There’s quite obviously a PROFOUND relationship between Deut 29:9,12-15, and the exalted, princely heraldic title “Yeshurun” in Deut 33:26 (attributed to overcoming, Godfearing, princely Jacob), which we should examine more closely (Gen 32:26-30; Is 44:2,3), especially since the fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have such a great vested interest in OUR upholding the terms of the everlasting covenant which they knew even then as “the Way of YHVH,” which Y’shua, as Seed of Abraham, was sent to teach us, to fulfil His Father’s instruction to ABRAHAM to command his household (the church) AFTER HIM to keep “the Way” (of justice and righteousness) which his Seed would later Personify by demonstrating it to perfection for us to likewise or be called liars for claiming to know Him (Gen 18:18,19; 26:5; Is 29:22-24; Matt 8:11,12; Lk 6:40; 20:21; Acts 24:14; Gal 3:16,29; Heb 13:20,21; 1 Jn 2:3-6).
We could restate the Topic as:
“Entering into” “the everlasting covenant,” to qualify to enter into the LORD’s oath to be ACKNOWLEDGED and ESTABLISHED as legitimate sons, as “YESHURUN” (the ideal, glorious church, by attainment of the image of YHVH) through the perfection of Holiness of one and the same (Hebrew) body, the righteous remnant of the Abrahamic dynasty of JACOB, heirs of the world (Deut 29:12-15; Is 44:1-8; Lk 1:33; Rom 4:13,16; Eph 2:11,12,15,19; 3:6; 4:4; 5:26,27; Heb 12:5-11,23,28; 13:20,21)
So we are all to “ENTER INTO the covenant” (Deut 29:12-15) to be sanctified by the commandmenT to keep the commandmentS (Deut 30:10,11; 2 Jn vs 5&6) to be a “noble vine” (“Yeshurun”), vessels of honour fit to “enter into the oath” to be established as LEGITIMATE sons (Deut 28:9,10; Heb 12:8), to reign in glory, with dominion of the NEW EARTH in union with the LAST ADAM – the obedient “special treasure” of whom Y’shua will not be ashamed to call them brothers, or His Father, to be called their God, because just as “not all are Israel, who are OF Israel” (Rom 9:6), neither will all who profess to be the church (which is the remnant House of Jacob), meet the criterion of holiness, for the redemption of their bodies in the First Resurrection of the FAITHFUL (Ex 19:5-8; Mal 3:16-18; Rom 8:4-7,17,23; Heb 2:10,11; 5:9; 11:16; 1 Jn 2:3-6,28,29).
In the prophecy of Torah, the closing chapters of Deuteronomy (which we’re considering altogether, in this commentary) contribute towards framing the end of the age to give the clearest possible warnings that NEGLECT to keep covenant will mean the end (literally termination) for “many,” for not heeding the Messiah as Moses warned (Deut 18:18,19; Acts 3:22,23) and as the LORD reiterates in Matt 7:13-27; Jn 5:24; 8:51-52 and elsewhere.
The poetic epithet, “Yeshurun,” the supreme label for YHVH’s Royal vision for Zion, His nation (awaiting the return of David’s Monarchy to Jerusalem – Gen 49:10; Is 9:6,7; Lk 1:32), as His soon-to-be superlative conduit of the wisdom of His commandments, statutes and judgments (Deut 4:5-8; Is 2:2-4 Micah 4:1-8), is what we could call the prophetic rear-projection of the redemptive plan for the consummation of salvation, by RECONCILIATION and UNIFICATION of “all things which are in Heaven and on Earth,” in the Messiah Y’shua as Head of “ALL things, for the church (of Jacob)” (Lk 1:33; Eph 1:9-12,22,23 & Col 1:20), to warrant the aspirational, royal ceremonial title “Yeshurun” being applied to the sanctified, overcoming body of believers through whom YHVH will INFLICT POETIC JUSTICE ON THE LAST ENEMY, DEATH, through the Messiah-King of Israel reigning over them and us in God’s household, the House of Jacob, on the Throne of David (Mk 11:10; Lk 1:32,33; 1 Cor 15:24,25).
“Yeshurun” is the NOBLE, exalted, even ecstatic spiritual condition into which Israel and their commonwealth will be catapulted “in one day,” to receive the inheritance of all things as heirs of YHVH who are “all righteous” (Is 60-62; 66:8-14; Jer 31:7; Rom 8:16,17; 11:25-29).
Israel (= “triumphant” from the root, “mastery”) and Yeshurun (= “upright,” dedicated to justice) are both descriptive of Jacob’s emerging STATURE as the firstborn (Gen 25:23; 32:28).
“Yeshurun” would have applied to Israel when they were FIRST PLANTED in Canaan as “a NOBLE vine” (Ps 80:8-11; Jer 2:21) having just crossed Jordan on dry ground and renewed their unanimous Sinai vow of obedience (Ex 19:5,6; 24:7,8) by choosing blessing while passing between the Mnts Ebal and Gerizim (Deut 11 & 27).
The concept of being a noble vine, fully consecrated, doing all YHVH’s will – points to their refinement to perfection under their New Covenant, which in God’s mercy, is the ultimate remedy for backsliding (Jer 2:21; Heb 8:8-11).
“The flesh (to which Israel is peculiarly and perversely prone) weakens the law” (Rom 8:3,4), which is why they need the Gift of the Ruach for YaH to work in them, both to be WILLING to be willing, and to DO Torah (Matt 5:18,19; Rom 8:4-14; Phil 2:12-15; 3:10-17; 2 Thess 3:4,5).
Deut 33:26-29 is Messianic prophecy pointing to Israel’s exaltation in latter house glory (Is 46:13; Haggai 2:7,9; Lk 2:32; Rom 11:25-29)
“Yeshurun” would have been LEAST APPLICABLE when, through its persistent provocations, Israel was “an empty vine” when “judgment sprang up as hemlock in the furrows of a field” (Hosea 10:1-4) and when “their vine was of the vine of Sodom, their grapes, grapes of gall and their clusters bitter” (Deut 32:15-32), when “they were not estranged from their lust” but “were not steadfast in His covenant” (e.g. Nu 25:1-9; Ps 78).
They would not deserve that honourable title again until their intense refinement like silver fired seven times in a clay oven, both before and under the New Covenant as a RE-purchased possession, purchased in HIS Blood as “Messiah their Passover” (Ex 15:16; Zech 9-13; 1 Cor 5:7,8; 1 Peter 1:17-23), produces a remnant WORTHY of being sealed for final redemption by the down- payment of the Holy Spirit of promise (Eph 1:13,14), to which Deut 33:26 and Is 44:2,3 and Ezek 36:24-37 refer.
In his homilies at the State Funeral of EIIR, Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Selby, resoundingly quashed the idea of once-saved- always-saved, by repeatedly emphasizing, in different ways, that it is those who both believe in and who “live (FOR Christ) unto righteousness” (faithful to His precepts) to “be YE holy (as proof of “returning to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls”) because I am Holy” (Rom 6:10,11,22; 1 Peter 1:2,13-19,22; 2:24,5), to whom the hope of final redemption by the better, first resurrection (Jn 5:28,29; Rev 20:6 – the Resurrection for which Elizabeth II sleeps in Christ as the crown of Life for a life of service in His Name), applies.
This is so because persecution for upholding truth and righteousness is a barometer of loyalty to the Throne whose foundation in Christ is forever justice and righteousness (2 Tim 3:12).
The King of kings must rule as LORD OF and OVER ALL “to the ends of the Earth,” as “King in Jacob/Yeshurun,” His elect witness nation, just as He did previously in the church of the dynasty of Abraham in the wilderness which through the Hebrew New Covenant has become His body through “the mystery of Godliness” (Deut 33:4,5; Ps 59:5,13; Is 41:21-27; 44:1-8; Lk 1:32,33; 1 Tim 3:16).
“Yeshurun” would have been a powerful motif to use, to further impress on world leaders that the One and only God does not slacken His standard of conduct, to accommodate the idolatries mankind embraces at a whim.
“Yeshurun” has music in it. Even the shhh “sound of many waters.” And not just a hint of the IDENTITY of the Messiah into Whose outstretched arms Israel is to RUN, to receive the Gift of the Presence and power of His Spirit, to “RUN the way of His commandments” (remembering His scathing rebuke: “NONE of you keep the law”) in order to be the generation whose PLEA for His RETURN in the Glory of the Father and His angels, will be HEARD (Prov 28:9; Matt 23:23b,39), by their refinement as gold and silver making them the purest expression of the holy phenomenon of Transfigurement of human nature (by possession of the soul) into the Image of the Most High (Ps 40:7,8; 119:32; Matt 5:17-20,48; 6:9,10; Lk 6:40; Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 3:15-18; Heb 8:8-12; 10:16; 1 Jn 3:3-7)
POETIC metaphorical language has a special place in YHVH’s heart.
Especially in describing Israel, His chief righteous cause (Ps 74:22), His “vine” which He “planted” between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates (“the sea and the river”) and which He HAS VISITED (Ps 80:7,8,11,14-19; Lk 1:78,79) and which He also endearingly calls His “turtledove” (Ps 74:19-22), and “Yeshurun” (Deut 32:15; 33:5,26; Is 44:1-8) when they rise CORPORATELY to “the excellency of DIGNITY” and “excellency of POWER” of the consecrated firstborn male (e.g. Gen 49:3), intended for the display of YHVH’s glory, by His nation PROPERLY sanctifying His Name (Deut 7:9-12; Is 46:13; Lk 2:32), as the FAITHFUL “residue” (reserved remnant) of “Israel My son, even My firstborn” (as the millennial “one new man,” or ‘unique Hebrew successor-civilization’ to the world we know) (Eph 2:11,12,15,19; 3:6).
It is through the last days’ Messianic overcoming “Yeshurun” that YHVH will “swallow up death in victory” (Is 25:7-9).
Namely, through the PROVEN Messianic church of “the Fountain of Jacob” (in which we also hope to be confirmed as bona fide sons – Gen 28:14; Ps 68:26; Lk 1:33; 1 Cor 1:8; Heb 12:1-11), that will have overcome the death of sin by living for Christ, just as “obedient to righteousness” as HE was, by the Spirit (Lk 6:40; Rom 6:1-22; 7:25-8:14,23; 2 Cor 5:15; 1 Tim 6:11-14) to be offerings to God worthy to be ACCEPTABLE for the general “Resurrection of Life” (Lk 20:35; Jn 5:28,29; Rom 2:6-13; 15:16-18; 2 Cor 5:9-11),
So rather than treat the remaining Portions of Deuteronomy separately, let’s consider the tight relationship between 1) the call to conscientious covenant-keeping by ALL generations of believers, in Deut 29:9,12-15 (i.e. the necessity to “enter into” the covenant in order to “enter into” the oath), and 2) the POETIC DESCRIPTION of the perfected, “true Israel of God” (those “jewels” of holiness who do not mock God by DISPUTING His PRECEPTS – Ex 19:5-8/1 Peter 2:9,10/Rev 1:5; 14:6,7,12; Is 64:5; Mal 3:16-18; Rom 2:6-13; 3:31; Col 1:28,29; Gal 6:16), as triumphal Yeshurun.
The “Yeshurun” epithet, used for SOLEMN REPROOF in Deut 32:15 (when Israel yet again went “out of the Way,” the “unprofitable” reprobate condition described in Rom 3:12), and as an ACCOLADE for the more glorious latter House of Jacob in Deut 33:26 (the glorious church in Is 46:13; Haggai 2:7,9; Eph 2:11,12,19; 5:26,27), is one of the strongest proofs of the continuity of YHVH’s Instruction (Mal 4; Rom 3:31), AND of the Hebrew identity of the church which originated as Abraham’s household LEARNING THE WAY as heirs of the righteousness which is of faith (Gen 18:18,19), as WE do today, as the Fountain of Jacob/Israel (Deut 33:28; Ps 68:26; Gal 3:29) – the remnant Messianic eternal House of Jacob the firstborn nation amongst which we are grafted in as their inheritance in Messiah (Ex 4:22,23; 19:5-8; Is 14:1; 49:5-8; 54:3; 55:1-5; Lk 1:33; Acts 24:14; Rom 11; Heb 12:23).
“Yeshurun” is Israel finally raised to high estate by submitting to learn the Way of YHVH taught by YHVH in the Person of Y’shua the Messiah (2 Chr 6:18,27; Lk 20:21).
God has indeed “dwelt with men on the Earth” (2 Chr 6:18,27), as LORD-Immanu El-Messiah, to “teach us the good Way (of holiness), wherein we should walk” (Is 35:8; Lk 1:78; 20:21; Acts 24:14), for He must justify the RIGHTEOUS according to the degree to which they’ll have practised righteousness in word and deed (1 Kings 8:23,32; Jn 5:24,28,29; Rom 2:6-13; 15:16-18; 2 Cor 5:9-11; 1 Jn 3:3-10)
We ought to be embarrassed by the number of times, especially in the closing chapters of His Torah (Deut 26-33), with corresponding warnings throughout Revelation, that our Covenant-keeping Father has had to remind us to do the same, to remain “in Y’shua” to remain “with (the Father)” – “YHVH be WITH YOU, while ye be WITH HIM (Deut 7:9-15; 29:8,12-15; 2 Chr 15:2; Is 56:6; 1 Cor 7:19; 11:1,2; 1 Jn 2:3-6,17; 5:2&3; 2 Jn vs 5&6; Rev 1-3,12,18-22).
2 Jn vs 5&6,9-11 makes that point startlingly clear.
The constant refrain is “return and obey” in various forms (e.g. Deut 30:2,8,20; Hosea 6:1-3), NOT ‘forsake the covenant with impunity’ as some have dared to believe, to their destruction (Deut 29:25-28; 30:18).
Returning through diligent obedience was regarded as important enough, for a Song to have been composed to serve as a witness against renegades (Deut 31:21); and for the entire covenant to be read in the hearing of all Israel on each Shmittah (Year of Release) Sukkot (Feast of Booths) as revision and induction of up and coming generations into Torah as the nation steps into a new seven year cycle of submission (Deut 31:10-13), immediately post-Yom-Kippur-Fast-of-repentance, to keep a short account with YHVH.
The entire Bible is the Source of HOW to prove to YHVH that we actually believe “that if One died for ALL, then were ALL dead,” by our choosing to “live henceforth (as “dead to sin,” by living) NOT UNTO OURSELVES, but unto Him Who died for us and rose again” (Rom 6; 2 Cor 5:14,15; 1 Jn 3;3-10).
This is the meaning of “enter into covenant with the LORD our God” (Deut 29:12-15).
The chief purpose of the Holy Spirit as Teacher/Counsellor, and as the Power of YaH to accomplish (Phil 2:12-15), is for us to make good on that holy obligation to learn to fear God by learning to do all His will, to FIND His promised “rest and refreshing” for ourselves, by “walking at liberty” in His precepts, as within a fence of roses (Deut 31:11,12; Ps 119:1,45; Is 28:9-13; Rom 2:6-13), to have “full assurance of hope” (of inclusion in a Godfearing, spotless bride), “to the end” (Heb 5:11-14; 6:1-12; Rev 3:1-6,10-12,16; 2:5,26; 12:17; 14:6,7,12)
As Archbishop Selby said, living for Christ in that way, provides both abundant life NOW, and the Hope that we’ll rise to glory – by producing the abundant, “peaceable fruit of righteousness “meet for repentance” (Acts 26:18,20; Heb 12) which PROVES we are indeed sanctified by the Blood and wholly acceptable.
Hence the concept of justification by WORKS of RIGHTEOUSNESS, by sanctification by the COMMANDMENTS (Acts 10:35; Eph 2:10; 1 Thess 4:1-3a; 5:23; James 1:22-25; 2:12-26).
Snapshots of the modus operandi of THAT admirable degree of consecration, are inserted strategically THROUGHOUT the Bible to help order our priorities, once w’ere reconciled by faith in the redemption which is in the Master’s Blood (Deut 5:49; 7:6-15; 10:4,12-17; 18:13; Ps 103:17,18; Hosea 12:6; Amos 5:14,15; Eccl 12:13; Zeph 2:3; Rom 2:6-13; 3:20,31; 7:7,12-16,22,25; 8:4-14; 1 Tim 6:11-14; Rev 14:6,7,12; 22:11), leaving no-one with excuse for treating the PASSIVITY of IMPUTED righteousness as the goal of salvation, especially since such great emphasis is placed on sanctification by the commandments throughout the New Testament, culminating in especially intense exhortation and admonition from Rev 14 through 22.
Under Moses, YHVH was honoured “IN Yeshurun” AS KING (Deut 33:4,5) when Israel was TEACHABLE, submitting to the wisdom of their heritage of Torah; so shall He be honoured as the “more glorious latter house of Jacob” (the proper identity of the endtime church) mends ITS ways to keep THE Way (Haggai 2:7,9; Lk 1:33; Rom 3:31), for righteousness in word and deed to be restored (Rom 15:16-18), by “mercy and truth MEETING together and righteousness and peace KISSING each other” (Ps 87:9-13), for only then (when we cease provoking the LORD by insisting on the idolatry of our self-will) will “the ordinances of Heaven and Earth” be harmonized (Jer 33:25; Matt 6:9,10) and the song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb be fulfilled (Deut 31:19-22,28-30; Mal 1:6; Rev 14:1-3,6,7,12; 15:1-4).
That is when the two consonantal couplets which make up the Memorial Name YH VH, will be UNIFIED in practice, because YH stands for the Divine Atttubute of JUSTICE/JUDGMENT and VH, for MERCY.
The BLEND of both Attributes will bring about the desired goal for Creation through the ekklesia of Jacob (Acts 7:38) which is now Messiah’s body, thereby raised to the stature of HIS FULLNESS (Eph 4:13,14,23,24), to be rightly acclaimed as “YESHURUN” – redeemed man (as Jacob was – Matt 8:11,12) purged, cleansed, sanctified and perfected as covenant-keeper (Col 1:22,23,28; 4:12).
“HALLOWING (honouring, exalting, glorifying) His Name” (Matt 6:9,10), and His Name being “put ON us” (Nu 6:27) means His image being imprinted on our souls by His laws written on our hearts (Heb 8:10), for THEM (the doers of His laws) to be His own, for having “approved the things which are more excellent, being taught out of the law,” to do them (Ex 19:5-8; Rom 2:6-26; James 1:22-25).
That’s when the Unification of all things prophesied in Eph 1:9,10, will be fulfilled, because YHVH cannot be God as “all in all” while His creation mutinies and refuses to return to Him IN OBEDIENCE, to be “WHOLLY sanctified, spirit, soul AND body,” to be restored to His Image (Rom 8:29; Col 3:9,10; 1 Cor 15:28).
In short, “Yeshurun” becomes a VALID IDENTITY for a people made trustees of the holiest ‘pandect (codex) of profitable laws in all eternity, against a rebellious spirit’ (Deut 4:5-8; Is 2:2-4), WHEN they who PROFESS the righteousness of the yoke of Heaven BASED on possession of the laws life, ARE NO LONGER HYPOCRITES, but a light to the world by walking lawfully, after the Spirit, as Y’shua and Paul did (Matt 5:19,48; 11:29,30; 12:50; Rom 7:22,25-8:14).
May Israel’s God and Father hasten that day, for us to rejoice with His people (Deut 32:43; Jer 31:7), and for all Creation, for their and its liberation from bondage to suffering by defilement by our collective Torahlessness (Is 24:5; Rom 8:4,6,7,18-22; 1 Jn 3:4).
Such is the overarching lesson of Deuteronomy
HalleluYaH
