What Is True Biblical Repentance and Why YOU Need to Know

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There is no salvation without true repentance!

What would you hear if you were to ask the average Christian to summarize the basic gospel message in one sentence? You might hear something like “Jesus loves you and has wonderful plan for your life.” Or you might hear, “Jesus died for your sins, so that you might go to heaven.” Some of the more “modern and progressive” or so-called “seeker friendly” Christians might say, “Come to Jesus and he’ll improve your self-esteem,” or “If you want good health and lots of wealth, come to Jesus.” But how does the Bible summarize the gospel message? That’s a question that almost nobody asks and no one knows or preaches about, even though the answer should be obvious to anyone who has read the Gospels. The truth is shocking and radically different from what most modern Christians think!

Matthew in his Gospel after describing the circumstances around the birth of Yeshua the Messiah, opens up by introducing the ministry of John the Baptist, the anointed prophet from heaven who came to prepare the way for the Messiah. The Gospel writers summarizes the preaching of John as “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt 3:2). In the next chapter after his brief introduction to John’s ministry, Matthew then brings Yeshua the Messiah onto the scene. After Yeshua’s temptation in the wilderness, Matthew records, “From that time Yeshua began to preach and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (Matt 4:17). Mark in his gospel records the same event as follows: “Now after John was put in prison, Yeshua came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of Elohim, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of Elohim is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14–15). Finally, on the day of Pentecost after being pricked in their hearts by Peter’s convicting sermon, the crowd asked the apostle what they should do next. His answer was, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Yeshua the Messiah for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). A central and recurring theme in all of these passages is the idea of repentance from sin—a biblical concept that is understood by few modern Christians, and a message that is seldom preached in modern pulpits anymore. All of this is in spite of the fact that the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews refers to “repentance from dead works” as “one of the [six] elementary principles of Messiah [or the gospel message]” (Heb 6:1–3).

So what is repentance? How does Scripture define repentance? It is a Hebraic concept, so we must go back to the Hebrew Scriptures to discover the answer. 

Hebrew Word Definitions

There are two biblical Hebrew words that together present the complete picture of what true biblical-based repentance is. The first word is nacham meaning “to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted.” According to The Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament (The TWOT), the origin of the root of this word seems to reflect the idea of “breathing deeply,” hence the physical display of one’s feelings, usually sorrow, compassion, or comfort. The root occurs in the Ugaritic…and is found in Old Testament (OT or Tanakh) proper names such as Nehemiah, Nahum and Menehem. The Greek Septuagint (or lxx) translates the Hebrew word nacham by the two Greek words metanoeo and metamelomai. The Greek word metanoeo means “to change one’s mind, that is, to repent or to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins.” Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies says this of nacham: 

In regard to others, to pity,  to have compassion…in regard to one’s own doing, to lament, to grieve; hence to repent; in English, to rue; often of one who repents, grieves, for the evil he has  brought upon another.” The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance says of nacham: to breathe strongly, by implication, to be sorry…to repent means to make a strong turning to a new course of action. The emphasis is on turning from a less desirable course. Comfort is derived from ‘com’ (with) and ‘fort’ (strength). Hence, when one repents, he exerts strength to change, to re-grasp the situation, and exert effort for the situation to make a different course of purpose and action.  The stress is not upon new information or new facts which cause the change as it is upon the visible action taken.

The second Hebrew word is shuv (from which the Hebrew word teshuvah derives, which means “repentance”) meaning “to return, turn back, refresh, repair, restore.” The TWOT in its discussion of the Hebrew verb shuv states, 

The Bible is rich in idioms describing man’s responsibility in the process of repentance. Such phrases would include the following: “incline your heart unto [YHVH your Elohim]” (Josh 24:23); “circumcise yourselves to YHVH” (Jer 4:4); “wash your heart from wickedness” (Jer 4:14); “break up your fallow ground” (Hos 10:12); and so forth. All of these expressions of man’s penitential activity, however, are subsumed and summarized by this one verb shub. Far better than any other verb it combines in itself the two requisites of repentance: to turn from evil and to turn to the good. 

In order to repent according to biblical criteria, one must understand that Scripture defines sins in the most basic terms as the violation of YHVH’s Torah, or instructions or teachings in righteousness (1 John 3:4). This basic concept can be expressed in several other ways as well. For example, all unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17). To fail to do what is right is also sin (Jas 4:17). It is also sin not to believe in Yeshua the Messiah (John 16:9). 

The main Hebrew word for sin is chet, which in its loosest sense means “a failure in our relationship with Elohim.” Our goal should be to continually move closer to Elohim, but chet is any behavior (i.e. word, thought or deed or the failure to do what is right) that causes us to move away from Elohim.

If YHVH requires his people to repent of or to turn away from sin and then turn to righteousness, which is obedience to his commandments (Ps 119:172), then we must know what is involved in repentance. Repentance as expressed in the Hebrew word teshuvah, which comes from the Hebrew word shuv meaning “to return.” In the biblical context, it means “to return to Elohim” by returning to the righteous behavior that he requires of his people. In other words, repentance means a return to obeying his word or his commandments, which is the opposite of sin. While we must deeply regret our movement away from Elohim (i.e., nacham), we must not despair, for YHVH has provided the way for us to return to him, and he promises us that when we repent, he will forgive us without delay (Ps 103:3, 8–12; 1 John 1:9)

According to Scripture, there are, several basic steps to repentance. They are:

Recognize our sin. We must first recognize that we have a problem—that we are sinful to the core (Jer 17:9; Rom 8:7; Rom 3:10–18, 23; Isa 64:6). For this to happen, we have to come to grips with the fact that we have broken Elohim’s laws, which define sin (1 John 3:4; Jas 2:10; Rom 3:23). Human pride makes this step the hardest one to take (1 John 1:8).

Confess our sin. We must next confess our sin before YHVH (Lev 5:5; Num 5:7; Ps 32:5; 1 John 1:9).

Be sorry for our sins. We must manifest heartfelt regret for our wrong actions by evidencing remorse and contrition before YHVH and our fellow man, if applicable. The Hebrew word for this is nacham and according to The TWOT and as already noted above means, “to reflect the idea of ‘breathing deeply,’ hence the physical display of one’s feelings, usually sorrow, compassion, or comfort.”  We see David expressing nacham in his thirty-eighth psalm.

For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness. I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are full of inflammation, and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of my heart.… For I will declare my iniquity; I will be in anguish over my sin. (Ps 38:4–8, 18)

Turn from our sins. After this, we must turn from our sins and resolve to stop sinning. This is expressed in the Hebrew word teshuvah  meaning “to repent,” which is from the root word shub or shuv. The TWOT defines shuv as follows: 

The Bible is rich in idioms describing man’s responsibility in the process of repentance. Such phrases include the following: “incline your heart unto [YHVH your Elohim]” (Josh 24:23); “circumcise yourselves to YHVH” (Jer 4:4); “wash your heart from wickedness” (Jer 4:14); “break up your fallow ground” (Hos 10:12); and so forth. All of these expressions of man’s penitential activity, however, are subsumed and summarized by this one verb shub. Far better than any other verb it combines in itself the two requisites of repentance: to turn from evil and to turn to the good.

The penalty price must be paid for our sins. Whenever a law is broken, a penalty must be paid. This is true with men’s civil laws as well as Elohim’s moral and spiritual laws. When a person breaks Elohim’s spiritual laws he comes under the penalty of the law and a penalty price has to be paid. That price is death (Ezek 18:4; Rom 6:23). There is only one way to circumvent the death penalty for breaking Elohim’s laws, that is to make an offering of the legally prescribed sacrifice to pay for the sin (Lev 5:1–20). Yeshua, the Messiah of Israel, became that sacrifice for our sin once and for all when he died on the cross (Isa 53:5; Heb 4:14–5:10; 7:14–8:6; 9:11–10:22). By accepting his paying the death penalty for our sins, his righteous, sin-free life can be credited to our spiritual account in the courts of heaven. This occurs when we believe in him and come into a spiritual relationship with him (John 3:16–18; 5:24–29; 6:40, 47; Rom 6:3–11; 10:9–13).

Make restitution. When we have sinned against our fellow man, not only is confession and forsaking that sin required, but we must make restitution in full of whatever has been wrongfully obtained or withheld something from our fellow man (Lev 5:14–19; Matt 5:23–25).

Believe and receive. We must then accept our Heavenly Father’s unconditional mercy and grace (Ps 103:3–4, 10–17).

After the reset, begin the new walk of righteousness. Once biblical repentance has occurred, it is time to begin a new sin-free life of walking in righteous obedience to YHVH Elohim (Deut 10:12–13; John 14:15, 21–24; 15:10–14; 1 John 2:3–5; 5:2–3).

Scriptures on Repentance

Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent [nacham] in dust and ashes. (Job 42:6)

Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith YHVH Elohim; repent [shuv] , and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. (Ezek 14:6)

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith YHVH Elohim. repent [shuv] and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. (Ezek 18:30)

Repentance is a foundation doctrinal truth of our faith

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Messiah, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward Elohim. (Heb 6:1)

The preaching of repentance is a fundamental aspect of the gospel message

From that time Yeshua began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matt 4:17) 

But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Matt 9:13)

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of Elohim is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. (Mark 1:15)

When Yeshua heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Mark 2:17)

And they went out, and preached that men should repent. (Mark 6:12)

And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (Luke 3:3)

I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:32)

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47)

Repentance of sin and faith toward Yeshua go hand-in-hand

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47)

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yeshua Messiah for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward Elohim, and faith toward our Lord Yeshua Messiah. (Acts 20:21)

There is no salvation without repentance

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.… I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.…I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 13:3, 5, 7)

Elohim commands (and desires) all men to repent (of sin)

And the times of this ignorance Elohim winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent. (Acts 17:30)

YHVH is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Pet 3:9)

Repentance brings relief (from sin, guilt, fear of death)

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing [or cooling] shall come from the presence of YHVH. (Acts 3:19)

Repentance leads to eternal life

When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified Elohim, saying, Then hath Elohim also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. (Acts 11:18)

Repenting and accepting repentance is an on-going aspect of the believer’s walk

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. (Luke 17:3)

And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. (Luke 17:4)

Repentance is more than words…it must be backed up with action

Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance. (Matt 3:8)

Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That Elohim is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. (Luke 3:8)

But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to Elohim, and do works meet [corresponding to, congruous with, worthy of, befitting] for repentance. (Acts 26:20)

Elohim prepares the way for repentance in a person’s heart

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness [virtue] of Elohim leadeth thee to repentance? (Rom 2:4)

Elohim can give the gift of repentance

Him hath Elohim exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:31)

In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if Elohim peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. (2 Tim 2:25)

Repentance is a first step one takes toward Elohim in the conversion process

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing [or cooling] shall come from the presence of YHVH. (Acts 3:19)

For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. (2 Cor 7:8–10)

Repentance is necessary in preparation for Yeshua’s coming

And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matt 3:2)

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire. (Matt 3:11)

John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (Mark 1:4)

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Messiah Yeshua. (Acts 19:4)

When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. (Acts 13:24)

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (Rev 2:5)

Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (Rev 2:16)

Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. (Rev 2:22)

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. (Rev 3:3)

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. (Rev 3:19)

 

Joyous Yom Kippur on Friday, October 3, 2025!

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It is here! A day of joy or sorrow depending on whose spiritual team you are on—YHVH’s our the devil’s. 

On Friday, October 3, 2025 we will be celebrating Yom Kippur according to the visible crescent new moon, abib barley, ancient Torah-based calendar. Leviticus 23:26commands YHVH’S people to celebrate Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement on the tenth day of the seventh month on the biblical year. Exactly 10 days ago, the new moon was spotted in Israel making October 14, then, the tenth day of the seventh month. In five days we will begin celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles (Chag haSukkot). HalleluYah! To learn more about the Day of Atonement so that you can celebrate it with meaning and joy, please read on.

But before we proceed to our list of links to a whole boatload of free instructional materials on Yom Kippur, so that you can celebrate it with purpose and meaning, we must first address some destructive heresies regarding some erroneous so-called biblical calendars out there. The sword of the Spirit is sharp and two-edged, for it divides soul and spirit, between lies and truth, between fact and fiction, between the Word of Elohim and the traditions of men. Some people may find the truth to be offensive, but who are we aiming to please here? YHVH or men? Let us be those who prefer the praise of YHVH Elohim over those of men! Selah.

In the Messianic, Hebraic roots or pro-Torah Christian community there is much debate, strife and confusion over biblical calendars, sadly. We refuse to be part of this. We give the biblical reasons for why we adhere to the biblical visible new moon, abib barely calendar by giving you the most accurate information from the Bible that is possible, then we allow you to decide for yourself what you will do. We are not your judge in these matters. We speak the truth and let the chips fall where they may. Each us is eventually and ultimately answerable to YHVH for our actions be they good or bad with regard to serving and obeying him. 

That said, I can say with full assurance and authority that all the various designer, flavor of the month calendars out there except one are based on ignoring Scriptures that disagree with their premise, twisting Scriptures including Hebrew word meaning, or relying on the traditions of men and extra-biblical sources without which none of these non-biblical calendars will stand against the Truth of the Bible. Let me give you some examples of what I mean.

In my articles and videos on the new moon, abib barley calendar, I prove the validity of this calendar solely from the Bible. Yes, I quote a few extra-biblical sources as confirmation, but these are not needed to prove the point as you will see if you read or watch the materials that I present. This is not the case with the any of the other calendars out there. For example,

  • The rabbinic Jewish calendar currently in use by Judaism worldwide was created in the fourth century AD and was approved by Emperor Constantine. It is an inaccurate calendar. This year, for example, the Jews are celebrating a pseudo Yom Kippur on the eighth day of the seventh month, not on the tenth day as the Torah commands. So discard this calendar. 
  • Then there is the calendar based on the astronomical conjunction of the new moon. This too is a non-biblical calendar. Those who adhere to this calendar either twist or ignore the Scriptures that prove that the new moon must be seen. It is a visible, not an invisible, sign in the heavens that determines the beginning of the new month.
  • Then there is the calendar that is based on the sun’s equinox. Again, no matter how you search or twist the Scriptures, the Bible makes no mention of the equinox.
  • Then there is the Zadok, Qumran or Enoch calendar. Again, this calendar relies solely on extra-biblical sources as well as the twisting of Scriptures, the deliberate mistranslating of Hebrew words to mean something that they do not mean or the flat-out ignore of Scriptures that render this calendar invalid.
  • There are bevy of other calendars out there too such as the Noah calendar, the eternal truth calendar, the lunar Sabbah calendar and too many more to mention here.
  • Enough said. Either we follow the whole Truth of the Bible based on solid biblical and linguistic research or we don’t. The choice is yours.

For those who want to learn more about both the biblical calendar, the biblical feasts and Yom Kippur, we invite you to check out these free resources:

 

Matthew Chapters 16-25 Are A Timeline of End Time Prophetic Events

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The more we study the Bible, the more amazing it becomes! You have the written words on the physical page, but beyond that there are numerous levels of multidimensional understanding beneath those words that one discovers as one digs deeper. One example of this are Yeshua’s words and actions between Matthew chapters 16 to 25 which the Gospel writer at the prophetic allegorical level, whether he knew it at the time or not, lays out in a perfect chronological timeline of end time events that lead up to and proceed the long anticipated second coming of Yeshua the Messiah. In this video Nathan reveals and discusses these events. These are things that have been wonderfully hidden in plain sight all along to be discovered by those who know the times and season in which they are living and have eyes to see and ears to hear. Come along with us on this adventure and may your faith be strengthened!

This and other videos by Nathan are available as podcasts on Spotify and Apple podcast under “Hoshana Rabbah.”

If this message has been a blessing to you, please consider showing your appreciation by making a donation to Hoshana Rabbah at http://hoshanarabbah.org/blog/. Thank you!

 

A Contextual Overview of the Matthew 24 Olivet Prophecy As It Relates to End Time Events

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Having a working knowledge of the Bible’s prophetic “blueprints” will not only help us to understand future events relating to the end times, but will also help us to discover who we are as a people in the eyes of YHVH, where we have come from, where we are presently, and where we are going—that is, what the future holds for us, and what our spiritual destiny and divine inheritance will be. Only then can we begin to understand the end-time prophetic events leading up to the second coming of Yeshua and what our divinely mandated mission as obedient disciples of Yeshua is to be during these times.

As we begin to examine Matthew chapters 24 and 25 (the Olivette Discourse), it is important first to note the chronological positioning of Yeshua’s prophecy in the context of the passages before and after Matthew chapteer 24. The chapters that precede Matthew 24 prophetically speak of precursory events leading up to the second coming of Yeshua, while the chapter that follows Matthew 24 prophetically delineate events that occur after his return.

With this larger context in view, it becomes evident that Matthew 24 sits like a diamond in the midst of a brilliant gold setting. The larger picture speaks of the order of end time events pertaining to the second coming of Yeshua the Messiah, our beloved King, Redeemer and Savior. What follows below is a chronology of events as Matthew lays them out, more or less, in the order in which they will occur prophetically in the end times.

  • Matthew 16:13–20, At last, the disciples openly recognize and confess that Yeshua is truly the Messiah. The lesson for us in this is that knowing the true identity of Yeshua is critical to understanding end time events, since he is the central figure in everything pertaining thereto. The location of Yeshua’s discussion with his disciples in Matthew 16 was Caesarea Philippi (v. 13), which was located at the base of Mount Hermon, the tallest mountain in that region of the Middle East. The pagans of that area viewed Mount Hermon as the mountain of their chief god Baal. Caesarea Philippi was also the location of the Grotto of Pan, a Greek god who was the lord of the mountains, sexual fertility, the wilderness, caves and grottoes. In ancient times at the Grotto of Pan there was located a temple dedicated to Pan and that grotto or cave was viewed as “the gate of hell” or hades. Yeshua makes reference to this in verse 18, when he declares that the gates of hell (Gr. hades) will not prevail against his church (Gr. ecclesia or “called out people”). What is going on here? Yeshua is literally throwing down the gauntlet and making a declaration to Satan and his demonic underlings that he is coming to establish his kingdom on earth and that the powers of darkness will never be able to prevail against him or his chosen people, and that he was giving power and authority to his servants to overcome Satan and his minions. Therefore, he was putting Satan on notice that his time is limited and that his tenure as the god of this world is coming to an end.
  • Matthew 16:21–28, Here Yeshua predicts his death and resurrection. Peter struggles to comprehend that Yeshua, the long-awaited Messiah, must first fulfill his mission as the Suffering Servant as man’s Redeemer as opposed to being the Conquering King to defeat Roman rule and oppression. As the Suffering Servant prophesied in Isaiah 53, Yeshua had to die at the hands of the people and then resurrect from the grave after the third day. It took a while for the disciples to hitch their wagon to the concept that Yeshua would first have to die, resurrect from the dead, before returning as the Conquering King. Yeshua then goes one to declare that all his disciples must likewise follow in his footsteps and embrace the way of the cross before they can rule and reign with him in his coming millennial kingdom (Rev 1:6; 5:10; 20:6 cp. Exod 19:6; Isa 66:21; Dan 7:18).
  • Matthew 17:1–13, This event, commonly called the transfiguration, likely occurred on Mount Hermon, recognized by the pagans as a satanic high place (as discussed previously above). Here Yeshua’s gives his disciples a further revelation about his second coming in power and glory. But first Yeshua shows his disciples that this will happen only after he has suffered at the cross and has risen again. Yeshua makes a clear delineation between his first coming and his second coming. As part of the transfiguration vision, Moses and Elijah appear. Many Bible students believe that these two notable Old Testament figures will be two witnesses who will precede Yeshua’s second coming as prophesied in Revelation 11:1–14. Thus, this seems to be yet another revelation about events that will occur before the second coming.
  • Matthew 17:14–21, In this episode, a young boy is healed of demonic possession. Yeshua’s disciples are unable to cast out the demon. Yeshua, on the other hand, quickly and easily sets the boy free and declares that some demonic entities cannot be overcome except through prayer and fasting. At Yeshua’s second coming and just prior to the establishment of his universal, millennial kingdom on earth, he will himself sublimate all demonic forces including his arch-enemy, Satan, who an unnamed angel will cast bound into the bottomless pit (Rev 20:1–3). There the devil will be imprisoned unable to torment or deceive humanity during the 1000 year-long Millennium. After the Millennium comes the White Throne Judgment where Satan will be cast into the Lake of Fire forever (Rev 20:10).
  • Matthew 17:22–23, Yeshua predicts Judas’ betrayal. Likewise in the end times just prior to Yeshua’s second coming, many Christian believers, like Judas, will turn away from Yeshua in the great falling away or apostasy predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12.
  • Matthew 17:24–27, This is where Yeshua pays his taxes to Caesar and instructs his disciples to do the same. The predictive lesson here is that in the end times, YHVH’s people will be enslaved to the world’s economic system until the sounding of the jubilee trumpet (or shofar) on the Day of Atonement which signals the fall of Babylon the Great (Rev 18). This will occur at Yeshua’s second coming when the saints will once and for all be set free from the tyranny and slavery to this world’s satanic, antichrist system commonly known as The New World Order, or in Bible prophecy as Babylon the Great.
  • Matthew 18:1–5, Here Yeshua talks about the requirements for entering his kingdom. He points out that only those who have been converted from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, and who will become like little children in their spiritual demeanor can be members of the kingdom of Elohim.
  • Matthew 18:6–9, Yeshua then warns against offenses. Those who offend his little (spiritual) children, of whom is the kingdom of heaven, will be in danger of the Lake of Fire judgment.
  • Matthew 18:10–14, Next Yeshua teaches an important lesson in the Parable of the Lost Sheep. He is in the sheep regathering business including the lost sheep of the house of Israel, which he considers to be a main aspect of his ministry’s mission (Matt 15:24). The regathering of his sheep that had been lost and scattered among the nations began at Yeshua’s first coming, continued through the ongoing work of his disciples (Matt 10:6), and continues to this day as a fulfillment of the Great Commission (Acts 1:6–8 cp. Matt 28:18–20; Mark 16:14–18). This mission will continue up to his second coming and on into the Millennium, which in the Jewish sages refer to as “the final redemption” or that Isaiah alludes to like a second exodus (Isa 11:11) of the tribes of Israel in fulfillment of numerous Old Testament prophecies.
  • Matthew 18:15–19:12, Now Yeshua goes into a long teaching about sins committed by one brother against another brother and how to bring about reconciliation between the opposite parties (Matt 18:15–20). After this, Yeshua talks about forgiveness between people who are at odds with each other. He teaches that forgiveness has no limits. Next, Yeshua discusses the subject of divorce and remarriage (Matt 19:1–10). In all of three of these teachings, Yeshua is alluding to the two houses of Israel, which have been at odds with each other ever since the united kingdom of Israel under David and Solomon divided under King Rehoboam . Their reuniting is prophesied in the Tanakh (most notably in Ezek 37:15–28), and is a key event that will coincide with the second coming of Yeshua, who is also known by his Hebraic title, Messiah Son of David. This long-awaited event has been written about by the Jewish sages for many years. However, this biblical truth has largely been ignored or forgotten by Christianity. This begs the question: who are the lost and scattered sheep of the two houses of Israel? They are the scattered descendents of the Northern Kingdom of Israel who, in a general sense, have become the modern Christians, and the Southern Kingdom who are the modern Jews. YHVH-Yeshua in his preincarnate state was married to Israel but divorced his wife (both the northern and southern kingdoms) because of their unfaithfulness to him (Ezekiel chapter 16). But when he returns, he will remarry a reunited Israelite bride comprised of both Jews and Christians.
  • Matthew 19:13–15, Next Yeshua blesses the little children and again stresses the point that only those of childlike demeanor will be members of his kingdom of heaven on earth.
  • Matthew 19:16–30, After this, we have Yeshua’s encounter with the rich young ruler who is a symbol of Torah-obedient Jews. The lesson here is that the Jews will have a place in Yeshua’s kingdom if they are both obedient to YHVH’s Torah and are also followers of Yeshua the Messiah.
  • Matthew 20:1–19, In the Parable of the Laborers, Yeshua talks about the landowner (i.e., Yeshua), the vineyard (i.e., Israel and the world) and those who have been laboring in his vineyard (i.e., his disciples). All disciples who are working to gather in the spiritual harvest of lost souls will receive the same “wages” for their labor, which is the free gift of salvations regardless of the length of their service.
  • Matthew 20:17–19, Yeshua again speaks of his crucifixion and resurrection. This must first happen before his millennial kingdom can come.
  • Matthew 20:20–28, Then Yeshua’s disciples query him about their positions of authority in his kingdom. They are still of the mindset that he is the Conquering King as opposed to the Suffering Servant. Yeshua informs them how positions of responsibility in his kingdom will be given to those who have a servant’s heart, and who are willing to lay down their lives for Yeshua even as he was about to lay down his life for everyone.
  • Matthew 20:29–34, Next Yeshua heals two blind men. This is a prophetic picture of Yeshua healing the two houses of Israel at his second coming, which are both blind in part spiritually (Isa 8:14; Rom 11:25). The
    Christians are largely blind to Elohim’s Written Torah, while the Jews are blind to Yeshua the Messiah who is the Living Torah-word of Elohim (John 1:1, 14; Rom 10:5–7 cp. Deut 30:11–14). When the eyes of both people-groups are unblinded and the see for the first time the fullness of who Yeshua is, they will unite in obedient worship of him. This is when the two divided kingdoms of Israel reunite under King Yeshua (see Ezekiel 37:15–28).
  • Matthew 21:1–11, After this, we have Yeshua’s famous triumphal entry into Jerusalem prior to his crucifixion. Yeshua enters Jerusalem riding on a colt, but with a mare accompanying the colt. This speaks prophetically of his second coming, when he will enter Jerusalem again riding a white war horse (Rev 19:11). The colt and mare speak of his duel messianic role as the Suffering Servant (Messiah Son of Joseph) at his first coming, and of his messianic role as the Conquering King (Messiah Son of David) at his second coming.
  • Matthew 21:12–22, In his journey to Jerusalem to confront the greedly spiritual leaders, Yeshua curses the fig tree, a picture of the fruitless and largely Torahless, Jewish religious system of his day. He then cleanses the temple of its secular defilement due to greed and the love of money when he upended the money-changers’ tables. Similarly, most modern religious leaders whether Jewish or Christian are hirelings and are controlled by their love of money and power. Yeshua will upend these corporate religious systems and raise up ministers after his own heart who have not given themselves over to greed and covetousness. Malachi prophesies that Messiah will cleanse his spiritual house at his second coming, when he suddenly comes to his temple to purify the sons of Levi—the Levites and priests (Mal 3:1–3).
  • Matthew 21:28–32, In the Parable of the Two Sons, Yeshua takes the Jewish leaders to task for being like a disobedient son, whereas the seemingly disobedient son is actually the more obedient son. Yeshua turned tables on the spiritually self-righteous Jews (of the house of Judah) who were smug in their spiritual self-assuredness. At the same time, the Christians (of the house of Israel) who they mockingly sneered at, demeaned, rejected and even murdered (they crucified Yeshua!) were actually the ones who would end up walking more faithfully in the “way of righteousness”—a Hebraic expression for “walking in the ways of Torah” (verse 32).
  • Matthew 21:33–46, The Parable of the Wicked Husbandman is a brief overview of YHVH’s dealings with Israel leading up to the second coming of Yeshua, where he will judge the wicked husbandmen (the hypocritical Jewish religious leaders of his day) for not faithfully tending his vineyard (i.e., the people of Israel). To this day, the religious Jews have largely refused to accept Yeshua the Messiah, who is the owner of the vineyard.
  • Matthew 22:1–14, In the Parable of the Wedding Banquet, Yeshua speaks of his upcoming wedding (at his second coming) between himself and those saints who are properly attired spiritually with robes of righteousness (Rev 19:7–9). This is a warning and wake up call to all disciples of Yeshua to get ready for his coming, for he is not coming back for a bride who is with spot and wrinkle (i.e., who have sin or Torahlessness in their lives; Eph 5:27).
  • Matthew 22:23–33, Next Yeshua teaches on the resurrection of the righteous dead, which occurs at his second coming and precedes his marriage to his bride (i.e., the saints who have adhered to both the Written and Living Word of YHVH according to Rev 12:17 and 14:12). The resurrection of the dead has been the great hope of the saints from the time of Job (Job 14:14; 19:25–27) until now.
  • Matthew 22:41–46, Yeshua then teaches about King David and the Messiah the Son of David, which is another reference to his second coming as the Conquering King.
  • Matthew 23, Now Yeshua gives a final rebuke to the leaders of the Jewish religious system of his day comprised of blind, greedy, self-serving and kingdom-building hypocrites. Prophetically, this is an end time warning to all spiritual leaders both Jewish and Christian to stop living as hypocrites, false teachers and duplicitous frauds, and humbly come into alignment with Yeshua and his word before the time of divine, fiery judgment comes on the earth that will reveal their true nature.
  • Matthew 24, This is an extensive teaching where Yeshua answers in chronological order three questions that the disciples ask him (Matt 24:3). First he discusses events that will occur during the tribulation period, then the great tribulation followed by the resurrection or “catching away” (also known as the “rapture”) of the saints (1 Thess 4:15–18), which does not occur before the tribulation as is mistakenly taught in many modern churches. The order of events found here corresponds with those found in the Book of Revelation chapter six. 
  • Matthew 25:1–13, In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, Yeshua teaches that although all redeemed Christians are spiritual virgins, not all will qualify to be his bride. Only those who have properly prepared themselves spiritually will be given this higher reward of the being the greatest in his kingdom (Matt 5:19 cp. Rev 19:7–9). Elsewhere Yeshua taught that some Christians who are saved will be called the least in his kingdom while others will be called the greatest (Matt 5:19). Obviously there are levels of rewards in the kingdom of Elohim.
  • Matthew 25:14–30, The Parable of the Talents teaches us that there will be different levels of rewards in the kingdom of Elohim based on one’s spiritual profitability or works of righteousness. Yeshua will hand out these rewards at his second coming (Rev 11:15–18). Again, rewards are separate from the free gift of salvation that one receives at the beginning of one’s spiritual relationship with Yeshua. Salvation is a free gift based on trusting faith in Yeshua the Messiah (Eph 2:8–9; Rom 10:9–10), while heavenly or eternal rewards are based on meritorious (Torah) works (Matt 5:19; 16:27; Rom 2:6; 2 Cor 5:10; Eph 6:8; 1 Pet 1:17; Rev 2:23; 19:8; 22:17).
  • Matthew 25:31–46, Finally as a conclusion to Yeshua’s Olivette Discourse, we come to what is often called “The Judgment of the Sheep and Goat Nations.” This too will occur after Yeshua’s second coming and perhaps at the white throne judgment (Rev 20:11–15). The sheep are the nations of the world that will likely exist during Yeshua’s millennial reign. The Greek word goats in this passage is referring to young goats or kids. Kids may refer to spiritually immature people who appear to be Christians in name only but who have failed to live up to the most minimal standards of being a true follower or disciple of Yeshua. At the Great White Throne Judgment that will occur after the Millennium, all people who have ever lived will appear and some will be given salvation and the rest will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:11–15).

After this quick overview these chapters in Matthew’s Gospel, hopefully it is becoming apparent that beneath the Gospel narrative contained in chapters 16 through 25 listing a series of events and teachings in Yeshua’s life, there is a more or less chronologically-ordered subtext prophesying end time events. These will surround his second coming and beyond. In these chapters and just before his crucifixion, Yeshua leaves a blueprint or overview with his disciples of events pertaining to the kingdom of heaven, which he had just initiated and instituted among them and begun promoting, and about his regathering the lost sheep of Israel and reuniting the divided kingdoms of Israel (the house of Judah who are the Jews, and the house of Israel or Ephraim who are, loosely speaking, the Christians). These activities will be occurring up until his second advent. Then from Matthew 24 through 25, we see Yeshua prophesying about events that will occur just prior to and after his return including end-times tribulations, the great tribulation, his second coming, and his giving out rewards and judgments to his servants. 

Having a basic understanding of the events leading up to Yeshua’s second coming, as sketchy as our understanding may be, will hopefully spur Yeshua’s disciples onward and upward in the hope of their faith (Heb 11:1) and as an anchor to their soul (Heb 6:19) in troublous perilous ahead.

 

Nathan’s Commentary on Parashat Ha’Azinu (Deuteronomy 32:1–52)

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Deuteronomy 32

An Overview of Deuteronomy 32

The Poetic Song of Moses: A Prophetic History of the Rise, Fall and Redemption of YHVH’s People

  • Deuteronomy 32:1–4, The supremacy and perfection of YHVH and his Torah. The Torah, like rain, produces life. The great and perfect YHVH Elohim is the rock upon which Torah is founded, and he is the source of Truth, righteousness and justice. For this reason man should to ascribe greatness to and worship YHVH.
  • Deuteronomy 32:5–6, By contrast to Elohim, man is totally sinful and corrupt. Alhough Elohim made man in his image, in his sinful and corrupt state, man cut himself off spiritually from his Creator. Man may still be the physical children of Elohim, but in his cut off state, is YHVH still the spiritual Father of such a fallen, perverse, crooked, foolish and unwise people?
  • Deuteronomy 32:7–14, A history lesson—learn the lessons of history from your ancestors, or else you will repeat their mistakes. 
  • Deuteronomy 32:15–18, Israel’s apostasy was a result of their blessings and wealth. Like the Laodicean church of Revelation chapter three, their prosperity and comfort led to them for YHVH Elohim. 
  • Deuteronomy 32:19–22, YHVH is provoked to anger when his people’s sins.
  • Deuteronomy 32:23–27, Divine judgment—like a loving father, YHVH will disciplines his wayward children hoping they will come to their senses and repent of their sins. 
  • Deuteronomy 32:28–35, YHVH grieves over his wayward children—chastisement is inevitable. 
  • Deuteronomy 32:36–38, YHVH’s judgments for his people are judgments unto repentance, not judgments unto death. 
  • Deuteronomy 32:39–42, YHVH pleads with his people to return to him, then lists the consequences of sin. 
  • Deuteronomy 32:43, YHVH promises to redeem his people and provide atonement for their sins.

Deuteronomy 32:1–2, Words of my mouth…rain. Note the phrases: “words of my mouth,” “my doctrine,” “rain,” “my speech shall distill as the dew,” “small rain” and “showers.” Now compare these phrases with Ephesians 5:26. What is Scripture talking about here? Israel spent 40 years in a dry wilderness. By contrast, the Promised Land was a land flowing with milk and honey, was agriculturally fruitful and well-watered. Immediately before and after the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai (Exod 20), there are several references to human thirst and YHVH needing to provide water for his people (Exod 15:22–27; 17:1–7 Num 20:2–13). During the Messianic Age (or the Millennium), living waters will flow from Jerusalem (Zech 14:8), and those who refuse to come up to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) will receive no rain on their land (Zech 14:16–19). As you relate all these scriptures together, what is the bigger lesson YHVH is trying to teach us here pertaining to water and the word of YHVH? Basically, as we cannot survive without physical water, neither can we survive without the water of his Word.

Deuteronomy 32:2, Teachings droop as rain. Like the dew, the Torah is a gift from heaven and waters the ground of men’s hearts to help bring forth a bountiful harvest of righteousness. (See also Eph 5:26; Isa 55:1–11 cp. Mic 5:7.)

Deuteronomy 32:6, Do you thus repay or you are unmindful. The Hebrew letter hey at the beginning of this verse in the phrase “do you thus repay” is written larger and is separated from the surrounding words by a space making it the only one-letter word in the entire Tanakh. The Jewish sages tell us that this is part of Moses’ concealed signature in the Torah text—a Hebrew poetic device by which authors weave their signatures in the texts they have written in the form of an acrostic (Tikkun, p. 488).

Deuteronomy 32:8, Children of Israel. The Septuagint (LXX) has “angels of God”, the ESV has “sons of God”, and the Dead Sea Scrolls Bible (DSS) has “children of God”. The LXX and ESV references could be a reference to the fallen angel, demon-nephilim or the sons of Elohim reference found in Genesis 6:2 who along with their descendants founded kingdoms and empires that were opposed to Elohim. This alternate rendering possibly makes more sense, since Israel was not yet a nation when the Almighty assigned the nations to the heathens and the demon-gods or elohim that he placed over them and that they worshipped in place of the true YHVH Elohim. Or alternatively, perhaps YHVH arranged the heathen in their countries around the future land of Israel, and those heathen living therein were merely squatters illegally inhabiting the Promised Land before the children of Israel were a nation.

Deuteronomy 32:14, Blood of the grapes. What is the Torah referring to in this interesting, rather arcane phrase? Compare this with a parallel passage found in Genesis 49:11, which is clearly Messianic in nature. Now add into the mix Leviticus 17:11; Revelation 1:5; 7:14; Matthew 26:27–28; Romans 3:25; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; John 15:1–5 and finally John 6:53–56. In the last scripture listed, is Yeshua advocating some bizarre cultic rite involving cannibalism, or is he relating back to these Torah passages that are messianic in nature and then relating them to his redemptive work at the cross, which believers commemorate when they take communion at Passover? I think so.

Deuteronomy 32:15, Yeshurun. The name Yeshurun is a poetic appellation for Israel and means “upright, straight or just.” YHVH ascribed this august title to Israel indicating that Israel was not to deviate from the high spiritual standards demanded by YHVH (The ArtScroll Stone Edition Chumash, p. 1103). This is a prophecy about what would happen to Israel once they were in the Promised Land. Sadly, eventually they would forsake the one who had redeemed and blessed them. Compare this with Yeshua’s admonition to the Laodicean believers in Revelation 3:14–21 (especially note verse 17), which is a description of the contemporary American and Western Christian church, much of which preaches an “easy-believism,” health and wealth, pop-psychology, “come to Jesus and everything will be all right” humanistic gospel message. Just because you may now be inclined to a more Torah-oriented lifestyle or part of a congregation that uplifts YHVH’s Torah to one degree or another does not mean that you have shed off this kind of thinking and its accompanying lifestyle. These warnings still apply to all of us. Selah (ponder and reflect).

Deuteronomy 32:18, You are unmindful. Abraham’s steadfastness in surviving ten tests of his faith eventually saved his descendants, who tested Elohim on ten different occasions in the wilderness. This is alluded to by the specially small yud (which in the Hebrew alphabet signifies the number 10) in the phrase teshyr tzor y’ladkha, the Rock Who gave birth to you, have forsaken (The Wisdom in the Hebrew Alphabet, by Michael Munk p. 129).

Deuteronomy 32:21, I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people. I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. The term not a people is the Hebrew phrase lo-am.Curiously this same phrase occurs in two other places in the Tanakh (Isa 7:8;Hos 1:9) in reference to the Northern Kingdom or house of Israel (or Ephraim) and is repeated by Peter in reference to the “Gentiles” or “peoples of the nations” (which is the meaning of the Greek word ethnos translated as gentiles; 1 Pet 1:1; 2:9–10). Moreover, in Romans 9:25 Paul equates the “Gentiles” with the same people-group to which Hosea makes reference in Hosea 2:23. To whom is Hosea referring in his prophecy? (Read Hos 1:4,6; 4:15–17, chapter 5; 6:10–11; 7:1–11; chapter 8; etc.). Remember that the nation of Israel split into two groups at the time of Jeroboam and Rehoboam: the Northern Kingdom comprised of the ten northern tribes of Israel and was colloquially known in Scripture as Ephraim, house of Israel and Samaria, while the Southern Kingdom was known as Judah, the house of Judah and Jerusalem. 

Where are these Ephraimites of the house of Israel today? The answer can be found in Genesis 48:14 and 16 where the patriarch Jacob is prophesying over the two sons of Joseph: Ephraim and Manasseh. There we find some clues that point us to a religious people-group in existence today. When praying over his grandsons whose descendents would make up the largest number of people of the house of Israel or Northern Kingdom, Jacob with his arms he makes an interesting sign. He crosses his arms forming a cross? Then in verse 16, Jacob recounts his experiences with the Angel or literally Heavenly Messenger who “redeemed me from evil.” This is a reference to Genesis 31:1–11 where, while fleeing from Laban, Jacob’s adversary, he had a dream where the Messenger of Elohim calls himself the El of Bethel (or the El/God of the House of El/God). Who else is the Messenger of Elohim who is also a Redeemer but Yeshua the Messiah? (See Rom 3:24; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14; Heb 9:12.)

Finally, Jacob prophesies that his grandsons’ descendants would grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. The word grow is the Hebrew word dagah/VDSfrom which the Hebrew word dag/DSor fish derives. This is why the ArtScroll Stone Edition Tanach translates this phrase as “may they proliferate abundantly like fish within the land.”

The question is then begged, what religious people-group on earth today can be associated with a cross, a Redeemer and a fish? Knowing this will give us a clue as to whom Paul and the other writers in the Testimony of Yeshua (NT) were referring when they equated the “Gentiles” with “a foolish nation” and “not a/my people.” Only the Christians fit the prophetic descriptions listed here.

Deuteronomy 32:22, The lowest sheol. The Scriptures in numerous places mentions sheol (a Hebrew word meaning “the grave”), but in several instances the Bible refers to the lowest sheol (e.g., Ps 86:13; Isa 14:15, NKJV). What is the difference between the grave and the lowest grave? It appears that sheol or the grave is where the bodies of mortal men go to await their resurrection either to immortality or to eternal death in the lake of fire (Rev 20:15). The lowest sheol appears to be the place where the devil and evil spirits (that rebelled at Lucifer’s fall and or prior to Noah’s flood) are confined awaiting the white throne judgment and their ultimate fate in the lake of fire. If this interpretation is correct, this may explain the enigmatic “spirits in prison” passage of 1 Peter 3:19. This would also be the pit or abyss into which Satan is cast and confined for 1000 years at Yeshua’s second coming (Rev 20:3). This may be what Isaiah 14:14–15 is referring to when it describes the fall of Lucifer and prophesies his being brought down into the lowest sheol, the pit or abyss.

This lowest sheol or lowest level of the grave is likely the same place that YHVH cast the angels that rebelled in the time of Noah where they are confined in chains of darkness awaiting their judgment at the end of the Millennium. This is probably the same “prison” or pit (Gr. tartaroo, pronounced tar-tar-ah-ohw, see notes at 2 Pet 2:4)that Satan will be cast into at the beginning of the Millennium and then briefly released from at the end of it to go forth and to deceive the nations (Rev 20:7–8). After that, Satan (presumably along with his demons) will be cast into the lake of fire where they will be tormented for eternity (Rev 20:10).The lake of fire is a different place than the pit, sheol or tartaroo, which is a temporary place of restraint or prison where YHVH places rebellious angelic beings to await their final judgment, which is the lake of fire. 

Deuteronomy 32:26, I will scatter them into the corners. How was this prophecy fulfilled by Israel? Who in Israel was scattered and forgotten? Certainly not the Jews. They were scattered, but not forgotten. Verses 28–29 say of these people that they are void of counsel and understanding and lacked wisdom. These are all terms relating to the Torah. Who today has forgotten the Torah and says it is “done away with”? What religious group says that it brings death not life (in contradistinction to verse 47)? Who has inherited (theological) lies from their spiritual fathers (Jer 16:19, read verses 14–21 for context), and who say that “the law has been done away”? Malachi the prophet tells us that in the last days that YHVH will rise up people in the spirit of Elijah who will go forth and turn the scattered and backslid children’s heart back to their spiritual fathers. This involve returning to the Torah of Moses (Mal 4:4–6). It is interesting to note that The ArtScroll Stone Edition Chumash in its rabbinical Jewish commentary states that this verse “refers to the exile of the Ten Tribes who were scattered to an unknown place where they were never heard from again” (p. 1105).

It is important to note that the ten northern tribes of Israel or Ephraim, as Scripture often shortened their name to, were scattered over the face of the whole earth after they were taken into captivity by the Assyrians (Ezek 34:6,12; 36:19; 37:21; John 11:52). In regards to Deuteronomy 32:26 which says, “I said, I would scatter them into the corners…,” the Orthodox Jewish The ArtScroll Stone Edition Tanach Chumash comments, “This refers to the exile of the Ten Tribes who were scattered to an unknown place where they have never been heard from again.” On the phrase of the same verse, “I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men…” the same Chumash states, “This is a reference to the exile of Judah and Benjamin, the Davidic kingdom from which today’s known Jews are descended.” It goes on to say that though nations would seek to destroy Israel entirely YHVH would never allow Israel to become extinct or disappear. Israel’s perpetual existence is a constant reminder of YHVH’s plan and eventually Israel will thrive and fulfill YHVH’s intention for it (pp. 1105–1106). Samson Raphael Hirsch in his commentary on the Pentateuch on the same verse translates the phrase, “I would scatter them into the corners…” as, “I would relegate them into a corner” and then says that the Hebrew here refers to the “extreme end of a surface, the side or corner…” He, too, relates this fate to the ten tribes who would be scattered “to some distant corner of the world, where, left entirely to themselves, they could mature towards serious reflection and ultimate return to Me…” (p. 650).

Deuteronomy 32:43, Let all the angels of Elohim. (LXX) The Dead Sea Scrolls Bible (DSS) and Septuagint (LXX) vary greatly from the Masoretic Text (MT) on how this verse reads: 

Rejoice, O heavens, together with him; and bow down to him all you gods, for he will avenge the blood of his sons, and will render vengeance to his enemies, and will recompense those who hate him, and will atone fro the land of his people. (DSS)

Rejoice, ye heavens, with him, and let all the angels of God worship him; rejoice ye Gentiles with his people, and let all the sons of God strengthen themselves in him; for he will avenge the blood of his sons, and he will render vengeance, and recompense justice to his enemies, and will reward them that hate him, and the Lord shall purge the land of his people. (LXX)

Interestingly, the phrase in Hebrew 1:6, “Let all the angels of God worship him” (NKJV) is a direct quote from the LXX (or the more ancient Hebrew manuscript from which the LXX derives), and not the MT, which is a later version of the Tanakh. 

Will be merciful or will provide atonement. The key Hebrew root word in this phrase is kaphar meaning “to cover, purge, make atonement.” Yom Kippur and the kapporeth, which is erroneously translated as “mercy seat” in many English Bibles derive from kaphar. These Hebrew words are expressive and descriptive ways of showing the mechanics of YHVH’s mercy on sinful man. He literally covers their sins ultimately in the blood of Yeshua as the payment for the death penalty each person incurs because of his or her sins. Thus, this verse is a forward-looking prophecy pointing to Yeshua’s death on the cross.

Deuteronomy 32:47, It is your life. YHVH’s Torah-words or commandments (i.e., YHVH’s instructions in righteousness) are life for those who follow them. Do you really believe this? If so, are you living out YHVH’s Torah instructions to your best capability, or are you just playing religious games by not taking his Word seriously? If you really were convicted that YHVH’s Torah “is your life,” what changes would you make in your life to conform your life actions to these words? What things would you stop doing or start doing? How much more would you seek Yeshua, the Living Torah in daily prayer and the study of his Word? How much more would you contribute to YHVH by supporting his work on earth through your time, talent and treasure? How committed to him are you now compared to where he would have you to be? The answer to these questions and your action-based response thereto will determine your eternal fate vis-à-vis your relationship with your Creator, and eventually your eternal fate. The Song of Moses is a warning for those who stray from YHVH’s path of truth and righteousness as outlined in his Torah as well as the rest of the Bible. This song also offers hope to those who return to YHVH and receive his forgiveness for their sins, and then continue to walk in his paths of light, truth and righteousness that lead to a forever relationship with him.

 

The Rabbinic Jewish Calendar—Following Error for the Sake of Unity? Really???

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All the time, I hear people say, “I follow the traditional or rabbinic Jewish calendar when celebrating the biblical feasts because I want to be in unity with my Jewish brothers.” Is this a biblically-based argument? Does it line up with what the Bible says? What did Yeshua/Jesus say about following the traditions of men that go against the Word of Elohim? Are Christians beholden to rabbinic Jewish dictums? If so, is there a biblical basis for this? What does the Torah say about following a crowd in its error? If we can make an argument for following the Jewish calendar, isn’t this also valid argument for following them in their denial of Yeshua as the Messiah? These and more questions are answered in this short, hard-hitting exposé.

This and other videos by Nathan are available as podcasts on Spotify and Apple podcast under “Hoshana Rabbah.”

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