Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25; Isaiah 49:14-51:3; Romans 8:31-39
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As we study this week's Parsha we continue to read Moshe's words of encouragement to the Children of Israel. In chapter 7 verses 17-21 we read the following
"If you think to yourselves, 'These nations outnumber us; how can we dispossess them?' nevertheless, you are not to be afraid of them; you are to remember well what ADONAI your God did to Pharaoh and all of Egypt - the great ordeals which you yourself saw, and the signs, wonders, strong hand and outstretched arm by which ADONAI your God brought you out. ADONAI will do the same to all the peoples of whom you are afraid. Moreover, ADONAI your God will send the hornet among them until those who are left and those who hide themselves perish ahead of you. You are not to be frightened of them, because ADONAI your God is there with you, a God great and fearsome."I know in my life as a believer in Messiah Yeshua there have been many times when I came upon a problem or situation that I thought to myself, "there is no way I can win this battle." It is at those times when I think about this group of verses reminding me that it is not up to me to win this victory, it is up to me to serve G-D with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and to let Him fight the battles. My faithfulness to G-D is what is required. G-D is always faithful to us. Last week we were blessed to hear some of the things G-D has been doing in the lives of those who worship with us. Those things that were shared are only the tip of the iceberg compared to all G-D is doing for us at Brit Ahm and they are also just the beginning of what G-D will do if we continue to be faithful to Him.
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This week's Parsha begins with the promise given by G-D to the Children of Israel that their reward for obedience would be overwhelming blessings from G-D. Verse 17 says 'If thou shalt say in thy heart: 'These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?'. Even after all that the Children of Israel had been through G-D understood that in their humanity they would come to times in their lives when they would question their ability to do what G-D told them they would be able to do. Verse 18 tells the Israelites what to do if these doubts arose. 'thou shalt not be afraid of them; thou shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt:' G-D spoke to them and told them that even if they were doubting their own abilities they should just think back to their deliverance from Egypt and how it was not their own power that delivered them, but G-D's miraculous power that provided their rescue. It is the same in our lives today. We are going to come to places in our lives where we question our ability to do all that G-D has told us to do. At these time we have only to look at what G-D has already done both for us and for all believers in Him throughout history. Then we will understand that He only expects us to do what we are able to do and He will do the rest. The Children of Israel had to pack up and prepare to leave Egypt and then start walking. They did not have to part the Red Sea. Likewise, we are only required to do what we are physically able to do. G-D will handle the supernatural. This is not a license to not try; this is a proclamation that G-D will not ask of us more then He knows we are able to do. Once we understand this and set out in our hearts to do all we can we will see the Hand of G-D part our Red Seas.
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This week’s Parsha begins with some amazing promises. These promises were given to Israel and they are wonderful! As we read through them we find that G-D made a promise to bless Israel. As we look into the list of promises, health and financial blessings abound. However, the first word of the Parsha sets a focus point that is vital to understanding these promises. The word is “Because”. It sets the tone of the entire blessing and also sets the parameters to receive these blessings. All of us would love to be on the receiving end of this list of blessings. It is also evident that G-D wants to give them to us. Whether we receive these blessings hinges on our listening to, keeping and obeying these rulings. As we study the Parsha this week let’s think about the opportunity that G-D has placed before us and decide if we are willing to open the door to these blessings by listening to, keeping and obeying Torah.