HA’AZINU “Give Ear”
SHABBAT SHUVAH “Sabbath of return”
01 OCTOBER 2011
Deuteronomy 32:1-52
II Samuel 22:1-51
Additional HafTorah readings
Hosea 14:2-10
Micah 7:18-20
Joel 2:11-27
Rom.10:14-11:12
This Shabbat is Shabbat Shuvah; a time for reflection.
It precedes the most sacred of all Shabbats, Yom Kippur, which is
called the Sabbath of Sabbaths.
We just came together to honor our GOD, Who was King, Who
is King and will be King forevermore. He reigns not only as King of
Israel but of all nations. On Rosh Hashanah we declared GOD’s
sovereignty and heard the Shofar sound to awaken us from our sleep
(Ephesians 5:14). We need to be ready to meet Him.
Our forefathers, at the foot of Har Sinai (Mt. Sinai)
received His Torah and were forgiven for their idol worship regarding
the Golden Calf. They had declared a foreign god (the calf) to be over
them instead of the Mighty One of Israel, who redeemed them from their
slavery.
On Shabbat Shuvah, the word of GOD speaks through Moshe
exhorting us in Deuteronomy chapter 32, to give ear, O heavens, and I
will speak; and may the earth fear the words of my mouth. May my
teaching drop like the rain, may my utterance flow like the dew; like
storm winds upon vegetation and like raindrops upon blades of grass.
Moshe, writing what GOD had spoken, had hoped that the words of the
Torah would penetrate the nation as rain and dew penetrate the earth.
GOD’s word tells us that this song (Deuteronomy 32) was
given so His children would learn to love and obey Him after receiving
the revelation of GOD’s greatness and love. Instead of taking in His
love and encouragement to live for Him, (Deuteronomy 32:15) they became
fat, they became thick, they became corpulent (body fat, obesity). They
deserted GOD their maker. They became contemptuous towards the Rock of
their salvation.
Moshe wrote this portion mainly as a warning to GOD’s
people. They were prone to forget what He did for them and turn to
other gods. We know, through hindsight, that they did not heed this song
of warning and eventually were removed from GOD’s presence in the land
that He gave them.
Today, we have GOD’s word, all His songs of strength,
encouragement and salvation. Often, we do not take this song to heart.
Ha'azinu, pay attention to what GOD is saying. Do not look at the
concerns of this life and forget the promises of GOD.
When the holidays are over and we revert to dealing with
the cares of this world, let us remember that He was King, He is King
and will be King forever more.
Hag Sameach
Shanah Tova Ve Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z
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