August 12, 2023: Parashat Torah Portion Re'eh
This week’s Parashah Torah Portion Re'eh is taken from Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17. Join Dr. Jeffery Myers, as he carefully lays out the blueprint for receiving blessings in our lives, by the empowerment of the RUACH H'AKODESH (Holy Spirit). With Him, we are able to obtain ELOHIM’S blessings in our lives, if we commit ourselves to faithfully obeying YAH's commands!
Follow along in the AUDIO PODCAST, by clicking on the play button below, and reading along with the notes, as you listen to today's Parashah Torah Portion:
Lion of Judah Speaks: Parashah Torah Portion Re'eh - Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17
In this Torah portion we are addressing the importance of what to do when entering the Promised Land. The Bible is a compass for finding one’s way through life. In Deut. 11:26-28, Moses informs the Israelites that they can be the recipients of either blessings or curses. The commandments (Torah) would prove to be either a blessing or a curse. Blessing because of obedience and a curse because of disobedience. The children of Israel would have freedom of choice! If Elohim were to decree that a person be righteous or wicked, or if something in the very essence of a person’s nature which could compel him toward a certain direction…How could Elohim command us to choose? What place would the Torah have? How could He judge us justly?
Moses told them to hold a Covenant ceremony after entering the Promised Land. One half of the tribe would announce the curses for violating Torah and the other half would pronounce the blessings. What was the purpose of this ceremony? It was to remind them that although disobedience begets curses…obedience brings Elohim’s blessings! It is a reminder for us that we can obtain Elohim’s blessings in our lives if we commit ourselves to faithful observance of His commandments.
Elohim hasn’t left us adrift without a rudder; Torah, His Word is the living force charged with the Ruach HaKodesh. The commandments (Torah) obeyed can and will change our lives to the extent that we conform ourselves to its wisdom. “Be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed…” (Romans 12:1-3). It is Elohim’s OWN message to us!
In Deut. 12:1-4 He tells them to destroy all idols and their accessories that they will find when they enter Israel. He tells us to don’t do what the nations do or the deeds they do so that your sins would cause the sanctuary to be destroyed. That sanctuary, the place which Adonai your Elohim will choose is Jerusalem, the place of His name! He is inviting all to come to where He is! Where He has chosen! It is His House, the place of prayer, Presence, where you draw near to Him, where sacrifices and gifts are brought and where you will rejoice. Yeshua in a metaphoric sense is the Holy Temple…He is inviting you to Himself!
In Deut. 13:1 He tells us to not be lured by heathen practices and remain true to the Torah; neither adding or subtracting from its laws. Torah clearly states in many places that its laws are eternal, never to be abolished! If Torah is eternal and Yeshua has no intention of abolishing or changing it…, why do we disregard the commandments? Elohim cannot contradict Himself. It doesn’t matter what signs or wonders someone shows you if they discredit Torah, they are a false prophet according to Deut. 13:1-7. Yeshua also warns us in Matt. 24:24, “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” What is sad today is that typical Christianity has denied the Torah, done away with the laws, portrayed Yeshua as someone who got rid of the Torah and has caused many to turn away from the truth…but their doctrinal stand is a lie and contrary to the Word of Yah. Yeshua never abolished the law, His word because He is the Word from the very beginning. A Messiah who breaks Torah and teaches others to do so is NO Messiah at all!
As they go into the Land, they are forbidden to deface their bodies and are commanded to only eat that which is kosher according to Deut. 14:1-2. They are to also understand the principle of tithing, Deut. 14:22. These are principles of blessings and not to do them will bring them curses. Abraham and Ya’akov tithed prior to the giving of the Torah, it has been around for a long time.
They were commanded to invest in Heaven. (Deut. 15:10-11). As believers we should be the most generous givers on all the earth. As an example, to refuse to give to the poor means you forgot that you yourself depend on the generosity of Elohim. If we refuse to help those in need, why should Elohim help us in our need? So, giving to the poor and giving money to others needs are actually storing up treasure in heaven and investing in a good return.
The children of Israel were also reminded about the Shmitah, the 7th year sabbatical where each person forgives outstanding debt. A slave must be set free after their 6 years of service and must be paid a generous severance as he departs.
The last principle they should be obedient to in order to receive the blessings of Adonai is found in Deut. 16. And is the understanding of forgiveness. They left Egypt in haste, in a twinkling of an eye, instantly. It is a practical lesson about salvation and repentance. Just as Israel went from bondage to freedom in a twinkling of an eye, repentance and faith in Messiah transfers us from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of Light instantly! Forgiveness is immediate! Immediately set free from bondage to the adversary! As they remember Pesach, they recite “In haste we left Egypt”, they were whisked into new life and a new reality! Amen!
In the future, the great messianic redemption will be instantaneous, “in the twinkling of an eye” according to I Cor. 15:50-58. So, we are to rejoice and celebrate each feast of Adonai in Israel as we remember what Elohim has done and will do for each of us. Whether it is Pesach: Delivered by grace and His blood; Shavuot: The Covenant and giving of the Torah and Ruach; Sukkot: the return of Yeshua and His Kingdom as we live with Him for 1,000 years. We are to celebrate each one together, rejoicing but not empty- handed, we are to bring an offering. This is just a small glimpse of how we are to live our lives in the blessing of Elohim.
We are in rehearsal but there is coming a time when rehearsal will be over and the true celebration will begin. Are you ready?
Shabbat Shalom Mishpocha,
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Remember the Bible is our compass for finding our way through life. The Sabbath day is Elohim’s appointed time to meet with us. It is our time to refuel, reenergize and refocus our lives. Shema LOJ! Hear the sound of the shofar calling you to come, to gather, to worship, to hear the Word of Adonai as He directs us for the upcoming week. I will see you at the altar!
Shalom Aleichem