"Vayelech" Deuteronomy 31:1–30; Isaiah 55:6–56:8; Romans 10:14

"Vayelech" Deuteronomy 31:1–30; Isaiah 55:6–56:8; Romans 10:14–21 (and others)

Shalom All, Welcome to this week’s Torah / Bible scripture study section “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for Yahweh God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). Last week, in study section “Nitzavim”, God emphasized that we have freedom of choice to follow after the way of life or the way of death. In this week’s Torah section, Vayelech (וַיֵּלֶךְ), Hebrew for “then he went out” Moses invests Joshua with leadership and initiates the writing down of the Torah. Vayelech is the shortest Torah reading of the year, consisting of only one chapter. The reading for this particular appointed time of Yahweh (holy day called Sabbath), which comes after the feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah; Lev 23:24) and before the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur; Lev 23:27), falls during the Ten Days of Awe (Yamim Nora’im) during which time we are to seek Yahweh with sincere teshuvah (repentance) for our sins and call on the sacrifice blood of Yahshua His son as the cleansing. Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,. I once did a sermon that included this scripture and pointed out it does not say one has to understand or belief what they received; but simply receive it like a letter in your letter box or words to your ears. So if someone has told you about a wrong doing of yours and you refused to heed either did not believe or understand, you may still be guilty. In particular keeping the appointed times of God in Lev 23. This special appointed time (Shabbat) is called Shabbat Shuva (Sabbath of Return) because the special prophetic reading from the book of Hosea starts with Shuvu Yisrael (Return O Israel). Remember Israel are those who obey, by birth right or grafted in. [Deu 31:12 Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger (gentile) that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear Yahweh your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:] It is also called Shabbat Teshuvah (Shabbat of Repentance) as it calls the people of God to turn from their sins and rebellion and to return to God. Shabbat Shuva actually has two special prophetic readings. Hosea 14:1 (2)–9 (10) emphasizes the importance of heartfelt repentance and Micah 7:18–20 praises God’s mercy. Theme of the reading: In this passage, the prophet Hosea makes one last desperate plea, beseeching Israel to repent and save themselves from the coming catastrophe. He says, "Return, O Israel!" The Hebrew word for "return" is the imperative shuvah (שובה), a word that also is translated as "repent." Repentance is Hosea's central message and the message of every prophet of God. Repentance is also the primary message of the Gospel. Most of Yahshua's teachings were calls to repentance. Most of His parables were illustrations about repentance. To repent means to turn around, quit sinning and start doing good. More specifically, it is a call to quit breaking God's commandments and return to His Torah. Repentance from evil deeds is one of the foundational, elementary teachings about the Messiah (Hebrews 6:1). The deceiver and his apparent ministers of righteousness would like you to belief another gospel or change in God’s laws. Believe the Messiah not them. Repent and return to keeping all of God’s laws and if fail seek the blood of the Messiah to pay the redemptive price for you IF you confess the sin. When told to worship God on His appointed days, Christians are commonly answering they worship God every day. Then why did God set these times if that excuse would stand. God has daily times of worship as Daniel practices and Acts 2:15 examples. He also had weekly and annual times as Lev 23 lists. The Master brought a message of repentance, always teaching, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2). He told men that if they did not repent, they would perish (Luke 13:3). He said that He came only to call sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32), for "He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Saviour, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5:31). He told His disciples that repentance for the forgiveness of sins must be proclaimed in His name to all nations (Luke 24:46-47) because "God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent" (Acts 17:30). "They went out and preached that men should repent" (Mark 6:12). They went out, "solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in Yahshua the Messiah" (Acts 20:21), "even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance" (Acts 26:20). Because of this, "God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life" (Acts 11:18), and "repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 2:25), for He does not wish "for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). "The kindness of God leads you to repentance" (Romans 2:4), "a repentance without regret, leading to salvation" (2 Corinthians 7:10). "Repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away" (Acts 3:19). "Repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you" (Acts 8:22). "Therefore be zealous and repent" (Revelation 3:19). "Bear fruit in keeping with repentance" (Matthew 3:8). "Repent and do the [good] deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place unless you repent" (Revelation 2:5). "So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent" (Revelation 3:3). I suggest a read of Deut 30. Succession Planning: Moses and Joshua: “Then Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. And he said to them: ‘I am one hundred and twenty years old today. I can no longer go out and come in. Also Yahweh has said to me, “You shall not cross over this Jordan.”’” (Deuteronomy 31:1–2) In this section, Moses faces his imminent death. At the age of 120 years, he prepares his people for a future without his leadership. Moses knows that he will not be the one to take the children of Israel across the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Although Moses would not go with the people, he assures them that God will go with them and give them victory against their enemies. God also gives a word to the people of Israel through Moses: “Be strong and of good courage.” Why did they need this encouragement? It is because in the Promised Land they would be facing new enemies and challenges that they had never encountered in the wilderness. They would also need to learn how to work the land instead of having manna rain down six days from Heaven. Moses, however, was not about to leave the people leaderless, like sheep without a shepherd. Through Yahweh’s instruction, he ordained Joshua as his successor to take over the leadership role. “Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, ‘Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which Yahweh has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it’” (Deuteronomy 31:7). Like a good leader, Moses demonstrated more concern for the future of the congregation than for himself. He publicly bestowed blessings, encouragement, and affirmation upon the one who would take his place “in the sight of all Israel.” Joshua ben Nun of the tribe of Ephraim was groomed for this leadership role. He was a skilled military leader of the campaign against Amalek (Exodus 17:8–13) and loyal disciple of Moses. He was also the first to greet Moses after waiting patiently for 40 days for him to descend from Mount Sinai (Exodus 32:15–17). It seems that Yahweh made a wise decision in choosing Joshua, even over Moses’ two sons (Gershom and Eliezer), for Joshua followed God's directions, trusting Him to successfully lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. Remember only him and Caleb gave a good report of the land they were sent to spy out. Showing faith in the promise of Yahweh above apparent impossibilities. As a result, Joshua conquered Jericho and eventually the rest of Canaan. We too, when embarking upon a new venture, need to have the strength and courage to trust that God will be with us to help us overcome every challenge and to meet every need. Do not be disheartened. 2Co 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; “Through God we will do valiantly, and it is He who shall tread down our adversaries” said David, a man after God’s heart (Psalm 60:12). Moreover, people may come and go in our lives, but God is the faithful One who will never abandon us. We may come to depend upon people, even those who are capable, strong, spiritual leaders; but ultimately we need to trust that it is God who will be our “ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear” (Psalm 46:1–2). Succession Planning and the Torah: Succession in this study section was not only about leadership. Moses ensured that the people had what they needed to bring them into the future. He wrote down the Torah (God’s instructions) and commanded the Israelites to read it every seven years in the year of the Shemitah (Sabbatical year) at the time of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). Moses entrusted the safekeeping of this Torah into the hands of the sons of Aaron who were the Cohanim (Priests) as well as all the Levites, who were charged with carrying the Ark of the Covenant, among other duties. In this way, the Torah was to be taught and handed down to generation after generation, in order that they would fear Yahweh and keep His commandments and thereby get His part of the covenant by keeping their part. Deu 31:26 Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of Yahweh your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee. The book of the Law, placed in the Ark would testify against the breakers of the law similar to the law books of today used by a judicial system. From the law book they can quote for which one you are being punished! Hence why teachers would like the book to be nailed to the cross so that there is no witness to their disobedience. We also have a responsibility to teach the Word of God to our children that they may teach their children and so on down the generations to fear God and obey His Word. That is the best inheritance we can give our children and the beginning of their wisdom. Money and assets may fail; but not the Word and promises of Yahweh God. “Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear Yahweh your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear Yahweh your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess” (Deuteronomy 31:12–13). The responsibility to diligently teach our children the Torah is still taken seriously today by much of the Jewish People, based on the command: “Hear, O Israel: Yahweh our God, Yahweh is one! You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength….. and these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:4–7). Fortunately, some of the gentiles are also waking up to this realisation and obedience. Passing on our faith in God to our children is not the job of the youth ministry teacher once a week during congregation services; it is meant to be a lifestyle of living out faith and obedience in front of our children, as well as talking about God and His Word throughout the day, every day. Sin, Repentance and the Glory of God: Also in this section, we come to realize that God knew that despite all His warnings, the people of Israel would go astray and commit spiritual adultery by seeking after other gods and worshiping the idols of the pagans around them in the Promised Land. “And Yahweh said to Moses: ‘Behold, you will rest with your fathers; and this people will rise and play the harlot with the gods of the foreigners of the land, where they go to be among them, and they will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them”… “Then My anger shall be aroused against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them, and they shall be devoured. And many evils and troubles shall befall them, so that they will say in that day, ‘Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?’” (Deuteronomy 31:16–17). Twice, God says He will hide His face from His people because of their sins. This term does not indicate the lack of Divine Providence but the concealment of it. At present some of the Jews, the Orthodox ones NOT the Messianic or other named believers, have not recognised His son Yahshua the sent promised Messiah. This is however, only for a while [Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in]. Once that time has been fulfilled, those unbelieving Jews may realise “Anyone who has seen me,” Yahshua said, “has seen the Father” (John 14:9). In Yahshua, we see God in all of His glory: “For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Yahshua the Messiah” (2 Corinthians 4:6). Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: Rely On God for your Holiday payment: Some people may be discouraged from keeping these holy days of Yahweh God due to possible financial loss. Moses encouraged the Israelites not to falter on the edge of the Promised Land, as the previous generation had done (dis-belief). He told them to "be strong and courageous," and he comforted them by telling them that God would not fail or forsake them. Deuteronomy 31:6 should encourage readers to rely on God to provide for all their needs. Moses tells them to avoid greed and avarice because God has already promised not to forsake us: "Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said [in Deuteronomy 31:6], 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,' so that we confidently say [what is written in Psalm 118:6], 'The LORD is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:5-6) "Be strong and courageous. ... He will not fail you or forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6). The High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are primarily about our relationship with God as individuals and as a common people. These are appointed times for reconciling with one another and with our Father in Heaven. If we take the opportunity to turn to God in sincere repentance in the name of His Son, He will receive us. God wants His obedient people to know that He will not fail us, nor will He abandon us. Even in times when God punished Israel for disobedience, it was not as if He had abandoned them or cast them off. He punishes Israel as a father disciplines a beloved son. God is faithful to His people. Even when He sent the children of Israel into exile, He did not send them out alone. He did not abandon Daniel in exile; but rewarded him for his obedience. Three times a day prayers, not bowing down to paganism nor defiling his body with unclean food. We can trust our Father in Heaven. He travels with us even in the lonely places of pain and exile. He will not fail us or forsake us…. HOSEA 14. As I have said and shown in the past, to understand the teachings of the New Testament one should know the Old. Then they should see the instructions given are quotations are rephrasing of those from the Old i.e. Hos 14:1 O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Hos 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to Yahweh: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. The calves or animal sacrifice spoken of in Hosea is the same as praises from our mouths spoken of by Paul in Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.. Joel 2:15-27. Many bible readers of Acts 2, the day of Pentecost, have read Act 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; and many tongue speakers think it pertains to them. However, further investigation should show, it does not. For 1 Joel is part of a prophecies given to Israel who were also given the law to keep. Most tongue speakers claim the law was given to Israel NOT them. Isaiah 44:3 “Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: Isa 44:2 Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. Isa 44:3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: Eze 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: Act 21:8 … and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. Act 21:9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. The “your” refers to and is limited to Israel to whom the prophecies were given. Acts two was the fulfilment of those prophets prophecies. They do not relate to gentiles. ISAIAH 55:5 – 56:8. Some verses to note. Isa 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Isa 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. [because once you die there is no more chances]. Isa 56:1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. Isa 56:2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. Isa 56:3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: …Isa 56:4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; [to obey the book of he law]. Isa 56:5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. Isa 56:6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Isa 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. Isa 56:8 The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him. ROMANS 10:14-21 Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? [To preach what? the scriptures of the Old Testament which speaks and testifies of the COMING OF THE Messiah of the New not of the doing await of the Law, His father’s righteous living instructions! Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

. Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Shalom and happy studying Brethren.

"Vayelech" Deuteronomy 31:1–30; Isaiah 55:6–56:8; Romans 10:14–21 (and others)

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