Have you found yourself swayed by smooth words, awesome arguments, and maybe a life experience that caused you to lose sight of your belief? It can easily happen. A basic human characteristic is the need to be accepted by others, which in turn, can cause a bending of our will to conform. While trying to please others, we struggle with knowing what we believe. The Creator is well aware of our needs. Hence, He gave us His Commands. His Mitzvahs.
This week’s parshah, Ekev, is named for an uncommon word meaning “because.” And, since we are in a portion that speaks directly about Yah’s commands, I’m wondering if we should keep His commands just because He said so.
This question reminds me of when my children sometimes failed to listen to me and would then ask, “Why should I do what you say?” My response was typically short: “Because I am the father of this house.” But does YHWH ask us to blindly follow Him without revealing some part of Himself? How well can a child learn to trust and love someone who is an authoritarian?
Ekev can also mean “heel.” This leads me to yet another question: “Can I forget the commands of Yahweh and begin to trample them under my heel, with little to no regard?” As a teacher, I realize how easy it is for students to stop listening to instruction due to their familiarity with a classroom, a process, or words themselves. The “grass seems greener on the other side” sentiment can cause students to easily take for granted even the best of teachers. How well do children learn to trust and love if they disregard authority?
In short, as we review Yahweh’s commands and their benefits for us, I think we should take Him at His Word (John 1:1) for if we truly loved Him, we would keep His commands. In doing so, His love would cause us to flourish under the instruction of His Son.
This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. I John 4:9
During the last two weeks, I taught at our fellowship, I was given words to share by the Spirit on the topic of leadership: for your personhood, for your family, for your work, and where you worship. While speaking, I stressed the importance of humility. I stressed the importance of learning to listen to Yah’s voice. And finally, I stressed the need for us to be willing to change course if we are wrong. I never mentioned the thought of unbelief towards Yah’s written laws.
From my point of view, we must stand on a rock-solid system of belief. We are told to believe in truth for “the truth shall set us free.” But while we stand on what is right, we must acknowledge personal baggage that is influenced by a sinful heart in need of a Messiah. Therefore, I believe we can only come to know Yah’s commands through His Son–Yeshua our Redeemer. Hallelujah!
In efforts to teach children, a traditional method of reading Deuteronomy 7-11 has emerged. It’s done by dividing Ekev into seven sections to remember the works of YHWH. But as we know from the entire Word, the greatest work of Elohim is the revealing of the Son. So, is it possible to take these seven divisions and apply them to the prophetic pictures of Yeshua Messiah and how He fulfills the role, of “Son of God?” I believe it can.
- Deuteronomy 7:12-8:10 YHWH makes a covenant relationship with His people. He will faithfully bless His people with fertility, agricultural produce, and lack of illness as long as they stay married to Him and not to a foreign husband. Yeshua fulfills the covenant as the bridegroom.
“He who has the bride is the groom; but the friend of the groom, who stands and listens to him, rejoices greatly because of the groom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full.” John 3:29
- Deuteronomy 8:11-9:3: Always remember YHWH so you won’t violate His commandments. Do not grow haughty and believe in your power or wealth, but remember that YHWH gives the power to prosper and to dispel the nations. It is YHWH who goes before us and this is done through His Son.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Yeshua Messiah.” Philippians 4:6-7
- Deuteronomy 9:4-29: YHWH does not enable Israel to possess land because of their virtue; Yah dispossesses evil inhabitants for two reasons: their wickedness, and to fulfill the oath He has made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is the line of Yeshua from which we claim sonship.
“In love, He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Yeshua Messiah to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” Ephesians 3:5
- Deuteronomy 10:1-11: YHWH puts His commands in stone. He sets up the Ark of the Covenant, the mercy seat of Yeshua’s blood, and establishes the priesthood.
“And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by people, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to YHWH through Yeshua Messiah.” I Peter 2:4-5
- Deuteronomy 10:12-11:9: Revere YHWH, walk only in His paths, love and serve Him with all your heart and soul. All of Heaven and earth belong to YHWH, but Yah chose the sons of Abraham from among all peoples. We belong to this line when accept Yeshua.
“And if you belong to Messiah, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:29
- Deuteronomy 11:10-11:21: It is YHWH who sends the rain upon the land. Therefore, write His commands on the doorposts of your home. Yeshua is the water of life and it is His blood that belongs on the doorposts of our heart.
“ . . . but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:14
- Deuteronomy 11:22-25: If Yah’s people faithfully walk in His ways, then every spot where their feet land, that territory will become theirs. When we allow our hearts to be changed, we no longer fear the strongholds of satan. We are covered by Messiah.
“Yeshua called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” Matthew 10:1
We are at a crossroads in today’s world. Choices are being made between good and evil, righteous and unrighteous, just and unjust. Do not allow yourself to be fooled, for even the very elect will be deceived. Yeshua is the Son of Yahweh. Listen to His voice and allow Him to direct your life. If He pulled Peter out of drowning waters—He can pull you out as well.
Be blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn