Parashat Vaetchanan 2025: Rehearse the Vision

Torah: Deut 3:23-7:11

Haftarah: Is 40:1-26

Brit Chadashah: Matt 23:31-39, Mk 12:28-34

Main Points:

Moses was not allowed to enter into the Promised Land.

Moses urges Israel to obey.

Teachings on: Idolatry, cities of refuge, Ten Commandments

Israel is to be a chosen nation.

In Deut 7:1-9 Moses reminds Israel that God had given them a purpose and a place. He called Israel to be a holy and chosen people. He called them out of love with covenant mercies and covenant faithfulness. This was a testament that God would do all he promised and that they would dispossess the seven great Canaanite nations. This battle was not just a physical one. The confrontation with Og, King of Bashan as well as the other giants of the land, pagan kings, and rampant idolatry revealed that this purpose was going to be a spiritual battle as well.

Spiritual battles and kingdom conquests often run hand in hand. While doing outreach one day, we came to a certain neighborhood. From the time we arrived, I felt a huge conflict erupt in my spirit. It felt like I had entered into a spiritual war zone. While the other members of our team departed the bus to begin to speak with people, I could not go. Intercession hit hard and I travailed until the burden lifted. I had dealt with witches before and was familiar with the spirit I was confronting. When I left the bus, I was immediately confronted by a man who was trying to fight me. Someone was trying to hold him back and I was determined to stand my ground. I did not speak, I just prayed and after the man was pulled away, went to join the group (there is power in numbers). I continued to pray while we were there and focused on covering the group and praying for protection and anointing. When we left I made a mental note, “do not go into THAT neighborhood alone!”

The purpose God gave all of us requires physical effort, but we can never forget the spiritual battle that surrounds all we do. Making progress in the kingdom is emotionally, physically, and spiritually draining. The enemy does not tire of his attacks and we are constantly walking around with a target on our shield of faith. The key to keeping our conviction is to constantly live in our vision.

Kingdom conquests require consistent long-term investments where we are praying and working out the will of God. It is weary work tilling the ground and we must keep in mind who God called us to be and what he empowered us to do. He did not just call you, he empowered you as well. You are not alone.

Kingdom conquests require us to stay faith-focused. Rehearsing the vision renews our faith. Ps 119:49-50 states, “Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.” When we are weak, tired, or just worn out renewing our faith gives us strength and reconnects us with our purpose. We have to have a response when one part of us is yelling for us to quit or that things will never change. That response is to regularly rehearse God's promise. In Isaiah 62:6-7 God posted watchmen on the walls to remind him of his promises. Why does God need watchmen or anyone to remind him of his promises? Does God forget? Well, yes and no. God may forget our sin, but he never forgets our faith (Is 43:26-27). He calls us to put him in remembrance so that we can constantly join with him in his creative work, direct us, and empower us. It is through rehearsing his promise that we enter into faith-filled worship and thank him for what he has decreed and will fulfill. It is through rehearsing his promise that we testify against the forces of darkness and engage in spiritual warfare as enforcers. It is in the constant rehearsing of our faith that revival comes.

In John 15:5 Yeshua stated, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.“ When we practice abiding in God and meditate on his word and purpose, there will be a tipping point that God has decreed for our faith. Rehearse the vision God gave you, hold fast, and be relentless! The breaking will come.

Rav Calev

Apostolic Messianic International-Gulf Coast

Next Feasts:

Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset, Sept 22^nd and ends at sunset on Sept 24^th.

Yom Kippur begins at sunset, Oct 1^st and ends at sunset on Oct 2^nd.

Sukkot begins at sunset, Oct 6^th and ends at sunset on Oct 13^th.

Hebrew words to know:

Tiferet- Beauty, Harmony, and Balance.

Chayim Yafim- Beautiful Life