when God says NO! (a look at Torah Portion "V'et"Chanan" (and I pleaded)
- By RabbiJames
- Messianic Judaism
- 0 Replies
DEUT 3:23-7:11 "V'et'Chanan" (and I pleaded)
Moshe continues to retell the experiences of his life to “Am Israel” as the end of his life is nearing. He is like a father on his deathbed, and causes all of his children to come near and listen to their father’s experiences, or rather “all” of their experiences
“V’et ‘Chanan l’Adonai” begins Moshe, “I pleaded to YHVH…” on the account of entering into the promised land. As we remember, Moshe, in anger and had struck the “Rock” (Selah), and yet water still came forth because of the mercy of Adonai; now Moshe pleads for mercy; the word “chanun” is a form of the Hebrew “mercy”. One Israeli singer has a song which is: “Avi Chanun” (My merciful father). So, Moshe in a way is saying, “I plead for mercy to Adonai; let me see the promised land.
Yet the answer of Adonai was still “No” (Speak no more of this matter). We are all destined an “x” amount of years on this earth; who knows if, through actions we do, might “speed up” that time, or even “prolong” the time.
We should take advantage of the years that God is giving to us here on earth and make the best of them. If He has called us into ministry, let us perform that which He has called us to do to the best of our ability, using our Spiritual Gifts up to our final days (if we know when they are).
Moshe did not ask for more years of life, only that he would be permitted to enter the promised land of Canaan. The request was denied; God said, "Rav Lakh" (it is too much for you). Yet was he allowed into the land of Canaan? Yes, it was a delayed entry. 1500 years later, he was with Yeshua and with Eliyahu on the Mt. of Transfiguration. Right there is the WHOLE TORAH. The Pentateuch, The Prophets, and the New Covenant.
In this Parashah, we see the review of the Ten Commandments. Why is Moshe repeating and reviewing the Ten Commandments? We need to remember that in Exodus 20, those that we at Mt. Sinai were part of the first generation that left Egypt. Now there is the second generation, many of whom were not even born then, and those who were were 19 years old or younger. This generation needs to hear the commandments. The first generation is dead and buried.
(4) “Now, therefore, harken O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments which I teach you, for to do them.” Moshe was the teacher, taking all that God charged him to teach, and not “adding to” nor “diminishing” anything, teaching all the details, the “fine print” to say. Teachers of God’s Word have a unique calling: it is their life, their passion, and they will not rest until they accomplish what they set out to do.
I AM the LORD thy God: “Anochi Adonai Eloheicha.” He is emphasizing “I AM” (I MYSELF AM) “Anochi,” a very important statement, telling his people that it was HE who brought them out of Egypt, and out of slavery. Two very important things, therefore: He has every right to be their God, and He has every right to be OUR God, since He has taken us out of the “World of Sin” (Egypt) and out from “Spiritual slavery”
“THOU shalt not have any other gods before me.” Since pagan worship was the norm of Egypt, worshiping and bowing down to false “elohim,” this was a reminder to Israel that YHVH is different; He is NOT like the false deities of Egypt; He is UNIQUE (Yachid) and He is ONE (Echad). But when people over-emphasize jobs and work, making money, sports, etc.… making them more important than our worship and attention towards Adonai, those “things” become “other gods.” Yes, Adonai is a “Jealous” and “Zealous” God! (El Kanah) and has every right to be so.
“THOU SHALT NOT take the name of YHVH thy God in vain.” What is that? It is using our LORD’s holy name in unholy ways, in unholy conversations, making promises using God’s name, like “I swear to God that I’ll…” and then not fulfilling those promises. We should use HIS HOLY NAME in worship and praise only.
“KEEP (guard) the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy.” Where are we on the sabbath day? We should be in God’s House to worship, praise, and learn from his word through teachers of the Word. It is a time of rest, a time for family to get together and worship the LORD, even for the housewives to turn off the ovens and husbands to take them out to eat, or just whip up some sandwiches.
Enjoy the Sabbath day; it is the LORD’s to rejoice and relax in. The Sabbath day has always been Saturday; it was never changed to Sunday (this will probably create some comments). But EVERY day of the week is a time to study God’s Word and praise Him for all of his blessings.
“HONOR Thy Father and Thy Mother.” This goes without explanation. I think it is common sense for children to honor and obey their parents, for they are the ones who raise them up. Yet the Fathers and Mothers have a GREAT responsibility to raise them in the knowledge of God and his word. If not, then, they will be responsible for possible “rebels” later on in life.
“THOU shalt not kill; THOU shalt not commit adultery; THOU shalt not steal”. Ever wonder why these are listed together? For example, if one commits adultery, takes the wife of another in sex, that person is “killing” that relationship and is “stealing” what does not belong to him. The word “Kill” means “murder,” taking an innocent life; it does NOT refer to self-defense or soldiers fighting in a war. There are many ways of “stealing.” Some rabbis say that “all sins” are a form of “stealing,” not just taking money; coming back late from lunch break is “stealing” time from your employer, telling a lie is “stealing” the confidence one might have had in you, and it is “murdering” that trust.
“THOU shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” Being truthful to someone is very important, and not telling the whole truth is, in fact, telling a lie, and being false to someone close to you; again, it is “stealing trust” and “murdering a relationship” through being “false”.
‘THOU shalt not covet. ' If Adonai wants you to have what your neighbor has, He will give it to you. We should be content with the much or the little we have; anyway, when we die, ALL will be left behind. So, no need to covet; it just brings about headaches.
(6) This chapter has the “Shema,” one of the most important verses in the Torah; “Shema Israel, YHVH Eloheinu, YHVH Echad” “Shema” (Listen to and heed/do/obey). Israel started as 12 tribes, sons of Jacob; then those Egyptians who chose to follow Moshe out of Egypt were grafted in. Adonai did not reject them just because they were Egyptians; they also became part of the nation through “adoption”.
In the beginning, America consisted of only the indigenous tribes that came from Asia during the Ice Age, but later, European peoples came as immigrants and settlers. When it became a nation in 1776, the United States of America consisted of ALL peoples who were living in the land. The 12 tribes of Israel became a great “Adat” (congregation, community) now consisting of all believers in Yeshua.
We have been adopted into HIS Chosen family through Yeshua HaMashiach; it pertains to ALL believers. Adonai is OUR GOD, since we are FAMILY, and He is ONE in Unity (Father, Son, Spirit “Echad”). The word for “Adonai Eloheinu” consists of the most sacred letters YHVH; in ancient Hebrew, those letters symbolize “Behold the hand, Behold the nail”. So, if we looked at the words “YHVH Eloheinu” from an ancient Hebraic position, we could read: “Behold the hand, Behold the nail, who is God that instructs (us) and leads us to (eternal) life through the nail that (penetrated) the hand.” I guess that is one way one could look at it.
The word “Elohim” has three meanings; One is the Tri-unity of G-d, yet if we spell it “elohim” with a small “e” in English, then it means “gods” in plural (usually false gods) yet it also means “ambassadors” or “representatives” of “Adonai-Elohim” Remember that Yeshua, when He addressed the Prushim (Pharisees) said, “No ye not that ye are gods?” (John 10:34; Psalm 82:6)
“You shall love…” (vs 5) Yes, with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This includes “teaching” His word to our children, at all times, to others who have the ears and willingness to listen
Be the person in our house, be the person “walking with us on the “way” at bedtime and at morning time; the time for God’s Word and teaching it is at ALL TIMES, provided, of course, that the other person wishes to hear it. God’s Word is to be shared and taught, NEVER to be forced upon another!
Binding upon the hands and frontlets between our eyes, using Tefillin, is symbolic in that God’s Word is to be in our minds and put into action using our hands, in performing mitzvoth (good works)
Writing them and putting God’s Word on our doorposts and gates using “mezuzot” is symbolic to let people know that “living here is a family who honors God and His Word”
Moshe reminds the people again and again to “Keep the commandments of the LORD thy God and his testimonies and statutes” in many verses. Just keep in mind that “keeping the commandments does not “save a soul.” Salvation comes only from accepting Yeshua (Jesus) as LORD and Savior, that and that ONLY saves a person from eternal condemnation. Obedience to the commandments comes “after” as a sign that we are now part of HIS family, and we now have new desires to follow HIM in HIS ways. There is “Yeshuah Kadosh” (Righteous Salvation) and “Mitzvoth Kadoshim” (righteous works); both are separate, yet both go together. The latter is a result of the first.
All in all, what can we take away from this study? Loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength shows when we love our neighbor as ourselves; obeying and following God's Word should be our goal for godly living. Yeshua said it himself: "If you love me, obey my commandments"
(John 14:15).
(I will probably modify this post for non-messianic subforms). Always feel free to comment, but keep the comments positive. We are here to build each other up and encourage each other, not discourage.
Shavua Tov
Moshe continues to retell the experiences of his life to “Am Israel” as the end of his life is nearing. He is like a father on his deathbed, and causes all of his children to come near and listen to their father’s experiences, or rather “all” of their experiences
“V’et ‘Chanan l’Adonai” begins Moshe, “I pleaded to YHVH…” on the account of entering into the promised land. As we remember, Moshe, in anger and had struck the “Rock” (Selah), and yet water still came forth because of the mercy of Adonai; now Moshe pleads for mercy; the word “chanun” is a form of the Hebrew “mercy”. One Israeli singer has a song which is: “Avi Chanun” (My merciful father). So, Moshe in a way is saying, “I plead for mercy to Adonai; let me see the promised land.
Yet the answer of Adonai was still “No” (Speak no more of this matter). We are all destined an “x” amount of years on this earth; who knows if, through actions we do, might “speed up” that time, or even “prolong” the time.
We should take advantage of the years that God is giving to us here on earth and make the best of them. If He has called us into ministry, let us perform that which He has called us to do to the best of our ability, using our Spiritual Gifts up to our final days (if we know when they are).
Moshe did not ask for more years of life, only that he would be permitted to enter the promised land of Canaan. The request was denied; God said, "Rav Lakh" (it is too much for you). Yet was he allowed into the land of Canaan? Yes, it was a delayed entry. 1500 years later, he was with Yeshua and with Eliyahu on the Mt. of Transfiguration. Right there is the WHOLE TORAH. The Pentateuch, The Prophets, and the New Covenant.
In this Parashah, we see the review of the Ten Commandments. Why is Moshe repeating and reviewing the Ten Commandments? We need to remember that in Exodus 20, those that we at Mt. Sinai were part of the first generation that left Egypt. Now there is the second generation, many of whom were not even born then, and those who were were 19 years old or younger. This generation needs to hear the commandments. The first generation is dead and buried.
(4) “Now, therefore, harken O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments which I teach you, for to do them.” Moshe was the teacher, taking all that God charged him to teach, and not “adding to” nor “diminishing” anything, teaching all the details, the “fine print” to say. Teachers of God’s Word have a unique calling: it is their life, their passion, and they will not rest until they accomplish what they set out to do.
I AM the LORD thy God: “Anochi Adonai Eloheicha.” He is emphasizing “I AM” (I MYSELF AM) “Anochi,” a very important statement, telling his people that it was HE who brought them out of Egypt, and out of slavery. Two very important things, therefore: He has every right to be their God, and He has every right to be OUR God, since He has taken us out of the “World of Sin” (Egypt) and out from “Spiritual slavery”
“THOU shalt not have any other gods before me.” Since pagan worship was the norm of Egypt, worshiping and bowing down to false “elohim,” this was a reminder to Israel that YHVH is different; He is NOT like the false deities of Egypt; He is UNIQUE (Yachid) and He is ONE (Echad). But when people over-emphasize jobs and work, making money, sports, etc.… making them more important than our worship and attention towards Adonai, those “things” become “other gods.” Yes, Adonai is a “Jealous” and “Zealous” God! (El Kanah) and has every right to be so.
“THOU SHALT NOT take the name of YHVH thy God in vain.” What is that? It is using our LORD’s holy name in unholy ways, in unholy conversations, making promises using God’s name, like “I swear to God that I’ll…” and then not fulfilling those promises. We should use HIS HOLY NAME in worship and praise only.
“KEEP (guard) the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy.” Where are we on the sabbath day? We should be in God’s House to worship, praise, and learn from his word through teachers of the Word. It is a time of rest, a time for family to get together and worship the LORD, even for the housewives to turn off the ovens and husbands to take them out to eat, or just whip up some sandwiches.
Enjoy the Sabbath day; it is the LORD’s to rejoice and relax in. The Sabbath day has always been Saturday; it was never changed to Sunday (this will probably create some comments). But EVERY day of the week is a time to study God’s Word and praise Him for all of his blessings.
“HONOR Thy Father and Thy Mother.” This goes without explanation. I think it is common sense for children to honor and obey their parents, for they are the ones who raise them up. Yet the Fathers and Mothers have a GREAT responsibility to raise them in the knowledge of God and his word. If not, then, they will be responsible for possible “rebels” later on in life.
“THOU shalt not kill; THOU shalt not commit adultery; THOU shalt not steal”. Ever wonder why these are listed together? For example, if one commits adultery, takes the wife of another in sex, that person is “killing” that relationship and is “stealing” what does not belong to him. The word “Kill” means “murder,” taking an innocent life; it does NOT refer to self-defense or soldiers fighting in a war. There are many ways of “stealing.” Some rabbis say that “all sins” are a form of “stealing,” not just taking money; coming back late from lunch break is “stealing” time from your employer, telling a lie is “stealing” the confidence one might have had in you, and it is “murdering” that trust.
“THOU shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” Being truthful to someone is very important, and not telling the whole truth is, in fact, telling a lie, and being false to someone close to you; again, it is “stealing trust” and “murdering a relationship” through being “false”.
‘THOU shalt not covet. ' If Adonai wants you to have what your neighbor has, He will give it to you. We should be content with the much or the little we have; anyway, when we die, ALL will be left behind. So, no need to covet; it just brings about headaches.
(6) This chapter has the “Shema,” one of the most important verses in the Torah; “Shema Israel, YHVH Eloheinu, YHVH Echad” “Shema” (Listen to and heed/do/obey). Israel started as 12 tribes, sons of Jacob; then those Egyptians who chose to follow Moshe out of Egypt were grafted in. Adonai did not reject them just because they were Egyptians; they also became part of the nation through “adoption”.
In the beginning, America consisted of only the indigenous tribes that came from Asia during the Ice Age, but later, European peoples came as immigrants and settlers. When it became a nation in 1776, the United States of America consisted of ALL peoples who were living in the land. The 12 tribes of Israel became a great “Adat” (congregation, community) now consisting of all believers in Yeshua.
We have been adopted into HIS Chosen family through Yeshua HaMashiach; it pertains to ALL believers. Adonai is OUR GOD, since we are FAMILY, and He is ONE in Unity (Father, Son, Spirit “Echad”). The word for “Adonai Eloheinu” consists of the most sacred letters YHVH; in ancient Hebrew, those letters symbolize “Behold the hand, Behold the nail”. So, if we looked at the words “YHVH Eloheinu” from an ancient Hebraic position, we could read: “Behold the hand, Behold the nail, who is God that instructs (us) and leads us to (eternal) life through the nail that (penetrated) the hand.” I guess that is one way one could look at it.
The word “Elohim” has three meanings; One is the Tri-unity of G-d, yet if we spell it “elohim” with a small “e” in English, then it means “gods” in plural (usually false gods) yet it also means “ambassadors” or “representatives” of “Adonai-Elohim” Remember that Yeshua, when He addressed the Prushim (Pharisees) said, “No ye not that ye are gods?” (John 10:34; Psalm 82:6)
“You shall love…” (vs 5) Yes, with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This includes “teaching” His word to our children, at all times, to others who have the ears and willingness to listen
Be the person in our house, be the person “walking with us on the “way” at bedtime and at morning time; the time for God’s Word and teaching it is at ALL TIMES, provided, of course, that the other person wishes to hear it. God’s Word is to be shared and taught, NEVER to be forced upon another!
Binding upon the hands and frontlets between our eyes, using Tefillin, is symbolic in that God’s Word is to be in our minds and put into action using our hands, in performing mitzvoth (good works)
Writing them and putting God’s Word on our doorposts and gates using “mezuzot” is symbolic to let people know that “living here is a family who honors God and His Word”
Moshe reminds the people again and again to “Keep the commandments of the LORD thy God and his testimonies and statutes” in many verses. Just keep in mind that “keeping the commandments does not “save a soul.” Salvation comes only from accepting Yeshua (Jesus) as LORD and Savior, that and that ONLY saves a person from eternal condemnation. Obedience to the commandments comes “after” as a sign that we are now part of HIS family, and we now have new desires to follow HIM in HIS ways. There is “Yeshuah Kadosh” (Righteous Salvation) and “Mitzvoth Kadoshim” (righteous works); both are separate, yet both go together. The latter is a result of the first.
All in all, what can we take away from this study? Loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength shows when we love our neighbor as ourselves; obeying and following God's Word should be our goal for godly living. Yeshua said it himself: "If you love me, obey my commandments"
(John 14:15).
(I will probably modify this post for non-messianic subforms). Always feel free to comment, but keep the comments positive. We are here to build each other up and encourage each other, not discourage.
Shavua Tov
