The L-rd our Rock
2 Samuel 22:2-3: “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My Saviour”
The ‘parsha’ (‘Torah’ portion) of this week is ‘Parsha Ha’azinu’ (listen).
‘Parsha Ha’azinu’ is found in Deuteronomy 32:1–52; the corresponding ‘haftorah’ (reading of the prophets) is found in 2 Samuel 22:1–51.
‘Parsha Ha’azinu’ makes up the 53rd weekly ‘Torah’ portion in the annual Jewish cycle of ‘Torah’ reading, and the tenth in the book of Deuteronomy. This ‘parsha’ is read on the ‘Shabbat’ between ‘Rosh Hashanah’ and ‘Sukkoth’.
‘Parsha Ha’azinu’ sets out the “Song of Moses” which is an indictment of the Israelites’ sins, a prophecy of their punishment and a promise of G-d’s ultimate redemption of them. This “song” is delivered by Moses to the people of Israel on the last day of his earthly life.
The ‘parsha’ concludes with G-d’s instruction to Moses to ascend the summit of Mount Nebo, from which he would view the Promised Land before dying on the mountain.
‘Haftorah Ha’azinu’ found in 2 Samuel 22:1–51 describes the song King David composed in his old age, echoing the weekly ‘Torah’ reading, where Moses delivers his parting words to the Jewish nation in song form.
David's song expresses gratitude to G-d for saving him from all his enemies. He starts with the famous words, “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer.” He goes on to describe the pain and hardships he encountered and reiterates that he always turned to G-d in his moments of distress.
He recounts G-d’s reaction to those who tormented him: “The Lord thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered His voice. He sent out arrows and He scattered them, lightning bolts, and He vanquished them. . . I have pursued my enemies and have destroyed them; never turning back until they were consumed.”
The song ends with David's expression of thankfulness.
Both the ‘parsha’ and the ‘haftorah’ speak of the L-rd as our Rock - Deuteronomy 32:4 and 32:18, 2 Samuel 22:1-2.
2 Samuel 22:2-3, found in ‘Haftorah Ha’azinu’ goes on to say that the L-rd is also “our fortress; our deliverer; the G-d of our strength in whom we will trust; our shield; the horn of our salvation; our stronghold; our refuge and our Saviour.”
How true this is!
G-d was faithful in giving Abraham and Sarah a son, Isaac; He was faithful in giving Elkanah and Hannah a son, Samuel; He was faithful to provide a ram as a sacrifice in Isaac’s place so that His redemptive promise for the Jewish people and the Gentiles could come about through Abraham and His seed, Isaac, then Jacob (who was renamed ‘Israel’), and ultimately Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah.
If you ever doubt the faithfulness of G-d, just read this week’s ‘parsha’ and ‘haftorah’.
Also, look at ‘Eretz Yisrael’ (the Land of Israel). G-d has faithfully re-established modern day Israel according to His word; He has faithfully brought His people, the Jewish people, back to the Promised Land, Israel, according to His word; and He has faithfully established Jerusalem as a banner to all nations according to His word.
If G-d has been so faithful to His word regarding Abraham, the Jewish people, the Land of Israel, the city of Jerusalem and His redemptive promise for mankind, will He not be faithful to you?
You see, G-d IS your rock and fortress and deliverer; He IS the G-d of your strength; He IS your shield and the horn of your salvation; He IS your stronghold and your refuge.
Only believe! Only trust Him!
Finally, as 2 Samuel 22:3 tells us, the L-rd is our Saviour – “The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Saviour…”
G-d asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac his son whom he loved; however at the last minute, He stayed Abraham’s hand and provided a ram to be sacrificed in Isaac’s place.
However, G-d did not withhold His Son whom He loved, Yeshua.
Scripture records that Yeshua became the perfect sacrifice for the redemption of mankind when He died on the cross, shedding every last drop of His blood thus taking our sins upon Himself; guaranteeing all who believe in His death and resurrection and who invite Him to become L-rd of their lives, eternal life in heaven.
Joel 2:32, found in the ‘Tenach’ (Old Testament), tells us that “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
Acts 4:12 declares: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (but Yeshua).”
2 Peter 1:11 declares: “for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Messiah Jesus Christ.”
I now want to address my Jewish brethren:
Jewish people believe that on ‘Rosh Hashanah’ the destiny of all mankind is recorded by G-d in the “Book of Life”; on ‘Yom Kippur’, the judgment entered in the “Book of Life” is sealed. ‘Yom Kippur’ is, essentially, the last appeal; the last chance to change the judgment, to demonstrate repentance and make amends.
‘Rosh Hashanah’ is characterized by the blowing of the ‘shofar’, intended to awaken the listener from his or her “slumber” and alert them to the coming judgment.
Are you ready for the Coming Judgment? Are you ready to stand in judgment before ‘Mashiach’?
Are you really sure of your eternal future? If you died today, where you will go? In fact, on what basis should G-d let you into heaven?
No amount of prayer, petitioning, penitence, fasting or charity will grant Jewish people (or any people) forgiveness of sin and everlasting life in heaven.
Only through Yeshua can one truly be written in the “Book of Life” – not for just another year, but for eternity. And this applies to both Jews and Gentiles.
To ensure that you will have eternity in heaven, all you need do is accept Yeshua as your L-rd and Saviour by believing in His death and resurrection; confessing your sins and repenting of them and inviting Him to be L-rd of your life.
To do this, simply pray the prayer of salvation found under Resources in the navigation bar.
G-d’s amazing plan for the redemption of mankind, which began with Abraham, came through Isaac and Jacob and, ultimately, through the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua, shows that the L-rd is truly our Rock.
We love you.
Shalom.
Scripture of the week: 2 Samuel 22
