A common misconception about God’s Law is that it’s all about perfection, that it’s unrealistic in a fallen world. Rather, the capstone passage of the Torah — reading הַאֲזִינוּ Ha’azinu (“listen,” Deuteronomy 32) — recounts Israel’s screwups past, present and future as well as the LORD’s mercy and plan for redemption.
It should be no surprise, then, that the final acts of God’s redemption give the “song of Moses” (Deuteronomy 32) double-billing with the “song of the Lamb” (Revelation 15:3).
In the previous Torah reading, כי תבוא Ki Tavo, we learned the importance of having character that survives stressors big and small. The first part of this week’s double reading, נִצָּבִים Nitzavim (“standing,” Deut. 29:9–30:20), underscores the building blocks of that character: loving the LORD with all our heart, soul, strength and mind. We learn that the “New Covenant,” or “New Testament” really isn’t so new, but choosing a lifestyle that leads to life and not death does require us to leave our old “dead works” behind.
“Be strong and courageous.” Imagine getting that advice as you’re being sent out to accomplish something you feel totally unprepared for. Those were some of the last words Moshe (Moses) left as Israel was about to enter the Promised Land. What counts is how much trust you have in the one in charge. That baton was passing, but the people had to remember the One ultimately leading and fighting for them. The second part of this week’s reading, וַיֵּלֶךְ Vayelech (“he went,” Deut. 31:1–30), introduces what’s really the second verse of the “song of Moses,” mentioned in Rev. 15:3.
“Treat people the same way you want them to treat you” (Matt. 7:12 NASB) is the Golden Rule of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus). But in the Torah reading כִּי־תֵצֵא Ki Tetze (“when you go forth,” Deut. 21:10–25:19) we’re reminded that Heaven sent this instruction much earlier. In this study, we explore the big role the Golden Rule plays in helping today’s society answer today’s vexing questions about gender and parent roles.
Yeshua (Jesus) said, “(E)veryone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28 NASB). That heart-encompassing explanation of Heaven’s instructions about adultery, murder, theft, honesty and lust for stuff is what’s behind the seemingly disconnected topics covered in the Torah passage כִּי־תֵצֵא Ki Tetze (“when you go forth,” Deut. 21:10-25:19). It helps explain what’s under the hood of the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth commandments.
Shadows of the prophet status and crucifixion of the Messiah appear in the Torah passage שֹׁפְטִים Shoftim (“judges,” Deut. 16:18-21:9). In a section of the Bible focused on codes of justice still used in modern society, there also is hope for the greatest mercy the world has ever seen, in Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus the Christ).
A sober warning amid the three tests for a prophet of God in Torah reading רְאֵה Re’eh (“see,” Deut. 11:26–16:17) is that a false one may foretell something that actually happens. This helps us understand an equally jarring admonition from Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus the Christ): “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matt. 7:21 NASB95).
In this study, we’ll look into Moshe’s explanations of three of the Ten Commandments: Follow no other gods, make no idols and respect the Name. A thread that runs through them is respect for the LORD’s reputation. Respect is earned, and the LORD has delivered mightily.
Common advice in this world is, “Follow your heart.” But in the Torah reading רְאֵה Re’eh (“see,” Deut. 11:26–16:17), we learn that God wants to transform our way of thinking, so our desires will take us in a wiser direction. Discover through these studies how this Bible passage explains the reborn-heart approach to the Second, Third and Fourth commandments on blasphemy, idolatry and weekly stopping what we’re doing to remember the rest God gives us.