WordCovenant

In last week's entry titled "Words/Vision", we saw how the cultic practices of the Canaanites, who would be dispossessed from the Promised Land by the Israelites, used idols and false gods in their grasping of wealth and security. This Sabbath's reading titled Va-etchannan, or "And I besought (the LORD)", is from Deuteronomy Chapters 3 through 6. In this reading portion, Moses told the Israelites that their lives, their sustenance and much more was available to God's people by knowing and loving Him and observing His Word. God Himself delivered His Word to them in an awesome appearance on Mt. Sinai in the wilderness. This giving of His Word to His people formed a covenant unlike any covenant that had been known to their fathers before them. Moses said: "The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb (location of Mt. Sinai). The LORD did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive. The LORD talked with you face to face on the mountain from the midst of the fire." (Deut. 5:2-4). As Moses reminded the Israelites in these few verses of the circumstances involved in the giving of the Word-covenant by God to His people, the awesome power of this Word-covenant is revealed in the Hebrew words and meanings used here. First of all, the Word-covenant was delivered to them in Horeb. Horeb means "desert, dried up, kill, destroyer, waste, slay, decayed, absence of water, to fight". This Word-covenant was given right in the middle of a place of death, that is unable to sustain life, which was the territory of the destroyer. It was given to those who are "alive", or hay/haya/hava in Hebrew, meaning "live, life, creature, living thing, sustenance, maintenance, flowing fresh water, revival, renewal/save, revive, recover, live, live forever, sustain life, live prosperously, be restored to life or health, to revive from death, faintness, or discouragement, to preserve alive, nourish, be whole/declare, make known, to breathe". God's Word-covenant speaks life, including eternal life, even in the habitation of the destroyer and death. God delivered this covenant to His people face to face, in the midst of fire (es - supernatural fire accompanying the visible manifestation of God to humankind; altar fire). Perhaps God delivered this Word-covenant, which was unlike any other previous covenant, in such an earthshaking display of never-to-be-forgotten power and personal presence because, at a later time, His Word would become flesh and dwell among us, full of grace and truth in the form of His only begotten Son, Jesus, our Savior and Messiah (Jn. 1:14). Jesus also said to those questioning Him: "You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (Jn. 5:39). The Canaanite idols, and the world's current idols of wealth, military and political security and power, and dependence upon men's knowledge and understanding are laughable when contrasted with the kind of power imbedded in God's Word-covenant, which He delivered face to face with His people from the midst of fire. Moses told the Israelites to know and observe God's commands and statutes "that you may live" (see also Jn. 6:63, Ps. 119:25), and "take possession of the land" (Deut. 4:1). He also said: "...be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes", and as a result determine that Israel is a great nation not only because of that wisdom and understanding, but because God is so near to it. (Deut. 4:6-7). Do we have this same Word-covenant with God that causes others to see wisdom and understanding in us? to see the nearness of God to us? There were other benefits from this Word-covenant with God. Moses said that the observance of this Word-covenant would prolong their days (see also Prov. 3:1-2), and they would be multiplied greatly (Deut. 6:2-3). They would dwell in large and beautiful cities that they had not built (see also Heb. 11:10). In addition, the observers of the Word-covenant would have "houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant..."> (Deut. 6:11). These are blessings not achieved by human effort, but out of the bountifulness of God's Word-covenant with His people. However, His people, as they were filled and prospered, were not to forget the LORD Who delivered them out of Egypt, and out of bondage (v. 12). In prosperity and fullness, it is easy to fall into the trap of forgetting Who has given us everything that we have (see Rev. 3:14-19). In these chapters from Deuteronomy, Moses restated the Ten Commandments (Deut. 5:6-21). These same Ten Commandments are being removed from public display in our nation because of the fear of some people's complaints. It seems, based upon what we have read above, that it would be far better to offend people with the truth, than to offend the LORD God Who appears to us face to face from the midst of fire. Moses (and Jesus) also told the congregation this: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love 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, Mt. 22:37-38). It is not enough to read the Words, or even to speak the Words, but they must become part of our hearts in order for us to observe them, and for them to produce life in us. The Word-covenant was also to be worn as a sign (ot - appearing, mark, banner, warning, evidence, proof, miracles, both past and future, consent or agreement) on the forehead, the hand, the doorposts of their houses, and on their gates of entrance. (Deut. 6:8-9). We are to be so joined to the Word-covenant with bindings, that we are identified by it. With concern and caring for the salvation and welfare of the children and the grandchildren of His people, the LORD commanded that the young ones also be taught the Word of God diligently in every daily situation (Deut. 4:9-10, 6:7). As we found out above, the Word-covenant was given by God to His people in the middle of the place of the destroyer, desolation and death. We will see this again in another section from this week's Sabbath reading. The reading is from Isaiah 40, which is always read on the Sabbath called Nachamu, or "Comfort", which follows Tisha B'Av. Tisha B'Av, meaning the ninth day of the month of Av, commemorates the destruction of the two Jewish temples, which occurred on the same date but hundreds of years apart, as well as other devastating events in history for the Jews. Tisha B'Av is remembered with a day of mourning and repentance, but also with hope in the redemption of God. Out of the place of desolation, once again God delivers His Word of life, revival, and healing. In this Nachamu reading portion, the LORD has just delivered a prophecy to King Hezekiah of Judah through His prophet Isaiah. The LORD prophesied that the king's accumulated wealth, and his sons, (as well as the people of Judah) would be carried away into captivity to Babylon, leaving nothing left (Isa. 39:5-7). However, the LORD also prophesied a Word of reviving consolation: "Comfort (naham), yes, comfort (naham) My people!' says your God. Speak (dabar) comfort (leb) to Jerusalem and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned." (Isa. 40:1-2). The first two appearances of the Word "comfort", or naham, in verse 1, according to the Hebrew meaning, refers to the comfort, pity, Comforter, consolation and compassion that God pours out on His people as they sincerely regret and repent of their iniquities before Him. The second use of the Word "comfort", or the Hebrew word leb, used in verse 2, is a different word and has a completely different meaning from the first mentions of "comfort". As the LORD says: "Speak comfort...", it means to promise, declare, speak, sing, command to the understanding, emotions or desires, and the inclination or will of Jerusalem - in other words, to speak directly into to the soul(s) of Jerusalem from the soul of God. The LORD then prophesies the Words that will be repeated at the appearance of John the Baptist, the prophet who would come to identify the Messiah, the Christ, to the people many centuries later: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the LORD...The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken." (v. 3-5, see also Jn. 1:23, Mk. 1:2-5). Then the LORD says to the cities of Judah: "Behold your God!...Behold, His reward is with 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.9-11. excerpt, see also Jn. 10:11-18, Rev. 22:12-13). Isaiah 40 is full of consolation and encouragement, reminding His people that all creation is small compared to His greatness. Isaiah 40 ends with this Word-covenant promise: "He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength...But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (v. 29, 31). Even in the place of desolation, the Word-covenant of God, His Living Word, Jesus, speaks life, renewal, healing and restoration for those who are partakers of that covenant with Him. If you would like to learn about the Word-covenant of life even in the place of desolation and destruction, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, You delivered Your Word-covenant with awesome signs and wonders, face to face with Your people. You filled Your Word-covenant with life, even eternal life, revival, fresh water, and healing for us. You speak consolation and salvation into our souls when we are in a place of mourning and repentance before You. You sent Your Son, Jesus, as the Word Who became flesh, so we could all see His glory, grace, and truth. Fill me with Your Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to revive me, so that I can know and observe Your Word-covenant of life. I pray for this same revival for my nation. I ask these things in Jesus' name, AMEN."

Testify

Jesus said, "You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me."           Jn. 5:39

When saying the above, Jesus was speaking to Jews in the Temple in Jerusalem, who were angry with Him because He had healed a man on the Sabbath. Jesus told them that their beloved Torah bore witness to who He was. References to Him, and to His life, were promised and prophesied in those scriptures.
The word "testify" is edut, עֵדוּת, made up of the letters ayin (see, reveal, know), daleth (door), vaw (nail), and tav (cross, covenant, sign of the covenant). So the word "testify" in Hebrew can also be expressed: "See the door of the nail and the cross (covenant)".
It is said that there are 353 verses in the Torah which testify to Jesus. We can only look at a few here.
In Gen 3:15, the LORD God prophesied to the serpent the following:
"...And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel."
The one who would deal the blow to the rulership (head) of the serpent, would be born of a woman, but would not come out of the encounter with the serpent's seed unscathed.
To Abraham, the LORD promised:
"....because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son-...In your seed, all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."        Gen.22: 16-18
As Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, Isaac, the Angel stopped him, and Abraham discovered a ram caught in a thicket (of thorns), to be sacrificed in place of Isaac. We have a shadow of a sacrifice of a son, and  the principle of a substitute (ram) to become a sacrifice on our behalf. All nations, not just Israel, would be blessed and benefitted by Abraham's obedience that day that he was willing to sacrifice his son. Abraham was confident, however, that the LORD would provide for Himself, that lamb for the sacrifice (v.8), and he was right.
Proverbs 30:4 would confirm that there would be a "sonship" relationship between the Creator, and the Messiah:
"...Who has established all the ends of the earth"
What is His name, and what is His Son's name
If you know?"
Why would the writer of Proverbs ask "What is His name?" and "What is His Son's name?"
Surely the people of Israel know the LORD's name, so why this question? It is there because there is a name of the LORD that they did not yet know. This name of the Creator is directly connected with His Son's name. Jesus told the Jews, "I have come in My Father's name..."  (Jn. 5:43)
The prophet Isaiah writes about this child, this son:
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace."           Isa. 9:6
This Son to be born would carry the name of God, Himself.

King David writes prophetically about the scene of the crucifixion of Christ in Psalm 22, although David lived 1,000 years before Jesus' birth:
"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
...All those who see Me ridicule Me...
Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him (said by those who mocked)...
I am poured out like water,
And all My bones are out of joint;
My heart is like wax;
It has melted within Me...
You have brought Me to the dust of death.
They pierced My hands and My feet;
They divide My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots."
David as king, though he faced many challenges, was never crucified, yet he writes a witness account, as though he was on the cross at that scene 1,000 years later. The Psalm concludes with the great victory of the LORD that causes all nations to worship Him. The dead will live to worship. Even those yet unborn will hear about this great thing He has done.
Isaiah writes about the servant who was despised and rejected by men. This servant bore our grief (sicknesses), and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions, not His own. He was bruised, chastised and whipped for our iniquities and healing. He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isa. 53).
The above Servant wasn't punished for a crime He committed. He took the punishment on behalf of others. Isaiah  writes about this Servant, whose sacrifice is an exact prophetic account of Jesus' purpose approximately 750 years before Jesus was born.

There were prophetic references to the resurrection of Jesus also:
"For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption."   Ps. 16:10

"Your dead shall live;
Together with My dead body they shall arise.

Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust;
For Your dew is like the dew of herbs,
And the earth shall cast out the dead."    Isa. 26:19

"I will ransom them from the power of the grave;
I will redeem them from death.
O Death, I will be your plagues!
O Grave, I will be your destruction!
Pity is hidden from My eyes."      Hosea 13:14

Those who have rejected this "Suffering Servant", this Son who bore His Father's name, will see Him, and see the truth regarding Him, during a very trying circumstance involving an attack against Jerusalem. The prophet Zechariah has prophesied in 12:10:
"And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of Grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a first-born."
The chapter goes on to describe the extensive grief and mourning over this Son of every individual and household when they see Him, in a similar manner to the national mourning that took place previously in HadadRimmon (the place where King Josiah was mourned in Megiddo).

There are so many verses that testify, prophesy, or mirror, the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus that can be found in the Torah, as Jesus said-too many to record here.
Below, you will find links to free information available, written especially to the Jewish people, regarding the discovery of Jesus in the Torah.

Our Father testifies of His Son, Jesus, in His word.

"For Unto Us a Child is Born"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owcn6fgYwpw

Additional Sources:
"They Thought for Themselves"
http://sidroth.org/articles/they-thought-for-themselves

"Isaiah 53 Explained"
https://isaiah53.com/main/