Be Strong and of Good Courage

By Dan & Brenda Cathcart

The video version is available at: https://youtu.be/uFPutG-i9CM

The scripture reading is: Joshua 1:1-18

This week’s teaching is the last of the Haftarahs. Throughout the last year, we have examined many of the prophets and seen a repeating pattern of rebuke, judgment, redemption and restoration. It is appropriate that this cycle should end on a high note with this reading from the first chapter of the book of Joshua.

One will find no rebuke or judgment in this Haftarah. It is all uplifting and encouraging. In it we see a continuation of the Torah. In the final Torah Portion this week we read of the death of Moses and the commissioning of Joshua appointed by God to lead the people.

Deuteronomy 31:7-8 NKJV 7 Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 "And the LORD, He is the one who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed."

In commissioning Joshua to take over the leadership of the nation of Israel, Moses encourages Joshua to be strong and courageous. Four times in the opening chapter of the book of Joshua he is encouraged to be strong and courageous. How is Joshua to exemplify strength and courage? How does this Haftarah apply to us today in the mission God has commissioned us to accomplish?

Moses was now dead, and Joshua was fully commissioned to take his place and lead the people across the Jordan and into the land promised them through their Father Abraham.

Joshua 1:1-5 NKJV 1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: 2 "Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them-the children of Israel. 3 "Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 "From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5 "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.

These first five verses of the Book of Joshua serve as an introduction to the entire book. A closer examination of the original Hebrew reveals that in this passage the word “you” in its various forms is in the second person personal. God is speaking to Joshua personally and giving personal assurance that Joshua is indeed commissioned by God to perform the tasks before him.

For forty years Joshua knew that they were destined to inherit the land that God promised them. In this passage, God reiterates the promise and defines the borders of the Promised Land. God also states in verse five that “no man shall be able to stand before you…” so why is it that God had to tell Joshua to be strong and of good courage?

To begin with we can look at the phrase in the Hebrew. The word translated as strong is number 2388 in the Strong’s Concordance, Khaw-zak meaning to be strong, to lean, to fortify, or to become mighty. The word implies a certain fortitude or physical power. The word translated as “be courageous” is number 553 aw-mats meaning to be courageous, to be physically and mentally alert, to fortify, harden, or make strong.

In this single phrase, we see two parallel words which mean very close to the same thing. So, here in one sentence we have a kind of parallelism emphasizing the importance and nature of strength and courage.

Did Joshua need some extra encouragement as they were about to enter the Promised Land? It would certainly be a major undertaking. Joshua had been there before, many years earlier and knew what awaited them. Did he have the complete support of the people? Moses had led them since before they had left Egypt. Moses was like a father to them and a grandfather to those born in the wilderness. How would they take to a new leader? It would take a lot of strength and courage to lead a people who had just lost their great patriarch.

Joshua’s first task was to take them into the land.

Joshua 1:6 NKJV 6 "Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

Joshua had to organize an army. He had to train them, outfit them, and supply them, all the while arranging for food, water, and shelter for the entire civilian population.

Joshua, as the commanding General had to develop specific battle plans as they set out to conquer the land and see to their execution. Joshua was not only the military leader but also the spiritual leader, and as such was responsible for their morale at all times.  It would take incredible leadership ability to pull it all off.

Joshua is then admonished to be strong and courageous in following the Torah faithfully.

Joshua 1:7-9 NKJV 7 "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua was called upon to exhibit spiritual strength and courage, to do all that the Torah taught him to do. Verse seven warns Joshua not to deviate to the right or to the left. This is a reiteration of instruction in the Torah itself.

Deuteronomy 5:32 NKJV 32 "Therefore you shall be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

Joshua was also admonished to meditate on the Torah. But what does it mean to meditate? In our modern way of thinking, we would assume it means quiet thought. But the Hebrew is somewhat opposite. It is number 1897 haw-gaw’ meaning to mutter, to speak, study, talk, or utter. Joshua was to always speak of the Torah, to have it constantly on his lips. When one does this, it becomes a constant reminder.

This continual study and speaking of God’s Torah would lead naturally to life application of the Torah. Verse eight indicates this practice would lead to prosperity and success.

The apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy speaks of this same concept.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Joshua, perhaps, faced a few dangers and doubts along the road. Over the course of time in the wilderness, Joshua observed the many occasions when the people were not entirely faithful to the covenant and saw first-hand the disastrous results of that unfaithfulness. Although well-equipped for the task, and with many close associates to assist him going forward, Joshua was now responsible for God’s people and their success was dependent on his Torah faithfulness. He really did need strength and courage!

The third area of strength and courage which Joshua needed was in the form of learning to truly trust in God.

Joshua 1:9 NKJV 9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

This promise to Joshua is nearly a repeat of one of the promises found in verse five. God promises once again that His presence would be with Joshua continually, that He would go with Joshua every step of the way. This was certainly a reminder of the earlier promise found in Deuteronomy 31:7-8 that we read at the opening of this teaching.

This promise of God’s presence with Joshua is not unlike Yeshua’s own promise to us that the Holy Spirit would be with us as we embark on the mission that He has ordained for us.

Acts 1:8 NKJV 8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Joshua was to trust God completely. He was to remember that God could be trusted no matter what the present circumstances appeared to be. This understanding on Joshua’s part would turnout to be vitally important as they crossed into the Promised Land.

God had now prepared and given Joshua all the tools required for him to lead the army and the people. It was now time for action.

Joshua 1:10-11 NKJV 10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 "Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess.'"

The text says that Joshua commanded the “officers of the people” the Hebrew word for officers is number 7860 sho-tare’ meaning an official superintendent or magistrate, officer, overseer, or ruler.  The word does not necessarily imply an officer in the military sense. Joshua was speaking to all the civilian leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel as well as the commanders of the army.

Joshua also reminded the tribes of Rubin, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh that, although they were remaining on the eastern side of the Jordan, their men were to participate along with the others in conquering the land across the Jordan.

Joshua 1:12-15 NKJV 12 And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh Joshua spoke, saying, 13 "Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, 'The LORD your God is giving you rest and is giving you this land.' 14 "Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But you shall pass before your brethren armed, all your mighty men of valor, and help them, 15 "until the LORD has given your brethren rest, as He gave you, and they also have taken possession of the land which the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD'S servant gave you on this side of the Jordan toward the sunrise."

The army which Joshua assembled to take possession of the Land would consist of members of all twelve tribes. Only after this task was completed could they enter rest with their brothers. They were all in agreement with Joshua’s orders.

Joshua 1:16-18 NKJV 16 So they answered Joshua, saying, "All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 "Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses. 18 "Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage."

Their words to Joshua are reminiscent of those the people spoke at Mount Sinai when they received the Torah from God.

Exodus 19:8 NKJV 8 Then all the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD.

With their response, Joshua would have realized that the people, not just his military offices and the leaders of the people, but all of them were placing their trust and their lives in his hands. They were prepared to trust Joshua completely just as he was to place all his trust in God. Not only God, but now the people were encouraging Joshua to be strong and courageous!  How could he fail?

There were four areas Joshua needed strength and courage. First was to be able to lead the people to the Promised Land across the Jordan. He had spent a lifetime preparing for this task and God had done everything possible to enable him to do it.

Second, Joshua need strength and courage to follow the Torah. Joshua was not just another military leader. He was to be a Godly leader of both the army and the people. Third, Joshua was to trust in God no matter what the circumstances; no matter how bleak the situation at hand might appear.

And finally, Joshua was to have strength and courage to be a true leader of the people in the model of Moses. Very large shoes to fill indeed! The people knew that Joshua was chosen by God to lead them in this time and in their words and actions they gave Joshua the support he needed. God had prepared Joshua for his mission and stated clearly that He would be with Joshua every step of the way.

It is interesting to note the placement of the Book of Joshua in the Bible immediately following the Torah. Moses, being a type or example of Messiah, brought God’s people out of their place of bondage and embarked on their journey toward the Promised land. Moses made provision to have the leadership pass to Joshua.

The narrative of the Book of Joshua is a continuation of the historical narrative which began with the first verse of Genesis. Together with the Torah, we see a continuation of the story of a called-out people and how they were to take their place among the nations and bring the light of God to those nations.

There is a striking parallel to this theme recorded in the New Testament writings. In the four Gospels we see the Master Yeshua’s divinely inspired teaching and commentary of the Torah. Yeshua taught His followers to be a light to the world just as the Nation of Israel was to be a light to the other nations.

Just prior to Yeshua’s death he told His followers that they would receive power to carry out their commission. Not unlike the strength and courage that Joshua received from God, Yeshua told His disciples that He would always be with them.

Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

The Book of Acts follows the Gospels, continuing the story of the spread of the good news which began with Messiah Yeshua Himself. Armed with the Torah, along with the teachings of Messiah Yeshua, these early disciples, the faithful remnant, took the message of atonement and redemption to the nations of the world. The Book of Acts is the opening chapter in this story. The story and mission remain unfinished.

Beginning with our next teaching, we are embarking on a year-long study of the ministry of these early disciples of Yeshua. Who were they? Where did they go? What is it they taught? And most importantly, how are we to continue this mission until Yeshua returns. Join us each week for “The Apostle’s Journey.”

Study Questions:

1. Discuss the connection of this teaching to the Torah Portion Vezot Ha’Bracha Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12.

2. Why is it important for Rubin, Gad and Manasseh to participate in taking the land?

3. What did God do to encourage Joshua and instill in him strength and courage? (read a broader context of scripture about Joshua’s service under Moses’ leadership.)

4. This Haftarah mentions specific boundaries of the Promised Land. How does this description of the boundaries compare with other scripture listing the boundaries?

5.  Joshua was told to meditate on the Torah. Given the Hebrew definition of the word “haw-gaw’”, how would Joshua apply it in his time?  How should we “meditate” on God’s word today?

6. What new insight did you gain from this teaching? How do you respond to this new insight? How will you realign your life based on this new understanding?

Bonus: For what other reasons do you think that Joshua chapter 1 was chosen to be the last Haftarah in the cycle?

© 2019 Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.

The LORD is My Rock, My Fortress, and My Deliverer

By Dan & Brenda Cathcart

The Video Version is available at: https://youtu.be/5JToVZWLkCc

The scripture reading is 2^nd Samuel 22:1-51

We examined this haftarah once already this year during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. At that time, we focused on God’s deliverance of David. This was an appropriate message corresponding to the deliverance theme of Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the opening verse of this passage.

2 Samuel 22:1 NKJV 1 Then David spoke to the LORD the words of this song, on the day when the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.

The theme of the upcoming Feast of Sukkot is rejoicing. So, this teaching will focus on David rejoicing in God. Notice that David directs the words of his song to God. He wrote these words so that he could sing them to God! A famous poem by Elizabeth Barret Browning begins “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” This song is David’s version of counting the ways he loves God. David describes the character traits of God that he experienced and loved.

David opens his song by describing three specific traits about God—that He is David’s Rock, his Fortress and his Deliverer.

2 Samuel 22:2-3 MKJV 2 And he said, The LORD is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer. 3 The God who is my Rock, in Him will I trust. He is my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower, and my Refuge, my Savior. You save me from violence.

These two verses demonstrate the Hebrew poetic structure of parallelism. In parallelism, the first line is repeated in slightly different terms in the second line. In this case, the first line is repeated twice for a total of three statements of God’s character traits that David experienced. Three is the number of divine completion unique to God. In these opening lines, the number three appears twice!

The first trait that David mentions is that God is his Rock. In verse two, the word “rock” is “she’-lah,” number 5553 in Strong’s Concordance meaning to be lofty such as that of a craggy rock or cliff. In verse three the parallel word, also translated as “rock” is a different Hebrew word. It is the word “tsuwr,” number 6697 meaning a cliff, rock or boulder. In the third repetition, David uses the phrase “High Tower.” This is the Hebrew word “misgah,” number 4869 meaning a cliff or other high inaccessible place.  All three of these terms depict a God that is a strong, secure boulder. David states that He can trust in the God who is his Rock!

The second trait that David mentions is that God is his Fortress. The parallel phrases are that God is his shield and His refuge. The Hebrew word for “fortress” is “metsuwdah,” the feminine form of number 4686 meaning a net, castle or fortress. That craggy rock would be a great place to build a fortress! The name Masada, for the fortress that King Herod built, comes from this same word. The word “shield,” is the Hebrew word “magen,” number 4043, meaning a shield or protector. This fortress is a refuge, a safe place to which one can flee and receive the protection of God.

Finally, David describes God as His deliverer. The Hebrew word is “palat,” number 6403 meaning to deliver or cause to escape. God is the one who enables David to escape! The first parallel phrase for deliverer is the “Horn of my Salvation.” The word “horn” is “qeren,” number 7161 which means a horn or other projection such as a peak or corner. Figuratively it represents power or strength. God is the power or strength that brings salvation! The last parallel for deliverer is My Savior. Both salvation and Savior come from the same Hebrew word, “yaw-shaw’, number 3467 meaning to be open or wide, to be safe, or to cause to be free. The Rock is a physical structure that just is. There is no moving it and no changing it. The Fortress built upon the rock is for protection during battle and during times of rest. The Horn of my Salvation is active protection. An animal’s horn is a means of offense and defense against its enemies. As David’s Deliverer and Savior, God actively saves him from violence!

Yeshua refers to these same three traits when He describes where a wise man builds his house.

Matthew 7:24-25 MKJV 24 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock. 25 And the rain came down, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house. And it did not fall, for it was founded on a rock.

The wise man builds his house on the rock of Yeshua and His words! Yeshua again refers to this rock when He states that Peter is built upon it and the gates of Hell cannot prevail against it.

Matthew 16:16-18 YLT 16 and Simon Peter answering said, `Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.' 17 And Jesus answering said to him, `Happy art thou, Simon Bar-Jona, because flesh and blood did not reveal it to thee, but my Father who is in the heavens. 18 `And I also say to thee, that thou art a rock, and upon this rock I will build my assembly, and gates of Hades shall not prevail against it;

Once again, the rock is Yeshua whose identity is the Son of the living God!

Another trait that David praises about God is His availability. David states that God was always there when he called out to God.

2 Samuel 22:4-7 NAS95 4 "I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies. 5 "For the waves of death encompassed me; The torrents of destruction overwhelmed me; 6 The cords of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me. 7 "In my distress I called upon the LORD, Yes, I cried to my God; And from His temple He heard my voice, And my cry for help came into His ears.

David uses two different metaphors to describe the situations he was in when he called out to God. The first imagery that David uses is being surrounded by waves and torrents of water. He compares the water to death and destruction. I think of the time of Noah and the flood as well as Jonah being thrown into the sea. God was with Noah and his family, and God was with Jonah through the storm tossed seas. The second imagery is that of the prey being captured by a hunter with cords and snares. David was constantly being hunted by Saul, and capture would have meant death. When David was in deadly peril, God heard and responded to David’s cry.

The next verse describes God’s response. And oh what a response!

2 Samuel 22:8-16 NAS95 8 "Then the earth shook and quaked, The foundations of heaven were trembling And were shaken, because He was angry. 9 "Smoke went up out of His nostrils, Fire from His mouth devoured; Coals were kindled by it. 10 "He bowed the heavens also, and came down With thick darkness under His feet. 11 "And He rode on a cherub and flew; And He appeared on the wings of the wind. 12 "And He made darkness canopies around Him, A mass of waters, thick clouds of the sky. 13 "From the brightness before Him Coals of fire were kindled. 14 "The LORD thundered from heaven, And the Most High uttered His voice. 15 "And He sent out arrows, and scattered them, Lightning, and routed them. 16 "Then the channels of the sea appeared, The foundations of the world were laid bare By the rebuke of the LORD, At the blast of the breath of His nostrils.

The entire creation is at God’s disposal to answer the cry of His people! In the midst of the response of all creation, God appeared! He rode on the wings of the wind! First Fruits of Zion in Torah Club Volume Three: The Haftarah, explains that the Canaanite gods included Baal, the god of thunder and the rider of the clouds; Yam, the god of the sea; and Mot, the god of the underworld.

“We can see already that in this psalm David speaks about all of these forces—thunderstorms, the sea, and death—in terms of God’s use of them or defeat of them. In a sense, we have many hints that David’s deliverance, therefore, was not merely a personal one, but a spiritual one as well.”[i]

Just like God took on and defeated the gods of Egypt in the plagues and the exodus, God takes on and defeats the gods of Canaan! When Yeshua returns, He will take on and defeat all false gods!

Matthew 24:29-30 NKJV 29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

David tells us that the results of God’s response from heaven is that God delivers David from the water that surrounds him and the enemies that hunt him.

2 Samuel 22:17-18 NAS95 17 "He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. 18 "He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me, for they were too strong for me.

God’s response to David’s call for help was deliverance both physically and spiritually. But why would God choose to answer David’s call? The next verses explain that God is the one who made David worthy of help. David explains that God chose to deliver him because God delighted in him.

2 Samuel 22:20 NKJV 20 He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.

The word “delight” is from the Hebrew word “kwaw-fates’,” number 2654 meaning to incline, bend, to be pleased with. In our teaching on September 25^th covering Isaiah sixty two, we learned that God would change Jerusalem’s name from Forsaken to Hephzibah. Hephzibah is from this same word “kwaw-fates’” and means “My delight is in her.” God will delight in Jerusalem because of her righteousness.

Isaiah 62:2 NKJV 2 The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the LORD will name.

David said that God rewarded him according to his righteousness. But how could David claim to be righteous? He committed adultery with Bathsheba and conspired to have her husband murdered. David says that his righteousness is that which is seen through God’s eyes.

2 Samuel 22:25 NKJV 25 Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to my cleanness in His eyes.

David explains that it is through another of God’s traits, that of mercy, that he is seen as righteous.

2 Samuel 22:26-28 NKJV 26 "With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; 27 With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. 28 You will save the humble people; But Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down.

It is through God’s mercy that the darkness of David’s sins is turned to the light of righteousness.

2 Samuel 22:29 NKJV 29 "For You are my lamp, O LORD; The LORD shall enlighten my darkness.

It is through God’s mercy that He empowers David to act physically and spiritually.

2 Samuel 22:30-31 NKJV 30 For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall. 31 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

David declares that he has experienced that God and His word are trustworthy. He asks who else could possibly be God?

2 Samuel 22:32-35 NKJV 32 "For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? 33 God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect. 34 He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places. 35 He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

God is the rock that makes David’s way perfect. He is the strength to enable David to accomplish seemingly impossible tasks. He is the power given to David to make war against his enemies and be victorious. David’s enemies were not just the soldiers from the opposing armies that he faced. Some of his enemies were those from his own people who hated him.

2 Samuel 22:40-41 NKJV 40 For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose against me. 41 You have also given me the necks of my enemies, So that I destroyed those who hated me.

In all these trials and challenges, David states that he can rely on God to deliver him either by direct intervention through God’s creation, or by giving David the power to defeat his enemies. God is firmly on David’s side! Even when his enemies seemingly abandon their own gods and call out to the one true God, God did not abandon David.

2 Samuel 22:42-44 NKJV 42 They looked, but there was none to save; Even to the LORD, but He did not answer them. 43 Then I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth; I trod them like dirt in the streets, And I spread them out. 44 "You have also delivered me from the strivings of my people; You have kept me as the head of the nations. A people I have not known shall serve me.

The writer of Hebrews expresses his faith in the steadfastness of God and encourages his readers to do so as well.

Hebrews 13:5-6 NKJV 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

God’s availability, mercy and steadfastness lead David to declare that no other god could really be God. David rightly credits God for all his successes. There is only one God that lives and that is the God who is David’s rock!

2 Samuel 22:47-49 NKJV 47 "The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, The Rock of my salvation! 48 It is God who avenges me, And subdues the peoples under me; 49 He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man.

David’s response to God as his Rock and Salvation is to praise God’s name throughout all the nations of the world.

2 Samuel 22:50-51 NKJV 50 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your name. 51 He is the tower of salvation to His king, And shows mercy to His anointed, To David and his descendants forevermore."

In another Psalm, David says that he will praise God’s name in the Great Assembly of his own people.

Psalms 22:22 NKJV 22 I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.

David thanks and praises the LORD because God readily answered his calls of help. God extended mercy to David when he sinned. God proved that He would always be with David. As a result, David called God His Rock, His Fortress, and His Deliverer. Yeshua embodies all these same traits of the Father because He is the Son of God! He does what the Father does!

John 5:19 NKJV 19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

When we put our trust in Yeshua, the Son of God, we put our trust in God! Yeshua’s name, of course, means salvation. He is our Rock and Tower of Salvation! Let us, like David, sing praises to God among our friends and neighbors. Let us thank God for all the times He has been and continues to be available when we call, to extend mercy when we sin, and to be with us through every trial we face! He is our Rock, our Fortress, and our Deliverer!

Study Questions:

1.      Discuss the connection of this teaching to the Torah Portion Ha’azinu Deuteronomy 32:1-52

2.      David refers to being saved out of the torrents of water. How is this like the situations with Noah and Jonah?

3.      2 Samuel 22:8-16 alludes to God’s triumph over the Canaanite gods. How is this a bigger picture of God triumphing over all false gods?

4.      In 2 Samuel 22:20, David says that God brings him to a “broad place.” Then, in verse 37, he says that God “enlarges” the path. What is this “broad place?”

5.       We frequently look at David as a shadow of our Messiah Yeshua. However, Yeshua is the Son of God and does what the Father does. In what way does David’s description of the Father in this song also describe the Son?

6.      What new insight did you gain from this teaching? How do you respond to this new insight? How will you realign your life based on this new understanding?

Bonus: How has your imagery of God as your Rock, Fortress, and Deliverer changed or grown?

© 2019 Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.

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[i] First Fruits of Zion. Torah Club Volume 3: The Haftarah. ©1999 First Fruits of Zion, Inc. Page 825

Seek the LORD While He May be Found

By Dan & Brenda Cathcart

The video version of this teaching is at: https://youtu.be/5tZlMWA75_w 

The scripture reading is Isaiah 55:6-56:8

With this week’s Haftarah, we complete the Sabbaths of Comfort as well as the final reading from Isaiah for the year. Over the last several weeks, we have seen some amazing prophecies from Isaiah regarding the return of God’s people from exile in Babylon and the greater return at the end of the age when Messiah will to rule from Jerusalem on the throne of David.

This passage of Isaiah is separated into two parts. The first is like a plea from God for His people to seek Him out before it is too late. It contains many promises from God and an assurance that His word will stand forever.

The second part identifies three specific groups of people who make up the remnant of God’s people who will return to the land and serve Him during Messiah’s millennial reign. These three groups are, of course, a remnant of God’s chosen people, the Jews, a remnant of the nations, and interestingly, eunuchs are mentions as a separate group.

Who is Isaiah calling to seek the LORD? How does one go about this seeking? And what role do these three identified groups play in the foundation of the millennial kingdom?

The Haftarah opens with an invitation.

Isaiah 55:6-7 NKJV 6 Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

In these opening verses we find what is known as a parallelism. A parallelism is a typical Hebraic poetic form in which a thought in the second line builds on the thought in the first line. In the first verse, we are told not only to seek the LORD but to call upon Him. When we look a little deeper in the Hebrew, we see that it is written in the second person plural form indicating that these words are not directed to any one individual or speaking to people as individuals, but it is a plea to a nation!

Also, there is the presupposition that the LORD may not always be found. The invitation is for all, but there may come a time when it will not be possible to seek Him, or one can choose not to come to Him at all. There is a point where there will be no second chances. The writer of Hebrews makes this point clear.

Hebrews 9:27 NKJV 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

Let’s take a moment and back up a little and look at another promise or invitation found in Isaiah chapter fifty-five.

Isaiah 55:1-2 NKJV 1 "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.

God offered and called everyone to come to Him and drink freely from the water which He provides. He offers His grace and mercy free of charge.  This is exactly what Yeshua offered when he spoke out in the Temple courts at the feast of Tabernacles.

John 7:37-38 NKJV 37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."

A third thing to be gleaned from these opening verses of our Haftarah is that God will not only forgive sin, but He will abundantly forgive sin! His grace and mercy are boundless! When we look at these opening verses, viewing them in conjunction with the first two verses of chapter fifty-five, we see a broader parallelism and the greater scope of this invitation. These two passages are tied together to illustrate that having God in our lives will give us strength to live up to the promise of His abundant grace and mercy.

Considering Yeshua and His ministry and sacrifice we see what He has done for us in our lives. But Isaiah’s readers may have had a slightly different take on Isaiah’s words. In his day, the Temple was the residence of God’s presence on earth. To seek God and to draw near to God meant to go to the Temple in Jerusalem and to bring one’s offerings and sacrifices before God directly. The people of Isaiah’s generation had strayed far from the LORD and were in grave danger from being overrun by their enemies. The northern tribes had already faced this terrible judgment and had been taken into exile by the Assyrians. Isaiah was giving a warning of imminent national disaster if the people didn’t repent and return to God. Less than one hundred fifty years later, Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. The time for their repentance had run out. It is as if they had died and now it was too late, and they faced judgment.

Next Isaiah speaks of the thoughts of God as compared to the thoughts of man.

Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV 8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. 9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

God’s ways and thoughts are always righteous and contrary to the thoughts of man. The Hebrew word translated as thoughts has a broader meaning than the English word would imply. It is number 4284 in the Strong’s concordance “mach-ash-aw-baw’”. It does mean a contrivance, intention or thought, but also a plan, plot, a means, or purpose.  The word implies not only a thought but also an action based on that thought. Perhaps in better understanding this Hebrew meaning, we can better understand other scriptures that speak of thoughts.

Proverbs 23:7 NKJV 7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. "Eat and drink!" he says to you, But his heart is not with you.

And Yeshua Himself spoke to this issue.

Matthew 5:28 NKJV 28 "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Through the prophet Isaiah, God set about to transform their thinking and therefore, their actions regarding righteousness toward each other and toward God.

The people of Isaiah’s day seemed to have doubts about the veracity of God’s word.  This would be a natural extension and result of their wayward thinking. But God has an answer for these doubts.

Isaiah 55:10-11 NKJV 10 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

There are some beautiful and interesting analogies here to take note of. First is God’s word is like water, taking us back to Isaiah 55:1 as well as Yeshua’s words about the living water. First Fruits of Zion in their work, “Torah Club Volume Three: The Haftarah” comments on this analogy.

“… water helps the earth to sprout. The sprouts furnish seed to the sower and, eventually, bread to the eater. In addition, we can not forget that water quenches thirst.”[i]

God’s word is very much like the water that replenishes the earth and quenches one’s thirst. Isaiah’s words in verse seven indicate that God will forgive in abundance, and like the waters from heaven, we can be assured that His word is truth.

So, what is the outcome of God’s promises for those who put their trust in Him, to come to Him for forgiveness and a relationship? Isaiah answers that question in the last two verses of chapter fifty-five.

Isaiah 55:12-13 NKJV 12 "For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the LORD for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."

Here, again, is an assurance like we have seen in our recent studies of Isaiah, that God will never abandon His people. Yes, they will be punished for their iniquities and transgressions, face exile and some will surely die, but God will restore the remnant.

Beginning at chapter fifty-six, it appears that Isaiah takes another sharp turn or transition. He is good at that. In this chapter Isaiah is reminding the people of Israel to practice holiness. To live according to God’s ways and not their own.

Isaiah 56:1-2 NKJV 1 Thus says the LORD: "Keep justice, and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come, And My righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man who does this, And the son of man who lays hold on it; Who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And keeps his hand from doing any evil."

God singles out the Sabbath for special mention in verse two. Israel was, and is, God’s representative on the earth and was to set an example for the nations. The Sabbath was a sign of the covenant given at Mount Sinai.

Exodus 31:13 NKJV 13 "Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: 'Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.

Keeping the Sabbath is a reminder to the people of Israel that they are set apart, a reminder of their covenant with God, and their obligation to be faithful to the Torah.

There are two other groups of people mentioned by Isaiah in this section of the Haftarah. First off, Isaiah speaks about the eunuchs. In our modern world, we have a difficult time relating to eunuchs as a viable group of individuals. In ancient times a eunuch was a castrated male servant whose job was primarily to guard a harem belonging to a prince or king. A eunuch could be a native Israelite or someone from outside the tribes of Israel. But Isaiah says that they too have the right to participate in the covenant with God.

Isaiah 56:3-5 NKJV 3 Do not let the son of the foreigner Who has joined himself to the LORD Speak, saying, "The LORD has utterly separated me from His people"; Nor let the eunuch say, "Here I am, a dry tree." 4 For thus says the LORD: "To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, And choose what pleases Me, And hold fast My covenant, 5 Even to them I will give in My house And within My walls a place and a name Better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name That shall not be cut off.

A eunuch cannot have children, yet God will give them a special place. We also assume that Isaiah is referring to involuntary eunuchs who have been forced to give up their right to have children and a continuance or “place” for their name.  Taking a closer look at the Hebrew of verse five we find the word hand is the Hebrew “Yad”, number 3027 literally meaning hand. In modern Hebrew the word also means “memorial”. In verse five the word translated as name is “shem” number 8034 meaning name also related to memorial.

In Jerusalem today, one can visit the Holocaust Museum known as Yad V’shem, meaning “place of the name” or “memorial of the name” where all those who were martyred in the firestorm that was Nazi Germany of World War Two, and cut off from their right to a progeny and continuance of their family name, not unlike a eunuch of ancient times who’s progeny and name were also taken from them, are given a place, within the walls, that is within the city of God’s name, in Jerusalem, where they are remembered today.

The last group who are mentioned in our Haftarah are the non-Israelites, the Gentiles.

Isaiah 56:6-8 NKJV 6 "Also the sons of the foreigner Who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, And to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants-Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And holds fast My covenant- 7 Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations." 8 The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, "Yet I will gather to him Others besides those who are gathered to him."

The word “foreigner” in verse six is not the usual Hebrew word for Gentiles which is “ger” but it is “nay-kawr’” number 5236 meaning foreigner, alien or stranger.  The word is almost always used in the Tanakah in reference to strange gods or those who worship strange gods. The Brown, Driver, Briggs defines the word as “of another family, tribe, or nation.”

Verses six and seven are part of the liturgy and blessings we ready every Erev Shabbat with our home Bible study group. These foreigners who “join themselves to the LORD” are the remnant among the nations who identify with the Israelites and worship the God of Israel instead of strange gods.

Back in verse three God command that these foreigners are to be fully accepted into the community.  They don’t replace the Israelite but are added to them and included among the faithful of Israel.  The apostle Paul speaks of those “grafted in”.

Romans 11:16-18 NKJV 16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.

Isaiah lists a set of conditions in verse six for the foreigner to be included, not the least among them is keeping the Sabbath. As we have said before, the Sabbath being a sign of the Covenant implies keeping the entirety of the covenant, the Torah.

These are Gentile believers who fully participate in the covenant made at Mount Sinai! Since they are grafted into this covenant, they are granted full permission to participate. And, as it says in verse seven, fully participate in Temple worship, bringing offerings and sacrifices right alongside the native Israelite. In Isaiah’s day, it is at the Temple where one can draw near to God through the offerings and sacrifices. The apostle Paul speaks of how we are brought near through Messiah Yeshua.

Ephesians 2:12-13 NKJV 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Finally in chapter fifty-six verse eight, Isaiah is once again looking far ahead to a time when Messiah is present in Jerusalem and on the throne of David. A time when He will gather others in addition to those who are already gathered. There will be many among the nations who will believe in Him and thereby become a part of the greater nation of Israel and live a life according to the covenant.

This ingathering of the Gentiles began long ago, and much is recorded in the book of Acts about the Gentiles coming to know the God of Israel. This ingathering is still taking place today and in increasing numbers. Today many reports are coming from Muslim nations of a rapidly growing number of believers meeting together in secret, underground churches.

We finish up the Sabbaths of Comfort with this week’s Haftarah. Over the last several weeks we have identified many amazing prophecies concerning Messiah Yeshua.  The Gospel message of salvation and restoration is loud and clear in the words of Isaiah. In these chapters, we have seen the song of the suffering servant Messiah in chapters forty-two through fifty-three. And the song of the conquering king Messiah in the remainder of the book.

Isaiah is calling all to repentance and restoration to the LORD. Not just the Jew but all who call upon His name. When we seek Him out, His grace and mercy are freely given in great abundance. He is faithful to keep His covenant with us as we count ourselves as grafted in. All the remnant will be gathered in the land when Messiah returns to take His rightful place on the throne of David.

Study Questions:

1.      Discuss the connection of this teaching to the Torah Portion Vayelekh Deuteronomy 31:1-30

2.      This Haftarah opens with Isaiah speaking to or admonishing the people to seek the LORD. What does it mean to truly seek Him and how is it accomplished?

3.      Why does Isaiah speak about the difference between God’s ways and man’s ways right after he speaks about seeking the LORD?

4.      The chapter 56 part of the Haftarah mentions three specific groups of people. Why these three? How are they to be treated and what is their respective roles in the millennial kingdom?

5.      In chapter 55 verses 12 and 13 Isaiah speaks using the land and trees in a poetic metaphor. What is this metaphor referring to and what is the sign that “shall not be cut off?”

6.      What new insight did you gain from this teaching? How do you respond to this new insight? How will you realign your life based on this new understanding?

Bonus: Now having studied the book of Isaiah over these Sabbaths of Comfort, how does the book of Isaiah present the gospel message of salvation through the Messiah?

© 2019 Moed Ministries International. All rights reserved.

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[i] FFOZ Torah Club Vol. 3: The Haftarah, p 908