Readings & outline
- Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22
- Isaiah 1:1-27: This reading for Shabbat Chazon (Sabbath of Vision) describes a time surround the great 70-year exile of Israel from the land by Babylon. This exile happened for some of the same reasons behind the 40-year exile of Israel from the Promised Land.
- Matthew 24:1–22: This reading memorializes תשעה באב Tisha b’Av (Ninth of Av), the day when Babylon and Rome destroyed Jerusalem, chiefly the Temple with it both times.
- Acts 7:51–8:4
- Hebrews 3–4
Here’s a handy outline of the book of Devarim (Deuteronomy) you can print out:
Devarim-related studies
The following are recorded discussions and notes from Hallel Fellowship teachers about passages from this week’s reading.
Prepare now to take a stand for the Way of Life before you’ll need to (Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22)
The Torah reading דְּבָרִים Devarim (“words,” Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22) contains a recounting of the roller-coaster ride of Israel from deliverance to defiance between the House of Bondage (Egypt), the Mountain of the Testimony (Sinai) and the Land of Freedom-Rest (Promised Land). There was no way for Moses to soft-pedal the fact that the first generation chose to believe the 10 spies bad report about the impossibility to occupy the Promised Land, rather than the good report of the two spies, which was affirmed by Moses and God Himself.
Just as the first generation of the Exodus believed the “bad report” of the…
Stand up against ‘spiritual gravity’ — aka ‘the flesh’ (Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22)
We live with gravity. Though considered a weak force, between the massive Earth and us on its surface, gravity keeps us grounded, but it can also crush us. In the International Space Station in orbit, astronauts don’t feel gravity, and they need something to grab onto and push off of something. But if you were to go to Jupiter, gravity is so strong, that it would crush humans and kill them instantly.
How much more will “spiritual gravity” (aka “the flesh”) drag us down, age us and crush us unless we morally stand against it?
In the Torah reading דברים Devarim (“words,”…
Learning how to receive Heaven’s mercy (Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22)
God forgives us for our screwups when we turn back from them (i.e., repent). What must we then do? Forgive others. That includes those in the Body of Messiah who we think have “lied” to us about the Sabbath’s being changed, Day of Atonement’s being abolished, New Moon’s being nailed to the cross or the Torah’s being abrogated. Those who taught us these things may have been misled themselves or had misunderstood or misinterpreted teachings. Our job is to forgive.
That’s a key lesson Moshe (Moses) had for the second generation of Israel, who had to grow up outside the Promised…
Deuteronomy 1–3; Isaiah 1: Why crowdsourcing your morality is a fail
In the Torah reading דברים Devarim (“words,” Deut. 1:1–3:22), Moses started giving a more complete record of what happened during the entire 38 years in the wilderness.
The Israelites didn’t have the same degree of bravery as their cousins (Edom, Ammon and Moab). They didn’t follow God’s direct instructions and suffered as a consequence. Their leaders became rotten; they ignored Torah, and the people suffered as a consequence.
This is why God hits the reset button from time to time (e.g., the Flood, first-born of Egypt, Day of the LORD), and sets aside a remnant to carry His truth into the world. A remnant…
Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22: Growing in grace by every word from God
The roller-coaster ride of ancient Israel through trust in the LORD, apathy and rebellion mirrors the turmoil that swirls around our daily lives.
This week’s Torah reading, דברים Devarim (“words,” Deut. 1:1–3:22), starts a “second telling” — deuteronomy in Greek — to the post-Exodus generation of why Israel exists and what its mission is. The parallel reading in Isaiah 1:1-27 and the Sermon on the Mount teach us how our interpretation of and living out the Ten Commandments and the rest of the Torah can go terribly wrong if we don’t learn the why behind the what of God’s instructions.
Deuteronomy 1:1–3:20: Why are we here? Finding God’s purpose for you
The roller-coaster ride of ancient Israel through trust in the LORD, apathy and rebellion mirrors our the turmoil that swirls around our daily lives. This week’s Torah reading, דברים Devarim (“words,” Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22), starts a “second telling” — deuteronomy in Greek — to the post-Exodus generation of why Israel exists and what its mission is.
Deuteronomy 1-3: Lessons from Exodus, Numbers for the next generation
The first few chapters of Deuteronomy recount events from Exodus and Numbers. Key lessons for the new generation about to enter the Land were to trust God despite the seemingly invincible adversaries and remember His protection of the first generation out of Egypt and long before.
Recap of Deuteronomy — curses & blessings, statutes & judgments, exile & regathering
The book of Deuteronomy is full of contrasts: blessings and curses, exile and regathering. In this book we learn about the heart of God and how He wants to win the devotion of our hearts.
Deuteronomy 2–3: Conquering foes old and new
As the second generation of Israel post-Mitsraim (Egypt) prepared to enter the Promised Land after 40 years of banishment, the people must face foes that wouldn’t quit and had long histories with Israel. Trust in Israel’s Savior gave the people courage to conquer those enemies. Likewise, our trust in God can bring us through even the most seemingly unwinnable struggle.
Deuteronomy 1: Charter for born-again Israel
There are times we just want a do-over on our lives, to hit the reset button. Ancient Israel needed such a new beginning after repeated rebellions against the LORD, the Savior from bondage in Mitsraim (Egypt), led to the nation’s judgment to remain outside the Promised Land for 40 years, until the first generation died out.
Thus begins the “second telling,” or deuteronomy, of who Israel was, where the nation was going and why. It’s also lesson for the “new creation” we become in the eyes of Heaven because of Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus the Christ).