Post by alon on Jul 20, 2018 12:36:49 GMT -8
This week’s readings: Par’shah 44
Date of reading: 21 July 2018/9 Av 5778
Name of Par’shah: D’varim (Words)
Par’shah: D’varim 1:1-3:22
Haftara: Yesha’yahu 1:1-27
Brit Chadashah: Yoahcanan 15:1-11; Messianic Jews 3:7-4:11
D’rash: The beginning of the fifth book of
starts with Moshe recounting historical events during the forty-year wanderings in the desert of the first generation that came out of Egypt, mostly emphasizing their lack of trust and refusal to enter the land of Kena’an. Chapters two and three recounts more of the positive events of the second generation, primarily their victories over Sichon, king of Heshbon, and Og, king of Bashan, a prelude of what they would accomplish when taking over the land G-d had promised them. At the par’shah’s end, this promise is restated to Y’hoshua through Moshe:
D’varim 3:21-22---“Also at that time I gave this order to Y’hoshua: ‘Your eyes have seen everything that Adonai your G-d has done to these two kings. Adonai will do the same to all the kingdoms you encounter when you cross over. Don’t be afraid of them, because Adonai your G-d will fight on your behalf.’”
Recounting past events with a discerning heart should always lead us to avoid making the same mistakes in the future and influence us to make right decisions and choices to our benefit. Yesha’yahu 1:2-3 says:
“Hear, heaven! Listen, earth! For Adonai is speaking. ‘I raised and brought up children, but they rebelled against Me. An ox knows its owner and a donkey its master’s stall, but Israel does not know, My people do not reflect.’”
“Reflect” in the KJV is “consider” (Hebrew—bin, Strong’s 995) of which some meanings include, to discern, perceive, observe, pay attention to, understand; to be intelligent, knowing; to heed; to make intelligent; to instruct, teach; to attend to; to be sensible; A further explanation adds, “The word does not refer to the mere accumulation of data, but superior knowledge. One must know how to use information wisely.” Therefore, a heart and mind that clearly perceives and understands the significance of past events will do what is necessary to avoid error and adjust conduct towards right choices.
There are also other scriptures that state the recounting of history to address a current issue:
In D’varim 5:15 Shabbat is not only a time for rest, but also a time for Israel (and converts) to remember when they were slaves in Egypt, and that Adonai mightily delivered them.
In Sh’mu’el Alef 12:6-12, when the people desired to have a human king over them, Sh’mu’el speaks to them, recounting the former times that when they fell into trouble because of disobedience, Adonai, who was their King, raised up mighty men from among them to deliver them from their enemies.
In Acts 7:1-53 Stephen, who was being falsely accused of speaking blasphemously against G-d and Moshe, defends himself by recounting Israel’s history from Avraham to king David, and succeeded in convicting the spiritual leaders of opposing the Ruach HaKodesh, that they were no different from their fathers who persecuted and killed the prophets which foretold the coming of Messiah; that they were guilty of betraying and murdering Yeshua, and of receiving but not keeping it.
We as individual believers should also recount periodically our own personal history and works of G-d in our lives. This can be especially helpful where it seems G-d has abandoned us. Asaf experienced these same feelings and recorded them in Tehellim 77:1(0)-11(10). In verses 12(11)-13(12), he realizes the answer to this testing of his faith:
“So I will remind myself of Yah’s doings; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will meditate on your work and think about what you have done.”
In the remaining verses he speaks of G-d’s faithfulness to lead His people through the Sea of Suf by Moshe and Aharon. We also should remember how G-d successfully led us through past trials to encourage us to keep moving forward in the present ones we may be experiencing. Even in prosperous times, it is for our own good to remember the blessings and successes he has granted us, so that we don’t become arrogant in our own accomplishments.
D’varim 8:11-18---“Be careful not to forget Adonai your God by not obeying His mitzvot, rulings and regulations that I am giving you today. Otherwise, after you have eaten and are satisfied, built fine houses and lived in them, and increased your herds, flocks, silver, gold and everything else you own, you will become proudhearted. Forgetting Adonai your God---who brought you out of the land of Egypt, where you lived as slaves; who led you through the vast and fearsome desert, with its poisonous snakes, scorpions and waterless, thirsty ground; who brought water out of flint rock for you; who fed you in the desert with manna, unknown to your ancestors; all the while humbling and testing you in order to do you good in the end---you will think to yourself, ‘My own power and the strength of my own hand have gotten me this wealth. No, you are to remember Adonai your G-d, because it is he who is giving you the power to get wealth, in order to confirm His covenant, which He swore to your ancestors, as is happening even today.”
After they would have taken possession of the land, they were to take the first fruits of all their harvest of the ground, put them in a basket and take it to the cohen holding office at that time and recite the following prayer to remember that Adonai alone is the one who delivers and blesses:
D’varim 26:5-10a---My ancestor was a nomad from Aram. He went down into Egypt few in number and stayed. There he became a great, strong, populous nation. But the Egyptians treated us badly; they oppressed us and imposed harsh slavery on us. So we cried out to Adonai, the G-d of our ancestors. Adonai heard us and saw our misery, toil and oppression; and Adonai brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror, and with signs and wonders. Now He has brought us to this place and given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. Therefore, as you see, I have now brought the first fruits of the land which You, Adonai, have given me.
In summary, remembering what G-d has done is a mitzvah that reminds us of G-d’s power to guide and deliver, to encourage us when we feel like giving up, and to bring about humility and gratitude in our hearts towards Him who alone our Sustainer.
References: The Complete Word Study Old Testament by AMG International, Inc., copyright 1994; The Complete Jewish Bible by David H. Stearn, copyright 1998
MRD
Date of reading: 21 July 2018/9 Av 5778
Name of Par’shah: D’varim (Words)
Par’shah: D’varim 1:1-3:22
Haftara: Yesha’yahu 1:1-27
Brit Chadashah: Yoahcanan 15:1-11; Messianic Jews 3:7-4:11
D’rash: The beginning of the fifth book of
starts with Moshe recounting historical events during the forty-year wanderings in the desert of the first generation that came out of Egypt, mostly emphasizing their lack of trust and refusal to enter the land of Kena’an. Chapters two and three recounts more of the positive events of the second generation, primarily their victories over Sichon, king of Heshbon, and Og, king of Bashan, a prelude of what they would accomplish when taking over the land G-d had promised them. At the par’shah’s end, this promise is restated to Y’hoshua through Moshe:D’varim 3:21-22---“Also at that time I gave this order to Y’hoshua: ‘Your eyes have seen everything that Adonai your G-d has done to these two kings. Adonai will do the same to all the kingdoms you encounter when you cross over. Don’t be afraid of them, because Adonai your G-d will fight on your behalf.’”
Recounting past events with a discerning heart should always lead us to avoid making the same mistakes in the future and influence us to make right decisions and choices to our benefit. Yesha’yahu 1:2-3 says:
“Hear, heaven! Listen, earth! For Adonai is speaking. ‘I raised and brought up children, but they rebelled against Me. An ox knows its owner and a donkey its master’s stall, but Israel does not know, My people do not reflect.’”
“Reflect” in the KJV is “consider” (Hebrew—bin, Strong’s 995) of which some meanings include, to discern, perceive, observe, pay attention to, understand; to be intelligent, knowing; to heed; to make intelligent; to instruct, teach; to attend to; to be sensible; A further explanation adds, “The word does not refer to the mere accumulation of data, but superior knowledge. One must know how to use information wisely.” Therefore, a heart and mind that clearly perceives and understands the significance of past events will do what is necessary to avoid error and adjust conduct towards right choices.
There are also other scriptures that state the recounting of history to address a current issue:
In D’varim 5:15 Shabbat is not only a time for rest, but also a time for Israel (and converts) to remember when they were slaves in Egypt, and that Adonai mightily delivered them.
In Sh’mu’el Alef 12:6-12, when the people desired to have a human king over them, Sh’mu’el speaks to them, recounting the former times that when they fell into trouble because of disobedience, Adonai, who was their King, raised up mighty men from among them to deliver them from their enemies.
In Acts 7:1-53 Stephen, who was being falsely accused of speaking blasphemously against G-d and Moshe, defends himself by recounting Israel’s history from Avraham to king David, and succeeded in convicting the spiritual leaders of opposing the Ruach HaKodesh, that they were no different from their fathers who persecuted and killed the prophets which foretold the coming of Messiah; that they were guilty of betraying and murdering Yeshua, and of receiving
but not keeping it.We as individual believers should also recount periodically our own personal history and works of G-d in our lives. This can be especially helpful where it seems G-d has abandoned us. Asaf experienced these same feelings and recorded them in Tehellim 77:1(0)-11(10). In verses 12(11)-13(12), he realizes the answer to this testing of his faith:
“So I will remind myself of Yah’s doings; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will meditate on your work and think about what you have done.”
In the remaining verses he speaks of G-d’s faithfulness to lead His people through the Sea of Suf by Moshe and Aharon. We also should remember how G-d successfully led us through past trials to encourage us to keep moving forward in the present ones we may be experiencing. Even in prosperous times, it is for our own good to remember the blessings and successes he has granted us, so that we don’t become arrogant in our own accomplishments.
D’varim 8:11-18---“Be careful not to forget Adonai your God by not obeying His mitzvot, rulings and regulations that I am giving you today. Otherwise, after you have eaten and are satisfied, built fine houses and lived in them, and increased your herds, flocks, silver, gold and everything else you own, you will become proudhearted. Forgetting Adonai your God---who brought you out of the land of Egypt, where you lived as slaves; who led you through the vast and fearsome desert, with its poisonous snakes, scorpions and waterless, thirsty ground; who brought water out of flint rock for you; who fed you in the desert with manna, unknown to your ancestors; all the while humbling and testing you in order to do you good in the end---you will think to yourself, ‘My own power and the strength of my own hand have gotten me this wealth. No, you are to remember Adonai your G-d, because it is he who is giving you the power to get wealth, in order to confirm His covenant, which He swore to your ancestors, as is happening even today.”
After they would have taken possession of the land, they were to take the first fruits of all their harvest of the ground, put them in a basket and take it to the cohen holding office at that time and recite the following prayer to remember that Adonai alone is the one who delivers and blesses:
D’varim 26:5-10a---My ancestor was a nomad from Aram. He went down into Egypt few in number and stayed. There he became a great, strong, populous nation. But the Egyptians treated us badly; they oppressed us and imposed harsh slavery on us. So we cried out to Adonai, the G-d of our ancestors. Adonai heard us and saw our misery, toil and oppression; and Adonai brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror, and with signs and wonders. Now He has brought us to this place and given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. Therefore, as you see, I have now brought the first fruits of the land which You, Adonai, have given me.
In summary, remembering what G-d has done is a mitzvah that reminds us of G-d’s power to guide and deliver, to encourage us when we feel like giving up, and to bring about humility and gratitude in our hearts towards Him who alone our Sustainer.
References: The Complete Word Study Old Testament by AMG International, Inc., copyright 1994; The Complete Jewish Bible by David H. Stearn, copyright 1998
MRD
