Devarim 6 (Deuteronomy 6)
Devarim 6 directs us to observe the statutes and judgments of Yehovah. It provides very specific direction to be observed in the Kingdom. We are to teach our children and our grandchildren to observe Torah. This is to be something we are to do our entire lives. We are to teach through discussions and example. There is direction to post the word on our doorposts. Moshe discusses the proper relationship we are to have with Torah. We are to remember that it was Yehovah who brought us into the land. If we forget this, our stay in the land will be short. We are to cast out our enemies and be faithful all our lives. This is for our good.
Yehovah is used 21 times in Devarim 6.
Top
Sections:
Return to Devarim (Deuteronomy)
Return to Books of the Bible
Return to Bible Studies
Conduct in the Kingdom
Conduct in the Kingdom
Devarim 6:1
1 Now these the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which Yehovah your God commanded to teach (lamad) you, that you might do in the land whither you go to possess it.
Devarim 6 starts off in a similar fashion to the previous two chapters.
Devarim 4:1
1 Now therefore hearken, Yisrael, to the statutes and to the judgments, which I teach (lamad) you, for to do, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which Yehovah God of your fathers gives you.
Devarim 5:1
1 And Moshe called all Yisrael, and said to them, Hear, Yisrael, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that you may learn (lamad) them, and keep, and do them.
These are similar with some minor differences. In Devarim 6, Moshe is not telling them to hear, he states that Yehovah commanded to teach that they may do the laws when they get into the land. It should be clear that the Children of Yisrael are about to cross into the land. As such, Moshe at the direction of Yehovah will specify what the Children of Yisrael are to do in the land. It is important that these are taken to heart.
Wherever one goes, there is typically a set of rules that specify conduct. These rules may not always be written out, but there are always rules of conduct. Even when people come to your house, you would expect them to respect your property and privacy. You would not want them taking over and doing whatever they want. This is true of the land of Yisrael, God’s land. The Children of Yisrael were to stay within the boundaries of these statutes and judgments if they were to continue to remain in the land. If they violated the rules that could be grounds for removal. One would expect this wherever they go.
When Yeshua came the first time, it was not simply to just bring salvation. Although many focus on that, the message is quite different, Matityahu 3:1-2.
1 In those days came Yochanan the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Yudaea, 2 and saying, Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
Yochanan’s basic message was to prepare the people for entry into the Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven. Yeshua was no different, Matityahu 4:17.
17 From that time Yeshua began to preach, and to say, Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
Repentance is a major step in the preparation to entering the Kingdom of Heaven or Kingdom of God. When Yeshua sent the 12 disciples out, they were to preach the Kingdom of God, Luke 9:1-2.
1 Then He called His twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And He sent them to preach the Kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
The disciples were to preach the Kingdom of God. One of the important caveats was to repent. They were to repent of their lifestyle and return to Torah observance through faith Romans 3:30-31.
30 Seeing one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid. Yes, we establish the law.
Today, not much is heard of the Kingdom of God. Many are more concerned with their present life or ensuring they stay out of Hell. However, there is coming a time when there will only be one place to enter into. It will be the Kingdom of God. People will either enter in or they will not. Those who do not will cease to exist. They will not enter into anything. What we do today is in preparation to enter a physical Kingdom in the future.
Today, we can enter the Spiritual Kingdom. Today the Kingdom is unseen. This makes it difficult for many to understand. Regardless, those who have entered in do understand, Romans 14:17.
17 For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
And 1 Corinthians 4:20.
20 For the Kingdom of God not in word, but in power.
These should be routine in a person’s life who is in the spiritual Kingdom of God.
We have to understand that one does not just show up in the Kingdom. It is something that one has to pursue in this lifetime, Matityahu 6:33.
33 But seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
One must seek the Kingdom. Just to seek is insufficient, one must be righteous, Galatians 2:16-17.
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Yeshua Messiah, even we have believed in Yeshua Messiah, that we might be justified by the faith of Messiah, and not by the works of the law. For by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Messiah, we ourselves also are found sinners, therefore Messiah the minister of sin? God forbid.
This is why it is important to seek both. We cannot do whatever we want. One will not enter the Kingdom without achieving a minimum level of righteousness. Yeshua warns us in Matityahu 5:20.
20 For I say to you, That except your righteousness shall exceed of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Yeshua is telling us that the Scribes and Pharisees did something right, we should understand what this is referring to. Unlike so many today, they were Torah Observant on a certain level. We should not immediately dismiss Torah from our standard of living. If we do, we may find that we are far from the home we should desire.
Fear to Reverence Yehovah
Fear to Reverence Yehovah
Devarim 6:2
2 That you might fear Yehovah your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments, which I command you, you, and your son, and your son’s son, all the days of your life; and that your days may be prolonged.
We are to fear Yehovah. Fear comes from the Hebrew word יָרֵא yare (H3372). It is in the Bible 314 times. יָרֵא yare (H3372) is translated fear 188 times, afraid 78 times, terrible 23 times, terrible thing 6 times, dreadful 5 times, reverence 3 times, fearful 2 times, terrible acts 1 time and 8 miscellaneous words. It basically means to be afraid, stand in awe, fear.
It is not always simple fear, but reverence. Where an individual recognizes the power and position of the individual revered and renders him proper respect. In this sense, the word implies submission, a proper ethical relationship to God. יָרֵא yare (H3372) meaning ranges from mere psychological fear to showing proper honor or reverence for God. As one who stands in awe of Him.
יָרֵא yare (H3372) has been divided into five general categories:
1. The emotion of fear.
2. The intellectual anticipation of evil without emphasis upon the emotional reaction.
3. Reverence or awe.
4. Righteous behavior or piety.
5. Formal religious worship.
All five of these general categories play into a part of our relationship to God. At times we should fear Yehovah and at other times, we should have the most extreme level of reverence for Yehovah. How fear plays into our relationship with Yehovah depends upon our own personal relationship, spiritual maturity and our heart condition.
Our fear of Yehovah will shift from the fear of a small child to the reverence of a righteous follower as our understanding of the statutes and judgments shift from merely doing to becoming a part of us. Fear changes from a childish emotion to a deep part of an individual as they continue deeper into the complexity of Torah. This occurs as we go from merely obeying to practicing and eventually to teaching the subsequent generations. This is best done through discussion and interaction with others. It is always important to hear the understanding of Torah from others. This can lead to opening our own understanding and further refinement. We must never isolate ourselves from the viewpoint of others. Those who isolate their minds from others are soon to dry out themselves and wither away.
We do not learn Torah for ourselves. We learn Torah to help with the growth of an overall community. This leads to the overall growth of the Kingdom of God into a reverential and vibrant body of believers. If we would do this, we would prolong our lives with peace and rest. Our enlightenment would always burn brightly.
Devarim 6:3
3 Hear therefore, Yisrael, and observe to do; that it may be well with you, and that you may increase mightily, as Yehovah Redeemer of your fathers has promised you, in the land that flows with milk and honey.
When we practice Torah on the lowest level, things start to go well for us. It becomes an unidentifiable relationship at first. However, as one continues in a lifetime of Torah, the connection becomes undeniable. Yet some seem to take this for granted. They will observe Torah for a while and then slowly regress to their former habits. They become less intense and start to focus on other worldly subjects. They do not even realize what they are doing. They may get to the point that they start to deny that it ever made a difference. They are the ones of Mishlei 5:11-13.
11 And you mourn at the last, when your flesh and your body are consumed, 12 and say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; 13 and have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to them that instructed me.
It is a very slow descent from Torah observance to a state of delusion. It happens more often than not. People lose their fear and reverence for the ways of Yehovah. This often becomes justification for the world to scoff at the Truth of Scriptures. When so many who claim to follow Scriptures do it half-heartedly, it only feeds the minds of those that deny the faith. We should press on to a deeper observance and understanding with every breath we take. Then our days would be filled with the promises of Yehovah.
One Yehovah
One Yehovah
Devarim 6:4
4 Hear, Yisrael. Yehovah our Redeemer one Yehovah.
This is the watchword of our faith. In the Torah, the first and last Hebrew words of Devarim 6:4 are שְׁמַע and אֶחָד. The last letter of each of these words are larger than the normal print. This forms the Hebrew word עד or עֵד ed (H5707). It is in the Bible 69 times and is always translated witness.
When we recite Devarim 6:4, we are witnesses to the one God, Yehovah. It is the most recited and well known phrase among Yehudim. It has been our guiding light since the beginning. It affirms our faith in Yehovah and His oneness.
One is the Hebrew word אֶחָד echad (H0259). It is in the Bible 951 times. אֶחָד echad (H0259) is translated one 687 times, first 36 times, another 35 times, other 30 times, any 18 times, once 13 times, eleven + עָשָׂר asar (H6240) 13 times, every 10 times, certain 9 times, an 7 times, some 7 times and 86 miscellaneous words. It means one. When referring to God, it is the absolute one.
Often people will confuse the Sh’ma with the concept of the trinity. These two have no relationship to each other whatsoever. Trinity was a Catholic concept that was developed to explain the mystery of Godliness, 1 Timothy 3:16.
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached to the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
It was a juvenile attempt at explaining a vast and complex subject. Although accepted by a majority of those that call themselves Christians, it falls far short of modeling the true nature of God. If God was actually three as the trinity states, then no one could be in the image of God. Unless, one was to have two parts still to be accounted for. Trinity is an illogical explanation that is blindly accepted in the face of Scriptural contradictions.
Yehovah tells us in Yeshayahu 45:18.
18 For thus says Yehovah that created the heavens; Redeemer Himself that formed the land and made it; He has established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited. I Yehovah; and none else.
Yehovah Himself declares that there is no other. Additionally, He tells us in Yeshayahu 42:8.
8 I Yehovah, that My name. And My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images.
There are many Scriptures similar to these in the Hebrew Scriptures. They teach that there is only one God. This is the very reason long ago that many started to teach against the Hebrew Scriptures. Many claim the Hebrew Scriptures are unnecessary. However, if one would take the time to read and study, they would soon discover that even the New Testament teaches against the trinity. They would discover that the God of the Hebrew Scriptures has been removed from the very faith many claim to hold onto. It is time to bring the real God of creation to the forefront of our faith, Yeshayahu 48:11-12.
11 For My own sake, for My own sake, will I do, for how should be polluted? And I will not give My glory to another. 12 Hearken to Me, Yaaqov and Yisrael, My called; I He; I the first, I also the last.
There was no other at that time and there will never be another into and beyond Eternity.
The Walk
The Walk
Devarim 6:5
5 And you shall love Yehovah your Redeemer with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.
This begins the passage that is often recited after the Sh’ma, it is called the V’ahavta. It is Devarim 6:5-9.
It starts off with the command to love Yehovah your Redeemer. Not only to love, but to love with every ounce of our being. It should be our greatest love. It should be the focus of all our energy and compassion.
Remember this is a command, to not love Yehovah is a sin.
Some may find it hard to love Yehovah, an unseen entity. If that is true then one does not understand who He is and what He has done for us. This can only be understood by walking in His ways and studying His word in completeness.
Some would find it easier to love what they can see. For example, another person or some pet. Although these can be seen, they will never return the love that the unseen God will bring into our lives. And until we learn to love Yehovah, we will find it hard to love another as completely. It is in loving God that we can truly love one another.
We are commanded to walk in a love for God that is all encompassing. When we do this then we will start to see Romans 5:5.
5 And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.
When one loves God in completeness, it produces an overabundance of love that flows from the individual. Thereby making it easier to love others in their frailty. Because we no longer see them as they are, but we see them through the eyes of God. Then loving others becomes easier and more fulfilling.
Devarim 6:6
6 And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart.
Not only are we to know the words of Torah, they are to be a part of us. It is not only to be knowledge, it is to be a driving force in our lives. These words are to define our compassions.
This should be no surprise, because this is the new covenant in 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.
There is coming a time when all will have the Torah written on their hearts. As we become more willing to allow this, we find life becomes easier. Because we are changed through the power that He has put in the Word.
Paul talks about this in Romans 2:28-29.
28 For he is not a Yehuda, which is one outwardly; neither circumcision, which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he a Yehuda, which is one inwardly; and circumcision of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise not of men, but of God.
As we allow it to be written in our hearts, we start to walk in it with understanding. This produces the circumcision of the heart. It is what is being written on us in 2 Corinthians 3:3.
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.
Torah is what is being written on the heart of every believer. We can move the process along faster as we walk towards Him in an increasing fashion. It returns our soul to rest in Him. It is a commandment to do this. Anything else is rebellion.
To allow Torah to be written on our hearts is to become well pleasing in His sight.
Devarim 6:7
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.
We are to teach our children diligently. Teaching is an important part of our faith. It helps brings both the mentor and the disciple into a deeper understanding of what is being taught. Relationships are developed and strengthened through teaching. It demonstrates a willingness by the teacher to share their life with others. Conversely, the disciple demonstrates a desire to grow and emulate the teacher. Teaching through discussion and interaction is a demonstration of love by both parties. It is a willingness to share each others lives.
The teaching that is being expressed above is to teach diligently. To help one understand the preciseness of the subject. This is when the finer points are being discussed. It is cutting through the generalities and bringing one into the depth of a subject.
It is something we should do at all times. It is to occupy every moment of our day. Our lives should be teaching by the way we live our lives. Not only in word, but mostly in our lifestyle. We should take opportunity when it presents itself. We should be prepared when opportunity comes. We should diligently prepare ourselves for these opportunities. With each opportunity, we should learn how to be more effective. We need to be a student of our own teaching and critique ourselves. So that we will become more effective when the next opportunity presents itself. Our whole life should be spent in either teaching or learning. When we can do both at the same time, it is even more beneficial.
Devarim 6:8
8 And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
This has been interpreted by observant Yehudim by wearing Tefillin. Yeshua stated in Matityahu 23:5.
5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men. They make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
Yeshua was not speaking against Tefillin, He was just telling us not to make them showy. Just as He was stating with Tzitzit. Our faith is not to be seen by the things we wear. It is to be seen by thing that flow out of us, our walk. It is not to say that we should not wear Tefillin or Tzitzit, it is that they should not be overt nor should we hide them. To hide them is to hide our faith.
Figuratively, to put a sign on our hand is an expression of what we do. As such, no matter what we do in life, our faith is a part of what we do. If what we do and our faith is two separate things, then we are not fulling the words of a sign on our hand. Our faith should direct every step we take in our profession. If not, then our profession may not be what we should do.
Frontlets comes from the Hebrew word טוֹפָפָה tofafah (H2903). It is in the Bible 3 times and is always translated frontlets. It is first used in Shemos 13:16.
16 And it shall be for a sign (ot) upon your hand, and for frontlets (tofafah) between your eyes. For by strength of hand Yehovah brought us forth out of Mitzrayim.
This is referring to the firstborn of man and beast. It is referring to the entire Pesach and Feast of Matzot experience and observance. For this, we need more than a physical sign, it is a lifestyle we observe.
The last place טוֹפָפָה tofafah (H2903) is used is in Devarim 11:18.
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.
This is part of the repetition of the V’ahavta.
In a figurative sense, to have frontlets between our eyes is to have the Word guide us through life. It should principal establish the spiritual road map we are to travel. If we would do this, we would always travel in the Way. His Way, His road map back to Him in heavenly Tziyyon.
Devarim 6:9
9 And you shall write them upon the mezuzah of your house, and on your gates.
Mezuzah (formerly post) comes from the Hebrew word מְזוּזָה mezuzah (H4201). It is in the Bible 19 times and is always translated post. It refers to the doorpost or gate post. It is also known as the item that is hung on the doorpost that contains the Scriptures Devarim 6:4-9 and Devarim 11:13-21. Some have interpreted this command in other ways. Scriptures never specify the words that are to be on the doorposts or gates. Some have interpreted this to mean that the Sh’ma should be written over the door.
The point of the mezuzah is not so much what is in it, it is what it brings to remembrance. When entering or exiting our home, we should always be reminded of the Word. We should take it with us when we go into the world. It should be our protection and sanctification from what is in the world. When we enter our home, it is a reminder that it should be the governing thought of our home. It should set the overall atmosphere and guiding light of our lives and our home.
Remember of His Goodness
Remember of His Goodness
Devarim 6:10-12
10 And it shall be, when Yehovah your God shall have brought you into the land which He swore to your fathers, to Avraham, to Yitzchaq, and to Yaaqov, to give you great and goodly cities, which you built not, 11 and houses full of all good, which you filled not, and wells dug, which you dug not, vineyards and olive trees, which you planted not; when you shall have eaten and be full; 12 beware lest you forget Yehovah, which brought you forth out of the land of Mitzrayim, from the house of bondage.
This is probably one of the greatest problems of the faith. People have a tendency to drift from the faith when things go well for them. If things are not going well, they have tendency to pray more and read their Bibles more. When things are going well, they tend to drift away. Many only go to God if they have a reason, therein lies the problem. They never really served Yehovah and they never really loved Him. He was only there if they needed help.
This is why it is important that we keep things in remembrance. We must never forget that all we have is because of Him. When we think that we are no longer in need of Him, because we have everything we could possibly want; we are further from the Kingdom than when we had nothing. We must always put Him in remembrance and continue to pursue Him and His word regardless of our circumstances.
Swear by His Name
Swear by His Name
Devarim 6:13
13 You shall fear (yare) Yehovah your God, and serve Him, and shall swear (shavua) by His name.
We are to fear Yehovah and swear only by His name. Yeshua tells us in Matityahu 5:33.
33 Again, you have heard that it has been said by them of old time, You shall not forswear yourself, but shall perform to the Lord your oaths.
Devarim 6:13 and Matityahu 5:33 are stating the same thing. One must understand what it means to swear and what is an oath.
“To swear or to take an oath” is to strongly affirm a promise. To swear was to give one’s sacred unbreakable word in testimony that the one swearing would faithfully perform some promised deed, or that they would faithfully refrain from some evil act. Occasionally, one swore that they freely acknowledged a truth and would continue to acknowledge it in the future. One could swear to anyone.
The point being made here is regardless who we swear to, it should be as if we are speaking to Yehovah. As such, all vows or oaths are completely binding. One should never renege on their word. Shelomo reminds us in Qohelet 5:4-7.
4 When you vow a vow to Redeemer, defer not to pay it; for no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you have vowed. 5 Better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay. 6 Suffer not your mouth to cause your flesh to sin; neither say you before the messenger (malak), that it was an error. Wherefore should the Redeemer be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words vanities. But fear the Redeemer.
We should be mindful of what we say. To say something and not keep our word would make us no better than a fool. Yeshua goes on to state in Matityahu 5:34-37.
34 But I say to you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne. 35 Nor by the earth; for it is His footstool. Neither by Yerushalayim; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yes, yes; No, no. For whatsoever is more than these come of evil.
What is simply being stated is, if one states something, they should mean it. If it requires an action to be performed, the action should be completed in a timely manner without delay. Our word should always be our bond. We are Yehovah’s representatives on earth. When we speak, others should be able to trust us as a faithful witness. It should be known that we do what we say and we say what we mean. We are to be completely consistent in word and action. We should speak as if we are being immediately judged at all times.
Faithful Through All Things
Faithful Through All Things
Devarim 3:14-15
14 You shall not go after other redeemers, of the redeemer of the people which round about you; 15 for Yehovah your Redeemer a zealous God (el) among you lest the anger (af) of Yehovah your Redeemer be kindled against you, and destroy you from off the face of the earth (adamah).
Regardless of our circumstances, we are to be completely loyal to Yehovah. We are never to look for another to come to our rescue. We are to wait on Him and His timing. We are to be careful not to act beyond what He has commissioned us to perform. If He does not move and it appears as something disastrous is about to happen, we have to understand that something else may be occurring. For instance, it may be a larger issue than just our concerns. We should look to Romans 8:28.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to purpose.
Good does not always mean good for us. Sometimes we must be satisfied with our condition and temporary displeasure because a much greater purpose is at hand. Often we need to be a bit more patient or learn a new level of longsuffering. What occurs in this lifetime is much more temporary than many of us realize. Our circumstances in this lifetime should never be viewed as a permanent condition. Whether we live or die, we are his, Romans 14:7-8.
7 For none of us lives to himself, and no man dies to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live to the Lord; and whether we die, we die to the Lord. Whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
We live or die to serve Him. He has proven to always know what is best for us. When we serve with all our heart and soul, things are always best for us.
We must always remember Tehilla 23:6.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of Yehovah for ever.
As I look back at my life. He has never left me nor forsaken me. He has always had my best interests in mind. He has delivered me through all things. He has brought goodness and mercy into my life in the past and will continue to do so until the day I die.
Devarim 6:16
16 You shall not tempt Yehovah your Redeemer, as you tempted in Massah.
We should never do as they did at Massah. Simply, they neglected Matityahu 6:8.
8 Be not you therefore like to them. For your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask Him.
Typically when something does not happen right away, we may be at fault. Either we need to prove ourselves or we have been less than faithful. We need to stop thinking that our whole world is falling apart just because we do not immediately have all our needs and wants met. We need to learn to be faithful through all things, Hebrews 11:1.
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Whether we see or see not, we are to be faithful. Faith is not receiving, faith is knowing Him, Hebrews 11:6.
6 But without faith impossible to please. For He that comes to God must believe that He is, and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
We must always know He is on our side and practice the words of Yeshayahu 40:28-31.
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard, the everlasting Redeemer, Yehovah, the Creator of the ends of the land, faints not, neither is weary? No searching of His understanding. 29 He gives power to the faint; and to no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall. 31 But they that wait upon Yehovah shall renew strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.
We need to realize our own weaknesses. His perceived delay should never result in a faithless generation. When our faith is His faith, it brings us through the good and the bad into His rest always. Be confident in this one thing, 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.
Be confident of His goodness and mercy. He is more confident in you than you are faithful, but we can change today.
Diligently Keep
Diligently Keep
Devarim 6:17
17 You shall diligently keep the commandments of Yehovah your Redeemer, and His testimonies, and His statutes, which He has commanded you.
We must with each step increase our commitment. If we would do this, it would become a habit. Eventually our habits would turn into discipline. And, our discipline would become our nature. Then we would know Him as He is.
Devarim 6:18-19
18 And you shall do upright (yashar) and good in the sight of Yehovah, that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land which Yehovah swore to your fathers, 19 to cast out all your enemies from before you, as Yehovah has spoken.
When our diligence becomes the nature of God in us, then nothing can stand before us. All enemies will flee or fall to us.
Son Asks You
Son Asks You
Devarim 6:20
20 When your son asks you in time to come, saying, What the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which Yehovah our God has commanded you?
This is a question that every son or daughter should ask their father at some time. If not, you may be doing something wrong. In today’s world, many do not observe Scriptures. If a son or daughter does not ask this question, then possibly you are no different than the world.
We should be strikingly different than 99 percent of the world. This includes Rabbinic Yehudim. We are not to be different for difference sake. We are different because of Matthew 7:13-14.
13 Enter you in at the strait gate. For wide the gate, and broad the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. 14 Because strait the gate, and narrow the way, which leads to life, and few there be that find it.
We are to follow in the newness of the Spirit. This is something few understand or even practice in today’s world. This leads to a very narrow path.
Because we are in the world, but not of the world we are different. Every child should recognize the difference. If not, then we must ask ourselves why?
Devarim 6:21-23
21 Then you shall say to your son, We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Mitzrayim; and Yehovah brought us out of Mitzrayim with a mighty hand. 22 And Yehovah showed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Mitzrayim, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes. 23 And He brought us out from thence, that He might bring us in, to give us the land which He swore to our fathers.
This is an essential part of our faith. You may think that these are not your ancestors, you are different. However, if you are born again of the Spirit, Paul would tell you different, 1 Corinthians 10:1-4.
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that you should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 and were all baptized to Moshe in the cloud and in the sea; 3 and did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 and did all drink the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them. And that Rock was Messiah.
Paul is writing to the Corinthians. These were former gentiles, these were not born Yehudim. Yet Paul includes them when he writes our fathers. When an individual is born again, they become a part of the Commonwealth of Yisrael. It is undeniable, Ephesians 2:11-13.
11 Wherefore remember, that you in time past Nations (ethnos) in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 that at that time you were without Messiah, being aliens from the Commonwealth of Yisrael, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. 13 But now in Messiah Yeshua you who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Messiah.
When one becomes born again several things happen. Because of Ephesians 2:13, they are now made close by the blood of Messiah. This results in the changes outlined in Ephesians 2:12. A born-again believer is now with Messiah and they are part of the Commonwealth of Yisrael. They are part of the covenant of promise, the Sinai Covenant. Further, they have hope and are with God in the world. This also results in the changes of Ephesians 2:11. It should be clear that if one is part of the Commonwealth of Yisrael, that they are no longer part of the Nations, a Gentile. They are a Spiritual Yisraeli that is Spiritually Circumcised. This all happened when they were grafted in.
As such, a born again believer is now a descendant of those that were freed from Pharoah. They share in every experience described in Torah and every experience that has ever happened to the Nation of Yisrael. This includes all the good and the bad. It is their fathers. It is undeniably a part of their heritage. When one is born again, they are taken out of the world and placed in the Nation of Yisrael. They share in the total experience.
We can never forget the great deliverance from Mitzrayim. How Yehovah took us out of a nation to be a nation of His own. He brought us to Sinay and established us as a people. Then He brought us into Kenaan and delivered the land to us. Although we were out of the land almost 1900 years, we have once again returned as He promised us, Devarim 30:3-5.
3 That then Yehovah your Redeemer will turn your captivity, and have compassion upon you, and will return and gather you from all the nations, whither Yehovah your Redeemer has scattered you. 4 If of yours be driven out to the outmost of heaven, from thence will Yehovah your Redeemer gather you, and from thence will He fetch you. 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.
As Yehovah has said in His word, He has returned us to the land. He has fulfilled every word that He said He would. He will continue to do this for Yisrael in the future. This is something we need to remind our children of. Because of this, we serve Him first.
Devarim 6:24-25
24 And Yehovah commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear Yehovah our Redeemer, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as at this day. 25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before Yehovah our Redeemer, as He has commanded us.
We serve Yehovah because He loves us and has watched over us for 3500 years. No other nation can make this claim. He has statutes for our good. It has preserved us as a people. In the face of so much adversity, we chose His ways, because it is our righteousness. He is a righteous God, who gave us a righteous way to live, so we live in His righteousness. If we do this, then we will be able to commune with Him. As Asaf declared in Tehilla 73:23-28.
23 Nevertheless I continually with You. You have held by my right hand. 24 You shall guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven? And none upon land I desire beside You. 26 My flesh and my heart fails. Redeemer the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 27 For, lo, they that are far from You shall perish. You have destroyed all them that go a whoring from You. 28 But good for me to draw near to God. I have put my trust in the Lord Yehovah, that I may declare all Your works.
We are different because we have the one God of Creation that looks over us. So we serve Him with all our heart and all our soul. There is no better thing to do in this lifetime than to walk in His ways and be in His service. This is why we do what we do. Hopefully, this is your answer to your children. If not, you may be missing the greatest part of your faith.
Return to Devarim (Deuteronomy)
Return to Books of the Bible
Return to Bible Studies