Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11

Va’etchanan (‘And I pleaded’)

Questions constitute much of what we say. We probably don’t recognise the extent of this because of the trivial nature of what we are often asking. ‘Will it rain?’ ‘Tea or coffee?’ ‘Where’s the newspaper?’ Such questions do not linger in the mind for long! It also needs realising that not all of our questions are directed to other people. We often ask ourselves things…out loud!

A common reason for our questioning is to elicit information. We don’t know something and therefore require an answer. Clearly when we read in the Bible about God asking questions, this element of ignorance does not apply. It’s similar to a teacher asking a student a question: ‘What is the capital of Norway?’ They know the answer (Oslo!), but does their pupil? Asking for an answer determines a gap in knowledge that could demand action.

This week’s Torah portion includes a section of verses where God, preparing His people for what lies ahead, confronts them with two questions (Deut 4:32-40). These, like that question directed to the student, have a probing and provocative element. “Ask now about the former days” (v32) sets the scene. It can be viewed as a directive for God’s hearers to put to themselves the questions that follow. In that way they could not sidestep the issues that He wanted to raise.

Question Number One

God’s people were particularly being directed to reflect upon situations which, although taking place in the past, were relevant in shaping their future. Those past events had been hugely significant, highlighting God’s power and love.

The first question pointed to hearing God’s voice: “Has any other people heard the voice of God speaking out of fire, as you did, and lived?” (v33). This related to God bringing them the Ten Commandments. Fire had been a feature of that experience, as had been the case when God had first spoken to Moses at the burning bush (Deut 5:22; Ex 3:2, respectively).

Like those to whom the question was asked, we also need reminding of the wonder of God speaking to bring clear purpose and direction into our lives.

Question Number Two

The second question, “Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation…?” brought a further aspect of God’s intervention into focus. It was by means of “Signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm” that He had amazingly released His people from oppressive Egyptian slavery, also enabling them to retain their separate identity (Deut 4:34).

These questions were designed to be provocative reminders of God’s character and power – the One who speaks and acts in unpromising situations. His people were explicitly told to remember and “take to heart” these things. Doing so, and keeping His decrees and commands, would impact their future: “that it may go well with you…and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time” (Deut 4:40).

What is God asking you regarding His past intervention that prepares you for the week ahead?

Author: Stephen Bishop