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Discussions Torah

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 Land because of the failings of the first generation in trusting every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. The Torah reading דברים Devarim (“words,” Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22) is the beginning of Moshe’s address near the end of his life, spanning most all the book.

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Discussions Torah

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.

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Discussions Torah

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.