Gateway To Freedom Torah Notes
Vaetchanan: And I Pleaded
Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11
Haftorah
Isaiah 40:1-26
B’rit Chadashah
Mark 12:28-34
Introduction: As we continue the study of Moses’ last instructions to the new generation of Israel before they enter the promise land, we find, the repetition of several major themes for sanctified and blessed living. Additionally, the reader will note the inclusion of several well known promises/quotations of both Judah and Christian (Messianic) Israel. Although Moses outlines the way of blessing and life he predicts Israel’s apostasy, exile and re-establishment. These warnings all reflect the echoed shadows of the judgment befalling spiritual Israel today. Let us hear by the Spirit what is being said to the church of today.
3:23 - 29 Moses pleads with YHVH, Elohim to allow him to enter into the promise land. Although his prayer is refused, YHVH lovingly responds for him to gaze upon it from the height of Pisgah. We must recognize that while our G_d is quick to forgive sin through the blood of Yeshua, His thoughts, reasons and purposes are higher than ours and we must be willing to accept and embrace that He is G_d, and give up our desires in obedience and welcome submission to His will.
Many words have been written on the mind of YHVH in this matter, many of which, I believe, miss the key element of G_d’s character and purpose. I repeat, that YHVH is quick to forgive, and I believe did so in the case of Moses’ disobedience. (Did not Michael contend for his body? Jude 1:9) However, I believe this is all about shadows and types. Moses broke the pattern of Messiah’s first coming by striking the rock TWICE. To then allow Moses to take the people in the promise land would violate the shadow of Yeoshua (Joshua), (representing Yeshua) bringing all Israel into the kingdom of G_d.
4:2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor shall you diminish (subtract) anything from it. This is a repeated theme in both the Torah and the B’rit Chadashah (New Testament – Rev 22:18,19) that men have ignored down through the ages by their own perverted interpretations and rationalizing influences from the schools of humanism, materialism, politics, doctrinal religious harmony, etc.. In today’s society we see this in our pulpits by preaching concepts like universal salvation, denial of hell, replacement theologies and so many others to numerous to even name.
4:6 Continuing to obey the Torah (YHVH’s statues and ordinances for righteous living.) was the pathway for Israel to be recognized as being “a wise and understanding people” to the surrounding nations. As Torah is reflected in our lives, it gives witness to a morality, understanding and belief system that contrasts with that of modern society. Because of the church’s errant teachings, other believers in Messiah, Yeshua may chastise those who are Torah obedient. However, those who chastise must also deny the blessing of peace and understanding that come to the faithful obedient believer.
4:10; Learn to fear me…teach thy children. The fear of the Lord is not only the beginning of wisdom (Prov 9:10), but it is also a foundational motivation for intimacy (through humbleness) and a desire to pass on our beliefs to our children. Throughout the scriptures the commandment to have the fear (reverence) of the Lord and train up our children are concepts repeated again and again. Why is it that the things of the world, like job skills, education and social graces seem to have priority over G_d and His righteousness in our conversations with our children? Doesn’t this give testimony of our priorities? Israel was commanded to teach their children about YHVH’s ways all during the day and in all situations. Let it be so with us.
4:11 – 19 Moses’ brings to memory the events of Mt. Sinai, addressing this next generation as if they were there – thus, reflecting the inclusion of all believing generations into the covenant which was established (reiterated in 5:3). In this day I’m finding that many believers are being reminded of the experiences which G_d has shown and taught them about overcoming in the spiritual realm. It is good for us to review and meditate about these awesome, intimate moments of the Spirit’s mighty presence in order to build our faith. These are days in which our faith is being tested as we are once again being pushed by the Spirit, and circumstances, into overcoming the flesh.
4:23–32 Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord.. However, YHVH continues to say that Israel will forget, and prophesies their exile and return to the land. This was going to happen to them (as it has spiritually occurred with a vast majority of His church) because they were going to fall under the unrighteous of the influences around them. But, in the “end of days” (e.g. “end of the age” - verse 30), when they come to the end of themselves, that if their hearts turned, He would have mercy on his people, and remember his covenant with them. It is believed that “the end of days” refers to the period just before the coming of Messiah – which we understand to be His second advent. (ref: Duet 30:1-2)
4:40 This is an often repeated instruction to keep the Torah so that your days are long and blessed in your pilgrimage upon the earth. Notice that it was a promise for all generations.
4:41 Three cities of refuge are established east of the Jordan.
5:1 Restatement of the Royal Law (Ten Commandments).
5:12 Safeguard the Sabbath day. Pastor and Torah teacher Natan Lawrence writes, “In this restatement of the fourth commandment, the Torah uses the word safeguard/shin-mem-vav-resh (shah-mohr) whereas in the first version of the Decalogue (Exod. 20:8) the Torah says, "Remember the Sabbath day.” The word remember is zakh-ohr/zayin-chaf-vav-resh. What is the distinction between these two commands of YHVH regarding the Sabbath? If in YHVH’s telling the Israelites to “remember” the Sabbath, then the implication is that they would eventually forget it. Whereas in telling them to “safeguard” the Sabbath, it would be a warning against a tendency to violate, desecrate or profane it.
5:29 YHVH cries over His peoples’ heart of disobedience and irreverence (lack of “fear”) that prevents His righteousness from pouring out blessings upon them. Can you understand the fatherly character/love of YHVH in this verse?
6:4 - 9 Hear O Israel. These verses (e.g.4–9 together with Duet 11:13-21 and Num 15:37-41) are known as the “Shema” - meaning, “hear, listen, obey.” It is the Jewish confession of faith that is recited twice daily (“when thou liest down, and when thou risest up”). Yeshua refers to the Shema (Mark 12:29-31) as the summation of all that Torah commands humans to do in order to have a proper relationship with YHVH and their fellow man. In so saying, isn’t Yeshua teaching that it is not just your confession, but rather what’s in your heart to do His commands that the Lord sees? (1 Sam 16:7)
Scholars note that in the written text, the first and last words of 6:4 [“HEAR” (shema) and “ONE” (echad)] are in extra large letters signifying their importance and forcing precision in enunciation. (The order of the Hebrew text is: “Hear O Israel, Yehovah our G_d (is) Yehovah one.”)
Within the Shema, YHVH again instructs Israel to teach their children Torah-righteousness. “And you shall teach them [i.e., his Word] diligently to your children, and talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up” (6:7). May we forever obey this command while able, because the time with our children is measured as brief.
6:10–16 YHVH repeats his warning of idolatry; especially naming material abundance as a snare to hindering our relationship with him. Every believer must examine himself/herself to determine what is of greater importance in your life than serving YHVH? What occupies our time and thoughts? Are they focused on what we see/hear or based upon FAITH IN HIS WORD?
Haftorah
Isaiah 40:1-26
The Book of Isaiah contains more messianic prophecies than any other book in the Hebrew Scriptures, and many of those prophecies specifically relate to the redemption through the Messiah of the two houses of Israel (Isa 8:14). Another example is how the writers of the gospel see John the Baptist in the Isaiah 40 prophecy:
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: (Isaiah 40:3-4)
Additionally, we know that an end-time prophet, or prophets, will come to prepare the way for the second coming of Yeshua. This is clear from Malachi 4:5–6 where we find the prophecy concerning Elijah the prophet coming before the great and terrible day of Elohim’s wrath, which is understood to occur just prior to the coming of Messiah. (Mal 4:5 ) Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
Notice that the end-time Elijah-type prophet (or prophets) will make straight the crooked paths of men to prepare a spiritual highway for the Messiah (Isa 40:3–5). The righteous ways of YHVH are always straight and narrow (Matt 7:13–14), while the wicked ways of men are crooked (Jer. 17:9). Let no one be deceived, Messiah is coming back to reward the righteous - those whose ways are straight - and to punish those who have chosen to reject “the way” of Yeshua.
Humanism or putting self/man first is the wrong path. At the risk of offending some very sincere believers, I must point out that theologies of additions such as Mormonism and theologies of subtraction (i.e. 7th day Adventists) are the wrong path. Only making YHVH Lord and following His Word, His precepts and laws in the faith of Messiah Yeshua’s blood sacrifice will be acceptable.
Prophets of observation and imagination who call the body to fear and to try and thwart the Word and dismiss the hand of G_d should not be listened to. We are bombarded by too much nonsense in these times of failing economic, political and religious systems - “that even the saints can be deceived.” It is a time to be alert to the traps that besiege us on every side.
B’rit Chadashah
Mark 12:28-34 – The Shema
After putting the Sadducees in their place by asserting that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob live, this story is related:
And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. (It is more important than temple order, sacrifices, the word of the priests/prophets, etc.) And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question. (Mark 12:28-34)
Shabbat Shalom,
Randy