Parashiyot Nitzavim-Vayeilech: We Wear God's Clothes!

Torah: Deut 29:10-31:30

Haftarah: Is 61:10 - 63:9

Brit Chadashah: Rom 10:1-8

Main Points:

Israel stands before the Lord.

Repentance and forgiveness.

Choice of life and death before them.

Joshua succeeded Moses and was commissioned.

Beginning of the Song of Moses.

It is easy to be depressed and accept a verdict of failure when rehearsing past mistakes then end up in the crazy position of looking like a believer but feeling like a spiritual drop-out. One part of our walk with God entails resembling him. When we are forgiven of our sins and begin to act on the word of God, God does not give us the judgment we deserve. Instead, he forgives us and clothes us with his own glory. We do wear his clothes, spiritually and in our attitudes, goals, and actions we seek to manifest his person and fulfill his word. Knowing that God blesses, heals, saves, and delivers is one thing. Accepting it and allowing it to be a part of your person is another.

I recently sat down with someone who was pouring his heart out about the mistakes of his past. He was still walking with God and obeying the scriptures, but he could not get away from his mistakes and bad decisions. It seemed that every day his thoughts kept accusing him and tormenting him about what he did, how it defined him, and it was keeping him away from what God was providing for him in his present. After talking about the nature of biblical repentance and the need to forgive himself as well as others, we began to pray.  I mentioned this haftarah portion because it contains a central truth that fits so well, “If you are going to wear God’s clothes (Is 61:10), you have to accept his labels for you as well (Is 62: 4).”

Is 61:10 speaks of God clothing us (literally to wrap around) with garments of salvation and covering us with a robe of righteousness (an outer garment). This implies two layers of garments, one on the inside and another outside. God cleanses us inside. He works to heal us mentally and emotionally on many levels specifically our past sins, emotional scars, and personal weaknesses. He not only cleanses us on the inside he also cleanses us outside and helps us to manifest his glory before the nations in how we live. In our haftarah, we see God robing us with himself and then he addresses the issues of the labels we wear (Is 62:4).

Malicious people may have labeled you many things out of spite, jealousy, or anger. Hateful labels can come from spouses, parents, acquaintances, or even family, and some may be true. We wear these negative labels and they define our happiness, capabilities, and place limitations on our person and future that God never meant to exist. We often cannot look to our past for validation because our past can be a museum of failed life experiences rift with blame, guilt, shame, and accusations. So where do we look? The definition of our person cannot come from the weakest part of who we are, the worst of what we have done, or the most negative painful things others have said about us. Have you ever thought of yourself as being forsaken and desolate? Israel did and many of us have been in this same place. Isaiah 62:4 points to a new definition for God’s people that was centered on the promise and blessing he was speaking over their future. It was a turning point for the entire nation.

Who are you really and how do you define yourself? Is your self-concept stuck in a ditch alongside memory lane somewhere on a dead-end street? If you feel that way, God is calling you to accept his terms and his definition of your person.

Understand that your past is part of what gives you the wisdom to help others. Cherish it and use it for good. Learn to learn from your past and submit all things to Yeshua. He can redeem anything and make it a testimony for the kingdom. Learn to let go and forgive. Forgiveness is for our benefit so that we can be free (this does not imply a lack of boundaries). Begin to recall and proclaim the blessings of God and those things he has called you to be. Your confession is part of what you ultimately embrace as truth. Constantly speak the word God is giving to you. Focus on being part of that truth and defining yourself by actively being a part of God’s will and purpose. Leave no negative thought unchallenged. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of our future and what God is leading us into. The future God is giving to us is always greater than the past he is taking us out of.  Empower yourself with the word of God. Proclaim his truth. Know that only God determines your value, worth, and substance. When we let him define us and label us our lives will resemble his redemptive plan. Remember, we wear his clothes and bear his name. That is the ultimate label.

Rav Calev,

Shabbat Shalom

Next Feasts:

Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset, Oct 2nd and ends at sunset on Oct 4th.

Yom Kippur begins at sunset, Oct 11th and ends at sunset on Oct 12th.

Sukkot begins at sunset, Oct 16th and ends at sunset on Oct 23rd.

Hebrew words to know:

Cross over in prayer- Kavanah

Cry or wail- Geshrai; A Yiddish word.

Curiosity- Sakranut

Decrees- Chukkim