Vayelech - Reading #7

Vayelech וַיֵּלֶךְ - And He Went

Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30

Haftarah Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20; Joel 2:15-27

Apostolic Reading Matthew 21:9-17

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 31:25–30

My Thoughts:

Moses seems anxious about how the Israelites will fare after his death. In verse 29, he says, “For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves…”. How sad is this? After 40 years of substantial miracles and witnesses of Hashem’s power and glory, the chosen people are still disobeying Him. What is it about humankind that just can’t seem to get it together? How could they have looked upon the pillar of the cloud in the day and the pillar of fire at night? Wouldn’t that miracle alone (His presence) be enough in your life to want to stay on your knees day and night? Why are we so weak? Even today, look at the world. It is crazy. Right is wrong and wrong is right. We are so upside down. Those of us who profess to know Hashem and love Him still disobey Him and sin. The beauty of it all is teshuvah. As we are in the ten days of awe leading to Yom Kippur, we must repent and turn around. When we turn around, we don’t look back. We must become beacons of light for Hashem to the rest of the world. So that He wants to send the Mashiach.

Challenge:

The book of the Law in verse 25 reminds them (us) about how to live. It is a witness. That’s why they carry it in the ark. It needs to be with them at all times. Just like now. We need the Torah by our side every day. It needs to be in plain view where we can study it and learn from it. That is the advantage of doing the daily reading schedule. It is always in your life, every day. And that is my challenge to you today. Make a promise to yourself that as the new Torah cycle begins (after Sukkot), you will immerse yourself. Pick a time every day to study, and if you happen to miss a study, make it up. Get yourself a journal to record your thoughts. Let the Torah speak to you in powerful ways each day. Remember, it is life.

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 31:25–30

31:25 Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of Hashem’s covenant, saying, 26 “Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of Hashem your Elohim’s covenant, that it may be there for a witness against you. 27 For I know your rebellion and your stiff neck. Behold, while I am yet alive with you today, you have been rebellious against Hashem. How much more after my death? 28 Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to witness against them. 29 For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn away from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will happen to you in the latter days, because you will do that which is evil in Hashem’s sight, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.”

30 Moses spoke in the ears of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song, until they were finished.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

Micah 7:8 contains a beautiful passage, “Who is an Elohim like You, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of His heritage? He doesn’t retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving kindness. ” When we were reading the Torah today, we saw how Moses predicted the failure of his people. But even when we fail, Hashem is there to forgive us. He actually will pass over our disobedience. He doesn’t stay mad for long. This is because He is a kind and loving Elohim. I’m sure you have seen evidence of this in your life. You have done dumb things, confessed, and really felt like Hashem has forgiven you. Because He has. We should be more like Him. When people do things to upset us and make us angry, we should show loving kindness instead of retaliation. We need to forgive and make things right. When we do this, the world will be such a better place. Remember, it starts with you and me. 

Challenge:

In Joel 2:27, we read, “You will know that I am among Israel, and that I am Hashem, your Elohim, and there is no one else; My people will never again be disappointed.” What a wonderful promise. We must remember there is no other Elohim but Hashem. His presence will be known in Israel and around the world. And when that happens, there will be no more sin, no more tears, no more wars, no more disappointment. My challenge to you is to try to be like that now. Let’s strive to show the world that Hashem is perfect, loving, and kind. That we can cast our burdens upon Him and He will carry them for us. Let us try to portray to the world that by following the one true Elohim, joy and peace will follow. Be that as it may, today, I will join you.

Haftarah: Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20; Joel 2:15-27

Hosea 14:2-10 

2 Take words with you, and return to Hashem.

    Tell him, “Forgive all our sins,

    and accept that which is good:

    so we offer our lips like bulls.

3 Assyria can’t save us.

    We won’t ride on horses;

    neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, ‘Our gods!’

    for in you the fatherless finds mercy.”

4 “I will heal their waywardness.

    I will love them freely;

    for my anger is turned away from him.

5 I will be like the dew to Israel.

    He will blossom like the lily,

    and send down his roots like Lebanon.

6 His branches will spread,

    and his beauty will be like the olive tree,

    and his fragrance like Lebanon.

7 Men will dwell in his shade.

    They will revive like the grain,

    and blossom like the vine.

    Their fragrance will be like the wine of Lebanon.

8 Ephraim, what have I to do any more with idols?

    I answer, and will take care of him.

    I am like a green cypress tree;

    from me your fruit is found.”

9 Who is wise, that he may understand these things?

    Who is prudent, that he may know them?

    For the ways of Hashem are right,

    and the righteous walk in them;

    But the rebellious stumble in them.

Micah 7:18-20

8 Who is an Elohim like you, who pardons iniquity,

    and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of His heritage?

He doesn’t retain His anger forever,

    because He delights in loving kindness.

19 He will again have compassion on us.

    He will tread our iniquities under foot;

    and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

20 You will give truth to Jacob,

    and mercy to Abraham,

    as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

Joel 2:15-27

Blow the trumpet in Zion!

    Sanctify a fast.

    Call a solemn assembly.

16 Gather the people.

    Sanctify the assembly.

    Assemble the elders.

    Gather the children, and those who nurse from breasts.

Let the bridegroom go out of his room,

    and the bride out of her room.

17 Let the priests, the ministers of Hashem, weep between the porch and the altar,

    and let them say, “Spare your people, Hashem,

    and don’t give your heritage to reproach,

    that the nations should rule over them.

Why should they say among the peoples,

    ‘Where is their Elohim?’”

18 Then Hashem was jealous for His land,

    And had pity on His people.

19 Hashem answered His people,

    “Behold, I will send you grain, new wine, and oil,

    and you will be satisfied with them;

    and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.

20 But I will remove the northern army far away from you,

    and will drive it into a barren and desolate land,

    its front into the eastern sea,

    and its back into the western sea;

    and its stench will come up,

    and its bad smell will rise.”

Surely He has done great things.

21 Land, don’t be afraid.

    Be glad and rejoice, for Hashem has done great things.

22 Don’t be afraid, you animals of the field;

    for the pastures of the wilderness spring up,

    for the tree bears its fruit.

    The fig tree and the vine yield their strength.

23 “Be glad then, you children of Zion,

    and rejoice in Hashem, your Elohim;

    for He gives you the early rain in just measure,

    and He causes the rain to come down for you,

    the early rain and the latter rain,

    as before.

24 The threshing floors will be full of wheat,

    and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

25 I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,

    the great locust, the grasshopper, and the caterpillar,

    my great army, which I sent among you.

26 You will have plenty to eat, and be satisfied,

    and will praise the name of Hashem, your Elohim,

    who has dealt wondrously with you;

    and My people will never again be disappointed.

27 You will know that I am among Israel,

    and that I am Hashem, your Elohim, and there is no one else;

    and my people will never again be disappointed.

Apostolic Reading

My Thoughts:

In today’s reading, we learn how Yeshua did not tolerate sin. Selling anything in the temple was, of course, forbidden. The temple was the place where Hashem would dwell. There was to be no bartering or exchanging of money, and so on. How could people get to this point? How could they dishonor the presence of Hashem? Yeshua came to bring people back to Hashem. To remind them of Torah and the commandments. He told the people that if they loved Him, they would follow His commandments. That is so true. If we really love Hashem, we would delight in following Torah. It would not be drudgery or a burden. It is a blessing, and it is life. Let us not become like the “money-changers” in the temple, forgetting the presence and power of Elohim. Let’s be more like Yeshua and remind the world of what is right.

Challenge:

Why were the priests indignant that Yeshua was healing people in the temple? Apparently, people were coming to the temple who needed healing. They needed a touch from Hashem. They needed restoration. Yeshua was Hashem’s vehicle to bring that touch. Were these particular priests jealous, confused, or low on faith? Whatever reason made them skeptical of Yeshua and who He was, it did not end well. Yeshua was killed, and the temple was destroyed. Two huge losses. But here lies the hope. We know from the Torah that the Mashiach will come. That He will rule in the final Temple, where the glory of Hashem goes forth to the world. That is my challenge to you today. Begin to be used by Hashem to give a touch to others. This may be praying for them, helping them, or studying Torah with them. Don’t worry about people around you who don’t understand what you are doing. Just follow Hashem and do what He tells you. We want Mashiach to return. We want the glory of Hashem to fill the earth. So let’s bring the Torah to those around us. Let us help to prepare the world for the Olam Haba.

Apostolic Reading Matthew 21:9-17

9 The multitudes who went in front of Him, and those who followed, kept shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 

10 When He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”

11 The multitudes said, “This is the prophet, Yeshua, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

12 Yeshua entered into the temple of Elohim and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers’ tables and the seats of those who sold the doves. 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers!”Jeremiah 7:11

14 The lame and the blind came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the son of David!” they were indignant, 16 and said to Him, “Do you hear what these are saying?”

Yeshua said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of children and nursing babies, you have perfected praise?’”

17 He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and camped there.

Nitzavim - Reading #7

Nitzavim נִצָּבִים - Standing (Witnessing)

Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20

Isaiah 61:10-63:9

John 12:41-50

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 30:15–20

My Thoughts:

If your heart turns away, you will perish (verses 16-17). This is a concurrent theme throughout Scripture. We must not turn to other gods (money, relationships, sin). Our life depends on it. We must only follow Hashem and His Torah. This requires us to guard our hearts. And how does that work? That means we stay saturated in His Word. That means we avoid places or people who tempt us to sin. Instead, we surround ourselves with people who love Hashem with all their hearts. It also means we pray and worship Him consistently. Remember, Torah is life. Not following Hashem and His Torah is death.

Challenge:

When you choose life, it is required (according to today’s reading) that you love Hashem, obey His voice, and cling to Him. We know how to hear His voice (I hope). We know how to obey Him. But how do we cling to Him? Ruth “clung” to her mother-in-law Naomi. She told her she would love her, follow her and her G-d, her country - everything. That is what “clinging” is. You hold close. It’s not letting go when you hug someone. I challenge you today to not let go of Hashem. To cling to Him. Give Him everything you have. Do everything for Him and for others. He is your life. Don’t let go. 

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 30:15–20

30:15 Behold, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and evil. 16 For I command you today to love Hashem your Elohim, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His ordinances, that you may live and multiply, and that Hashem your Elohim may bless you in the land where you go in to possess it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away and worship other gods, and serve them, 18 I declare to you today that you will surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you pass over the Jordan to go in to possess it. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore, choose life, that you may live, you and your descendants, 20 to love Hashem your Elohim, to obey His voice, and to cling to Him, for He is your life, and the length of your days, that you may dwell in the land which Hashem swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

This Haftarah is clearly about redemption in the Olam Haba (the world to come). In verse 63:9, we read, “In His love and in His pity He redeemed them. He bore them, and carried them all the days of old.” Through love and pity, Hashem redeems us. He forgives us and restores us. Isn’t that so wonderful? He understands how weak we are and how strong He is. Not only does He redeem us, but He “bears and carries” us. It’s as if He stretches out His arms wide, picks us up, and carries us through our difficulties. During the storms of life, some of us feel His presence and others do not. In fact, some people become very angry with Hashem during hard and difficult times. But if you study Torah, you know that He never leaves you or forsakes you. He is there through horrible times, even if we don’t feel His presence. We must rely on that. We must depend on Him and His Word through these times. Never give up on Him because He certainly never gives up on us.

Challenge:

In verse 62:12, we read how Hashem will portray us to the world, “They will call them 'The Holy People, Hashem’s Redeemed'. You will be called 'Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken'.” Isn’t that amazing? The world will recognize us as Hashem’s. There will be no doubt that we are His. Jerusalem will not be forsaken, but Hashem will “seek” out His people and gather them back to the city, to the Land. My challenge today is to reflect on all of this. Do you want to be a part of His Redeemed? Do you want to be recognized as part of His Holy People”? I do. That means we must start acting like we are today. This marks the beginning of your journey as a part of His Holy People. And that is for eternity. Don’t you want that? 

Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10-63:9

10 I will greatly rejoice in Hashem!

    My soul will be joyful in my Elohim,

for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation.

    He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

    as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland

    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

11 For as the earth produces its bud,

    and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring up,

    so Hashem Elohim will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

62 For Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace,

    and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,

until her righteousness shines out like the dawn,

    and her salvation like a burning lamp.

2 The nations will see your righteousness,

    and all kings your glory.

You will be called by a new name,

    which Hashem’s mouth will name.

3 You will also be a crown of beauty in Hashem’s hand,

    and a royal diadem in your Elohim’s hand.

4 You will not be called Forsaken any more,

    nor will your land be called Desolate any more;

but you will be called Hephzibah,

    and your land Beulah;

for Hashem delights in you,

    and your land will be married.

5 For as a young man marries a virgin,

    so your sons will marry you.

As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,

    so your Elohim will rejoice over you.

6 I have set watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem.

    They will never be silent day nor night.

You who call on Hashem, take no rest,

7     and give him no rest, until He establishes,

    and until He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

8 Hashem has sworn by His right hand,

    and by the arm of his strength,

“Surely I will no more give your grain to be food for your enemies,

    and foreigners will not drink your new wine, for which you have labored,

9 but those who have harvested it will eat it, and praise Hashem.

    Those who have gathered it will drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.”

10 Go through, go through the gates!

    Prepare the way of the people!

Build up, build up the highway!

    Gather out the stones!

    Lift up a banner for the peoples.

11 Behold, Hashem has proclaimed to the end of the earth,

    “Say to the daughter of Zion,

    ‘Behold, your salvation comes!

Behold, his reward is with him,

    and his recompense before him!’”

12 They will call them “The Holy People,

    Hashem’s Redeemed”.

You will be called “Sought Out,

    A City Not Forsaken”.

63:1 Who is this who comes from Edom,

    with dyed garments from Bozrah?

Who is this who is glorious in his clothing,

    marching in the greatness of his strength?

“It is I who speak in righteousness,

    mighty to save.”

2 Why is your clothing red,

    and your garments like him who treads in the wine vat?

3 “I have trodden the wine press alone.

    Of the peoples, no one was with me.

Yes, I trod them in my anger

    and trampled them in my wrath.

Their lifeblood is sprinkled on my garments,

    and I have stained all my clothing.

4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart,

    and the year of my redeemed has come.

5 I looked, and there was no one to help;

    and I wondered that there was no one to uphold.

Therefore, my own arm brought salvation to me.

    My own wrath upheld me.

6 I trod down the peoples in my anger

    and made them drunk in my wrath.

    I poured their lifeblood out on the earth.”

7 I will tell of the loving kindnesses of Hashem

    and the praises of Hashem,

    according to all that Hashem has given to us,

and the great goodness toward the house of Israel,

    which He has given to them according to His mercies,

    and according to the multitude of His loving kindnesses.

8 For he said, “Surely, they are My people,

    children who will not deal falsely;”

    so He became their Savior.

9 In all their affliction He was afflicted,

    and the angel of His presence saved them.

In His love and in His pity, he redeemed them.

    He bore them,

    and carried them all the days of old.

Apostolic Reading

My Thoughts:

Sometimes people just do not stand up for their faith. In verse 43, we read, “...for they loved men’s praise more than Elohim’s praise.” In other words, they were looking for approval and safety from the Pharisees more than love and approval from Hashem. We can look at this 2,000 years later and, in our heads, “condemn” them for doing that. But, isn’t that what we do sometimes? Don’t you ever hold back on confessing Hashem’s word to someone for fear of rejection? Think of what we could be missing out on, or what blessing someone could have received from Hashem’s word if we had spoken it. You don’t have to quote a verse number, just speak His word. It is so alive and holy that Hashem will take care of the rest. Be bold and courageous. 

Challenge:

Yeshua was always pointing to the Father. In verse 44, He says, “Whoever believes in Me, believes not in Me, but in Him (Hashem) who sent Me.” Yeshua wants you to worship Hashem in His fullness. I believe Yeshua is Hashem’s “heart”. To follow Him is to follow Hashem. My challenge to you today is to think about this. Think about who you think Yeshua is. He represents only Hashem and all He is. If you study Him in the four gospels, you will learn about His life and His teachings. You will see that He taught the heart of Torah, and His purpose was to bring people back to Hashem. And that’s just what we want to do.

Apostolic Reading: John 12:41-50

12:41 Isaiah said these things when he saw His glory and spoke of Him. 42 Nevertheless, even many of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees, they didn’t confess it, so that they wouldn’t be put out of the synagogue, 43 for they loved men’s praise more than Elohim’s praise.

44 Yeshua cried out and said, “Whoever believes in Me, believes not in Me, but in Him who sent Me. 45 He who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me may not remain in the darkness. 47 If anyone listens to My sayings, and doesn’t believe, I don’t judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He who rejects me, and doesn’t receive My sayings, has One who judges him. The word that I spoke will judge him in the last day. 49 For I spoke not from Myself, but the Father who sent Me, He gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to Me, so I speak.”

Mattot/Massei - Reading #7

MATTOT/MASSEI

Numbers 30:2-36:13

Isaiah 66:1-24

Luke 13:1-9; Mark 11:12-23

Reading #7 - Numbers 35:9-36:13

My Thoughts:

We are finishing up the book of Numbers and Hashem is talking about murder and blood in the Land. In verse 35:33 we read, “‘So you shall not pollute the land where you live; for blood pollutes the land. No atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed in it, but by the blood of him who shed it.’” I equate this today to the sin of abortion. You may not agree with me but I feel strongly about this. Abortion is the taking of a life. Yes, there is forgiveness for anyone involved with this, as there is for other sins. Hashem does not like the innocent shedding of blood. He creates all life and abortion destroys life. In this verse He is saying there is no “atonement” for the land. This is frightening for our country. Over 65 million abortions (recorded) have been performed in the United States since abortion was made legal in 1973. That is more than the loss of lives in ALL WARS combined throughout history. It is time to take the Word of Hashem seriously. Do what you are able to help stop abortion in your community and state. At the least, please pray that abortion will end in our country, in the world and that Hashem would forgive us. 

Challenge:

Pray and search how you can become involved in the battle against abortion and the preservation of innocent lives. Most every city has a pro-life pregnancy center. Do an internet search and look up the pregnancy center in your community. Call them and ask them how you can help. Or if your time is limited -- give financially. There are national pro-life organizations you can support also. Take some time to research and then take action. Help to be a part of saving baby’s lives from being aborted. There are also organizations that help women (and men) who have suffered emotionally/spiritual from the affects of abortion. Go to: Rachel's Vineyard It is time to repair our world from this devastation.

Reading #7 - Numbers 35:9-36:13

35:9 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 11 then you shall appoint for yourselves cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the man slayer who kills any person unwittingly may flee there. 12 The cities shall be for your refuge from the avenger, that the man slayer not die until he stands before the congregation for judgment. 13 The cities which you shall give shall be for you six cities of refuge. 14 You shall give three cities beyond the Jordan, and you shall give three cities in the land of Canaan. They shall be cities of refuge. 15 These six cities shall be refuge for the children of Israel, for the stranger, and for the foreigner living among them, that everyone who kills any person unwittingly may flee there.

16 “‘But if he struck him with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death. 17 If he struck him with a stone in the hand, by which a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death. 18 Or if he struck him with a weapon of wood in the hand, by which a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death. 19 The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death. When he meets him, he shall put him to death. 20 If he shoved him out of hatred, or hurled something at him while lying in wait, so that he died, 21 or in hostility struck him with his hand, so that he died, he who struck him shall surely be put to death. He is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.

22 “‘But if he shoved him suddenly without hostility, or hurled on him anything without lying in wait, 23 or with any stone, by which a man may die, not seeing him, and cast it on him so that he died, and he was not his enemy and not seeking his harm, 24 then the congregation shall judge between the striker and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances. 25 The congregation shall deliver the man slayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge, where he had fled. He shall dwell therein until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.

26 “‘But if the man slayer shall at any time go beyond the border of his city of refuge where he flees, 27 and the avenger of blood finds him outside of the border of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood kills the man slayer, he shall not be guilty of blood, 28 because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest, the man slayer shall return into the land of his possession.

29 “‘These things shall be for a statute and ordinance to you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

30 “‘Whoever kills any person, the murderer shall be slain based on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness shall not testify alone against any person so that he dies.

31 “‘Moreover you shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death. He shall surely be put to death.

32 “‘You shall take no ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may come again to dwell in the land before the death of the priest.

33 “‘So you shall not pollute the land where you live; for blood pollutes the land. No atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed in it, but by the blood of him who shed it. 34 You shall not defile the land which you inhabit, where I dwell; for I, Hashem, dwell among the children of Israel.’”

36:1 The heads of the fathers’ households of the family of the children of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near, and spoke before Moses and before the princes, the heads of the fathers’ households of the children of Israel. 2 They said, “Hashem commanded my lord to give the land for inheritance by lot to the children of Israel. My lord was commanded by Hashem to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters. 3 If they are married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel, then their inheritance will be taken away from the inheritance of our fathers, and will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they shall belong. So it will be taken away from the lot of our inheritance. 4 When the jubilee of the children of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they shall belong. So their inheritance will be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.”

5 Moses commanded the children of Israel according to Hashem’s word, saying, “The tribe of the sons of Joseph speak what is right. 6 This is the thing which Hashem commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, ‘Let them be married to whom they think best, only they shall marry into the family of the tribe of their father. 7 So shall no inheritance of the children of Israel move from tribe to tribe; for the children of Israel shall all keep the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. 8 Every daughter who possesses an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel shall be wife to one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may each possess the inheritance of his fathers. 9 So shall no inheritance move from one tribe to another tribe; for the tribes of the children of Israel shall each keep his own inheritance.’”

10 The daughters of Zelophehad did as Hashem commanded Moses: 11 for Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to their father’s brothers’ sons. 12 They were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph. Their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father.

13 These are the commandments and the ordinances which Hashem commanded by Moses to the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

Hashem is not happy when we turn against Him. Verse 66:4  “Also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears on them; because when I called, no one answered; when I spoke, they didn’t listen; but they did that which was evil in my eyes, and chose that in which I didn’t delight.” Imagine -- no one answered, no one listened. We can not be too condemning about this because I know there are times when we don’t listen to Hashem. Right? That has got to stop! We must listen and obey. As we do daily Torah readings we need to pay attention to what He is teaching us through His word and follow through with obedience. We do not want to be making choices in life in which He doesn’t “delight”. We want to delight Him with our prayers, worship and obedience. Amen.

Challenge:

In the end every knee will bow towards Hashem. In verse 23 we read, “It shall happen that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh will come to worship before Me,” says Hashem.” There won’t be any “choice” when this happens. We will ALL be worshiping the Creator. And interestingly enough, we will do it on the Rosh Chodesh and the Shabbat. Just like Torah commands. Torah is eternal. My challenge to you is to study it daily, learn and live it. It is life to you. It seeds in you His eternal life. 

Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1-24

66:1 Hashem says,

“Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.

    What kind of house will you build to Me?

    Where will I rest?

2 For my hand has made all these things,

    and so all these things came to be,” says Hashem:

“but I will look to this man,

    even to he who is poor and of a contrite spirit,

    and who trembles at My word.

3 He who kills an ox is as he who kills a man;

    he who sacrifices a lamb, as he who breaks a dog’s neck;

    he who offers an offering, as he who offers pig’s blood;

    he who burns frankincense, as he who blesses an idol.

Yes, they have chosen their own ways,

    and their soul delights in their abominations:

4 I also will choose their delusions,

    and will bring their fears on them;

because when I called, no one answered;

    when I spoke, they didn’t listen;

but they did that which was evil in my eyes,

    and chose that in which I didn’t delight.”

5 Hear Hashem’s word,

    you who tremble at His word:

“Your brothers who hate you,

    who cast you out for my name’s sake, have said,

‘Let Hashem be glorified,

    that we may see your joy;’

    but it is those who shall be disappointed.

6 A voice of tumult from the city,

    a voice from the temple,

    a voice of Hashem that repays his enemies what they deserve.

7 “Before she travailed, she gave birth.

    Before her pain came, she delivered a son.

8 Who has heard of such a thing?

    Who has seen such things?

Shall a land be born in one day?

    Shall a nation be born at once?

For as soon as Zion travailed,

    she gave birth to her children.

9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to be delivered?” says Hashem.

    “Shall I who cause to give birth shut the womb?” says your G-d.

10 “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her.

    Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn over her;

11 that you may nurse and be satisfied at the comforting breasts;

    that you may drink deeply,

    and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.”

12 For Hashem says, “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river,

    and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream;

    and you will nurse.

You will be carried on her side,

    and will be dandled on her knees.

13 As one whom his mother comforts,

    so I will comfort you.

    You will be comforted in Jerusalem.”

14 You will see it, and your heart shall rejoice,

    and your bones will flourish like the tender grass.

Hashem’s hand will be known among his servants;

    and he will have indignation against his enemies.

15 For, behold, Hashem will come with fire,

    and His chariots will be like the whirlwind;

to render His anger with fierceness,

    and His rebuke with flames of fire.

16 For Hashem will execute judgment by fire and by his sword on all flesh;

    and those slain by Hashem will be many.

17 “Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go to the gardens, behind one in the middle, eating pig’s meat, abominable things, and the mouse, they shall come to an end together,” says Hashem.

18 “For I know their works and their thoughts. The time comes that I will gather all nations and languages, and they will come, and will see My glory.

19 “I will set a sign among them, and I will send those who escape of them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to far-away islands, who have not heard My fame, nor have seen My glory; and they shall declare My glory among the nations. 20 They shall bring all your brothers out of all the nations for an offering to Hashem, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on camels, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says Hashem, as the children of Israel bring their offering in a clean vessel into Hashem’s house. 21 Of them I will also select priests and Levites,” says Hashem.

22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before Me,” says Hashem, “so your offspring and your name shall remain. 23 It shall happen that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh will come to worship before Me,” says Hashem. 24 “They will go out, and look at the dead bodies of the men who have transgressed against Me; for their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”

Apostolic Scripture Reading

My Thoughts:

If we don’t repent we don’t live. In Luke 13:5 we read, “... unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.” In other words, there is no one special when it comes to sin. If we sin, we repent and make things right. If we don’t, we will perish. What a blessing that our Elohim is so forgiving. He gives us second chances. He loves us and we love Him. Amen.

Challenge:

In Mark 11:22-23 Yeshua says the most remarkable thing, “Have faith in Elohim. For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says.” Faith requires two things. Asking  (action) and believing. It’s sometimes not easy to have this, particularly if the situation is very serious. That’s when it’s good to have someone you trust with you when you ask (pray) to Hashem for help. And no matter how difficult the situation is, if you have faith He will answer you and help. Try it.

Luke 13:1-9

13:1 Now there were some present at the same time who told him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Yeshua answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way. 4 Or those eighteen, on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them; do you think that they were worse offenders than all the men who dwell in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no, but, unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.”

6 He spoke this parable. “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none. 7 He said to the vine dresser, ‘Behold, these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and found none. Cut it down. Why does it waste the soil?’ 8 He answered, ‘Lord, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit, fine; but if not, after that, you can cut it down.’”

Mark 11:12-23

11:12 The next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 Seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, He came to see if perhaps He might find anything on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 Yeshua told it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” and His disciples heard it.

15 They came to Jerusalem, and Yeshua entered into the temple, and began to throw out those who sold and those who bought in the Temple, and overthrew the money changers’ tables, and the seats of those who sold the doves. 16 He would not allow anyone to carry a container through the Temple. 17 He taught, saying to them, “Isn’t it written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations?  But you have made it a den of robbers!”

18 The chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy Him. For they feared Him, because all the multitude was astonished at His teaching.

19 When evening came, He went out of the city. 20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots. 21 Peter, remembering, said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away.”

22 Yeshua answered them, “Have faith in Elohim. 23 For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says.