PARASHAT NITZAVIM VAYEILECH - נִצָּבִים־וַיֵּלֶךְ

PARASHAT NITZAVIM VAYEILECH - NITZAVIM VAYEILECH

by FFOZ

Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30; Isaiah 61:10-63:9, John 12:41-50

Summary

Moses calls every soul in Israel to enter the covenant, binding even future generations to HaShem’s laws. He warns that exile will follow disobedience but promises future restoration. When Israel repents, HaShem will gather them from the nations and circumcise their hearts. The Torah is not beyond reach but near, beckoning for obedience. Moses sets before Israel life and death, blessing and curse, urging them to choose life by loving HaShem and keeping His commandments.

On his one-hundred-twentieth birthday, Moses announces that Joshua will lead Israel into the land. Moses commands Joshua to be strong and courageous. Israel will read the Torah aloud during Sukkot every seven years. HaShem warns that Israel will stray, and Moses must teach them a prophetic song as a witness against them. After exhorting Joshua again to lead with faith, Moses prepares to teach Israel the song.

The Greatness of Repentance

Why is there more joy in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine who don’t need to repent?

A person should repent every day. No one is so holy and righteous that he does not need to repent. Neither is any person so lowly and sinful that he cannot repent.

Moses told the children of Israel that when they returned to God, He would return to them:

Return to the LORD your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 30:2)

The concept of returning to God is called “repentance” (teshuvah). It is one of the most important messages of the Bible. Repentance is a central thrust of Yeshua’s teaching and the Gospel imperative. Yeshua’s message was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).

What is true repentance?

In Hebrew, the verb for “repent” is shuv. It means “to turn around” or “to turn back and go in the other direction.” To repent means “to quit sinning, turn around and start doing good.” It is more than just a change of mind; teshuvah demands a change of behavior. It’s about starting over fresh and trying to do better. Repentance happens when a man realizes that he has sinned and that his sin is offensive to God. He regrets his misdeed, confesses it, renounces it, and endeavors to change his behavior. A person can only repent when he is honest with himself about his faults, shortcomings, character flaws, and weaknesses.

God receives sincere repentance. He does not turn away from a person who asks for forgiveness in the name of His Son and earnestly endeavors to change. Instead, God receives that petition and grants the gift of forgiveness. He removes the person’s sin and erases records of guilt. He freely accepts the person back into His love.

The person who earnestly repents with his heart and soul and asks for forgiveness in the name of Yeshua is immediately reconnected with God. It is as if a light switch is flipped, and where there was darkness, the room blazes with light. A moment before, the person’s sins stood between him and God. At the moment of repentance, the person stands in the very presence of God.

The devil tells a person, “God will not forgive you again. How dare you ask Him for forgiveness? He could never forgive a person like you after what you have done.” But no man’s sin is so great that the love of God as expressed through Yeshua is not greater still. If God did not spare His own Son for you but was willing that He should be sacrificed for you, His love for you is certainly greater than your sin. God will receive your confession of sin, your prayer for forgiveness, and your resolution to do better, even if you must repeat it many times a day.

“We learned there in a Mishna (oral tradition) that Rabbi Eliezer says:

“Repent one day before your death”.

Rabbi Eliezer’s students asked him: “

But does a person know the day on which he will die?”

Rav Eliezer answered: “All the more so this is a good piece of advice, and one should repent today lest he die tomorrow; and by following this advice one will spend his entire

life in a state of repentance.

And King Solomon also said in his wisdom: “At all times your clothes should be white, and oil shall not be absent from upon your head” (Ecclesiastes 9:8), meaning that a person always needs to be prepared.