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D’varim means “words” and is also the Hebrew name of the 5th and final book of the Torah. The title comes from the first verse in chapter 1: “These are the words…”

Deuteronomy contains Moses’ written account (his words) of Israel’s journey through the wilderness after leaving Egypt. It also contains deeper explanations of the laws given by God. The words Moses spoke represented his final instructions, last warnings, and his admonitions to Israel which focused on God’s special relationship with the people of Israel.

He begins by pointing out the short distance between Mt. Sinai (Horeb) and the Promised Land was an 11 day journey but here they are, 40 years later.

Moses reminds them they were not chosen by God because they were more numerous or more virtuous than other nations. He also reminds them that if they are to fulfill their role as a light in this dark, wayward world and point people to the only True God, Israel would have to remain steadfastly loyal to Adonai.

Moses recounts his appointing of judges for dispensing justice and teaching the people the word of the Lord.

These leaders were to be men of understanding, who would know how to apply their knowledge of the Torah.

Moses then recalls the incident where 10 of the 12 men sent to spy out the land brought back a dismal report, and the people refused to enter the Promised Land because of the perceived obstacles they would encounter.

This unbelief caused an entire generation to perish in the wilderness. Moses’ history lesson would serve to remind the next generation that lack of trust in God and failure to obey His commandments would result in disaster, but that faith and obedience would lead them to victory in the Promised Land. And the truth of Moses’ words still applies today.

Moses recounts his own disobedience to God. Sometime after leaving Egyptian slavery, the people of Israel had a dire need for water and they grumbled and complained. In anger, Moses didn’t follow Adonai’s command and as a result, Moses unintentionally made it appear as if he and Aaron were providing the water by their own power as opposed to the power of God.

The Lord was trying to teach the nation to depend on Him, but Moses’ actions circumvented this lesson. This action would cause Moses to forfeit the privilege of crossing over into the Promised Land.

Although Moses’ disobedience occurred long after the failure of Israel at Kadesh, he includes it here with Israel’s disobedience to the Lord, so that the people will know that God doesn’t have double-standards.

Disobedience to Adonai invites His judgment, no matter who you are. So, the privilege of bringing the nation into the Promised land would fall to Joshua.

Moses also describes more recent events. He recalls the refusal of the nations of Moab and Ammon to allow the Israelis to pass peacefully through their countries.

He describes the wars against the Amorite kings and how God gave Israel supernatural victories over them, and the settlement of their lands by the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh. The text concludes with Moses giving a message of encouragement to Joshua, his successor.

While the majority of parasha D’varim is a re-telling of past events, there are many valuable lessons that we can learn and put into practice in our daily lives.

First, Moses was conducting an after-action review of sorts and reminding the nation of past accomplishments and failures with the goal of motivating them to properly take possession and retain the land that Adonai was giving to them. In addition, he wanted to warn them against acting independently of God. To do so would only bring disaster.

We, too, should periodically take inventory of our lives, and perform our own after-action review. We are prone to sin. Nevertheless, godliness is the goal which we aim for.

A lack of faith leads to a lack of obedience. In turn, a lack of obedience is what causes additional trouble in our everyday lives. If we will be diligent in prayer and in reading the Word, it will strengthen our faith, and Adonai will give us the power to overcome temptation and sin.

Obedience leads to blessing, but disobedience leads to a curse. God has placed before you today the choice of a blessing or a curse. Which will you choose?

Next, just as the nation of Israel wasn’t chosen for their righteousness, but for God’s purposes, we as believers in Yeshua HaMashiach need to remember that we were not saved because we were more righteous than other people.

Once we are saved, we need to stay close and loyal to God, and, with His help, fulfill the calling He has given us – to be a light to those in darkness and point them to the only One who can save them, Messiah Yeshua.

Something that really stood out to me was how Moses became a dynamic speaker. In Exodus, chapter 3, God chose Moses at the burning bush to lead His people to freedom, and Moses protested on the grounds that he was not a man of eloquence.

But through the power of God, Moses overcame that which he feared. This shows us that through the power of God, our weaknesses really do become strengths when we surrender our will to His!

Finally, there was a lot of talk of failure within this parasha, but even though Moses and Israel may have failed at various points, God is merciful and His mercies are renewed daily. God restored both Moses and the nation of Israel, and He can do the same for you and me. I am so glad that we serve a Savior who is faithful and just; who will one day cleanse us from all unrighteousness and present us blameless and spotless to God the Father.

May the Lord Yeshua bless you on this Shabbat.