Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25 Musings

Reading , Writing, Remembering - Deuteronomical Promises of Our Creator

The Torah reading for August 5,2023 is  Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25 and bears the title "Ekev". Are you wondering- What does Ekev mean and how can these scriptures be relevant to our lives today? As I read these scriptures this morning I am reminded of a strange true story that happened to a close friend of mine who was once protected by hornets when she cried out to God for help. 

Now you may think I am totally whack and wonder what on earth this would have to do with scriptures, but just look in the book and you will see that Our Creator promises He will use hornets to attack the enemies of the Isrealites! Yes, it's there in Deuteronomy 7:20!

But , just for now, here's an overview of the Shabbat reading for today from Deuteronomy.

Ekev - What Does This Mean?

While the name for this week's Torah portion is written Ekev in most places, Eikev is the word of the week on the website Hebrew for Christians - Eikev / Ekev  means "because" or "as a consequence of something".  However other sources according to the Bing Ai search say that it means "if  you follow".This is a very appropriate title for this section of Deuteronomy which has a description of the blessings that would happen to people if they followed the laws Our Creator gave us or disobeyed Our Creator.

Deuteronomy 7:12 -11:255 Overview

I found an overview of the Torah reading for  Ekev on  the Messianic Appologetics website :TorahScope Ekev – Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25 – Messianic Apologetics

Mark Huey of Outreach Israel Ministries delivered the following message on the Torah portion for this week: Ekev or “Because”in 2022.

Mark Huey is the director of Outreach Isrel Ministries. This teaching is delivered from a Messianic perspective.

What is the Ekev in this Scriptural Study?

Mark emphasizes the "Ekev" found in Deuteronomy 7:12 starting the reading "Ekev- then". Basically the G-d of Israel says if you do these things then you will be blessed. He raises the question - Is the G-d of love demanding people obey him in order to be blessed , or is He setting out a formula for success?

Mark points out that Moses knew the LORD very well after 40 years of amazing adventures in the desert, and that he continually admonished the people as to what the LORD G-d desired of His people.

If you ever wondered- How can I properly worship G-d? Then it is very important to listen very carefully to the writings found in Deuteronomy. In his look into this section of the Torah, Mark points out that G-d had set out an impossible task for His people. The only way it is possible to do as Our Father asks is through the sacrifice of Our Redeemer and with His help.

You can read a transcript of the audio posted on YouTube for the Ekev reading for 2022  at https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSRqHd0H8VK02q346A1RTvH-3aVi5rlldGKolWH8ybTyDSB7zii6QFUKG4UrkHoHsyP6GF6yksMXRrg/pub

So What about the hornet story?

Weakened Woman Protected By Hornets!

In Deuteronomy 7:20, Moses tells the Israelites that is they follow the laws of G-d He will release hornets among their enemies until the last one who hides from them shall perish.  Sounds rather incredible , doesn't it?  Here is the strange , but true story of how a woman I know very well was protected by hornets.

One day, after a serious injury that left Shoshannah with over 100 sutures in her right side,, Shoshannah was totally alone in the house she shared with friends  Shoshannah  was surprised to heara motor in the driveway, but it wasn't the sound of her landlady's car.

Curiously, she went to the door , and saw a huge biker pull up on  a motorcycle.

"Hey!: the biker shouted, "Is Steve here?"

"No, he took Jennie out for lunch, would you like me to tell him you came to see him?"

"Is there anyone else here with you?" the biker asked.

"Not at the moment,"Shoshanna replied innocently.

As the biker dismounted and headed towards her, she started regretting her honesty.

"Are you the lady who was looking after those pups who sell for $30,000 a piece?"

The biker started pulling his gloves tighter on his hands as he walked menacingly towards her. "I have it on good knowledge that they're going to need someone else to look after those pups very soon." he growled coming closer.

"Oh, LORD, save me!" Shoshannah thought frantically.

Immediately, a swarm of hornets flew out of the back of her van where they had set up a nest. The hornets lined up in a perfect rectangle - like a TV screen  -about a foot from her face . ,Even more incredibly, they were lined up in a precision formation - all facing the approaching assassin!

"Wh -Wh-where did these come from?" the biker stammered in shock.

"G-d made them."Shoshannah replied simply.

"I, I, I... I think I'd better leave !" the biker nervously stammered backing away towards his bike.

"I think that's a good idea," Shoshannah agreed.

The biker climbed on his bike, wheeled it around, and roared off with the cloud of hornets in hot pursuit!

So, if you ever wonder why hornets have made a nest close to you, perhaps Our Creator is providing a lethal powerful airforce  for your protection too!

Have you ever heard of someone being protected by hornets like that?

Our Father is so incredibly awesome!

Have a great week!

Su

Note: The names in the above miracle story have been changed for privacy reasons.