In this week’s study, Parashat Ha’azinu meaning “to listen, give ear” (Devarim / Deuteronomy 32:1-52) Moshe writes a song that he spoke to the children of Yisrael in Devarim 32:1-52. In last week’s Parashah, the Lord God told Moshe that Yehoshua (Joshua) will lead the people after his death. The Lord told Moshe to write down this song (וְעַתָּה כִּתְבוּ לָכֶם אֶת-הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת) and the song will be a witness against them (לְמַעַן תִּהְיֶה-לִּי הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת לְעֵד בִּבְנֵי יִשְֹרָאֵל). ל וַיְדַבֵּר מֹשֶׁה בְּאָזְנֵי כָּל-קְהַל יִשְֹרָאֵל אֶת-דִּבְרֵי הַשִּׁירָה הַזֹּאת עַד תֻּמָּם: (Devarim / Deuteronomy 31:29-30). 31:30 Then Moses spoke in the hearing of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song, until they were complete: (NASB.) In the opening verse of Parashat Ha’azinu Moshe calls Heaven (הַשָּׁמַיִם) and Earth (הָאָרֶץ) as witnesses to the covenant (הַאֲזִינוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם וַאֲדַבֵּרָה וְתִשְׁמַע הָאָרֶץ אִמְרֵי-פִי). Calling the solid unmoving (unchanging) Heaven and Earth as a witness implies that the unmovable things are watching should the children of Yisrael break the covenant and disobey God. Moshe proclaims the name of the Lord (כִּי שֵׁם יְהוָֹה אֶקְרָא) saying He is our Rock (הַצּוּר), that His work is perfect (תָּמִים פָּעֳלוֹ), all of his ways are in truth (כִּי כָל-דְּרָכָיו מִשְׁפָּט אֵל אֱמוּנָה), there is no injustice (אֵין עָוֶל), only righteousness (צַדִּיק) and that He is straight (וְיָשָׁר) meaning that God is upright and just. Moshe then says שִׁחֵת לוֹ לֹא בָּנָיו מוּמָם דּוֹר עִקֵּשׁ וּפְתַלְתֹּל meaning ‘They have acted corruptly toward Him, They are not His children, because of their defect; But are a perverse and crooked generation. While reading these opening verses, can you see how Moshe is contrasting the absolute goodness of God with our impoverished fallen lives? This week’s reading leads to the question “Do I take for granted the mercy of God?” Am I examining my heart closely enough to know where my devotion really lays, in a love for God and His ways or out of the pride of life before others? Does my life truly demonstrate (indicate) that I am a covenant member of His holy kingdom? Read More here.
