Ha'azinu

Parashas Ha’azinu

Deuteronomy 32:1 – 32:52

Please pray this

Prayer before reading.

In the name of Yahushua

Our Messiyah,

I pray for the Spirit of Understanding

The Spirit of Knowledge and

The Spirit of Wisdom

As I read through this Parasha

That the Truth of Torah may

Come forth. Amen

The Shabbat of Ha’azinu falls between and Yom Kippur. It is the fifty-third reading in the Torah cycle. As we explore the spiritual significance of this Torah Portion, it is important to be aware of the process our soul are going through during this critical ten-day.

In order to understand Yum Teruah  is the story of Adam and Eve. When Adam Reshon was born, he was both male and female, The CREATOR place Adam in a sleep called dormita so that HE could separate the Spirit from the flesh, Adam from Eve.

The whole purpose of Creation is to cut away or separate the dark side or the selfish ego of ourselves, that why we must experience Yum Teruah   In another aspect that mirrors the process of dormita, we transform this ego from the selfish desire to received to the desire to give.

Yum Teruah  is the time when the CREATOR sits on the Throne of Judgment, with Messiyah Yahushua as our defense attorney to discuss our spiritual development over the last Torah Cycle. What did they learn?

The Kabbalist teach us that not only does our every negative action attract negative angels, but these angels remain with us for a Torah Cycle. What happen on Yum Teruah   We get a chance to disconnect from these negative angels that influence our lives, by elevating ourselves spiritually.

As we passed through another Torah Cycle or another day of Creation we should eliminate from our lives another negative angel, providing we do not go back to them. They will still exist in our past, or in a lower spiritual level, in the place we were before Yum Teruah .

The gift of ya’arof kamator likchi, which means ‘we will cut off,’ is to encourage us to stay clear of these negative angels by avoiding our former selfish behaviors. The way to make sure that we keep these dark forces from re-attaching to our lives is to see to it that our lives actually changes.

The spiritual gift of the Shabbat of Ha’azinu is that we can turn the judgment that we removed on Yum Teruah  into Spiritual growth. We can see disappointment for what they are, and we can then turn disappointment into opportunity. Now each disappointment become a gate of Righteousness, a gate through which we and the world can both pass because the gate we create are not just for us. What we have opened is an opportunity for Light to enter the world through us.

Rabbi Ashlag explain that there is a related concept called teshuvah me’ahava, this is when a person undertake the process of spiritual correction, called sanctification out of love for the Messiyah. As we prepare for Rosh Hashanah let us experience Ha’azinu, we need to realize that there is another way to understand this love that leads to spiritual maturity, not only the love for ABBA YAHVEH, but also a love for the darkness we have created.

From whatever day or Creation we are at today, we can all look back at the negative actions of those years, and realize that not only can we overcome, by separating ourselves from the chaos that we might have experience, but we can also transform our darkness into light, we can turn disappointment into opportunity for spiritual growth. This is the power of Shabbat Ha’azinu.

Deu 32:1 “Give ear, O Heavens, and let me speak; And hear, O earth, The words of my mouth. – “Here in this verse. A commanding preface or introduction to this song of Moses. He begins with a solemn appeal to Heavens and earth concerning the truth and importance of what he was about to say, and the justice of the divine proceedings against a rebellious and backsliding people, for he had said (ch. 31:28) that he would in this song call heaven and earth to record against them.

Heaven and earth would sooner hear than this stubborn and unthinking people; for they revolt not from the obedience to their Creator, but continue to this day, according to his ordinances, as his servants (Ps. 119:89–91), and therefore will rise up in judgment against rebellious Yisrael. Heavens and earth will be witnesses against sinners, witnesses of the warning given them and of their refusal to take the warning (see Job 20:27); the heavens shall reveal its iniquity, and the earth shall rise up against him.”

Deu 32:2 “Let my instruction fall as rain, My speech drop down as dew, As fine rain on the tender plants, And as showers on the grass”. - “Or heaven and earth are here put for the inhabitants of both, angels and men; both shall agree to justify EL YAHVEH in HIS proceedings against Yisrael, and to declare his righteousness, Ps. 50:6; see Rev. 19:1, 2. Moses begins with a solemn request of what he was about to say to the people: My doctrine shall drop as the rain. "It shall be a beating sweeping rain to the rebellious;’’ Rain is sometimes sent for judgment, witness that with which the world was deluged; and so the word of YAHVEH, while to some it is reviving and refreshing, a savor of life unto life, is to others terrifying and killing, a savor of death unto death. It shall be as sweet and comfortable dew to those who are rightly prepared to receive it. 

The subject of this song is doctrine; he had given them a song of praise and thanksgiving (Ex. 15), but this is a song of instruction, for in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, we are not only to give glory to YAHVEH, but to teach and admonish one another, Col. 3:16. Hence many of David’s psalms are entitled Maschil, meaning to give instruction. This doctrine is fitly compared to rain and showers, which come from above, to make the earth fruitful, and accomplish that for which they are sent. (Isa. 55:10, 11), and depend not upon the wisdom or will of man, Mic. 5:7.

It is a form of mercy to have this rain come often upon us, and our duty to drink it in, Heb. 6:7.  He promises that this doctrine shall drop and distill as the dew, and the small rain, which descend silently and without noise. The word preached is likely to profit when it comes gently, and sweetly insinuates itself into the hearts and affections of the hearers.

He bespeaks their acceptance and entertainment of it, and that it might be as sweet, and pleasant, and welcome to them as rain to the thirsty earth, Ps. 72:6. And the word of YAH is likely to do us good when it is thus acceptable. 

Deu 32:3 “For I proclaim the Name of יהוה , Ascribe greatness to our Elohim”. – “He begins with this most precious of principles, and lays it down as his first principle. To preserve the honor of YAHVEH, that no reproach might be cast upon him for the sake of the wickedness of his people Yisrael; how wicked and corrupt so ever those are who are called by HIS name, YAH is just, and right, and all that is good, and is not to be thought the worse off for their badness.

 To aggravate the wickedness of Yisrael, who knew and worshiped such a Holy EL, and yet were they so unholy. To justify YAHVEH in HIS dealings with them; we must abide by it, that YAHVEH is righteous, even when his judgments are a great deep, Jer. 12:1; Ps. 36:6.

Moses sets himself to publish the name of YAHVEH, that Yisrael, knowing what a EL, He is whom they had avouched for theirs, might never be such fools as to exchange HIM for a false god, a dunghill god. He calls upon them therefore to ascribe greatness to HIM. It will be of great use to us for the preventing of sin, and the preserving of us in the way of our duty, always to keep up high and honorable Thoughts of YAHVEH, and to take all occasions to express them: Ascribe greatness to our EL. We cannot add to HIS greatness, for it is infinite; but we must acknowledge it, and give him the glory of it.”

Deu 32:4 “The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are right-ruling, An Ěl of truth and without unrighteousness, Righteous and straight is He.” – “Now, when Moses would set forth the greatness of YAHVEH, he does it, not by explaining HIS eternity and immensity, or describing the brightness of HIS Glory in the upper world, but by showing the faithfulness of HIS word, the perfection of HIS works, and the wisdom and equity of all the administrations of HIS government; for in these YAHVEH glory shines most clearly to us, and these are the things revealed concerning him, which belong to us and our children.

HE is the rock. So HE is called six times in this chapter, and the Septuagint all along translates it Theos, EL. YAHVEH was called the rock eighteen times (besides in this chapter) in the Torah (Though in some places we translate it strength), and charges it therefore upon the papists that they make Peter a god when they make him the rock on which the church is built. El Yahushua is the rock, for He is in Himself immutable immovable, and He is to all that seek him and fly to him an impenetrable shelter, and to all that trust in him an everlasting foundation.

His work is perfect. His work of creation was so, all very good; His works of providence are so, or will be so in due time, and when the mystery of YAHVEH shall be finished the perfection of his works will appear to the entire world.

Nothing that YAHVEH does can be mended, Eccl. 3:14. YAHVEH was now perfecting what He had promised and begun for His people Yisrael, and from the perfection of this work, they must take occasion to give Him the glory of the perfection of all His works.

The best of men’s works are imperfect, they have their flaws and defects, and are left unfinished; but, as for YAHVEH, his work is perfect; if He begins, He will make an end.

All His ways are judge. The ends of His ways are all righteous, and He is wise in the choice of the means in order to those ends. Judgment signifies both prudence and justice. The ways of YAHVEH are right, Hos. 14:9.

He is an EL of Truth, whose word we may take and rely upon, for HE cannot go back on His Word, therefore He cannot lie. He who neither is faithful to all HIS promises, nor shall HIS threatening fall to the ground.

He is without iniquity, one who never cheated any that trusted in יהוה, never wronged any that neither appealed to HIS justice, nor ever was hard upon any that cast them upon HIS mercy.

Just and right is HE. As He will not wrong any by punishing them more than they deserve, so He will not fail to recompense all those that serve Him or suffer for Him. He is indeed just and right; for HE will effectually take care that none shall lose by HIM.

Now what a bright and amiable idea does this one verse give us of the EL whom we worship; and what reason have we then to love HIM and fear HIM, to live a life of delight in HIM, dependence on יהוה, and devotedness to YAHVEH! This is our rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him; or can there be, Ps. 92:15.”

Deu 32:5 “A twisted and crooked generation has corrupted itself, their blemish, they are not His children.” – “A high charge exhibited against the Yisrael of YAHVEH, whose character was in all respects the reverse of that of the El of Yisrael.

They have corrupted themselves. Or, Yisrael had corrupted itself; the body of the people has: the whole head sick, and the whole heart faint. EL YAHVEH did not corrupt them, for just and right is HE; but they are themselves the sole authors of their own sin and ruin; and both are included in this word. They have debauched themselves; for every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust. And they have destroyed themselves, Hos. 13:9. If you scorns, you alone shall bear the guilt and grief, Prov. 9:12.

Their spot is not the spot of HIS children. Even YAH’s children have their spots, while they are in this imperfect state; for if we say we have no sin, no spot, we deceive ourselves. But the sin of Yisrael was none of those; it was not an infirmity which they strove against, watched and prayed against, but an evil which their hearts were fully set in them to do.

They were a perverse and crooked generation, that were actuated by a spirit of contradiction, and therefore would do what was forbidden because it was forbidden, they would set up their own humor and fancy in opposition to the Will of EL YAHVEH, they were impatient of reproof, they hated to be reformed, and they went on forwardly in the way of their heart. They have scattered or changed themselves, and not him, even the children that served idols, a generation that has depraved its own works, and alienated itself.

Idolaters cannot harm EL YAHVEH, nor do any damage to HIS works, nor make HIM a stranger to this world. See Job 35:6. All the harm they do is to themselves and their own works. Can we do YAHVEH any harm? That is, "Is YAHVEH the rock to be blamed for the evils that should befall Yisrael? No, His children are their blot,’’ that is, "All the evil that comes upon them is the fruit of their children’s wickedness; for the whole generation of them is crooked and perverse.’’ All that are ruined ruin themselves; they die because they will die.”

Deu 32:6 “Do you do this to יהוה , O foolish and unwise people? Is He not your Father, who bought you, Who created you and established you?” – “A pathetic expostulation with this provoking people for their ungratefulness: "Do you requite YAHVEH? Surely after this you will not be so disingenuous in your journey towards יהוה as you have been.’’

He reminds them of their obligations EL YAHVEH; it was given to them to serve HIM, and to cleave to HIM. He had been a Father to them, had begotten betroth them, fed them, carried them, nursed them, and borne their manners; and would they spurn at the bowels of a Father? He had bought them, had been at a vast expense of miracles to bring them out of Egypt, had given men for them, and people for their life, Isa. 43:4.

 "Is HE not our Father, thy OWNER, that has an incontestable propriety in thee?’’ and the ox know his owner. "He has made us, and brought us into being, established thee and kept thee in being; has he not done so?

Can you deny the betrothal you are under to יהוה, in consideration of the great things HE has done and designed for all of us?’’ Are not our obligations, as Messiyanic equally great and strong to our CREATOR who made us, our Redeemer that bought us, and our Sanctifier that has established us.

Therefore HE infers the evil of deserting ABBA YAHVEH and rebelling against HIM.  It was base on ingratitude: "Do you therefore require YAHVEH? Are these the returns you make HIM for all HIS favors to us? The powers we have from HIM willed we employ them against HIM?’’ See Mic. 6:3, 4; Jn. 10:32. This is such appalling villainy, as the entire world will cry shame of: call a man ungrateful, and you can call HIM no worse.

 It was abnormal madness: O foolish people and unwise! Fools and double fools! Who has bewitched you? Gal. 3:1. "Fools indeed, to disoblige one on whom you have such a necessary dependence! To forsake your own mercies for lying vanities!’’ All willful sinners, especially sinners in Yisrael, are the most unwise and the most ungrateful people in the world.”

Deu 32:7 “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations. Ask your father and let him show you, Your elders, and let them say to you: - “Moses, having in general represented EL YAHVEH to them as their great benefactor, whom they were bound in gratitude to observe and obey, in these verses gives particular instances of YAH’s kindness to them and concern for them.

Some instances were ancient, and for proof of them he appeals to the records: Remember the days of old; that is, "Keep in remembrance the history of those days, and of the wonderful providences of YAHVEH concerning the old world, and concerning your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; you will find a constant series of mercies attending them, and how long since things were working towards that which has now come to pass.’’

The authentic histories of ancient times are of singular use, and especially the history of the Assembly in its infancy, both the Torah and the Renew Covenant. Others were more modern, and for proof of them he appeals to their fathers and elders that were now alive and with them.

Parents must diligently teach their children, not only the Word of YAHVEH, HIS Laws (ch. 6:7), and the meaning of HIS ordinances (Ex. 12:26, 27), but HIS works also, and the methods of HIS providence. See Ps. 78:3, 4, 6, 7. And children should desire the knowledge of those things, which will be of use to engage them to their duty and to direct them in it.

 Deu 32:8 “When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, When He separated the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the peoples According to the number of the children of Yisra’ĕl. – “Three things points are elucidated upon as instances of YAH’s kindness to HIS people Yisrael, and strong obligations upon them never to forsake HIM:

The early designation of the land of Canaan for their inheritance; for herein it was a type and figure of our heavenly inheritance, that it was of old ordained and prepared in the Divine Counsels.

When the earth was divided among the sons of men, in the days of Peleg, after the flood, and each family had its lot, in which it must settle, and by degrees grow up into a nation, then EL YAHVEH had Yisrael in HIS Thoughts and in HIS Eye. For, designing this good land into which they were now going to be in due time an inheritance for them, HE ordered that the posterity of Canaan, rather than any other of the families then in being, should be planted there in the mean time, to keep possession, as it were, till Yisrael was ready for it, because those families were under the curse of Noah, by which they were condemned to servitude and ruin (Gen. 9:25), and therefore would be the more justly, honorably, easily, and effectually, rooted out, when the fullness of time should come that Yisrael should take possession.

 HE set the bounds of that people with an eye to the designed number of the children of Yisrael that they might have just as much as would serve their turn. And some observe that Canaan himself, and his eleven sons (Gen. 10:15, etc.), make up just the number of the twelve tribes of Yisrael.

 

The Wisdom of YAHVEH has appointed the bounds of men’s habitation, and determined both the place and time of our living in the world, Acts 17:26. When HE gave the earth to the children of men (Ps. 115:16), it was not that every man might catch as HE could; no, HE divides to nations their inheritance, and will have everyone to know HIS own, and not to invade another’s property.

Infinite wisdom has a vast reach, and designs beforehand what is brought to pass long after. Known unto EL YAHVEH are all his works from the beginning to the end (Acts 15:18), but they are not so to us, Eccl. 3:11.

The great Elohim, in governing the world, and ordering the affairs of states and kingdoms, has a special regard to HIS Assembly and people, and consults their good in all. See 2 Chr. 16:9, and Isa. 45:4.

The Canaanites Thought they had as good and sure a title to their land as any of their neighbors had to theirs; but YAH intended that they should only be tenants, till the Yisraelites, their landlords, came. As the rebellious angels in the Heavens are merely squatters until we reach maturity, and receive our inheritance.

Therefore, EL YAHVEH serves HIS own purposes of kindness to HIS people, by those that neither know יהוה nor love HIM, who mean not so, neither doth their heart think so, Isa. 10:7; Mic. 4:12.”

Deu 32:9 “For the portion of יהוה  is HIS  people, Yaʽaqoḇ HIS allotted inheritance. – “The reason given for the particular care that EL YAHVEH took for this people, so long before they were either born or Thought of (as I may say), in our world, does yet more magnify the kindness, and make it obliging beyond expression: For YAHVEH’s portion is HIS people. The entire world is HIS as all the Heavens also.

HE is owner and possessor of heaven and earth, but His Assembly is HIS in a peculiar manner. It is HIS demesne, HIS vineyard, HIS garden enclosed. He has a particular delight in it: it is the beloved of HIS soul, in it HE walks, HE dwells, it is HIS rest forever.

HE has a particular concern for it, keeps it as the apple of HIS eye. HE has particular expectations from it, as a man has from HIS portion, has a much greater rent of honor, glory, and worship, from that distinguished remnant, than from all the world besides.

That EL YAHVEH should be the portion of HIS people ONE who is easy to be accounted for, for HE is their joy and felicity; but how they should be HIS portion, who neither needs them nor can be benefited by them, must be resolved into the wondrous condescension’s of free grace. Even so, Father, because it seemed good in thy eyes so to call and to account them.

The forming of them into a people that they might be fit to enter upon this inheritance, like an heir of age, at the time appointed of the Father. And herein also Canaan was a figure of the heavenly inheritance; for, as it was from eternity proposed and designed for all YAH’s spiritual Yisrael, so they are, in time (and it is a work of time), fitted and made meet for it, Col. 1:12.

The deliverance of Yisrael out of slavery, by the destruction of their oppressors, was attended with so many wonders obvious to sense, and had been so often spoken of, that it needed not to be mentioned in this song; but the gracious works YAHVEH wrought upon them would be less taken notice of than the glorious works HE had wrought for them, and therefore HE chooses rather to advert to them. A great deal was done to model this people, to cast them into some shape, and to fit them for the great things designed for them in the land of promise; and it is here most elegantly described.”

Deu 32:10 “He found him in a wilderness, And in a wasted, howling desert. He encompassed him, He made him understand, He watched over him as the apple of His eye. – “He found him in a desert land. This refers, no doubt, to the wilderness through which EL YAHVEH brought them to Canaan, and in which he took so much pains in their spiritual development; it is called the Assembly in the wilderness, Acts 7:38.

There it was born, and nursed, and educated, that all might appear to be divine and from the Heavens since they had no communication with any part of this earth either for food or learning. But, because He is said to find them there, it seems designed also to represent both the bad state and the bad character of that people when YAHVEH began first to appear for them.

Their condition was sad. Egypt was to them a desert land, and a waste wilderness, for they were bond-slaves in it, and cried by reason of their oppression, and was perfectly bewildered and at a loss for relief; there YAHVEH found them, and thence he fetched them.

Their disposition was very unpromising. So ignorant were the generality of them in divine things, so stupid and unapt to receive the impressions of them, so peevish and humor some, so forward and quarrelsome, and withal so strangely addicted to the idolatries of Egypt, that they might well be said to be found in a desert land.

For one might reasonably expect a crop of corn from a barren wilderness as any good fruit of service to YAHVEH from a people of such a character. Those that are renewed and sanctified by grace should often remember what they were by nature.

YAHVEH led him about and instructed him. When YAHVEH had them in the wilderness He did not bring them directly to Canaan, but made them go a series of experience, so that He may instructed them; that is, by this way YAHVEH took time to instruct them, and gave them commandments as they were able to receive them.

Those whose business it is to instruct others must not expect it will be done instantaneously; learners must have time to learn. By this means YAHVEH tested their understanding, knowledge and wisdom of the instruction given to them. He tried their faith, and patience, and dependence upon YAHVEH, HE trained them with the hardships of the wilderness, and so instructed them spiritually, such as how to keep the Sabbath, with the example of the Manna.

Every stage of their journey had something in it that was instructive; even when He chastened them, He taught them HIS Law. It is said (Ps. 107:7) that HE led them forth by the right way;. and yet here that HE led them about; for YAHVEH always leads HIS people the right way; however, to us it may seem roundabout: so that the furthest way proves, if not the nearest way, yet the best way home to Canaan.

How YAHVEH instructed them is explained long after (Neh. 9:13), and gave them right judgments and true laws, good statutes, and commandments; and especially, YAHVEH grave them also HIS good Spirit to instruct them; and HE instructs effectually. We may well imagine how unfit that people would have been for Canaan if they had not first gone through the discipline of the wilderness.

He kept them as the apple of His eye, with all the care and tenderness that could be, from the evil influences of an open sky and air, and all the perils of an inhospitable desert. The pillar of cloud and fire was both a guide and a guard to them.”

Deu 32:11 “As an eagle stirs up its nest, Flutters over its young, Spreading out its wings, taking them up, Bearing them on its wings. – “He did that for them which the eagle does for her nest of young ones. The similitude was touched, Ex. 19:4, I bore you on eagles’ wings; here it is enlarged upon.

The eagle is observed to have a strong affection for her young, and to show it, not only as other creatures by protecting them and making provision for them, but by educating them and teaching them to fly. For this purpose she stirs them out of the nest where they lie dozing, flutters over them, to show them how they must use their wings, and then accustoms them to fly upon her wings till they have learnt to fly upon their own.

This, by the way, is an example to parents to train up their children in business, and not to indulge them in idleness and the love of ease gain. YAHVEH did thus to Yisrael; when they were in love with their slavery, and loath to leave it, YAHVEH, by Moses, stirred them up to seek after liberty, and many a time kept them from returning to the house of bondage. He carried them out of Egypt, led them into the wilderness, and now at length had led them through it.”

Deu 32:12 “יהוה  alone led him, And there was no strange mighty one with him. – “YAHVEH alone did lead Them, HE needed not any assistance, nor did HE take any to be partner with HIM in the achievement, which was a good reason why they should serve YAHVEH only and no other, so much as in partnership, much less in rival  with HIM. There was no strange YAHVEH with Him to contribute to Yisrael’s salvation, and therefore there should be none to share in Yisrael’s homage and adoration, Ps. 81:9.”

Deu 32:13 “He made him ride in the heights of the earth, And he ate the fruit of the fields, And He made him to draw honey from the rock, And oil from the flinty rock, – “The settling of them in a good land. This was done in part already, in the happy settling of the two tribes and a half, an earnest of what would speedily and certainly be done for the rest of the tribes.

They were blessed with glorious victories over their enemies: He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that is, YAHVEH brought them on with conquest, and brought them home with triumph. They rode over the high places or strong holds that were kept against them, sat in ease and honor upon the fruitful hills of Canaan.

In Egypt they looked mean, and were so, in poverty and disgrace; but in Canaan they looked great, and were so, advanced and enriched; they rode in state, as a people whom the King of kings delighted to honor.

With great plenty of all good things. Not only the ordinary increase of the field, but, which was uncommon, Honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock, which may refer either. To their miraculous supply of fresh water out of the rock that followed them in the wilderness, which is called honey and oil, because the necessity they were reduced to made it as sweet and acceptable as honey and oil at another time.  To the great abundance of honey and oil they should find in Canaan, even in those parts that were least fertile”

Deu 32:14 “Curds from the cattle, And milk of the flock, With fat of lambs, And rams of the breed of Bashan, And goats, with the choicest wheat; And you drank wine, the blood of the grapes. – “The rocks in Canaan should yield a better increase than the fields and meadows of other countries. Other productions of Canaan are mentioned. Such abundance and such variety of wholesome food (and everything the best in its kind) that every meal might be a feast if they pleased.

Excellent bread made of the best corn, called the kidneys of the wheat (for a grain of wheat is not unlike a kidney), butter and milk in abundance, the flesh of cattle well fed, and for their drink, no worse than the pure blood of the grape; so indulgent a Father was EL YAHVEH to them, and so kind a benefactor.

The abundance of good things in Canaan to be a illustration of the fruitfulness of Messiyanic kingdom, and the heavenly comforts of his word and Spirit: for the children of his kingdom he has butter and milk, the sincere milk of the word; and strong meat for strong men, with the wine that makes glad the heart.”

Deu 32:15 “But Yeshurun grew fat and kicked; You grew fat, you grew thick, You are covered with fat; So he forsook Eloah who made him, And scorned the Rock of his deliverance. – “We have a description of the apostasy of Yisrael from YAHVEH, which would shortly come to pass, and to which already they had a disposition. One would have Thought that a people under so many obligations to their EL, in duty, gratitude, and interest, would never have turned from him; but, alas! They turned aside quickly. Here are two great instances of their wickedness, and each of them amounted to an apostasy from YAH:

Security and sensuality, pride and insolence, and the other common abuses of plenty and prosperity. These people were called Jeshurun, an upright people (so some), a seeing people, so others say: but they soon lost the reputation both of their knowledge and of their righteousness; for, being well-fed, they waxed fat, and grew thick, that is, they indulged themselves in all manner of luxury and gratifications of their appetites, as if they had nothing to do but to make provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts of it. They grew fat, that is, they grew big and unwieldy, unmindful of business, and unfit for it; dull and stupid, careless and senseless; and this was the effect of their plenty. Thus the prosperity of fools destroys them, Prov. 1:32. Yet this was not the worst of it.

 They kicked; they grew proud and insolent, and lifted up the heel even against EL YAHVEH himself. If YAHVEH rebuked them, either by His prophets or by His providence, they kicked against the goad, as an untamed heifer, or a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke, and in their rage persecuted the prophets, and flew in the face of providence itself. And thus we forsook YAHVEH that made us (not paying due respect to our creator, nor answering the ends of his creation), and put an intolerable contempt upon the rock of his salvation, as if we were not indebted to him for any past favors, nor had any dependence upon him for the future.

Those that make a god of themselves and a god of their bellies, in pride and debauchery, and cannot bear to be told of it, certainly will forsake EL YAHVEH and show how lightly they esteem HIM.”

Deu 32:16 “They moved Him to jealousy with foreign matters, With abominations they provoked Him. – “Idolatry was the great instance of their apostasy, and which the former led them to, as it made them sick of their religion, self-willed, and fond of changes.

What sort of gods they chose and offered sacrifice to, when they forgot the Name of the Elohim that made them. This aggravated their sin that those very services which they should have done to the true Elohim they did, to strange gods, that could not pretend to have done them any kindness, or laid them under any obligation to them, gods that they had no knowledge of, nor could expect any benefit by, for they were strangers. Or they are called strange gods, because they were other than the one only true Elohim, to whom they were betrothed and ought to have been faithful!”

Deu 32:17 “They slaughtered to demons – not Eloah – Mighty ones they did not know, New ones who came lately, Which your fathers did not fear. – “To new gods, that came newly up; for even in religion, the antiquity of which is one of its honors, vain minds have strangely affected novelty, and, in contempt of the Ancient of days, have been fond of new gods. A new god! Can there be a more monstrous absurdity? Would we find the right way to rest, we must ask for the good old way, Jer. 6:16.

It was true their fathers had worshiped other gods (Jos. 24:2), and perhaps it had been some little excuse if the children had returned to them; but to serve new gods whom their fathers feared not, and to like them the better for being new, was to open a door to endless idolatries. They were such as were no gods at all, but mere counterfeits and pretenders; their names the invention of men’s fancies, and their images the work of men’s hands.

They were devils. So far from being Elohim, fathers and benefactors to mankind, they really were destroyers (so the word signifies), such as aimed to do mischief. If there were any spirits or invisible powers that possessed their idol-temples and images, they were evil spirits and malignant powers, whom yet they did not need to worship for fear they should hurt them, as they say the Indians do; for those that faithfully worship EL YAHVEH are out of the devil’s reach: nay, the devil can destroy those only that sacrifice to him. How mad are idolaters, who forsake the rock of salvation to run themselves upon the rock of perdition.”

Deu 32:18 “You neglected the Rock who brought you forth, And forgot the Ěl who fathered you. – “What a great affront this was to YAHVEH their EL. It was justly interpreted a forgetting of him: Of the Rock that begat thee You are unmindful. Mindfulness of EL YAHVEH would prevent sin, but, when the world is served and the flesh indulged, YAHVEH is forgotten; and can anything be more base and unworthy than to forget the Name of the Elohim that is the author of our being, by whom we subsist, and in whom we live and move? And see what comes of it, Isa. 17:10, 11.

Because we hast forgotten the Name of the Elohim of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the Rock of thy strength, Though the strange slips be pleasant plants at first, yet the harvest at last will be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow. There is nothing to be gain by forgetting EL YAHVEH.

 It was justly resented as an inexcusable offence: They provoked HIM to jealousy and to anger verse 16, for their idols were abominations to him. See here YAH’s displeasure against idols, whether they be set up in the heart or in the sanctuary. He is jealous of them, as rivals with HIM for the throne in the heart.

 He hates them, as enemies to HIS crown and government. HE is, and will be, very angry with those that have any respect or affection for them. Those consider not what they do that provoke YAHVEH; for who knows the power of HIS anger?”

Deu 32:19 “And יהוה  saw, and despised, Because of the provocation of His sons and His daughters. – “The method of this song follows the method of the predictions in the foregoing chapter, and therefore, after the revolt of Yisrael from YAH, described in the foregoing verses, here follow immediately the resolves of divine Justice concerning them; we deceive ourselves if we think that EL YAHVEH will be mocked by a foolish faithless people, that play fast and loose with HIM.

YAHVEH had delighted in them, but now HE would reject them with detestation and disdain able practices. When YAHVEH saw their treachery, and folly, and base ingratitude, HE abhorred them, He despised them, so some read it. Sin makes us odious in the sight of the Holy Elohim; and no sinners are so loathsome to HIM as those that HE has called, and that have called themselves, HIS sons and HIS daughters, and yet have been provoking to HIM.

The nearer anyone is to EL YAHVEH in professing HIS Name, the more repulsive are they to HIM if they are defiled in a sinful way, Ps. 106:39, 40.”

Deu 32:20 “And He said, ‘Let Me hide My face from them, Let Me see what their end is, For they are a perverse generation, Children in whom there is no trusting. – “HE had given them the tokens of His presence with them and His favor to them; but now He would withdraw and hide His face from them.

ABBA YAHVEH hiding HIS face signifies HIS great displeasure; they had turned their back upon HIM, and now YAHVEH would turn HIS back upon them (compare Jer. 18:17 with Jer. 2:27); but here it denotes also the slowness of YAH’s proceedings against them in a way of judgment.

They began in their apostasy with omissions of good, and so proceeded to commissions of evil. In like manner YAHVEH will first suspend HIS favors, and let them see what the issue of that will be, what a friend they lose when they provoke YAHVEH to depart, and will try whether this will bring them to repentance. Thus we find YAH hiding himself, as it were, in expectation of the event, Isa. 57:17. To justify Himself in leaving them He shows that they were such as there was no dealing with; for, they were forward and a people that could not be pleased, or obstinate in sin, and that could not be convinced and reclaimed.

They were faithless, and a people that could not be trusted. When HE saved them, and took them into covenant, He said, Surely they are children that will not lie (Isa. 63:8); but when they proved otherwise, children in whom is no faith, they deserved to be abandoned, and that the EL of Truth should have no more to do with them.”

Deu 32:21 “They made Me jealous by what is not Ěl, They provoked Me with their worthless matters. But I make them jealous by those who are no people, I provoke them with a foolish nation. – “He had done everything to make life easy and to please them, but now He would do that against them which should be most vexatious to them. The punishment here answers the sin.

They had provoked YAHVEH with despicable deities which were not gods at all, but vanities, creatures of their own imagination, that could not pretend either to merit or to repay the respects of their worshipers; the more vain and vile the gods were after which they went a whoring the greater was the offence to that great and good Elohim whom they set them up in competition with and contradiction to. This put two great evils into their idolatry, Jer. 2:13.

 YAHVEH would therefore plague them with despicable enemies, that were worthless, weak, and inconsiderable, and not deserving the name of a people, which was a great mortification to them, and aggravated the oppression they groaned under.

The more base the people were that tyrannized over them the more barbarous they would be (none was so insolent as a beggar on horseback), besides that it would be infamous to Yisrael, who had so often triumphed over great and mighty nations, to be themselves trampled upon by the weak and foolish, and to come under the curse of Canaan, who was to be a servant of servants.

But YAHVEH can make the weakest instrument a scourge to the strongest sinner; and those that by sin insult their might Creator are justly insulted by the meanest of their fellow-creatures.

His was remarkably fulfilled in the days of the judges, when they were sometimes oppressed by the very Canaanites themselves, whom they had subdued, Jdg. 4:2. But the apostle applies it to the conversion of the Gentiles, who had been a people not in covenant with YAHVEH, and foolish in divine things, yet were brought into the church, sorely to the grief of the Jews, who upon all occasions showed a great indignation at it, which was both their sin and their punishment, as envy always is, Rom. 10:19.”

Deu 32:22 “For a fire was kindled in My wrath And burns to the bottom of She’ol, And consumes the earth and its increase, And sets on fire the foundations of mountains. – “He had planted them in a good land, and replenished them with all good things; but now HE would strip them of all their comforts, and bring them to ruin. The judgments threatened are very terrible, verse 22–25.

 The fire of YAH’s anger shall consume them. Are they proud of their plenty? It shall burn up the increase of the earth. Are they confident of their strength? It shall destroy the very foundations of their mountains: there is no fence against the judgments of YAHVEH when they come with commission to lay all waste.

It shall burn to the lowest hell, that is, it shall bring them to the very depth of misery in this world, which yet would be but a faint resemblance of the complete and endless misery of sinners in the other world. The damnation of hell (as our Savior calls it) is the fire of YAH’S anger, fastening upon the guilty conscience of a sinner, to its inexpressible and everlasting torment, Isa. 30:33.”

Deu 32:23 “I gather evils upon them, I use up My arrows upon them. – “The arrows of YAH’s judgments shall be spent upon them, till his quiver is quite exhausted, verse 23. The judgments of Yah, like arrows, fly swiftly (Ps. 64:7), reaching those at a distance who flatter themselves with hopes of escaping them, Ps. 21:8, 12.

They come from an unseen hand, but wound mortally, for YAHVEH never misses his mark, 1 Ki. 22:34. The particular judgments here threatened are. Famine: they shall be burnt, or parched, with hunger. These are the laws that are against, us. As the arrow of warfare flew against the enemy, so the wrath of YAHVEH will be against His people.”

Deu 32:24 “Wasted by scarcity of food, and consumed by heat and bitter destruction, and the teeth of beasts I send upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust. – “Pestilence and other diseases, here called burning heat and bitter destruction. The insults of the inferior creatures: the teeth of beasts and the poison of serpents,”

Deu 32:25 “The sword bereaves from the outside, and fear from within, both young man and maiden, Nursing child with the man of grey hairs. – “War and the fatal consequences of it.  Perpetual frights. When the sword is without, there cannot but be terror within. 2 Co. 7:5, without were fighting’s, within were fears. Those who did not develop the fear of YAHVEH are justly exposed to the fear of enemies.

Universal deaths. The sword of YAHVEH, when it is sent to lay all waste, will destroy without distinction; neither the strength of the young man nor the beauty of the virgin, neither the innocence of the suckling nor the gravity or infirmity of the man of gray hairs, will be their security from the sword when it devours one as well as another.”

Deu 32:26 “I said, ‘I should blow them away, I should make the remembrance of them To cease from among men, – “After many terrible threatening of deserved wrath and vengeance, we have here surprising intimations of mercy, undeserved mercy, which rejoices against judgment, and by which it appears that YAHVEH has no pleasure in the death of sinners, but would rather they should turn and live.”

Deu 32:27 ‘If I did not fear the enemy’s taunt, lest their adversaries misunderstand, lest they say, “Our hand is high, and יהוה has not done all this. – “In jealousy for HIS own honor, YAHVEH will not make a full end of them. It cannot be denied that they deserved to be utterly ruined, and that their remembrance should be made to cease from among men, so that the name of an Yisraelite should never be known but in history; for they were a nation void of counsel, the most foolish inconsiderate people that ever were, that would not believe the gory of YAHVEH, Though they saw it, nor understand His loving kindness, Though they tasted it and lived upon it.

Of those who could cast off such a Elohim, such a law, such a covenant, for vain and dunghill-deities, it might truly be said, there is no understanding in them.

It would have been an easy thing with YAHVEH to ruin them and blot out the remembrance of them; when the greatest part of them were cut off by the sword, it was but scattering the remnant into some remote obscure corners of the earth, where they should never have been heard of any more, and the thing had been done. See Eze. 5:12. YAHVEH can destroy those that are most strongly fortified, disperse those that are most closely united, and bury those names in perpetual oblivion that have been most celebrated.

Justice demanded it: I said I would scatter them. It is fit those should be cut off from the earth that have cut themselves off from their EL YAHVEH; why should they not be dealt with according to their deserts? Wisdom considered the pride and insolence of the enemy, which would take occasion from the ruin of a people that had been so dear to YAHVEH, and for whom he had done such great things, to reflect upon YAHVEH and to imagine that because they had got the better of Yisrael they had carried the day against the Elohim of Yisrael: The adversaries will say, Our hand is high, high indeed, when it has been too high for those whom YAHVEH himself fought for; nor will they consider that YAHVEH has done all this, but will dream that they have done it in despite of him, as if the Elohim of Yisrael were as weak and impotent, and as easily run down, as the pretended deities of other nations.

In consideration of this, Mercy prevails for the sparing of a remnant and the saving of that unworthy people from utter ruin: I feared the wrath of the enemy. It is an expression after the manner of men; it is certain that YAHVEH fears no man’s wrath, but he acted in this matter as if he had feared it.

Those few good people in Yisrael that had a concern for the honor of YAH’s name feared the wrath of the enemy in this instance more than in any other, as Joshua (Jos. 7:9), and David often; and, because they feared it, YAHVEH himself is said to fear it. He needed not Moses to plead it with him, but reminded himself of it: What will the Egyptians say?

Let all those whose hearts tremble for the Ark of YAHVEH and HIS Yisrael comfort themselves with this, that YAHVEH will work for HIS own name, and will not suffer it to be profaned and polluted: how much so ever we deserve to be disgraced, YAHVEH will never disgrace the throne of his glory.”

Deu 32:28 “For they are a nation lost to counsel, And there is no understanding in them. – “This verse depict a people who had their Menorah lit, however there light have gone out. The Spirit of YAHVEH shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of YAHVEH.”

Deu 32:29 “If they were wise, They would understand this, They would consider their latter end! – “In concern for their welfare, he earnestly desires their conversion; and, in order to that, their serious consideration of their latter end.

Though YAHVEH had pronounced them a foolish people and of no understanding, yet he wishes they were wise, as Deu. 5:29, O that there were such a heart in them! and Ps. 94:8, You fools, when will you be wise? YAHVEH delights not to see sinners ruin themselves, but desires they will help themselves; and, if they will, He is ready to help them.

It is a great piece of wisdom, and will contribute much to the return of sinners to יהוה, seriously to consider the latter end, or the future state. It meant particularly of that which YAHVEH by Moses had foretold concerning this people in the latter days: but it may be applied more generally. We ought to understand and consider. The latter end of life, and the future state of the soul.

To think of death as our removal from a world of sense to a world of spirits, the final period of our state of trial and probation, and our entrance upon an unchangeable state of recompense and retribution.

The latter end of sin, and the future state of those that live and die in it. O that men would consider the happiness they will lose, and the misery they will certainly plunge themselves into, if they go on still in their trespasses, what will be in the end thereof, Jer. 5:31. Yerushalayim forgot this, and therefore came down wonderfully, Lam. 1:9.”

Deu 32:30 “How would one chase a Thousand, And two put ten Thousand to flight, Unless their Rock had sold them, And יהוה  had given them up? – “He calls to mind the great things YAH had done for them formerly, as a reason why He should not quite cast them off. This seems to be the meaning of that "How should one Yisraelite have been too hard for a Thousand Canaanites, as they have been many a time, but that YAHVEH, who is greater than all Elohim, fought for them!’’ And so it corresponds with that, Isa. 63:10, 11. When he was turned to be their enemy, as here, and fought against them for their sins, then he remembered the days of old, saying, where are he that brought them out of the sea?”

Deu 32:31 “For their rock is not like our Rock – Even our enemies are judges. – “So here, his arm begins to awake as in the days of old against the wrath of the enemy, Ps. 138:7. There was a time when the enemies of Yisrael were sold by their own rock, that is, their own idol-gods, who could not help them, but betrayed them, because Jehovah, the Elohim of Yisrael, had shut them up as sheep for the slaughter.”

Deu 32:32 “Their vine is of the vine of Sedom And of the fields of Amorah; Their grapes are grapes of gall, Their clusters are bitter. – “For the enemies themselves must own that their gods were a very unequal match for the EL of Yisrael. For their vine is of the vine of Sodom.

This must be meant of the enemies of Yisrael, who fell so easily before the sword of Yisrael because they were ripe for ruin, and the measure of their iniquity was full. Yet these verses may be understood of the strange prevalence of the enemies of Yisrael against them, when YAHVEH made use of them as the rod of his anger, Isa. 10:5, 6.

"How should one Canaanite chase a Thousand Yisraelites’’ (as it is threatened against those that trust to Egypt for help, Isa. 30:17, One Thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one) "unless Yisrael’s rock had deserted them and given them up.’’

For otherwise, however they may impute their power to their gods (Hab. 1:11), as the Philistines imputed their victory to Dagon, it is certain the enemies’ rock could not have prevailed against the rock of Yisrael; YAHVEH would soon have subdued their enemies (Ps. 81:14), but that the wickedness of Yisrael delivered them into their hands.”

Deu 32:33 “Their wine is the poison of serpents, And the fierce venom of cobras. – “For their vine, that is, Yisrael’s, is of the vine of Sodom. They were planted a choice vine, wholly a right seed, but by sin had become the degenerate plant of a strange vine (Jer. 2:21), and not only transcribed the iniquity of Sodom, but outdid it, Eze. 16:48. YAHVEH called them יהוה vineyard, HIS pleasant plant, Isa. 5:7.

But their fruits were. Very offensive, and displeasing to Him, bitter as gall. Very malignant and pernicious one to another, like the cruel venom of asps. Some understand this of their punishment; their sin would be bitterness in the latter end (2 Sa. 2:26), it would bite like a serpent and sting like an adder, Job 20:14, Prov. 23:32.

He resolves upon the destruction of those at last that had been their persecutors and oppressors. When the cup of trembling goes round, the king of Babel shall pledge it at last, Jer. 25:26, and see Isa. 51:22, 23. The day is coming when the judgment that began at the house of God shall end with the sinner and ungodly, 1 Pt. 4:17, 18. YAHVEH will in due time bring down the church’s enemies.”

Deu 32:34 ‘Is it not stored up with Me, Sealed up among My treasures? – “In displeasure against their wickedness, which YAHVEH takes notice of, and keeps an account of. "Is not this implacable fury of theirs against Yisrael laid up in store with me, to be reckoned for hereafter, when it shall be made to appear that to me belongs vengeance?’’

Some understand it of the sin of Yisrael, especially their persecuting the prophets, which was laid up in store against them from the blood of righteous Abel, Mt. 23:35. However it teaches us that the wickedness of the wicked is all laid up in store with YAHVEH.

יהוה observes it, Ps. 90:8. He knows both what the vine is and what the grapes are, what is the temper of the mind and what the actions of life are.

יהוה keeps a record of it both in his own omniscience and in the sinner’s conscience; and this is sealed up among his treasures, which denotes both safety and secrecy: these books cannot be lost, nor will they be opened till the great day. See Hos. 13:12.

HE often delays the punishment of sin for a great while; it is laid up in store, till the measure be full, and the day of divine patience has expired. See Job 21:28–30.”

The thing itself will certainly be done, for the YAHVEH is a EL to whom vengeance belongs, and therefore he will repay, Isa. 59:18. This is quoted by the apostle to show the severity of YAH’s wrath against those that revolt from the faith of Messiyah, Heb. 10:30.

It will be done in due time, in the best time; nay, it will be done in a short time. The day of their calamity is at hand; and, though it may seem to tarry, it lingers not; it slumbers not, but makes haste. In one hour, shall the judgment of Babylon come.”

Deu 32:36 “For יהוה rightly rules His people and has compassion on His servants, when He sees that their power is gone, and there is no one remaining, shut up or at large. – “YAHVEH will show compassion to his own people, who, Though they had greatly provoked him, yet stood in relation to him, and their misery appealed to his mercy: The HE shall judge his people, that is, judge for them against their enemies, plead their cause, and break the yoke of oppression under which they had long groaned, repenting himself for his servants; not changing his mind, but changing his way, and fighting for them, as he had fought against them, when he sees that their power is gone.

This plainly points at the deliverance EL YAHVEH wrought for Yisrael by the judges out of the hands of those to whom he had sold them for their sins (see Jdg. 2:11–18), and how his soul was grieved for the misery of Yisrael (Jdg. 10:16), and this when they were reduced to the last extremity.

YAHVEH helped them when they could not help themselves; for there was none shut up or left; that is, none that dwelt either in cities or walled towns, in which they were shut up, nor any that dwelt in scattered houses in the country, in which they were left at a distance from neighbors.

YAH’s time to appear for the deliverance of his people is when things are at the worst with them. YAHVEH tries HIS people’s faith, and stirs up prayer, by letting things go to the worst, and then magnifies his own power, and fills the faces of his enemies with shame and the hearts of his people with so much the greater joy, by rescuing them out of extremity as brands out of the burning.”

Deu 32:37 “And He shall say, ‘Where are their mighty”gods” ones, The rock in whom they sought refuge? – “He will do it in contempt and to the reproach of idol-gods. Where are their gods? Two ways it may be understood: That YAHVEH would do that for his people, which the idols they had served could, not do for them. They had forsaken EL YAHVEH, and been very liberal in their sacrifices to idols, had brought to their altars the fat of their sacrifices and the wine of their drink-offerings, which they supposed their deities to feed upon and on which they feasted with them.

"Now,’’ says YAHVEH, "will these gods you have made your court to, at so great an expense, help you in your distress, and so repay you for all your charges in their service? Go get you to the gods you have served, and let them deliver you, Jdg. 10:14.

This is intended to convince them of their folly in forsaking an ELOHIM that could help them for a gods that could not, and so to bring them to repentance and qualify them for deliverance. When the adulteress shall follow after her lovers and not overtake them, pray to her idols and receive no kindness from them, then she shall say I will go and return to my first husband, Hos. 2:7. See Isa. 16:12; Jer. 2:27, 28.

Deu 32:38 ‘Who ate the fat of their slaughterings, and drank the wine of their drink offering? Let them arise and help you, let it be a hiding-place for you! – “That YAHVEH would do that against his enemies which the idols they had served could not save them from, Sennacherib and Nebuchadnezzar boldly challenged the EL of Yisrael to deliver HIS worshipers (Isa. 37:10; Dan. 3:15), and HE did deliver them, to the confusion of their enemies.

But the ELOHIM of Yisrael challenged Bel and Nebo to deliver their worshipers, to rise up and help them, and to be their protection (Isa. 47:12, 13); but they were so far from helping them that they themselves, that is, their images, which was all that was of them, went into captivity, Isa. 46:1, 2. Those who trust to any rock but YAHVEH will find it sand in the day of their distress; it will fail them when they most need it.”

Deu 32:39 ‘See now that I, I am He, and there is no Elohim besides Me. I put to death and I make alive. I have wounded, and I heal. And from My hand no one delivers! – “This conclusion of the song speaks three things:

Glory to EL YAHVEH. "See now upon the whole matter, that I, even I, am he. Learn this from the destruction of idolaters, and the inability of their idols to help them.’’ The great ELOHIM here demands the glory:

Of a self-existence: I, even I, am he. Thus Moses concludes with that name of EL YAHVEH by which HE was first made to know him (Ex. 3:14), "I am that I am. I am he that I have been, that I will be, that I have promised to be, that I have threatened to be; all shall find me true to my word.’’

The Targum of Uzzielides paraphrases it this way: When the Word of YAHVEH shall reveal itself to redeem HIS people, HE shall say to all people, See that I now am what I am, and have been, and I am what I will be, which we know very well how to apply to him who said to John, I am he who is, and was, and is to come, Rev. 1:8.

These words, I even I, am he, we meet with often in those chapters of Isaiah where YAHVEH is HE encouraging HIS people to hope for their deliverance out of Babylon, Isa. 41:4; 43:11, 13, 25, 46:4.

Of a sole supremacy of YAHVEH "There is no El but ME. None to help but ME, none to cope but ME.’’ See Isa. 43:10, 11.  Of an absolute sovereignty, a universal agency: I kill, and I make alive; that is, all evil and all good come from his hand to providence; he forms both the light of life and the darkness of death, Isa. 45:7; Lam. 3:37, 38. Or, He kills and wounds his enemies, but heals and makes alive his own people, kills and wounds with his judgments those that revolt from him and rebel against him; but, when they return and repent, he heals them, and makes them alive with his mercy and grace.

Or it denotes his incontestable authority to dispose of all his creatures, and the beings he has given them, so as to serve his own purposes by them: Whom YAHVEH will, HE slays, and whom HE will, HE will keeps alive, when his judgments are abroad. Or thus, Though he kill, yet he makes alive again: Though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion, Lam. 3:32. Though he have torn, he will heal us, Hos. 6:1, 2.

The Yerushalayim Targum reads it, I kill those that are alive in this world, and make those alive in the other world that is dead. And some of the Jewish doctors themselves have observed that death and a life after it, that is, eternal life, is intimated in these words.

Of an irresistible power, which cannot be controlled: Neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand those that I have marked for destruction? As no exception can be made against the sentence of YAH’S justice, so no escape can be made from the executions of his power.”

Deu 32:40 ‘for I lift My hand to the Heavens, And shall say: As I live forever, – “Terror to his enemies. Terror indeed to those that hate him, as all those do that serve other gods, that persist in willful disobedience to the divine law, and that malign and persecute his faithful servants.

These are those to whom YAHVEH will render vengeance, those HIS enemies that will not have HIM to reign over them. In order to alarm such a thing as repent and return to their allegiance, the wrath of YAH is revealed from the heavens against them.

The divine sentence is ratified with an oath: He lifts up his hand to heaven, the habitation of his holiness; this was an ancient and very significant sign used in swearing, Gen. 14:22. And, since HE could swear by no greater, HE swears by himself and his own life.

There are those that are miserable without remedy that have the word and oath of YAHVEH against them. YAHVEH hath sworn, and will not relent, that the sin of sinners shall be their ruin if they go on in it.

Deu 32:41 ‘If I have sharpened My flashing sword, And My hand takes hold on judgment, I shall return vengeance to My enemies, And repay those who hate Me. – “Preparation is made for the execution: The glittering sword is whet. See Ps. 7:12. It is a sword bathed in heaven, Isa. 34:5. While the sword is in whetting, space is given to the sinner to repent and make his peace, which, if he neglects, will render the wound the deeper. And, as the sword is wield, so the hand that is to wield it takes hold on judgment with a resolution to go through with it.”

Deu 32:42 ‘I make My arrows drunk with blood, And My sword devours flesh, With the blood of the slain and the captives, From the long-haired enemy chiefs.’ – “The execution itself will be very terrible: The sword shall devour flesh in abundance, and the arrows be made drunk with blood, such vast quantities of it shall be shed, the blood of the slain in battle, and of the captives, to whom no quarter shall be given, but who shall be put under military execution.

When he begins revenge he will make an end; for in this also his work is perfect. The critics are much perplexed with the last clause, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy. The learned bishop Patrick (that great master) thinks it may admit this reading, from the king to the slave of the enemies, Jer. 50:35–37. When the sword of YAH’S wrath is drawn it will make bloody work, blood to the horse-bridles, Rev. 14:20.”

Deu 32:43 “O nations, acclaim His people! For He avenges the blood of His servants, and returns vengeance to His adversaries, and shall pardon His land, His people.” – “Comfort to his own people: Rejoice, O you nations, with his people. He concludes the song with words of joy; for in YAH’s Yisrael there is a remnant whose end will be peace. YAH’s people will rejoice at last, will rejoice everlastingly. Three things are here mentioned as the matter of joy:

The enlarging of the Assembly bounds. The apostle applies the first words of this verse to the conversion of the Gentiles. Rom. 15:10, Rejoice you Gentiles with his people. See what the grace of YAHVEH does in the conversion of souls, it brings them to rejoice with the people of YAH; for true religion brings us acquainted with true joy, so great a mistake are those under that think it tends to make men melancholy.

The avenging of the Assemby’s controversies upon her adversaries. He will make inquisition for the blood of his servants, and it shall appear how precious it is to him; for those that spilt it shall have blood given them to drink.

The mercy EL YAHVEH has in store for HIS Assembly, and for all that belongs to it: HE will be merciful to HIS land, and to HIS people, that is, to all everywhere that fear and serve him. Whatever judgments are brought upon sinners, it shall go well with the people of YAH; in this let Jews and Gentiles rejoice together.”

Deu 32:44 Then Mosheh came, with Yahushua son of Nun, and spoke all the words of this song in the hearing of the people. – “Here is, the solemn delivery of this song to the children of Yisrael. Moses spoke it to as many as could hear him, while Joshua, in another assembly, at the same time, delivered it to as many as his voice would reach.

Thus coming to them from the mouth of both their governors, Moses who was laying down the government, and Joshua who was taking it up, they would see they were both in the same mind, and that, Though they changed their commander, there was no change in the divine command; Joshua, as well as Moses, would be a witness against them if ever they forsook YAHVEH.

An earnest charge to them to mind these and all the rest of the good words that Moses had said to them. How earnestly does he long after them all, how very desirous that the Word of YAHVEH might make deep and lasting impressions upon them, how jealous over them with a godly jealousy, lest they should at any time let slip these great things!”

Deu 32:45 And when Mosheh ended speaking all these words to all Yisra’ĕl, – “The duties Moses charges upon them are, Carefully to attend to these themselves: "Set your hearts both to the laws, and to the promises and threatening, the blessings and curses, and now at last to this song. Let the mind be closely applied to the consideration of these things; be affected with them; be intent upon your duty, and cleave to it with full purpose of heart.”

Deu 32:46 he said to them, “Set your heart on all the words with which I warn you today, so that you command your children to guard to do all the Words of this Torah. – “Faithfully to transmit these things to those that should come after them: "What interest you have in your children, or influence upon them, use it for this purpose; and command them (as your father Abraham did, Gen. 18:19) to observe to do all the words of this law.’’ Those that are good themselves cannot but desire that their children may be so likewise, and that posterity may keep up religion in their day and the entail of it may not be cut off.”

When the spirit of Moses merged with the Spirit of יהוה, the Word became one, the full essence of Moses and the full Essence of יהוה. By the end of Moses life, it may very well that he has grown beyond relating to יהוה on a physical level and their Thought became one.

Deu 32:47 “For it is not a worthless Word for you, because it is your life, and by this Word you prolong your days on the soil which you pass over the Yardĕn to possess.” – “The arguments he uses to persuade them to make the pure religion their business and to persevere in it are:

The vast importance of the things themselves which he had charged upon them: "It is not a vain thing, because it is your life. It is not an indifferent thing, but of absolute necessity; it is not a trifle, but a matter of consequence, a matter of life and death; mind it, and you are made for ever; neglect it, and you are forever undone.’’ O those men were but fully persuaded of this, that religion is their life, even the life of their souls!

The vast advantage it would be off to them: Through this thing you shall prolong your days in Canaan, which is a typical promise of that eternal life which Messiyah has assured us those shall enter into that keep the commandments of EL YAHVEH, Mt. 19:17.”

Deu 32:48 And יהוה  spoke to Mosheh that same day, saying, – “Orders given to Moses concerning his death. Now that this renowned witness for YAHVEH had finished his testimony, he must go up to Mount Nebo and die; in the prophecy of Messiyah’s two witnesses there is a plain allusion to Moses and Elias (Rev. 11:6), and perhaps their removal, being by martyrdom, is no less glorious than the removal either of Moses or Elias. Orders were given to Moses that self-same day,”

Deu 32:49 “Go up this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Mo’ab, which is opposite Yeriḥo, and look at the land of Kenaan, which I give to the children of Yisra’ĕl as a possession, – “Now that he had done his work, why should he desire to live a day longer? He had indeed formerly prayed that he might go over Jordan, but now he is entirely satisfied, and, as YAHVEH had bidden him, said no more of that matter.”

Deu 32:50 and die on the mountain which you ascend, and be gathered to your people, as Aharon your brother died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people, – “Every HUMAN Must die on their own mountain. Whether it is 5 ft of 5,000 ft, the life we live will determine the size of our mountain.”

Deu 32:51 because you trespassed against Me in the midst of the children of Yisra’ĕl at the waters of Meribah Qadĕsh, in the Wilderness of Tsin, because you did not set Me apart in the midst of the children of Yisra’ĕl. – “YAHVEH here reminds him of the sin he had been guilty of, for which he was excluded Canaan, that he might the more patiently bear the rebuke because he had sinned, and that now he might renew his sorrow for that unadvised word.

It was an omission that was thus displeasing to EL YAHVEH; he did not sanctify YAHVEH, as he ought to have done, before the children of Yisrael, Moses as the leader did not carry himself with a due decorum in executing the orders he had then received.”

Deu 32:52 “For you are to look at the land before you, but not enter there, into the land which I am giving to the children of Yisra’ĕl.” – “He reminds him of the death of his brother Aaron, to make his own the more familiar and the less formidable.

It is a great encouragement to us, when we die, to think of our friends that have gone before us through that dark valley, especially of Yahushua our Messiyah, our elder brother, and great high priest.

He sends him up to a high hill, thence to take a view of the land of Canaan and then die. The remembrance of his sin might make death terrible, but the sight YAHVEH gave him of Canaan took off the terror of it, as it was a token of YAH’s being reconciled to him, and a plain indication to him that Though his sin shut him out of the earthly Canaan, yet it should not deprive him of that better country which in this world can only be seen, and that with an eye of faith.

Those may die with comfort and ease whenever YAHVEH calls for them (notwithstanding the sins they remember against themselves) who have a believing prospect and a well-grounded hope of eternal life beyond death.”

Haftarah

Second Samuel 22:1-51

It has often been the lot of YAH’s people to have many enemies, and to be in imminent danger of falling into their hands. David was a man after YAH’s heart, but not after men’s heart: many were those that hated him, and sought his ruin; Saul is particularly named, either.

As distinguished from his enemies of the heathen nations. Saul hated David, but David did not hate Saul, and therefore would not reckon him among his enemies; or, rather.

As the chief of his enemies, who was more malicious and powerful than any of them. Let not those whom YAHVEH loves marvel if the world hates them.

2Sa 22:1  Then Dawiḏ spoke to יהוה  the words of this song, on the day when יהוה  had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Sha’ul. – Those that trust YAHVEH in the way of duty shall find him a present help to them in their greatest dangers.

David did so. YAHVEH delivered him out of the hand of Saul. He takes special notice of this. Remarkable preservations should be mentioned in our praises with a particular emphasis. He delivered him also out of the hand of all his enemies, one after another, in more ways than one. David, from his own experience, has assured us that, Though many are the troubles of the righteous, yet YAHVEH delivers them out of them all, Ps. 34:19. We shall never be delivered from all our enemies till we get to heaven; and to that heavenly kingdom YAHVEH will preserve all that are his, 2 Tim. 4:18.

Those that have received many signal mercies from YAHVEH ought to give HIM the glory of them. Every new mercy in our hand should put a new song into our mouth, even praises to our Elohim.

Where there is a grateful heart, out of the abundance of that the mouth will speak. David spoke, not only to himself, for his own pleasure, not merely to those about him, for their instruction, but to YAHVEH, for HIS honor, the words of this song.

Then we sing with grace when we sing to the Lord. In distress he cried with his voice (Ps. 142:1), therefore with his voice he gave thanks. Thanksgiving to YAHVEH is the sweetest vocal music.

We ought to be speedy in our thankful returns to YAHVEH: In the day that YAHVEH delivered him he sang this song. While the mercy is fresh, and our devout affections are most excited by it, let the thank-offering be brought, that it may be kindled with the fire of those affections.

2Sa 22:2 And he said,יהוה  is my rock and my stronghold and my deliverer. - How he triumphs in the interest he has in YAHVEH, and his relation to HIM, which he lays down as the foundation of all the benefits he has received from him: He is my YAHVEH; as such he cries to him in verse 7, and cleaves to him as in verse 22; "and, if my EL, who is my rock’’ , that is, "my strength and my power as in verse 33, the rock under which I take shelter (he who is to me as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land), the rock on which I build my hope.’’ Whatever is my strength and support, it is the EL of my rock that makes it so; nay, he is the EL of the rock of my salvation as in verse 47: my saving strength is in YAHVEH and from HIM, David often hid himself in a rock (1 Sa. 24:2), but YAHVEH was his chief hiding-place.

"He is my fortress, in which I am safe and think myself so, my high tower, or stronghold, in which I am out of the reach of real evils, the tower of salvation in verse 51, which can never be sealed nor battered, nor undermined.

Salvation itself saves me. Am I in distress? He is my deliverer? HE is my shield, pursued? HE is my refuge, oppressed? HE is my savior that rescues me out of the hand of those that seek my ruin.

HE is the horn of my salvation, by which I am strongly protected, and my enemies are strongly pushed.’’ Messiyah is spoken of as the horn of salvation in the house of David, Lu. 1:69. "Am I burdened, and ready to sink?  YAHVEH is my staff as in verse 19, by whom I am supported. Am I in the dark, benighted, at a loss? You are my lamp, YAHVEH! To show me my way, and You will dispel my darkness,’’ as in verse 29. If we sincerely take YAHVEH for our EL, all this, and much more, HE will be to us, all we need and can desire.

2Sa 22:3 “My Elohim is my rock, I take refuge in Him, My shield and the horn of my deliverance, My high tower and my refuge. My Savior, You save me from violence. - What improvement he makes of his interest in YAHVEH. If he be mine. In him will I trust, that is, "I will resign myself to his direction, and then depend upon his power, and wisdom, and goodness, to conduct me well.’’

On him I will call in verse 4, for he is worthy to be praised. What we have found in YAHVEH that is worthy to be praised should engage us to pray to him and give glory to him. To him will I give thanks as in verse 50, and that publicly. When he was among the heathen he would neither be afraid nor ashamed to own his obligations to the EL of Yisrael.

2Sa 22:4 “I call on יהוה, the One to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. – He magnifies the great salvations YAHVEH had wrought for him. YAHVEH sometimes brings his people into very great difficulties and dangers, that he may have the honor of saving them and they the comfort of being saved by him. He owns, You hast saved me from violence as in verse 3, from my enemies, from my strong enemy, meaning Saul, who, if YAHVEH had not succored him, would have been too hard for him. You hast given me the shield of thy salvation, verse 36.

2Sa 22:5 “For the waves of death surrounded me, Floods of Beliyaʽal made me afraid, - That the danger was very great and threatening out of which he was delivered. Men rose up against him as in verse 40, 49) that hated him as in verse 41, a violent man as in verse 49 namely, Saul, who was malicious in his designs against him and vigorous in his pursuit.

This is expressed figuratively in this and the next verse. He was surrounded with death on every side, threatened to be overwhelmed, and saw no way of escape.

So violently did the waves of death beat upon him, so strongly did the cords and snares of death hold him, that he could not help himself, any more than a man in the grave can?

2Sa 22:6 “The cords of the grave were all around me; The snares of death were before me. – The floods of Belial, the wicked one, and his wicked instruments, made him afraid; he trembled to see not only earth, but death and hell, in arms against him.

2Sa 22:7 “In my distress I called upon יהוה , And to my Elohim I cried. And from His Hĕḵal He heard my voice, And my cry was in His ears. – That his deliverance was an answer to prayer. He is illustrated here for us a good example, when we are in distress, to cry unto YAHVEH with importunity, as children in a fright cry to their parents; and great encouragement to do so, in that he found YAHVEH ready to answer prayer out of HIS temple in the Heavens, where HE is continually served and adored.

2Sa 22:8 “And the earth shook and trembled, The foundations of the heavens were troubled, because He was wroth. – That YAHVEH appeared in a singular and extraordinary manner for him and against his enemies. The expressions are borrowed from the descent of the divine Majesty upon Mount Sinai.

We do not find that in any of David’s battles YAHVEH fought for him with thunder (as in Samuel’s time), or with hail (as in Yahoshua’s time), or with the stars in their courses (as in Deborah’s time); but these lofty metaphors are used, To set forth the glory of YAHVEH, which was manifested in his deliverance.

2Sa 22:9 “Smoke went up from His nostrils, And devouring fire from His mouth; Coals were kindled by it. – YAH’s wisdom and power, his goodness and faithfulness, his justice and holiness, and his sovereign dominion over all the creatures and all the counsels of men, which appeared in favor of David, were as clear and bright a discovery of YAH’s glory to an eye of faith as such miraculous interpositions would have been to an eye of sense.

To set forth YAH’s displeasure against his enemies, יהוה so espoused his cause that he showed himself an enemy to all his enemies; his anger is set forth by a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth as in verse 9, coals kindled

2Sa 22:10 “And He bowed the heavens and came down, And thick darkness was under His feet. –

2Sa 22:11 “And He rode upon a keruḇ, and flew, And was seen upon the wings of the wind. – To show how ready ABBA YAHVEH was to help him: He rode upon a cherub and did fly. YAHVEH hastened to HIS succor, and came to him with seasonable relief, though he had seemed at a distance; yet he was a YAHVEH hiding himself (Isa. 14:15), for HE made darkness HIS pavilion as in verse 12, for the amazement of HIS enemies.

In the first day of Creation Elohim separate light from darkness, darkness here is the pavilion that YAHVEH will used to recreate HIS Kingdom.

2Sa 22:12 “And He put darkness around Him as booths, Darkness of waters, thick clouds. – In this verse darkness is an illustration of Torah. Torah is a dark book to those who do not have the Holy Spirit in them to illuminate the Word. As one person once said YAHVEH love to play hide and seek. The believer must make an all-out effort to find the spiritual treasure in Torah. To us who are the children of Light, we will not have too much trouble navigating in these dark waters with the Holy Spirit as our guide.

2Sa 22:13 “From the brightness before Him Coals of fire were kindled. – The Shekinah of YAHVEH produce after it own kind.

2Sa 22:14 יהוה thundered from the heavens, And the Most High sent forth His voice. – EL YAHVEH sent forth HIS Voice from the Heavens like thunder.

2Sa 22:15 “And He sent out arrows and scattered them, Lightning, and confused them. – EL YAHVEH sent out HIS arrows like lighten to confuse and scattered HIS enemies.

2Sa 22:16 And the channels of the sea were seen, the foundations of the world were uncovered At the rebuke of יהוה , at the blast of the breath of His nostrils. – When the children of Yisrael cross the Red Sea, a channel was made; the foundation of the world was exposed for the Children of Yisrael to walk on. All this was done by the breath of His Nostrils.

2Sa 22:17 He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters. – EL YAHVEH saw me from above and took me out of much false religion.

               

2Sa 22:18 “He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those hating me, For they were stronger than  – The flesh is indeed a format able enemy, in the hand of the evil one. Yet EL YAHVEH gave us the Spirit of Author to overcome the flesh. We will not be tempted for than what we can bear,

2Sa 22:19 They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But יהוה  was my support. – In the days when the word is been tested in me, the Holy Spirit is indeed my Comforter.

2Sa 22:20 “And He brought me out into a large place, He delivered me for He delighted in me. – The reason why I am been test, is for EL YAHVEH to enlarge my territories. Like a balloon is stretch ever time more air is place in it. Sometime this expansion is some time hurtful, yet Father YAHVEH take great please is stretching us, not to our breaking point, but to expand us to our full potential.

2Sa 22:21 יהוה  rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands He repaid me. – Father YAHVEH fills me according to vacancy created by HIM expanding my horizon.

2Sa 22:22 For I have guarded the ways of יהוה , And have not acted wrongly against my Elohim. – When we safeguard the constitution of the Kingdom of Heavens, HE will expand our inheritance.

2Sa 22:23 For all His right-rulings are before me; As for His laws, I do not turn from them. – When we have the Covenant written on our heart, our mind, as Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrew 8:10 elucidate. YAHVEH right ruling will be ever before us, and we will not turn from them, because HIS Holy Spirit will be inside of us. Ezekiel 31:25-27.

2Sa 22:24 And I am perfect before Him, And I guard myself from my crookedness. -  At this point in our spiritual development we will be perfect before YAHVEH, because we have guarded the nature of the flesh, which is always contrary to Torah.

2Sa 22:25 “And יהוה  repays me according to my righteousness, According to my cleanness before His eyes. - YAHVEH TSIDKENU will reward me according to the level of maturity I have achieved in this life. I will either get to sit with Yahushua on His Throne Rev 3:21, or I will get to stand around the Throne Revelation 7:11, or I will get to stand before the Throne Rev 7:9. Those who sit on the Throne will be given the greater responsibility.

2Sa 22:26 With the kind You show Yourself kind, with the perfect one You show Yourself perfect, - EL YAHVEH CHASED, We show our spirit kindness when we develop our Spirit by experiencing the six days of Creation. By experiencing the six days of creation we will achieve spiritual perfection. When Elohim created man on the sixth day he was perfect.

2Sa 22:27 With the clean You show Yourself clean, And with the crooked You show Yourself twisted. -  Here is a word for the wise in heart, we do not have to be honest with a crocked person, only with a fellow brother in the spirit.

2Sa 22:28 For You save the humble people, But Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low. – It is those who are humble in heart that will find themselves conducive for the Kingdom. Those who are boastful, YAHVEH will bring them low, that their heart may become humble before him. The circumstance that we experience will determine what EL YAHVEH is trying to do to us.

If you are been constantly been offended by people comment about you, EL YAHVEH could be tell you that you need to humble yourself before HIM.

2Sa 22:29 For You are my lamp, Oיהוה , And יהוה makes my darkness light. – YAHVEH EL-ELYON my Light. The analogy of a lamp is been used in this verse to describe humanity. Lucifer was a bright star in the Heavens now he is a dark star, or a black hole. As human we are both flesh and spirit. Our Spirit is a small Menorah; by experiencing the sixth days of Creation EL YAHVEH will make our Menorah into a bright light.

2Sa 22:30 For with You I run against a band, with my Elohim I leap over a wall. – YAHVEH El-ELYON is the Elohim who enlarge or increase, cause us to leap over.

             

2Sa 22:31 “The Ěl – His way is perfect; The Word of יהוה  is proven; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. -  The way YAHVEH set for us to walk in led to perfection, it is a proven way, and HE is a shield for all who choose to walk in it. Yahushua walk this way and achieve perfection and get to sit at His an Our Fathers Right Hand, He admonish us in rev. 3:21 that if any of us choose to walk this way successfully, we too will get to sit with Him on the Father Throne.

2Sa 22:32 For who is Ěl, besides יהוה ? And who is a rock, besides our Elohim? – Who is our EL beside YAHVEH, who is the rock of our foundation beside our Elohim. Who?

2Sa 22:33 “Ěl is my mighty stronghold, And He makes my way perfect, - YAHVEH is the Strong hold I walk in until I reach perfection. YAHVEH ROPHEKAN is my strong tower.

2Sa 22:34 “Making my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places, - YAHVEH ROEH is my shepherd, herdsman, pastor, leader, guide. In this verse we see the analogy that with EL YAHVEH we can overcome the influence of a crowed and with Him I can overcome any obstacle.

2Sa 22:35 Teaching my hands for battle, So that my arms bend a bow of bronze. – YAHVEH TSEBAOTE is the Holy Army If we have enemies, whether spiritual, mental or Physical, this attribute called upon in faith, goes into embattlement for us against all unrighteous opposition

2Sa 22:36 And You give me the shield of your deliverance, And your lowliness makes me great. -   YAHOSHUA, YAHVEH will save and deliver. This attribute in the vibration which seal all invocation and prayer. To ensure the effectiveness of your invocation or petition, call upon this attribute at the end of every prayer. Yahushua means YAHVEH will deliver or save.

2Sa 22:37 You enlarge my step under me, So that my feet shall not slip. – YAHVEH TSIDKENU is our righteousness. For those who desire righteousness and justice, this attribute is most potent to help one come to the standard of YAHVEH and bring about the righteousness one desire under any condition.

2Sa 22:38 I pursue my enemies and destroy them, And I do not turn back till they are destroyed. – With the help of YAHVEH TSEBAOTE we will be able to pursue of enemies until they are totally destroyed.  

2Sa 22:39 And I destroy them and crush them, So that they do not rise, And fall under my feet. – In the restoration of the Kingdom of Heaven when Lucifer and the Devil will be destroyed, we must not stop until our enemies are destroyed. This love dove Christian mentality to love our enemies, is absolutely ridiculous. EL YAHVEH does not love Lucifer for his rebellious nature, He hate it, and will destroy Lucifer in the end.

2Sa 22:40 And You gird me with strength for battle, You cause my adversaries to bow under me. -  YAHVEH TSEBAOTE will strengthen our arms for battle, as HE strengthens Sampson to destroy the Philistines.

2Sa 22:41 And You make my enemies turn their backs, those hating me, and I cut them off. – YAHVEH TSEBAOTE will make my enemies run away from us. They who hate us will be isolated with nowhere to run.

2Sa 22:42 They look but there is no savior, Unto יהוה , but He shall not answer them. – They will even turn to Yahushua for help, but there will be not deliverance.

      

2Sa 22:43 “And I beat them as dust of the earth, I beat them small as dirt in the streets – I spread them out. – They will be reduce as helpless as the dust we walk on.

2Sa 22:44 And You deliver me from the strivings of my people, You safeguard me as the head of the nations; A people I have not known serve me. – On our journey to perfection we will be delivered from any one whose desire is to harm us, even if it within the Assembly. I will be given my share of the land that was made vacant by the evil ones.

2Sa 22:45 Sons of the foreigner submit to me, As soon as they hear they obey me. – When our Spiritual Authority is developing, people who we have not known will submit to us, when they hear of my spiritual authority has been establish.

2Sa 22:46 Sons of the foreigner fade away, And gird themselves from their strongholds. –

2Sa 22:47 יהוה  lives! And blessed is my Rock! And exalted is my Elohim, The Rock of my deliverance, - YAHVEH EL-ELYON is the most High Power of Power, Elevated, Lofty. By calling upon this attribute of the Creator, we are calling upon the Generator and Source of all Power, the Most High Power of Powers through whom all things are possible to them that believe.

2Sa 22:48 Ěl YAHVEH TSEBAOTE who avenges me, And bringing peoples down under me, -

2Sa 22:49 And bringing me out from my enemies; You raise me up above those rising up against me; You deliver me from a man of violence. – Ěl YAHVEH TSEBAOTE is HIS name.

2Sa 22:50 Therefore I give thanks to You, O יהוה , among nations, and I sing praise to Your Name. – YAHVEH EL-ELYON

2Sa 22:51 “A tower of deliverance is He to His sovereign, And showing kindness to His anointed, To Dawiḏ and his seed, forever.” - Yahushua is our Tower of deliverance to those who believe in HIM.

Brit Chadasha

Romans 10:14 - 21

Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without one proclaiming? – How necessary it was that the gospel should be preached to everyone. This was what the Jews were so angry with Paul for, that he was the apostle of the Gentiles, and preached the gospel to them.

Now he shows how needful it was to bring them within the reach of the aforementioned promise, an interest in which they should not envy to any of their fellow-creatures.

They cannot call on him in whom they have not believed. Except they believe that YAHVEH is EL ELYON, they will not call upon HIM by prayer; to what purpose should they? The grace of faith is absolutely necessary to the duty of prayer; we cannot pray aright, nor pray to acceptation, without it. He that comes to YAHVEH by prayer must believe, Heb. 11:6. Till they believed the true EL-ELYON, they were calling upon idols, O Baal, hear us.

They cannot believe in him of whom they have not heard. Some way or other the divine revelation must be made known to all, before we can receive it and assent to it; it is not born with us. In hearing is included reading, which is tantamount, and by which many are brought to believe (Jn. 20:31): These things are written that you may believe. But hearing only is mentioned, as the more ordinary and natural way of receiving information.

They cannot hear without a preacher; how should they? Somebody must tell them what they are to believe. Preachers and hearers are correlates; it is a blessed thing when they mutually rejoice in each other, the hearers in the skill and faithfulness of the preacher, and the preacher in the willingness and obedience of the hearers.

They cannot preach except they are sent, except they be both commissioned and in some measure qualified for their preaching work. How shall a man act as an ambassador, unless he have both his credentials and his instructions from the prince that sends him? This proves that to the regular ministry there must be a regular mission and ordination.

It is YAH’s prerogative to send ministers; HE is YAHOSHUA HaMashiach of the harvest, and therefore to him we must pray that he would send forth laborers, Mt. 9:38. He only can qualify men for, and incline them to, the work of the ministry. But the competency of that qualification, and the sincerity of that inclination, must not be left to the judgment of every man for himself: the nature of the thing will by no means admit this; but, for the preservation of due order in the church, this must needs be referred and submitted to the judgment of a competent number of those who are themselves in that office and of approved wisdom and experience in it, who, as in all other callings, are presumed the most able judges, and who are empowered to set apart such as they find so qualified and inclined to this work of the ministry, that by this preservation of the succession the name of Messiyah may endure forever and his throne as the days of heaven. And those that are thus set apart, not only may, but must preach, as those that are sent.

Rom 10:15 And how shall they proclaim if they are not sent? As it has been written, “How pleasant are the feet of those who bring the Good News of peace, who bring the Good News of the Kingdom!” – How welcome the good news ought to be to those to whom it was preached, because it showed the way to justification, deliverance, acceptance and glorification otherwise called salvation. For this he quotes Isa. 52:7.

The like passage we have, Nah. 1:15, which, if it point at the glad tidings of the deliverance of Israel out of Babylon in the type, yet looks further to the gospel, the good news of our salvation by Yahushua HaMashiach.

What the gospel is: It is the gospel of peace; it is the word of reconciliation between YAHVEH SHALOM and man. On earth peace, Lu. 2:14. Or, peace is put in general for all good; so it is explained here; it is glad tidings of good things. The things of the gospel are good things indeed, the best things; tidings concerning them are the most joyful tidings, the best news that ever came from heaven to earth.

What the work of ministers is under YAHVEH ROEH: To preach this gospel, to bring these glad tidings; to evangelize peace (so the original is), to evangelize good things. Every good preacher is in this sense an evangelist: he is not only a messenger to carry the news, but an ambassador to treat; and the first gospel preachers were angels, Lu. 2:13, etc.

How acceptable they should therefore be to the children of men for their work’s sake: How beautiful are the feet, that is, how welcome are they! Mary Magdalene expressed her love to Yahushua by kissing his feet, and afterwards by holding him by the feet, Mt. 28:9. And, when Messiyah was sending forth His disciples, He washed their feet. Those that preach the gospel of peace should see to it that their feet (their life and conversation) be beautiful: the holiness of ministers’ lives is the beauty of their feet. How beautiful! namely, in the eyes of those that hear them. Those that welcome the message cannot but love the messengers. See 1 Th. 5:12, 13.

Rom 10:16 However, not all obeyed the Good News. For Yeshayahu says, “יהוה , who has believed our report?” – He answers an objection against all this, which might be taken from the little success which the good new had in many places: But they have not all obeyed the gospel.

All the Jews have not, all the Gentiles have not; the greater part of both remains in unbelief and disobedience. The good news is given us not only to be known and believed, but to be obeyed. It is not a system of notions, but a rule of practice.

This little success of the word was likewise foretold by the prophet (Isa. 53:1): Who hath believed our report? Very few have, few to what one would think should have believed it, considering how faithful a report it is and how well worthy of all acceptation, very few to the many that persist in unbelief.

It is no strange thing, but it is a very sad and uncomfortable thing, for the ministers of Messiyah to bring the report of the gospel, and not to be believed in it. Under such a melancholy consideration it is good for us to go to YAHVEH and make our complaint to him. YAHVEH, who hath believed, etc.

Rom 10:17 So then belief comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Elohim. – He shows that the word preached is the ordinary means of working faith: So then, however; though many that hear do not believe, yet those that believe have first heard. Faith cometh by hearing. It is the summary of what he had said before, in verse 14.

The beginning, progress, and strength of faith, are by hearing. The word of EL YAHVEH is therefore called the word of faith: it begets and nourishes faith. YAHVEH requires faith, but it is faith in the Word as the instrument.

Hearing (that hearing which works faith) is by the word of YAHVEH. It is not hearing the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but hearing the Word of YAHVEH, that will befriend faith, and hearing it as the word of YAHVEH. See 1 Th. 2:13.

Rom 10:18 But I ask, Did they not hear? Yea indeed, “Their voice went out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” – That those who would not believe the report of the goodness, yet, having heard it, were thereby left inexcusable, and may thank themselves for their own ruin, to the end.

The Gentiles have heard it: Have they not heard? Yes, more or less, they have either heard the gospel, or at least heard of it. Their sound went into all the earth; not only a confused sound, but their words (more distinct and intelligible notices of these things) are gone unto the ends of the world.

The commission which the apostles received runs thus: Go you into the entire world-preach to every creature, disciple all nations; and they did with indefatigable industry and wonderful success pursue that commission. See the extent of Paul’s province, ch. 15:19. To this remote island of Britain, one of the utmost corners of the world, not only the sound, but the words, of the gospel came within a few years after Messiyah’s ascension. It was in order to this that the gift of tongues was at the very first poured so plentifully upon the apostles, Acts 2.

Rom 10:19 But I ask, did Yisra’ĕl not know? First Mosheh says, “I shall provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I shall enrage you by an unwise nation.” – The Jews have heard it too. For this he appeals to two passages of the Torah, to show how inexcusable they are too. Did not Yisrael know that the Gentiles were to be called in? They might have known it from Moses and Isaiah.

First, One is taken from Deu. 32:21, I will provoke you to jealousy. The Jews not only had the offer, but saw the Gentiles accepting it and benefitted by that acceptance, witness their vexation at the event. They had the refusal: To you first, Acts 3:26. In all places where the apostles came still the Jews had the first offer, and the Gentiles had but their leavings. If one would not, another would. Now this provoked them to jealousy. They, as the elder brother in the parable (Lu. 15) envied the reception and entertainment of the prodigal Gentiles upon their repentance.

The Gentiles are here called no people, and a foolish nation, that is, not the professing people of YAHVEH. How much was there of the wit and wisdom of the world, those that are not the people of YAHVEH, and in the end will be found to be, a foolish people. Such was the state of the Gentile world, who yet were made the people of YAHVEH, and Messiyah to them the wisdom of YAHVEH. What a provocation it was to the Jews to see the Gentiles taken into favor we may see, Acts 13:45; 17:5, 13, and especially Acts 22:22. It was an instance of the great wickedness of the Jews that they were thus enraged; and this in Deuteronomy is the matter of a threatening. YAHVEH often makes people’s sin their punishment. A man needs no greater plague than to be left to the impetuous rage of his own lusts.

Secondly, Another is taken from Isa. 65:1, 2, which is very full, and in it Isaias is very bold, bold indeed, to speak so plainly of the rejection of his own countrymen. Those that will be found faithful have need to be very bold. Those that are resolved to please YAHVEH must not be afraid to displease any man.

Rom 10:20 And Yeshayahu boldly says, “I was found by those not seeking Me, I was made manifest to those not asking for Me.” – Of the preventing grace and favor of YAHVEH in the reception and entertainment of the Gentiles: I was found of those that sought me not. The prescribed method is, Seek and find; this is a rule for us, not a rule for YAHVEH, who is often found of those that do not seek. HIS grace is HIS own, and he dispenses it in a way of sovereignty, gives or withholds it at pleasure-anticipates us with the blessings, the riches choicest blessings, of his goodness.

Therefore he manifested himself to the Gentiles, by sending the light of the gospel among them, when they were so far from seeking him and asking after him that they were following after lying vanities, and serving dumb idols.

Was not this our own particular case? Did not YAHVEH begin in love, and manifest HIMSELF to us when we did not ask after HIM? And was not that a time of love indeed, to be often remembered with a great deal of thankfulness?

Rom 10:21 And to Yisra’ĕl He says, “All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and back-talking people.” - Of the obstinacy and perverseness of Yisrael, notwithstanding the fair offers and affectionate invitations they had.

YAH’s great goodness to them: All day long I have stretched forth my hands. His offers: I have stretched forth my hands, offering them life and salvation with the greatest sincerity and seriousness that can be, with all possible expressions of earnestness and importunity, showing them the happiness tendered, setting it before them with the greatest evidence, reasoning the case with them.

Stretching forth the hands is the gesture of those that require audience (Acts 26:1), or desire acceptance, Prov. 1:24. MessiYah was crucified with His hands stretched out. Stretched forth my hands as offering reconciliation, come let us shake hands and be friends; and our duty is to give the hand to him, 2 Chr. 30:8.

His patience in making these offers: All day long. The patience of YAHVEH towards provoking sinners is admirable. He waits to be gracious. The time of YAH’s patience is here called a day, lightsome as a day and fit for work and business, but limited as a day, and a night at the end of it. He bears long, but he will not bear always.

Their great badness to him. They were a disobedient gainsaying people. One word in the Hebrew, in Isaiah, is here well explained by two; not only disobedient to the call, not yielding to it, but gainsaying, and quarreling with it, which is much worse.

Many that will not accept of a good proposal will yet acknowledge that they have nothing to say against it: but the Jews who believed not rested not there, but contradicted and blasphemed. YAH’s patience with them was a very great aggravation of their disobedience, and rendered it the more exceedingly sinful; as their disobedience advanced the honor of YAH’s patience and rendered it the more exceedingly gracious.