Deut 3:23–7:11; Isa 40:1–26;
By Raphael ben Levi
This Shabbat is called Shabbat Nachamu (Sabbath of Comfort) from our Haftarah “Nachamu, nachamu ami, amar Elo-hey-chem …“Comfort, comfort, my people, says your God.” Isa.40:1: These words introduce the theme of comfort all the way through to ch.66, where it speaks of a future restoration, redemption and hope for the Jewish people. God always remains faithful to His covenant promises even though we may fall short as made clear here in Scripture to the Jewish people. This is a staggering promise that equally applies for every true believer. Why does God remain faithful? Because as (2Tim 2:13) states “He remains faithful even when we are unfaithful because He cannot deny Himself, (I.e., He cannot go back on His word). His faithfulness is our comfort through the One who is our Comforter – the Holy Spirit. Yeshua told His disciples referring to His resurrection that “…when the Comforter is come whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, He shall testify of me.” Jn.14:6 The Godhead has spoken, Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
Shabbat Nachamu follows on from the 9th Av which stands in stark contrast to each other. Both touch upon the crisis of existence: one focuses upon the consequences of sin and the other points to God’s answer to the dilemma of sin through the blood of Yeshua shed for the remission of sins for the whosoever.
The Haftarah from Isa.40 is the first of 7 weekly portions of consolation leading to Yom Teruah in preparation for Yom Kippur. God’s words of comfort to those who were living in exile strikes a chord in our hearts because it exposes a love that remains constant even when we stray from the path.
God’s covenant applies equally to every true believer through Yeshua (Jn.3:16). Whatever our background or situation, however greatly we may have sinned, however downcast we may be or however far away from God we may feel — our God is committed to restore, heal and use us far exceedingly above all we can ever hope or imagine. No situation is unredeemable to the Almighty, Omnipotent God the Ruler of the universe He created!
Yeshua’s redemption precedes our repentance. Surely we have things the wrong way around? Our repentance precedes our redemption? “ So if you believe deep in your heart that God raised Jesus from the pit of death and if you voice your allegiance by confessing the truth that “Jesus is Lord,” then you will be saved” (Rom.10:9) But here I am making the point in the sense that before there was ever a need to repent before even the world existed, He planned the means by which we can be restored to a right relationship with Him – “the cure before the disease” – all 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 lift our heads because His mercy reaches out even in the midst of the worst storm. Do you remember the event recorded in Scripture when Yeshua stilled the sea? “He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee].” 36 So leaving the crowd, they took Him 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)
When we are facing extreme storms where our survival seems to be at stake and we are overwhelmed by our circumstances, we take opportunity to reach out and rest in the knowledge that no matter how things may appear, God is in full control! Where was Yeshua in the story? Sleeping! And whenHis disciples woke Him, He rebuked the wind and waves that became instantly calm!
The thing is this. What is of primary importance is 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 to take control of the situation. Nothing wrong with their motivation. Who would not have done the same? Yet, Yeshua mildly rebuked them because there was something else its take here: “Why are you afraid? Even now you have no faith?” (verse 40). Fear is a cruel enemy and those who submit to it become its slave.
Here is another instance when Satan attempted to destroy Yeshua and His disciples but failed miserably in his attempt. No demonic assault can ever succeed or prosper against us when we allow Yeshua to take the stern even when He may appear to be sleeping. In view of this Scripture urges us in Isa 35:3 to “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees” because our strength is in Him and in Him alone.
Shabbat Nachamu is a counterbalance to the Book of Lamentations that states “…there is no one to comfort her [referring to the consequence of Israel’s rebellion]” (1:2,9), yet Isaiah reveals there is hope even in the midst of rebellion: This is why he states, “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)
Isaiah also prophecies a future time for the Jewish people when Israel’s punishment for her sins and apostasy will be complete, and iniquity will be removed and replaced by restoration. (Isa.40:2; Zech.12:10) These words that directly address the Jewish people also have an application for every believer in the here-and-now. Let me repeat – whatever our background or circumstances, however much we may have sinned and rebelled against God — He is able to redeem the unredeemable because this is what He has done for each one of us.
And even as God comforts us, we are also called reach out to every unbeliever and especially the Jewish people who contain the heartbeat of God. It should come as no surprise why many believers who had formally been violently anti-Semitic made a 180% turn when they became believers because it is impossible for any true believer to hate the Jewish people whose Messiah Himself was Jewish?
Tu B’Av – the 15th day of Av, is celebrated just 6 days after the 9th Av that commences this evening. That dreadful 3-week period of Bein Ha Metzarim finds its fullest tragic expression on the 9th Av. But now everything is temporarily suspended at Tu B’Av. According to Jewish tradition, although virtually every major holiday will pale away during the millennium, Tu B’Av will arise out of obscurity because the key focus is upon Divine love and godly unity. God provided Tu B’Av as an interlude as we prepare to enter the Days of Awe the 6th month of Elul. The Talmud (Mishna Ta’anit 4:8), states that, “…there were no greater holidays for Israel than Tu B’Av for on them the girls of Jerusalem used to go out in borrowed white dresses … and dance in the vineyards. What would they say? ‘Young man, lift up your eyes and see what you choose for yourself … ”
In biblical times Tu B’Av became a celebration dedicated to young Jewish men and women seeking to find their mates. Even today, wall posters of Jerusalem in the ultra-orthodox area announce special Tu B’Av prayers for finding a match.
Why is Tu B’Av positioned so soon after Tisha B’Av that’s immediately followed by another 7 weeks of intense introspection leading to Yom Teruah? It is somewhat likened to an oasis in the desert. And here is the point. It’s God’s silver lining in the midst of trials that provide us with hope and joy.
The biblical background to Tu B’Av was that marriage for the Israelites had been restricted to one’s own tribe, but an event occurred that caused them to re-evaluate this ruling concerning 5 daughters of Zelophehad. These daughters were concerned that they would lose their inheritance and consequently their genealogical line would disappear. Zelophehad was from the tribe of Manasseh with 5 daughters but no sons, and, therefore, no male heirs. The land of Canaan was to be apportioned according to the number of men counted in the census in Num.26:5-56. Therefore, Zelophehad’s daughters would be left without an inheritance. Therein lay the problem. Because of this, they appealed to Moses (Num. 27:5) who sought the Lord for counsel and their request was granted. (Num. 27:6-7) This was the issue concerning the 5 daughters of Zelophehad but the deeper issue is one that is spiritual and applies in any manner of ways for every believer concerning the retention of our identity as believers which we dare not risk losing.
God’s love is like a Divine melody that’s celebrated at Tu B’Av. The Jewish sages tell a story of a talented musician whose gift went unnoticed until one day he decided to play his instrument in the town square. Soon a great crowd gathered, as everyone stood enthralled by his amazing talent. Before long, people began to move to the rhythm and steady flow of the music so that the town square became transformed into a place of celebration. Everyone was dancing and singing, quite oblivious to their surroundings, young and old, rich and poor. A deaf man happened to be passing by and could not understand what was going on. He just thought to himself that everyone was crazy and had too much to drink!
As believers we dance to the melody of God’s love in every situation because the joy of the Lord is our strength. If this makes us appear mad to those with less sensitive ears, should we celebrate any the less?
Tu B’Av has been described as the biblical Valentine’s Day. God wants us to remember that we are now betrothed to Yeshua who desires to have the last dance with eyes only for you and me. For that alone, I will surrender my life unto Him.
Several of the best known passages of Scripture in the Tanakh are contained in this week’s Torah Portion, including the Ten Commandments (statements) and the Shema: “Shema, Yisra’el! Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai echad, V’ahav’ta et Adonai Elohecha b’khol le-vav’cha uve’chol naf’sh’cha uve’chol me’odecha. (Heart, soul strength). These words are written on a parchment and placed in a small box worn on the forehead called tefillin (phylacteries), and also in small containers (mezuzot) placed on the doorposts of homes. This is to fulfil the command from (Deut 6:8–9):“Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.”
Also in this week’s parasha is 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”). Until that moment, God had always granted his requests except on this one occasion. At first glance, His response seems harsh: (“Enough! Never speak to Me again of this matter!” ) All the more so because Moses’ relationship with God was so close that Scripture describes him as someone who spoke to Him as a friend (Ex.33:11). There was no one who had the same level of intimacy with God as did Moses who spoke to Him ‘face to face,’ meaning that he walked in close harmony with Him as close friends do. And additionally, Scripture refers to Moses as “…very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.” (Num.12:3)
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 yet God refused. Many scholars seek to explain this from an earlier incident from Num.20. The Israelites were dying of thirst in the desert where they could find no water. They were led by the Shekinah glory and relied on Him to supply their needs, but now it appeared He had abandoned them. So often, rebellion is a result of a panic reaction after all our resources have evaporated. At this point the Israelites complained, “We are surely all going to perish, there is no hope. God who is in control has failed us and so have all His promises.”
Regarding the incident in Num.20 Moses stood alone and isolated from His people. His mistake was that he should have called upon God to bring water from the rock rather than striking it in a moment of total frustration, as if he himself were the source of power. So, why would God pronounce such a devastating judgement, upon Moses denying him entry into 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 limited understanding? Or maybe it has nothing to do with Divine judgement but rather illustrates how our dreams in life can sometimes remain unfulfilled? (eg. remaining single, broken marriages, being childless, a life threatening event, a sudden tragedy, etc).
But there is also another side to the coin which helps present to us a clearer picture. In Ps.106:15: “He gave them the desire of their hearts but sent leanness to their souls.” The word translated “leanness” is from a verb – râzeh – to cause to waste away or to destroy. Over-indulgence can become a negative force rather than one that’s positive and bring “leanness to our souls.” This is well illustrated with over-indulgent parents who provide their children with everything they ask for irrespective of whether it may not always be in their best interests. And God knew it was better for Moses not to enter Canaan with the other Israelites because his life was now completed even though he died with unfinished business on the table. When the destiny that God has placed over our lives is complete, He will hand the baton on to the next person as He did with Moses. No person in this sense is indispensable but God taught Moses with the opportunity to ‘fail well’ as a means to ultimately succeed (Rom. 8:28) for the glory of the Lord.
As believers who are only few in number we are those who choose to walk in obedience to God’s calling. We become “Tikun Olam” “repairers of the world” and suddenly everything He has called us to be becomes possible because we have been equipped to do all things through Yeshua who strengthens and empowers us. (Phil.4:13)
