Debarim (Devarim)

Parsha Debarim

Debarim (Deuteronomy) 1:1-3:22

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“These are the words, which Mosheh spoke to all Yisra’el beyond the Yarden in the wilderness…”Debarim 1:1

This Torah Portion begins the sefer (scroll/book) Debarim (Devarim). The word Debarim translates into words. This portion begins eleh ha’debarim deber Mosheh el cal Yisrael or “these are the words which Mosheh (Mushah) spoke unto all Yisrael (Yashar’al).” Throughout the Torah we generally read “and YaHuWaH spoke to Mosheh (Mushah) saying…” Though these words are attributed to Mosheh , one is not to assume that YaHuWaH is not speaking of course on the contrary, here he speaks through the mouth of Mosheh. By doing so the Torah, the eternal instructions teach us the power and authority established by YaHuWaH through the man, Mosheh (Mushah).  This book is usually refered to as Mishnah Torah which comes from the phrase in this book that refers to a Sovereign writing for himself a copy of Torah (Mishnah Torah).  Debarim is called Mishnah Torah because it is seen as a copy of the first four books of Torah in summary form, though there are seventy additional laws found in Debarim (Deuteronomy).

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Many, who have preceded our time, have noted that the structure of the book of Debarim closely resembles ancient middle-eastern documents involving treaties and covenants established by a sovereign ruler and his servants. The ancient treaties would open with a preamble, followed by a historic summary relaying the past until the present. Mosheh (Mushah) begins in such a manner by giving a preamble found in Debarim 1:1-5 followed by Debarim 1:6-4:49 which relates the history of the departure from Sinai to the present day in the land of Moab. The obligations of the covenant will be found in the future Torah Portions, they can be read in Debarim 5:1-26:19. After such obligations are outlined an oath is laid out between the sovereign ruler in which his servants agree to various brikoth (“blessings”) and curses which we see Mosheh did in chapter 27:1-30:20. This would bring the treaty to the point of conclusion, which we find in chapter 31:1-34:12. Such a covenant (brit) would be established by a mediator, in this case Mosheh (Mushah) represents both roles, for he is a leader but also the mediator of YaHuWaH Sovereign of all.

Mosheh gave his final teachings found in this book in the final weeks of his life, during the fortieth year of the departure (exodus) from Mitsrayim (Egypt). This book of Torah is compiled and taught in the land of Moab just before the Yarden (Jordan River). Debarim 1:5 tells us that it was here that Mosheh “ba’ar et ha’torah”.

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Many have interpreted this “declare the law or torah” however it means much more. Ba’ar means to make plain or simple, this is followed by the letters alef and taw which are the building blocks of creation, the first and last of the Hebrew Alef-Beit which represent Mashyach (Messiah) who said “I am Alef and Taw.” Alef Taw is connected directly to the following “ha’torah” meaning the as in absolute, definite Torah, which means instruction. The purpose of Ha’Sefer Debarim (the book of “words”/Deuteronomy) is to make the previous four books simple. The number four represents the four letters of Yod, Heh, Waw, Heh which is the name of the creator, vocalized as YaHuWaH (Yahuw’ah).

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However the number five is the letter Heh, the second and last letter in YaHuW’aH. Heh is a definite article on the beginning or words, which also gives us the picture of the absolute. From YaHuWaH comes not just the four but the absolute, the definite, there are no boundaries where YaHuWaH ends and Torah begins for Torah is the self expression of the infinite one.

Mosheh begins his discourse with the teaching revolving the departure from Sinai and all the events that happened therein. He continues his history lesson with the fact that he could not bare the number of people so by the consent of the people, heads (roshim) or leaders were appointed over their ranks. This is followed by the recalling of the rebellion at Kadesh Barnea when the spies brought a wicked report concerning the Promised Land due to the fear they had for the Nephilim (fallen ones) who dwelt therein. At this point Mosheh reminds this new generation of the penalty for their unbelief which would involve all the registered ones except for Yahushua ben Nun, and Kaleb to die in the wilderness while they wondered the desert for forty long years. At the hearing of this punishment many rebels decided to rise up and conquest the Promised Land despite the warning from YaHuWaH that he was not with them. Of course they were slaughtered for their disobedience and chased like when bees chase.

Next we have a recap of the wilderness years. We are reminded of how when YaHuWaH brought the children of Yisrael to Seir that YaHuWaH warned not to fight with the inhabitants the descendants of Esaw because YaHuWaH had given Mount Seir as a possession. We also see this when they pass through Ar and Ammon which are cities in Moab who are the descendants of Lot. We read that YaHuWaH had given this land to the descendants of Lot as possession and like Mount Seir, he would not give any of this land to Yisrael. These lands were once occupied by the Rephaim which are a type of the Nephilim. YaHuWaH gave the land of Moab and Edom to these cousins of Yisrael for defeating and destroying the Rephaim. The Rephaim were hybrid humanoid type creatures, a result of the fall of the beni Elohim (sons of Elohim) who took wives from the daughters of men (Beresheeth/ Genesis chapter 6). At this point we begin to learn of more recent times when Yisrael (Yashar’al) defeated Sichon and Og who were of the Nephilim.

Debarim (Deuteronomy) 3:11 “For only Og sovereign of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Repha’ites. See, his bedstead was an iron bedstead. Is it not in Rabbah of the children of Ammon? Nine cubits is its length and four cubits its width, according to the cubit of a man.

The cubit referred to here is known as the Royal Egyptian cubit which would mean that Og’s bed was 15 feet long and 6.8 feet wide! Though Og and Sichon were giant nephilim warriors who practiced magic, they were no match for the army of YaHuWaH.  After the defeat of these giants the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Half of Manasseh are given their lands. The Torah Portion ends with a message given to Yahuwshuwa Ben Nun who is to be the leader of Yisrael (Yashar’al) after the death of Mushah.

 Debarim (Deuteronomy) 3:21And I commanded Yahuwshuwa at that time, saying, ‘Your eyes have seen all that YaHuWaH your Elohim has done to these two sovereigns. YaHuWaH does the same to all the reigns which you are passing over.22‘Do not fear them, for YaHuWaH your Elohim Himself fights for you.’

Let us also take courage in these words.  No matter what giants we face, YaHuWaH will fight on our behalf!  As mentioned previously Yahuwshuwa is also the name of the Messiah (Mashyach) of Yisrael.  Therefore this is a prophetic foreshadowing of the Messiah and how he will conquer the heathen nations at his arrival.