As we enter the Yamim Noraim, ימים נוראים the 10 Days of Awe from Rosh Hashanah or the Feast of Trumpets to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, may we turn from any ways that trample underfoot the glory of the Name of the LORD or the testimony of His holiness. Let us rejoice in His gracious forgiveness!
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity
And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession?
He does not retain His anger forever,
Because He delights in unchanging love.
He will again have compassion on us;
He will tread our iniquities under foot.
Yes, You will cast all their sins
Into the depths of the sea.
You will give truth to Jacob
And unchanging love to Abraham,
Which You swore to our forefathers
From the days of old.
Micah 7:18-20
Fall Mo'edim (Appointed Times of the LORD) Schedule
Rosh Hashanah/Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:23,24)
1 Tishrei 5778-5779 | Sunset, September 10 — Sunset, September 11, 2018
The biblical calendar changes to a new year. This is a special sabbath, falling midweek.
1 Tishrei 5778-5779 | Sunset, September 10 — Sunset, September 11, 2018
The biblical calendar changes to a new year. This is a special sabbath, falling midweek.
Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:26-32)
10 Tishrei 5779 | Sunset, September 18 — Sunset, September 19, 2018
This is another special sabbath, and rather than a feast, calls to "deny yourselves," which is interpreted as a fast.
10 Tishrei 5779 | Sunset, September 18 — Sunset, September 19, 2018
This is another special sabbath, and rather than a feast, calls to "deny yourselves," which is interpreted as a fast.
Sukkot/Feast of Tabernacles or Booths (Leviticus 23:33-43)
15-22 Tishrei 5779 | Sunset, September 23 — Sunset, September 30, 2018
The first and last day are special sabbaths. This is a great celebration, calling for rejoicing with the community of faith.
Eighth Day Assembly/ Sh'mini Atzeret (Leviticus 23:36,39)
Sunset, 30 September — October 1, 2018
This is a special day commencing the Fall Mo'edim. It is special Sabbath and a day to assemble with the family of faith.
15-22 Tishrei 5779 | Sunset, September 23 — Sunset, September 30, 2018
The first and last day are special sabbaths. This is a great celebration, calling for rejoicing with the community of faith.
Eighth Day Assembly/ Sh'mini Atzeret (Leviticus 23:36,39)
Sunset, 30 September — October 1, 2018
This is a special day commencing the Fall Mo'edim. It is special Sabbath and a day to assemble with the family of faith.
Parashat Ki Tavo / פרשת כי־תבוא
“When You Go In”
Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8
Haftarah: Isaiah 60:1-60:22
B'rit Chadashah: Ephesians 1:3-6, Revelation 21:10-27
Shabbat | 1 September 2018 | 21 Elul 5778
... ... ... SPECIAL NEWS UPDATE AT END of COMMENTARY ... ... ...
Portion Ki Tavo ~ Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8
Blessings and Curses
A cursory read through this week’s portion invariably leaves a sober imprint of the verses regarding God’s promise of blessings for obedience, and especially His dire warning of curses for disobedience.
Here we find Israel coming into Adonai’s chosen land. Through this tiny people—the “least” among nations, the Almighty would reveal Himself and work His redemption for the world. From Jerusalem, where Adonai has placed His Name forever, His glory, holiness, justice, lovingkindness, and mercy would be made manifest to the nations. All this through Israel, even in her fall. “For salvation (Yeshua in Hebrew) is from the Jews.” Deut. 7:7, 1 Kings 9:3, 2 Chron. 7:16, John 4:22
All redemptive prophecy begins and culminates with and through Israel.
Yeshua (Jesus) is not a new paradigm, separate from the people of His lineage. Right up to very end, throughout the book of Revelation, He is the [Passover] Lamb, “the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David.” He Himself proclaims: “I am the root and the descendant of David.” Revelation 5:5, 22:16
There is a grave misunderstanding among those who love Jesus. This week’s portion throws a spotlight on Scriptures that often compounds this misunderstanding.
We must understand that every kingdom has a king. And every kingdom has laws, regulations, and statutes that identify it uniquely among the nations.
YHVH is God Almighty over all kings and kingdoms. His ways are beyond ours—high and lifted up—wisdom surpassing the wise—lovingkindness, grace, mercy, and justice in unfathomable measure. And He is holy, holy, holy.
Into a barbaric world, He desires to show His attributes through Israel
“See, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it. So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the Lord our God whenever we call on Him? Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today?” Deuteronomy 4:5-8
Israel was already a “redeemed” people, “chosen by God’s grace,” “set apart” for His purposes.
The “Law,” or Torah was two-fold:
- Torah means teaching. It taught God’s people HOW to live as a redeemed people—that the world would learn of the One True Living God and His Kingdom.
- It contained the system for a temporary remedy for sin until Messiah, the final sacrifice, and the end of the sacrifice system. (And transition to the new priesthood.)
Consistently throughout the Scriptures, obedience to God’s commandments carried with it the issue of relationship, love, faithfulness, and earthly promises so that the nations would see His goodness. Disobedience was tantamount to infidelity (in the sight of the nations—mocking His Name—and idolatry, whoring with other Gods. This reaped earthly disaster.
God pleaded with Israel to be faithful and live under His protection and blessing.
“This day the Lord your God commands you to do these statutes and ordinances. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul. You have today declared the Lord to be your God, and that you would walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments and His ordinances, and listen to His voice. The Lord has today declared you to be His people, a treasured possession, as He promised you, and that you should keep all His commandments; and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, for praise, fame, and honor; and that you shall be a consecrated people to the Lord your God, as He has spoken.” Deuteronomy 26:16-19
“Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the Lord your God; Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country…” Deuteronomy 28:1-3
Disobedience—unfaithfulness to God, was a conscious choice. Knowingly turning one’s back on the goodness of God while living in His Kingdom was folly.
(Like living in a country illegally, taking the benefits, but not abiding by its laws. Yet far worse, considering this is God Almighty who bestowed His Kingdom and untold blessings upon us!) YHVH clearly delineated the spiritual laws of His Kingdom—as real as the physical laws of our world. If one jumps off a building, he is subject to the laws of gravity.
“But it shall come about, if you do not obey the Lord your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes with which I charge you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country…” Deuteronomy 28:15-16
The Tenakh is replete with such warnings. And yet, we are told that the accounts in the Old Testament happened as an example and were recorded FOR US, FOR OUR INSTRUCTION. 1 Corinthians 10:11
So where does this idea come from... that after YHVH spent the lion’s share of the Bible using Israel (and severely punishing her) TO INSTRUCT US on how important His commands are TO HIM ... and Jesus reiterated the authority of Torah in Matthew 5:17-20 ... and Paul said the Law is “holy, and just, and good,” ... the Law “is spiritual” (Romans 7:12,14) ... we “establish the Law” (Romans 3:31), etc., ...that God suddenly did away with His Torah for the life of the redeemed who carry His Name?! Where DOES this idea come from?
I propose He didn’t. We change and waver, but He is trustworthy, unchanging, immutable. “For I, the LORD, do not change…” Malachi 3:6
“The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation.” Psalm 33:11
Blessed be His Holy Name, forever, amen!
Shabbat shalom!
His EVERY Word Ministries
... ... ... SPECIAL NEWS UPDATE ... ... ...
This has been one of the most prophetically significant weeks in history according to a report by Bill Koenig at Watch.org, with Russia, Iran, Syria, Turkey, Israel and the US at the center. We encourage you to read Bill Koenig's report in its entirety here.
Significant Bullet Points:
Russia
- 300,000 troops and 900 tanks: Russia’s biggest military drills since Cold War
- Russia warns US against attacking Syria
- Syrian air defense forces reported on full alert for US attack
- Russia deploys fleet off Syria while claiming U.S. preparing for possible strike
- Russia to hold Mediterranean drills as Syria tensions rise; 25 ships and 30 planes
- NATO Confirms Russian Naval Buildup Off Syria, Calls for Restraint
- Syria, Turkey, Russia and U.S. to square off in Idlib with millions of civilians in the crosshairs
- Merkel to Trump: Russia needed to restrain Syria’s Assad from attacking Idlib
Iran
- Iran and Syria seal military cooperation agreement
- Iran, Russia prepare to battle each other over control of post-war Syria
- Everyone wants to get Iran out of Syria. But no one knows how to do it
- Iran's oil exports plummet 600,000 b/d as US sanctions force key buyers to seek alternatives
- Iran claims it controls Strait of Hormuz, prompting Pompeo denial
- Kahlon and Mnuchin form joint U.S.-Israel team to enforce Iran sanctions
- Iran's response to sanctions? Ignore them
- Arrest of Iranian spies in US just ‘Tip of the iceberg,’ lawmaker warns
Israel and French Defense News and the PA
- IDF acquiring new rockets to hit all targets with unprecedented precision
- Macron says Europe can't rely on US for security
- Report: US to announce halt to all UNRWA funding within weeks
US News
- Censored! How online media companies are suppressing conservative speech
- John McCain defended giving dossier to Comey: Said 'I would do it again' in February 2018
- McCain gave dossier containing 'sensitive information' to FBI
- White House Hosts Dinner for Evangelical LeadersPresident Trump and First Lady Melania hosted a dinner Monday night at the White House to thank 100 Christian leaders for their support.>>From Debka August 27 (DEBKAfile — intelligence and security news service)Syrian air defense forces were placed on full alert Monday night amid concerns about a possible US strike against Damascus, Al Masdar News reported, citing local media sources. A source at the Mezzeh Air Base claimed that the troops stationed at the facility were ordered to prepare for a possible attack against Damascus. The Syrian government hasn’t yet commented on these reports. While the exact reason for the alert wasn’t revealed, the news agency cited “the potential threat of a US strike on the capital or its surrounding area.” The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that Syrian rebels in Idlib were preparing to stage a false flag chemical weapon attack against civilians in order to blame Damascus and give the US and its allies a pretext for a punitive strike against Syria.
Connecting the Dots
- The tangled web of deceit regarding the Russian influence in the 2016 US Presidential Election
- Apostasy in the Church: Strong-Arming the Evangelical Community
These bullet points represent merely the tip of the iceberg of global tensions and flashpoints that the majority of us know little about. Our mainstream media entertains more than it reports, and provides DISinformation and propaganda far more than useable information.
Yeshua commanded, "See to it that no one misleads you." (Matthew 24:4) Please dig beyond the headlines and soundbytes ... and pray.
"If my people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14
