When I was seventeen years old I was asked two questions that literally changed the course of my life. I was sitting on the other side of the desk of the headmaster of the high school that I was attending as I was being reprimanded once again for some mischievous act that I had committed. The headmaster was a former US Army Lieutenant and the other students and I often felt like we were his new recruits whom he was whipping into shape. Long periods of silence and his peering stares often made me feel uncomfortable.
After sitting in his office for what seemed like an eternity, he asked me a question. It was a simple question but one I had never really considered before. He asked, “Daniel, how long do you plan to live?” Since I hadn’t really thought about this question before I answered him with the average age that I thought most people lived and I said, “70 to 80 years.” He heard my answer and then there was a long pause. Silence! It felt like an hour went by but it was probably only 5 minutes. The headmaster then asked me his second question: “And what do you plan to do between now and then (meaning the day that I die)?” Again there was silence as he waited for me to respond to him.
My youth was filled with living for the moment and I never really considered my future. When the headmaster asked me this second question I was at a complete loss as to how to reply to him. I could only say, “I don’t know.” I never gave him a reasonable answer because I didn’t have one. I left his office that day I changed person. I entered into his office expecting a lecture on how stupid my actions were. I left his office that day with these two questions ringing in my ears. I didn’t want to live a meaningless anymore. I was now on a quest to have a meaningful life and a future with purpose.
I share this story to explain how I personally came to consider my latter days, my future. Some people begin to consider their future very early on in life, others at a much later age, and others die without ever really considering their future.
Considering our Latter Days
This week’s Torah Portion is called “האזינו” – “Ha’Azinu” and it means to give ear, to listen. It comes from the Hebrew word for “ear:” “אוזן” – “ozen.” The opening line of this week’s Torah Portion invites the listeners to pay close attention while heaven and earth are called to witness the words which are about to be spoken: “Give ear, O heavens, and let me speak; And let the earth hear the words of my mouth” (Deut. 32:1).
Moses was given one final task from the LORD before he was to die. The final task that God gave to Moses was to teach the Israelites a song. It was not to be a fun song like “Spring up O Well” (Num. 21:16-18) but rather a song that would serve as a witness against the rebellion of the people when they would break the covenant of the LORD. Here are the words that the LORD spoke to Moses:
Now therefore, write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the sons of Israel; put it on their lips, so that this song may be a witness for Me against the sons of Israel. For when I bring them into the land flowing with milk and honey, which I swore to their fathers, and they have eaten and are satisfied and become prosperous, then they will turn to other gods and serve them, and spurn Me and break My covenant. – Deut. 31:19-20
God wanted to make sure the people understood that when calamity came upon them as a people it would not be because God failed to provide for them or protect them but rather because the people would rebel against their God.
This song begins by calling heaven and earth to listen to the words of this song. Why does Moses begin the “Song of the LORD” by asking the heavens to “give ear” and the earth to “hear the words of my mouth” (Deut. 32:1)? Moses explained a few verses earlier that he was about to die and he wanted heaven and earth to remain witnesses against the people:
Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their hearing and call the heavens and the earth to witness against them. For I know that after my death you will act corruptly and turn from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days, for you will do that which is evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger with the work of your hands. – Deut. 31:28-29
Heaven and earth would stand as eternal witnesses against the people that they had been warned. Moses would not be there in the future but the heavens and the earth would remain and they would testify that God had given the people a clear admonition to walk holy with their God or suffer the consequences.
The Song of the LORD
The words of this song are filled with beautiful poetry and prophetic significance. Time and space do not permit me to give a more complete commentary, however, I would like to focus on two verses in the middle of this song that appear to be the key verses:
For they are a nation lacking in counsel,
And there is no understanding in them.
Would that they were wise, that they understood this,
That they would discern their future! – Deut. 32:28-29
In these four lines it is almost as if the LORD was pleading with the nation of Israel to turn from their ignorance, be wise, and to consider their future.
A People Who Consider their Future
These two verses in the middle of this song appear to be a clarion call to both Israel and to us today. Every human being on the face of the earth in every generation has the choice to be wise and consider his or her future. We cannot control the circumstances around us but we can control our actions and what we choose to do based on the wisdom granted us. God is inviting the Israelites and each one of us to be wise, to be understanding, and to discern our future.
The last phrase in Hebrew of Deuteronomy 32:29 reads “יבינו לאחריתם” – “yavinu le’acharitam,” which literally translated can mean “that they would understand their end” or “that they would understand that which comes after them.” In English translations it often reads, “that they would discern their future,” which accurately transmits the intent of these words.
I believe that the meaning of the words in verse 29 are clear: God desires a people that will think beyond that which suits them today. God desires a people that will not only consider how their actions will affect them but their future generations as well. God desires a people to be so wise in Him that their lives and actions will literally affect eternity.
The Bible if full of exhortation that encourages the reader to pursue the wisdom of God with the promise of a blessed life for those who walk in it. We see a perfect example of this in Proverbs 24:13-14:
My son, eat honey, for it is good,
Yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste;
Know that wisdom is thus for your soul;
If you find it, then there will be a future,
And your hope will not be cut off.
The wording in Hebrew for the phrase “then there will be a future,” is “ויש אחרית” – “veyesh acharit,” which literally translated is “and there is a future.” Acquiring the wisdom of God is the most stable investment that one can make for his or her future.
It is easy to look at the nation of Israel and to see where they have fallen short of considering their future, however, what about you and me? Are we a people that are wise and understand our future? Are we seriously taking the time before the LORD to consider the days and years ahead while realizing how our actions will affect the next generation? Are we wise enough to realize that God knows best even if it goes against all worldly wisdom?
In God’s mercy He gave me a song of warning when I was seventeen years old through the headmaster of my school. Thankfully, I heeded the words of wisdom that were given to me and it literally changed the course of my life for good. I began a search for truth and within a year’s time God led me on a personal journey of faith as He began to open my eyes to the wisdom of His Word which gave me a purpose beyond my today and has allowed me to continually consider my future. God wants each of us to wise and to consider our future in relation to knowing Him.
Shabbat Shalom!
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Torah Portion: Deut. 32:1-52
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Shalom. I so enjoyed this Torah portion and the question what Will you do from now to the day you die”. Just curious do you believe in Yeshua the lamb of Yahweh?