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This week’s Parasha is entitled HaAzeenu which means “Give Ear”.  It covers Deuteronomy, chapter 32, and consists primarily of the Song of Moses, which can be seen as both a love song to Adonai, and a chastisement of the people of Israel.

Today’s parasha falls on the Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It’s called Shabbat Shuvah, the Sabbath of return or repentance. True repentance is a matter of the heart. We can be in the habit of going through the motions when it comes to repenting, but Adonai is concerned with the condition of our heart.

In Joel 2:12–13, the Lord calls to Israel saying, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” And in Psalm 51, David’s psalm of repentance, he reminds us that God does not delight so much in the outward signs of repentance (which included making a sacrifice), but “the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart…” (Psalm 51:17).  Our parasha has much to say on this matter.

It begins by describing Adonai’s lovingkindness and faithfulness toward Israel and it ends with a promise of vengeance, redemption and atonement for God’s Land and People. The reminders about God’s character, and warnings about human nature are as true today as they were in the time of Moses.

This song includes severe words of rebuke against Israel for their infidelity and unfaithfulness to God during the Exodus.  The song touches on a consistent pattern of behavior and God’s response to it. Heaven and earth are poetically called to witness the song and then Moses announces what could be seen as the thesis statement: Adonai is just, and loves His people, yet they defy and disobey Him. Moses then gives dire warnings about the consequences of giving into the temptation of turning away from God once they enter the Promised Land.

Adonai warns in verses 23 and 24 saying “I will heap disasters upon them; I will spend my arrows on them; they shall be wasted with hunger and devoured by plague and poisonous pestilence; I will send the teeth of beasts against them, with the venom of things that crawl in the dust”.

Yet at the same time, Adonai’s faithful love for Israel is assured. Despite the hardships the people of Israel suffered during their trek in the desert, and despite their repeated failures, the song ends with Adonai’s promise to avenge the blood of His servants and to reconcile them to Himself, and additionally, to secure the land given to Abraham. The parasha ends with Moses ascending Mt Nebo so that he could look at the Promised Land before he died.

Everyone of the generation that journeyed out of Egypt, except Joshua and Caleb, would die in the wilderness specifically because of their unbelief. Moses himself was soon to die and would not enter the Promised Land either. Despite that, he still praised God in song—reminding Israel of God’s power, love and faithfulness.

God wants to focus our attention on the seriousness of His Word! The opening phrase in verse 1, “Give ear, O heavens, and let me speak; and let the earth hear the words of my mouth,” is echoed in other places like Deuteronomy 4, Psalm 50, Isaiah 1 and Jeremiah 6, each time warning of impending judgment as a result of not listening to and obeying God.

While some see these verses as God’s judgment specifically on Israel, I believe that by extension the warning found here is valid for everyone, everywhere throughout time, and that it’s something we should take very seriously.

Moses’ song is blunt and striking and there is wisdom within that we can glean from.

First, our actions have consequences, either for good or for evil. The outcome of our lives depends on our faithfulness to God, our Rock, who will lead and guide us into making better choices, that will lead to positive results.

Adonai is serious about sin, and He judges our sin. But, He judges us with redemptive purpose – so that we will return to Him. But returning to Him involves much more than just acknowledging our sin; we must be willing to die to ourselves and our desires and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into His will for our lives. Those who are truly His will not only hear but also obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Messiah Yeshua declared, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”

God’s love is unchanging; it doesn’t depend on what we do. We are unable to earn salvation by doing “good” deeds and being “good” people. Adonai is after our heart, first and foremost. He is seeking men and women whose hearts are genuinely surrendered to Him, and who desire to obey Him out of love for Him.

Adonai paid a heavy price for you. Deuteronomy 32:6 says, “Is not He your Father who has bought you?” It reminds me of the words of Rabbi Paul in 1st Corinthians when he says, “For you have been bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body” and he also says, “You were bought with a price; so do not become slaves of men”.

God’s people, both Jew and Gentile have not always been faithful and upright to Him.

And yet, despite our disobedience Adonai, like a good Father, will always be faithful to the descendants of Abraham and, ultimately, to all people who have given their hearts to His son Yeshua.

Scripture reflects the consistent love of our Creator! He not only redeemed Israel but also redeemed us! And it was costly…it cost the very blood of His beloved Son Yeshua.

I feel that it’s only when we truly understand the cost of what Adonai has done for us that we will naturally (and not falsely or forcibly) desire to honor Him with our lives.

We too can sing and rejoice in the Glory of the Lord as we wait for Yeshua’s return. In the days to come, let’s rejoice in the Lord, and reflect on the high price that was paid for us and lovingly honor God in everything we do.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power,

Both now and forever.

Amen.