Haazinu - Reading #7

Haazinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!

Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Haftarah: 2 Samuel 22:1-51

Apostolic Writing: John 6:26-35

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 32:44–52

My Thoughts:

Here is the end of Moses' journey with Hashem to the Promised Land. It is so very sad that after all of Moses’ dedication and work that he can not enter the land. But it is a stark remembrance to all of us, that sin is powerful and has strong repercussions. Yes, we know Hashem forgave Moses, but He did not forget. He passed a judgment at the time of Moses sin (at the water of Meribah) and He held to that judgment. It makes me think that there is a consequence to disobedience. We can repent and teshuvah, but we still must suffer the effects of what we have done. This reminder to us today should keep us in check. Let us think carefully before disobeying the Father. Amen. 

Challenge:

Today we are reminded also that Torah is life! In verse 47 we read, “...it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long…”. As we have studied Torah each day throughout this past year we have been “filled” with Hashem’s Word. What a blessing it is to have eaten it every day. Now soon we will go back to the beginning of Torah and start all over again. It will be a new year with new revelation and more miracles in our lives. We will be reminded every day of Hashem’s promises and His requirements of how to live our lives! My challenge to you today is to start over again after Sukkot in the new Torah cycle. Read, study, pray, worship and live His Word every day! It will give you abundant life and liberty! Amen!

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 32:44–52

32:44 Moses came and recited all the words of this song in the hearing of the people, he and Joshua the son of Nun. 45 And when Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, 46 he said to them, “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. 47 For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.”

48 That very day the Lord spoke to Moses, 49 “Go up this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, opposite Jericho, and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel for a possession. 50 And die on the mountain which you go up, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died in Mount Hor and was gathered to his people, 51 because you broke faith with me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, and because you did not treat me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel. 52 For you shall see the land before you, but you shall not go there, into the land that I am giving to the people of Israel.”

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

Here is a beautiful testimony from David about Hashem’s deliverance, love and faithfulness. In verse 36 we read, “You have given me the shield of Your salvation, and your gentleness made me great.” Hashem gave David a special anointing. He protected in fierce ways and yet was gentle in displaying His love for him. This is just what we can look forward to today in Hashem. Again His faithfulness and protection requires us to be righteous and faithful to Him. We must be obedient to His Laws and Commandments. Make today a new day and resolve that you will do this. That you will serve Hashem with your whole heart, soul and strength. Amen!

Challenge;

If you are in trouble, sick or need Hashem’s help -- here is wonderful Scripture to read -- especially verse 7, “In my distress I called upon Hashem; to my Elohim I called. From His Temple He heard my voice, and my cry came to His ears.” I believe when we call out to Hashem with all of our heart, that He does hear us. Sometimes it may not seem so because it doesn’t appear that our prayers are being answered. But from my experience, I can testify He always does hear you. He just may have a different way of hearing your prayer. Sometimes we pray for healing for someone and they die. We think He didn’t hear our prayer. But He did. That person we prayed for has ultimate wonderful healing in Paradise with Him! That person is in the best part of eternity! My challenge to you is to ask for more faith from Hashem. Faith that He does hear us and that we have evidence of that. Amen.

Haftarah: 2 Samuel 22:1-51

22:1 And David spoke to Hashem the words of this song on the day when Hashem delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. 2 He said,

“Hashem is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

3     my Elohim my Rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield, and the horn of my salvation,

    my stronghold and my refuge,

    my Savior; You save me from violence.

4 I call upon Hashem, who is worthy to be praised,

    and I am saved from my enemies.

5 “For the waves of death encompassed me,

    the torrents of destruction assailed me;

6 the cords of Sheol entangled me;

    the snares of death confronted me.

7 “In my distress I called upon Hashem;

    to my Elohim I called.

From His Temple He heard my voice,

    and my cry came to His ears.

8 “Then the earth reeled and rocked;

    the foundations of the heavens trembled

    and quaked, because He was angry.

9 Smoke went up from His nostrils,

    and devouring fire from His mouth;

    glowing coals flamed forth from Him.

10 He bowed the heavens and came down;

    thick darkness was under His feet.

11 He rode on a cherub and flew;

    He was seen on the wings of the wind.

12 He made darkness around him His canopy,

    thick clouds, a gathering of water.

13 Out of the brightness before Him

    coals of fire flamed forth.

14 Hashem thundered from heaven,

    and the Most High uttered His voice.

15 And He sent out arrows and scattered them;

    lightning, and routed them.

16 Then the channels of the sea were seen;

    the foundations of the world were laid bare,

at the rebuke of Hashem,

    at the blast of the breath of His nostrils.

17 “He sent from on high, He took me;

    He drew me out of many waters.

18 He rescued me from my strong enemy,

    from those who hated me,

    for they were too mighty for me.

19 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,

    but Hashem was my support.

20 He brought me out into a broad place;

    He rescued me, because He delighted in me.

21 “Hashem dealt with me according to my righteousness;

    according to the cleanness of my hands He rewarded me.

22 For I have kept the ways of Hashem

    and have not wickedly departed from my Elohim.

23 For all His rules were before me,

    and from His statutes I did not turn aside.

24 I was blameless before Him,

    and I kept myself from guilt.

25 And Hashem has rewarded me according to my righteousness,

    according to my cleanness in His sight.

26 “With the merciful you show Yourself merciful;

    with the blameless man You show Yourself blameless;

27 with the purified You deal purely,

    and with the crooked You make Yourself seem tortuous.

28 You save a humble people,

    but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.

29 For you are my lamp, Hashem,

    and my Elohim lightens my darkness.

30 For by You I can run against a troop,

    and by my ElohimI can leap over a wall.

31 This Elohim—His way is perfect;

    the word of Hashem proves true;

    He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.

32 “For who is Elohim, but Hashem?

    And who is a rock, except our Elohim?

33 This Elohim is my strong refuge

    and has made my way blameless.

34 He made my feet like the feet of a deer

    and set me secure on the heights.

35 He trains my hands for war,

    so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

36 You have given me the shield of Your salvation,

    and your gentleness made me great.

37 You gave a wide place for my steps under me,

    and my feet did not slip;

38 I pursued my enemies and destroyed them,

    and did not turn back until they were consumed.

39 I consumed them; I thrust them through, so that they did not rise;

    they fell under my feet.

40 For You equipped me with strength for the battle;

    you made those who rise against me sink under me.

41 You made my enemies turn their backs to me,

    those who hated me, and I destroyed them.

42 They looked, but there was none to save;

    they cried to Hashem, but He did not answer them.

43 I beat them fine as the dust of the earth;

    I crushed them and stamped them down like the mire of the streets.

44 “You delivered me from strife with my people;

    You kept me as the head of the nations;

    people whom I had not known served me.

45 Foreigners came cringing to me;

    as soon as they heard of me, they obeyed me.

46 Foreigners lost heart

    and came trembling out of their fortresses.

47 “Hashem lives, and blessed be my Rock,

    and exalted be my Elohim, the Rock of my salvation,

48 the Elohim who gave me vengeance

    and brought down peoples under me,

49 who brought me out from my enemies;

    You exalted me above those who rose against me;

    You delivered me from men of violence.

50 “For this I will praise you, O Hashem, among the nations,

    and sing praises to Your name.

51 Great salvation He brings to His king,

    and shows steadfast love to His anointed,

    to David and his offspring forever.”

Apostolic Writing

My Thoughts:

In verse 29 Yeshua tells His disciples to believe in Him who Hashem has sent. I believe that to “believe in Him” means to believe in who He is and what He represents. He is an emanation of Hashem -- His representation to us. And when He came His teaching was to bring people back to Hashem through obedience in Torah. That is what He said. To believe in Him is to believe in Hashem and His Torah. He always “pointed” everyone to Hashem, to the Father. It is no coincidence that shortly after Yeshua was killed that the Temple came down. Maybe Yeshua was Hashem’s last chance for people to come back to Him. His people had strayed and followed other gods. Yeshua came to bring them back to Truth. He was not accepted. He was killed. The Temple was destroyed and the people were exiled. Someday the Mashiach will return and all will be well. But until that day, we must follow Hashem and His Torah with all of our being. Amen.

Challenge:

How beautiful is verse 35, “Yeshua said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.” I believe what He is saying is that the “bread” is Torah. If we study (eat) the Torah (bread) we will never be hungry. If we follow Hashem and Torah we will never be thirsty because we will be filled up. Isn’t that a wonderful analogy? The challenge today is that you partake in the “daily bread” of Torah. Make sure you are eating and consuming the Word of Hashem every day. Get filled up with HIM and your life will be the best. Amen.

Apostolic Writing: John 6:26-35

6:26 Yeshua answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him Elohim the Father has set His seal.” 28 Then they said to Him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of Elohim?” 29 Yeshua answered them, “This is the work of Elohim, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” 30 So they said to Him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe You? What work do You perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Yeshua then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of Elohim is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to Him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

35 Yeshua said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.”

Haazinu - Reading #6

Haazinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!

Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 32:40–43

My Thoughts:

Even though the people of Israel will fall after they arrive into the Land, Hashem is always faithful to bring them back. His love is so strong for His people that He will protect them through it all. We see this in verse 43, “He avenges the blood of His children and takes vengeance on His adversaries. He repays those who hate Him and cleanses His people's land…”. Even if people stray from Hashem, they still will have enemies or people after them. Hashem says He will take vengeance on these enemies and will “cleanse” the land. Somehow He will get rid of those who tempt and torment His people. That is unconditional love. Imagine if you “turned” on your best friend. But, then he/she saw that you were in trouble with another person. I’m sure he/she would defend you, even if you had hurt them. That is true friendship/love. To help someone when they have turned their back on you. Think about it. Amen.

Challenge:

Torah is clear that we are to “rejoice” with Hashem in all we do. The beginning of verse 43 says, “Rejoice with Him, O heavens; bow down to Him, all gods…”. Not only are we to bow to the King of the Universe, but He wants us to rejoice with Him! What does that look like? It could simply be giving praise and honor throughout your day. Every time you see His Hand and work, or feel His presence, or witness a miracle -- you thank Him with all your heart. That is my challenge to you today. Look for Hashem and praise Him when you find Him. If you can’t seem to find Him, praise Him anyways. He is always there, that is His promise. Amen.

Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 32:40–43

32:40 For I lift up my hand to heaven

    and swear, As I live forever,

41 if I sharpen my flashing sword

    and my hand takes hold on judgment,

I will take vengeance on my adversaries

    and will repay those who hate me.

42 I will make my arrows drunk with blood,

    and my sword shall devour flesh—

with the blood of the slain and the captives,

    from the long-haired heads of the enemy.’

43 “Rejoice with Him, O heavens;

    bow down to Him, all gods,

for He avenges the blood of His children

    and takes vengeance on His adversaries.

He repays those who hate Him

    and cleanses His people's land.”

Haazinu - Reading #5

Haazinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!

Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 32:29–39

My Thoughts:

Verse 36 should clarify the future for us, ”For Hashem will judge His people, and have compassion on His servants…”. It’s not like we can lead a sinful life, ignoring Hashem’s commands and not be judged. That is why we repent, teshuvah and make restitution -- so that He will have compassion on us. Make sure your heart is right with Hashem. If not, make it so. We want to experience Hashem’s compassion and not His judgment. Amen.

Challenge:

Sometimes it helps to understand that Hashem really dictates the length of our days. Verse 39 explains, “I kill and I make alive,  I wound and I heal. There is no one who can deliver out of My hand.” He can keep us alive or He can let us go. But the greater promise is no one can take you out of His hand. We must remember that Hashem can and will keep us alive and will heal us too. We just need to ask Him. That is my challenge today. If you need healing, maybe you have a serious disease. Don’t give up. Go to Hashem. Worship and pray before Him. Pray this Scripture that He heals. Then ask Him to heal you. Or someone you love or care about. It’s up to Him and we can ask. It will be in His time and in His way. Amen.

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 32:29–39

29 Oh that they were wise, that they understood this,

    that they would consider their latter end!

30 How could one chase a thousand,

    and two put ten thousand to flight,

unless their Rock had sold them,

    And Hashem had delivered them up?

31 For their rock is not as our Rock,

    even our enemies themselves concede.

32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom,

    of the fields of Gomorrah.

Their grapes are poison grapes.

    Their clusters are bitter.

33 Their wine is the poison of serpents,

    the cruel venom of asps.

34 “Isn’t this laid up in store with me,

    sealed up among my treasures?

35 Vengeance is mine, and recompense,

    at the time when their foot slides;

for the day of their calamity is at hand.

    Their doom rushes at them.”

36 For Hashem will judge His people,

    and have compassion on His servants,

when He sees that their power is gone;

    that there is no one remaining, shut up or left at large.

37 He will say, “Where are their gods,

    the rock in which they took refuge;

38 which ate the fat of their sacrifices,

    and drank the wine of their drink offering?

Let them rise up and help you!

    Let them be your protection.

39 “See now that I Myself am He.

    There is no god with Me.

I kill and I make alive.

    I wound and I heal.

    There is no one who can deliver out of My hand.

Haazinu - Reading #4

Haazinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!

Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 32:19–28

My Thoughts:

After Moses explains the “trouble” they are going to be getting into when they abandon Hashem, he says in verse 28, ”For they are a nation void of counsel. There is no understanding in them.” He is predicting that they will have a time in the future when they will no longer “consult” with Hashem. They will be “void” of His counsel. Therefore, since they are not in relationship with Hashem there will be “no understanding”. That’s what is happening today. People no longer believe or communicate with the one true Elohim. They are going it alone. And the end result is that they have no understanding in spiritual matters. People have become totally carnal, devoid of the one true spiritual relationship with Hashem. This is sad. You and I can be a part of changing this. We can be “lights” to His truth and existence and bring His real love to others. We can teach people about Him and how to communicate (pray) with Him. If they do this they will gain understanding. 

Challenge:

In verse 20 we read that the result of disobedience amongst His people is that, “I will hide My face from them.”. Having the face of Hashem “hid” from you means He is no longer visible or tangible in your life. It is like when we sin, the “hand” of Hashem is lifted off our lives -- we can only go it alone. Do you want that? I don’t. And I can feel this happening every time I deliberately sin against Him. It’s like He really does “hide His face” from me. It takes true repentance and teshuvah to regain that personal relationship with Him. My challenge today is for you to assess your spiritual life. Do you feel Hashem’s Hand in upon your life, or do you feel He is “hiding His face” from you? If it is the latter, please do something about it. Repent and return to Him. Make restitution for what you have done and pray that He will return to you. Scripture says He will (Malachi 3:7). Don’t be content with a life absent of Hashem, invite Him back into your life. And show Him that you really mean this. Amen?

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 32:19–28

19 Hashem saw and abhorred,

    because of the provocation of His sons and his daughters.

20 He said, “I will hide My face from them.

    I will see what their end will be;

for they are a very perverse generation,

    children in whom is no faithfulness.

21 They have moved Me to jealousy with that which is not Elohim.

    They have provoked Me to anger with their vanities.

I will move them to jealousy with those who are not a people.

    I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

22 For a fire is kindled in my anger,

    that burns to the lowest Sheol,

    devours the earth with its increase,

    and sets the foundations of the mountains on fire.

23 “I will heap evils on them.

    I will spend my arrows on them.

24 They shall be wasted with hunger,

    and devoured with burning heat

    and bitter destruction.

I will send the teeth of animals on them,

    with the venom of vipers that glide in the dust.

25 Outside the sword will bereave,

    and in the rooms,

    terror on both young man and virgin,

    the nursing infant with the gray-haired man.

26 I said that I would scatter them afar.

    I would make their memory to cease from among men;

27 were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy,

    lest their adversaries should judge wrongly,

    lest they should say, ‘Our hand is exalted,

    Hashem has not done all this.’”

28 For they are a nation void of counsel.

    There is no understanding in them.

Haazinu - Reading #3

Haazinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!

Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Reading #3 -  Deuteronomy 32:13–18

My Thoughts:

It is so harsh that here the people are ready to enter the Promised Land and Moses is prophesying that they are going to fail and go off and worship other gods. In verse 18 we read, “Of the Rock who became your father, you are unmindful, and have forgotten Elohim who gave you birth.” This is how sin begins, we forget who Hashem is. Sometimes things can get so good in life, that we forget who gave them to us. We get prideful, puffed up and think we worked or earned the things we have. And then we begin to “worship” what we have, instead of Hashem. Maybe you don’t think you could ever forget Hashem and all He has done. But, sometimes I think we do. How many hours a day do we watch TV? How many hours a day do we pray and worship Hashem? If that answer convicts you and scares you -- then it is time to set things straight! Make sure today that you are not forgetting Hashem and all He is. Spend time with Him today. Take a “prayer walk” and thank Him for all He has done!

Challenge:

In continuation of the thoughts above -- have you ever “abandoned” Hashem (verse 15)? I have a good friend who unexpectedly lost his brother a few months ago. They were best friends. He got mad at Hashem. Why did Hashem “take” his brother at such a young age? I can see where this anger has really separated my friend from Hashem. I am encouraging him to think about where his brother is. That just maybe he is in paradise (I believe with Yeshua) -- in a very special place that Hashem has prepared. My friend is hurt, and we all have had times when we have felt the same. But we must not abandon or reject Hashem. We must remember He gives and He takes away. My challenge to you today is to thank Hashem for today. That He woke you up, Ask Him to walk with you today. If you are hurting, go back to Him and ask Him if He will help you to heal and be restored. Ask Him to come close to you so that you can feel His presence in your life. I pray that He does.

Reading #3 -  Deuteronomy 32:13–18

32:13 He made him ride on the high places of the earth.

    He ate the increase of the field.

He caused him to suck honey out of the rock,

    oil out of the flinty rock;

14 butter from the herd, and milk from the flock,

    with fat of lambs,

    rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats,

    with the finest of the wheat.

    From the blood of the grape, you drank wine.

15 But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked.

    You have grown fat.

    You have grown thick.

    You have become sleek.

Then he abandoned Elohim who made him,

    and rejected the Rock of his salvation.

16 They moved Him to jealousy with strange gods.

    They provoked Him to anger with abominations.

17 They sacrificed to demons, not Elohim,

    to gods that they didn’t know,

    to new gods that came up recently,

    which your fathers didn’t dread.

18 Of the Rock who became your father, you are unmindful,

    and have forgotten Elohiim who gave you birth.

Matot-Massei - Reading #7

Matot-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 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. If abortion is illegal in your state, consider helping and educating women who are fleeing to other states where it is legal . Help women in your state/community to realize all the wonderful help that is there for them to parent or choose adoption. 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.