Devarim דְּבָרִים - Words
Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22
Deuteronomy 1:39–2:1
1:39 Moreover, your little ones, whom you said would be captured or killed, your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, shall go in there. I will give it to them, and they shall possess it. 40 But as for you, turn, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.”
41 Then you answered and said to me, “We have sinned against Hashem. We will go up and fight, according to all that Hashem our Elohim commanded us.” Every man of you put on his weapons of war, and presumed to go up into the hill country.
42 Hashem said to me, “Tell them, ‘Don’t go up and don’t fight; for I am not among you, lest you be struck before your enemies.’”
43 So I spoke to you, and you didn’t listen; but you rebelled against the commandment of Hashem, and were presumptuous, and went up into the hill country. 44 The Amorites, who lived in that hill country, came out against you and chased you as bees do, and beat you down in Seir, even to Hormah. 45 You returned and wept before Hashem, but Hashem didn’t listen to your voice, nor turn His ear to you. 46 So you stayed in Kadesh many days, according to the days that you remained.
2:1 Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as Hashem spoke to me; and we encircled Mount Seir many days.
Today's Meditation:
There are lessons to be learned. In verse 42, we read, “Don’t go up and don’t fight; for I am not among you, lest you be struck before your enemies.” How many times in your life have you clearly heard from Hashem (in whatever way He speaks to you) don’t do what you are thinking of doing. You kind of get that feeling in your belly like you are doing something wrong, but you do it anyway. In this group of Israelites learning about Hashem and how to follow Him, they clearly made this mistake. They try to make the first mistake right (that is, being fearful and doubtful about entering the land) by taking things into their own hands. It doesn’t work. Hashem doesn’t go into battle with them, and they are defeated. We must learn from this. Do not go into a task, project, job, marriage, etc., unless Hashem has called you to do so. If He has called you, then He will go with you. If He hasn’t specifically summoned you, well, you are on your own and may suffer consequences. Better to do things His way.
Today’s Challenge:
How do we know when Hashem is calling or not calling us to do something? You learn by knowing His voice. Sometimes, He can speak to you through other people. Sometimes through Scripture, Torah, or a thought in your mind. When He speaks, there is peace and comfort. If you are hearing another voice, it will usually bring you anxiety or worry. My challenge to you today is to practice hearing Hashem's voice. When you think you hear Him, test it out. Through experience and trial and error, you will eventually learn to hear Him pretty well. Start today. It will change your life. Remember, He is the giver of eternal life, and that is good here on earth.
