will all be groundwork for peace.

Challenge:

In verse 36 we read, “Hashem our Elohim delivered up all before us.” He went ahead of the Israelites and prepared the way. Even if we do not understand all of this -- there is one central truth here. That if He asks you to do something, He will prepare the way for you to go. Here’s my challenge today. If you feel that Hashem is taking in you in a specific direction but you are hesitant, don’t be. Believe in your heart He will not only direct your path, but will prepare the way ahead of time. He will then walk with you through it. Someone once told me this -- “He doesn’t call you unless He equips you”. I believe it, don’t you?

Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 2:31–3:14

2:31 Hashem said to me, “Behold, I have begun to deliver up Sihon and his land before you. Begin to possess, that you may inherit his land.” 32 Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Jahaz. 33 Hashem our Elohim delivered him up before us; and we struck him, his sons, and all his people. 34 We took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed every inhabited city, with the women and the little ones. We left no one remaining. 35 Only the livestock we took for plunder for ourselves, with the plunder of the cities which we had taken. 36 From Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, and the city that is in the valley, even to Gilead, there was not a city too high for us. Hashem our Elohim delivered up all before us. 37 Only to the land of the children of Ammon you didn’t come near: all the banks of the river Jabbok, and the cities of the hill country, and wherever Hashem our Elohim forbade us.

3:1 Then we turned, and went up the way to Bashan. Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei. 2 Hashem said to me, “Don’t fear him; for I have delivered him, with all his people and his land, into your hand. You shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.”

3 So Hashem our Elohim also delivered into our hand Og, the king of Bashan, and all his people. We struck him until no one was left to him remaining. 4 We took all his cities at that time. There was not a city which we didn’t take from them: sixty cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan. 5 All these were cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars, in addition to a great many villages without walls. 6 We utterly destroyed them, as we did to Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying every inhabited city, with the women and the little ones. 7 But all the livestock, and the plunder of the cities, we took for plunder for ourselves. 8 We took the land at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, from the valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon. 9 (The Sidonians call Hermon Sirion, and the Amorites call it Senir.) 10 We took all the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, to Salecah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan. 11 (For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the Rephaim. Behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron. Isn’t it in Rabbah of the children of Ammon? Nine cubits was its length, and four cubits its width, after the cubit of a man.) 12 This land we took in possession at that time: from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, and half the hill country of Gilead with its cities, I gave to the Reubenites and to the Gadites; 13 and the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to the half-tribe of Manasseh—all the region of Argob, even all Bashan. (The same is called the land of Rephaim. 14 Jair the son of Manasseh took all the region of Argob, to the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and called them, even Bashan, after his own name, Havvoth Jair, to this day.)

Devarim - Reading #5

Devarim דְּבָרִים - Words

Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 2:2–30

My Thoughts:

Today we read about “specifics”. Where to go and what to do. Do not attack but be willing to pay for food and water. And the reasons why. And then there is this huge promise in verse 25, “Today I will begin to put the dread of you and the fear of you on the peoples who are under the whole sky, who shall hear the report of you, and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.” It’s like Hashem is taking care of EVERYTHING. He is giving very detailed instructions for travel and then He says the people will be fearful of them because Hashem will make it known and so. I don’t think He has ever stopped doing this. He prepares the way for all of us and shields us from the enemy. But there is a contingency in all of this. We must follow and obey Him and His Torah. We must serve Him and Him only. We must love Him with all our hearts, soul and strength. Then and only then are His promises fulfilled.

Challenge:

If we follow and obey then verse 7 will come to fruition, “For Hashem your Elohim has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has known your walking through this great wilderness. These forty years, Hashem your Elohim has been with you. You have lacked nothing.” He will bless all you do. He will walk with you. And you will lack nothing. My challenge to you is to make sure this happens. Change your life to follow only Him. And serve only Him. Then you will no longer be walking alone. You will have the comfort and protection of Hashem your Father.

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 2:2–30

2:2 Hashem spoke to me, saying, 3 “You have encircled this mountain long enough. Turn northward. 4 Command the people, saying, ‘You are to pass through the border of your brothers, the children of Esau, who dwell in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. Therefore be careful. 5 Don’t contend with them; for I will not give you any of their land, no, not so much as for the sole of the foot to tread on, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau for a possession. 6 You shall purchase food from them for money, that you may eat. You shall also buy water from them for money, that you may drink.’”

7 For Hashem your Elohim has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has known your walking through this great wilderness. These forty years, Hashem your Elohim has been with you. You have lacked nothing.

8 So we passed by from our brothers, the children of Esau, who dwell in Seir, from the way of the Arabah from Elath and from Ezion Geber. We turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab.

9 Hashem said to me, “Don’t bother Moab, neither contend with them in battle; for I will not give you any of his land for a possession, because I have given Ar to the children of Lot for a possession.”

10 (The Emim lived there before, a great and numerous people, and tall as the Anakim. 11 These also are considered to be Rephaim, as the Anakim; but the Moabites call them Emim. 12 The Horites also lived in Seir in the past, but the children of Esau succeeded them. They destroyed them from before them, and lived in their place, as Israel did to the land of his possession, which Hashem gave to them.)

13 “Now rise up, and cross over the brook Zered.” We went over the brook Zered.

14 The days in which we came from Kadesh Barnea until we had come over the brook Zered were thirty-eight years: until all the generation of the men of war were consumed from the middle of the camp, as Hashem swore to them. 15 Moreover Hashem’s hand was against them, to destroy them from the middle of the camp, until they were consumed. 16 So, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people, 17 Hashem spoke to me, saying, 18 “You are to pass over Ar, the border of Moab, today. 19 When you come near the border of the children of Ammon, don’t bother them, nor contend with them; for I will not give you any of the land of the children of Ammon for a possession, because I have given it to the children of Lot for a possession.”

20 (That also is considered a land of Rephaim. Rephaim lived there in the past, but the Ammonites call them Zamzummim, 21 a great people, many, and tall, as the Anakim; but Hashem destroyed them from before Israel, and they succeeded them, and lived in their place; 22 as he did for the children of Esau who dwell in Seir, when he destroyed the Horites from before them; and they succeeded them, and lived in their place even to this day. 23 Then the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza: the Caphtorim, who came out of Caphtor, destroyed them and lived in their place.)

24 “Rise up, take your journey, and pass over the valley of the Arnon. Behold, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land; begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle. 25 Today I will begin to put the dread of you and the fear of you on the peoples who are under the whole sky, who shall hear the report of you, and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.”

26 I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying, 27 “Let me pass through your land. I will go along by the highway. I will turn neither to the right hand nor to the left. 28 You shall sell me food for money, that I may eat; and give me water for money, that I may drink. Just let me pass through on my feet, 29 as the children of Esau who dwell in Seir, and the Moabites who dwell in Ar, did to me; until I pass over the Jordan into the land which Hashem our Elohim gives us.” 30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him; for Hashem our Elohim hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into your hand, as it is today.

Devarim - Reading #4

Devarim דְּבָרִים - Words

Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 1:39–2:1

My Thoughts:

Lessons to be learned. In verse 42 we read, “Don’t go up and don’t fight; for I am not among you, lest you be struck before your enemies.” How many times in your life have you clearly heard from Hashem (in whatever way He speaks to you) -- don’t do what you are thinking of doing! You kind of get that feeling in your belly like you are doing something wrong, but you do it anyway! With this group of Israelites that were learning about Hashem and how to follow Him, they clearly made this mistake. They try to make the first mistake right (that is being fearful and doubtful to enter the Land), by taking things into their own hands. It doesn’t work. Hashem doesn’t go with them into battle, and they are defeated. We must learn from this. Do not go into task, ministry, job, marriage, etc., unless Hashem has called you to do so. If He has called you then He will go with you. If He hasn’t -- well, you are on your own and will suffer consequences. 

Challenge:

Do how do we know when Hashem is “calling” or not “calling” us to do something? You learn by knowing His voice. Sometimes He can speak to you through other people. Sometimes through Scripture, Torah, or a thought in your mind. When He speaks there is peace and comfort. If you are hearing another “voice” it will usually bring you anxiousness or worry. My challenge to you today is to practice hearing the voice of Hashem. When you think you hear Him, test it out. Through experience and trial and error, you will eventually learn to hear Him pretty well. Start today. It will change your life. Remember He is the giver of eternal life and the good life here on earth. Amen!

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 1:39–2:1

1:39 Moreover your little ones, whom you said would be captured or killed, your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, shall go in there. I will give it to them, and they shall possess it. 40 But as for you, turn, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.”

41 Then you answered and said to me, “We have sinned against Hashem. We will go up and fight, according to all that Hashem our Elohim commanded us.” Every man of you put on his weapons of war, and presumed to go up into the hill country.

42 Hashem said to me, “Tell them, ‘Don’t go up and don’t fight; for I am not among you, lest you be struck before your enemies.’”

43 So I spoke to you, and you didn’t listen; but you rebelled against the commandment of Hashem, and were presumptuous, and went up into the hill country. 44 The Amorites, who lived in that hill country, came out against you and chased you as bees do, and beat you down in Seir, even to Hormah. 45 You returned and wept before Hashem; but Hashem didn’t listen to your voice, nor turn His ear to you. 46 So you stayed in Kadesh many days, according to the days that you remained.

2 Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as Hashem spoke to me; and we encircled Mount Seir many days.

Devarim - Reading #3

Devarim דְּבָרִים - Words

Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 1:22–38

My Thoughts:

In verse 29 Hashem tells us not to be afraid when He sets us to a task. That “He goes before you”. What about this, don't we believe? He is true and trustworthy and all we need to do is trust in Him. I wonder why this is so hard. Even in my life today I feel like He has asked me to be involved in this huge pro-life project. We have to raise $250,000 to get a mobile medical unit on the road! It seems like so much money but for Him it is so small. We just have to be obedient and trust He will lead us to the right to people, and that He will move on people’s hearts. Amen! I just have to believe He is going before us!

Challenge:

Again the Israelites are scared and doubting why they left Egypt. Moses is retelling the story, and it is a story that has been told over the centuries! What we learn is that they left because Hashem called them and led them. He provided and saved them! He wants to get this message deep into our souls. He is the DELIVERER!

My challenge today to you is that you spend time thinking about this. If you are in a tough spot in life remember to pray, see His face and ask Him for deliverance. He is listening and He will work it out for you. Start praising Him for the results! Amen!

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 1:22–38

1:22 You came near to me, everyone of you, and said, “Let’s send men before us, that they may search the land for us, and bring back to us word of the way by which we must go up, and the cities to which we shall come.”

23 The thing pleased me well. I took twelve of your men, one man for every tribe. 24 They turned and went up into the hill country, and came to the valley of Eshcol, and spied it out. 25 They took some of the fruit of the land in their hands and brought it down to us, and brought us word again, and said, “It is a good land which Hashem our Elohim gives to us.”

26 Yet you wouldn’t go up, but rebelled against the commandment of Hashem your Elohim. 27 You murmured in your tents, and said, “Because Hashem hated us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to destroy us. 28 Where are we going up? Our brothers have made our heart melt, saying, ‘The people are greater and taller than we. The cities are great and fortified up to the sky. Moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there!’”

29 Then I said to you, “Don’t be terrified. Don’t be afraid of them. 30 Hashem your Elohim, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all that He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 31 and in the wilderness where you have seen how that Hashem your Elohim carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went, until you came to this place.”

32 Yet in this thing you didn’t believe Hashem your Elohim, 33 who went before you on the way, to seek out a place for you to pitch your tents in: in fire by night, to show you by what way you should go, and in the cloud by day. 34 Hashem heard the voice of your words and was angry, and swore, saying, 35 “Surely not one of these men of this evil generation shall see the good land which I swore to give to your fathers, 36 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He shall see it. I will give the land that he has trodden on to him and to his children, because he has wholly followed Hashem.”

37 Also Hashem was angry with me for your sakes, saying, “You also shall not go in there. 38 Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, shall go in there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.

Devarim - Reading #2

Devarim דְּבָרִים - Words

Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22

Reading #2 - Deuteronomy 1:11–21

My Thoughts:

Moses delegated. He didn’t try to be some sort of dictator, instead I believe, He worked with a team. He picked leaders, who in turn picked leaders under them. They each worked with a portion of people so that it would never be overwhelming. The workload was shared. This was good for Moses, the leaders and the people. And it is how we should do things now. If you are in leadership I recommend that you start delegating. To not do so, could burn you out. And not only that but working as a team with others will expand your ministry/business and grow it. Other people can bring new ideas and fresh insight. This is how Moses did it, and it would be good for you to do it this way too! Amen.

Challenge:

In verse 21 we read, “Behold, Hashem our Elohim has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as Hashem our Elohim of your fathers has spoken to you. Don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed.” When Hashem calls you to do something or go somewhere, you must believe He will equip you properly and will “accompany” you. If you place your trust in Him you do not have to fear or worry.  So, if you feel like Hashem is directing your path in a certain direction, have faith and go. Don’t be afraid or dismayed -- He is right there with you. If you allow this to happen, you will be so amazed and happy. It is so much better to include and follow Hashem in all you do. Renew this commitment to do so -- today! Amen.

Reading #2 - Deuteronomy 1:11–21

11 Hashem, the Elohim of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are and bless you, as He has promised you! 12 How can I myself alone bear your problems, your burdens, and your strife? 13 Take wise men of understanding who are respected among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.”

14 You answered me, and said, “The thing which you have spoken is good to do.” 15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and respected men, and made them heads over you, captains of thousands, captains of hundreds, captains of fifties, captains of tens, and officers, according to your tribes. 16 I commanded your judges at that time, saying, “Hear cases between your brothers and judge righteously between a man and his brother, and the foreigner who is living with him. 17 You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be afraid of the face of man, for the judgment is Adonai’s. The case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.” 18 I commanded you at that time all the things which you should do. 19 We traveled from Horeb and went through all that great and terrible wilderness which you saw, by the way to the hill country of the Amorites, as Hashem our Elohim commanded us; and we came to Kadesh Barnea. 20 I said to you, “You have come to the hill country of the Amorites, which Hashem our Elohim gives to us. 21 Behold, Hashem our Elohim has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as Hashem our Elohim of your fathers has spoken to you. Don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed.”

Devarim - Reading #1

Devarim דְּבָרִים - Words

Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22

Reading #1: Deuteronomy 1:1–10

My Thoughts:

Here is Moses at the end of a 40 year incredible, miraculous journey to the promised Land. He is talking to a new generation of people. They are the second generation that were delivered from Egypt. He reiterates the Law and it’s commandments and looks forward to this generation making “covenant” with Hashem. He made a promise to Abraham to give his descendants a promised Land - Israel. Now, hundreds of years later they are about to see that promise fulfilled. What faith the people of Elohim must have had waiting so long for this incredible promise to happen. Do we even have a tiny bit of that kind of faith?

Challenge:

Can you think of something going on in your life either now or in the past that required a lot of faith? How did you do during the waiting time? Was it difficult or did you rest in peace knowing Hashem would fulfill His promise to you? Or did you get impatient and try to make things happen yourself? This past year I have had to “wait” on Hashem to move in many different ways. I knew in my heart He would carry things out to completion, but I had to learn patience. Yes, I got impatient and even at times wondered if I really heard His voice. But, I can testify He has “showed” His hand to me several times this year -- even in miraculous ways. He has been faithful, even when I was not. If you are waiting for something -- try to be patient. Try to just thank Hashem for all He is doing and ask Him to help you to wait. He will and it will be so worth it. Amen.

Reading #1:  Deuteronomy 1:1-10

1:1 These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah opposite Suf, between Paran, Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab. 2 It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea. 3 In the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, Moses spoke to the children of Israel according to all that Hashem had given him in commandment to them, 4 after he had struck Sihon the king of the Amorites who lived in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan who lived in Ashtaroth, at Edrei. 5 Beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses began to declare this law, saying, 6 “Hashem our Elohim spoke to us in Horeb, saying, ‘You have lived long enough at this mountain. 7 Turn, and take your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all the places near there: in the Arabah, in the hill country, in the lowland, in the South, by the seashore, in the land of the Canaanites, and in Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates. 8 Behold, I have set the land before you. Go in and possess the land which Hashem swore to your fathers—to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob—to give to them and to their offspring after them.’”

9 I spoke to you at that time, saying, “I am not able to bear you myself alone. 10 Hashem your Elohim has multiplied you, and behold, you are today as the stars of the sky for multitude.