This week’s parasha takes us full circle to the end of Moses’ life, but what was it like at the beginning as a humble shepherd in Midian? We discover in Ex 6:2–9:35, a man named Moses, the displaced Jew, disconnected from his nation and people, a prince of Egypt, reduced to a common shepherd of a Midianite’s flock. Yet it was in this position that he was commissioned by the living God to lead his people from captivity to freedom. The one who was separated from his people for 40 years in Egypt at birth, then exiled for a further 40 among the pagan Midianite nation suddenly became reconnected in the most staggering of Divine encounters.
And it is ironic that towards the end of his life, the Israelites under Moses killed 5 five Midianite kings in battle alongside the false prophet Balaam (Num. 31:8). The Midianites who had been one time allies of the Israelites had now become a mortal enemy.
But here, at Moses’ commissioning, in the Midianite desert, the Creator of the Universe now informed Moses how infinitely He cared for their offspring held captive as slaves in Egypt. And He would demonstrate this by delivering them from the Egyptians and returning them to the land given to their forefathers.
God chose to reveal His presence to Moses within a thorn bush considered useless by the heathen even for carving their wooden idols – the Creator of the universe revealed Himself clothed in humility. And it was this event that changed Moses’ life forever and transformed him into a man of God more humble than anyone who walked the earth (Num 12:3).
At a later stage in history, Yeshua gave His life for us crowned with the same thorns that God revealed Himself in within the burning bush. Although He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, He revealed Himself as the “Suffering Servant” who willingly paid the price for our sins. God has made His name known throughout all creation. Yud-He-Vav-He in human form, the Incarnation – Yeshua the perfect and complete expression of humility, the Suffering Servant who humbled Himself even unto death and paid the price higher than eternity can ever fathom.
What was it that changed Moses’ life from a common shepherd with a speech impediment to become a fearless lion? It was his encounter at the burning bush – God’s staggering humility shattered his life completely. And from that point onwards, he never looked back.
But things were not easy. God told Moses to announce to the Israelites that He would deliver them from Egyptian slavery but they did not listen because their spirit was broken and their labour harsh. (Ex.6:9) They were simply busy trying to survive day by day with no time for hope, or promises that contained no grounding.
But something subtle was happening underneath the surface. When Moses first met God at the burning bush, he kept declining his commissioning on the grounds that the people would not listen to him. He knew they would not listen to him. He was not a man of words. He was slow of speech and tongue. He lacked eloquence. He could not sway crowds and was not an inspirational leader. Why of all people choose him? This is something of immense importance that we can’t get into right now but suffice to say that as Paul wrote in 1Cor.1:27, “God selected the world’s foolish to bring shame upon those who think they are wise; likewise, He selected the world’s weak to bring disgrace upon those who think they are strong.”
It turned out that Moses was both right and wrong, right that they did not listen to him, but wrong about why. It had nothing to do with their view of him as a leader or a public speaker. In fact, it had nothing to do with Moses at all. They did not listen to him because their spirit was broken and their labour was harsh.
It’s difficult to hear God’s message when our spirit is broken and our labour is harsh. At that point, although it is an easy thing to blame God for things that have gone awry, true freedom is not freedom from our persecutors or even freedom from the worst physical deprivations designed by man.
And so, we dare not miss the urgency of the moment in the present to allow Satan to paralyse our future because the more hopeless our circumstances appear, the greater will be the victory.
And it in this context that God told the prophet Isaiah to speak the words that we will reflect upon a little later: “Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God. With gentle words, tender and kind, Assure Jerusalem, this chosen city from long ago, that her battles are over. The terror, the bloodshed, the horror of My punishing work is done.”
For did not the prophet Jeremiah write, “ I know the plans (thoughts) that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.” (29:11).
God did not write these words for people whose lives were going well but for those who felt abandoned by God , whose hope had evaporated and were without hope. The Hebrew word for plans is “macha-shavot” meaning thoughts. God never stops thinking about us, we are always in His thoughts and He has promised never to leave nor forsake us.
Deut 3:23–7:11; Isa 40:1–26; By Raphael ben Levi Jer. 29:11
Yeshua told His disciples “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you.” Jn 14:27 Therefore, fear not and let not your hearts be troubled.
The Greek word that Yeshua used for peace is (“eirene”) the same as the Hebrew “shalom” that represents wholeness not the absence of conflict. What Yeshua offers us is His peace in every circumstance even in the darkest of times; and not what the world offers because the world’s peace is at best conditional and temporary unlike the peace of God.
In ancient Hebrew, the word peace contains an even stronger meaning – that within its completeness it contains the capacity to destroy the authority which binds us to chaos – it is a weapon for which the enemy has no answer.
And so, we confidently gird our loins as we draw back our ‘bow’ and release God’s arrows against every expression of evil that would seek to kill and destroy and rob us of His peace which passes all understanding; it is our declaration as we come against every demonic attack of the enemy, “Let God arise and His enemies be scattered!”
The first weapons ever devised by humanity were designed for hand-to-hand combat. But to enable people to engage the enemy from a far distance, the bow and arrow was introduced. It was discovered that the tension from a wooden arched bough could propel the arrow great distances. It needed to be pulled back toward one’s own heart to strike one’s enemy and the closer it was drawn toward the heart, the greater was the distance it could reach. It is a perfect illustration of our love for God that releases His arrow from the bow that destroys every weapon formed against us, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Cor.10:4-5)
God loves us beyond our wildest imagination, infinitely greater than Satan’s hatred. God has not only equipped us with weapons of attack but also of defence against every arrow of the Devil directed towards us. How great is His love beyond measure! How can we even begin to fully describe it? Here is a heartbreaking story I have shared before that provides us with a taster.
There was a young Chassidic man in Cracow, Poland, who was engaged to a very beautiful girl. When the Nazis came, he was taken away and he didn’t know where his bride was. In Auschwitz, the men and women were separated, but, somehow, from afar, they could see each other. Sometimes they broke through the gates. One night, close to the end of the war, suddenly he saw his bride on the women’s side. They were blessing each other: “Hold out! The end is near. Please, hold out until the end.” One way or another, they sent food to each other. When the Russians came and freed them, somehow they met, and they went off together. Everything was bombed. Finally, they found one house and they were, for the first time, alone. They were so happy to be alone. He had not seen himself in a mirror for years. He didn’t know what he looked like. He had no hair, no payot (sidecurls). He was full of scars. Covered with blood. But, even more heartbreaking, she was clean shaven. She had no hair. She had no teeth. Her face was full of scars. They had not seen themselves for so long. They came into the house and suddenly, they looked into a mirror. They were shocked, especially the girl. She said: “This is the way I look! Not even the Angel of Death looks so bad. Tell me two things. How did you recognise me? And, how can you love somebody who looks like I look?”
You know what he said to her? “You never looked more beautiful to me than right at this moment.”
You may feel unloved today, but this is not how God views you. Instead, it simply represents one of Satan’s arrows you have allowed to pierce your soul. Here is the reality: God is boasting to all of Heaven right now telling them you never looked more beautiful to Him than at this moment!
In all of this, it is no coincidence that this Shabbat is named ‘Shabbat Nachamu’ (Sabbath of Comfort) from our Haftarah reading in Isa.40:1: “Nachamu, nachamu ami, amar Elo-hey-chem (“Comfort, comfort, my people, says your God.”) These words introduce the theme of comfort spanning all the way to ch.66, speaking of a future restoration, redemption and hope for the Jewish people.
God is faithful to His covenant promises even amid our shortcomings, something that’s made clear throughout Scripture. It is staggering how God spoke to the Israelites for their comfort particularly at their lowest point. So too when Yeshua encouraged His disciples about the Holy Spirit who He called “The Comforter” (Jn.14:16-17) translated from the Gk “paraklētos” that can also mean “Advocate,” or “Helper.”
This Shabbat is known as “Nachamu” from our Haftara reading in Isa.40 that lies in stark contrast the 9th Av we commemorated a couple of days ago. Both themes, of judgement and comfort, touch upon different aspects of our existence: one focuses upon the consequences of sin and the other to God’s ultimate response demonstrated through Yeshua.
Shabbat Nachamu is the first of 7 weekly portions of consolation leading to Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur. God’s words of comfort to those who were living in exile strikes a chord in our hearts because it reveals a Divine love that remains constant even when someone strays from the path. Whatever our background or circumstances, God is committed to bring restoration in our lives. No situation is unredeemable to He who is the Creator and Ruler of the universe.
God’s offer of redemption precedes even our repentance in the sense that before there was ever a need to repent He planned the means by which we could be restored. The rabbis call it “the cure before the disease.” All of this is made possible through Yeshua: “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1Jn 4:10)
So, on Shabbat Nachamu, we rejoice because of God’s all-encompassing love and mercy towards us even amid the worst storm. Do you remember the occasion when Yeshua stilled the sea? “36 So leaving the crowd, (the disciples) took Yeshua with them, just as He was, in the boat. And other boats were with Him. 37 And a fierce windstorm began to blow, and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already being swamped. 38 But Jesus was in the stern, asleep [with His head] on the [sailor’s leather] cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are about to die?” 39 And He got up and [sternly] rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still (muzzled)!” And the wind died down [as if it had grown weary] and there was [at once] a great calm [a perfect peacefulness]. 40 Jesus said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith and confidence [in Me]?” 41 They were filled with great fear, and said to each other, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (Mk.4:39)
God is always in full control no matter how things may appear! Even the wind and the sea must obey Him! Where was Yeshua in the story? Sleeping! And when His disciples woke Him, He rebuked the wind and waves and they became instantly calm!
What’s of primary importance are not our circumstances but how we respond to them. The disciples faced various choices. What would have happened if they had not decided not to awaken Yeshua? Simple. The storm would have abated and He would have continued to sleep! The circumstances would have remained unchanged. But, the disciples in their desperation cried out to Yeshua. Nothing wrong with that? Well Yeshua mildly rebuked them for their lack of faith because there was something else at stake here: “Why are you afraid? Even now you have no faith?” (v. 40). Fear is a cruel enemy and those who fall prey become its slave. Here was an occasion where Satan attempted to destroy Yeshua and His disciples but failed miserably because no demonic assault can ever succeed when we allow Yeshua to take the stern even when He may appear to be sleeping. So, on Shabbat Nachamu, we lift up our heads with thankfulness because His mercy abounds and reaches out to those whose hearts seek Him even within the storm.
Shabbat Nachamu is a counterbalance to the Book of Lamentations that claims that there is no-one to comfort Israel due to her rebellion (1:2,9), contrary to Isaiah who states that there is hope even in the midst of rebellion: This is why God reminded the Israelites, “Comfort, comfort my people.” And a short while later, He adds, “The Lord gives strength to the weary,” and further on “…they who wait for Adonai will renew their strength. They will soar up with wings as eagles. They will run, and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isa 40:29) The difference between Solomon’s words of despair and Isaiah’s message of hope is the difference between a secular theology and one that is biblical. They are not a contradiction but a choice.
In this week’s parasha we read about an an extraordinary event concerning Moses: “Then I (Moses) pleaded with the Lord at that time, saying: ‘O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what God is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds? I pray, let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, those pleasant mountains, and Lebanon.’” (Deut 3:23–24)
According to Jewish tradition Moses begged God 515 times, (the gematria for the word “etchanan”- pleaded). At first glance, God’s response was harsh: (“Enough! Never speak to Me again of this matter!” ) Here, at the end of his life, all Moses wanted to do was to cross over the river Jordan to briefly enjoy the fruit of his labour before he died. This was the desire of his heart, and yet God refused.
Ordinarily, whenever Moses asked for miraculous provision, signs and wonders, direct answers from Heaven, or Divine assistance, God heard and complied with His prayers. But here was an isolated instance when He did not receive the fulfilment of his longings. Despite his earnest entreaties, God refused to allow Moses to enter Canaan. In Jewish literature numerous attempts are made to decipher meaning from this baffling incident. But maybe it simply reflects something hidden about the character of God that is beyond our understanding? Or maybe it just illustrates how our dreams can sometimes remain unfulfilled because God sees things that we don’t?
And then sometimes God puts the desires of our hearts on hold awaiting His perfect timing since His timings are not always the same as our own. Take for example Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, who was childless and filled with an indescribable longing to bear a child. Her intercessions to God were accompanied by a deep anguish yet with a strength which trampled underfoot all fear, doubt and anxiety. God did not say “no” in answer to Hannah’s prayers unlike Moses, but “wait!” And there would come a time in God’s perfect moment, that would change the course of history.
God’s love remained the same for both Moses and Hannah even though the outcome of their pleadings were vastly different.
Hannah went to the House of God in Shiloh, and standing before the Ark she prayed for what seemed like an eternity. Her body was shaking and racked with tears, her lips moving but her voice hardly more than a whisper. In those days, prayers and supplications were spoken aloud, and Eli, the high priest, misinterpreted her behaviour. But when she explained to him that she was pouring out her heart before God in anguish, he comforted her, “… go in peace, and may God grant you your prayer.”
That year, Hannah bore a son, and she named him Samuel, meaning “God hears.” When Samuel was two, she took him with her to Shiloh and presented him to Eli saying, “I am the woman who prayed to God in my sorrow. Beside me is my son, the answer to that prayer. And now may he be given into the service of God for the rest of his life.” And she sang a song of thanks to God, returned home, and Samuel remained with Eli in the House of God. Though she visited him again each year, from that day on he was no longer only hers. She sacrificed her son to God, as Abraham had done before her. She sacrificed him not on an altar of stone, but on the altar of her heart, and her sacrifice was forever. And we know her only as the mother of Samuel the Prophet, the son she gave away. And yet to God she was a history maker like each one of us can be when we place our full trust in the living God and allow Him to use us as He did with Moses and countless other believers who have followed in their footsteps.
PRAYER
We declare O Lord that You are the God of Creation who made the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth, the seas and all that is within. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of Heaven worship You. [Neh. 9:6]
We sing Your praises, for You are highly exalted. No one is higher than You. You are our strength and our song. You have been our Deliverer in accordance with Your covenant promises from ancient times: from bondage in Egypt, from captivity in Babylon, in exile to the four corners of the earth and eventual return home in accordance with Your promise.
Our eyes turn to You, O Lord! You alone are a great God! When You rise up Your enemies are scattered so all may know that You are the Living God who is faithful and true from everlasting to everlasting! Your greatness and excellence overthrows those who rise up against You; You send forth Your burning anger, and it consumes them as chaff.
Who is like You among the gods, O Lord? Who can compare with You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders? In Your lovingkindness You have led the people whom You have redeemed; in Your strength You have guided them to Your holy habitation.
Rise up, Lion of Judah, and defend Your people that all the nations of the earth may know that You alone are God. May the ancient prince of Persian and every other demonic force be rendered powerless in the face of the hosts of Heaven. May the fear of the One, True, Living God fall on Israel that they would call upon You in deep repentance and mourning. Turn Your people O God and have mercy upon them. Open their eyes so the veil of blindness is removed and they behold You in Your resurrected glory!
Your Word: declares, “Is not [Israel] My dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him.” “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn them with loving-kindness.’” Even as You wept over Jerusalem, so fulfil the yearning of Your heart to receive the worship and love of Your covenant people.
May Your protection rest upon them: “Let Israel declare … ‘Our help is in the name of the Lord’ (Ps.124:1-8). Keep them as the apple of Your eye; hide them under the shadow of Your wings from their enemies who surround them (Ps. 17:8-9).
Dispatch angelic guardian hosts and warrior battalions along Israel’s land, sea and air borders, and protect her from the enemies who seek to devour her. “Hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of men…” (Ps. 31:20).
Bring the counsel of ungodly nations set against her to nothing, and their plans to no effect (Ps.33:10). For You have declared, “There is no witchcraft that can succeed against Jacob” (Num.23:23). Keep Israel from ungodly alliances with nations seeking to entrap her. But, may they place their trust in You alone for their protection, security and deliverance. For Your glory, amen.
Lord, we pray for the enemies of Israel. Expose the evil acts and spiritual darkness oppressing the nation. Cast down the spirit of deception, false religion the anti-Christ spirit and set the people free that they may worship You.
We decree: ‘Let all who hate Zion be turned back in shame … Praise be to the Lord my rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is … my shield in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me. … Deliver me and rescue me from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies… When Your enemies rage against You, rebuke them and say, “I have installed my King on Zion, My holy hill. … Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth [and] serve the Lord with fear” … O God … see how Your enemies are astir, how Your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against Your people; they plot against those You cherish. “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more. … Let us take possession of the pasture lands of God.” Make them like tumbleweed, O my God…pursue them with Your tempest and terrify them with Your storm. … May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace. Let them know that You, whose name is the Lord – that You alone are the Most High over all the earth” (Ps.129:5-6; 144:1-2, 11; 2: 6, 10-11; 83:1-4, 12-18).
Lord, let schemes of darkness who seek to de-legitimise Israel as a sovereign State be broken by the blood of Yeshua. Replace anti-Israel lies with fresh passion for biblical justice and truth. We praise You for restoring Israel in our day despite all opposition because ‘the plans of the Lord stand firm forever’ (Ps. 33:11).
Sovereign God, You alone determine Israel’s set times and seasons. Revive and prepare Israel to welcome Your return, for You have said, “You will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matt. 23:39). Empower her to stand firm in love and truth in times of trouble or severe hardship preceding Your return (Dan. 11:32, Matt. 24:8, 12-13; 25:31-46).
