Ann's Weekly Torah Message

NEW BEGINNINGS

Moshe's sermon concerning the new beginnings the people would face in the Land is coming to a close. As they were standing on the verge of entering the Land, Moshe taught about the renewal of the Covenant between God and this new generation; a warning against idolatry; repentance, and the admonition to choose life. He then encouraged both the people and Joshua, Moshe's successor, by reminding them that it is ADONAI Who will be with them and guide them faithfully. This is also a reminder for us as we will observe Rosh HaShanah, the beginning of a new year. And despite the increase of evil in this world we trust in the fulfillment of ADONAI's promises. "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).

A Message for All God's People

"Today you are standing, all of you, before ADONAI your God - your heads, your tribes, your leaders and your officers ...along with your little ones, your wives and your foreigners here with you in your camp..." (Deut. 29: 9, 10).

After hearing the list of ninety-eight curses, pronounced as a warning against disobedience, the people must have turned pale with fear. The future must have looked very frightening and they could have given up all hope. However, Moshe told them that, despite their sins, they were still standing there in the presence of God, Who wanted them to be His very own people.

Much of Moshe's prophecy has been fulfilled. The Jewish people have suffered more than any other nation; were homeless and despised, but never forgotten by YHVH. In 1948 the God of Israel created the State of Israel, and has prospered them in their Land, where they are awaiting the coming of Messiah.

Everyone present during the preaching of Moshe's sermon was included, even the foreigner (29:1). Moshe preached that God's covenant was with whoever was there at that time, but also with those who would come later. This again reminds us of Gal.3:29, "And if you are Messiah's, then you are of the seed of Abraham and heirs according to the promise."

This does not make us become Jewish, but in Yeshua we become Israelites. One flock and one Shepherd. All those who are in personal relationship with Yeshua Messiah are being regarded as having stood there with Moshe and the Children of Israel by the Jordan. It is for each of us, today, as we study the Scriptures, that we find our own place in the story of the Torah. It is a living story. The Torah is an open invitation to whoever will hear.

Covenant Relationship

"...in order to establish you today as a people to Him and that He be a God to you, as He spoke to you and as He swore to your forefathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob" (Dt. 29:12).

YHVH made covenants (spiritual agreements), with Adam, Noah, the patriarchs, Moshe and David. Dispensationalism pits one covenant against another, but the truth is that the covenants with the patriarchs do not nullify the former but rather build on them. ADONAI promised the forefathers that their seed would inherit the Land. This was actually going to be fulfilled just after Moshe's death that was imminent. Joshua was going to lead them in crossing the River Jordan and conquering the Land.

Jeremiah 32:40 tells us about a new, everlasting covenant the LORD made with His people Israel that had been so unfaithful to Him, "And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good and I will assuredly plant them in this land with all My heart and with all My soul."

An everlasting covenant is also mentioned in Hebrews 13:20, "Now may the God of peace Who brought up our Lord Yeshua from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete..."

The Haftarah

"As a young man espouses a maiden so shall your children settle in you; and like the bridegroom's rejoicing over his bride, so shall your God rejoice over you" (Isa. 62:5).

Again, we see YHVH's great, unending love for His people Israel. The seventh and last lesson of consolation speaks of a blissful time of redemption and joy after years of exile and trouble. Isaiah's zeal for his country and his desire to see the work of salvation completed caused him to pray without ceasing. May we also pray without ceasing for ADONAI's Kingdom to come speedily. Then, under His rule, all things will be new. Only then will Israel live in peace, when Yeshua will reign from Jerusalem. Then no more rockets will be hitting Israel's towns, and no more evil accusations against God's people will be spoken. The nations will fear Him because Yeshua will rule with a rod of iron.

The Gospel

"I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who stay united with Me, and I with them, are the ones who bear much fruit; because apart from Me you can't do a thing. If you keep My commands, you will stay in My love - just as I have kept My Father's commands and stay in His love" (John 15:5, 10).

In essence, Yeshua is giving the same admonition Moshe spoke to the people. It is so very important to remember that without our Lord we can do nothing. We can be very busy in our congregations or households, creating all kinds of activities and goals, but if we do it in our own energy and strength, we will fail because the work has no life in it. Sometimes pruning needs to take place. It may be painful but it is for our own good. All that is unessential stands in the way of fruitfulness, and needs to be removed. We therefore cherish Yeshua's promise that, if we are closely attached to Him, we will bear much fruit.

The Feast of Trumpets - Rosh Hashanah

"Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a Sabbath rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it...'" (Leviticus 23:24, 25).

Rosh HaShanah is the first day of the New Year (5771 on the Hebrew Calendar). It is also the first of the Fall Feasts; Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) being the second and Sukkot (Tabernacles) the third, completing the cycle of seven feasts from the Passover Seder to Sukkot. Since the Spring Feasts have all been fulfilled in Yeshua Messiah, there is something very special about the Feast of Trumpets. It has been observed as a rehearsal for Yeshua's coming again. It will be a new experience, and we can be sure that all the Fall Feasts will be fulfilled just as the Spring Feasts all came to pass.

The Hebrew word used in Leviticus 23:24 is Teruah, meaning 'Awakening blast'. "For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a rousing cry, with a call from one of the ruling angels, and with God's shofar" (1Thess. 4:16). Therefore, we expect Yeshua to return to earth on Rosh HaShanah, sometime soon.

As we will be observing Rosh Hashanah on September 8/9^th, we will remember that the shofar will usher in the "Day of the Lord" (Joel 2:1); "Blow the shofar in Zion! Sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the living in the land tremble for the day of ADONAI is coming!" We are called to wake up concerning judgment that is surely coming. However, YHVH has always warned His people before He proclaims judgment. He gave a warning before the flood, and He warned even Nineveh before it would be too late. It is not His will that anyone should perish.

Day of Remembrance

Another name for Rosh HaShanah, meaning "the head of the year" is "Day of Remembrance" as mentioned in Leviticus 23:24. Malachi 3:16 sheds some light on the meaning of this name. "Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name."

Revelation 20:12 also tells us of books that were opened. "And another book was opened which is the 'Book of Life'. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books." And in 2 Corinthians 5:10 we read, "For we must all appear before the Messiah's court of judgment, where everyone will receive the good or bad consequences of what he did while he was in the body."

Repentance

Bearing the message of these Scriptures in mind, we can see why there is an emphasis on repentance during the time before Rosh HaShanah. It is time to consider the judgment and to search our hearts. Even though we are saved, we are still responsible for all our words and actions. Therefore we need to pray, "Search me, O God, and know my heart...and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23.24). Our comfort is in Psalm 51:17, "A broken and a contrite heart, these, O God, You will not despise."

With the increasing influence of Islam, and the hatred spewed out against Israel, it seems that believers are waiting with bated breath for something very important to happen soon. Some think that 50 years (Jubilee) after the reunification of Jerusalem, which will take us to the year 2017 (5777 on the Hebrew Calendar), Daniel's prophesies will be fulfilled. However, even though we are to observe the signs, we cannot set dates but we need to be ready to receive our glorious King when He will appear on the clouds with the shofar call of God. Let us therefore heed the words of Sha'ul, the apostle:

"Awake, you who sleep. Arise from the dead and Messiah will give you light. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:14-17).

Rosh HaShanah is indeed very special when we realize that our wonderful Savior may soon appear on the clouds. Not a single sinner will spit on Him or ridicule our Master ever again, but every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Yeshua is indeed ADONAI (Philippians 2:10, 11). Let us therefore pray, "Come Lord Yeshua, come quickly."

Shabbat Shalom!

Ann Stephens

Sources: ArtScroll Chumash, Living Bible Commentary, Jeff Feinberg's "Walk Deuteronomy" and Torah Club, vol. 5.