Vaetchanan: & I Pleaded

The root word in this weeks parasha is Strongs# 2603 or khaw-nan', and it means properly to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore.

Practice with Dad

Moshe has now successfully lead Israel back to the Jordan River where they are poised to cross over into the Land of Promise. All of the tumult, all of the struggle without and within has culminated to this moment. if I may use a baseball metaphor, picture the following; Etched in time, a father proudly watches his son pitch a remarkable, no-hitter game, vividly recalling the countless hours patiently poured into his life. Every invested wild pitch, every short bounce, every bruised knee, every stinging 1

palm, every word of counsel given in response to a sons immature emotional tone has built up to this moment. Settled confidently into that most sacred orbit and eternal rhythm called trust, where each coordinated movement is attached to a well-oiled and long repeated rehearsal with his father, the son prepares and builds for the next. The glove tucks into his chest, the knee cocks up, his weight shifts forward, the leg explodes, and the hammer swings down; and what a royal thing of beauty to see, especially by the ones who sacrificed so much to get there observe the fruit of it with their own God-given eye. Like some confederate cannonball hissing along its intended trajectory, this blurry red-threaded bullet violently collides into a mink-oiled cowhide pocket, loudly declaring its arrival with a riveting Pop, rippling with bone-crushing force into a thick-laced Catchers mitt, stationing itself perfectly in that Good Hill-Country & Land of Promise we call The Strike Zone. Strike 3! What took innumerable years of training, patience and repetition had finally given birth not only to this long-awaited desired-result on the diamond, but also cultivated a heart of trust through obedience, walking perfectly in step with their Fathers instruction, much in the same way as Israels Game-changing moment in history loomed large upon their own horizon.

Now Israel has been circling for 40 years because rather than TRUST the WORD of YHVH, they had put their trust in a spirit of fear, as explained in last 2

weeks Torah study. HaShem has finally Israel, Okay boys, & point em North. will see YHVHs beautifully at work which once again testifies of The Father much in the details of every single day.

Now, instructed mount up, Now, you Hand here, powerfully being very your life Ready?

Onward and Northward

They had to go North because that was not only the intended trajectory of Israels path into the Land of Promise, but it was part of His Divine design. This next explanation is critical because it ties in to the name and beginning of this weeks parasha. When we study the word in Hebrew for North, is Strongs# 6828 meaning north, watch, and watchtower. But it alludes to other meanings as well that are just as important. For one, it specifically refers to the North Star, which is used as a guide to help travelers navigate to their intended destination. Its rooted in Strongs #6845, or tsaw-fan', and it curiously means to hide (by covering over), to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny; specifically (favorably) to protect, or (unfavorably) to lurk.

So, what is God Hiding? Could it be Hes hidden something so that we would seek it out?
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In the Paleo it means to Hide, a Treasure, a storing up or hiding of something to prevent discovery [from: - as something watched or covered]. Just like God lays out our path, His Word is well-purposed as we have continually discovered. In the course of their journey, YHVH guides them northward. By the way, what was placed on the north side of the tabernacle? Thats right, the Table of Shewbread2, and it was purposed among other things to be symbolic of the 12 tribes joined together in unityEchad, with all of their provisions met by YHVH who provides them with their daily bread to sustain them3. We also read in Scripture when referring to the north that, Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion in the far north, The city of the great King4. & again, "Out of the north comes golden splendor; Around God is awesome majesty 5.

Possess to Inherit
YHVH is taking them to HIS awesome and majestic city of our great KingYeshua Messiah! However, there is a hidden test awaiting them
1 2

Pro 2:1-5 NAS Exo.40:22-24 3 Mt.4:4 4 Psa 48:2 NAS 5 Job 37:22 NAS

along the way, but if they are being faithful then they will be watching and ready when the test comes. The test comes in the way of two pagan kings seeking to thwart Israels triumphant destiny with Canaan by joining forces. The first was Sihon, in Hebrew meaning warrior, king of Heshbon meaning stronghold6 where they battled east of the Dead Sea at a place called Yahats, which means trodden down. In my personal opinion, this was a test designed to strengthen their trust in YHVHs proven word and also a subtle reminder of when Israel was sent to destroy the Midianites after their daughters used lust to lure Israel to waver in their devotion to God7. Ever have one of those days where you make up your mind to rejoice in The LORD and all hell comes against youits a test; its a battle in a place in your mind called Trodden Downbut YHVH has already told you, And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land8. YHVH tells us to possess the landin this case it was the physical land of Canaan, but He gives us many things to take possession ofour souls9 (the seat of our emotions, thoughts and choices), our habits, words, and actions10, which may seem small but these are the raw materials that either build strongholds11 legacies that last far longer than any tombstone inscription. The root word found within yaw-raysh' is Resh, the Resh-Shin combination spells Resh for Head. Israel was to move into the Land of Promise and be over it like the father is the Head of the family or as a tribal leader is responsible for the land and his people. The beauty in all this however is that there is a Yud in front of this word. Yud means hand, but it is also representative of the Right Hand of YHVH, symbolizing Messiah who gives us power and authority over those things HaShem has commanded us to go in and possess, Ahmein! The last battle before camping east of the Jordan is with Og, king of
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Deut.2:30-31 Num.31:15-17 8 Deu 2:31 KJV 9 Lk.21:19, Phil.4:8 10 1Cor.10:31 11 2Cor.10:4-5

Bashan. Og, meaning Long neck, was the remaining remnant of a race of giants included within the Amorite people. We read his bed was 9 cubits long by 4 cubits wide. The standard cubit was approximately 18 inches, which was a measurement taken from the elbow to the fingertip. That comes to 13 feet Long by 6 feet Widebig fella. Reminds me of another time when a group of 12 spies went in to Canaan about 40 years earlier to spy out the land, and they returned with fertile (Bashan means fertility) fruit, but uttered a negative report, instilling fear in the hearts of the Israelites while describing the people as giants and themselves as grasshoppersNot today!

Just Like Moses Just Like Noah

Having come right off the heels of two very significant victories Moses charges Joshua, reminding him of his responsibility to carry Israel over the Jordan into the The Promised Land, but not to allow fear a foothold because just like with Sihon and OgYHVH will fight for you. This comes from a man who when no one else would, he pushed through the thick darkness where God was12. This comes from a man who with a self admitted speech impediment faithfully lifted his staff and hand over the Red sea, exclaiming to all of Israel to not fear (again with the stop being afraid) and separated the waters so they could cross over on dry land13. This comes from a man who after spending 40 days atop Mount Sinai in the intimate presence of The Creator descended back into camp with the Ten Commandments inscribed upon stone, and YHVHs mysteries upon his heartand his face shone with the glory of The LORD, so much so that the people were afraid14. Moses was a man who had relationship with YHVH like none other, unveiled with a faith to believe having abandoned fear and pushing through thick darkness rewarded him with the bright shining Shekinah Kabod of YHVHUnveiled. But he was also the same man who in a fit of tormented rage struck the rock which The Father had explicitly instructed him to speak to.
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Exo.20:21 Exo. 14:13-16 14 Exo.34:29-35

Does the punishment fit the crime some say? We all hurt for Moses, but if I may be so simple, the easy answer is yesbecause HaShem valued the lesson so muchand Moses possessed so much more understanding of The Fathers heart than many of us could ever comprehend, YHVH held him to a much higher standard15. That is the short answer. The long answer I leave to the scholars. But he pleads, or prays for YHVHs favorfor him to be pardoned and allowed to enter into the Promised Land. Much discourse is upon the subject. What do you think? Heres what we know. Why would a man who had repeatedly experienced Gods favor ask for it now? Yes, he desires to go into the landbut why? One commentator suggests Moses wanted to cross over to destroy the inhabitants of the land lest they cause the Israelites to misbehave and be exiled from the land16. Moses pleaded for favorbut he already had itbut he wanted to be there to protect Israel.

What we know about favor in Hebrew is the word khaw-naw' from Strongs# H2583, and it means to incline, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp, to dwell, and to rest in a tent

15 16

Lk.12:47-48 The Irwin Jonas Onkelos On The Torah Understanding the Bible Text Deuteronomy: Sforno commentary, p.35

In the Paleo we discover a two-letter root word Chen. It means to camp, or beauty. The pictograph is a picture of a wall. The is a picture of a seed meaning "to continue". Combined these mean "wall continues". A nomads camp consisted of many family tents, which make up the clan camp. ( HhN): The pictograph camp can have as many as fifty tents or more in it. The tents are placed in a circular configuration, forming one continuous wall surrounding the camp. This was a picture of Israel, having entered in and settled in The Land of Promise. We find another person who found favor in the eyes of The LORDNoah, or Noach. As pointed out, Noachs name is comprised of a Nun and a Chet, which are the exact two letters found in the word for favor, only reversed. Noachs name means REST. And so what we find is YHVH was leading them on a journey to deliver them to a place of rest. As defined by Noah Webster, Rest can be defined as A place of quiet; permanent habitation; To cease from war; to be at peace; To be quiet or tranquil, as the mind; not to be agitated by fear, anxiety or other passion17. Isnt this what Abba is guiding us into here on our personal journey with Him and with the larger body of Mashiach? The question is, are we allowing YHVH to lead us to His place of rest? Therefore, let us do our best to enter that rest; so that no one will fall short because of the same kind of disobedience18. In this parasha we have the beloved Shema. A crucial prayer prayed by every Israelite upon arising, and upon preparing for sleep. In this parasha we repeatedly hear Moses remind Israel to hear, give heed, as one version in The Etz Hayim commentary translates in Devarim chapter 4
17 18

Websters 1828 Dictionary Heb 4:11 CJB

verse 9, But take utmost care and watch yourselves scrupulously, so that you do not forget the things that you saw with your own eyes and so that they do not fade from your mind as long as you live.

So Close at Hand
So much more can be expounded upon in this beautiful portion of The Torahmost of which is Moses heart-driven contention for Israel to REMEMBER YHVHbecause He loves them. We read throughout Scripture of consequences for everything from incorrect worship to outright rebellion, and sometimes it may be a little disconcerting as we all desire to follow YHVH knowing He has a soft place in His heart for us, and He does. He does beloved. God has such a soft place in His heart for us and we struggle because we are in this thing called life, and life involves cycling around the mountain, and sometimes theres snakes, and sometimes there are time-outs, and sometimes we see loved ones leave camp and they dont look back, and sometimes we see things that test our own heartcommitment but beloved through it all YHVH wants us to remember to not forget YHVH. He says, See, I have imparted to you laws and rules, as the LORD my God has commanded me, for you to abide by in the land that you are about to enter and occupy. Observe (Shema) them faithfully, for that will be proof of your wisdom and discernment to other peoples, who on hearing of all these laws will say, "Surely, that great nation is a wise and discerning people. For what great nation is there that has a god so close at hand as is the LORD our God whenever we call upon Him? Or what great nation has laws and rules as perfect as all this Teaching that I set before you this day19?

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Deu 4:5-8 TNK

Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Take to heart these instructions with which I charge you this day. Impress them upon your children. Recite them when you stay at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them serve as a symbol on your forehead; inscribe them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deu 6:4-9 TNK) For you are a people set apart as holy for ADONAI your God. ADONAI your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his own unique treasure. (Deu 7:6 CJB) Much like I believe Moses suffered in his heart for Joshua, for the children of Israel, we too should daily recognize that YHVH feels deeply for you. Through all the circling, God does have a planalbeit sometimes hidden. Hes taking us northto that beautiful Golden city, to that good Hill country, just over the Jordan. But we cannot do it apart from walking obediently in His Word. His Word should be treasured, guarded in our heart, and walked out, much like a man who once bought a field, The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. A man found it, hid it again, then in great joy went and sold everything he owned, and bought that field20. Yeshua came to lead us like sheep gone astray back into His Land of Promise. Many of our ancestors He spoke with then were physically already in The Landbut they had lost touch with what YHVH, like Moses did, has been pleading with His people every day, 'Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever! (Deu 5:29 NAS)

20

Mat 13:44 CJB

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"Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find Rest for your souls. (Mat 11:29 NAS)

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