CANDLEGLOW LESSON V’ZOT HABRACHAH (This is the Blessing)
(Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12) Final Torah Week 54
Moses, the physical expression of ADONAI to the Nation of Israel, was father, teacher, defender, and friend. In his role as servant of the Most-High, Moses became a prophet of God. Moses expounds his blessings as the leader, over each of the Tribal leaders just before his death. His words drip like a soft, spring rain, pouring out poetic richness and eternal promises for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.
In order to bless like this, a father must truly know his children. He hovered over them like an eagle over the nest. He saw their weaknesses with eyes of compassion; balanced by words of wisdom. He reveled in their strengths and in the promise of God over their lives. Yes, this father of the Nation of Israel loved these sons and daughters like his own. Moses conveys prophetic words over each one of them; words that still ring out with hope and power to this day. The blessing of Moses over the twelve tribes of Israel is a most profound study into the prophesied end of days (Acharit-Hayamim) for Israel.
God’s story of creation begins with blessings! Poised now, to enter back into Genesis 1:1, this is a beautiful reminder of the creation story. God’s story of the end of creation as we know it, will end with blessings. Adonai is true to every attribute of his character. He cannot be untrue, for He is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. His preeminent virtues are eternal, never changing, and forever expanding. They are an all-consuming Holy Fire.
This is the Lesson of The Blessed of ADONAI! “Yeshurun, there is no one like God, riding through the heavens to help you, riding on the clouds in his majesty. The God of old is a dwelling-place, with everlasting arms beneath. He expelled the enemy before you, and he said, ‘Destroy!’ So Isra’el lives in security; the fountain of Ya’akov is alone in a land of grain and new wine; where the skies drip with dew.” (Deuteronomy 33:26-28 CJB) The corporate blessing quoted over the Nation of Israel brings chill bumps of the spirit as we contemplate the glory of Adonai riding above the clouds, in all his majesty, chasing after those whom he loves.
This is the Lesson of The Blessed of ADONAI! “Happy are you Isra’el! Who is like you, a people saved by ADONAI, your defender, helping you and your sword of triumph? Your enemies will cringe before you, but you will trample down their high places.” (Deuteronomy 33:29 CJB)
This is the Lesson of The Blessed of ADONAI! In His eternal blueprint of history, each child of God was foreknown and foreloved, having been assigned a remnant to call their own, from His divine tapestry. The Nation of Israel and the Wild Olive Branch share the nourishment from the Divine Vine, having stitched our lives into THE TAPESTRY OF TORAH ~ Lessons from the Wilderness, now etched upon our hearts!
CANDLEGLOW LESSON FOR SHABBAT
Rescued! Freed! Redeemed! Adopted! These words describe what it feels like to be loved by Adonai. In his preeminence as King of the Universe, there are no boundaries which He will not cross, no rivers He will not ford, no barriers so high He will not fly over, nor seas so deep He will not dive to their depths, to rescue those whom He loves! His stories in Torah prove His love and devotion, His faithfulness and patience, toward those who are His.
The adjectives listed above, which describe what it means to be loved by God, mirror the Four Cups of Passover. Passover is the celebration of the historical rescue of God’s chosen Nation of Israel, from their bondage in Egypt. Each cup on the Passover Seder tables around the world each Pesach, illuminate the four stages of becoming part of the family of God. This is a shadow of the process of being saved and redeemed! We must first seek our rescue in the Lord and what He has provided in the life, death and resurrection of His son! When we call upon the name of the Lord, we are set free! (Gal. 5:1)
It is through this process of redemption that we become a child of God, covered in the finest, whitest linen of the righteousness of His son, Yeshua; we may approach a holy heavenly Father, much like the prodigal son who came, and was welcomed and clothed in the finest coat of arms of the father! We too, must come to the Father this way, humbly, repentant, and open to His good will upon us; trusting!
As the ancient way of Torah study comes to its annual close with Parashah V’ZOT HABRACHAH (This Is the Blessing), and those who walk in the way of the Hebrew enter a season of reflection, repentance, and redemption; I invite each one who has made this sacred journey of the soul to rejoice and be glad! Be strong; be strong, and let us be strengthened! This ancient, ending exclamation at the close of each book of Torah, is prophetic truth!
May your Torah awakening bring new strength to your soul and fresh revelation for your faith!
Shabbat Shalom,
Sydney