Tag: Parashat Nitzavim

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Discussions Torah

Discernment in a deceptive age: How to sharpen our spiritual senses (Deuteronomy 29–30)

"Discernment in a deceptive age: How to sharpen our spiritual senses (Deuteronomy 29-30)." Adobe Firefly AI generated artwork of two wooden picture frames, the left one showing a man wearing glasses obscured by grey clouds, the right frame showing a woman wearing glasses with one lens seeing a smiley emoji and the other lens seeing an angry face emoji.

The Torah readings of נִצָּבִים Nitzavim and וַיֵּלֶךְ Vayelech (Deuteronomy 29:10–31:30) confront us with a stark choice — life or death. Yet this is no mere intellectual exercise, for the decision before us demands a profound internal transformation via Heaven’s tag-team Comforters, the Word and the Spirit. In this study, we’ll see that these ancient yet ever-more-relevant words speak to the very core of our being, calling us to align our thoughts and desires with the ways of the Almighty. In a world that tempts us with the allure of secret knowledge and the false security of human systems, we are challenged to discern the subtle yet vital distinctions between the paths that lie before us. It is only through the power of God’s Spirit working within us that we can truly choose the way that leads to “abundant life” (John 10:10).

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Torah readings

Torah readings Nitzavim (נצבים) & Vayelech (וילך): Deuteronomy 29:10–31:30

Studies in Torah

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.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

‘Living water’ from God slakes the spiritual thirst that destroys people and nations (Deuteronomy 29–31; John 4, 7)

'Living water' from God slakes the spiritual thirst that destroys peope and nations (Deuteronomy 29-31; John 4, 7)

In the dual Torah readings נִצָּבִים Nitzavim and וַיֵּלֶךְ Vayelech (“standing” and “he went,” Deut. 29:9–31:30), Moses warns the second post-Egypt generation Israel in Deuteronomy 29:14-21 that if they reject the LORD as their God and King their rejection will cause not only a physical drought in the land, but a spiritual drought too. 

In this study, we explore John 4, where the apostle John records Yeshua’s meeting with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well near Shechem. Although the conversation starts with a conversation about the water in Jacob’s well, it ends with Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) offering her “living water” to satiate her deepest spiritual longings. She is also blessed to be the first person, besides His mother, who receives the knowledge of Yeshua’s messiahship straight from Him.  

Then in John 7, Yeshua brings a similar message to those gathered in the Temple for the last day of Sukkot, offering them living, spiritual water. The difference is that the “living water” the Samaritan woman accepted, Israel’s leadership in Jerusalem violently rejected, bringing on themselves the curse Moses warned about.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Choose life: Live with nothing to hide (Deuteronomy 29–30; John 12)

Choose life: Live with nothing to hide (Deuteronomy 29-30; John 12)

Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) taught that the life choices that are truly profitable long-term aren’t obvious to those with the worldview of the now (John 12:25).

That teaching parallels the main theme of the Torah reading נִצָּבִים Nitzavim (“standing,”Deut. 29:9-30:20): “choose life.” One would think that choosing life over death would be a no-brainer, but we learn that this command is simultaneously easy and extremely difficult.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Choose a selfless life for the salvation of the world (Deuteronomy 29–30)

Choose a selfless life for the salvation of the world (Deuteronomy 29-30)

Moses said effectively, “Choose life, not death” (Deut. 30:19-20). It sounds like such an easy thing to do. But the truth is that it’s easier to walk the path of death than it is to walk the path of life. Our “flesh” drags us to follow our own inclinations, what we think is right rather than what God thinks and what He has taught us is right. In the Torah portion נִצָּבִים Nitzavim (“standing,” Deut. 29:9-30:20), Moses tells us that the Torah is not too hard for us, but it can be immensely difficult for us if we are not following through in letting the Spirit of God lead us.

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Discussions Torah

Deuteronomy 29–30: Is circumcision of the heart too much to bear?

It should be an easy choice: life vs. death. Unfortunately many people willingly choose death rather than life because they don’t want to submit their hearts, souls and minds to God.

It’s important to understand that following Torah is our free choice. It is easy to fall into analysis paralysis of learning God’s instructions, and Deuteronomy 29-30 (Torah reading Netzavim) can bring us back to our center when we fall into that trap.

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Discussions Torah

Deuteronomy 29–30: Keep, do, prosper. It’s not as hard as we make it

Choosing life over death seems like an easy choice, but it can be hard for some people. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Matt. 26:41; Mark 14:38).

In Moses’ third address to the second generation of Israel post-Egypt, recorded in Torah reading נִצָּבִים Nitzavim (“standing,” Deut. 29:9–30:20), he tells them (and us) they have a choice between life and death. He implores us to choose life.

We are also told that the Torah isn’t difficult, if it’s in your heart and in your mouth. Men make it difficult, but God doesn’t.