Torah Portion: Deut 31:1-30 | Prophetic parallels: Joel 2:15-27; Hosea 14:1-9; Micah 7:18-20; Rev 15 | Topic: the call to the absolute purity of chaste virgins, by the Song of Moses AND the Song of the Lamb, noting how YHVH’s WRATH is sharply contrasted in Deut 31:16,17,29 versus 19-21 & in Rev 15:2-4 versus 15:5-8, with the MERCIFUL appeal implicit in these two Songs, to heed the reasonable requirements of “the everlasting covenant,” to avoid harm and even destruction (Rom 12:1,2; Heb 13:20,21)
Yet again, we find that the Hebrew Scriptures have no less in common with the New Testament Books, than the reverse, leaving anyone who harbours a bias against either, as instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:14-17), with no place to hide.
By repeating “…He will not FAIL thee nor FORSAKE thee” (Deut 31:6,8), counterbalanced by repetition of, “LEARN to FEAR the LORD” (Deut 5:29; 6:23-25; 31:12,13) to “observe to do” (be DOERS of) “the Way which I’ve commanded you” (Deut 31:12,29; Lk 20:21; Rom 2:6-13; 7:22,25; James 1:22-25; 2:12), we’re reminded that while the Father of Israel’s LOVE is unconditional, His obligation to keep covenant (i.e. not breach His promise) with us INDIVIDUALLY, is inevitably voided at some point by provocations, by our failure to reciprocate in good faith, in appreciation for the holiness of the everlasting covenant (Nu 14:34; Deut 7:9-12; Heb 2:1-3; 10:26-39; 13:20,21).
We’ll read more about YHVH’s responses to contempt for His laws (Rom 8:6,7), in Deut 32.
Ananias and Saffira (Acts 5:1-10) are an object lesson (intentionally placed close to the account of Pentecost) to give warning to us against complacency, by showing the SEVERITY of what is in store for imprudent, rebellious spirits who in one way or another scorn YHVH’s Appointment with His nation at Sinai on the first Shavuo’t, by repudiating the marriage covenant and the moral law for which it stands, by their own breach of righteousness (Matt 7:21-27; Rom 11:20-22; 1 Peter 4:17).
So Deuteronomy 31 is yet another proof that the Glad Tidings proclaimed to Israel as well as to us (Heb 4:2), is a constant reminder that the PROMISED FREEDOM (the freedom that lies BEYOND the ACT of our translation into the Kingdom of God’s Son through justification by faith) is inextricable from RESPONSIBILITY to submit to loving correction for our ongoing sanctification by refinement of our souls by obedience to righteousness, to be AS our Master Whose Image, the express image of Deity, is the acme of the perfection of holiness (Matt 5:48; Lk 6:40; Jn 8:31,32,34-36; 15:3-14; Rom 8:4,29; 2 Cor 7:1; Col 1:13,28,29; Heb 12).
Given that the true worship is patterned on what occurs in HEAVEN (both in terms of furnishings, and of the content of jurisprudence – Matt 6:9,10), there’s no reason to believe that there’s not an ORIGINAL in Heaven’s Sanctuary (Rev 11:19; 15:5), of the “statutes and judgments” which were “put in the SIDE of the Ark of the Covenant (Deut 31:9,24-26) and which include the preparatory Acts 15:20 Levitical table fellowship regulations as part of the collateral body of Divine law (i.e. in the sense of ‘additional but SUBORDINATE’; ‘connected, but ASIDE FROM the MAIN subject’ – Deut 4:13,14; 7:9-12; 29:9,12-15)
The Fundamental indivisible Ten Commandments (Ex 25:22; 34:27,28,32), the ‘main subject’ of righteousness in word and deed on the Way of Holiness, from which the collateral (subordinate) “paths of righteousness” which comprise “the Way of the LORD,” derive; AND the Song of Moses (Deut 31:21,22; Rev 15), TOGETHER witness against covenant- breakers
If we examine both contexts objectively, we’ll find that the Song of the LAMB is no LESS of a witness against those who mistake “the Way of YHVH” as mere SUGGESTION (Lk 20:21; Acts 24:14), than the Song of Moses (Deut 31:15-30; 32:15-35; Rev 14:6,7,12; 15:1-7).
The Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb which sing the praises of the Holiness of YHVH’s Instructions for GODFEARING CONSECRATION, were written as anthems to inspire loyalty to YHVH and His “everlasting covenant,” by encouraging the household of faith to rise to the standard of righteousness now set corporately by Messiah’s deeper and fuller teachings, for Israel (and their church) to become the triumphant, unimpeachable “Yeshurun” (idealization of uprightness) “in whom YHVH-Immanu El-Y’shua will be King” (Deut 33:5; Lk 1:32,33) through the everlasting Reign of the Begotten Son, on the restored Throne of David (Deut 32:15; 33:26; Is 9:6,7; 44:1-8; Jer 31:7,31-36).
Dying in the LORD with “victory over the BEAST, and over his IMAGE, and over his MARK and over the NUMBER of his NAME” (Rev 15:2,3), is not possible except by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony of YHVH’s faithfulness to keep those who “keep the Word of His patience” (as defined by Rev 3:10; 14:6,7,12), in His love.
As Hosea 14:8 prophesies, “From (and now in) Me is thy fruit (of obedience to the commandments) found” (a cross-reference to abiding in the Vine by sanctification by the commandments, to “remain forever” inscribed for Life – Jn 15:3-15; 1 Jn 2:3-6,17,28,29).
Moses and Y’shua are jointly concerned to usher in everlasting righteousness (Deut 18:18,19).
The Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb are the theme songs of the “they” of Rev 15:3&4, who cleave to YHVH in the strong faith always found by devotion to exercising FEAR of YHVH (Ps 119:38 – hence its great emphasis throughout Scripture), thereby offering HIM the strength of an uncompromisingly righteous witness as our ultimate tribute to HIS Love for US, since obedience is the currency of Divine Love (1 Jn 5:2&3; 2 Jn vs 5&6), the performance of truth held out as a great blessing to be desired, in its own right (1 Jn 5:3; Rev 3:10; 14:6,7,12,13)
The Haftarah (corresponding, ‘parting,’ follow-up) selections from the Prophets (Hosea 14:1,4-9; Micah 7:18-20; Joel 2:15-27; Rev 15:1-8) support the conclusion that both Songs share the themes of return and restoration (to the purity of holiness possible only through return to sound doctrine as in Rev 15:3&4 – “just and true are THY WAYS…who shall not Fear Thee”) through removal of the reproach of sin through the necessity for our chastisement, even scourging (Heb 12:6-8), for our refinement to take place by the Presence and power of the Spirit to ensure sanctification of a remnant of proven and therefore “legitimate” sons to be fit to be heirs of YHVH, as “partakers of HIS own Holiness” (Acts 10:35; Rom 8:4,17; Heb 12; 1 Peter 1:2,13-18).
We would be frighteningly remiss if we were to neglect to heed the mounting weight of loving warnings to keep ourselves in YHVH’s love, which DOMINATE THE CLOSING PORTIONS of both the Torah and the Book of Revelation which speaks for the ENTIRE Bible, as the confluence of all narrative and doctrinal threads.
HalleluYaH for not leaving us without a SURE, albeit NARROW path, to the victory of Rev 15:2 which will result in the FULFILMENT of the election of the House of Jacob/dynasty of David in Ex 19:5-8, in the restoration of the monarchy to Jerusalem in Is 9:6,7; Mk 11:10; 1 Peter 2:9,10 & Rev 1:5&6; 11:15 when Israel and its co-heirs in its commonwealth will rise to rule as “Yeshurun”-chief-of-nations, with the nations as THEIR INHERITANCE (Deut 33:26-29; Is 14:1; 54:3; Zech 2:10-12; Rom 4:13; Lk 1:33; Eph 2:11-19)
