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Why should we care about Israel?
Some have disregarded Israel during the ministry of Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ) and in modern times as having anything to do with Bible prophecy, because of perceived failings of the people in trusting God. But believers in Yeshua are taught not to hold a grudge against our neighbor because since God is faithful to us, we should be faithful to God and to those around us even of they don’t know how to be faithful. We should be grateful for God’s mercy and bigger plans for our lives.
From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.
Romans 11:28–32 NASB 1995
The main theme of the Torah reading עקב Ekev/Eykev (“consequence,” “because,” Deuteronomy 7:12–11:25) is explanation of the First Commandment, “Have no other gods before Me” (Ex. 20:1–3). God is not one of many gods; He is the only Creator, the only One worthy of worship.
Here’s how Moshe expounded upon the First Commandment:
- Follow the LORD only (Deut. 7:1-26)
- Do not forget the LORD (Deut. 8:1-20)
- Do not boast in your own righteousness (Deut. 9:1-10:11)
- Fear the LORD (Deut. 10:12-22)
- Keep the commands of the LORD (Deut. 11:1-32)
The sermons by Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ) on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) and on the Plain (Luke 6:17–49) also expanded on the 10 Commandments, providing clarification and practical application. When Yeshua said six times “You have heard it said…, but I say…,” He was not changing or rewriting the Torah. Rather, Yeshua was calling out how Torah explanation had gone wrong by the first century.
“(E)very word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD” (Deut. 8:3) in Devarim/Deuteronomy helps us live out the Ten Commandments.
Don’t follow you heart
God tells us that He made the children of Israel hungry while in the wilderness to test them. He gave them manna on a schedule to teach them to depend on Him and to teach them when to work and when to rest.
In the book of Revelation, Yeshua told the congregation at Ephesus:
“‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.’”
Rev. 2:2–4 NASB; cf. Rev. 1–7
They were doing so many things that were right according to the Scriptures. They knew the word, but they had forgotten their first love. They knew the “what” but they had forgotten the “why.”
‘Not by bread alone’: Messiah’s answer for temptation
Yeshua’s temptations in the wilderness after His baptism (Matt. 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13) echo Israel’s wilderness travel and temptations. Here is a comparison:
| Yeshua | Israel |
|---|---|
| Baptized in the Jordan. | Baptized in the sea (and in the cloud) (1Cor. 10:1-10). |
| Led by the Spirit to (Matthew)/through (Luke) the wilderness. | The Spirit filled the 70 elders of Israel + Yehoshua and Caleb. |
| Fasted. | Went hungry (and given food they didn’t want). |
| Spent 40 days/nights in the wilderness. | Israel spent 40 years in the wilderness (based on the 40 days of the spies’ reconnaissance). |
| HaSatan questioned Yeshua’s status: “If You are the Son of God.” | “Is God with us, or not?” (Ex. 17:7) |
| Temptation 1: Turn stones into bread. | Israel found their bread (manna) on the ground each morning (Exodus 16). |
| “It is written”: Live by every word from God (Deut. 8:3) | Moses gave God’s words to Israel in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8). |
| Temptation 2: Jump from the top of God’s house and be saved (recklessness and arrogance in God’s Presence). | Israel tested God 10 times in the wilderness with reckless arrogance (Num. 14:22). |
| “It is written”: Don’t put the LORD to the test (Deut. 6:16) | Shema (“hear”; Deut. 6:4ff) |
| Temptation 3: See all the nations, acknowledge the Adversary’s supremacy, and get those peoples. | What kept Moshe out of the Promised Land after being shown it: “You rebels!” |
| “It is written”: Worship and serve the LORD only (1st three commandments: Ex. 20:1-2; Deut. 6:13; 10:20) | Augmented their view of God via the golden calf |
We have to ask ourselves if we can keep hold of the long-term vision, as Moses did, to look toward the future even when the present time looks bleak.
Summary: Tammy
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