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This week’s parasha is titled, Eikev, which means “consequence,” (Deuteronomy 7:12 – 11:25).  The definition of “consequence” is the result, or effect, of an action or a condition.  I don’t think I have ever used a subtitle for a parasha passage before, but today, I have subtitled this passage, “Things I wish someone had taught me when I was younger.”

Because of their disobedience after leaving Egypt and unwillingness to listen to Joshua and Caleb after the spying out of the Promised Land, the Israelis have been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.  During this time, the older generation, anyone 20 years old and above, except for Joshua and Caleb, who left Egypt has been dying off while the younger generation has been growing in maturity (reference Numbers 32:11).

So, both Numbers and Deuteronomy are, in effect, teachings for the younger generation to learn the lessons that the older generation was unable to follow.  Numbers deals with the people’s wilderness wanderings and God’s continued guidance, while Deuteronomy recounts Moses’ final addresses to this new generation, emphasizing obedience to God’s laws and the importance of entering the Promised Land with faith.

In chapter 7, our parasha for this week starts off where last week’s parasha ended.  There are negative consequences for not obeying the Lord and blessings for following the Lord.  This week’s passage continues with those blessings for following Adonai. Some of those blessings include fertility, for both people and animals, removal of sickness and victory over enemies.

Can Adonai do all that He promises in chapter 7?  Chapter 8 begins with a reminder of how God fed the people in the wilderness and how their clothes did not wear out.  These are remembrances of how God graciously dealt with the people.  So, of course, Adonai can provide what He promises, but obedience to the Lord and His statutes is what is required.  In the second half of chapter 8, the people are warned about allowing the prosperity that the Lord provides to take over our lives and replace obedience to Adonai.  Wealth and accumulation of possessions can easily overtake our love for the Lord if we let it (see Deuteronomy 8:11 – 14).

Chapter 9 is one of those lessons that would have been good if it had been learned earlier.  This chapter recounts how the people made the golden calf while Moses was receiving the 10 commandments and how the Lord was provoked to such anger that Moses smashed the tablets and prostrated himself before Adonai for 40 days and nights, neither eating bread or drinking water in order to intercede for Aaron and the people due to the Lord’s anger at this abomination.

Chapter 10 recalls how Adonai instructed Moses to create a second set of tablets that He engraved with the 10 commandments.  In this chapter, we also have the instruction that the tribe of Levi is to be set apart to carry the ark of the covenant and to serve the Lord.

Chapter 11 begins with two great events where the Lord demonstrated His might power.  First, the people are reminded how the Lord engulfed the Egyptian army in the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21 – 28).  Then they are reminded of how the Lord swallowed up those who were disobedient and followed Korah when he rebelled against Moses (Numbers 16).  The recounting of these two events leads to the end of the parasha with further emphasis about the importance of being obedient to Adonai.

So, what can we learn from Parasha Eikev?

First, and most importantly, we can learn about the importance of following Adonai and, in our case today, Messiah Yeshua.  So many blessings come from this obedience, most importantly, eternal salvation.

However, secondly, we learn that we must not let the things of this world and of this life, fame, fortune, possessions erode our love and obedience for Adonai and Messiah Yeshua.  The Lord is not against someone becoming prosperous, but there is a very fine line between being thankful to the Lord for all your blessings and becoming greedy and wanting more and more.  These earthly desires will quickly overcome and replace our love for Adonai and Messiah.

Third, we need to keep our eyes squarely focused on Messiah Yeshua.  He could have commanded all the heavenly power for His disposal, He could have had all the riches of the universe and beyond, He could have done anything He wanted to do.  Yet, He humbled Himself to the will of His Father, became a man, gave up His heavenly abode, and went through a cruel and agonizing death to fulfill the will of the Father and provide a path to eternal salvation.  We must keep our eyes focused on Him.

Finally, I would just like to say a word to those in the younger generation.  Many of us of older age, myself included, have made many mistakes in life because we did not learn some of these lessons when we were younger.  As a result, we had to endure difficulty until we learned our lesson and, in some cases, we are still learning.  Please hear the message that our passage today is teaching us and give your obedience to the Lord.  Discipline yourself to follow His ways and teachings.