July 22, 2023: Parashat Torah Portion Devarim
This week’s Parashah Torah Portion Devarim is taken from Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22. Join Dr. Jeffery Myers, as he recaps the final words of Moses to the children of Israel, before entering into the Promised Land, and his admonition to move forward with confidence that ADONAI has already given them the victory. And how we are to move forward in victory through the finished work of YESHUA, today!
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 Devarim - Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22
The Hebrew for “words” is “devarim”. Deuteronomy is Moses last moments of recapping the Torah or repetition of the Law. “These are the words” in Deut. 1:1 is meant to teach that the words of Torah should always be regarded as something new and exciting. They should be new in our eyes every day! One should never consider himself to be beyond learning Torah. If it is the “Living Word” then it will continue to impart revelation regardless of how many times a person reads it…it is always new! Moses goes over the same Torah, yet, it is new and fresh.
Yeshua is the prophet like Moses, teacher like Moses and taught Torah effortlessly. It rolled out of Him. His words and teachings were pure Torah, insights into Torah, interpretations of Torah and implications of Torah. The same Torah Moses received at Mt. Sinai and spoke at the Jordan but it was ever new in the mouth of Yeshua. It was “Living Water” springing forth and everyone needs to drink, drink and drink some more. The disciples grew up with Torah but they did not always see it as He saw it. In Luke 24:45 it says, “He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures”, this was after His resurrection. The Ruach HaKodesh is still opening our minds, and makes the Torah new in our eyes. Matthew 13 talks about the Word being a hidden treasure that when man finds it, he sells everything he has with joy.
Because this Word is living let’s look at Deut. 1:21, “Adonai your Yah, has given (natan) the Land to you, go up and inherit it.” Why does Moses say that Elohim has already given the Land to the Hebrew people? They had not yet entered in and had not officially taken possession of it. Plus, why is the verb “to give” in the past tense (natan)? Why does Moses say to go up and inherit the Land if he knows the Hebrews will have to wage war before inheriting? In fact, he should have said “Go up and wage war!”
We can understand based on the words of Moses in Exodus 14:14 that says, “Elohim will wage war for you.” When Elohim promises to wage war there is no doubt as to the outcome! So, even if the people are facing an imminent battle, it is a battle that Elohim has commanded them to fight---so it is already considered a VICTORY! So, when Moses says that Elohim has given the Land to them…the Land is essentially already in your possession, even though you have not yet gone to war! When Moses says, “Go up and inherit the Land”, the war is as good as won! They only have to inherit what Elohim has given them. This is why he concludes the verse with “Do not be afraid!” The outcome of the battle is guaranteed. There is nothing to be nervous about…AMEN!
We see this in Deut. 2:31-34. In verse 31 Elohim told Moses to “Go and inherit Sichon’s land. In verse 32 we see that Sichon’s army attacked but in verse 33 Elohim gave them the victory. The Hebrew people possessed the Land even before they were attacked! When Elohim does battle for us…Victory is assured from the outset!
In Deut 2:34 the word “men” in Hebrew here is a very unusual term. Why does he use “m’tim” instead of “anashim” (men)? We can suggest that “m’tim” can be read as “maitim”, meaning “dead people.” In other words, when they captured the Sichon’s cities, the inhabitants were already considered dead! This hint in the text emphasizes that Elohim’s promise guarantees the ultimate outcome! Which is why Deut. 3:21-22 tells them “Do not fear! Elohim is fighting for you!”
The commandment, “do not fear”, is a command we find repeated throughout Torah and all Scriptures. There are 130 instances in Scripture where it says, “Do not be afraid” or “fear not.” Do not be afraid occurs 5 times in Deut. alone!
Many times, we find ourselves crippled with fear, doubt and worry from uncertainty, fear of change, fear of loss or fear of danger (real or imagined). We find ourselves boxed in and paralyzed by our fears! We must realize…it was fear that cost the first generation their opportunity to enter the Promised Land. Moses wants their faith to soar as they enter this Promised Land without him. He wants them to have confidence and certainty. Moses reviews what Elohim did in the past and how He delivered them!
Fear is the opposite of genuine faith! Fear comes from a place of faithlessness! Real confidence in Elohim drives fear out! My questions to you are: Who is your Father? Who cares for you? Who watches over you? If we are people of faith then to us fear is irrational! Romans 8:15 tells us we call Him “Abba Father”. It may not sound like a commandment of the Torah but it actually is a rule of life for the people of Elohim. We need to live by faithful confidence in the strong hand of Elohim! He who has delivered us from sin, depression, possessions, oppressions, depravity, lust and our enemies. He who rescued Yeshua from the grave will also rescue us from every trouble and fear!
Matthew 10:29-31 says, “Aren’t sparrows sold for next to nothing, two for an assarion? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s consent. As for you, every hair on your head has been counted. So do not be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.” Romans 8:35-39 says, “Who will separate us from the love of the Messiah? Trouble? Hardship? Persecution? Hunger? Poverty? Danger? War? As the Tanakh puts it, “For your sake we are being put to death all day long, we are considered sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are superconquerors, through the one who has loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers, neither what exists nor what is coming, neither powers above nor powers below, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of Yah which comes to us through the Messiah Yeshua, our Adonai.” II Tim. 1:6-7 says, “For this reason, I am reminding you to fan the flame of Yah’s gift, which you received through s’mikhah from me. For Yah gave us a Spirit who produces not fear, but power, love and self-discipline. Amen and amen!
Shabbat Shalom Mishpocha,
Join us every Wednesday at 7 pm for Bible Study and every Saturday at 11 am for Sabbath service at:
Lion of Judah Ministries
612 North Main St
Blackstone, Va.
Or watch us live on:
Facebook LIVE
Lion of Judah Ministries YouTube
Or download the NEW Lion of Judah Ministries app (look for the logo) for 24/7 access!
Remember you are more than conquerors and have the power of Yah’s Spirit within you. Celebrate the life He has given to you! Celebrate the power of Yah in your life to overcome your enemies. Celebrate that what Elohim has given you…it is already yours no matter what it looks like. Have a blessed and joy filled Sabbath. See you at the altar!
Shalom Aleichem