Deuteronomy 1.1-4.22, Haftara, Isaiah 1.1-27

“These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel on this side of the Jordan in the Wilderness.” Deut. 1.1 NKJV

Devarim, meaning “words”, the name of our Parashah, and the book known in English as Deuteronomy. recounts words spoken in the wilderness. The Hebrew word for wilderness (midbar) itself is from the same root for speaking, (medaber). In the Wilderness God spoke to Israel the Ten Commandments, and now he spoke again through Moses to Israel. Many hard fought battles and lessons were learned during those forty years of wandering. Briefly we want to look at the words which begin this book, and our Parashah. There are the words of Moses, the Words of Israel, and finally the words of the Lord. The message of this Parashah is that our spoken words have impact, and words we hear have impact. The struggle is that sometimes we must go to a dry place like the midbar (wilderness) so that we can discern our own words and the voice of Adonai speaking (medaber) to us.

I. Moses’ Words

“These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel.” Deut. 1.1

Moses recounts the triumphs and trials of Israel. His words had guided the nation, but he realized that Israel had become too numerous for one man to lead.

“And I spoke to you at that time, saying: ‘I alone am not able to bear you. The Lord your God has multiplied you, and here you are today, as the stars of heaven in multitude.” Deut. 1.9-10 NKJV

In that moment, it was as if Israel’s father were speaking. Moses said Israel had become too numerous for him alone, but then realized the impact of his own words. And thus he spoke a blessing over the congregation.

“May the Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times more numerous than you are, and bless you as He has promised you!” Deut. 1.10 NKJV

There is power within all of our words. The answer was not for Israel to become small, but for leadership to grow more numerous to meet the challenges. Moses prophesied a blessing of thousand fold increase! Moses words charted Israel’s future, and he imparted a blessing of multiplication upon them.   Perhaps Moses added this blessing realizing the serious impact Israel’s words had already had upon the nation.   As we look at Israel’s words, let us also examine our own.

II. Israel’s Words, Duet. 1.34

“And the Lord heard the sound of your words…”

Moses reminded Israel how they

“Grumbled in their tents”, accused the Lord saying, “God hates us”, and said the Lord of brought them out of Egypt to “destroy” them. Deut. 1.27

Israel saw themselves as grasshoppers compared to the Anakim of the land of Canaan. The sound of their words angered the Lord. Have you ever thought about the “sound of your words”?   In Hebrew it is mentioned as the Kol “voice” of your words. I don’t know if the referred to the tone of their words, or the utterance of the words. Spoken words are more destructive than internalized thoughts. The sound of their words angered the Lord, and He swore an oath,

‘Surely not one of these men of this evil generation shall see that good land of which I swore to give to your fathers” Deut. 1. 35 NKJV

Only Joshua and Caleb were allowed to enter the land of Promise. What made the difference? They spoke words of faith. God revealed the land because it was their inheritance. What has the Lord revealed to you? When difficulties and obstacles present themselves what words will you speak – words of fear or faith? But now let us look at the Lord’s words to bring Israel out of their wandering.

III. Adonai’s Words

“And the Lord spoke to me…”

We can rejoice in the mercy and grace of the Lord. Twice in the Parashah the Lord took note that His people were going in circles, unable to break out thier circumstance. Perhaps you feel like Israel, moving in circles but going nowhere. The Lord knows when we have had enough. Twice in this Parashah he broke Israel out of their circle.

“The Lord our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain. Turn and take your journey, and go to the mountains of the Amorites, to all the neighboring places in the plain, in the mountains and in the lowland, in the South and on the seacoast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the River Euphrates.” Deut. 1.6-7 NKJV

“Then we turned and journeyed into the wilderness of the Way of the Red Sea, as the Lord spoke to me, and we skirted Mount Seir for many days. And the Lord spoke to me, saying: ‘You have skirted this mountain long enough; turn northward.”Deut. 2.1-2 NKJV

God used the devarim of Moses to break the bondages off of the people, but he has sent the Messiah, a prophet like unto Moses, to speak words of Life. Yeshua said,

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”Mat. 24.35 NKJV

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15. 7 NKJV

With a word, the winds and waves were stilled. With a word, he raised the dead, healed the sick, opened blind eyes. There is power in His words, because they are the words of the Father. John 14.24.   If you need a breakthrough, look to Him and His Words of deliverance in your life.

Conclusion

In some sense we are all facing a wilderness. This virus has created moments of isolation. Perhaps you are not able work in your profession, go to the usual places. Remember that in the Wilderness of isolation Adonai is speaking, and yes we are speaking. May the Lord grant each one of us the ability to hear Him clearly, and that our words will come into agreement with His Words.   Moses final words in this Parashah were words of faith. Let them stir you this coming week.

“Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings; so will the Lord do to all the kingdoms through which you pass. 22 You must not fear them, for the Lord your God Himself fights for you.’” Deut. 4.21-22 NKJV