Weekly Drash
- Ha’azinu
Compliments of First Fruits of Zion
reprinted by permission of FFOZ
Ha’azinu - האזינו : “Give ear”
Torah : Deuteronomy 32:1–52
Haftarah : 2 Samuel 22:1–22:51
Gospel : Acts 24–26
Rejecting the Son
Thought for the Week:
If the first thing is true, how much more so is the greater thing true. But if the first thing is false, how much more so is the greater thing false. If the words of Moses are true and eternal, how much more
so the words of Messiah who was prophesied by Moses. But if the words of Moses are not true or eternal, much more so the words of Messiah who came to us quoting Moses.
Commentary:
Throughout the book of Hebrews, the writer develops a kol v’homer (from the light to the heavy) argument that compares the mandates of Torah (the light) with the message of Messiah (the heavy). At
the outset of the book of Hebrews he said, “For if the word spoken through angels (i.e. Torah) proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we
neglect so great a salvation?” (Hebrews 2:2–3) Then again, near the end of the book he uses the same argument regarding Moses and Messiah. He says, “See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if
those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth (i.e. Moses), much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven (i.e. Messiah).” (Hebrews 12:25)
Note that he does not set the Torah and the Gospel in antithesis. Instead, he essentially says, “Did you think Mount Sinai was serious business? Did you think the Torah was serious business? That pales in
comparison to the seriousness of what we face now. Is it a frightening thought to turn away from the teaching of Moses—the Torah given at Sinai? Of course! Who would consider it? How much more so should it be
frightening to turn away from Yeshua.” In other words, if the word of Moses is inviolable, how much more so is the word of Messiah! If one accepts Torah as inviolable, one should naturally accept Yeshua’s words
as such, since Moses spoke of Yeshua. He is “the [goal] of the Torah.” (Romans 10:4)
In Hebrews 10:28–31 the writer uses the same argument with regard to sin and punishment. He states that one who commits a capital offense against Torah receives retribution from a human court of law. The
human court of law has the authority, depending upon the offense, to issue the death penalty. If that is the case with a human court, how much more terrible to face the heavenly court? And if an offense against
Torah is so punished, how much more so an offense against “the Son of God” and “the Spirit of Grace”?
Anyone who has set aside the Torah of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of
God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” And again, “The LORD
will judge his people.” It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:28–31 quoting Deuteronomy 32:35–26)
To punctuate his point, he quotes from the Song of Moses where it says, “Vengeance is Mine, and retribution…For the LORD will vindicate (din, דין) His people...” (32:35–36) The Hebrew word
translated as “vindicate” can also be translated as “judge.” This is the sense in which the writer of the Hebrews takes it. He sees God judging His people for rejecting Messiah, a prospect he considers utterly
terrifying.
Shavuah Tov! Have a Good Week!
