|
Adar 27, 5764 /
March 20, 2004
Adar 27, 5767 /
March 17, 2007
Adar 27, 5770 /
March 13, 2010
Adar 27, 5773 /
March
9, 2013
II Adar 23, 5776 /
April 2, 2016
II Adar 23, 5779 / March 30, 2019
Vaya’al Moshe
/ Moses Ascended
SCRIPTURES should be read first
Deuteronomy 34
(V.1-2) From Mt. Nebo, Moses was
shown the Promised Land, from Judah which stretched to the “last” (western) sea,
to Dan about 100 miles north.
God showed Moses the Land – as far as
ha’acharon hayam / the last sea, or ha’acharon
hayom / the last day. As a consecutive valid interpretation, this may
be understood as God prophetically showing Moses all that would befall Israel,
to the last day – the resurrection of the dead. God showed him all the way to
Dan practicing idolatry (Judges 18:30), and Dan’s descendant Samson delivering
Israel from the Philistines.
Through Moses, God had introduced
ordinances of the Tabernacle: God designed the worship services. Now Moses may
have been shown Yeshua fulfilling the pictures, which God introduced through
him. (Fulfilling them does not mean ending them: they remain valid pictures.)
After Moses, God gave worship instruction through David; as we see in one of
today’s Psalms.
Psalm 149
(V.1) “Sing to Yahweh a new
song, and His praise in the congregation of the godly ones.” David was
inspired of God to establish part of the Temple public worship services. He is
here writing, in the Second Book of Spiritual Songs (Psalms 107-150), a new
song; and he says to “Sing to Yahweh a new song”. (He does not say to
make up a new song.) Then he says to sing this in the qehal – the
synagogue/church. The Psalms were given for the public worship services, and
they often mention the Levitical choir and orchestra. (They are also to be sung
privately, as we are instructed by Paul.)
(V.5)
“So Moses the servant of
Yahweh died there”: Moses was previously called “the man of God” (v.33:1);
but here, for the first time, at his death, he is called “servant of Yahweh”
– meaning one who lives totally for his owner. This may fit with Paul’s
statement, “To die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
(V.7, 10) Moses was neither sick
nor weak, but he had to die before Israel could enter the Promised Land! There
was never a prophet like Moses, with whom God spoke face to face, except the “prophet
like me” (v.18:15) – Yeshua. And Yeshua had to die before the Israel of God
could enter the Promised Land on a future renewed earth.
Acts 3:18 “But the
things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His
Messiah should suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore and
return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may
come from the presence of Yahweh; 20 and that He may send Yeshua, the
Messiah appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the
period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His
holy prophets from ancient time. 22 Moses said, 'Yahweh your God
shall raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren; to Him you shall
give heed in everything He says to you. 23 'And it shall be that
every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among
the people.' 24 And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from
Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days.”
Let us consider some ways Moses
typified Yeshua:
Moses and Yeshua both were
secreted away to Egypt to avoid a part in the slaughter of children – satanic
plans to stop the coming of Messiah. Both were “called out of Egypt” by God, to
facilitate the redemption of Israel.
The plagues that were brought
upon Egypt before Israel’s deliverance, will be brought upon the world in the
last days.
Yeshua perfectly fulfilled the
details and timing of the Passover Lamb.
Moses led the people from the
Treasure City (Rameses), to Temporary Dwellings (Sukkot), then to Mouth of the
Cave (Pihahirot). Yeshua went from God’s treasure city (Jerusalem), to the
temporary realm of the dead (Hades), then into the opening of the cave-tomb.
Moses said, at the shore of the
Red Sea (Exodus 14:13), “See Yeshua Yahweh!”
On the third day, the people
came up from the sea bed onto high ground. On the third day, Yeshua came up from
the tomb.
As God removed the Egyptian
chariot wheels (literally coverings), where Moses had been symbolically buried
in the Red Sea and resurrected; so He removed the tomb covering (a stone wheel)
where Yeshua had been buried and resurrected.
Both Moses and Yeshua gave Torah
(instruction) to God’s people, to lead them to Messiah.
Fifty days after the Egypt
Passover, the Torah was given at Mt. Sinai (tradition says in the seventy
languages of men). Fifty days after the crucifixion Passover, the Holy Spirit
empowered the Apostles at Jerusalem to proclaim the gospel (in the various
languages of the people).
Moses said, “This Passover is
to be a memorial to you”; Yeshua said of the Passover, “Do this in
remembrance of Me.”
Joshua 1
After Moses led the people to the
border, “Yeshua” (Joshua) brought the people into the Promised Land. “The
Torah is our tutor, to lead us to Messiah” (Galatians 3:24); “Messiah is
the goal of the Torah” (Romans 10:4).
Matthew 4
Yeshua stood at the pinnacle of the
Holy Temple. This is the place where a priest stood to blow the shofar to
announce, to all Israel, that a certain time had come: Sabbath, New Month, and
etc. It was perhaps a couple of hundred feet to the ground below.
Satan said to Yeshua, “Since you
are the Son of God, throw yourself down” – prove that you are the Son of
God by putting your fate in the hands of angels, since they are charged with
protecting the Son of God. Here we learn from Yeshua that we are not to so tempt
God.
Then, as Moses stood on top of Mt.
Nebo, from whence he could see all of the Promised Land, so Yeshua stood atop a
high mountain, where Satan “showed
Him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory”.
Satan offered all of these kingdoms, for Yeshua to worship him. But Yeshua came
back with Torah: “Begone, Satan! For it
is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only’
”
Psalms 148-149-150
Today, we often hear people sing “Halelluyah”,
which means “Praise Yahweh.” We hear people singing “Praise the Name of the
Lord”. But often, in doing this, they are not praising Yahweh, and often they
are denying His Name, not only in faithlessness, but even with the words they
are singing. We are to praise Yahweh for his attributes and works; but we aren’t
doing that by singing “Halelluyah” while we are denying that Yahweh is the
creator and sovereign God!
Psalm 148 tells us to praise the
Name Yahweh, because He created, and His creation is forever! Psalm 149 tells us
to praise Yahweh because He takes pleasure in His people, beautifies them with
salvation, and gives them tools for the honor of executing judgment. There’s
something to think about. Psalm 150 tells us to praise Him for His mighty deeds
– what mighty deeds do we believe He has done for us?; and for His excellent
greatness – do we believe in His greatness, or do we really doubt His power or
control in this world?
Praise requires purpose. It takes
more than words: it takes faith to please Him!
“Without
faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that
He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him”
(Hebrews 11:6).
Readings:
Deuteronomy 34
Reader 1* Amen
1
Now Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah,
which is opposite Jericho. And Yahweh showed him all the land, Gilead as far as
Dan, 2 and all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all
the land of Judah as far as the western sea, 3 and the Negev and the plain
in the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar.
Reader 2* Amen
4
Then Yahweh said to him, "This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your descendants'; I have let you see it with
your eyes, but you shall not go over there." 5 So Moses the servant
of Yahweh died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of Yahweh.
6 And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor;
but no man knows his burial place to this day.
Reader 3* Amen
7
Although Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was
not dim, nor his vigor abated. 8 So the sons of Israel wept for Moses
in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the days of weeping and mourning for
Moses came to an end. 9 Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the
spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; and the sons of Israel
listened to him and did as Yahweh had commanded Moses.
Reader 4* Amen
10
Since then no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom Yahweh knew face to
face, 11 for all the signs and wonders which Yahweh sent him to
perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his
land, 12 and for all the mighty power and for all the great terror
which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.
Joshua 1
Reader 5* Amen
1 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of Yahweh
that Yahweh spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' servant, saying, 2
"Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all
this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.
3 "Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to
you, just as I spoke to Moses. 4 "From the wilderness and this
Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of
the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun, will be
your territory. 5 "No man will be able to stand before you all the
days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will
not fail you or forsake you.
Reader 6* Amen
6 "Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people
possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7
"Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law
which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the
left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8 "This book of
the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and
night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it;
for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or
be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go." 10
Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 "Pass
through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare
provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan,
to go in to possess the land which Yahweh your God is giving you, to possess
it.'"
Reader 7* Amen
12 And to the Reubenites and to the Gadites and to the half-tribe of
Manasseh, Joshua said, 13 "Remember the word which Moses the servant
of Yahweh commanded you, saying, 'Yahweh your God gives you rest, and will give
you this land.' 14 "Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle
shall remain in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan, but you shall
cross before your brothers in battle array, all your valiant warriors, and shall
help them, 15 until Yahweh gives your brothers rest, as He gives you,
and they also possess the land which Yahweh your God is giving them. Then you
shall return to your own land, and possess that which Moses the servant of
Yahweh gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise." 16 And they
answered Joshua, saying, "All that you have commanded us we will do, and
wherever you send us we will go. 17 "Just as we obeyed Moses in all
things, so we will obey you; only may Yahweh your God be with you, as He was
with Moses. 18 "Anyone who rebels against your command and does not
obey your words in all that you command him, shall be put to death; only be
strong and courageous."
Psalm 148
1
Praise Yahweh! Praise Yahweh from the heavens; praise Him in the heights! 2
Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts! 3 Praise Him,
sun and moon; praise Him, all stars of light! 4 Praise Him, highest
heavens, and the waters that are above the heavens! 5 Let them praise
the name of Yahweh, for He commanded and they were created. 6 He has
also established them forever and ever; He has made a decree which will not pass
away. 7 Praise Yahweh from the earth, sea monsters and all deeps;
8 fire and hail, snow and clouds; stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
9 mountains and all hills; fruit trees and all cedars; 10
beasts and all cattle; creeping things and winged fowl; 11 kings of
the earth and all peoples; princes and all judges of the earth; 12
both young men and virgins; old men and children. 13 Let them praise
the name of Yahweh, for His name alone is exalted; His glory is above earth and
heaven. 14 And He has lifted up a horn for His people, praise for all
His godly ones; even for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him. Praise
Yahweh!
Psalm 149
1
Praise Yahweh! Sing to Yahweh a new song, and His praise in the congregation of
the godly ones. 2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the sons of
Zion rejoice in their King. 3 Let them praise His name with dancing;
let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre. 4 For Yahweh
takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with
salvation. 5 Let the godly ones exult in glory; let them sing for joy
on their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a
two-edged sword in their hand, 7 to execute vengeance on the nations,
and punishment on the peoples; 8 to bind their kings with chains, and
their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 to execute on them the judgment
written; this is an honor for all His godly ones. Praise Yahweh!
Psalm 150
1
Praise Yahweh! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty expanse.
2 Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His
excellent greatness. 3 Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with
harp and lyre. 4 Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; praise Him with
stringed instruments and pipe. 5 Praise Him with loud cymbals; praise
Him with resounding cymbals. 6 Let everything that has breath praise
Yahweh. Praise Yahweh!
Matthew 4:5-11
5
Then the devil took Him into the holy city; and he had Him stand on the pinnacle
of the temple, 6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God throw
Yourself down; for it is written, 'He will give His angels charge concerning
You'; and 'On their hands they will bear You up, Lest You strike Your foot
against a stone.'" 7 Yeshua said to him, "On the other hand, it is
written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" 8 Again,
the devil took Him to a very high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of
the world, and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, "All these things
will I give You, if You fall down and worship me." 10 Then Yeshua
said to him, "Begone, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your
God, and serve Him only.'" 11 Then the devil left Him; and behold,
angels came and began to minister to Him.
|