Parasha: "Nitzavim" (Deut 29:10 - 30:20)

Subject: Parasha: "Nitzavim" (Deut 29:10 - 30:20) Sat Sep 12, 2015 3:38 pm

PARASHA: "NITZAVIM" (when you stand before)

DEUT 29:10-30:20 ISAIAH 61:10-63:9 ROMANS 10:1-13

When we look at this short Parasha, we see Moshe speaking to the "whole" congregation of Israel, when we say "whole" it means just that, NO ONE was left out, it even included foreigners, the only ones I can think of are the Egyptians and Nubians that left Egypt with the Israelites, and NOW, are part of the Community of Israel, YHVH considers them part of the family.

It is here that YHVH declares them a NATION, dedicated to serve YHVH, following His commandments, and be a light to the other nations around them.

YHVH adds in verse 15 ; "those who are here and those who are NOT here today" These are very special words, because YHVH is looking into the future and includes ALL OF US TODAY, who were not there then, but we are on the earth today. If we who are alive, have trusted Yeshua as our LORD, and Messiah, then, we are just as much part of the Community of Israel as those in the past.

God also warns his people of turning away from HIS Torah, (his teaching) of turning to other gods, forgetting his commandments, and verse 19 tells us not to think that if we walk in rebellion, we should expect peace, I ask you, how can a believe walk in darkness and still have peace in his or her heart? impossible! because the Ruach Ha Kodesh gives testimony to the truth, and our conscience will be affected, we can feel peace only when we repent and turn back to YHVH.

This is what Yom Teruah or Rosh HaShannah is all about, which this years falls on the Eve of Sept 13th, getting back to God, a time of "Teshuvah" (repentance) and "turning again to God, forsaking our sins, and getting right with our LORD and creator once again.

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ISAIAH 61:10-63:9

The prophet Isaiah looks into the future and sees a "new Israel" A nation that loves YHVH and who will embrace her Messiah Yeshua, a bride adorned to receive her husband, a light to the nations. a "redeemed nation" redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, All who accept Yeshua and follow his Torah, his ways, become part of HIS Holy Nation, We see Israel today as a nation with problems, with enemies all around; Hezbolah, Hamaz, Al Qaeda, Isis, many are indifferent to the things of God, but not so in the future, The Holy Spirit will touch the hearts of Israelis, and they will welcome Messiah Yeshua back, and Israel will be the focal point of all the earth, what a time to be alive, taking part in all this, see you then!! (as well as tomorrow night)

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ROMANS 10:1-13

Rav Shaul (Apostle Paul) writes to the believers in the city of Rome, "there are Jews that have a zeal for God and for righteousness" Yes, that is a good thing, BUT , they are thinking that righteousness can come through good works, one can not come to God by his or her "own righteousness" because we have none! Many think that doing "good works" bring us righteousness, but only the "blood of Yeshua" trusting in HIM as LORD and Savior can make us righteous before a Holy God, Yes, adhering to the commandments is a good thing, which comes as a "result of" accepting and trusting in Yeshua as LORD and Savior, as a "result of" being declared "righteous" by a Holy and Righteous God, NOT the other way around.

"The End of the Law is Christ" this is one of the most misunderstood of all verses in the Bible. Modern day Christianity has understood this to mean that "now" that we have Christ Jesus, the law is over with, finished, terminated, and that we now have grace, and salvation through grace and no longer under the law. But the early church interpreted this differently. This was originally written in Hebrew, then translated into Greek. the word "end" is NOT termination of something, it means "end result of" or "focal point" or "hitting the mark" and the word "law" means "Torah" which is "teaching and instruction from Adonai" which is what our Bible is all about. the word "Torah" was rendered "Nomos" in Greek, but then translated "legis" in Latin, which means something legalistic, and then into the English "law" very different from the original word "Torah" So, if we were to reword this verse correctly, we would read it to be:
"The end result of God's teaching and instruction (through his Word) is Messiah Yeshua" or the "Focal Point of the Bible is Yeshua" the purpose of Scripture is to point a lost sinner to Messiah Yeshua, it has nothing to do with getting rid of the commandments or rendering useless the teachings in the Old Testament, even though many commandments are not for today, we can still learn something from them, since they ALL point to Yeshua.

SHABBAT SHALOM V' HAG SAMECH YOM TERUAH

Rabbi Ben Avraham