MercyPower

      This Sabbath reading portion is titled Eikev, which means "because, as a consequence of, following after, as a result of." The Hebrew word appears as part of Deut. 7:12: "Then it shall come to pass (in Hebrew: "Vehaya ekev"), because you listen to these (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) judgments (mispat/sapat - judgment, manner, order, measure/judge, defend, deliver, vindicate, punish, act as a lawgiver, plead), and keep and do them, that the LORD your God will keep with you (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the covenant and (vaw-aleph-tav, with a meaning that includes: "Adonai, the Lord, nailed to the cross of the covenant") the mercy (hesed/hasad - mercy, loving-kindness, goodness, favor, pity, faithfulness, beauty, desire, ardor, zeal, love, rarely meaning reproof/to be good, kind, rarely meaning reprove, put to shame) which He swore to your fathers."

     There is much to look at from the verse above. The word eikev/ekev has a root word in Hebrew, aqab, which means "to take by the heel, to follow at the heel," which is also the root word of the name Jacob in scripture, who was born following after his twin brother, holding onto him by the heel. Therefore we can see how closely a consequence may follow after something - right at its heel.

     There are several things we can learn in the Hebrew word for "judgments," above. The written Hebrew associates the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega mispat judgment with Jesus Messiah/Christ (see *note below). Within its meaning in Hebrew, "judgments" includes the understanding of a kind of "measure." Again this is associated with Jesus by Paul who wrote that we, as believers in Jesus Messiah/Christ, are to come "to the measure (metron - a measuring rod, the rule or standard of judgment, determined extent, the due) of the stature of the fulness of Christ." (see Eph. 4:11-13). 

     The Hebrew meaning of "judgment" also includes the idea of a law-giver and also the act of pleading. In this Sabbath Eikev reading portion, Moses tells the Israelites how he, known as "the law-giver," repeatedly pleads for the mercy of God towards the rebellious Israelites. (see Deut. 9:18-19, 10:10-11). As a consequence of this (see the meaning of Eikev above) pleading by Moses the vaw-aleph-tav mercy of the LORD was extended to His people. The apostle James wrote that mercy triumphs over/rejoiceth over (katakauchaomai - boast against, "mercy boasts itself superior to judgment", to glory against, to exult over, full of glad confidence over) judgment for those who have shown mercy. (see James 2:12-13). Jesus also said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." (Mt. 5:7). The LORD told His prophet what He expected from His people: "He has shown you O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly (see mispat above), to love mercy (see hesed above), and to walk humbly (sana - be humble, be modest, be lowly, keep close, reserve, preserve) with your God." (Micah 6:8). The privilege of walking with God requires that we walk in His character, which includes mercy.

     In an earlier encounter with Moses after he had broken the tablets of the Ten Commandments because of the terrible sin the people had committed, the LORD covered Moses by proclaiming His name: "Now the LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him (Moses) there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, 'The LORD, the LORD God merciful (meaning compassionate) and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy (see hesed above) for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin..." (Ex. 34:5-7). The LORD also assured in the proclamation of His name that He by no means clears the guilty, with the third and fourth generations seeing "the consequences that follow on the heels of" (see eikev above) that iniquity (aon - punishment, fault, sin, depravity, evil, perversity, guilt, great guilt). We may conclude that the nature of this iniquitous guilt is its refusal to be repented of and as a result of that (see eikev above) it is not placed under the mercy of God.

     As we see from the Hebrew meaning of hesed mercy above, it also includes the idea of reproof. However, being a part of God's mercy, the reproof given to God's people is like the reproof of a parent to a child, as Moses said in this Eikev Sabbath reading portion: "You should know in your heart that as a man chastens (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) his son, so the LORD chastens you. Therefore you shall keep (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him." (Deut. 8:5-6).

     Also included in the meaning of hesed mercy above is the emotion from which it comes forth: desire, ardor, zeal, love. Because of this ardent love and desire, God manifested His hesed mercy by sending His Son not to condemn but to save whoever will receive this mercy: "For God so loved (agapao/agab - to love dearly/to dote upon, to breathe after, wonder, beloved) the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (Jn. 3:16-17).

     Judgment will come, both to the individual and to a prophesied great evil that will rise up to enslave the world and persecute the believers in God and Messiah/Christ. The judgment of the just God is assured and will be devastating to all who have refused the covering of mercy that has been provided in His Word and in the Person of the Son of God, who is also The Word (see Jn. 1:14). The Father has placed all judgment into the hands of His Son, Jesus Messiah/Christ. (see Jn. 5:22-27, Rev. 6:15-17). Considering the calamity of the judgment, and the power of mercy over judgment, what place of eminence should the hesed mercy of God have in our prayers, our words, our message and our walk?

     In another reading portion from this Eikev Sabbath, we can read that every great and wondrous work the LORD, the God of gods, the LORD of lords, has done from His creation onward, has been driven by His hesed mercy. Not only were the wondrous works powered by mercy, but were a testimony of the hesed mercy of God. Psalm 136 has the repeated refrain after every work of power of God: "...for His mercy (see hesed above) endures forever (olam - ever, everlasting, perpetual, evermore, always)." The psalmist declared the mercy of God over every great work and covered them with that mercy. Do we declare and apply this eternal power of mercy over the precious works of God?

     The prophet Jeremiah wrote the Word of the LORD: "Through the LORD's mercies (see hesed above) we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I hope in Him!" (Lam. 3:22-24). 

     We are all products of His mercy.

     If you would like to learn more about incorporating the power of mercy into your life and walk with God, you can pray along with my prayer: "Heavenly and merciful Father, You extended Your mercy to me and touched and changed my life with Your Son, Jesus. While I receive Your loving mercy with joy and thanks, help me to extend and minister the truth of this same mercy to others. Help me by Your Holy Spirit to tell and show others that Your powerful mercy can overcome all judgment for those who will believe and receive it. Help me to reveal the truth that Your work of creation and all of Your works were accomplished through mercy towards me and all of us. Your Son could have judged and destroyed those who sought to kill Him, but He became even more powerful than that, extending overcoming mercy to them instead. In that power, He changed the world. He changed me. I give You all of my thanks, worship and praise, Lord, for Your overcoming mercies that are new to me and to all every morning. By and in Jesus' name, AMEN."

*NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as ΑΩ , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13. 

GreaterPurpose

     

Moses on Pisgah, by H. Copping, 1920

     This week's Sabbath reading portion is titled Va-etchannan, meaning "And I besought." The reading portion begins in Deuteronomy Ch. 3. Deuteronomy, or D'varim in Hebrew, meaning "the Words," contains the final words of Moses to Israel before they cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land of Canaan. The words delivered by Moses contain reminders from the past, as well as commandments for the Israelites to observe once they have settled in the Promised Land, and even for the latter days. Regarding these final commands of Moses, he says, "Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the land which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you. You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it (see also a similar warning in Rev. 22:18-20), that you may keep (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you...And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day? Only take heed to yourself...lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren..." (Deut. 4:1-9, excerpt).

     The d'varim words are given through Moses, but the Words are from the LORD to His people. As Moses said above, no other nation has ever had the Word of the LORD given to them in such a manner. These d'varim words have been given to this nation so that they may live (haya - breathing, live, revive from sickness, revive from death, restore to life, give life, be whole, flourish, to live again), so that they may go in (bo - enter, attain, carry in, bring in, gather), and so that they may possess (yaras - possess, inherit, occupy, to cause others to possess or inherit, to succeed utterly, to be an heir to), as stated above.

     As we can see from the Hebrew meanings above, those who know the Messiah/Christ Jesus, recognize how the three purposes that work through the d'varim words parallel the salvation message brought by Jesus to all who would believe Him, including life from the dead. The purpose of the d'varim words is not just to the individual, although that is wondrous enough, but by its innate divine quality and power it also causes others to possess and inherit as joint heirs with Messiah/Christ (see Rom. 8:16-17). In fact, the d'varim words are meant to save generation after generation until the end of the age of time. (Mt. 28:18-20). The d'varim words, the message from the LORD given to Moses for His people, have not been changed, nor have they been done away with, but they have been fulfilled through Messiah/Christ Jesus, as He said. (see Mt. 5:17-19). The Words still live and accomplish the purpose of God.

     Both the testimony of Israel and the believers in Jesus is the same - to be a witness to others of God's wisdom and understanding present with them. (see Deut. 4:6, and Acts 4:13-14). As Moses told the Israelites: "For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the LORD our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him?" (Deut. 4:7).

     After setting this short foundation of the importance of Moses' d'varim words given to the Israelites from the LORD, we will see how important God considered this in Moses' purpose, and how it relates to our own walk.

     Since the moment that the LORD spoke to Moses from within the burning bush on Mount Horeb, the mountain of God (Ex. 3:1-4), Moses had received the purpose of guiding the enslaved Israelites, which is estimated to have numbered from one to two million, out of their slavery in Egypt, and across the wilderness for forty years. He has seen an older generation pass away including his own sister Miriam, and his brother, Aaron the high priest. He had received the divine vision and overseen the construction of the tabernacle for the presence and atonement of God placed in the center of the tribes of Israel. He had interceded with God for His mercy when the people rebelled against God and His Word. He is at the point of this Sabbath reading portion of equipping the Israelites with the d'varim Words of the LORD that will ensure their survival and success in the new land, if they will obey them.

     However, at one point in their travel across the wilderness, Moses failed to do as Words of the LORD instructed him regarding the Rock that would supply them with their needed water. For this, the LORD told Moses that he would not be able to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. (see Num. 20:7-13).

     As the Israelites have come to the end of their forty years of wandering, and are poised at the edge of the Promised Land to enter into it, Moses besought/pleaded (hanan - mercy, gracious, merciful, supplication, favor, pity, have mercy on, implore favor) the LORD about being able to lead the Israelites into the Land: "Then I pleaded with the LORD at that time, saying: "...I pray, let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, those pleasant mountains and Lebanon." (Deut. 3:23-25, excerpt). Moses' act of hanan pleading with the LORD is where the title of this Sabbath reading portion, Va'etchannan originates.

     The leading of the people is what Moses had known and done all of these years. The entrance into the Promised Land has been the goal of all of these years. However, Moses will discover that there is even a greater purpose waiting for him in the LORD's service, and that purpose will incorporate d'varim Words that will guide generations to come.

     When Moses besought or pleaded with the LORD in this matter, the LORD answered: "Enough of that! Speak no more to Me of this matter. Go up (ala - ascend, raised, burnt offering, increase) to the top of Pisgah, and lift (nasa - lift up, bear up, carry, forgive, regard, exalt, obtained, rise up) your eyes (ayin - eye, sight, fountain, to flow out as water, presence, knowledge, in my opinion it seems) toward the west, the north, the south, and the east; behold it with your eyes, for you shall not cross over this Jordan. But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see.' So we stayed in the valley opposite Beth Peor." (Deut. 3:26-29).

     What did Moses "see" when he went to the top of Mount Pisgah? He saw more than he ever would have seen with his natural eyes upon entering the land as he had pleaded to do. The revelation is found in the phrase, "Enough of that!" or in the King James Version, "Let it suffice thee!" in v. 26. The Hebrew word used by the LORD in this phrase is the word rab/rabab, which means: great, greater, greater than, much, multitude, chief, captain, mighty, abounding in, more numerous than, exceedingly, vast, magnitude/are multiplied, increased, manifold, ten thousands, be or become great, increase, expand, spread, multiplied into myriads. This same meaning is also found in the Lord's answer to Paul when Paul prayed to be delivered by either a physical or spiritual "thorn": "My grace (charis/chairo - grace, joy, pleasure, delight, loveliness, good will, loving-kindness, favor, merciful kindness, benefit, bounty, recompense, reward, liberality, affection/rejoice exceedingly, well off, be glad) is sufficient (arkeo/airo - be possessed of unfailing strength, to defend, ward off/raise up, lift up, elevate, raise from the ground, to expiate sin [also see nasa above]) for you..." (see 2 Cor. 12:7-10). The "thorn" is puny compared to the sufficiency of the grace/ hanan of God.

     While Moses has his heart set on continuing to the end in the role that he has been doing for over forty years, the LORD says that that request is puny compared to what is about to be achieved through him as he relates what he will see by the supernatural revelation eyesight that was about to be given to him on Pisgah (pisga/pasag - cleft of the Rock/to pass between or within, cut in two, divide, accurately contemplate) from the LORD. The place of Pisgah is, spiritually speaking, the same place that Paul tells us to view the revelation of the LORD when he instructs us to be approved (dokimos/dokeo - approved, tried, accepted/think, suppose, be of opinion [see ayin above]) and to "rightly divide" (orthotomeo - to cut straight, dissect correctly, straight path, teach correctly) the Word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). I am sorry to say, but we sometimes may have made the Word of the LORD "puny" because we wanted to look at it from our position in the valley, instead of getting up to the heights of our spiritual Mount Pisgah. Perhaps the Lord has been shouting, "Enough of that! There is so much greater for you to see."

     As the LORD told Moses to get up to the top (ros - head, chief, top, excellent, first, forefront, beginning, ruler, captain, principal, the sum total, to shake a place, time or rank) of Pisgah and lift up his eyes and see, He is also bringing us this same message on this Sabbath. The view from the top, from the Captain and Ruler, is very different than the view from the bottom. We are not meant to see what everyone else sees, or even what we saw a year ago, ten years ago, or more. "Enough of that!" What the LORD has to show us is even greater and what we are to see will shake things up, and impact "myriads of thousands." In these end times of transition, a type of transition patterned after the Israelites' entrance into the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega land, the LORD is "taking it up a notch," and calling us all to His greater purpose. Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” (Jn. 14:12). There are greater works for us.

     So what did Moses "see" on the top of Pisgah? First of all, he was commanded to look in all four directions, even though Israel was approaching from the east already. What Moses saw was to be spoken of to his successor, Joshua ("Jehovah is Salvation"), as strengthening ('ames - establish, fortify, steadfastly minded, persist, obstinate, courageous, alert) and encouragement (hazak - strengthen, repair, prevail, courage, make strong, make bold, sustain) to enter and conquer Canaan. It is the "LORD of Salvation" who will be leading this transition to enact the salvation of man.

     Moses "saw" what shall be when the LORD brings them into the land of which He swore, that the Israelites would inhabit the big and beautiful cities "which you did not build," and houses full of all good things, "which you did not fill," wells "which you did not dig," vineyards and olive trees "which you did not plant."  (Deut. 6:10-11). Moses warned the Israelites, that as they were enjoying this great bounty that he had seen, not to forget the LORD who had brought them out of Egypt. (v. 12).

     Moses "saw" the Israelites fall away from their covenant with the LORD and, as a result, be scattered among the nations. (Deut. 4:25-27). He also "saw" the Israelites turn and seek (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the LORD with all of their hearts and souls and obey His voice when they are in distress/tribulation "in the latter days." Moses promised them that the LORD would not forsake them, but He will remember His (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) covenant with them. (Deut. 4:29-31). Moses had seen on Pisgah thousands of years ahead into the latter days, to prepare, equip and warn Israel of the snare that had been set for them, and their subsequent salvation and rescue by the LORD.

     Moses gave the Israelites and all of us the prayer, dedication and revelation which is called The Shema: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD your God, the LORD is one! You shall love (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart." (Deut. 6:4-6). Not only were these transformational d'varim words to be in their hearts and souls, but passed along to their children in all circumstances, and worn on their persons, and on the doorposts of their houses and on the gates of their homes and cities. (v. 7-9). The d'varim words were to be internalized within them as spiritual DNA, as well as displayed outwardly as a sign, as a mark (v. 8). 

     This special sight to which Moses was called to at the top of Mount Pisgah was not for him alone, as we might think. The prophet Isaiah wrote in another reading selection for this Va-etchannan Sabbath the LORD’s words to Zion and Jerusalem: “O Zion, you who bring good tidings, get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, you who bring good tidings, lift up your voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”…Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, who brings out their host (stars) by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; not one is missing.” (Isa. 40:9, 26). In this case, the LORD has a special vision for Zion and Jerusalem of glad tidings to see: “Behold, the LORD God shall come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.”(v. 10-11, see also Jn. 10:11-16). We recognize in these words our own Shepherd, Jesus.

     This command from the LORD in Isaiah is given to those who are to carry the good tidings, the message of salvation and the Messiah/Christ Jesus who fulfills it for all who believe in Him to save. (Lk. 2:8-14). This vision and this message is vital for all of us especially in these end times before the return of Christ.

     If you would like to walk in the sight on the top of the mountain of the Lord, and His greater purpose, you can pray with me: “Dearest LORD of my heart and soul, lead me in Your great purpose and lifted sight as You call me to rightly divide the d’varim Words of God as written in Your scriptures. Let my eyes be lifted up to see and my heart be open to receive Your knowledge and understanding. Your greater purpose is “enough” and powerful in the earth, full of good tidings for all who will come. Your Word became flesh as Jesus and walked among us to teach us the greater purpose that You have called Your people to fulfill in the world. I seek Your face and call upon Your name, not only for myself, but for all those who are meant to belong to You, Good Shepherd, and Shepherd of Israel. Guide my soul and spirit by the Holy Spirit who calls all things to my remembrance. I ask these things in the name of our Savior, Jesus. AMEN.”

*NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as ΑΩ , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13. 

 

Overthrown

      "Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!' And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshipped God, saying: 'We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come, because You have taken Your great power and reigned'...Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail." (Rev. 11:15-19, excerpt).

     This is the vision given to John by Jesus Messiah/Christ of the overthrow of earthly kingdoms of men's power and the establishment of God's kingdom on earth in heavenly power and covenant. It is accompanied by great noises and shakings, even hail. It seems that we are seeing this same kind of unusual phenomenon here on earth more and more frequently now also.

     This week's Sabbath reading portion titled D'varim, meaning "The Words," also deals in part with the overthrow of mighty kingdoms on earth. D'varim is also the Hebrew name of the Book of Deuteronomy, and the Sabbath reading begins in Chapter one of that Book. This Sabbath, we are beginning a new Hebrew month, Av, and we are also beginning a new Book, D'varim/Deuteronomy, in the Torah/Bible. The month of Av, translates to "Father" in English, and is especially used in the phrase "Menachem Av," meaning "Comforting Father," with the Father being our comfort in times of mourning and loss. The Jewish people have known great sorrows in this month throughout history, but the LORD has never given up His promise of reconciliation and renewal, which we will see in this D'varim Sabbath study.

     These two new beginnings occurring on this Sabbath, draw our attention to the idea of the old passing away and the new being established, especially for believers in Messiah/Christ. Paul wrote: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Cor. 5:17-19). Paul said that God has reconciled the earth to Himself through His Son, Jesus, and that miraculous reconciliation process includes us. We need "to get with the program" of this great reconciliation of heaven and earth! This means that our attention should be focused in a special way. Peter wrote that we should not be invested in what is passing away but looking for and "hastening " (speudo/pous - to haste, make haste, to desire earnestly, to urge on diligently, to await eagerly, make haste unto/foot, footstool, as putting the foot on a vanquished enemy, as a disciple sits at the feet [of Jesus] listening to instruction) the new that is coming. (2 Peter 3:10-14). Why are we so caught up and invested in the things that will pass away?

     If God's people turn back from His vision of reconciliation and renewal, they can become caught up in the overthrow of the old, as we will see in this week's Sabbath reading portion.

     Moses recounts very ancient history in Deuteronomy of nations overthrown and replaced by a new people. The Lord had given territory to Esau, son of Isaac and brother of Jacob, and his descendants, and Lot, the nephew of Abraham, and his descendants. The LORD told Moses and the Israelites: "Do not meddle with them, for I will not give you any of their land, no, not so much as one footstep, because I have given (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Mount Seir (seir/sair/sa'ar - hairy or shaggy, patriarch of the Horites who were the aboriginal occupants of Edom before the descendants of Esau/goat, devil, satyr, hairy, demon-possessed he-goat/come like a whirlwind, be horribly afraid, dread, sweep away, come as a storm) to Esau as a possession." (Deut. 2:2-5). The LORD also commanded regarding Moab: "Do not harass Moab, nor contend with them in battle, for I will not give you any of their land as a possession, because I have given Ar ('ar/'ir - a city, an enemy/a place or city guarded with a watch tower and frequented by people, a terror, rage, heat of anger, the enemies' metropolis like Nineveh) to the descendants of Lot as a possession. (The Emim ('emim/'ema/'ayom - terrors, idols that cause terror to their worshippers, a very ancient people that occupied the land of the Moabites before them/terror, dread, fear, horror, idols/terrible, dreadful, frightful) had dwelt there in times past, a people as great and numerous and tall as the Anakim. They were also regarded as giants, like the Anakim, but the Moabites call them Emim. The Horites (hori/hor/hur - cave dwellers, troglodyte, those who in very ancient times inhabited Mt. Seir/hole, cave, den of wild beasts/hole, crevice of serpents, cell of a prison, an abominable subterranean prison, the hole of a viper or an asp, the desire to be hidden from the judgment of God [see also Rev. 6:14-17]) formerly dwelt in Seit, but the descendants of Esau dispossessed them and destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their place, just as Israel did to the land of their possession which the LORD gave them.)" (v. 9-12). The former idolatrous nations of people were long ago dispossessed by descendants of those related to the Israelites. At the time of Moses, the Israelites were not to touch the territories of Moab and Mount Seir by the command of God.

     We are given a very interesting and rare look here into ancient aboriginal people. As we can see from the Hebrew meanings of these ancient places and people, God had overthrown the terror related to them and replaced them with descendants of Abraham who were related to Israel. He overthrew the evil and the terror of these places associated with idolatry, the devil and demons.     

     Also in these early chapters of Deuteronomy, Moses reviews the recent defeat of two kings, both Amorites, by Israel as delivered into their hands by the LORD. These kings, Sihon and Og, must have a very special spiritual significance because they are mentioned several times in scripture in the Books of Numbers, Deuteronomy, Judges, 1 Kings, Nehemiah, Jeremiah, and the Psalms. They represent something that scripture intends for the people of God to remember. What must we learn about their defeat?

     Og ("long-necked"), the king of Bashan ("fruitful, region known for fertility"), was a giant, and according to the Concordance, he was one of the last of the ancient giants, the Rephaim (meaning casting down or throwing down). He ruled over the fruitfulness of the land according to the Hebrew meaning. Sihon (sihon/suah - warrior, tempestuous, sweeping away/wipe away) was king of Heshbon (stronghold, reason, reasoning, understanding). His name implies that he was an aggressive warrior who valued the reasoning and understanding of men rather than God. Both kings were of the (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) Amorite (emoi/amar - a "sayer"/speak, command, tell, utter, say, publish, declare, to think, intend, boast, declare, demand, desire) tribe of Canaan. We also saw the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega designation in the Hebrew writing of Mount Seir, above. The Amorites, according to their *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega designation in the written Hebrew should have been declaring and desiring the prophesied Messiah/Christ, but they, instead, fell into a demonic Canaanite religion. This is a description of the religion of the Amorites and the Canaanites in general: It is similar to the earlier Sumerian religion. It was an extraordinarily base and degraded religion of brutality, with gross and perverse sexual excesses and depravity as fertility rites. They offered animal sacrifices, and there is archeological and anthropological evidence of human sacrifices to their gods, such as Ba'al. There is evidence that the human sacrifices of the Amorites included their own children, particularly their first-born. They practiced magic, spell casting and binding, and spiritism.

     The LORD, at the time of His overthrow of the Amorites, considered their wickedness to be complete. It was time for them to go, and the Israelites dispossessed them and their kings Og and Sihon. The old evil was overthrown, and the newness of God replaced them.

     Here are some of the references in scripture to the defeat of the Amorite kings Og and Sihon, and its wider significance:

"Moreover You gave them (the Israelites of the wilderness) kingdoms and nations, and divided them into districts. So they took possession of the land of Sihon, (*vaw-aleph-tav: "the Lord, Adonai, nailed to the cross") the land of the king of Heshbon, and (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the land of Og king of Bashan." (Neh. 9:22).

"He (the LORD) defeated many nations and slew mighty kings - Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan - and gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to Israel His people." (Ps. 135:10-12). Ps. 136:17-22 describes this overthrow, reconciliation and renewal work of God among the nations of the earth as exhibiting His mercy that endures forever.

     Although Moab was not to be touched at the time of Moses' words in Deut. Ch. 2, generations later the judgment of God, who is the Just Judge without favoritism, was prophesied to fall upon that nation because it exalted itself against the LORD (Jer. 48:42). We will see some familiar references in the language used: "Fear and the pit and the snare shall be upon you, O inhabitant of Moab,' says the LORD. He who flees from the fear shall fall into the pit, and he who gets out of the pit shall be caught in the snare. For upon Moab, upon it I will bring the year of their punishment," says the LORD..."...But a fire shall come out of Heshbon, a flame from the midst of Sihon, and shall devour the brow of Moab, the crown of the head of the sons of tumult." (v. 43-45, excerpt).

     The descendants of Lot, who had overthrown the aboriginal tribes who practiced perverse and murderous idol worship, would now be overthrown themselves because they had placed themselves above God and His will.

     As descendants of Noah, whom the LORD used as a prophet and deliverer from God's judgment, these idolatrous aboriginal tribes of Canaan, would have had the knowledge of the LORD from their forefathers. They chose a way of darkness instead. Sadder still, is that the people of God, then and sometimes even now, turn away from their knowledge of God and embrace the knowledge of the world instead. Both Paul and Peter wrote that this would especially be so in the latter days before the return of Messiah/Christ Jesus. (see Rom. 1:18-32 and 2 Pet. 2:1-3). The Lord holds off His judgment for as long as possible, giving every opportunity for all to repent and return to truth. (2 Pet. 3:9). However, without repentance, the overthrow will eventually come.

     This D'varim Sabbath reading portion brings us to the prophet Isaiah, who wrote the Word of the LORD concerning His own people of Judah and Jerusalem: "Alas, sinful nation, a people laden (kabed - great, grievous, heavy, sore, hard, thick, dull, difficult, very oppressive, unresponsive) with iniquity, a brood of evil doers, children who are corrupters!  They have forsaken (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the LORD, they have provoked to anger (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) the Holy One of Israel, they have turned away backward...Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire; strangers devour your land in your presence; and it is desolate, as overthrown (mahpeka - overthrow, destruction, always of Sodom and Gomorrah, overturn) by strangers." (Isa. 1:4, 7). 

     I(nstead of being full of the kabod glory of God, as they were called to be, and as we are called to be also, His people had instead become full of kabed iniquity.

     Their appointments with the LORD, such as their sacrifices, New Moons (new month), Sabbaths, sacred assemblies and meetings, appointed feasts, meant to renew and reconcile, had become an abomination before the LORD instead. The LORD said that He could not bear them anymore. (v. 13-14). His people were practicing idolatry in the tree groves (symbolizing strength) and gardens (symbolizing protection). (v. 29-30). As designated by the *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega connected to the names of God above, His people rejected their knowledge of the saving Messiah/Christ, and chose instead the natural strength and defense, and the empty promises of false gods. (see Isa. 2:6-8, 10).

     The LORD compares His people to Sodom and Gomorrah. (v. 10).

     The LORD's nation of "Praise," Judah, and Jerusalem, the city that bears His name: "The LORD is Peace," will be overthrown, as the LORD did with the Canaanite nations of idolators before them, in His prophecy to Isaiah. The LORD said that instead of being full of justice and righteousness, His city, Jerusalem, had become a city of murderers, rebellious, a companion of thieves, corrupt, oppressing the powerless and poor. (v. 21-23).

     Approximately two hundred years later, Isaiah's prophecy of an overthrown Judah was fulfilled as that nation was led into captivity to Babylon, who conquered them. God's people are not meant to be overthrown but choose it when they overthrow their knowledge of the One who loves and saves them.

     However, in this same chapter of Isaiah, the LORD also prophesies the restoration of Judah: "I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city. Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her penitents (sub - return, bring back, to restore, refresh, repair, turn back to God, be brought back) with righteousness." (v. 26-37). It is not too late to return to the LORD. It is not too late to walk in His newness through the Messiah/Christ Jesus.

      This is not the end of the story, however. The LORD would not ever forget His covenant with Israel regarding the land, and His plan for renewing and reconciling the whole earth to Himself through Messiah/Christ as stated above. This plan required the existence of Israel, including Judah: Bethlehem of birth and Jerusalem of death and resurrection. The return of Messiah/Christ and His reign on earth will also flow from Jerusalem, the place of David's throne as many prophecies promise. (see Isa. 2:1-4, Isa. 9:6-7, Ps. 2:6-12, Zech. 14:3-4,Zech. 14:8-9,14, 16-17, etc.).

     The believers in Messiah/Christ are called to be an important part in the reconciling and renewing of the earth to the LORD as we saw in the beginning verses above. The "old" will be overthrown, but we are called to be part of the "new" in Messiah/Christ, and to minister it to others.

     If you would like to learn more about the reconciliation and renewal work of the LORD, you can pray with me: "Gracious Lord and Father, from the beginning, You have set forth Your plan to restore, reconcile and renew all of the earth and its inhabitants in Yourself. You sent Your Son, Jesus, to bring this newness to the earth, to reconcile every soul with his/her Creator, to forgive and redeem all who were laden with iniquity and destined to be overthrown. I thank You for Your grace and mercy that You extended to me and to all the world because of Your love for us all. Your Son will return to establish Your Kingdom in the earth and have rule so that the earth may dwell in peace. Keep me, Lord, in Your perfect peace, and draw me nearer always to Yourself. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may bring the Word of reconciliation to others. I ask this in the name of Jesus. AMEN."

*NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as ΑΩ , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13.