Devarim 10 (Deuteronomy 10)
Devarim 10, Moshe will ascend the mountain for a second table of Ten Words to replace the first set he broke. Before Moshe ascends, he will carve two stones and build an Ark for the tables of stone. The events in Devarim 10 were initially recorded in Shemos 34. He will also discuss the death of Aharon which will not occur until the end of Bemidbar 20. Moshe will mention the separation of the tribe of Levites in the service of Yehovah. This occurred in Shemos 32. Moshe ends Devarim 10 by comparing the number of those that went down to Mitzrayim with those today. In all this, there are several lines of thought that Yehovah expresses as His desire for Yisrael. These are things we should take to heart and try to fulfill in every waking moment of this life for His glory.
Yehovah is used 21 times in Devarim 10.
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Second Set and the Ark
Second Set and the Ark
Devarim 10:1
1 At that time Yehovah said to me, Hew you two tables of stone like to the first, and come up to Me into the mount, and make you an ark of wood.
Moshe tells the Children of Yisrael that Yehovah had him cut two tables of stone similar to the ones that Yehovah cut for the first set of 10 Words. This had to be done because of Shemos 32:19.
19 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh to the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing and Moshe’s anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and broke them beneath the mount.
When Moshe saw what was occurring in the camp, he broke the first set of 10 Words. From the text, it appears as if Moshe threw the tables of stone on the ground. What remained of them after that is not spoken of again in Scriptures.
There is a belief that the pieces of the first set of 10 Words was eventually put in the Ark of the Covenant. This cannot be confirmed. Nor is there any indication in Scriptures that this occurred. Over the years, there has been speculation as to what happened to the pieces; however, it is all meaningless discussions. If we needed to know for sure, Yehovah would have told us.
Unlike the first set, Moshe is to carve the tables of stones and bring them up the mountain. Yehovah will again inscribe the Ten Words.
Additionally, Moshe is told to build an ark of wood to place the 10 Words in. This was different than the Ark that would eventually be built by Betzalel and Aholiav in Shemos 37. There is no previous mention of this Ark in Scriptures nor is there any mention what eventually happened to this temporary Ark.
On Our Hearts
On Our Hearts
Devarim 10:2
2 And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which you broke, and you shall put them in the Ark.
Yehovah intended to write on these tables the original words of the covenant. This should bring to mind, Yirmeyahu 31:31-34.
31 Behold, the days come, says Yehovah, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Yisrael, and with the house of Yehudah. 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Mitzrayim; which My covenant they broke. Although I was a husband to them, says Yehovah. 33 But this the covenant that I will make with the house of Yisrael; after those days, says Yehovah, I will put My Torah in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their Redeemer and they shall be My people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor and every man his brother, saying, know Yehovah. For they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says Yehovah. For I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more.
Similar to the first set that Moshe broke, the Children of Yisrael broke the covenant that they agreed to at Mount Sinay. They did and practically every generation that followed to this day. This did not mean Yehovah threw out the Covenant and all that was contained in it. Being smarter than many of us, Yehovah had Moshe carve a second set and Yehovah would write on this set of stone tables. This time Moshe had a vested interest in the final product.
The same is true in the New Covenant. We are responsible for our own growth. Just as Moshe brought the stone tables, we are to present ourselves to Yehovah. If we are willing, Yehovah will supernaturally write the Torah on our hearts. This is what He tells us in Yirmeyahu 31 and in 2 Corinthians 3:2-3.
2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men. 3 Manifestly declared to be the epistle of Messiah ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
We must understand that in the growth of the believer, there is both the divine and human element. We are to pursue the covenant with all our heart and all our soul. As we do that with a pure conscious, Yehovah will write Torah on our hearts. His power will flow through us to enable us to mature. This is the promise of the new covenant. If we pursue the covenant with all our heart and soul, Devarim 4:39-40.
39 Know therefore this day, and consider in your heart, that Yehovah He Redeemer in heaven above, and upon the land beneath, none else. 40 You shall keep therefore His statutes, and His commandments, which I command you this day, that it may go well with you, and with your children after you, and that you may prolong days upon the earth (adamah), which Yehovah your Redeemer gives you, for ever.
Then we will find that our time in the Kingdom will prosper and we will see good for our children.
Preferably, our obedience and maturity will happen in this lifetime. If required, it will in the next life to come, Yechezqel 11:17-20.
17 Therefore say, Thus says the Lord Yehovah; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Yisrael. 18 And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence. 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 a heart of flesh. 20 That they may walk in My statutes, and keep My judgments (mishpat), and do them. And they shall be My people, and I will be their Redeemer.
In the future, Yehovah will change all our hearts. He will take out the stony heart of our parents and place a new heart of flesh. One that desires to love Yehovah and His people.
Seriousness of the Word
Seriousness of the Word
Devarim 10:3-5
3 And I made an Ark shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like to the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in my hand. 4 And He wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the Ten Words, which Yehovah spoke to you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly and Yehovah gave them to me. 5 And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the Ark which I had made; and there they be, as Yehovah commanded me.
Moshe made the Ark as directed; however, little is known of the dimensions of this Ark. He then ascended the mountain and Yehovah wrote on the stone as He did at the first. Moshe comes down and places the stone tables in the Ark.
At this point, it is important to stop and acknowledge what just happened. Twice Yehovah writes with His own finger the ten words that are recorded in Shemos 20 and Devarim 5. Moshe was a witness to these two events. The Children of Yisrael heard Yehovah speak from the fire the very words that are recorded on the stone tables. Yet many who claim to follow the God of the Bible have the audacity to ignore these words as they please. They do not earnestly follow them with all their heart and all their souls.
There is coming a time when all of mankind will stand before God. It will be a time when many will have to own up to the fact that they were deficient in their observance of these 10 Words. There will be no excuse at that time. Many will realize that they did not choose wisely. Remember Hebrews 13:8.
8 Yeshua Messiah the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
The writing of the 10 Words should occur three times in a believers life. Once in Shemos 20, we hear the words. Second, we discuss the words of Devarim 5. Thirdly and most importantly, the words are written on our hearts eternally. To miss any of these events is to miss the best that Yehovah has for you in this lifetime and the one to follow.
Death of Aharon
Death of Aharon
Devarim 10:6
6 And the Children of Yisrael took their journey from Beerot of the children of Jaakan to Mosera. There Aharon died, and there he was buried; and Elazar his son ministered in the priest’s office in his stead.
It states that the Children of Yisrael were at Beerot of the children of Jaakan. It should actually be called Beerot-Bene-Yaaqan. It means well of the sons who oppress them. Where exactly this is located is not identified in Scriptures nor is it discussed anywhere else in the text. It may; however, be the same as Bene-Yaaqan in Bemidbar 33:32.
32 And they removed from Bene-Yaaqan, and encamped at Chor-Haggidgad.
That muddies where the Children of Yisrael traveled, since it states in Bemidbar 33:31.
31 And they departed from Moserot, and pitched in Bene-Yaaqan.
Moserot and Mosera come from the same Strong’s entry מוֹסֵרָה Moserah (H4149). However, it is not necessarily the same place.
Moshe tells the Children of Yisrael that Aharon died in Mosera. However, it states in Bemidbar 33:37-39.
37 And they removed from Qadesh, and pitched in mount Hor, in the edge of the land of Edom. 38 And Aharon the priest went up into Mount Hor at the commandment of Yehovah, and died there, in the fortieth year after the Children of Yisrael were come out of the land of Mitzrayim, in the first of the fifth month. 39 And Aharon a hundred and twenty and three years son when he died in mount Hor.
In Bemidbar 33, the location of Aharon’s death is Mount Hor. The first time Aharon death is recorded is in Bemidbar 20:25-29.
25 Take Aharon and Elazar his son, and bring them up to mount Hor. 26 And strip Aharon of his garments, and put them upon Elazar his son. And Aharon shall be gathered and shall die there. 27 And Moshe did as Yehovah commanded. And they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation. 28 And Moshe stripped Aharon of his garments, and put them upon Elazar his son; and Aharon died there in the top of the mount. And Moshe and Elazar came down from the mount. 29 And when all the congregation saw that Aharon was dead, they mourned for Aharon thirty days, all the house of Yisrael.
Both Bemidbar 33 and Bemidbar 20 record Aharon’s death in Mount Hor. There is the possibility that Mount Hor is located in the region of Mosera. Additionally, although Moserot and Mosera are the same Strong’s entry, it may be an error. Moserot and Mosera are probably two different places. The fact that the location of Aharon’s death could be in dispute is a minor issue. Once again if we need to know the exact location, we would be told.
We do not even know where Moshe was buried, Yehuda 9.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moshe, durst not bring against a railing accusation, but said, the Lord rebuke you.
Although there are many grave sites identified in Yisrael, these are unrealistic claims. These people were buried 1000s of years ago, since then the land has been in turmoil. It is doubtful that any of the ancient landmarks have remained to this day. Either way, it is doubtful that God would do much to preserve these. Yehovah wants us to focus on the unseen as opposed to the seen. Knowing the location of these grave sites does little to solidify our faith.
Devarim 10:7
7 From thence they journeyed to Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Yotvatah, a land of rivers (nachal) of waters.
Gudgodah means the slashing place. Yotvatah means pleasantness. It is recorded in the travels of Yisrael in Bemidbar 33:33-34.
33 And they went from Chor-Haggidgad, and pitched in Yotvata. 34 And they removed from Yotvata, and encamped at Avrona.
After Aharon died Elazar, his son, became High Priest. This was initially discussed in Bemidbar 20. Elazar would remain the High Priest from before the end of Moshe’s life to the end of Yehoshua in Yehoshua 24:33.
33 And Elazar the son of Aharon died; and they buried him in a hill Pinechas his son, which was given him in mount Efrayim.
Separation of the Levites
Separation of the Levites
Devarim 10:8
8 At that time Yehovah separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of Yehovah, to stand before Yehovah to minister to Him, and to bless in His name, to this day.
When it states at that time, it is referring to what occurred in Shemos 32 at the incident of the Golden Calf. This is when Moshe stated in Shemos 32:25-27.
25 And when Moshe saw that the people naked; for Aharon had made them naked to shame among their enemies. 26 Then Moshe stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who on Yehovah’s side? To me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him. 27 And he said to them, Thus says Yehovah Redeemer of Yisrael, Put every man his sword by his side, go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.
When Moshe called for the people who would stand with Yehovah that day, the Levities responded positively. Since that day, the Levites were separated from the remaining 11 tribes. The Levities no longer fell under the same class as the other Children of Yisrael. They chose to walk a different path.
Devarim 10:9
9 Wherefore Levi has no part nor inheritance with his brethren; Yehovah his inheritance, according as Yehovah your Redeemer promised him.
From that day forward the Levities were a different class of people. Their claim was not in the same inheritance as others. Whereas, others received the inheritance of the land, the seen; the Levities’ inheritance was Yehovah, the unseen.
Less Chosen Path
Less Chosen Path
Within Devarim 10 there are three significant events that all point towards the greater glory that we are to pursue. These are the:
· Second set of commandments, written on our hearts.
· Changing of the Priesthood, God has helped.
· Bearer of the Ark of the Covenant, to serve Yehovah.
All three of these represent a less chosen path and an inheritance in the unseen rather than the seen. It is a future inheritance rather than one in this lifetime. Similar to the inheritance of Matityahu 19:28-29.
28 And Yeshua said to them, Amen I say to you, That you which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one that has forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
As the Priesthood went from Aharon to Elazar, there was a change for us too. Aharon means light bringer. Whereas, Elazar means God has helped. Aharon represents the Father and Elazar represents the son. The Father has brought a great light to us, Matityahu 4:13-16.
13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zevulun and Naftali. 14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Yeshayahu the prophet, saying, 15 The land of Zevulun, and the land of Naftali, the way of the sea, beyond Yarden, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16 the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
The Father brought a great light to the people. It was more than just a light that brought salvation and freedom from sin. It was what was beyond the light that was so important, Matityahu 4:17.
17 From that time Yeshua began to preach, and to say, Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
The light was showing us the direction to walk. We were to walk towards the light to the Kingdom. However, few can survive the walk into the light because of the lifestyle they live. This is why the message begins with repent. We were to repent and follow Torah.
However, we have proven to be too weak to keep Torah. So God had sent the Son with the purpose of helping us keep Torah through the power of God. This is why Yochanan declared in Luke 3:16-17.
16 Yochanan answered, saying to all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I comes, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to unloose. He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 Whose fan in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and will gather the wheat into His garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
The Baptism of Fire and the Holy Spirit are not something that is once and done. One must be a servant. One must choose to bear the weight of the covenant. If we are to be like the Levites, we must chose our side and do the work that so few are willing to do.
The Levites chose to walk a different path that day at Mount Sinay. Today there are those in the faith that have chosen to walk this path. They have placed themselves on the Altar of Romans 12:1.
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, your reasonable service.
And they have taken up the cross of Luke 9:23.
23 And He said to all, If any will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
They have chosen the path of the least. They have chosen a path to serve rather than be served. These through the power of God are the ones the Torah is significantly written on their hearts. These are the few and silent ones. They do not pretend to be anything, but who they are. Their praise does not come from men, it comes from God, Romans 2:29.
29 But he a Yehudim, which is one inwardly; and circumcision of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter; whose praise not of men, but of God.
These understand what follows in the narrative of Moshe. These are the ones that cling to Yehovah with all their might and all their strength.
Enter the Land
Enter the Land
Devarim 10:10
10 And I stayed in the mount, according to the first time, forty days and forty nights; and Yehovah hearkened to me at that time also, Yehovah would not destroy you.
This represents the third time Moshe tells of fasting 40 days and 40 nights. Moshe previously spoke of this in Shemos 32:29-30.
29 For Moshe had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to Yehovah, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day. 30 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moshe said to the people, You have sinned a great sin and now I will go up to Yehovah; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.
After the Golden Calf incident, Moshe had told the people that he would go before Yehovah to intercede for them. They had committed a great sin. They had proven themselves to be abhorring to God. Not just because of the sin, but because others had allowed the sin to continue. There was not one worthy of Yehovah that day. All had fallen short of the glory, Shemos 32:30-32.
30 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moshe said to the people, You have sinned a great sin. And now I will go up to Yehovah; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. 31 And Moshe returned to Yehovah, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them redeemers of gold. 32 Yet now, if You will forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray You, out of Your book which You have written.
Moshe was willing to give himself for a people who were less worthy. This always seems to be the way in our faith. There must always be one willing, who is more worthy, for those who continue to abhor God. We can end this by not giving a reason for those who are worthy to have to sacrifice. We too can join the worthy.
Shemos 32:33-35.
33 And Yehovah said to Moshe, Whosoever has sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book. 34 Therefore now go, lead the people to of which I have spoken to you. Behold, My Messenger (malak) shall go before you. Nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. 35 And Yehovah plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aharon made.
There is something important in all this we need to recognize. Moshe was a shadow of the good things to come, Yeshua. Although we may have an intercessor as Yeshua, there is coming a time when we will have to answer for our sins. We can choose the substitutionary sacrifice, but do we understand what is required of us? We cannot freely sin and choose to remain outside the Kingdom. We will all eventually be ushered into that Kingdom. One will not simply pass through, because they have chosen Yeshua. To choose Yeshua is to choose a certain lifestyle. His people must comply with His lifestyle. We ought to understand what He requires of us.
From here the Children of Yisrael would eventually head towards the land. However, the transition to His Kingdom was just beginning.
Devarim 10:11
11 And Yehovah said to me, Arise, take journey before the people, that they may go in and possess the land, which I swore to their fathers to give to them.
Although stated as they were leaving just then, it would be almost 40 years later before they would enter in. They were about to begin a journey that not all would finish. It would be a time of testing and growth. Many would not survive what was ahead of them. Not because they were not capable, but because they would not receive of Yehovah, His ways, Tehilla 81:10-13.
10 I Yehovah your Redeemer, which brought you out of the land of Mitzrayim. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 11 But My people would not hearken to My voice; and Yisrael would none of Me. 12 So I gave them up to their own hearts’ lust, they walked in their own counsels. 13 Oh that My people had hearkened to Me, Yisrael had walked in My ways.
What is required of us is never that difficult. It is that we will not even try to walk in His ways consistently. We are so easily swayed by our lusts that we easily leave the path of His ways. When we refuse His ways, He will no longer cover us. As a result, we may find ourselves in a more desperate situation than before.
What Do I Require
What Do I Require
Devarim 10:12-13
12 And now, Yisrael, what does Yehovah your Redeemer require of you, but to fear Yehovah your Redeemer, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve Yehovah your Redeemer with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 to keep the commandments of Yehovah, and His statutes, which I command you this day for your good?
This is the simplicity of the faith. This is the question that so many ask, what should I do? Simply, we are to walk in His ways. It is contained above in the statements:
· Fear Yehovah your Redeemer.
· Walk in all His ways.
· To love Him.
· Serve Yehovah your Redeemer with all your heart and soul.
· Keep His commandments and statutes, He has commanded.
We are to fear and revere Yehovah above all, Tehilla 118:6.
6 Yehovah on my side; I will not fear. What can man (adam) do to me?
We are to place Yehovah above all things. We are to serve Him only. We are not to fear man. We must choose who we serve, God or family and friends. Or do we serve a doctrine above Yehovah’s word. So many of us serve others before Yehovah. We must fear and serve Him first and foremost.
The question we must ask ourselves, when faced with His ways are we willing? Or do we even know what His ways are?
Many would tell you to walk in His ways is to follow the Bible. That in itself may be a complex and torturous route. Considering that the Bible is held as the way by so many denominations, yet few agree on the path God has for us. Even in a single denomination there are disagreements. This is why there are new church splits every day. However, it is not as complex as it may seem.
We must start with a willingness and desire to walk His path for us. Then we remember that He said He would write it on our hearts. We are to love Him and serve Him with all our heart and soul. However, we must be wise because many would have us follow them rather than Him.
We must continue to ask Him and be willing for the answer. Then we never cease to pursue Him above all others. That even includes ourselves. This is the greatest of all stumbling blocks. If we do not learn to get beyond ourselves, we will serve sin indefinitely.
Notice that in Yehovah’s statement of what He desires of us, we are to keep the commandments and statutes. This is something few do. It is also something many have an answer as to why we do not need to. It seems odd that He is our God, yet we follow the traditions and teachings of men.
We claim to worship God, yet many have explanations why He does not mean what He said. That seems a little strange to me. It is as if a man deemed of special recognition or religious status can invalidate a God that created the universe. Many times the individuals that make these decisions have been placed in these positions based on the will of a group of people. That goes against the very words of God in Shemos 23:2.
2 You shall not follow a multitude to evil; neither shall you speak in a cause to decline after many to pervert justice.
Besides which, why would we listen to teachings against the commandments, when God tells us to do the commandments and statutes for our good? It would be silly to go against the advice of God. However, that is what many seem to do today.
Devarim 10:14-15
14 Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens Yehovah’s your Redeemer, the land, with all that therein. 15 Only Yehovah had a delight in your fathers to love them, and He chose their seed after them, you above all people, as this day.
Moshe reminds us that Yehovah chose us based on the love for our fathers. We should not take this lightly. We really have done little to merit God’s favor. Our fathers did all the work. We benefit from that work if we walk in Yehovah’s ways as they did. They were unceasing in their commitment to Yehovah. They walked with Yehovah when no one else did. That is our challenge today.
Circumcise Your Hearts
Circumcise Your Hearts
Devarim 10:16
16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked.
This is where things get a little complicated. Yehovah tells us to circumcise our hearts, but He does not tell us how to do this. Yet, He tells us in Devarim 30:5-6.
5 And Yehovah your Redeemer will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will do you good, and multiply you above your fathers. 6 And Yehovah your Redeemer will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your seed, to love Yehovah your Redeemer with all your heart, and with all your soul, that you may live.
We have started to come back into the land; however, God is yet to circumcise our hearts. He will complete the task in the future, we are to start the process today. Still He does not tell us how to. However, what can be understood from this is; circumcision of the heart will result in loving Yehovah with all our heart and soul. Circumcision of the heart leads to an individual living in Him. In addition, there is a tie between circumcision of the heart and Devarim 30:8.
8 And you shall return and obey the voice of Yehovah, and do all His commandments which I command you this day.
Circumcision of the heart relates to obeying Yehovah’s voice and doing His commandments. Since this is written in Torah, there is no doubt what commandments He is referring to. The question is, why would we think any of this would change in the future?
The best we have for clearly defining circumcision of the heart and the process to accomplish such a thing is in the Beriyt Chadasha. Starting with Romans 2:25.
25 For circumcision verily profits, if you keep the law. But if you be a breaker of the law, your circumcision is made uncircumcision.
Paul brings up an interesting point here. Whether one is Yehudim born or someone else does not matter. If one is circumcised yet does not keep the law, Paul is telling us it will do little good. There is no point in circumcision if one does not keep Torah. Circumcision is the sign of the covenant, keeping the commandments is the commitment to the covenant. If one does not keep the commandments, it is as if they never were circumcised. The opposite is true too, Romans 2:26.
26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
This is something we should keep in mind. God is not looking for people to be circumcised, He is looking for us to walk in His ways and keep His commandments. If you keep the righteousness of the law whether you are circumcised or not will not matter. Keeping the righteousness of the law will be viewed by God as being circumcised. Long ago, Yehovah told Shemuel in 1 Shemuel 16:7.
7 But Yehovah said to Shemuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him. For not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but Yehovah looks on the heart.
Too many are concerned with outward appearances today. However, God looks deep into one’s heart. That determines who the person is, Romans 2:27.
27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge you, who by the letter and circumcision does transgress the law?
For the person who fulfills the law, they are counted as circumcised. They will judge those who were circumcised and did not keep the law. The outward does not determine one’s righteousness. It is what one does on a continuing basis that determines their righteousness. This is why Paul stated in Galatians 5:2.
2 Behold, I Paul say to you, that if you be circumcised, Messiah shall profit you nothing.
Paul did not state that circumcision was bad, he was stating that circumcision in itself does not prove anything. Many would tell you if you get circumcision then Galatians 5:3-4 is true.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Messiah is become of no effect to you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; you are fallen from grace.
They are correct if you only do the law out of obligation. The law is to be done through the spirit and not of works. Just as we are all circumcised by Messiah, Colossians 2:10-11.
10 And you are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power (exousia). 11 In whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Messiah.
Unfortunately this is difficult for many to understand. As we are spiritually circumcised, we are spiritually committed to fulfilling the righteousness of Torah. Beside, if Paul really thought the law was wrong, why did He write in Romans 7:12-14.
12 Wherefore the law holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 13 Was then that which is good made death to me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.
The problem is, people really do not read to understand Paul’s words. They read to find a way to continue in the rebellion that they have been taught from their youth. Paul tells us the law and commandments are holy. One would think a holy people would do those things that are considered holy, Romans 2:28.
28 For he is not a Yehudim, which is one outwardly; neither circumcision, which is outward in the flesh.
What is being stated here has to be understood from what Paul stated about circumcision and righteousness of the law. Whether or not one is considered a Yehudim is not based on a single physical act. It is related to a lifestyle of keeping the righteousness of the law. Paul goes on to define a Yehudim in Romans 2:29 with an additional correlation.
29 But he a Yehudim, which is one inwardly; and circumcision of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter; whose praise not of men, but of God.
So many seem to be adverse to being a Yehudim or Jew. Neither Paul nor the Apostles of the First Century had this same prejudice. We must take time to understand why Paul explains all this.
It is interesting that Paul went from what so many thought is physical circumcision to an inward condition. He had stated if you keep the righteousness of the law, it is as if your uncircumcision is circumcision. However, Paul was never speaking of purely physical circumcision. He was referring to circumcision of the heart.
One might wonder, with so many people adverse to the law, why would performing the law have to do with circumcision of the heart? Yehovah stated in the New Covenant in Yirmeyahu 31:33.
33 But this the covenant that I will make with the house of Yisrael; after those days, says Yehovah, I will put My Torah in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their Redeemer and they shall be My people.
Keeping the law, Torah, was one of the outgrowths of the New Covenant. It was an indication of the maturity of the individual in new birth. One who keeps the law out of desire rather than obligation would be considered more mature. Paul then asks in Romans 3:1.
1 What advantage then has the Yehudim? Or what profit of circumcision?
Do not think that Paul is asking for your opinion. This is a rhetorical question. He will answer for himself in Romans 3:2.
2 Much every way, chiefly, because that to them were committed the oracles of God.
The understanding of the word has been committed to those that have circumcision of the heart. If you ever wonder why so few can explain Scriptures properly, so few have circumcision of the heart.
If you want to understand more, it is time for you to pursue circumcision of the heart, Romans 8:4.
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
When we absolutely walk in the Spirit, the righteous of the law, Torah, will be a lifestyle. We are to pursue with a pure heart. When we do this our heart will become circumcised.
Bribe God
Bribe God
Devarim 10:17
17 For Yehovah your Redeemer, Redeemer of redeemers, and Lord of lords, a great God (el), a mighty, and a terrible, which regards not persons, nor takes reward.
This is an interesting statement to make in the midst of the discussion of circumcision of the heart. It is hard to believe that anyone would try to sway God with a gift or some other thing of value. However, remember this is God; we ought to take this to heart. There may be a greater possibility that this occurs more often than we realize. The fact is, many attempt to do this more often than is acknowledged.
For the most part, many ignore God when things are going well for them. They figure that things are going well why bother God. He has plenty of things to be concerned about. Then when things are going bad and all else fails, it is time to call out to God. It is never surprising how many lukewarm believers will all of a sudden be on fire when they need God. This is when Devarim 10:17 will start to come into play. People will start to tithe more and even go to church more. Some will pray endlessly or so it seems. They are trying to move the hand of God. However, these do not affect Him, because as He stated, He cannot be bought.
God is looking for the one that is consistent in their approach to God. Those that demonstrate that they have the circumcision of the heart and a commitment that is growing with each day they live.
If we want to move God in a situation, there is really only one thing that will do this, Yaaqov 5:16.
16 Confess faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous avails much.
It is the prayer of the righteous individual that matters to God. This is because these are the ones that know God’s will. These are the ones that have God’s attention, because these are the ones who serve Yehovah out of a pure heart. These are those that have a lifestyle of righteousness as opposed to the appearance of being righteous when they need God.
We need God all the time, many of us just do not realize it. As such, we should be righteous all the time so that we could enter the throne room of grace and obtain the help when we need it. Which is all the time. If we would serve Him unfailingly, we might start to see Him give the help we need unfailingly.
Remember what is required of us, Devarim 10:12-13.
12 And now, Yisrael, what does Yehovah your Redeemer require of you, but to fear Yehovah your Redeemer, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve Yehovah your Redeemer with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 to keep the commandments of Yehovah, and His statutes, which I command you this day for your good?
We are to keep His word. We must be as zealous as He is zealous for righteousness. Our ways only matter if they are His ways.
Orphan, Widow & Stranger
Orphan, Widow & Stranger
Devarim 10:18
18 He does execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loves the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.
We must never be so focused on ourselves that we forget the fatherless, widow and stranger. To not forget them, we should understand who these are today.
The fatherless or the orphans are actually believers who have lost their way. They are authentic believers that somehow got themselves mixed up in a community of unlike-minded people. Unlike those that pretend without realizing that they are pretending. These are the tares Yeshua spoke about in Matityahu 13:37-39.
37 He answered and said to them, He that sows the good seed is the Son of man; 38 the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the Kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked; 39 the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age (aion); and the reapers are the messengers (aggelos).
The tares have been with us for so long that they go unnoticed in the faith. They are a major deterrent to the truth of the Gospel and have brought in heresy in a variety of ways. They have fulfilled Yeshayahu 5:20-23 in many unsuspecting believers.
20 Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. 21 Woe to wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight. 22 Woe to mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink. 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him.
Today, many are confused as to what truth is. We are called today to help deliver truth to these fatherless.
The widows are those that have wandered so far that they no longer know the living God. They are disconnected from Resurrection Life of Yeshua. They are powerless and live an almost dead existence. They fail to see the God of Yochanan 11:25-26.
25 Yeshua said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life. He that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. 26 And whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Believe you this?
The widows are the believers that have lost the connection to the risen one. They are believers but know not of the power of resurrection life.
Then there are the strangers. These are the ones that believe yet are not saved. They may claim to be believers; however, they do not have 1 Peter 1:23.
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever.
They act like believers and may even attend church, but do not yet have the incorruptible seed. They are similar to Cornellius prior to meeting with Peter. There are so many of these.
Yehovah watches over these and keeps them in a partial covering for the time when the full realization will come. The latest would be in the Restitution of All Things.
The question is, what can we do for these people to bring them to the faith? We need to do the same thing they did in the First Century. The very thing Paul said our faith should be based on 1 Corinthians 2:4-5.
4 And my speech and my preaching not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
No amount of rhetoric will ever change the condition of these people. They are in a spiritual condition that will require the healing of Matityahu 13:14-16.
14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Yeshayahu, which says, By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive. 15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with eyes, and hear with ears, and should understand with heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed your eyes, for they see and your ears, for they hear.
We will only reach these through the power of God.
Devarim 10:19
19 Love you therefore the stranger. For you were strangers in the land of Mitzrayim.
Until we reach them through the power of God, we should love them. However, if we really loved them; we would pursue the power of God with all our heart and all our souls.
Fear, Serve, Cleave, Swear
Fear, Serve, Cleave, Swear
Devarim 10:20
20 You shall fear Yehovah your Redeemer; Him shall you serve, and to Him shall you cleave, and swear by His name.
This expresses the total relationship between a righteous believer and Yehovah.
We are to fear Him in all ways. We should fear His presence. Not that we do not want to be before Him. We fear that we have failed to live up to His expectations for us. We fear Him in total reverence and give the due respect He deserves.
We are to serve Him as the Apostles of the First Century did, Acts 6:4.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
And in Acts 13:2-3.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent away.
To simply give ourselves over to prayer and the word may not necessarily serve Yehovah. It is a start, but there is so much more we need to do. It starts when we have a pure heart and pure motives. Then we can learn to serve Him acceptably.
We need to cleave to Yehovah as in Devarim 30:20.
20 That you may love Yehovah your Redeemer, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cleave to Him. For He your life, and the length of your days. That you may dwell in the land which Yehovah swore to your fathers, to Avraham, to Yitzchaq and to Yaaqov to give them.
To cleave to Him is to become as one with Him. When He moves, we are to be in perfect alignment with Him. This can only happen if we are continually in communion with Him. This requires placing everything else on hold and tightly adhering to Him. We must hang onto Him because He is the only thing that brings life to us.
Finally we are to swear by Him. This means we only speak what He speaks and only do what He would do. We do not foolishly speak in vanity. We say the things He would have us say and are silent unless told to speak.
Devarim 10:21
21 He your praise, and He your Redeemer, that has done for you these great and terrible things, which your eyes have seen.
We praise Him and only Him. He is the beginning and the end of all our thoughts. We praise Him not only in word, but in what we do. We bring praise to Him by the things we say and do.
Devarim 10:22
22 Your fathers went down into Mitzrayim with seventy souls (nefesh); and now Yehovah your Redeemer has made you as the stars of heaven for multitude.
We should never forget that 255 years from this time in Devarim, 70 were in Mitzrayim. Those 70 became almost 3 million standing at the Yarden River. Yehovah took a small group and transformed them into a nation that would cleanse the land. As He has done for them, He will do for us, Philippians 1:6.
6 Being confident of this very thing, that He which has begun a good work in you will perform until the day of Yeshua Messiah.
As with all believers, He started with a rebellious individual and plans to bring them to the point of righteousness. We can work with Him or against Him. It is our choice, but know this He will accomplish a good work in all of us.
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