This week I was in Castle Valley Utah alongside the Colorado River, surrounded by massive red rock structures. The quietness of the place overwhelmed me as I kept trying to hear sound. I had to stop everything to listen. When I did, I could “hear” for miles.
The study of Ha’azinu means to “give ear.” This would lead us to a natural question, “What should we give ear to?”
In both Deuteronomy 32 and 2 Samuel 22, we read the “songs” of Moses and David, where two of the mightiest men in Scripture, express the denominator of truth in song. What was the truth they found in their journey? These mighty men acknowledged the Living Rock and took note.
Song of Moses: “For I proclaim the Name of YHWH ascribes greatness to our God! The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.” Deuteronomy 32:3-4
Song of David: “YHWH is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, Thou dost save me from violence.” 2 Samuel 22:2-3
The songs of David and Moses could have proclaimed their own sphere of influence or greatness, but this wasn’t their song. Instead, they both sing about where true strength comes from. Their music is about the ways of Yah. Their song only proclaims and worships the Living Elohim.
In modern day terms, Moses and David stood on the Rock that could not be moved by any mortal man for it is too awe-inspiring to interpret or budge on our own. This Rock is what we are called to “give ear” to. When we stand on The Rock, our worldly concerns are dwarfed into submission, causing us to hear sounds we have never taken the time to hear before.
One day soon, The Rock, Yeshua our Messiah will explode on this earth to bring in a new and glorious Kingdom.
He will reign with justice. He will deliver us from the deceptive tactics of the antichrist who seeks to destroy relationships, governments, and families through lawless actions and deluding influences causing people to believe what is false and not true. But where does this antichrist begin his work?
“Let no one deceive you for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness (Torah lessness) is revealed the son of destruction who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship so that he takes the seat in the temple displaying himself as being God. 2 Thessalonians 2: 3,4
In Matthew 23:1-3, Yeshua warns his disciples about the ways and means of how an antichrist message can begin to take place.
Yeshua states, “The Scribes and Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.”
The seat of Moses was placed at the tent of meeting (temple) and was used to judge the actions of the people. Judgment was based on the Torah or Law and nothing else. Consequently, while a scribe or Pharisee was in this seat, they would have to judge directly from the Torah, because the function of the Seat of Moses was not the place where one sat down to simply read the Torah, but was rather the place where one sat down to judge according to the Torah. In short, Yeshua is telling the disciples to follow the laws of the Torah.
But as we read on in Matthew 23, we find the laws & and customs of the Pharisees did not point to the Messiah, but pointed back to themselves (Matthew 23:5). And for this action, Yeshua not only tells the people not to do what the leaders of Israel were dreaming up, but proceeds to call out the Jewish leadership, setting them straight with seven specific woes.
“To the law and to the testimony” is how we know those who follow YHWH. Those who keep the law and follow Yeshua the Messiah are the ones who testify of Yah’s love and mercy. The songs of Moses and David remind us of this fact. When self-importance or authority outside of Yah’s courts is followed by man, we receive death. For this is the anti-Christ—the one who shows himself as lawless and does not proclaim the Name of Yeshua.
So, what are we to do to stand on the Rock amid our deliverance? Paul reminds us of the prophecies found in these two songs. The prophecy of a Messiah who saves us from ourselves.
“The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Yeshua as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” Romans 10:8-9
Dear brothers and sisters, it’s time to hear what Yah is saying to you. It’s time to stop giving ear to anything and anyone who is not standing on the Rock. It’s time to stand and call upon Your Deliverer!
Churches and, yes even synagogues, have built themselves on rocks built by man-made doctrine and traditions. Catholics claim the rock is Peter from which to draw a line to the Pope. Jews claim great rabbis like Maimonides (Moses ben Maimon) are the only ones to interpret. Mormons claim the message of Joseph Smith. Eastern religion lifts up Budda or Mohammed. And here in America, we call ourselves gods by changing our gender. There is only One who died and was raised to free us from bondage. His Name is Yeshua.
Some may say that Yeshua’s statement to Peter gave man the right to dictate laws or practices of religion to build a rock by their hands—similar to what the Scribes and Pharisees were doing; certain types of hand-washing, specific clothing, how long to stay kneeled, what to speak, etc. But is this the case? Again, let’s look carefully at Yeshua’s words.
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Matthew 16:18
Looking carefully at this text, Yeshua forms a distinction between Peter and the Rock. In short, He tells Peter, that you are you, but I Am the Rock you will build on. This makes sense, in that anytime we build a rock of faith in man’s customs or rules we will be greatly disappointed.
“For man’s heart is desperately wicked.” Jeremiah 17:9
Therefore, Yeshua must be the Rock because He is the only One who has overcome Hades.
It’s time to look at the Rock of our Salvation. . .the only Rock that lived by Yah’s Word so that we might be redeemed. Let us “give ear” to Him so that we are prepared for the “rock of impact” that will soon be meeting this earth.
Be Blessed,
Rollyn