Ki Tavo - Reading #7

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Isaiah 60:1-22

Matthew 4:13-24

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 29:1–8

My Thoughts:

In verse 6, we read that the Hebrew people had not eaten bread nor drunk wine for 40 years. I did a little research on this, and the manna, or bread, from heaven was not leavened bread. It may have been a seeded type of wafer. But, think of this, no bread or wine for 40 years. Celebrating bread and wine at every meal has been a tradition ever since. He takes away, and He gives you back. He does this to show that He is Elohim. And the really cool part is, really, He is the bread and the wine. He is everything we need to live. Thank you, Hashem.

Challenge:

In verse 5, we read, “I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not grown old on you, and your sandals have not grown old on your feet.” Isn’t that amazing? Hashem provided everything. Food, water, clothing, and sandals. And they never wore out. I have a son-in-law who has saved his clothing from 25 years ago. The fantastic thing is that it hasn’t worn out. But, in all fairness, neither has he worn them every day, like the Hebrew people did. Imagine wearing shoes for forty years and they never, ever wear out! It truly is a miracle. My challenge today is to reflect on how Hashem has always provided for you. You have never been for want, right? Thank Him and praise Him. He is the giver of everything. He is the giver of life.

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 29:1–8

29:1 These are the words of the covenant which Hashem commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, in addition to the covenant which He made with them in Horeb. 2 Moses called to all Israel, and said to them:

Your eyes have seen all that Hashem did in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land; 3 the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders. 4 But Hashem has not given you a heart to know, eyes to see, and ears to hear, to this day. 5 I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not grown old on you, and your sandals have not grown old on your feet. 6 You have not eaten bread, neither have you drunk wine or strong drink, that you may know that I am Hashem your Elohim. 7 When you came to this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon and Og the king of Bashan came out against us to battle, and we struck them. 8 We took their land, and gave it for an inheritance to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of the Manassites.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

In verse 19, we read, “The sun will be no more your light by day; nor will the brightness of the moon give light to you, but Hashem will be your everlasting light, and your Elohim will be your glory.” This is such an incredible prophecy. In the Olam Haba, the world to come, we will actually not need the sun or the moon -the glory of Hashem, His shekinah glory, will fill the earth. His Light will fill the world, and it will be wonderful. We have no idea what this would be like. I believe that being in the presence of His glory will lay us prostrate. We will not be able to stand; just lie flat. We currently see only part of it, but we will see the whole picture soon. And it will be totally amazing. Thank you, Hashem.

Challenge:

In verse 5, we read how people will feel when they are “brought” back to Israel -- to the Land. Verse 5 reads, “Then you shall see and be radiant, and your heart will thrill and be enlarged, because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you. The wealth of the nations will come to you.” We will “reflect” HIs glorious light in our lives, in those days. We will be blessed with wealth from the nations. But, as I am reading this today, I think, “Why can’t we reflect His light today?” And we should. We are to be a “light” to the nations. My challenge is to start being that “light” today. Let us prepare for His Light to go forth throughout the world. Let us begin “shining” His light through all we do and say. Maybe we can start to “light the way” for Hashem to come. Amen?

Haftarah: Isaiah 60:1-22

60:1  “Arise, shine; for your light has come,

    and Hashem’s glory has risen on you.

2 For, behold, darkness will cover the earth,

    and thick darkness the peoples;

but Hashem will arise on you,

    and His glory shall be seen on you.

3 Nations will come to your light,

    and kings to the brightness of your rising.

4 “Lift up your eyes all around, and see:

    they all gather themselves together.

    They come to you.

Your sons will come from far away,

    and your daughters will be carried in arms.

5 Then you shall see and be radiant,

    and your heart will thrill and be enlarged;

because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you.

    The wealth of the nations will come to you.

6 A multitude of camels will cover you,

    the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah.

All from Sheba will come.

    They will bring gold and frankincense,

    and will proclaim the praises of Hashem.

7 All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered together to you.

    The rams of Nebaioth will serve you.

They will be accepted as offerings on my altar;

    and I will beautify my glorious house.

8 “Who are these who fly as a cloud,

    and as the doves to their windows?

9 Surely the islands will wait for me,

    and the ships of Tarshish first,

to bring your sons from far away,

    their silver and their gold with them,

for the name of Hashem your Elohim,

    and for the Holy One of Israel,

    because He has glorified you.

10 “Foreigners will build up your walls,

    and their kings will serve you:

for in my wrath I struck you,

    but in my favor I have had mercy on you.

11 Your gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night, that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, and their kings led captive.

12 For that nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; yes, those nations shall be utterly wasted.

13 “The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress tree, the pine, and the box tree together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of My feet glorious.

14 The sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you;

    and all those who despised you will bow themselves down at the soles of your feet.

They will call you Hashem’s City,

    the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

15 “Whereas you have been forsaken and hated,

    so that no one passed through you,

I will make you an eternal excellency,

    a joy of many generations.

16 You will also drink the milk of the nations,

    and will nurse from royal breasts.

Then you will know that I, Hashem, am your Savior,

    your Redeemer,

    the Mighty One of Jacob.

17 For bronze I will bring gold;

    for iron I will bring silver;

    for wood, bronze,

    and for stones, iron.

I will also make peace your governor,

    and righteousness your ruler.

18 Violence shall no more be heard in your land,

    nor desolation or destruction within your borders;

but you will call your walls Salvation,

    and your gates Praise.

19 The sun will be no more your light by day;

    nor will the brightness of the moon give light to you,

but Hashem will be your everlasting light,

    and your Elohim will be your glory.

20 Your sun will not go down any more,

    nor will your moon withdraw itself;

for Hashem will be your everlasting light,

    and the days of your mourning will end.

21 Then your people will all be righteous.

    They will inherit the land forever,

    the branch of my planting,

    the work of my hands,

    that I may be glorified.

22 The little one will become a thousand,

    and the small one a strong nation.

    I, Hashem, will do this quickly in its time.”

Apostolic Writing

My Thoughts:

What did Yeshua mean when He said, “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” (Verse 11) Did he mean that He was bringing in the Kingdom? Was he? All that has been taught says he came to be crucified, and when He was, the Kingdom was “delayed”. My thought is that He came to bring the Kingdom of Heaven. He taught Torah, intending to bring people back to Hashem. He knew that if people did not quickly turn their hearts to Hashem, the Temple would come down, and the people would be dispersed. Could it be that if they had not crucified Him, the Temple would have stayed, and He would have ushered in the Kingdom of Heaven? Something to think about.

Challenge:

In verse 23 we read, “Yeshua went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.” Yeshua was a Jewish Rabbi. He taught in the synagogues. He taught Torah and repentance. He taught about the Kingdom of Heaven. And we killed Him. The only begotten Son of Hashem. But here is the real good news. The Mashiach will return to Jerusalem to the Temple, where He will rule and reign forever. Alongside the glory of Hashem will fill the earth. These are wonderful things to look forward to. Your challenge today is to study the words of Yeshua and reflect on His teachings. All His teachings are about the heart of Torah, the heart of Hashem. If you follow Him and follow His teachings, your life will be whole, and you will have real hope for the Olam Haba (the world to come). Amen. 

Apostolic Writing: Matthew 4:13-24

4:13 Leaving Nazareth, He came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

    toward the sea, beyond the Jordan,

    Galilee of the Gentiles,

16 the people who sat in darkness saw a great light;

    to those who sat in the region and shadow of death,

    to them light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:1-2

17 From that time, Yeshua began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

18 Walking by the sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.”

20 They immediately left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them. 22 They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

23 Yeshua went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24 The report about Him went out into all Syria. They brought to Him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.

Ki Teitzei - Reading #7

Ki Teitzei כִּי-תֵצֵא - When You Go Out

Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19

Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-10

Apostolic Writing: Matthew 24:29-42

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 24:14–25:19

My Thoughts:

Why would someone carry diverse weights? In verse 25:13 we read, “You shall not have in your bag diverse weights, one heavy and one light.” The answer seems obvious. You would only have them to cheat someone. And who would do that? Unfortunately, we all have “cheated” someone in our life -- intentionally or not intentionally. It can happen at the grocery store.  It can happen when paying an employee for hours worked or not worked. At home we can “cheat” a spouse on our home budget. It can happen anywhere. We need to make sure that the “weights” we are using in life are equal and fair. To not be equitable is an “abomination” to Hashem. That is enough reason right there.

Challenge:

In verse 25:4 we read, “You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the grain.” That is another curious commandment. Except when you contemplate what Hashem is really saying it is incredible. He is making a commandment to allow your ox to take small breaks, bend his head down and eat grain. So many times in Torah we see Hashem giving mercy to animals. They are His creation, just like mankind. My challenge to you today is to make sure you are treating animals kindly. If you see an animal (wild or domestic) that needs help -- help it. If you are riding a horse and it looks stressed, give it a break. If you have a dog, don’t chain it up outside all day. Invest in an invisible fence. I learned you can install your own fence for under $300. So, don’t go out to eat for a while and help your dog to run free! Let’s all be kind to our animals. (There is a whole other subject of the way we slaughter animals for meat. That is a discussion for another day).

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 24:14–25:19

24:14 You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or one of the foreigners who are in your land within your gates. 15 In his day you shall give him his wages, neither shall the sun go down on it; for he is poor and sets his heart on it; lest he cry against you to Hashem, and it be sin to you.

16 The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers. Every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

17 You shall not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, nor take a widow’s clothing in pledge; 18 but you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and Hashem your Elohim redeemed you there. Therefore I command you to do this thing.

19 When you reap your harvest in your field, and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go again to get it. It shall be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow, that  Hashem your Elohim may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat your olive tree, you shall not go over the boughs again. It shall be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow.

21 When you harvest your vineyard, you shall not glean it after yourselves. It shall be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow. 22 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt. Therefore I command you to do this thing.

25:1 If there is a controversy between men, and they come to judgment and the judges judge them, then they shall justify the righteous and condemn the wicked. 2 It shall be, if the wicked man is worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down and to be beaten before his face, according to his wickedness, by number. 3 He may sentence him to no more than forty stripes. He shall not give more, lest if he should give more and beat him more than that many stripes, then your brother will be degraded in your sight.

4 You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the grain.

5 If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead shall not be married outside to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her, and take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. 6 It shall be that the firstborn whom she bears shall succeed in the name of his brother who is dead, that his name not be blotted out of Israel.

7 If the man doesn’t want to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife shall go up to the gate to the elders, and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to raise up to his brother a name in Israel. He will not perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.” 8 Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak to him. If he stands and says, “I don’t want to take her,” 9 then his brother’s wife shall come to him in the presence of the elders, and loose his sandal from off his foot, and spit in his face. She shall answer and say, “So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house.” 10 His name shall be called in Israel, “The house of him who had his sandal removed.”

11 When men strive against each other, and the wife of one draws near to deliver her husband out of the hand of him who strikes him, and puts out her hand, and grabs him by his private parts, 12 then you shall cut off her hand. Your eye shall have no pity.

13 You shall not have in your bag diverse weights, one heavy and one light. 14 You shall not have in your house diverse measures, one large and one small. 15 You shall have a perfect and just weight. You shall have a perfect and just measure, that your days may be long in the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you. 16 For all who do such things, all who do unrighteously, are an abomination to Hashem your Elohim.

17 Remember what Amalek did to you by the way as you came out of Egypt; 18 how he met you by the way, and struck the rearmost of you, all who were feeble behind you, when you were faint and weary; and he didn’t fear Elohim. 19 Therefore it shall be, when Hashem your Elohim has given you rest from all your enemies all around, in the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you for an inheritance to possess it, that you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under the sky. You shall not forget.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

Isaiah writes about things to come. He always sees Hashem bringing His people back to the Land to be reconciled. In verse 5 we read encouraging words, “For your Maker is your husband; Hashem of Armies is His name. The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer. He will be called the Elohim of the whole earth.” We must remember these words if we ever get discouraged. There will be a time when there will be new heaven and new earth, filled with the glory of Hashem. The Temple will be restored and His Torah will go forth. Every knee will bow. And He will be Elohim over all the earth. This is what we have to look forward to. And we praise you Elohim for this promise. Amen.

Challenge:

In verse 10 we have a comforting promise from Hashem, “...My loving kindness will not depart from you, and My covenant of peace will not be removed...”. What is this “covenant of peace”? I believe it is the ultimate shalom that can only come from the Father. It is the peace He gives us when everything around us is toppling down. His promise is that He will never leave us or forsake us. So if you are down and out, or going through some hard times, remember these words. This is my challenge to you today. Lift your eyes up toward heaven and ask Hashem to pull you out of the pit of discouragement. If this is not you, then share it with someone in your life that is going through a difficult time. We all need hope. And it can only come from Him! Amen.

Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-10

54 “Sing, barren, you who didn’t give birth;

    break out into singing, and cry aloud, you who didn’t travail with child:

    for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife,” says Hashem

2 “Enlarge the place of your tent,

    and let them stretch out the curtains of your habitations;

    don’t spare: lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes.

3 For you will spread out on the right hand and on the left;

    and your offspring will possess the nations

    and settle in desolate cities.

4 “Don’t be afraid, for you will not be ashamed.

    Don’t be confounded, for you will not be disappointed.

For you will forget the shame of your youth.

    You will remember the reproach of your widowhood no more.

5 For your Maker is your husband; Hashem of Armies is His name.

    The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer.

    He will be called the Elohim of the whole earth.

6 For Hashem has called you as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit,

    even a wife of youth, when she is cast off,” says your Elohim.

7 “For a small moment I have forsaken you,

    but I will gather you with great mercies.

8 In overflowing wrath I hid my face from you for a moment,

    but with everlasting loving kindness I will have mercy on you,” says Hashem your Redeemer.

9 “For this is like the waters of Noah to me;

    for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah will no more go over the earth,

    so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, nor rebuke you.

10 For the mountains may depart,

    and the hills be removed;

but my loving kindness will not depart from you,

    and my covenant of peace will not be removed,”

    says Hashem who has mercy on you.

Apostolic Writing

My Thoughts:

Yeshua shares in this Matthew segment about His return. That there will be signs that He is coming. Including His arrival on clouds and the announcement through the sound of a trumpet. His angels will gather His chosen ones and I believe they will bring them back to Israel. That is what all the prophets (including Isaiah’s verses above) encourage us with. The Mashiach will come and His chosen throughout the world will be gathered and returned to Israel. The Temple will be built and the Mashiach will reign. This is what Yeshua is teaching -- just what the prophets did. Everything Yeshua taught pointed to the Father and to the Torah. Amen.

Challenge:

Verses 36-42 are widely used to defend the doctrine of the “rapture”. That the good people who have received Jesus will be taken up to heaven. This so amazes me because if you carefully read these verses you will see that the opposite takes place. In verse 37 we read, “As the days of Noah were, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Who exactly were “taken away” during the time of the flood? Those who were evil. They were drowned in the waters. Noah warned them and they did not listen. That is who will be taken away in the end. Those who are evil, who do not want Hashem -- they will be removed.  The ones that go to Israel are “gathered”, the ones who are removed are “taken”. My challenge is to study about this. Search your heart, pray and ask Hashem what is to happen. Yeshua is giving us some important information here, and it is good to study it out. 

Apostolic Writing: Matthew 24:29-42

24:29 “But immediately after the suffering of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken; 30 and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. 31 He will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

32 “Now from the fig tree learn this parable: When its branch has now become tender and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near. 33 Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that he is near, even at the doors. 34 Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are accomplished. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

36 “But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 As the days of Noah were, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship, 39 and they didn’t know until the flood came and took them all away, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and one will be left. 42 Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour Hashem comes.

Shoftim - Reading #7

Shoftim שֹׁפְטִים - Judges

Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9

Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12-52:12

Apostolic Reading: John 14:9-20

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 20:10–21:9

My Thoughts:

This is where the instructions from Hashem get difficult. The Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land and Hashem is instructing them how to take it from the pagan worshipers. All so that, “...that they not teach you to follow all their abominations (verse 20:18).” We may not understand why total cities had to be wiped out, but Hashem has His purposes. This is hard. But, we either believe our one true Elohim knows the Way or He does not. And I believe He does. He does not want His people, and those who join Him -- to be contaminated. He doesn’t want to lose them to false religions. He wants them to only worship Him. And He seems to want to “decontaminate” the Land. It was like He was reclaiming what was His, before evil took it over. Something to study and ponder.

Challenge:

Verses 10-12 describe what seems to be a fair plan of attack for the Israelites in the new Land. They are first to go to the inhabitants and proclaim a peace treaty. However, there is a contingency. If the resident people agree to peace, then they are to become forced laborers for the Israelites. We know from previous Torah verses that slaves were to be treated fairly and generously. I’m sure this was going to be true for these “forced laborers” also. If the people did not agree to a peaceful takeover, then they would be attacked, but spare the livestock, women and children. Everything and everyone else would be wiped out.

I guess my challenge to you today about all of this is to think about your disagreements with others. Do you offer a “peace plan” to them? If we are to glean from today’s study, I think it is important to think about approaching people we are having difficulty with -- with a peaceful approach. Come to them first with kind and generous solutions, instead of “fighting”. An additional challenge. Start thinking about the "Olam Haba" the "World to Come". This will NOT be a place of fighting, killing - sin. It will be a place of total shalom peace. That is hope we have for the future.

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 20:10–21:9

Deuteronomy 20:10 When you draw near to a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace to it. 11 It shall be, if it gives you answer of peace and opens to you, then it shall be that all the people who are found therein shall become forced laborers to you, and shall serve you. 12 If it will make no peace with you, but will make war against you, then you shall besiege it. 13 When Hashem your Elohim delivers it into your hand, you shall strike every male of it with the edge of the sword; 14 but the women, the little ones, the livestock, and all that is in the city, even all its plunder, you shall take for plunder for yourself. You may use the plunder of your enemies, which Hashem your Elohim has given you. 15 Thus you shall do to all the cities which are very far off from you, which are not of the cities of these nations. 16 But of the cities of these peoples that Hashem your Elohim gives you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes; 17 but you shall utterly destroy them: the Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, as Hashem your Elohim has commanded you; 18 that they not teach you to follow all their abominations, which they have done for their gods; so would you sin against Hashem your Elohim 19 When you shall besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against them; for you may eat of them. You shall not cut them down, for is the tree of the field man, that it should be besieged by you? 20 Only the trees that you know are not trees for food, you shall destroy and cut them down. You shall build bulwarks against the city that makes war with you, until it falls.

21:1 If someone is found slain in the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you to possess, lying in the field, and it isn’t known who has struck him, 2 then your elders and your judges shall come out, and they shall measure to the cities which are around him who is slain. 3 It shall be that the elders of the city which is nearest to the slain man shall take a heifer of the herd, which hasn’t been worked with and which has not drawn in the yoke. 4 The elders of that city shall bring the heifer down to a valley with running water, which is neither plowed nor sown, and shall break the heifer’s neck there in the valley. 5 The priests the sons of Levi shall come near, for them Hashem your Elohim has chosen to minister to him, and to bless in Hashem’s name; and according to their word shall every controversy and every assault be decided. 6 All the elders of that city which is nearest to the slain man shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley. 7 They shall answer and say, “Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. 8 Forgive, Hashem, your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, and don’t allow innocent blood among your people Israel.” The blood shall be forgiven them. 9 So you shall put away the innocent blood from among you, when you shall do that which is right in Hashem’s eyes.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

In verse 52:8 we read of a wonderful prophecy, “Your watchmen lift up their voice. Together they sing; for they shall see eye to eye when Hashem returns to Zion.” What a great day will that be when Hashem’s glory reigns from Jerusalem! And how wonderful that mankind will be seeing “eye to eye”. That means they will be in agreement. As far as I can tell, mankind has not been in agreement - ever. This is only what can happen in the Olam Haba. No wonder everyone begins to sing. There will be awesome worship when people are together in unity. How good and pleasant that will be!

Challenge:

What a wonderful promise in verse 52:12, “...for Hashem will go before you; and the Elohim of Israel will be your rear guard.” This is something we can believe in today. That Hashem does go before us, and He is also our rear guard. This is our comfort. He really is ahead of us and behind us. Protecting us wherever we go, and watching “our back”. My challenge to you is to spend a minute thinking about how Hashem watches over you. How at times when you may think He isn’t there, He really is. How He really does care about us and protects us. If you are going through a difficult time or even a good time, praise Him for His care and protection. 

Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12-52:12

“I, even I, am He who comforts you.

    Who are you, that you are afraid of man who shall die,

    and of the son of man who will be made as grass?

13 Have you forgotten Hashem your Maker,

    who stretched out the heavens,

    and laid the foundations of the earth?

Do you live in fear continually all day because of the fury of the oppressor,

    when he prepares to destroy?

    Where is the fury of the oppressor?

14 The captive exile will speedily be freed.

    He will not die and go down into the pit.

    His bread won’t fail.

15 For I am Hashem your Elohiim, who stirs up the sea

    so that its waves roar.

    Hashem of Armies is His name.

16 I have put My words in your mouth

    and have covered you in the shadow of My hand,

that I may plant the heavens,

    and lay the foundations of the earth,

    and tell Zion, ‘You are my people.’”

17 Awake, awake!

    Stand up, Jerusalem,

    you who have drunk from Hashem’s hand the cup of His wrath.

You have drunken the bowl of the cup of staggering,

    and drained it.

18 There is no one to guide her among all the sons to whom she has given birth;

    and there is no one who takes her by the hand among all the sons whom she has brought up.

19 These two things have happened to you—

    who will grieve with you?—

desolation and destruction,

    and famine and the sword.

    How can I comfort you?

20 Your sons have fainted.

    They lie at the head of all the streets,

    like an antelope in a net.

They are full of Hashem’s wrath,

    the rebuke of your Elohim.

21 Therefore now hear this, you afflicted,

    and drunken, but not with wine:

22 Your Hashem Adonai,

    your Elohim who pleads the cause of His people, says,

“Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of staggering,

    even the bowl of the cup of my wrath.

    You will not drink it any more.

23 I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you,

    who have said to your soul, ‘Bow down, that we may walk over you;’

    and you have laid your back as the ground,

    like a street to those who walk over.”

52:1 Awake, awake! Put on your strength, Zion.

    Put on your beautiful garments, Jerusalem, the holy city:

    for from now on the uncircumcised and the unclean will no more come into you.

2 Shake yourself from the dust!

    Arise, sit up, Jerusalem!

    Release yourself from the bonds of your neck, captive daughter of Zion!

3 For Hashem says, “You were sold for nothing;

    and you will be redeemed without money.”

4 For Adonai Hashem says:

“My people went down at the first into Egypt to live there:

    and the Assyrian has oppressed them without cause.

5 “Now therefore, what do I do here,” says Hashem,

    “seeing that my people are taken away for nothing?

Those who rule over them mock,” says Hashem,

    “and My name is blasphemed continually all day long.

6 Therefore my people shall know My name.

    Therefore they shall know in that day that I am he who speaks.

    Behold, it is I.”

7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,

    who publishes peace,

    who brings good news,

    who proclaims salvation,

    who says to Zion, “Your Elohim reigns!”

8 Your watchmen lift up their voice.

    Together they sing;

    for they shall see eye to eye when Hashem returns to Zion.

9 Break out into joy!

    Sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem;

    for Hashem has comforted his people.

    He has redeemed Jerusalem.

10 Hashem has made His holy arm bare in the eyes of all the nations.

    All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our Elohim.

11 Depart! Depart! Go out from there! Touch no unclean thing!

    Go out from among her!

    Cleanse yourselves, you who carry Hashem’s vessels.

12 For you shall not go out in haste,

    neither shall you go by flight:

for Hashem will go before you;

    and the Elohim of Israel will be your rear guard.

Apostolic Reading

My Thoughts:

In verse 10 we read, “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from Myself; but the Father who lives in Me does His works.” Many different Christians have different views on the deity of Yeshua. I believe He is an “emanation” of Hashem. Hashem is Elohim of the universes, of everything. How can we possibly understand Him? So, He generously sends His “only begotten Son” so that we can understand Hashem better. It is almost like He presents us a way to get to know Him and His heart -- through Yeshua. That’s what I believe, what do you believe? 

Challenge:

In verse 15 we read, “If you love Me, keep My Commandments.” That’s pretty simple. Even though the Christian church teaches something different. Yeshua consistently taught Torah, lived Torah and was Torah. If we are to “follow” Yeshua, then that’s what we are to do. You are to follow and obey Torah. It is very clear. And Yeshua always pointed to the Father, and encouraged people to return their hearts to Him. The challenge today is that if you are following Yeshua, then think about committing to Israel and to Torah. Join them. It is all about Hashem and His Torah.

Apostolic Reading: John 14:9-20

14:9 Yeshua said to him, “Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father. How do you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from Myself; but the Father who lives in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the very works’ sake. 12 Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father. 13 Whatever you will ask in My name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you will ask anything in My name, I will do it. 15 If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another Counselor,  that He may be with you forever: 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive; for it doesn’t see Him and doesn’t know Him. You know Him, for He lives with you, and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world will see Me no more; but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in Me, and I in you.