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Reflection for Nitzavim

“The Word of Faith”

Romans 9:30-10:13
Hebrews 12:14-15

excerpted from TorahScope Apostolic Scriptures Reflections

As the testimony of Moses before Ancient Israel begins to wind down, his concluding words in Deuteronomy are critical to consider, meditate upon, and embrace with a faithful heart, as we rapidly approach the Fall high holidays. While these closing chapters of Deuteronomy, including Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9[10]-30:20), are not a kind of deathbed confession, Moses did know that his days to guide Israel were limited. He desired nothing more than to impart to the people some words of sobering encouragement, which reflect the reality of what he had seen and what he anticipated would occur, given the rebellious incidents he witnessed in his tenure of leading Israel through the wilderness. For those living today, following in the footsteps of many faithful Jews and Christians—who have taken Moses’ words about obedience and loyalty to God most seriously—we can be greatly blessed by seeing how Moses’ instruction did not only apply to those who would enter into the Promised Land with Joshua, but to every generation of people who has sincerely called out to the Creator God:

As one meditates upon the final words of Moses, the chosen deliverer of Israel who uniquely spoke to the Lord “face to face” (Exodus 33:11), it is imperative that his final thoughts be embraced—perhaps no differently than as one would always remember the final words of a relative or close friend. Unsurprisingly, Moses took the time to remind Ancient Israel—and certainly all followers of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—that His commandments were not difficult or out of reach. In fact, the very words were not only in the mouth, but implanted in the very heart of those pursuing the Almighty:

“For this commandment which I command you today is not too hard for you or too distant. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up for us to heaven, bring it to us, and proclaim it to us, that we may do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us, bring it to us, and proclaim it to us, that we may do it?’ But the word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. Behold, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and evil. For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his ordinances, that you may live and multiply, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you go in to possess it” (Deuteronomy 30:11-16, WMB).

If a person determines to faithfully walk in the ways of the Lord, then consequently His blessings will flow in abundance. On the other hand, when disobedience reigns in a person’s life, and the human heart becomes hardened to the ways of the Lord, the curses listed in Deuteronomy 28 may begin to multiply—and at the very least one will have a stifled relationship with his or her Creator, having placed barriers between oneself and Him.

The Apostle Paul made reference to Deuteronomy 30:12-14 in his letter to the Romans, as he explained some of the First Century dilemma as to why many of his Jewish brethren were unable to see Yeshua the Messiah. He expressed the unfortunate human propensity to try to earn favor before the Creator via one’s own actions or works, set against steadfast trust in Him and acting accordingly from such a relationship. As one relies more and more on his or her own mortal works—even if they are closely associated with God’s Torah—the imperatives of the Torah can be downplayed. Nowhere does the Torah ever say that observing its commandments will merit salvation; following the Torah is to come as one is committed to being a part of God’s holy and set-apart people. Within Paul’s argument, he reminded his audience that Moses originally emphasized how his teaching to Israel was to be in the people’s heart, providing them with an understanding of God’s righteousness. The need to comprehend God’s righteousness is now obviously intensified with the Messiah having been sacrificed for sin, and then resurrected from the dead:

“What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who didn’t follow after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith; but Israel, following after a law of righteousness, didn’t arrive at the law of righteousness. Why? Because they didn’t seek it by faith, but as it were by works of the law. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, even as it is written, ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and a rock of offense; and no one who believes in him will be disappointed’ [Isaiah 28:16]. Brothers, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God is for Israel, that they may be saved. For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they didn’t subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For Messiah is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness of the law, ‘The one who does them will live by them.’ But the righteousness which is of faith says this, ‘Don’t say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?” (that is, to bring Messiah down); or, “Who will descend into the abyss?” (that is, to bring Messiah up from the dead.)’ But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ [Deuteronomy 9:4; 30:12-14]; that is, the word of faith which we proclaim: that if you will confess with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes resulting in righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed’ [Isaiah 28:16]. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him. For, ‘Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved’ [Joel 2:32]” (Romans 9:30-10:13, WMB).

These are very powerful words delivered by Paul, as the word which is to be near God’s people is not just His Torah, but most especially the Torah which points to the Messiah as its climax! When one can recognize how the Torah is to reveal one’s need for a Redeemer—because as easy as it is supposed to be to kept, human nature will still cause one to err—then a person can be given the great gift of salvation via that imperative reality Yeshua is Lord. Being spiritually regenerated, we can receive a new heart of flesh, and via the power of the Holy Spirit have God’s commandments supernaturally transcribed upon our hearts and minds (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27; cf. Romans 8:4).

People who are redeemed by the blood of the Messiah, and who are given a new heart of flesh, are able to live forth the Torah imperatives to love God and neighbor.[1] Within Moses’ admonitions to Israel, he urged the people to consider the holiness and reverence of the God who delivered them from Egypt—specifically so that none of them would turn away from Him and seek after other things to worship:

“Neither do I make this covenant and this oath with you only, but with those who stand here with us today before the LORD our God, and also with those who are not here with us today (for you know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the middle of the nations through which you passed; and you have seen their abominations and their idols of wood, stone, silver, and gold, which were among them); lest there should be among you man, woman, family, or tribe whose heart turns away today from the LORD our God, to go to serve the gods of those nations; lest there should be among you a root that produces bitter poison” (Deuteronomy 29:14-18, WMB).

Hearts which turn away from the Lord can often develop deep roots of bitterness, which bear sour and rotten fruit. One of the easiest ways any person can harbor bitterness, is by not forgiving others who wrong them. As Messianic Believers who are preparing to commemorate Yom Teruah/Rosh HaShanah, the Ten Days of Awe, and Yom Kippur—do any of us need to take some time and try to reconcile with those who have either offended us or we have offended? Not all people who have committed sin are outside of the Body of Messiah, and there might indeed be fellow brothers and sisters with whom we need to attempt some degree of reconciliation. Do not allow a root of bitterness to blossom into a plant of evil! The author of Hebrews exhorted Messiah followers to pursue peace with all people:

“Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord, looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and many be defiled by it” (Hebrews 12:14-15, WMB).

May we each be encouraged to step out in faith, and resolve any issues which might create a stumbling block for others. Let us never be an unnecessary offense to others, but rather place the righteousness of the Messiah Yeshua at the center of our desires, so that all can be saved. In this special season of holiness, let us entreat our Creator so that all might come to a knowledge of Him, and experience His love and forgiveness:

“I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4, WMB).

May the word of faith be embraced and have its perfect work in our hearts. Let us evidence the true activity of the Spirit within us, expressing forth true righteousness, grace, and mercy!