Next
week being Rosh Hashanah, we are approaching the gates of forgiveness.
It is not a coincidence that this reading falls at this time of
year; at the G-d's appointed times, the High Holidays. Repentance
is at hand and the gates are open for teshuvah; differing from
other religions that require conversion…we do not convert
to another religion…we simply return to the G-d of our fathers
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
It
is important to understand that we as Messianic Jews have not abandoned
our way of life nor have we chosen any other god…we have simply
returned, done "tshuva" to the G-d of Israel. The word
"nitzavim" which means standing has a sense of urgency,
being ready for war. We are being prepared for the "return"
to the Promised Land. Our sages say that we will return to Eretz
Israel when Messiah comes, and with this return accompanied by
the desire to return to G-d. We can see the stage being set on
the world scene for this event.
In
this portion, Rabbenu Moshe is pleading with the people to be smart,
to listen to G-d and follow Him or the curses would ensue as the
consequence of their being disobedient. This was the last testament
of Moshe to the people knowing that they would fail in the same
way he did. He knew himself, as it says in Kohelet "there
is no one righteous. Let us not be worried if we are cursed by
man but we have something to worry about if we are cursed by G-d.
We
Jewish people have been judged by others because they have been
taught that we believe that we are saved through our own righteousness
through the keeping the Law. This is incorrect. Did you know that
there were absolutely no sacrifices provided for intentional sin?
The only way that we can be forgiven for intentional sin is by
doing teshuvah and the only way we can return to G-d is when He
puts that within our hearts. A person without G-d is a person without
conscience. They only have conscience as a matter of personal convenience.
We become humanist but only with the Presence within us can we
truly be godly.
In
Chapter 29:9ff we read, "all
of you who are standing here today in the Presence of the Lord
your G-d; your children, your tribal leaders, your elders, your
scribes, all the men of Israel, with your children and your wives
and the foreigner too who is in your camp, be he your wood-cutter
or your water carrier …" Here G-d is speaking
to those in Israel from the highest of positions to the lowest,
from men to women, from natives to foreigners, everyone came under
the covenant. Our sages argue about what this means. In Deut. 29:28
it states that the hidden things belong to G-d and He has revealed
what He wants us to know…simply speaking what He has revealed
to us here is that everyone from the highest to the lowest of the
people including women, children and the "gerim" (foreigners)
were to put this Torah into practice.
Ibn Ezra explains that the Scriptures are a continuum from the
past to the future and that if there are things we do not understand
it doesn't mean that we should ignore them or brush them off by
saying "that is not for me." We cannot say, "I will
only follow what I understand".
For
example in modern theology there is a common misunderstanding in
the Messianic Writings about Yeshua when he answered his students
concerning the time of his return. Matthew 24: 36 He stated, "no
one knows…not even the son of (man)." The
son of man means " human being"…no human could know
this, only G-d Himself. The hidden meaning here is that Yeshua
was stating that it was not important for us to know when he would
return but for us only to know and to trust that it was indeed
going to happen.
The
consequences of our lack of trust and disobedience are dire. This
is the essence of this parashah. In chapter 30:6 we see a repeat
of chapter 10:16 "The
Lord your G-d will circumcise your heart and the heart of your
descendants so that you will love the Lord your G-d with all your
heart and soul and so will live." Obviously this
is an allegorical expression. The idea behind it is that unlike
the circumcision of the flesh which is a covenantal pact for the
male only, this circumcision includes women and thus all humanity.
In this expression exists the idea of having sensitivity, being
uncovered, exposed…there would be no hiding before G-d. Everyone
was required to do what is right before G-d.
The
heart, in Judaism relates to the seat of our thoughts which is
something that without the help of G-d's spirit we cannot control.
The gut is the seat of the emotions, the feelings Ezek. 36:24ff
Our
sages say the when Messiah will be here the Ruach ha Kodesh will
dwell in us and we will all obey His Word. Is this not what Yeshua
told us?
Rav
Shaul (Paul) in Romans 10:7 reiterates this when he tells us that
the Torah is not beyond our reach, it is not in heaven or beyond
the seas…the Word is near so that we can do it. We have been
taught by misguided theologians that it is impossible to keep the
Torah. Yes, it is true that all of us are sinners; not one of us
can boast that we are without sin and we need G-d's Salvation;
however keeping the Torah is quite another issue and we must not
mix apples with oranges.
From
Adam and Eve down, the Scriptures are clear, all have sinned except
Yeshua. Even though we try to be obedient we continually fail but
thanks to a merciful God, He has given us a way out of our punishment
through Yeshua's sacrifice. He said 'Come
to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest. Take my yoke
upon you for my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
He never said that he would take away the burden, only that he
would make it lighter to bear. He gives us the ability to observe
His Torah.
The
basic teaching in our Torah is that G-d revealed to us what He
wants us do and we need to do it. It needs to be done however with
sincerity of heart. Have you heard the expression, "your actions
speak so loudly that I cannot hear you?" Again, in Judaism
we understand that the heart is thought leading to action. Romans
10: 9…if you believe in your heart…sets the stage for
faith in action. Thus people will see your faith and you will live
like G-d is in your heart.
As we approach the High Holidays, have you been preparing your
hearts and putting your life in order? Are you living in a way
that demonstrates that you are losing your trust in G-d? Why does
it seem that G-d is not answering you?
Do
you have anything you have not dealt with before preparing to meet
the Holy One over these upcoming High Holidays? Remember it is
not our merits that He will take into account. We can only approach
G-d on the merits of what Yeshua our Messiah has done for us.
One
day we will meet our Creator and there are only two ways we can
meet Him… lying all the way or being open and humble before
Him. The story of the prodigal son is a perfect way to end this
message and a most beautiful story of the undying love that our
Father in heaven has for us. He is always waiting with open arms
for us to do teshuvah, to return to Him.
May
you have a sweet year and may your names be inscribed in His Book
of Life for Eternity. The extreme importance of being written in
His Book is in the Revelation of Yochanan chapter 20 vs. 11-15,
"Then
I saw a great white throne and the One who was sitting on it. In
his presence earth and sky vanished, leaving no trace. I saw the
dead, great and small alike standing in front of this throne while
the books lay open. And another book was opened, which is the Sefer
ha Chaim, the Book of Life
and the dead were judged from what was written in the books as
their deeds deserved. The sea gave up all the dead who were in
it. Death and Hades were emptied of the dead that were in them
and everyone was judged as his deeds deserved. Then Death and Hades
were hurled into the burning lade. The burning lake is the second
death and anybody whose name could not be found written in the
Book of Life was hurled into the burning
lake.
May
we turn today to the G-d who each day gives us the opportunity
to begin our lives all over again. Baruch ha Shem
"Shana
tova umetuka v' tikateivu" (Have a good and
sweet year and may your names be inscribed)
May
G-d add blessings to His Word!
Rabbi
Percy Johnson
Netanel
ben Yochanan
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[b lantn
©
2008 Use by Permission
Kehilat
She’ar Yashuv
