Reflection for Ekev
“Wait Upon the Lord”
Matthew 4:1-11
Luke 4:1-13
James 5:7-11
excerpted from TorahScope Apostolic Scriptures Reflections
This week’s Torah portion, Ekev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25), is the third reading of the Book of Deuteronomy, and it continues the narrative of the Ancient Israel’s sojourn from Egypt to the Promised Land. Its title is derived from the conjunction ekev, often meaning either “because” or “because of” (CHALOT).[1] When Israel would be found to be obeying the commandments of the Lord, then this would precisely be the reason why He would bless them and prosper them.[2] Israel’s heartfelt willingness to obey the precepts, ordinances, statutes, and commands of the Creator, would result in multiple blessings, including: fertility for procreation of either the people or their livestock, protection from enemies or their diseases, and victory over enemies and their gods.[3] Moses hearkened the Israelites to remember the deliverance which God enacted in saving the people from Egypt, and the great miracles He demonstrated—and how He would do it again in the conquest of Canaan.[4]
A major thrust of this parashah we encounter, is how all provision comes forth from the Holy One of Israel. Moses emphasized that what was important was not just the physical provision that God provided His people, but the recognition al-kol-motza pi-YHWH yich’yeh ha’adam, or “on every utterance of the LORD’s mouth does the human live” (Alter):
“You shall observe to do all the commandments which I command you today, that you may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to your fathers. You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, to test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. He humbled you, allowed you to be hungry, and fed you with manna, which you didn’t know, neither did your fathers know, that he might teach you that man does not live by bread only, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the LORD’s mouth” (Deuteronomy 8:1-3, WMB).
Within the narrative of Ekev, Moses recalled how he spent forty days and forty nights before the Lord: receiving the first set of Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 9:9-17), focused in a period of prayer and fasting for Israel after the golden calf incident (Deuteronomy 9:18-29), and then going up before the Lord to receive the second set of Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 10:1-10). Both Moses’ patience, and the Lord’s patience with His chosen people to give them a second chance—and not eliminate them and start anew with the offspring of Moses—pointed to how significant the virtues of patience and perseverance are for God’s people, especially those in positions of leadership. Of course, patience was listed by the Apostle Paul as being one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Patience is perhaps one of the hardest supernatural qualities for Believers today to maintain, especially in our hustling and bustling, “fast food” and “microwaved” society, which demands instantaneous change and is frequently unable to wait.
There is no better example for people today to emulate regarding patience than Yeshua the Messiah. In both the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, we see a record of how after His immersion by John, the Lord was directed by the Holy Spirit to go into the wilderness for forty days and forty nights. This is an important scene where some great and critical lessons can be learned, on how to not only patiently seek the Lord (perhaps focused via fasting and prayer), but most importantly how Messiah followers are to use their knowledge of the Holy Scriptures to combat the enemy, when he attacks or presents various temptations. In this classic scene, Yeshua quoted to Satan directly from Deuteronomy 6:13, 16; 8:3; and 10:20, not falling prey to his temptations:
“Then Yeshua was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth” [Deuteronomy 8:3].’ Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you,” and, “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone” [Psalm 91:11-12].’ Yeshua said to him, ‘Again, it is written, “You shall not test the Lord, your God” [Deuteronomy 6:16].’ Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He said to him, ‘I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Then Yeshua said to him, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only” [Deuteronomy 6:13].’ Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him” (Matthew 4:1-11, WMB).
“Yeshua, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. He ate nothing in those days. Afterward, when they were completed, he was hungry. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.’ Yeshua answered him, saying, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone [Deuteronomy 8:3], but by every word of God.”’ The devil, leading him up on a high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The devil said to him, ‘I will give you all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I want. If you therefore will worship before me, it will all be yours.’ Yeshua answered him, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only” [Deuteronomy 6:13].’ He led him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down from here, for it is written, “He will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you;” and, “On their hands they will bear you up, lest perhaps you dash your foot against a stone” [Psalm 91:12].’ Yeshua answering, said to him, ‘It has been said, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God” [Deuteronomy 6:16].’ When the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him until another time” (Luke 4:1-13, WMB).
When reviewing this testimony from the Scriptures, we see how the Adversary was not at all bashful, and was most willing to directly confront the Son of God during His time of discomfort. If Satan directly tempted Yeshua, then this means that he and his minions are certainly willing to go after any of the Messiah’s followers. While we should always be on guard against the enemy—he will especially take advantage of a person’s weakened or physically ill condition!
It is most critical to understand how the Devil knows and uses the Holy Scriptures, by trying to twist their meanings just ever so slightly. In this case, Satan quoted from Psalm 91:11-12, in order to try and make Yeshua think that in casting Himself down, there would be angels to rescue Him. The Devil, his dark angels, or his nefarious vessels, will deliberately misrepresent and misinterpret the Bible for evil purposes. Even if someone can quote the entire Bible verbatim, it does not mean that he or she is necessarily speaking for God. The Scriptures must be interpreted properly, particularly in order to represent God’s character and purposes for His people.
In this scene we also should acknowledge how Satan has been given some degree of authority over the kingdoms of this world, with an influence over determining who he will give power to rule. By offering these kingdoms to Yeshua, we can deduce that over the centuries, the Dark Prince has offered various kingdoms to others, who have not only willingly accepted the authority—but perhaps quite literally have given him their souls. What hollow promises did the Adversary really promise to those desiring power? In too much of history, those who end up being granted high positions of power end up losing it before dying. Hitler’s Third Reich, for example, by no means (and most thankfully!) lasted a thousand years.
Obviously, we could offer much speculation and propose many theories about how the Devil’s temptations have manifested themselves over the millennia—but most of us individually will never be offered control of a global empire. Instead, the temptations the Adversary will present us with will be in more tangible things we desire, such as money or wealth (cf. 1 Timothy 6:10). When human beings lack the patience to wait on the Lord, the enemy often finds an opportunity to interject himself and offer us a quick way to what we need or want.
Knowing how the forces of darkness operate is key, because patiently waiting upon the will of our Heavenly Father is something which needs to become an active part of who we are as followers of the Messiah Yeshua. Each of us needs to seriously consider the admonition of James the Just, who used the example of a farmer patiently waiting for the early and late rains. Crops do not grow instantaneously, and so the analogy was made that anything Messiah followers need or require, would not be given or provided for us instantaneously, either. James made reference to the Prophets who spoke for the Lord, and the endurance of Job, both who had to endure in order to show how they were truly His. Via life experience, they were able to see how the Lord is full of compassion and mercy:
“Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Don’t grumble, brothers, against one another, so that you won’t be judged. Behold, the judge stands at the door. Take, brothers, for an example of suffering and of perseverance, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we call them blessed who endured. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and have seen the Lord in the outcome, and how the Lord is full of compassion and mercy” (James 5:7-11, WMB).
Let me conclude with some words from the Psalmist David, who certainly knew of not only temptation, but also as king of Israel battled with those given authority over other kingdoms. Many times throughout his Psalms, he spoke of the need to wait upon the Lord, and for people to commit themselves to Him:
“By David. Don’t fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither like the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture. Also delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD. Trust also in him, and he will do this: he will make your righteousness shine out like light, and your justice as the noon day sun. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him. Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret; it leads only to evildoing. For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land” (Psalm 37:1-9, WMB).
The contrast between the evildoers, and those who wait/trust/delight in the Lord, is obvious to see. One receives punishment, and other receives blessing. Patience is indeed a virtue! May we all learn to more fully wait upon the Lord, and allow His will to naturally manifest itself in His timing! Learn to place your life entirely in His hands, and give the enemy no opportunity to tempt you with a quick way only leading to perdition.
NOTES
[1] William L. Holladay, ed., A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Leiden, the Netherlands: E.J. Brill, 1988), 281.
[2] “It shall happen, because [ekev] you listen to these ordinances and keep and do them, that the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the loving kindness which he swore to your fathers” (Deuteronomy 7:12, WMB).
[3] Deuteronomy 7:12-16.
[4] Deuteronomy 7:17-26.
