September 20, 2025: Torah Portion Parashat Nitzavim - "Standing"
- Dr. Hadassah Elia
- Sep 20
- 9 min read
In this study, we will explore the Torah Portion Nitzavim - "Standing"
Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 29:10-30:20
Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10-63:9
Brit Chadashah (New Testament): Romans 10:1-12
📜Torah Portion Nitzavim - "Standing"
In last week's Parashah Ki Tavo, Moses warned the Israelites that obedience to the LORD would bring blessing, but disobedience would bring numerous curses - including the prospect of being scattered among the nations in exile.
In this week's Portion Nitzavim, Moses formally gathered the people together to deliver them a final solemn appeal to uphold God's covenant. The people "stood" (or presented themselves) before Moses, from the greatest to the least, in order to "enter into the sworn covenant of the LORD" in fulfillment of the promise the LORD made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
This was the actual "Covenant Ceremony" that marked the climax of Moses' earlier appeals in the narrative.
The Parashah begins:
All Israel stands before ADONAI: leaders, elders, men, women, children, and even the foreigners among them. The covenant is for everyone:
"12You are standing here in order to enter into a covenant with the LORD your God, a covenant the LORD is making with you this day and sealing with an oath, 13to confirm you this day as his people, that he may be your God as he promised you and as he swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 14I am making this covenant, with its oath, not only with you 15who are standing here with us today in the presence of the Lord our God but also with those who are not here today."
Deuteronomy 29:12–15
A Prophetic Warning:
If the people turn to idols, or rebelled against ADONAI, curses will come. But if they repent, ADONAI will restore them. Moses then warned that anyone who attempted to be exempted from the terms of the covenant would be blotted out from the earth. Moreover, if the entire nation broke the covenant, the land itself would be destroyed and the people exiled.
Moses then prophesied that when later generations would ask about the meaning of their exile, they would be told that it was the result of breaking the covenant which Moses was mediating with them this very day.
However, in the end of days, the people would return to the LORD in repentance - teshuvah:
"4Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back. 5He will bring you to the land that belonged to your ancestors, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors." Deuteronomy 30:4-5
The Circumcision of the Heart:
The Parashah ends with an appeal to practice the Torah and its commandments. The Israelite's covenant obligations are not too difficult or esoteric for them, but are completely within their reach - since they are a matter of the heart - and are known by the heart's decision to obey the LORD:
"The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live."
Deuteronomy 30:6
"No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it." Deuteronomy 30:14
The Ultimate Choice:
Moses makes a final plea: "Choose life!"
The path of life is to love the LORD and obey His voice! The choice between life and death was now set before them, and heaven and earth were to be eternal witnesses to the terms of the agreement. If the Israelites choose to obey the LORD, they will be blessed and prosper above all other peoples; otherwise, they will suffer exile, undergo persecution, and ultimately perish....
"19This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
📜 Haftarah Reading Overview
The haftarah for Parashat Nitzavim is the last of the seven readings from the prophets that are consecutively read before Rosh Hashanah.
These "haftarot of comfort" foretell of the restoration of the Jewish people and of the coming of the Messianic Era. In this week's reading, the future salvation of the nation of Israel is described. The LORD promises to shine His glorious light upon the Jewish people and to reveal His glory, despite the hour of darkness and tribulation that comes upon the earth:
This beautiful portion sounds the note of rapturous exultation regarding the restoration of Israel after their long exile.
As it states in John 12:24, that just as a seed must "fall to the ground and die" in order to become reconstituted into newness of life, so will Israel, after having been nearly destroyed in the Great Tribulation, return to life when they receive their King in the days of His glorious kingdom:
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." John 12:24
First Fruits (Bikkurim), from Parashah Ki Tavo:
1. First Fruits of the Spirit:
• Paul writes in Romans 8:23:
“…we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption, the redemption of our bodies.”
• Just as the First Fruits of the harvest point to the greater harvest, the First Fruits of the Spirit point to the fullness of the Kingdom yet to come.
• We already taste the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), but the fullness will come at the resurrection and return of MESSIAH YESHUA!
2. The Spirit of Elijah:
• Malachi 4:5–6: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers…”
• The “Spirit of Elijah” is the forerunner anointing — preparing the way for Messiah.
• John the Baptist carried this mantle:
"And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:17
• In the last days, the same Spirit of Elijah is released again to prepare the Bride and restore Israel.
Thus:
➡ The First Fruits of the Spirit = our initial portion of the Kingdom.
➡ The Spirit of Elijah = the prophetic anointing to prepare the way for YESHUA’s return.
3. The Seed Principle and Death:
• John 12:24 (the seed must die to bear fruit) connects here.
• Sometimes a death of a person, leader, or movement becomes a seed that God uses to raise a greater harvest.
History shows this pattern:
• Stephen’s death → Paul’s calling (Acts 7–9).
• Yeshua’s death → our salvation.
• Many martyrs → revival fires.
4. The Case of Charlie Kirk:
• When a public leader like Charlie Kirk passes, especially one identified with faith, patriotism, and revival culture, it shakes a generation.
• His death (the seed falling into the ground) can prophetically become a Bikkurim moment — God taking what seems like loss and turning it into a First Fruits of awakening.
• The “Spirit of Elijah,” was upon Charlie Kirk, and after his death a double portion of his anointing fell, and has sparked the rising of a new generation of bold voices who will not compromise, preparing the way for MESSIAH YESHUA! Just like the transferring of the anointing from Elijah to Elisha:
"You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet." 1 Kings 19:16
5. Prophetic Connection:
• First Fruits of the Spirit → we have a down payment of the coming glory.
• Spirit of Elijah → awakens, confronts idolatry, restores covenant, prepares the Bride.
• Death of a seed (like Charlie Kirk) → can ignite the mantle of Elijah in others, multiplying boldness and raising up harvest-laborers.
Just as Elisha received a double portion after Elijah’s departure (2 Kings 2), God may use this moment to pour out double portions of Elijah’s Spirit on a rising generation!
Prophetic Prayer:
"Abba, You are the LORD of the harvest! We recognize the principle of First Fruits, that what dies in You can bring forth greater life. We ask that the passing of leaders in this generation, like Charlie Kirk, would not be an end but a seed — raising up many voices in the Spirit of Elijah, bold and uncompromising, to prepare the way of YESHUA!
May the First Fruits of the Spirit ripen quickly into the fullness of Your Kingdom. In YESHUA’S MIGHTY NAME, Amen!"
📖 New Covenant Connections:
Romans 10:8–10 quotes this Parashah:
8 "But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."— fulfilled in confessing and believing in YESHUA as LORD.
Matthew 3:1–12 — John the Immerser calls Israel to repentance, preparing the way of the LORD, echoing the covenant renewal of Parashah Nitzavim:
11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spirit and fire." Matthew 3:11
Revelation 21:1–7 — The final fulfillment of “choose life” as God makes all things new and dwells with His people forever:
"6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children." Revelation 21:6-7
How This Speaks to Us Today:
Parashah Nitzavim is always read right before Rosh Hashanah — the time of judgment, renewal, and new beginnings.
Standing Together: Just as Israel stood united before God, today believers are called to stand firm in faith, no matter the trials. In an age of division and confusion, covenant unity is a prophetic witness.
The Word is Near: In our world of constant noise and opinions, God reminds us that His Word is not far away — it is near, alive, and written on our hearts.
Circumcision of the Heart: True change does not come from outward systems or political powers, but from a transformed heart that loves God above all.
Choose Life: In a culture that often glorifies death, violence, and darkness, God still sets before us the choice of life. Choosing life means choosing truth, holiness, forgiveness, and faith.
This Parashah reminds us that God is faithful to restore when we repent, and He calls every generation to return to Him.
Reflection & Prayer:
“Father, thank You that Your Word is near, even in our hearts and mouths. Circumcise our hearts to love You fully, help us to stand together in covenant unity, and empower us to always choose life in every decision.
May our lives shine with Your salvation and righteousness.
In YESHUA’S MIGHTY NAME, Amen!”
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