9.21.24 ~ God's ultimate destiny for our lives: The Promised Land

Good morning! 

Shabbat Shalom!!!

As we wind down the book of Deuteronomy, heading into the Day of Atonement(s) and the Feast of Tabernacles, my mind continues to reflect on previous Torah portions as my mind moves forward; never forgetting where I've been, taking inventory where I'm at and trying never to forget where I'm going.

In last week's Torah portion of Ki Tetzei/when you go out (Deut. 21:10-25:19) we learned that it's a section of Scripture that's all about WAR against YOUR ENEMIES; specifically, the one WITHIN. This week, the Torah portion is Ki Tavo/when you come in after the battle is done (Deut. 26:1ff).

Coming in/ki tavo is about JOY and accomplishment. The victory is done. You've left everything on the 'court'. You've played your heart out on the 'field'. The game clock is at 0:00! And it's time to reflect on what has been done (Deut. 26).

Even though we've reminded each other about the significance of the month of Elul that it’s the month of intimacy with the King and with one another; the time for repentance and restoration. The time where The King is walking in the field. As we move through the 10 days of awe, between Trumpets/yom teruah and Atonement(s)/yom hakippurim, we want to remember that Yeshua defined the field as the ‘world’ (Matt. 13:38)!

Each of us has been assigned, beginning at different times, a job in His field (Matt. 20:1-7; Ruth 2:6-8). The need is great (John 4:35; Matt. 9:37)! It’s NOT a time to be idle (Matt. 20:6)! By the grace given to you, there’s work to be done (Eph. 2:8-10)! It’s time to put away our own desires and press on into unity within the community ... WE are in the FALL FEAST season and there's joyful work to be done (Deut. 28:45-48).

The appointed times/Moedim in the Spring are all about separation and division. The appointed times/Moedim in the fall are all about coverings and community. The challenge that lies before each of us is to pursue the path that the Spirit of power, knowledge and fear of the Lord lead us to, God's ultimate destiny for our lives: The Promised Land. Our function is to live as ‘lights to the nations’ (Isa. 42:6; Luke 2:32). The goal is to live in community so well that all will gather together under one banner in unity at Sukkot (Zech. 14:16-19).

Unfortunately, the adversary knows God's game plan very well. Whether one sees the adversary as our own evil inclination/yetzer hara or a source outside of ourselves, i.e. Satan, the Devil, the accuser of the brethren…one thing we can be sure of, this time of the year, like none other...the battle is on!

Instead of unity within community, forgiveness, restitution, and functional body life, the ‘Prince of the Power of the Air’ (Eph. 2:2) and/or his minions (Eph. 6:10-12) unleash every possible attack to create self-justifying opinions (Neh. 9:16; Rom. 10:2), critical spirits (Col. 4:6; Eph. 4:29; Rom. 12:21), unhealthy hierarchies (Eze. 34:18-20); destructive words (Prov. 26:17-19; James 3:9-11) and division among brethren (Prov. 6:19; Rom. 16:17).

In a word, all of these attributes are about fear and ‘self-preservation’. They are all antithetical to individuals ‘contending for the faith’ (Jude 3) and collectively growing into the head (Eph. 2:21; 4:15-16).

Let me ask you a simple question: 'If you were the enemy, how would you accomplish disunity within the body of Messiah'? How would you accomplish distraction and disunity within your own life (James 4:1-3)? Before you read on, think about this for just a minute…don’t read on until you’ve thought of a couple of ways that unity is destroyed…STOP!

Now you can go on…thank you !

Do you have a couple of thoughts? Those thoughts are obviously near and dear to your heart. Now, remember the words of Yeshua who said, ‘do unto others as you would have them do to you’ (Matt. 7:12)…Do you want to be forgiven? Forgive! Do you want to be loved? Love! Do you want to receive mercy? Show mercy! Do you want others to do what God requires? Do you want to be heard? Listen. Do it yourself! Do you want friends? Be friendly! Do you want intimacy? Give! Do you want community? Lead by serving! Do you want to stand approved before God? Live His standard!

The 10 days of awe is the ultimate time of drawing near to God/Elohim and one another for the sake of the bigger picture. Atonement(s) is just a week away and Sukkot is just around the corner. Will I be prepared for the blessing (Deut. 28:1-15, 45-48)? Yes!

Shalom

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