Parashat 53- “Ha azinu” – “give ear”- The Song of Moshe (Moses).

Dev/Deut 32:1-52 

The words of this song may soon become the only light and hope we will have in a world submerged in total darkness.

The sages teach that our entire life history is encapsulated in the song of Moshe and that “If Israel was wise, they might study these verses in the Song of Moshe to know their latter end”.

“They correspond to things Yahshua said and parallel the events recorded in the book of Revelation. The song of Moshe is all about how YHWH has dealt with His people Israel and how they responded to Him. It tells of how they have provoked Him to anger with their infidelity to Him. He speaks of His desire for them to return to Him and keep His commandments and statutes. Paul informs us who comprises the Olive tree of Israel and how we (ex- gentiles) are grafted back in. Ezekiel also tells us about the restoration of the Olive tree and the grafting of the two trees of Judah and Israel together again. We are told that Israel has cast away the law (Torah) and their Elohim. The only way to bring Israel back to YHWH is to make them realize their need for Him and that their idols of gold and silver cannot deliver them. This is the purpose of the tribulation which YHWH will allow to come upon them. But, He will not suffer them to be completely destroyed. He will return and rescue His bride and destroy those that sought to destroy her. Then He will set up His righteous kingdom on earth and will dwell in the midst of His people Israel forever. They will be His people and He will be their Elohim. This is the Mystery of the Olive tree and how it relates to the song of Moshe. If only those in the Christian churches today realized who they are and would turn back to the Torah and embrace the commandments (and community) of YHWH. They would be protected in the time of their calamity. But sadly, only a remnant will”.

Brick Parrish - November 15, 2008

Psa 119:92 If Your Torah had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.

Moshe starts his wilderness ministry with a song, (Ex 15) now he ends it with a song – why?  Only YHVH knows how to create harmony out of the bareness and chaos of this life.

Background History of the Song of Moshe - Ha-azinu

Deut/Dev 32; the Song of Mosheh was prayed every morning in the Temple/ Beit HaMiqdash. It was prayed by the kohanim, who would run to do this prayer, which was performed in the Chamber of Hewn Stone—the meeting place of the highest court in Eretz Yisra'el. The sages taught that “ha-azinu” has 6 parts, which point to the 6 eschatological periods of the Olam ha-zeh (present age), leading up to the final eschatological period—the time when King Messiah will reign. Performing the “ha-azinu” prayer reminded the kohanim that we can maintain our stability in the present because of the promise of the future.

We see an amazing structure to this song in the Torah scroll. It is written in two columns. (70 lines)

In this teaching I have presented in bold the words written on the right hand side of the scroll, the sentences not in bold are the sentences on the left hand side of the scroll.

I believe that every word in this song of Moshe points to the words and works of Messiah, in fact the sages expressed concern that this text hints at another “deity”, and have “altered” parts of the text  to try and  avoid this confusion. Romans 10:4 clearly reminds us that the Torah points us to Messiah (the “telos” – G 5056 or goal of the Torah and not the end as some translations claim)

Rom 10:4  For Messiah is the goal¹ of the ‘Torah unto righteousness’ to everyone who believes. Footnote: ¹Or end purpose; not termination.

G5056 τέλος telos -From a primary word τέλλω tellō (to set out for a definite point or goal); properly the point aimed at as a limit, that is, (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination [literally, figuratively or indefinitely], result [immediate, ultimate or prophetic], purpose); specifically an impost or levy (as paid): - + continual, custom, end (-ing), finally, uttermost. Compare G5411.

So when we sing this song in the great tribulation it is going to be like a deliverance song, it is going to be a testimony of our lives and a confession that He alone is able to save us and we will proclaim that even though we may be unworthy He has made us worthy and redeemed us. It will be the key to help us understand all that will unfold in the last days.

I personally don’t know how anyone could ever make it through the coming great tribulation without  a deep understanding and revelation of who we are and who He is and why all these things  are going to happen around us and to us.

Rev 15:3 And they sing the song of Mosheh the servant of Elohim, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvellous are Your works, יהוה Ěl Shaddai! Righteous and true are Your ways, O Sovereign of the set-apart ones!

I believe that the Song of Moshe and the Song of the Lamb are both the SAME SONG that will be sung and understood in the latter days.

Blessing for the Torah:

Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-O’lam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,

v’natan lanu eht Torah-to.

Baruch atah YHVH, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”

(Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim , King of the Universe,

you have selected us from among all the peoples, and have given us your Torah.

Blessed are you, YHVH, giver of the Torah. Ameyn.)

Torah Readings:

32:1-6
32:7-12
32:13-18
32:19-28
32:29-39
32:40-43
32:44-52
Maftir: 32:48-52

Haftarah: 2 Samuel 22:1-51

1.Dev 32:1 “Give ear, O heavens, and let me speak; - (right hand side)

א  הַאֲזִינוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם, וַאֲדַבֵּרָה;          

Moshe first addresses the heavens. These words appear on the right hand side of the Torah reading. He knows that the hosts of heaven will witness these words and at the right time they will remind those who are on the earth of their importance.

Note the Hebrew word “give ear” is “ha azinu” it is a hiphyl imperative verb. The Hebrew word used her for speak is “ve adaberah” this is a cohortative verb which means that the speaker wishes to emphasize desire and intention. Note this verb is preceded by a “vav consecutive” meaning that the tense has reversed. It is therefore the perfect tense and denotes a completed action. Therefore the speaker wants to emphasize that heaven must allow their ears to listen as it implies that these words have already been spoken and will be repeated again in the future.

1 (b)  and  hear, O earth, The words (sayings) of my mouth. (Left hand side)

וְתִשְׁמַע הָאָרֶץ, אִמְרֵי-פִ

Note again the Hebrew perfect tense for the verb “vetishme ah” with a vav consequative. This implies that the earth has ALREADY HEARD because the words have already been spoken.

We note here that every word that YHVH wants us to hear and take very seriously is confirmed by at least two witnesses.

Deu 19:15  “One witness does not rise up against a man concerning any crookedness or any sin that he commits. At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses a matter is established.

2Co 13:1  This is the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”¹ Footnote: ¹Dt. 19:15.

So then why is Moshe so concerned about having heaven and earth witness what he is about to say?

 MOSHE IS ABOUT TO INTRODUCE THE MESSIAH. MOSHE GOES ON TO DESCRIBE HIM AND HOW WE REJECT HIM. MOSHE WARNS OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE REJECTION AND THE MISREPRESENTATION OF THE MESSIAH. MOSHE SPEAKS OF THE BLESSINGS AND RESTORATION THAT WILL COME TO THOSE WHO ARE CALLED AND READY IN THE LATTER DAYS.

2. Dev 32:2 “Let my instruction fall as rain,

ב יַעֲרֹף כַּמָּטָר לִקְחִי,

“Allow My instruction to be as a trickling rain” allow My Torah to completely soak you. YHVH intended that every Word that came from His Heart was intended to soak us with Messianic awareness and revelation.

2(b)   My speech drop down (distil) as dew –

תִּזַּל כַּטַּל אִמְרָתִי,

When we receive this “Messianic Rain” in our hearts that are ready and prepared like the good soil which produces a great harvest it will produce eternal life in us.

“What I have said” (amarti) will rise up like a morning mist. Mist is the moisture that rises from earth early in the morning. In other words when the Torah of Messiah falls like rain upon the earth it will produce life amongst those upon whom it has fallen, like mist which rises from the earth to irrigate the plants and give life.

3. As fine rain on the tender plants,

Messiah himself was our example for us receiving like a tender plant the Torah of heaven.

Yoel/Joe 2:23  And you children of Tsiyon, be glad and rejoice in יהוה your Elohim, for He shall give you the Teacher of Righteousness, and cause the rain to come down for you, the former rain and the latter rain, as before.

Another English translation - Joe 2:23  Then be glad, sons of Zion, and rejoice in  YHVH your Elohim. For He has given to you the early rain according to righteousness,(or teacher of righteousness “litzadika”)  and He will cause the rain to come down for you, the early rain and the latter rain in the first month.

3(b) And as showers on the grass. (Herbs- more established and hardy)

This gives us a picture of a famer who wants light rain just after he has sown his crop. This is to give the budding seedlings time to grow and become strong. However when that crop is established the farmer desires a stronger rain that will give enough moisture to last until harvest time.

Heavy showers in the end times will usher the return of Messiah. This is the latter rain spoken of by Yoel.

We could also use an image of Torah shaped vessels that have been formed and prepared to receive and retain a great end time outpouring of the Ruach ha Kodesh. (Shavuot)

“The rainy cycle of Israel is a prophetic type of the outpouring of the Ruach of YHVH  and the harvest of souls associated with true revivals. In late October, the early rain comes. It is called "yoreh," or "the pourer." It gives the young seedlings their first spurt of growth to really start them on the way to maturity. The rainy season follows, a time of relatively steady, but not heavy rains. Finally, in late March or April, the latter rain comes. The Hebrews called it "malqoesh" or the "harvest rain." It was much heavier than the early rain, and compared to the rainy season, it was a veritable deluge. The crops grew by leaps and bounds during this time, and the harvest immediately followed.” (Shavuot/Pentecost)

4. Dev 32:3 “For I proclaim the Name of יהוה, 

“I am calling on the name of YHVH” these could very well be the words again of the Messiah. Here he is clearly telling us that he is not YHVH.  (Shema Yisrael …..)

4(b)   Ascribe greatness to our Elohim.

When we understand and identify with the mission of Messiah it will draw the same response from us as it did from him – to ascribe greatness to YHVH.

5.     Dev 32:4 “The Rock! His work is perfect,  (YHVH)

5(b)  For all His ways are right-ruling,

The perfection of YHVH and His ways will be manifest on earth through His Son Moshiach and His bride.

6.     An Ěl of truth and without unrighteousness, (iniquity)

This once again refers to YHVH. Yahshua took upon himself our iniquity. It was absolutely impossible for YHVH to do so. Yahshua could because he was not YHVH, he was not a deity.

6(b) Righteous and straight is he.

Yahshua was the only one who’s walk on earth was righteous (tazdik) and straight (yashar). The Hebrew says “ve eyn avon” which means “without iniquity”. There is no other human being on earth who can claim this kind of status. The iniquity that Yahshua took upon himself was not his but ours.

7.     Dev 32:5 ה  שִׁחֵת לוֹ לֹא, בָּנָיו מוּמָם: 

Which should literally read “ he became perverted or corrupt for/to him, not his sons/children the moral stains of them”. This could also read “he became corrupt with the moral stains that were not his but those of other sons.”

In verse 5  the English translation is difficult to separate because words from both the right and the left are mixed up - Deu 32:5  “A twisted and crooked generation has corrupted itself, Their blemish, they are not His children. It should read:

7(b)   a generation perverse and twisted (wrestling with itself)” referring to the sons of men on earth.

8.    Dev 32:6 “Do you do this to יהוה, (is this the way you repay Yahveh?)

ו הַ לְיְהוָה, תִּגְמְלוּ-זֹאת--

Note the enlarged “hey” in the Torah. This once again points to the Revelation of YHVH which is Yahshua  – “hey” speaks of revelation (window) in the Hebrew idiom.

Is this the way you treat the Moshiach who has the full revelation of YHVH dwelling within him?

8(b) O foolish and unwise people – left hand side.

This is what we on earth have done to the One who came to reveal the Father.

9.  Is He not your Father, who bought you,

Did YHVH not purchase us with the blood of His son?

1 Cor 6:20 says we have been bought with a price!!!

9(b) Who created you and established you.

10.Dev 32:7 “Remember the days of old,

10(b) Consider the years of many generations. ..

Return to the ancient paths of your fathers – Yirmeyahu/Jer 6:16  Thus said יהוה, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and find rest for yourselves. But they said, ‘We do not walk in it.’

There is an old saying that says “if you don’t know where you have come from, you don’t know where you are going”

We have seen how Christianity has tried to remove us from our roots and establish a new identity for us. In Messiah we are sons and daughters of Avraham and citizens of the commonwealth of Yisrael.

11. Ask (beg) your father and let him show you,

A father is a life source. The sages say that the rabbi’s are like fathers yet more important than earthly fathers, because your earthly father brings you into this world, you spiritual father (rabbi) brings you into the world to come.

11(b) Your elders, and let them say to you:

Those who sit at the gates (zekanim) who have wisdom and discernment, confirm the truth.  This begs the question then “how willing are we really to submit and honour the authority YHVH has called?”

These elders are going to teach us and prepare us to receive our inheritance - the land and the gifts and callings to enable us to live in the land and rule and reign with Messiah.

12.Dev 32:8 “When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance

Psa 2:7  “I inscribe for a law: יהוה has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have brought You forth.

Psa 2:8  ‘Ask of Me, and I make the gentiles Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth Your possession.

12(b) When He separated the sons of Aḏam,

We who are Messianic understand that YHVH has called us to be part of a Set Apart People and Nation and to live in Set Apart land called Yisrael. The Torah is our Constitution our Covenant and Ketubah (marriage covenant).

13 He set the boundaries of the peoples

13(b) According to the number of the children of Yisra’ĕl.

YHVH will ultimately determine what the various nations will possess. This He does for the benefit of Yisrael, who will rule and reign with Messiah over all the nations.

14. Dev 32:9 “For(because “ki”) the portion of יהוה is His people,

YHVH has given Himself a portion as well – His people.

14(b) Ya’aqov His allotted inheritance.

YHVH’s portion is His people – Yakov or Yisrael is all those grafted into Yisrael.

15.Dev 32:10 “He found him in a wilderness,

Heb “yimtzeoo” means “he will find him”

In the last days Messiah’s bride will be found in the wilderness.

15(b) And in a wasted, howling desert.

In the midst of the great challenges of the end times, His called out ones will find themselves in a wilderness. Hos 2:14  “Therefore, see, I am alluring her, and shall lead her into the wilderness, and shall speak to her heart…..

16. He encompassed him, He made him understand,

An end time generation is going to have such a profound assurance of the presence of YHVH surrounding them even in the midst of chaos. We see this truth illustrated when Yisrael experienced the pillar of cloud by day and column of fire by night in there wilderness wandering.

16(b) He watched over him as the apple of His eye.

YHVH will protect a remnant. Rev 3:7  “And to the messenger of the assembly in Philadelphia write, ‘He who is set-apart, He who is true, He who has the key of Dawiḏ, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens, says this:

Rev 3:8  “I know your works – see, I have set before you an open door, and no one is able to shut it – that you have little power, yet have guarded My Word, and have not denied My Name.

Rev 3:9  “See, I am giving up those of the congregation of Satan, who say they are Yehuḏim and are not, but lie. See, I am making them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.

Rev 3:10  “Because you have guarded My Word of endurance, I also shall guard you from the hour of trial which shall come upon all the world, to try those who dwell on the earth.