This week's scriptures: Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12; Joshua 1:1-18; Revelation 22:1-5
The last Torah portion for the year brings us to the edge of the Jordan. Moses prophesied over each of the Tribes, fulfilling his final duty as Israel's leader before handing over to Joshua, then climbing Mount Nebo to survey the Promised Land and dying in faith, according to God's purposes.
Behind lay all of Covenant history up to that point, from the Fall to God's commitment to separate a people unto himself. Moses' prophetic words showed that the future for Israel would contain difficulties, but that God would always be faithful to shepherd his people to the final goal.
The Point of Torah
Over this year we have considered many of the rich details of Torah, from the minutiae of individual laws to the grand scope of God's purposes. And we have only scratched the surface! But what is the main issue, the principal matter, the central purpose of it all?
There are many ways that the world is divided. Each political ideology, each world religion, defines its bounds where you are either in or out, and there are so many conflicting ideas that our minds are often confused as to our identity. Yet, the bottom line is that God is separating a people to himself.
The world is divided into those on a walk with Him to eternal life in His presence, and those who are not. God is calling out a holy people. The foundations of this were set in Torah.
Now, at the edge of the Jordan, the struggles were about to begin - in fulfilment of the prophecies of Moses. Joshua was soon to hear the words, "Be strong and of good courage...for the Lord is with you wherever you go" (Josh 1:9). The history of Israel began here in a new way, a history that we can now look back on these many centuries later. God, in calling out a holy people, committed himself to the battles (both spiritual and physical) that would lie ahead, but without compromise to the promise and purpose in Deuteronomy 33:29:
Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help and the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you and you shall tread down their high places.
Still True Today
Those same words come clear to us today, in the context of the Gospel to the entire world and salvation through Jesus. As we take stock of all we studied over the last year through meditating on Torah, it is not primarily so that we should celebrate the Feasts, or be observant according to the precepts of Torah - important though these things are to the process of sanctification. It is that we become moulded by God's Spirit into a holy people, separated for all eternity as the family of God. This company of people is growing day by day and will do so until Jesus returns.
We are still in a spiritual war, one that is full of deception and distraction from this main goal. But let us not lose sight of it, learning from all that went before, fulfilling what Peter also said to us:
You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, his own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. (1 Pet 2:9)
We are approaching another Jordan, greater than the one that Moses looked over and which Joshua crossed with the first company of chosen people. The final and greatest fulfilment of the Prophet like Moses (Deut 18:15) is Jesus, who will prepare his people and take them from this life into eternal life. The highest purpose of Torah is to prepare a holy people for that great day. What a privilege to part of this people! What a responsibility!
Author: Dr Clifford Denton