Va’etchanan “And I besought”
Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11
Isaiah 40:1–26
1 Kings 19-22

HaShem Makes a Wish

There were no candles to blow out or even a birthday cake present on the day God Himself made a wish. Nevertheless He made a wish.

Deuteronomy is a recap of the history of Israel after they were taken out of Egypt. It is a reminder to Israel of who they are and the awesome responsibility they have, a reminder that they were to walk out the plans of God in their lives. It is also a challenge to walk, not as their parents had walked, not as a stiff-necked and rebellious people, but as the people they had become, as a people whose hearts and lives were fixed upon serving their God.

There is no doubt as we read that Moses and God Himself were proud of the people standing to receive their commission. God was so pleased that in chapter 5 verse 26 He states that He wishes they would just stay like this, with their hearts always like they were on this special day.

HaShem goes on to explain for our benefit the traits in the people of which He is so proud. He first wishes they would always fear Him. Many commentators through the years have watered down this word fear, to mean something it does not. Study the word and you will see that it really does mean fear. There is a place for a righteous, reverent and awesome fear of the God we serve. We are not to try and bring Him to our level, but to always see Him for who He is, the creator, sustainer and judge of His creation. He is not the "Man upstairs," or the "Boss in the sky." He is YHVH. He is the "I AM." We should ever seek to give Him the place in our lives which He deserves.

HaShem wishes the people would always obey His Torah. He knows far better than we that Torah was given, not for His good, but for ours. Torah is not only a list of do's and don't’s for life, but it is a list of what He likes and dislikes. Torah is a glimpse into the heart of a God too big and complex for us humans to understand. Torah is a language of love between God and man. It defines a way for us to show our real love for Him through our obedience to His words and through our actions, not our thoughts or empty words.

HaShem wishes these things not only so He can look upon His people with a proud fatherly gaze, but also so things may go well for them and us and for their children and our children. Many people have never come to the understanding of this simple principle of Torah – it is for our own good as well as the good of our children and our grandchildren. God desires to bless His people, but He can only do so through the guidelines He has established. He cannot go back on or change the rules He has set up for this world and the people in it. He will not change the natural principles of gravity, nor will He change the spiritual principles that obedience equals blessing and disobedience brings forth the consequences of judgment.

The disciples saw these principles lived out in their lives in the Book of Acts. Can you just imagine for a moment how proud HaShem was of these people? As we read of the strength and conviction in their lives, take a moment to think what you would have felt if these men and women had been your children! It may have been all God could do just to keep from splitting the sky with words of joy, excitement and pride over the job well done.

Of course I cannot end without speaking of our day. When He looks upon each of us, is His wish again coming to pass in our lives and in our communities? Are we further along as we read this year’s Torah cycle than we were during the last? Our desire during every waking moment of life should be to bring a sense of pride to the heart of our Father. The blessings our obedience brings should always be secondary.
Whether it is honoring Shabbat, revering His name or telling the little box with the speaker to hold the meat when you order your Egg McMuffin, develop a consciousness of considering our actions and what they mean to Him.

One last note: Obedience is not only good for us and brings pride to the heart of our Father, obedience is a gift we give our children. When we walk in obedience to Torah, God says he will not only bless us, but will also bless our children and grandchildren for generations to come. What greater gift could we possibly give to those who remain unborn than the gift of God's blessing in their lives?

Obedience does matter!