Gateway To Freedom Torah Notes
Nitsavim - You Are Standing
Deuteronomy 29:9 (10) - 30:20
Haftorah Isaiah 61:10–63:9
B’rit Chadashah Romans 10:1-13
VaYelech - And He Went
Deuteronomy 31:1 - 30
Haftorah Isaiah 55:6-56:8
B’rit Chadashah Romans 7:7-12
Introduction:
In parasha, Nitsavim, meaning "You Are Standing" (ver 10), is the decision we must make before a Holy God for the pathway of our lives. VaYelech (And He Went) is Moses' proclamation of curse for and prophecy of covenant breaking. In them we can see the direct reflection of the New Covenant Yeshua offered through His blood sacrifice. It simply asks if we will accept the terms (i.e. obedience) to the covenants YHVH has offered. This choice of life or death is given to all generations (vs 15) and offers subsequent restoration conditioned upon repentance.
29:9-15 While the parasha begins in context of physically standing before YHVH just before entering the Promised Land, it is obviously both a physical and metaphorical "standing." Verse 15 says that this covenant is "also with those who are not here with us this day," extending the audience to all generations.
For the law was given by Moses, (and/but) grace and truth came by Messiah Yeshua. (John 1:17) In other words, the grace of G_d and the clarification of the Law ("Thy Word is truth.") came through Yeshua who also proclaimed that he was not doing away with the law of Moses. As we relish in the greater heavenly promises of the New Covenant, we cannot dismiss the conditions of blessings (or cursings) applied to us today by this Mosaic covenant. To do so, is to walk in the ignorance of the knowledge YHVH has given us for life.
29:16-20 How can any Christian say they believe in the whole consul of G_d and turn away from it? Listen to what Moses wrote about those who walk in the imagination of their own heart, ".. when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven. Deuteronomy 29:19-20)
It troubles my heart when I read this passage because I immediately reflect on two more passages which describe the state of many in today's church:
Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:..
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (transgression of the law - Strongs G458). (Matthew 7:22-23)
We must always recognize who we are. According to Paul's teachings, we, who believe, are Israel (Rom9:4-33). If proclaimed believers are not Israel, then how can they be of the New Covenant in Messiah that was promised to Judah and Israel? For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: (Hebrews 8:8)
29: 20-28 In verse 28 Moses writes, " And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day." (Deuteronomy 29:28) We must never assume that we are not under G_d's discipline because we proclaim our faith in Yeshua. Though we have great mercy, we all need to examine our life and ask G_d to expose our hidden sin. (read Ps 26:2, 2 Cor 13:5)
29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. Hallelujah! The revealed, secret things of G_d are revealed by His Holy Spirit. (Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: ..(John 16:13) We are enabled to continue our walk of life in Yeshua with a clear conscious toward G_d by remaining obedient to His "teachings" (Genesis to Revelation). We do that through the conviction, revelation and leading of the Holy Spirit. The letter of the law will kill, but the liberty we have in the atoning sacrifice of Yeshua and His forgiveness is LIFE.
I like the expression my wife often uses: We are not under the law. Nor are we above the law. But we are at-one (atonement) with the law through the blood of Messiah.
30:1-10 These passages are both a prophecy of Israel's apostasy and an expression of YHVH's love for the re-gathering of His people, Israel, upon their repentance. This physical re-gathering of all scattered Israel to the Promised Land, is presently unfulfilled, except for the remnant of Judah which occupies only part of the land. In speaking of this millennial reign, all Israel, both Ephraim and Judah, will obey all His commandments (vs 8).
30:11-16 When we read these most important passages we must remember last week's teaching. In between being cursed and walking in the totality of the commandments is the sovereignty of YHVH's justice and judgment (e.g. Isa 56:1,2) Thus, while the hearts of the people had fault in keeping the laws of righteousness (read Hebrews 8:7,8) Paul also declares in Romans that this Torah passage is, "the righteousness which is of faith," and the foundation of the New Covenant. He referenced Deuteronomy 30:12-15 saying:
But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; (Romans 10:6-8)
What is it that he preaches? It is Deuteronomy 30:14: But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 10:9-11)
Although Israel fell short of G_d's righteousness, through His Son, YHVH makes provision for us to be saved and walk in His commandments by the atoning blood and the empowerment/ leading of the Holy Spirit.
30:19, 20 Moses speaks assuredly saying that a choice is before you - life and death, blessings or cursings and exhorts them to chose life so that they "may love the LORD thy God and hear to obey His voice." Do we understand that? We live by YHVH's commands so that we can have an intimate love relationship with Him and hear (yes, hear) His voice to obey that we might receive His promises. Do we walk in His commandments to avoid the curse as the Rabbi's teach? No, that is not Torah. We walk in His commandments that we may express our pure love to Him!
Haftorah
Isaiah 61:10–63:9
In this Haftorah, Isaiah describes the individual beauty of the saints' righteousness in the Lord (Yeshua) and of the Jerusalem that will be restored in the millennial kingdom. It is the promise of beauty only by His righteousness.
61:10 ..he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. (ref. Isa 61:10, Rev. 3:4, 3:16, 19:8)
62:1-12 G_d will not rest until Jerusalem is the reflection of the glory of God. Jerusalem will even be renamed by the Lord himself (ver 2).
VaYelech - And He Went
Deuteronomy 31:1 - 30
31:1 At 120 years old Moses gives his last instructions and prepares to depart.
31:3-6 The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee,. Just as the Israelites were instructed to conquer their enemies, so Yeshua commissioned His bride to conquer the enemies of our soul: Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19 As He went before them of old, so does our Savior go before us. While most ministries will tell the believer how to think and act to overcome the darts of Satan for themselves, too few ministries deal in the business of deliverance today. Is it because the church has only apprehended and taught the power of the blood for salvation, but not conquest? Wouldn't this indicate a stronghold of deception if we are commissioned to do this work?
Remember, that once Israel crossed the Jordan, the pillar of fire ceased along with the daily bread. So instead of having physical evidence of G_d's presence, they had to walk in faith believing that He was with them. Do you think their faith was tested when they were routed at Ai - just as ours is often tested? Thus, as we read of Israel's victories, we should take heart to know that by faith, we have a power - through the blood of Yeshua - greater than most can imagine - to cast out our enemies.
31:10 A command to read the entire law in the year of release at the feast of tabernacles. Is this Word followed "forever," i.e. today when most professing disciples don't even celebrate Tabernacles, let alone read the law. It burdens my soul that the church has so little fear of Him and His Word so as to subtract, dismiss or twist so many scriptures in order to conform to man's theologies. As our B’rit Chadashah portion states:
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. (Romans 7:7)
Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. (Romans 7:12)
Don't most of Christianity negate these New Testament passages…along with many others in order teach their doctrines?
31:16-20 In the day of apostasy, G_d will hide His face. When we are not walking in "the way" of righteousness does it grieve the Holy Spirit? Does G_d hide his face? In what way does He hide His face? We must remember that our G_d is longsuffering and would that we repent before we shame His name. Thus, we may not observe the evidence (in others) of His hiding for some time.
31:21,22 Moses writes the song that will be a testomony against Israel when evils come upon them because they have turned from the Lord's ways.
31:29 Moses speaks about His chosen's apostasy in the latter days. The writings of Yeshua's apostles reiterate this prophecy many times. (2 Thes 2:1-12,Jude, 2 Peter 2, etc.) Would you put the emergance of man's doctrines, humanism, libertarianism, etc. in the category of apostasy (i.e. turning away from G_d)?
Haftorah
Isaiah 55:6-56:8
This passage of Isaiah contains many wonderful declarations of faith used to exhort the body of Christ and declare his magnificence. The scriptures require little interpretation - only belief.
Isa 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Isa 55:7 God's Mercy - Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Isa 55:8,9 YHVH's superiority - .. so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isa 55:10,11 The sureness of the Word - So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Isa 55:12, 13 Promise of restoration - For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Isa 56:1 Justice and Judgement are His Character - Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
Isa 56:2 - 7 Sabbath and Salvation - Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. .. every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
Isa 56:8 Many beside Israel are to be gathered to the Lord - The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him. (Read Rev 7:9)
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; (Revelation 7:9)
Shabbat Shalom,
Randy