Re'eh - Reading #7

Re'eh רְאֵה - See!

Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17

Isaiah 54:11-55:5

John 6:35-51

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 15:19–16:17

My Thoughts:

When we come to Jerusalem three times a year to celebrate the Feasts -- verse 16:16-17 we read not to come empty handed, “They shall not appear before Hashem empty. 17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to Hashem your Elohim blessing which He has given you.” So, here is the point. We are giving our tithes only because we tithes to give. And it all comes from Hashem. Every perfect gift from heaven comes from Him. And we are to share a portion of that gift with others. The incredible part is when we do this, we will be even further blessed! It’s a win-win! How perfect and wonderful is Hashem. He gives, we give and all the time we are blessed.

Challenge:

We do not have a Temple to visit for all three Feasts during the year, but we can still celebrate them. And we must celebrate/remember them. If you are not already honoring these Feasts, then start planning today. They are spaced out so nicely. One in the spring, early summer and fall. Read and study about them and then make preparations. Especially Pesach, that requires a lot of planning with cleaning your house to get rid of the bread (leavening) and a very special (long) dinner. Shavuot is pretty simple, it can be mostly a Bible study. And Sukkot is really fun -- making a Sukkah (booth) and having meals or living in it for seven days. You will be so blessed and you will be learning and remembering how Hashem blessed His people and how He blesses us today! Amen!

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 15:19–16:17

19 You shall dedicate all the firstborn males that are born of your herd and of your flock to Hashem your Elohim. You shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock. 20 You shall eat it before  Hashem your Elohim year by year in the place which Hashem shall choose, you and your household. 21 If it has any defect—is lame or blind, or has any defect whatever, you shall not sacrifice it to  Hashem your Elohim. 22 You shall eat it within your gates. The unclean and the clean shall eat it alike, as the gazelle and as the deer. 23 Only you shall not eat its blood. You shall pour it out on the ground like water.

16:1 Observe the month of Abib, and keep the Passover to Hashem your Elohim; for in the month of Abib Hashem your Elohim brought you out of Egypt by night. 2 You shall sacrifice the Passover to Hashem your Elohim of the flock and the herd, in the place which Hashem shall choose to cause His name to dwell there. 3 You shall eat no leavened bread with it. You shall eat unleavened bread with it seven days, even the bread of affliction (for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste) that you may remember the day when you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life. 4 No yeast shall be seen with you in all your borders seven days; neither shall any of the meat, which you sacrifice the first day at evening, remain all night until the morning. 5 You may not sacrifice the Passover within any of your gates which Hashem your Elohim gives you; 6 but at the place which Hashem your Elohim shall choose to cause his name to dwell in, there you shall sacrifice the Passover at evening, at the going down of the sun, at the season that you came out of Egypt. 7 You shall roast and eat it in the place which Hashem your Elohim chooses. In the morning you shall return to your tents. 8 Six days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to Hashem your Elohim. You shall do no work.

9 You shall count for yourselves seven weeks. From the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain you shall begin to count seven weeks. 10 You shall keep the feast of weeks to Hashem your Elohim with a tribute of a free will offering of your hand, which you shall give according to how Hashem your Elohim blesses you. 11 You shall rejoice before Hashem your Elohim you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow who are among you, in the place which Hashem your Elohim shall choose to cause his name to dwell there. 12 You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt. You shall observe and do these statutes.

13 You shall keep the feast of booths seven days, after you have gathered in from your threshing floor and from your wine press. 14 You shall rejoice in your feast, you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your gates. 15 You shall keep a feast to Hashem your Elohim seven days in the place which Hashem chooses, because Hashem your Elohim will bless you in all your increase and in all the work of your hands, and you shall be altogether joyful. 16 Three times in a year all of your males shall appear before Hashem your Elohim in the place which he chooses: in the feast of unleavened bread, in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of booths. They shall not appear before Hashem empty. 17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to Hashem your Elohim blessing which he has given you.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

In verse 17 we read about a promise that is often quoted, “No weapon that is formed against you will prevail;

and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of Hashem’s servants.” It is a good verse to memorize. Hashem is promising us that as His servants (one who loves Him, serves Him and follows Torah) that we are defended against the enemy! No weapon the enemy throws at us will prevail. It may “hit” us, but it will not accomplish anything it intends. And that the “judgment” of your enemies against you will be condemned. To me, this is a very comforting verse. It makes me realize that Hashem does protect me and I don’t need to worry or be anxious about enemy attack. It will be short lived. But His grace and mercy and love will be long lived!

Challenge:

Verses 55:3 is another wonderful verse about “life” given to us, “Turn your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul will live.  I will make an everlasting covenant with you.” What are the requirements to have everlasting life with Hashem? By “listening” to Him (His Torah, His Words) and by “coming” (following) to Him. When we do this we He will establish an eternal covenant with us. That’s today's challenge. Once again I encourage you to study and follow His Torah. Make the changes in your life that are necessary to become obedient to ALL you are able. Listen to what He tells you to do throughout the day. You will be blessed today, and forever. 

Haftarah: Isaiah 54:11-55:5

1 “You afflicted, tossed with storms, and not comforted,

    behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colors,

    and lay your foundations with sapphires.

12 I will make your pinnacles of rubies,

    your gates of sparkling jewels,

    and all your walls of precious stones.

13 All your children will be taught by Hashem;

    and your children’s peace will be great.

14 You will be established in righteousness.

    You will be far from oppression,

    for you will not be afraid,

    and far from terror,

    for it shall not come near you.

15 Behold, they may gather together, but not by Me.

    Whoever gathers together against you will fall because of you.

16 “Behold, I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame,

    and forges a weapon for his work;

    and I have created the destroyer to destroy.

17 No weapon that is formed against you will prevail;

    and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment.

This is the heritage of Hashem’s servants,

    and their righteousness is of Me,” says Hashem.

55 “Hey! Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters!

    Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat!

    Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

2 Why do you spend money for that which is not bread,

    and your labor for that which doesn’t satisfy?

Listen diligently to Me, and eat that which is good,

    and let your soul delight itself in richness.

3 Turn your ear, and come to Me.

    Hear, and your soul will live.

    I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples,

    a leader and commander to the peoples.

5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you don’t know;

    and a nation that didn’t know you shall run to you,

    because of Hashem your Elohim

    and for the Holy One of Israel;

    for He has glorified you.”

Apostolic Reading

My Thoughts:

In verses 38-39 we read, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of my Father who sent Me, that of all He has given to Me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day.” Today’s verses seem to point to the resurrection after death. Yeshua is teaching us that death is not the end, but that we will be raised up. Our bodies will resurrect and be joined with our spirits to live eternally. Both Jews and Christians teach this about the olam haba (the world to come). When Yeshua came to the earth to represent Hashem in many ways, He taught only about Torah and Elohim. It was His calling to bring people back to Hashem. I believe that is our calling too, that by our deeds and actions we will be a “light” to the nations and bring people back to faith in the one true Elohim! Amen!

Challenge:

Yeshua’s fellow Jewish friends did not understand when He would talk about coming from heaven. And many of us do not quite understand this either. There are great discussions about the deity of Yeshua and really understanding who He is. I believe He is the “emanation” and “heart” of Hashem. He is His perfect representation of Elohim on earth. By studying His story we learn more about the character of Elohim. It’s like Hashem in all His greatness, loves us so much He sent a “messenger” to tell us so. Only we didn’t listen and killed Him. My challenge for you today is to study about Yeshua. Read about how He always pointed His sayings back to Hashem. His coming to earth was to bring people’s back to Hashem. We all need our hearts to return to Him. Amen?

Apostolic Reading: John 6:35-51

6:35 Yeshua said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty. 36 But I told you that you have seen Me, and yet you don’t believe. 37 All those whom the Father gives Me will come to Me. He who comes to Me I will in no way throw out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of my Father who sent Me, that of all He has given to Me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day. 40 This is the will of the one who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in Him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

41 The Jews therefore murmured concerning Him, because he said, “I am the bread which came down out of heaven.” 42 They said, “Isn’t this Yeshua, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then does He say, ‘I have come down out of heaven?’”

43 Therefore Yeshua answered them, “Don’t murmur among yourselves. 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, ‘They will all be taught by Elohim.’ Therefore everyone who hears from the Father and has learned, comes to Me. 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from Elohim. He has seen the Father. 47 Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and they died. 50 This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, that anyone may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

Ekev - Reading #7

Ekev עֵקֶב - As a Result

Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25

Isaiah 49:14-51:3

Matthew 16:13-20

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 11:22–25

My Thoughts:

In verse 22 we read once again about keeping all His Commandments and here is added to “cling to Him”. What do you think that means? When you cling to something you hold on pretty tight. And you are probably doing it because you are in some need of something. Here Hashem is telling us it’s okay to cling to Him, in fact He sounds like He is encouraging it. He says to walk with Him and cling to Him. And amazingly enough if we do all this He will drive out the enemy ahead of us. That’s really awesome. Start “clinging” to Hashem today -- whatever that looks like. Either through studying His Word, praying, worshiping, serving others, and just loving Him. Cling.

Challenge:

Okay now let’s look at the command to “walk in His ways”. What does that look like? Probably very simply to follow Torah. That's his way. So my challenge to you today is to continue on -- faithful servant. Try your best to follow His Commandments. You may not be doing a perfect job, but I believe Hashem knows when we are trying. If we truly want to walk in His ways -- this is required to follow His Commandments. Also remember this, we are to love Hashem and love our neighbor. Loving others is a heavy duty commandment that is sometimes very hard to follow. Especially if they have hurt us. Today forgive others and move on. Repent and turn. And let’s walk together with Hashem.

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 11:22–25

11:22 For if you shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you—to do them, to love Hashem your Elohim, to walk in all His ways, and to cling to Him— 23 then Hashem will drive out all these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourselves. 24 Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even to the western sea shall be your border. 25 No man will be able to stand before you. Hashem your Elohim will lay the fear of you and the dread of you on all the land that you tread on, as He has spoken to you.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

I think Hashem is talking to His people in exile. He speaks something very profound in verse 23,  “...those who wait for Me shall not be disappointed.” We can only imagine how the Isaelites felt as they were exiled to other countries. Would they ever be able to return? Hashem speaks to Isaiah and encourages him and the people. He says “wait” and you won’t be disappointed. It’s hard to wait isn’t it? Even for small things. Being in exile is huge. Look at the almost 2,000 years that the Jewish people had to wait to regain their country -- Israel. Did they ever give up, or did they continue and believe, “Next year Jerusalem”. And finally it happened. Right after World War 2 and the horrific Holocause -- Israel becomes a nation. They waited and were not disappointed. The same goes for us. Wait and be patient. He will deliver.

Challenge:

Isn’t it comforting in verse 16, “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.” Our names are on His hands. He hasn’t forgotten us. He literally holds us in His hands. Isn’t that a calming thought? My challenge today is to take some time to think about this. Think about how you are held by Him and you need not worry about what is concerning you. Try to put your 100% trust in Him. Not only about your present concern, but about everything. Remember He loves us so much. And we love Him.

Haftarah: Isaiah 49:14-51:3

14 But Zion said, “Hashem has forsaken me,

    and the L-rd has forgotten me.”

15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child,

    that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?

Yes, these may forget,

    yet I will not forget you!

16 Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.

    Your walls are continually before me.

17 Your children hurry.

    Your destroyers and those who devastated you will leave you.

18 Lift up your eyes all around, and see:

    all these gather themselves together, and come to you.

As I live,” says Hashem, “you shall surely clothe yourself with them all as with an ornament,

    and dress yourself with them, like a bride.

19 “For, as for your waste and your desolate places,

    and your land that has been destroyed,

surely now that land will be too small for the inhabitants,

    and those who swallowed you up will be far away.

20 The children of your bereavement will say in your ears,

    ‘This place is too small for me.

    Give me a place to live in.’

21 Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has conceived these for me, since I have been bereaved of my children

    and am alone, an exile, and wandering back and forth?

Who has brought these up?

    Behold, I was left alone. Where were these?’”

22 Hashem Adonai says, “Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations,

    and lift up my banner to the peoples.

They shall bring your sons in their bosom,

    and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders.

23 Kings shall be your foster fathers,

    and their queens your nursing mothers.

They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth,

    and lick the dust of your feet.

Then you will know that I am Hashem;

    and those who wait for me shall not be disappointed.”

24 Shall the plunder be taken from the mighty,

    or the lawful captives be delivered?

25 But Hashem says, “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away,

    and the plunder retrieved from the fierce,

for I will contend with him who contends with you

    and I will save your children.

26 I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh;

    and they will be drunk on their own blood, as with sweet wine.

Then all flesh shall know that I, Hashem, am your Savior

    and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”

50 Hashem says, “Where is the bill of your mother’s divorce, with which I have put her away?

    Or to which of my creditors have I sold you?

Behold, you were sold for your iniquities,

    and your mother was put away for your transgressions.

2 Why, when I came, was there no one?

    When I called, why was there no one to answer?

Is my hand shortened at all, that it can’t redeem?

    Or have I no power to deliver?

Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea.

    I make the rivers a wilderness.

    Their fish stink because there is no water, and die of thirst.

3 I clothe the heavens with blackness.

    I make sackcloth their covering.”

4 The Hashem Adonai has given me the tongue of those who are taught,

    that I may know how to sustain with words him who is weary.

He awakens morning by morning,

    he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.

5 Hashem Adonai has opened my ear.

    I was not rebellious.

    I have not turned back.

6 I gave my back to those who beat me,

    and my cheeks to those who plucked off the hair.

    I didn’t hide my face from shame and spitting.

7 For Hashem Adonai will help me.

    Therefore I have not been confounded.

Therefore I have set my face like a flint,

    and I know that I won’t be disappointed.

8 He who justifies me is near.

    Who will bring charges against me?

Let us stand up together.

    Who is my adversary?

    Let him come near to me.

9 Behold, Hashem Adonai will help me!

    Who is he who will condemn me?

Behold, they will all grow old like a garment.

    The moths will eat them up.

10 Who among you fears Hashem

    and obeys the voice of his servant?

He who walks in darkness

    and has no light,

let him trust in Hashem’s name,

    and rely on his G-d.

11 Behold, all you who kindle a fire,

    who adorn yourselves with torches around yourselves,

walk in the flame of your fire,

    and among the torches that you have kindled.

You will have this from my hand:

    you will lie down in sorrow.

51 “Listen to me, you who follow after righteousness,

    you who seek Hashem.

Look to the rock you were cut from,

    and to the quarry you were dug from.

2 Look to Abraham your father,

    and to Sarah who bore you;

for when he was but one I called him,

    I blessed him,

    and made him many.

3 For Hashem has comforted Zion.

    He has comforted all her waste places,

    and has made her wilderness like Eden,

    and her desert like the garden of Yahweh.

Joy and gladness will be found in them,

    thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

Apostolic Reading

My Thoughts:

Hashem is revealing to the disciples who Yeshua is. He is the son of Elohim and the Mashiach. This is sometimes difficult for us to grasp. The Mashiach was supposed to deliver Israel from their oppressors and bring in the Messianic Age. Yeshua was unable to fulfill this as He was killed on the stakes (as were thousands of other Jews at this time). That does not mean He was not the Mashiach. He died and He was resurrected from the dead. He ascended to the right hand of Hashem. And will return to rule and reign from Jerusalem as the resurrected Mashiach. Study and learn more about this.

Challenge:

This reading is about discovering who Mashiach is. Different religions have different views on this. I believe Yeshua is the Mashiach and that He is returning. Both Jews and Christians believe the Mashiach is to come and rule and reign from the Temple in Jerusalem. So whether this Mashiach is believed to be Yeshua or not, we know that One is coming. My challenge is for you to pray and ask Hashem to reveal to you about the Mashiach and the plans for His reign. Study Ezekiel, chapters 38 to the end. You will learn a lot. I pray your eyes are opened wide to the truth. 

Apostolic Reading: Matthew 16:13-20

13 Now when Yeshua came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

14 They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Mashiach, the Son of the living Elohim.”

17 Yeshua answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock  I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.” 20 Then He commanded the disciples that they should tell no one that He was Yeshua the Mashiach.

Va'etchanan - Reading #7

Va'etchanan וָאֶתְחַנַּן - Pleaded

Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11

Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1-26

Apostolic Reading: Luke 3:2-15

Reading #7 -  Deuteronomy 7:1–11

My Thoughts:

Verse 7 and 8 are just powerful, “Hashem didn’t set His love on you nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people; for you were the fewest of all peoples; but because Hashem loves you, and because He desires to keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, Hashem has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” He chose His people because He loved them and He had made a huge promise to them (for the Land and to multiply). Sometimes it is so hard to grasp that with all our actions and behavior that Hashem would love us, but apparently He does. We see it in Torah over and over, where people make mistakes and Hashem forgives them (usually punishment or consequence occurs) and He continues His path of miracles through His people. Never think for once that Hashem does not love you because of something you have done or that you are not worthy. You are His creation and He has a very special plan for you.

Challenge:

Rarely do we see verses about how Hashem feels or what He does if people hate Him. But, we do see it today in verse 10, “He will not be slack to him who hates Him. He will repay him to his face.” Yikes. It sounds like He is not going to lightly dismiss hatred. That there will be consequences. The biggest punishment we know is that people who do not love or serve Hashem, will be eternally separated from Him. That sounds like the worst and most awful consequence possible. Your challenge today is to take a look around you at those people who you know do not have a relationship with Hashem or the Mashiach Yeshua. See if you can start speaking positive, spiritual words into their lives. Try to be a “light” to them regarding Hashem and Torah. You never know -- this could change their life forever! Amen.

Reading #7 -  Deuteronomy 7:1–11

7:1 When Hashem your Elohim brings you into the land where you go to possess it, and casts out many nations before you—the Hittite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite—seven nations greater and mightier than you; 2 and when Hashem your Elohim delivers them up before you, and you strike them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them, nor show mercy to them. 3 You shall not make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to his son, nor shall you take his daughter for your son. 4 For that would turn away your sons from following Me, that they may serve other gods. So Hashem’s anger would be kindled against you, and He would destroy you quickly. 5 But you shall deal with them like this: you shall break down their altars, dash their pillars in pieces, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their engraved images with fire. 6 For you are a holy people to Hashem your Elohim. Hashem your Elohim has chosen you to be a people for His own possession, above all peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7 Hashem didn’t set His love on you nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people; for you were the fewest of all peoples; 8 but because Hashem loves you, and because He desires to keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, Hashem has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that Hashem your Elohim Himself is Elohim, the faithful Elohim, who keeps covenant and loving kindness to a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments, 10 and repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack to him who hates Him. He will repay him to his face. 11 You shall therefore keep the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances which I command you today, to do them.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

Verse 5 reveals Hashem’s plan for the future, “Hashem’s glory shall be revealed,and all flesh shall see it together.” In the Olam Haba (the world to come) there won’t be any “doubt” about whether Hashem exists -- everyone will see Him and His glory. There will be no excuse, no escape. This is a promise. It is prophesied over and over in the Tanakh and Apostolic Writings. There is this knowledge for those of us who love Him and serve Him. We won’t always live on a corrupt and sinful planet. There is His plan for a future Place. A Place with Him and His Glory. Take some time in your life to prepare for this Place. Make sure you are right with Him.

Challenge:

In verse 21 we are reminded of Hashem and who He is,  “Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? Haven’t you been told from the beginning? Haven’t you understood from the foundations of the earth?” There isn’t reason that a person should not “know” about Hashem. We have had His Torah from the beginning. And in our lives it is at our fingertips. We can read it online, we can have written copies of it in our home. We can “know” about Hashem because we have “heard” about Him. No excuses. Your challenge today is to check your heart. Run a spiritual EKG and see what your “heartbeat” is? Are you looking out just for yourself -- or do you choose to serve the Holy One and go with His plan? Double check it today. Amen.

Haftarah:  Isaiah 40:1-26

40 “Comfort, comfort My people,” says your Elohim. 2 “Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of Hashem’s hand double for all her sins.”

3 The voice of one who calls out,

    “Prepare the way of Hashem in the wilderness!

    Make a level highway in the desert for our Elohim.

4 Every valley shall be exalted,

    and every mountain and hill shall be made low.

    The uneven shall be made level,

    and the rough places a plain.

5 Hashem’s glory shall be revealed,

    and all flesh shall see it together;

    for the mouth of Hashem has spoken it.”

6 The voice of one saying, “Cry!”

    One said, “What shall I cry?”

“All flesh is like grass,

    and all its glory is like the flower of the field.

7 The grass withers,

    the flower fades,

    because Hashem’s breath blows on it.

    Surely the people are like grass.

8 The grass withers,

    the flower fades;

    but the word of our Elohim stands forever.”

9 You who tell good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain.

    You who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength!

    Lift it up! Don’t be afraid!

    Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold, your Elohim!”

10 Behold, the Adonai Hashem will come as a mighty one,

    and His arm will rule for Him.

    Behold, His reward is with Him,

    and His recompense before Him.

11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd.

    He will gather the lambs in His arm,

    and carry them in his bosom.

    He will gently lead those who have their young.

12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,

    and marked off the sky with his span,

    and calculated the dust of the earth in a measuring basket,

    and weighed the mountains in scales,

    and the hills in a balance?

13 Who has directed Hashem’s Spirit,

    or has taught him as his counselor?

14 Who did he take counsel with,

    and who instructed him,

    and taught him in the path of justice,

    and taught him knowledge,

    and showed him the way of understanding?

15 Behold, the nations are like a drop in a bucket,

    and are regarded as a speck of dust on a balance.

    Behold, he lifts up the islands like a very little thing.

16 Lebanon is not sufficient to burn,

    nor its animals sufficient for a burnt offering.

17 All the nations are like nothing before Him.

    They are regarded by Him as less than nothing, and vanity.

18 To whom then will you liken G-d?

    Or what likeness will you compare to him?

19 A workman has cast an image,

    and the goldsmith overlays it with gold,

    and casts silver chains for it.

20 He who is too impoverished for such an offering chooses a tree that will not rot.

    He seeks a skillful workman to set up a carved image for him that will not be moved.

21 Haven’t you known?

    Haven’t you heard?

    Haven’t you been told from the beginning?

    Haven’t you understood from the foundations of the earth?

22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,

    and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;

    who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,

    and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in,

23 who brings princes to nothing,

    who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.

24 They are planted scarcely.

    They are sown scarcely.

    Their stock has scarcely taken root in the ground.

    He merely blows on them, and they wither,

    and the whirlwind takes them away as stubble.

25 “To whom then will you liken me?

    Who is my equal?” says the Holy One.

26 Lift up your eyes on high,

    and see who has created these,

    who brings out their army by number.

    He calls them all by name.

    by the greatness of His might,

    and because He is strong in power,

    not one is lacking.

Apostolic Reading

My Thoughts:

Today we read about John the Immerser and how he fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah (also today’s Haftarah). John had the privilege to prepare the people to receive Yeshua the Mashiach. He reminded them about Torah and their relationship to Hashem. He taught words of Torah to reignite their passion for Elohim. He got them ready to hear what the Mashiach would bring them -- which was all about returning to Hashem. Today we need more “John the Immersers”. We need people to prepare the way for the Mashiach to return and for the Olam Haba. We can all do this by loving and serving others. By teaching them Hashem’s Word whenever possible. By reflecting His light to the world. Start today.

Challenge:

John taught repentance (verse 3). You may think that this was probably not necessary, that everyone already knew about repenting for their sins. But, what if they had forgotten? What if they were straying from their relationship from Hashem and serving other gods? What if they had forgotten how to ask for forgiveness and how to forgive others? Isn’t that what is happening today? When was the last time you repented to Elohim for something you had done? When did you make restitution lately for a sin you have committed? Your challenge today is to look over your life and detect the sins you have committed. Go to Hashem immediately and ask for forgiveness -- repent (turn around) from what you have done. And make it right. Make it right with Elohim and with the people you affected. Do it. Amen.

Apostolic Reading: Luke 3:2-15

3:2 in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of Elohim came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. 3 He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of Hashem. Make his paths straight.

5 Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight,

and the rough ways smooth. 6 All flesh will see Elohim’s salvation.’”Isaiah 40:3-5

7 He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that Eloihim is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones! 9 Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.”

10 The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?”

11 He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”

12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?”

13 He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.”

14 Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?”

He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”

15 As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps He was the Mashiach.