Beth Emunah Drash, August 2018

This week’s Torah portion is titled Eikev. Eikev translates to English as – because; but more specific – “a consequence of” referring to an action. Parasha Eikev is a continuation of Moses translating God’s commandments, judgments and statutes to the newly formed nation of Israel.

Finishing chapter 7, Moses calling the nation of Israel to take hold of the commandments given to them by God. Israel needed to fully understand and abide to these things if they were to prosper in their inheritance. The commandments of God were to be written on their hearts and minds and definitively understood prior to passing over the Jordan. In other words, Blessing through obedience.

In Chapter 8 Moses continues to reinforce how God provided for them in the wilderness. All these things were meant to teach the nation of Israel to fully trust and become completely dependent on God and in Him alone. They had to humble themselves to accept the provisions from God. In other words, Remember the Lord your God

In Chapter 9 Moses explains what thenation of Israel would expect prior to taking possession of the land.  There were cities, nations and people greater and mightier than Israel. Taking possession of their inheritance would be a monumental undertaking without God.  The emphasis here for the nation of Israel would only be achieved by grasping firmly to and safeguarding the Lords commandments set before them.

Chapter 10 continues with a summary of Moses intersession with God for the people. Subsequently, they received a second chance and a second set of tablets. This included the Ark, decrees regarding worship and speaking the blessings over the nation in His Name. We also have the meeting of our readings for today. Love God with all of your Heart and soul and keep My commandments.

Finally in Chapter 11, Moses gives a vividly expanded dissertation to reinforce the need for the nation of Israel to follow God’s commandments and wisdom if they were to receive His blessings and protection in their inherited land. There was no other way, but God’s way.

As believers in our Messiah Yeshua, we can recall that time in our life, a time of uncertainty, not fully understanding, and still being “east of our Jordan” as it were. Praise God that through understanding and acknowledging the death, burial and resurrection of Yeshua, we are now a redeemed people.

As Jew and Gentile alike we have been offered everlasting life with Him. For our purposes today, crossing over the Jordan and into the Promised Land means obediently professing our faith before God and all who we are in contact with. As a family of believers, we acknowledge and confess this new life daily through Messiah Yeshua.

We are to boldly share this understanding as Moses did with compassion and great authority. The Good News of our Mashiach, who came to Earth, bore our sins, died, conquered death and rose, and will soon return. Our transformed life should be clearly evident to those who are standing at the shore of their own Jordan River, demonstrating the transforming power of Yeshua in all we do.

We have been called to be a separate and distinct people, not carelessly following the pattern of this world. The nation of Israel was to follow the instruction of Moses by faith. Yeshua told us that if we have faith even the size of a mustard seed we can move mountains and that nothing is impossible.

Through God’s grace we have been provided with all the sustenance of life to bring us safely to this season and across our own Jordan. We need to continually be in the Word. God willing, we will then begin to have compassion in our hearts for a lost and dying world, the sustenance and courage in our speech, and, the spirit lead authority to guide those who are ready to make their Jordan River journey into the promised land.