FROM THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:
“Remember what Amaleq did to you on the way as you were coming out of Mitsrayim, how he met you on the way and attacked your back, all the feeble ones in your rear, when you were tired and weary. And he did not fear Elohim. Therefore, it shall be, when YHWH your Elohim has given you rest from your enemies all around, in the land which YHWH your Elohim is giving you to possess as an inheritance, that you blot out the remembrance of Amaleq from under the heavens. Do not forget!”
FROM THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:
The Least of the Commandments
“When you come upon a bird’s nest along the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, with the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young – let the mother go without fail, and take the young for yourself, so that it might be well with you, and that you shall prolong your days.”
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to complete. For amein, I say to you, till the heaven and the earth pass away, one yod or one tittle shall by no means pass from the Torah till all be done. Whoever, then, breaks one of the least of these commands, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of the heavens; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of the heavens.”
For God's people, suffering is never about the suffering. God doesn't cause us pain because he wants to hurt us. Because of his disobedience, Moses wasn't allowed to enter the Promised Land, but it wasn't because God was being vindictive.
Rather, all things work together for the good of his Kingdom. Moses couldn't lead Israel across the Jordan because he wasn't qualified to lead in these new conditions. Moses' purpose was to transform Israel from slaves into God's conquerors. Joshua's purpose was to lead them in battle. Israel needed Joshua, and Moses' presence in the camp would have divided the people's loyalty and distracted them from their new purpose.
A new purpose and mode of existence often requires new leadership, without implying anything negative about the old leadership.
Make no images of any kind to put between you and God. No crucifix, no statue, no medallion. The Israelites made the golden calf as a mediator in worshiping YHVH. They didn't think they were worshiping a different god. Don't do that!
Don't look to the spheres for spiritual guidance or protection either. The sun, moon, and stars were made for man's benefit but for God's purposes. They cannot disobey God. Although they speak to us in some ways, they neither control us nor heed us.
#deuteronomy 4:15-19, 5:8-10
#tencommandments #vaetchanan