Eikev
Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25
Isaiah 49:14 - 51:3

         Our Torah portion this week continues the instructions given to the Jewish people from Moses prior to their entering the land. Our portion focuses on humility and trust that God is the One who provides for us. In the text God reminds the Israelites that He provided for them in the wilderness.  We are reminded that when things are difficult for us  God is present and provides for our needs. God also reminded them that their ability to conquer the land and their prosperity were not the result of their righteousness but rather it was the result of the grace of God. We are reminded that when things are well that it is not because of our righteousness that we can gain wealth and live comfortably, but rather it is God who provides.  In fact, chapter nine makes it quite clear that our ancestors were quite unrighteous and not worthy of the inheritance of the land.  The apostle Paul says that     in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Messiah Yeshua. (1 Thes. 5:18).  Do we give thanks to God for the good things? We are often challenged to be thankful in times of trouble. However, are we thankful when things are well?  Pride often takes over and we may give lip service to God (:”praise the Lord!”) but in reality recognize that it is because of me that things have gone well.  A good safeguard to personal pride is to always be in some form of communion with God. If we are ever mindful of the presence of God with us all of the time, it becomes natural to give God the credit and the glory for all that we do.  How do we stay mindful of the presence of God? Begin your day with prayer and devotions to God. think about things that build you up spiritually. Paul said    Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.(Phil. 4:8)  

          The Haftorah portion shows us the result of not continually recognizing the presence of God and giving Him the thanks for all things.  While in the Babylonian captivity, there was the feeling of abandonment. Isaiah 49:14 says    "The LORD has forsaken me, And the Lord has forgotten me."  God explains that there is no way that He could forsake His people.   If that is the case, how could it be that the people are experiencing abandonment? The answer is in the next chapter.    "Why was there no man when I came? When I called, why was there none to answer?(Is. 50:2)  In other words, God is saying that it is not He who has abandoned Israel but rather it is Israel who has abandoned God.  The prophet is clear that this is the case.  If you read the first chapter of Isaiah you read how God rejected their “religious activity”.  The reason was because they were not living godly lives. They were not depending on God for their provisions.  They had an outward form of worship but no inward reality.  I am sure that some of us who are regular attendees at services and congregational functions sometimes   feel as if God has abandoned us. The truth is that we have an unconditional relationship with God.  The antidote to the feeling of abandonment is found in Isaiah 50:4-11. This is a passage about the Servant of the Lord. In it, he is contrasted to the rebellious children of Israel .  He listens to the voice of God every morning (v.4); he is obedient to the Word of God (v.5); he is undaunted even when ridiculed (v.6-7); he has the assurance that he will be vindicated (8-9); we are admonished to obey the servant and rely on the Lord when we are in the dark (v.10); finally those who are in the dark but try to find their own way will be burned.

Today, if you feel abandonment by God, follow the Servant Yeshua the Messiah. He said to his disciples “follow me”.  May we listen for the voice of God each morning; may we be obedient to his Word each day; may we recognize that God will bring vindication so we need not fear our enemies and may we rely on the Lord for His provision to lead us out of the darkness and into His light.

Shabbat shalom!