We are living in a fascinating day and age as believers in the Bible and in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The State of Israel, which was reborn in 1948, is thriving as a Jewish nation. Signs in the sun, moon, and stars are causing many to search the Scriptures and see if now is the time of the fulfillment of all things. There are blood moons, the shemitah year, the ongoing war instigated by ISIS in the Middle East, and the “nuclear deal” with Iran which all give evidence that there is something stirring in the spiritual realm.
The “signs of the times” are undeniable. What does it all mean? How should believers in Yeshua the Messiah respond to the signs around us?
To Stand before God
This week’s Torah Portion is called “נצבים” – “Nitzavim” and it means “standing.” It comes from the first verse of the Torah Portion which reads, “You are standing today, all of you, before the LORD your God…” (Deut. 29:10).
Moses was continuing to instruct the children of Israel regarding the covenant that existed between them and the LORD. The covenant between Israel and the LORD was uniquely tied to the Promised Land that God was giving to them. In last week’s Torah Portion Moses detailed the blessings of obeying God and the curses of disobedience with the effects being both personal and national, including God’s sustaining them in the Land or casting them out of it (Deut. 28).
The Sign of Israel
The people and Land of Israel were to be a sign that God would use on the earth to speak to all the nations. In their obedience they were to reflect God’s holiness (Deut. 28:9-10), which was the focus of last week’s study; Chosen For a Purpose, and in their disobedience God would cast them out of the Land causing the nations to turn to the LORD and ask why:
All the nations will say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land? Why this great outburst of anger?’ Then men will say, ‘Because they forsook the covenant of the LORD, the God of their fathers, which He made with them when He brought them out of the land of Egypt. – Deut. 29:24-25
The nation of Israel is one of the signs of God to speak to all of the nations of this world. The nation of Israel consists of the Jewish people as well as the Land of Israel with Jerusalem at its center (Ezek. 5:5-9). The blood moons, the Shemitah, the ongoing wars, and the current negotiating with Iran are all signs connected to the people and Land of Israel:
- The four blood moons in 2014-2015, three of which have occurred and one which will occur soon, all fall on Jewish holidays. The next blood moon will occur on Monday, September 28, which is the Jewish Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles).
- The Shemitah is the Sabbatical year for the Land that the children of Israel were supposed to keep in agreement to the covenant of God (Lev. 25:1-4). We are currently in a Shemitah year which will end on Sunday, September 13, 2015.
- The ongoing war and atrocities committed by ISIS have literally cast millions of innocent people out of their homes to seek refuge where they can while they continue to murder, pillage, and rape in the name of their religion.
- Iran (ancient Persia) has continually been against the establishment of the Jewish State and seeks to destroy it. At the same time, many western nations, with America at the head, are trying to appease Iran with a package deal they cannot refuse.
What is God saying to us and to the nations through these great signs in these days that we are living?
Understanding the Signs of the Times
Living in Jerusalem, I often get emails from friends and acquaintances from around the world who are interested in knowing what is going on here in Israel and what is the meaning of the signs all around us. I try to answer each question the best that I can with the limited understanding and revelation that I have, however, I believe that one of the keys to understanding all of these questions regarding the signs of the times and Biblical prophecy is found in this week’s Torah Portion.
At the end of Deuteronomy 29, Moses made a very cryptic statement: “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law” (Deut. 29:29). The word used in this verse for “secret things” is the Hebrew word “הנסתרת” – “hanistarot,” which literally translated means; “things which are hidden or concealed.” It is obvious why the translators would choose the English word “secrets” as it clearly carries the intended meaning.
The Secret (Hidden) Things of God
In this world, in relation to us and God, there are things which are hidden from our eyes and things which are revealed. We are responsible for the things which are revealed, especially all that is in God’s Word. There are also hidden things, the secret things of God, which we can only know when He chooses to reveal them to us. In saying this, I don’t believe in a fatalistic mentality of accepting the “status quo” and not pursuing answers to the mysteries of life. The Bible also tells us that there is glory in searching things out and finding answers: “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter” Deut. 25:2). We, however, need to understand the difference between the secret things of God which are hidden from us for a time and the things which we are to search out and find answers to.
In order to properly understand the “secret things” of God, which are spoken of in Deut. 29:29, we must seek to understand the context of the surrounding verses. We have already established that before this verse Moses was emphasizing the responsibility of the Israelites in following through on the covenant between them and God by obeying the Law of the LORD, which was revealed to them. Moses clarified this point a few verses later in the text, in the following chapter, when he made this statement:
For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it. – Deut. 30:11-14
Moses was emphasizing a very simple point; the revealed Word of God was enough! The children of Israel were responsible for what God had revealed to them. Simple faith in God and His Word is at the heart of God for His people and we see this again and again in the Bible from beginning to end.
The Things Revealed Belong to Us
These verses from Deuteronomy 30 are actually quoted by Paul in his letter to the Romans in the New Testament:
For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; (Romans 10:5-9)
When Paul quoted Moses from Deuteronomy 30, he was illustrating the point that Moses was making 1500 years earlier, God desires faith and obedience to His revealed Word.
Therefore, I believe it is clear from both the context surrounding Deuteronomy 29:29 along with the quote in the book of Romans that the secret things of God are hidden things including His future plans, whereas, the things revealed are God’s Word to us. We are not responsible for the secret things of God which are kept from our eyes. We are responsible to act in faith to the revealed Word of God that we have today. This is the context of the “secret things” of God and “the things revealed.”
Being Diligent Until the End!
Yeshua emphasized this point regarding the hidden and revealed things to His disciples on several occasions. Before Yeshua ascended into heaven His disciples asked Him the following question, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6) Yeshua responded with these words:
It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8).
Yeshua was stating that the time of restoration of all things was a secret thing that belonged to the Father. They didn’t need to worry about such things and either should we. There were, however, revealed things that they needed to focus on:
- To receive the Holy Spirit who would come with power to all those who believe in Yeshua.
- To go throughout the world and be His witnesses.
Two Thousand years have passed since Yeshua spoke these words to His disciples. It is human nature to want to know when certain things will take place. Just as the disciples were anticipating to see the Kingdom of God established on earth at that time so believers today are anxiously anticipating the coming of the Messiah to establish His Kingdom on this earth and to bring true justice. It is good to anticipate His coming but we should not forget His words to His disciples which are for us as well, to receive His Holy Spirit and to continue to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. Are we being diligent in fulfilling the words of Yeshua?
Preparing to Stand before God
Yeshua spoke to His disciples about future days of great catastrophe (Luke 21:5-24) and about signs in the sun, moon, and stars along with the terrifying things that would come upon the earth in the last days (Luke 21:25-27). Yeshua’s advice to His disciples regarding these things was as follows: “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). Yeshua commanded His disciples to understand the signs of the times and be ready. He also gave them clear instructions in how to respond during these days to come:
Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. – Luke 21:34-36
Yeshua gave instructions to His disciples that carry over to us today to be on guard and to be careful how we live in these days. We are not to be consumed with the affairs of this world but rather to be consumed with praying and doing His will. Just as the Israelites were standing before the LORD as they prepared to enter the Promised Land so must we be ready to stand before the Son of Man as He comes to reign as the King of Kings.
This week’s corresponding reading from the prophets is found in Isaiah 61:10 – Isaiah 63:9. In Isaiah 62 we found the well-known verses to pray for the city of Jerusalem:
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet,
Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness,
And her salvation like a torch that is burning. – Is. 62:1
As we anticipate the coming of our Lord let us not forget to pray for the peace and welfare of God’s beloved city, Jerusalem!
In conclusion, let us be wise and understand the times and the signs which are clearly revealed to us in God’s Word. At the same time, let us be diligent to fulfill the command of Yeshua as we anticipate His coming. Let us leave the secret things of God to our Father in heaven and be active in fulfilling His revealed Words to us.
Shabbat Shalom!
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Torah Portion: Deut. 29:10 – Deut. 30:20
Hafatara: Isaiah 61:10 – Isaiah 63:9
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