God looks into and searches out the ways, deeds, character, of people, in order to adjudge them their lot accordingly, whether joyous or sad is the result. It’s all in the weight of the scales. Some people tempt God by exhibitions of distrust, by impious or wicked conduct, it’s reckless rebellion. Tests from wherever for people, are for the purpose of ascertaining quality. It’s again about purity, which has been reiterated time and time again. God has compassion on us and for us, this is not to be taken lightly. The promises and commands are not to be taken lightly. There must be an element of trust and reverence. There are a few in this weeks reading.
| Parashah #46: Ekev (Because) D’Varim 7:12-11:25 |
Statutes and Ordinances: Dt 7:12-24
There are in this section 7 Mitzvots/Commandments of the 613.
- #429 Prohibitions Resulting from Historical events Dt 7:21. You are not to be frightened of them, because Adonai your God is there with you, a God great and fearsome.
- #430 Idolatry and Related Practices Dt 7:25. You are to burn up completely the carved statues of their gods. Don’t be greedy for the silver or gold on them; don’t take it with you, or you will be trapped by it; for it is abhorrent to Adonai your God.
- #431 Idolatry and Related Practices Dt 7:25. Don’t bring something abhorrent into your house, or you will share in the curse that is on it; instead, you are to detest it completely, loathe it utterly; for it is set apart for destruction.
- #432 Torah Dt 8:10. So you will eat and be satisfied, and you will bless Adonai your God for the good land he has given you.
- #433 Social Dt 10:19. Therefore you are to love the foreigner, since you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
- #434 Relationship to God Dt 10:20.
- #435 Relationship to God Dt 10:20. You are to fear Adonai your God, serve him, cling to him and swear by his name.
Dt 8:3 A Promise, quoted in Matt 4:4: He ⇒ humbled you, allowing you to become hungry, and then fed you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had ever known, to make you understand that a person does not live on food alone but on everything that comes from the mouth of Adonai.
⇒ humbled ענה anah pronounced aw-naw. A primitive root and verb (possibly rather ident, with <06030> through the idea of looking down or browbeating).
- afflict, force, exercised, sing, Leannoth, troubled, weakened, stoop, to be depressed, be downcast.
Leannoth is a Hebrew term found in the superscription (title) of Ps 88:1 as part of the phrase Mahalath ⇒ Leannoth. Scholars believe it derives from a root meaning “to answer,” “to sing in response,” or “to afflict/humble,” pointing to a musical or liturgical direction. (Ps 88:1 A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath ⇒ Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. (For the leader. Set to Sickness that causes suffering). The title “Mahalath Leannoth” may be rendered “concerning sickness, to be sung” i.e., perhaps, to be sung in sickness.
Dt 9:23 rebelled מרה marah pronounced maw-raw. Meaning: rebellious, provoke, disobedient, against, bitter, changed, disobeyed, grievously, provocation.
- to be contentious, be rebellious, be refractory, be disobedient towards, be rebellious against
- to be disobedient
- towards father
- towards God
- to show rebelliousness, show disobedience, disobey.
Dt 10:6 Mosera or Moseroth = “bonds”, a place near Mount Hor (Num 33:30, 31). Aaron’s burial place (Num 20:22; 21:4; 33:37).
Dt 10:7 Gudgodah = “the slashing place” (in the sense of cutting);
Dt 10:7 Jotbath = “pleasantness”
Dt 10:22 Tab’erah תבערה pronounced tab-ay-raw = “burning”. A place in the wilderness of Paran. The pillar of cloud and light is still present. They have been camped at Sinai 325 days. The cloud rises and directs them first to Taverah in the Wilderness of Paran where many complain and are consumed by fire. Hence the meaning “burning” (Num 9-10).
Dt 6:16; 10:22 Massah מסה Maccah pronounced mas-saw = “temptation”. The place in the wilderness where the Israelites tested Jehovah. Also ‘Meribah’.
Dt 10:22 Kivroth-Hattaavah קברות התאוה Qibrowth hat-Ta’avah pronounced kib-roth hat-tah-av-aw = “graves of lust”. A station of Israel in the wilderness 3 campsites away from Sinai near the gulf of Akabah. Here the people murmured about their food, and quail were sent and they ate of them until thousands of people died of gluttony. It has been just a year since the quail came over the first time. Hence the meaning “graves of lust” (Num 11).
Dt 10:23 Kadesh-Barnea קדשׁ ברנע Qadesh Barnea pronounced kaw-dashe bar-nay- ah. A derivative of meaning desert of a fugitive; meaning = “holy”. A city in the extreme south of Judah, same as ‘Kedesh’ and ‘Kadesh’. Israel wandered about various parts for 38 years. Spies were sent into Canaan and preceeded as far as Hebron, (Valley of Eshicol. Korah instituted a rebellion Aaron’s rod budded and Miriam died (Num 12-19)).
Dt 11:24 Euphrates = “fruitfulness”.
| Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 49:14-51:3 |
Isaiah 49:15 Compassion רחם racham pronounced raw-kham. Meaning to do with: mercy, pity, love, merciful, Ruhamah, surely.
Ruhamah is a Hebrew name meaning “pitied” or “having obtained mercy”. It appears as a symbolic name in Hosea 2:1 as a sign of God’s restored mercy toward Israel. (Contrasts with Lo-Ruhamah, meaning “not pitied” or “no mercy,” which was given to the prophet’s daughter earlier to show judgment).
- to love, love deeply, have mercy, be compassionate, have tender affection, have compassion
- of God, man
- to be shown compassion, be compassionate
(Gk) ἁγνεία hagneia prounced hag-ni’-ah, purity, sinlessness of life (1 Tim 4:12; 5:2)
1 Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity”. Is a call to young believers and leaders to earn respect through their actions rather than their age.
1 Timothy 5:2 instructs believers to treat older women as mothers (Respect: Honoring older women with the same care given to a mother) and younger women as sisters with absolute purity (with moral cleanliness and platonic respect).
| Mattityahu (Matthew) 4:1-11 |
4:1 Wilderness ἔρημος eremos pronounced er’-ay-mos. Meaning to do with: solitary, lonely, desolate, uninhabited.
- used of places
- a desert, wilderness
- deserted places, lonely regions
- an uncultivated region fit for pasturage
- used of persons
- deserted by others
- deprived of the aid and protection of others, especially of friends, acquaintances, kindred
- bereft
- of a flock deserted by the shepherd
- of a woman neglected by her husband, from whom the husband withholds.
Commands:
Matt 4:4 But he (Yeshua) answered, The Tanakh says, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of ADONAI“. (Dt 8:3) A promise, mentioned above.
The Setting: In the wilderness during his temptation by the Adversary after fasting for forty days and nights.
The Temptation: The Tempter (the Adversary) tells Yeshua to turn stones into bread to prove he is the Son of God.
The Response: Yeshua quotes from the Tanakh (Dt 8:3 a promise, mentioned above), showing that obeying God’s voice and spiritual truth is more important than physical food.
Matt 4:7 Yeshua replied to him, But it also says, “Do not put ADONAI your God to the test” (Dt 6:16) mentioned above.
The Setting: In the wilderness during his temptation by the Adversary after fasting for forty days and nights.
Geographically: (Dt 6:16) Refers to the place where the Israelites tested God’s patience by doubting His presence and provision during their time in the wilderness. Mentioned above, Dt 6:16; 10:22 Massah מסה Maccah pronounced mas-saw = “temptation”. The place in the wilderness where the Israelites tested Jehovah. Also ‘Meribah’.
The Temptation: The Adversary places Yeshua on the high point of the Temple and tells him to jump, quoting scripture to argue that God’s angels will protect him.
The Response: Yeshua responds from the Torah (Dt 6:16), refusing to force a miraculous display of God’s protection. (Dt 6:16) mentioned above.
Matt 4:10 Away with you, Satan! Yeshua told him, For the Tanakh says, “Worship Adonai your God, and serve only him”. (Dt 6:13-14) (verse 13) You are to fear Adonai your God, serve him and swear by his name. (verse 14) You are not to follow other gods, chosen from the gods of the peoples around you.
| Luke 4:1-13 |
Commands:
Lk 4:4 Yeshua answered him, The Tanakh says, “Man does not live on bread alone”. (Dt 8:3) A promise mentioned above.
The Setting: The wilderness during a forty-day period of testing, right after Yeshua was hungry from fasting.
The Temptation: After forty days of fasting, when Yeshua is hungry and tempted to turn a stone into bread.
Lk 4:8 Yeshua answered him, The Tanakh says, “Worship Adonai your God and serve him only.” (Dt 6:13-14) mentioned above.
The Setting: The wilderness, during the temptation by the Adversary.
Lk 4:12 Yeshua answered him, It also says, “Do not put Adonai your God to the test”. (Dt 6:16) mentioned above.
The Setting: The wilderness during the temptation of Jesus by the Adversary.
Geographically and The Temptation: The Adversary previously quoted Scripture telling Yeshua to jump from the pinnacle of the Temple. Yeshua responds with (Dt 6:16) to reject testing God.
Promise:
Lk 4:4 Yeshua answered him, The Tanakh says, “Man does not live on bread alone”. (Dt 8:3) A promise mentioned above.