Devarim 11 (Deuteronomy 11)
Devarim 11, Moshe tells the Children of Yisrael that they are to love Yehovah and keep His charge. Several times in Devarim 11, Moshe tells the Children of Yisrael to keep all the commandments. He clarifies that He is speaking to the Second Generation out of Mitzrayim and not their children. They had seen the miracles, power and chastisement of God. They saw what God did in Mitzrayim, at the Red Sea, all that happened in the wilderness and to Datan and Aviram. He tells them to keep the commandments and be strong to possess the land. The land they are going into is a good land. If they serve God, the land will produce for them and no enemy will be able to stand against them. He warns them not to be deceived and serve other gods. If they do, they will not be blessed. He repeats parts of Devarim 6. He tells them about the blessing and curse and they are to put these on Mount Gerizim and Mount Eval. He repeats that they are to observe all statutes and judgments.
Yehovah is used 18 times in Devarim 11.
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Shall Love Yehovah
Shall Love Yehovah
Devarim 11:1
1 Therefore you shall love Yehovah your Redeemer, and keep His charge (mishmeret), and His statutes, and His judgments, and His commandments, all the days (kal hayyamiym).
Right away Moshe starts off with a command to love Yehovah. That seems simple enough until one considers what it means to love Yehovah. Throughout history many have claimed to love God. However, what does that mean?
The unfortunate thing is, our understanding of love is often incomplete and sometimes extremely selfish. We all seek love on some level, but are never sure what it is. Our definition is typically based on our life experiences and needs. Love is a difficult term to define. This makes it difficult to love God. So we must look to God for a definition of love. How He defines love is really the determining factor for loving Him.
If you asked the average believer to define love based on the Bible, they would more than likely go to 1 Corinthians 13:4-8A.
4 Love suffers long, is kind; love envies not; love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, 5 does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; 6 rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails.
Many use this as a definition for love. As a matter of fact, it is often used in wedding ceremonies. There is probably nothing wrong with any of that, but it is an incomplete definition of love. Further this passage is in the midst of a discussion of the power of the Holy Spirit. It actually has more to do with ministering Spiritual Gifts rather than just love between a man and woman. It is how we should operate in the Holy Spirit when ministering to others. This in itself is incomplete when considering how to love Yehovah.
Another place believers use for a definition of love is 2 Yochanan 6.
6 And this is love, that we walk after His commandments. This is the commandment, that, as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
Again this is a partial definition. It only focusses on the individual and their duty. Love has other aspects to it. To complete this thought, one might go to 1 Yochanan 5:2-3.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not grievous.
This brings the body of believers into the definition of love. Again, this in itself, is still incomplete. If we take all these and put them together we might be closer. However, it is interesting what Yeshua discussed with Peter after the resurrection, Yochanan 21:15-17.
15 So when they had dined, Yeshua said to Simon Peter, Simon of Yona, love (agapao) Me more than these? He said to Him, Yes, Lord; You know that I love (phileo) You. He said to him, Feed (bosko) My lambs (arnion). 16 He said to him again the second time, Simon of Yona, love (agapao) Me? He said to Him, Yes, Lord; You know that I love (phileo) You. He said to him, Tend (poimaino) My sheep (probaton). 17 He said to him the third time, Simon of Yona, love (phileo) Me? Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, Love (phileo) you Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know all things; You know that I love (phileo) You. Yeshua said to him, Feed (bosko) My sheep (probaton).
Three times Yeshua asks Peter about love. The first time Yeshua asked Peter “Love Me more than these?” This is a question of love as a comparison to others. Yeshua knew what He was asking. To love someone more than others may not mean much. To answer a question without considering what one is asking is foolish. We are not to love God better than others love God, we are to love God above all other things. There is a difference. One is a selfish comparison. The second is about us and what we value. The first focusses on the individual, the second focuses on the object of our love. It demonstrates a willingness to love. It is when we are more focused on what we love than our own selfish motives.
The next two times Yeshua simply asked “Love Me?” However, in the Greek these are two different question. One is a love of obligation and duty. The other is a love of natural affection.
Yeshua had told Peter to prove His love, by doing the thing that Yeshua did for Him. To raise up disciples as Yeshua commanded us. This is a long and drawn out process. It requires one accomplished in teaching, who is able to help cleanses others so they too can actually walk as Messiah walked. This requires interaction between a skilled teacher and a willing student over an extended period of time. This is the task set before us. We are to help our spiritual children mature and become effective for God’s glory.
It takes one that unceasingly pursues righteousness through the Spirit and Truth always fulfilling love. This is the one that is transitioning from fellow laborer to fellow soldier.
What Yeshua was asking would test Peter beyond the breaking point. Not only was Peter to teach, he was to protect. This can prove to be more difficult that many imagine.
When we think of love, we must do what is necessary to help those God has entrusted us with. Often this is a thankless job with little if any return to an individual’s emotional bank account from others. The real return comes when we raise up one more to worship together in a body of believers and this individual returns love to God. This is love.
This is the launching point to understanding love. We must love over an extended period of time and maturing our love. As we grow through the years and interact with God and others, we will eventually know love as He would define love. Love is something we strive for in every moment. If we are to love, then we must understand that love is a journey over a treacherous road filled with enduring darkness and sudden rays of enlighten.
Keep His Charge
Keep His Charge
Devarim 11:1
1 Therefore you shall love Yehovah your Redeemer, and keep His charge (mishmeret), and His statutes, and His judgments, and His commandments, all the days (kal hayyamiym).
Charge comes from the Hebrew word מִשְׁמֶרֶת mishmeret (H4931). It is in the Bible 78 times. מִשְׁמֶרֶת mishmeret (H4931) is translated charge 50 times, ward 9 times, watch 7 times, keep 7 times, ordinance 3 times, offices 1 time and safeguard 1 time. It refers to those who guard or an obligation. It often refers to the priestly or Levitical service itself, what is being done or duties themselves. It suggests both regularly prescribed acts and obligations. Possibly a divine obligation.
מִשְׁמֶרֶת mishmeret (H4931) is the feminine form of מִשְׁמָר mishmar (H4929).
מִשְׁמָר mishmar (H4929) is in the Bible 22 times. It is translated ward 12 times, watch 4 times, guard 3 times, diligence 1 time, offices 1 time and prison 1 time.
The majority of the uses of מִשְׁמָר mishmar (H4929) refers to a place where one is confined as in Bereishis 40:3.
3 And he put them in ward (mishmar) in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Yosef bound.
And in Vayyiqra 24:12.
12 And they put him in ward (mishmar), that the mouth (peh) of Yehovah might be showed them.
The second use of מִשְׁמָר mishmar (H4929) refers to a guard post, Nechemya 4:9.
9 Nevertheless we made our prayer to (el) our Redeemer, and set a watch (mishmar) against them day and night, because of them.
In Nechemya 4:22-23.
22 Likewise at the same time said I to the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Yerushalayim, that in the night they may be a guard (mishmar) to us, and labor on the day. 23 So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard (mishmar) which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, every one put them off for washing.
And in Nechemya 7:3.
3 And I said to them, Let not the gates of Yerushalayim be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar. And appoint watches (mishmeret) of the inhabitants of Yerushalayim, man (iysh) in his watch (mishmar), and man (iysh) over against his house.
The third way מִשְׁמָר mishmar (H4929) is used is to refer to a division of service, generally of the temple service, such as Nechemya 12:24.
24 And the head (rosh) of the Levites, Chashavya, Sherevya, and Yeshua the son of Qadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise, to give thanks, according to the commandment of Daviyd the man of Redeemer, ward (mishmar) over against ward (mishmar).
And in Nechemya 13:14.
14 Remember me, my Redeemer, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my Redeemer, and for the offices (mishmar) thereof.
General speaking, מִשְׁמָר mishmar (H4929) is referring to a prison either literally or figuratively. Service can be considered a prison or boundary one stays within.
מִשְׁמֶרֶת mishmeret (H4931) is somewhat different than מִשְׁמָר mishmar (H4929). מִשְׁמֶרֶת mishmeret (H4931) is typically used as a noun. It refers to an obligation or services. It is used in two principle senses. The first is an “obligation” or a “service” to be performed. The second has to do with something that is to be kept or preserved, such as the Paschal lamb in Shemos 12:6.
6 And you shall keep (mishmeret) it up until the fourteenth day of the same month and the whole assembly of the congregation of Yisrael shall kill it in the evening.
The manna in Shemos 16:32-34.
32 And Moshe said, This the word (davar) which Yehovah commands, Fill an omer of it to be kept (mishmeret) for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Mitzrayim. 33 And Moshe said to Aharon, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before Yehovah, to be kept (mishmeret) for your generations. 34 As Yehovah commanded Moshe, so Aahron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept (mishmeret).
Or the ashes of the red heifer in Bemidbar 19:9.
9 And a man clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept (mishmeret) for the congregation of the Children of Ysrael for a water of separation (niddah). It a purification for sin (chattaah).
These are more specific to an item; however, these essentially represent a service or an obligation.
מִשְׁמֶרֶת mishmeret (H4931) often is used to represent a more abstract idea than מִשְׁמָר mishmar (H4929). Whereas mishmar means the structure or place, מִשְׁמֶרֶת mishmeret (H4931) refers to the service or obligation itself. מִשְׁמֶרֶת mishmeret (H4931) suggests both a regularly prescribed act and obligation. This can be a divine obligation or service in general. As in its first use in Bereishis 26:5.
5 Because that Avraham obeyed My voice, and kept (shamar) My charge (mishmeret), My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.
As for its use in Devarim 11:1, there is a particular service that even the average Yisraeli or believer must fulfill. This is contained in the statutes, judgments and commandments. This is why we must endeavor to understand Torah with all our heart and soul.
In Devarim 11:1, “all the days” (formerly always) is the Hebrew phrase כָּל־הַיָּמִים. It is two Hebrew words כֹּל kol (H3605) and יוֹם yom 3117. כֹּל kol (H3605) means all, whereas יוֹם yom (H3117) means day. This refers to an obligation that an individual is to fulfill every day or all days. We have obligations that we are to fulfill everyday. It can be as simple as loving Yehovah every day. We cannot turn from our obligations at any time, it defines who we are. If we turn from our obligations, we could be potentially guilty of not loving Yehovah and loving another.
These obligations are not to give us something to do or to keep us busy. They are there to help us become the people we should be. If we would follow them diligently each day, we would eventually fulfill Shemos 19:5-6.
5 Now therefore, if you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure to Me above all people. For all the lands Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a Kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These the words which you shall speak to the Children of Yisrael.
The charge is throughout Torah. It will take time, study and meditation to identify the various obligations. Or one could obtain a book that lists these. However, this would limit an individual in many ways. In the end, they would not be able to fulfill their charge with love. Growth comes to the one who endeavors to study the Scriptures both own their own and to share with a community of like-minded believers. On our own, we will never achieve the maturity that Yehovah desires of us. Further, reading books only leads to Qohelet 12:12.
12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished, of making many books no end; and much study a weariness of the flesh.
To study these books would actually draw one from Torah and wear them out. In the end, they would be further from Yehovah than when they started. It is in our diligence to study Torah and share in a community of like-minded believers that will promote our growth.
Personal Experience
Personal Experience
Devarim 11:2
2 And know you this day, for not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the instruction (musar) of Yehovah your Redeemer, His greatness, His mighty hand, and His stretched out arm,
Moshe is speaking with the Second Generation out of Mitzrayim. He is telling them that their children did not experience the instructions of Yehovah nor Yehovah’s greatness. This was something the Second Generation personally experienced. It was something they were to teach to their children all their days. From this, there is an obligation to future generations.
We were not there either; however, there is an obligation for us and every generation. We must learn what occurred and its meaning. We are to teach this to the next generation. We are to experience His Spirit and power in our lives. We are to teach this to our children, our experiences and that they should experience His Spirit and power in their lives. Then we are to teach them to repeat this pattern and teach the next generation. This process is to be taught to each succeeding generation. This is expressed in our salvation in Hebrews 2:3-4.
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them that heard; 4 God also bearing witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
Our own salvation is authenticated by two things. First it is confirmed to us by those that heard. This is accomplished through the Apostles doctrine, the Beriyt Chadasha, Yochanan 17:20.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word;
First we believe on Yeshua through the word. This we learn on our own and are taught in a community of like-minded believers. From there, we apply and teach succeeding generations.
The second is God also bearing witness to us through signs and wonders, different miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit. This is not just for those that believe that the gifts are for today. This is for all believers, Paul tells us in 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.
All should experience miracles. If you have not, then this brings your salvation into question based on Scriptures. As we experience this for salvation, we are to experience this for every part of our lives as believers. It is the personal experience of our faith. We have the authenticated word and His power moving through our lives. We are to experience this and teach others to learn, experience and teach.
Worship Him At All Times
Worship Him At All Times
Devarim 11:2-3
2 And know you this day, for not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement of Yehovah your Redeemer, His greatness, His mighty hand, and His stretched out arm, 3 And His miracles, and His acts, which He did in the midst of Mitzrayim to Pharaoh the king of Mitzrayim, and to all his land;
The Second Generation has seen both the miracles that brought them forth out of Mitzrayim and what occurred in the wilderness journey. These were beyond anything that man could produce. These were undeniable supernatural moves of Yehovah. These have become the foundation of our faith. They are to be related to each subsequent generation. This is not something we must prove, it is something that we know to be true. We need no validation from another. We are to teach them as truth, because they are true.
Devarim 11:4
4 And what He did to the army of Mitzrayim, to their horses, and to their chariots; how He made the water of the Red Sea to overflow them as they pursued after you, and Yehovah has destroyed them to this day;
Part of this is what occurred in the Red Sea. This is an event we need to keep in our hearts. Not just because Yehovah parted the sea and Yisrael walked on dry land to the other side. We need to remember it because of what it did for the people. This completely annihilated the enemies of Yisrael. This type of protection occurred in Shemos 17:11.
11 And it came to pass, when Moshe held up his hand, that Yisrael prevailed. And when he let down his hand, Amaleq prevailed.
We remember both of these events because it was not in the strength of Moshe, Yehoshua or the Children of Yisrael, but in the praise of the people, Tehilla 22:2-3.
2 My Redeemer, I call (qara) in the daytime, but You hear not; and in the night season, and am not silent. 3 But You holy, that inhabits the praises of Yisrael.
It is not in our cries and calls that Yehovah comes to our rescue. It is in the consistent praise and worship of righteous individuals. It is when we go forward in faith that is mixed with the Word, we see the power of God move in our midst. The Second Generation learned this lesson, as we should too. Never forget to worship Yehovah as they did in Shemos 15:11-13.
11 Who like to You Yehovah, among the gods (el)? Who like You, glorious in holiness, fearful praises, doing wonders? 12 You stretch out Your right hand, the land swallowed them. 13 You in Your mercy has led forth the people You have redeemed. You have guided in Your strength to Your holy habitation.
We should praise and worship from beginning to end and throughout the journey. We should do this not for what He does for us, but because of who He is. He first loved us; that is sufficient for our praise and worship all times, 1 Yochanan 4:19.
19 We love him, because He first loved us.
Worship Him at all times, walk in His ways and nothing will impede us in His plans and purposes. All that will happen will be for our good.
Beyond Mankind
Beyond Mankind
Devarim 11:5-6
5 And what He did to you in the wilderness, until you came into this place; 6 and what He did to Datan and Aviram, the sons of Eliav, the son of Reuven. How the land opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households, and their tents, and all the substance that in their possession, in the midst of all Yisrael.
We must learn the lesson of Datan and Aviram. We cannot worship Yehovah as we please. We cannot assume authority because we want to. We must be chosen of Him, Hebrews 5:4.
4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he that is called of God, as Aharon.
We must not be as Datan and Aviram, we can not assume authority. We must wait for the call from Yehovah as they did in the First Century, Acts 13:1-3.
1 Now there were in the assembly that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work which I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent away.
We must wait on Yehovah both for our calling and direction. Neither can we assume. If we do, then we go forward without His protection and prospering. If we do, then we will be guilty of dead works.
There is coming a time when those who choose their own way will find that their works will be consumed in the Fires of Baptism. Some may even be swallowed up into the earth. There will be nothing left of them. All dead works will come to nought. We need to learn the lesson of the journey that only His ways can be our ways.
Therefore Your Charge
Therefore Your Charge
Devarim 11:7
7 But your eyes have seen all the great acts of Yehovah which He did.
As the Second Generation experienced all these things, we are to know them in our hearts. These events are to become as real to us as our own existence. Without these, we are no better than the heathens. Paul reminds us of these in 1 Corinthians 10:11-12.
11 Now all these things happened to them for examples. And they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the age (aion) are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
If we do not learn from these and keep them in our hearts, we will fail as surely as the First Generation out of Mitzrayim did. They serve as the basis for what follows.
Devarim 11:8-9
8 Therefore shall you keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that you may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither you go to possess it; 9 and that you may prolong days in the earth (adamah), which Yehovah swore to your fathers to give to them and to their seed, a land that flows with milk and honey.
Regardless of anything else we may think or be taught, Torah is for today. All that is contained in it is for us to learn and fulfill. It brings forth life in us and our children. Yeshua told us in Matityahu 5:19.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whosoever shall do and teach, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
We are to do and teach. Yehovah and His Messiah tells us this very clearly. Who are you going to believe the Creator of all the universe or some man. Choose wisely, because many have gone the wide path to destruction.
Moshe tells them and us that the commandments will makes us strong in the sight of all others. It will enable us to possess the land. Wherever we travel it will prolong our days. Not just in length, it will prolong the quality of our lives. Our lives will be as the land of Yisrael, it will flow with milk and honey. Just as Yeshua told us in Yochanan 7:38-39.
38 He that believes on Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet; because that Yeshua was not yet glorified.
If we would do these, then from us would flow blessings for others. Just as it did in the First Century.
Flowing of the Spirit
Flowing of the Spirit
Devarim 11:10
10 For the land, whither you go in to possess it, not as the land of Mitzrayim, from whence you came out, where you sowed your seed, and watered with your foot, as a garden of herbs.
The land that the Second Generation was going to was not like the land they came from. The same is true of us, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory; 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen temporal; but the things which are not seen eternal.
What we had been before is less than what we will be in the future. As we gather together in righteousness, we look towards the greater glory that awaits us all as one body, Chaggay 2:9.
9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, says Yehovah of hosts. And in this place will I give peace, says Yehovah of hosts.
And like the Second Generation, we will not be able to enter in until we start to do Matityahu 6:33.
33 But seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
We must seek His Kingdom and His righteousness. That does not mean we wander the earth. We are to search the Scriptures for the roadmap of the Spirit. We are to locate our personal charge through His word and His voice. We are to join in a local assembly and spiritually join in the fight to retake our Kingdom. Together, our lives will be filled with the Spirit and flow out from us, Ephesians 4:15-16.
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, Messiah. 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body to the edifying of itself in love.
This is where we need to be.
Devarim 11:11-12
11 But the land, whither you go to possess it, a land of mountains and valleys, drinks water of the rain of heaven. 12 A land which Yehovah your Redeemer cares for. The eyes of Yehovah your Redeemer always upon it, from the beginning of the year even to the end of the year.
When we do things His way, we find that we will be able to more readily partake in the Spirit. He will watch over us. We will experience 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.
If we do our charge the healing will occur, the books will be open to us. We will understand from one end to the next. We should never take this lightly, Matityahu 13:17.
17 For amen I say to you, That many prophets and righteous have desired to see which you see, and have not seen and to hear which you hear, and have not heard.
More righteous individuals than us have desired what is available to us. There is so much more ahead of us. The question for all of us, are we making use of what so many desired? Or do we take our salvation for granted? We ought to take full advantage of what Yehovah offers us. As we do, we will find that there is so much more before us. A greater glory that any of us could imagine.
Devarim 11:13-12
13 And it shall come to pass, if you shall hearken diligently to My commandments which I command you this day, to love Yehovah your God, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, 14 that I will give the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain (dagan) and your wine, and your oil. 15 And I will send grass in your fields for your beasts (behema), that you may eat and be full.
This is what Yoel was speaking of in Yoel 2:23-29.
23 Be glad then, you children of Tziyyon, and rejoice in Yehovah your Redeemer. For He has given you the former rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first. 24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. 25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. 26 And you shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of Yehovah your God, that has dealt wondrously with you. And My people shall never be ashamed. 27 And you shall know that I in the midst of Yisrael, and I Yehovah your Redeemer, and none else. And My people shall never be ashamed. 28 And it shall come to pass afterward, 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. 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My Spirit.
This is the times we are living in. Yet, there is always the question, will we hearken?
This answers the question, why the gifts went away with the First Century? So many want to deceive us. They want to stifle the power of God and moves of the Spirit. They claim that the gifts went away because we no longer needed them. They claim they were only needed until the Bible was written.
No where in Scriptures is this written. That was a teaching put forth by those too lazy to do what is required. They refused to walk in His ways. The gifts went away because we failed to do the very things that the Apostles and Prophets of the First Century did. We did not walk as Yeshua walked. Yeshua was Torah observant and so should we be. We should be diligent in our observance.
Beside the fact that the Bible was not canonized until the Fourth Century and is still not readily accessible even today, we should not listen to the lies. People did not potentially have access to a copy of a Bible until the 15th Century when the Guttenberg press was invented. Even then, the Bible was not distributed to the laypersons or easily understood. Today’s translations are filled with opinions and mistranslations. To say that the gifts went away because we have the Bible is complete ludicrous. But if you want to believe that, then you will suffer for that false belief.
If we listen to His word and walk diligently in His commandments, to love and serve Him there will be no end to the blessings that He has for us. We will see increase in knowledge of the word. The Spirit working through us to mature and the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives miraculously. If we continue, our spiritual children will be fed. The community of believers would grow and become self-perpetuating. There would be no end in sight of the joy in our lives and the lives of others.
Others Come To Deceive
Others Come To Deceive
Devarim 11:16
16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and you turn aside, and serve other redeemers, and worship them;
We have to be very careful and mindful of our steps. We must be wise to do all He has said and put before us. If we do not expel all foreign influences from our lives, deception may creep in. We must be on guard for the slightest duplicity of others. We must authenticate what we allow to affect our lives.
The real problem for most of us is, the lack of understanding and maturity in the faith, Hebrews 5:12-13.
12 For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that uses milk unskillful in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
Throughout history, few have been raised up on the First Principles of God. Because of this, few understand the word. If few understand, then few can teach properly. This results in generation after generation of immature believers. Few can fulfill Hebrews 5:14.
14 But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
If one does not have the milk of the word, it is impossible to have the strong meat. Without strong meat, one will not be able to mature and discern good from evil. They will be subject to every wind of doctrine. Unfortunately this has infected Christianity to this day. We must be raised up properly. We must learn the proper meaning of the word if we are to stand strong. We must find one who can teach us the basics.
Paul warned them in the First Century what was coming, Acts 20:27-30.
27 For I have not shunned to declare to you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the assembly of God, which He has purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
In the very day Paul was living, there were those just waiting to enter in and pervert the Gospel. They would move in slowly and take the power of the word from the people. Their desire was not for believers to stand on their own two feet. These wanted the control and preeminence. They wanted to shear the flock for themselves. Some of these were tares, others were immature believers. Unfortunately for Christians, most are babies all too gullible and accepting of anyone who looks good on the outside but has no righteousness on the inside. We must overcome this in these last days we are living. If not, we will see what follows.
Devarim 11:17
17 And Yehovah’s wrath (af) be kindled against you, and He shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the earth (adamah) yield not her fruit; and you perish quickly from off the good land which Yehovah gives you.
If we fail to walk in God’s ways and are deceived, He will take the Spirit from us. There is no excuse for allowing deception to overcome us, Hoshea 4:6.
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you shall be no priest to Me. Seeing you have forgotten the Torah of your Redeemer, I will also forget your children.
We will see very little growth in the faith. The power of the Holy Spirit will dry up as before. We will have a famine similar to the one in Amos 8:11-12.
11 Behold, the days come, says Lord Yehovah, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of Yehovah. 12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of Yehovah, and shall not find.
This is the state of most of Christianity today. All because they have allowed themselves to be deceived. They believe what makes them feel good. Never realizing that they are being made merchandise, being traded by those in control.
We can escape this if we hearken in this lifetime to His commandments, statutes, judgments and keep His charge for us.
Repetition for the Heart
Repetition for the Heart
Devarim 11:18-20
18 Therefore shall you lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. 19 And you shall teach them your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 20 And you shall write them upon the mezuzah of your house, and upon your gates.
We have heard this before in Devarim 6:6-9. The order and some of the words are slightly different.
6 And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart. 7 And you shall teach (shanan) them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 And you shall write them upon the mezuzah of your house, and on your gates.
Next to the Sh’ma, this may be one of the most read and spoken words in Yehudim. If we would follow these simple instructions, in a short time, it would change our lives for good. If we would be intentional each day to these words, looking to fulfill them in deeper ways, we would find the prosperity and protection many of us seek. We would be healthier and have a long and joyous life.
We are to take these words and lay them up in our heart and souls. It should be our greatest desire to fulfill these. It should define our very being. It should be a part of every conversation and guide us through life. We should desire to teach them to our children, biological and spiritual, and we should help them understand how to implement them. There should never be a time when it is not part of our lives.
These words should guide what we do and the steps we take. We should be centrally focused on them. We should not allow anything to come into our spiritual peripheral vision. They should be written on our door posts and on our gates. We should realize as we leave the protection of our homes, we are to take the word with us to protect us against all evil and deception. When we return, we remember that our home should be dedicated to glorify His name. We should not allow foreign influences to enter in.
We should repeat these words as often as possible in our daily life in word and action. We should keep these in mind to prevent foreign influences from taking root in our lives and robbing us of what God has for us. If we would do this, then the following would be true.
Devarim 11:21
21 That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which Yehovah swore to your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the land.
Our days would be multiplied in length and quality. We would then hand down a heritage to our children. Their lives would be multiplied. We should teach our children to teach their children. If each succeeding generation would do that, it would not be long before we would take over the world we live in. We should be established in a community of like-minded believers that would know Yehovah and His goodness through their lives. Others would see, Devarim 4:6-8.
6 Keep therefore and do; for this your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation a wise and understanding people. 7 For what nation great, who God nigh to them, as Yehovah our God in all we call upon Him? 8 And what nation great, that has statutes and judgments righteous as all this Torah, which I set before you this day?
Most of all if we would do this, we would bring glory to God. This would clearly demonstrate our love for Him as He loves us and our among our brothers.
Peace and Rest
Peace and Rest
Devarim 11:22
22 For if you shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love Yehovah your God, to walk in all His ways, and to cleave to Him;
Again it is “if” and “diligently”. There is always the question of will we do what is required? And if we do, will we be diligent? Will we be persistent or will we be on again, off again? Most want to, but few are diligent. This is the very reason few will see the real benefit of walking with God. We need to learn to cleave to God with all our might. We need to hold on as if our lives and the lives of our children are dependent upon it. Because the truth is, our lives and the lives of our children are dependent upon it. We live in a world where there seems to be an unlimited number of random events occurring. We live in a world that wants to take advantage of us in so many ways. We live in a world where the rules are ever changing. Many times the rules are not in our favor. It is only through God that we can change all that for the better.
If we would diligently keep His commandments, love Him, walk in His ways and hold tightly to Him, life would be fulfilling. If we would diligently stay in step with Him, then we would see the protection we desire.
Devarim 11:23
23 Then will Yehovah drive out all these nations from before you, and you shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.
We would not have to worry about our enemies, Yehovah would eliminate them for us. This includes those of today and the future to come. There are many just waiting to take advantage of us. We cannot protect our family every waking moment of the day, but Yehovah can. This is where the real benefit comes in. He will watch over them, when we cannot. He will watch over them even when we are there, because we are not able to do all things as He can.
Devarim 11:24
24 Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours. From the wilderness and Levanon, from the river, the river Perat, even to the uttermost sea shall your coast be.
If we diligently follow His ways, all places that we walk will become ours. This goes far beyond ownership. It is the protection we need as we sojourn in the world. God will be there overlooking the evil. Evil will not touch us.
Devarim 11:25
25 There shall no man be able to stand before you. Yehovah your Redeemer shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that you shall tread upon, as He has said to you.
When we walk in His ways, wherever we go we are protected. Where others are not safe, we will have protection around us. All because, we walk in His ways.
We need to realize that we will all have a particular walk in life. One would think we would go the path of greatest blessing. However, many seem to take a path away from God. Mainly because their steps are random and few are well thought out. Most just react to the circumstances before them. With God, we are to become more thoughtful in our steps. We are to follow His path. It may take some getting used to at first. But once it is done for a while, it will become our nature. It will keep us in His purposes and plans for us.
Blessing and Curse
Blessing and Curse
Devarim 11:26
26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;
Moshe is going to make it easy for these people and us. He will set two options before them blessing and curse. All anyone has to do is pick one. Moshe will even explain how to identify them, so that it is easy to obtain what one picks.
Devarim 11:27-28
27 A blessing, if you obey the commandments of Yehovah your God, which I command you this day. 28 And a curse, if you will not obey the commandments of Yehovah your Redeemer, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other redeemers, which you have not known.
This is real simple to understand. The blessing comes from obeying Yehovah’s commandments. This is probably why Yeshua told us in Yochanan 5:46-47.
46 For had you believed Moshe, you would have believed Me. For he wrote of Me. 47 But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe My words?
Only through understanding Moshe can we understand Yeshua. If we obey what Moshe taught, we will find the blessings of eternal life. Yeshua told us this. Then why do so few listen?
The curse is if we do not follow the commandments and go after other redeemers.
The thing that people do not seem to understand is, it is not what we say that matters. It is what we do that matters. We can tell people all day that we believe the Bible, but if we do not do what is states, then we are a hypocrite. Further, it proves that we do not follow the God of the Bible.
No other redeemer but Yehovah will be able to redeem us through all of life’s trials. We ought to take time to learn His ways and not some doctrine that tells us not to walk in His ways.
Devarim 11:29
29 And it shall come to pass, when Yehovah your Redeemer has brought you in to the land whither you go to possess it, that you shall put the blessing upon mount Gerizzim, and the curse upon mount Eval.
When they go into the land, they are to place the blessing on Mount Gerizzim and the curse on Mount Eval. This is discussed in detail in Devarim 27. It discusses which six tribes are on Mount Gerizzim and the six tribes on Mount Eval. It lists the various things that are said. This will not be a part of this discussion.
The Children of Yisrael actually did this in Yehoshua 8 after the defeat of Ai.
Devarim 11:30
30 They not on the other side Yarden, by the way where the sun goes down, in the land of the Kenaani, which dwell in the plain (aravah) over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?
Moshe tells the Children of Yisrael the location of the two mountains. Moshe had never been to the other side of the Yarden River. The only way he could have identified the location to the Children of Yisrael is if he was told by someone who knew. In this case, Yehovah told Moshe the location.
Devarim 11:31
31 For you shall pass over Yarden to go in to possess the land which Yehovah your Redeemer gives you, and you shall possess it, and dwell therein. 32 And you shall observe to do all the statutes and judgments which I set before you this day.
The Second Generation out of Mitzrayim would passover the Yarden River. They would possess the land. This was going to happened. The question that remained was, how long would they possess the land? Will they prosper or will they become slaves to another nation?
The answer depended upon their observance of Yehovah and whether they taught their children to walk upright. The first generation in the land did well; however, eventually the Children of Yisrael fell victim to the nations. They did not do as they were told. As a result, most of the time they did not prosper as Yehovah would have them.
Today it is always a question if we learned from the mistakes of those before us. Unfortunately, many have gone the way of the parable in Matityahu 13:33.
33 Another parable He spoke to them; The Kingdom of Heaven is like to leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened.
As we come to end of this time period, we discover that sin is rampant among those that call themselves faithful. Selfishness and the pursuit of money among believers is at an all time high. There is little if any unity in the body of believers. The latter rain appears to be almost nonexistent. However, none of that matters. Throughout time there has always been a remnant. It is time that we stand up and be counted among the remnant. That Yehovah sees us as the one’s that love Him and keep our charge more thoroughly each day we live.
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