Re’eh (meaning “see”)

Parashah #47 for this year.

Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17.

          In this Parashah, Re’eh (meaning “see”), we find the following verse:

Deuteronomy 11:26-28 (CJB) “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse – the blessing, if you listen to the mitzvot of ADONAI your G-d that I am giving you today; and the curse, if you don’t listen to the mitzvot of ADONAI your G-d, but turn aside from the way I am ordering you today and follow other g-ds that you have not known.”

  Israel was positioned right between Mt G’rizim (that’s the blessing) and Mt ‘Eival (that’s the curses).

     There is no middle ground when it comes to making choices.  This comes up often in the Bible, and in our lives as well at different stages.

     We have to trust in G-d to take care of us, and stay in His will and follow His commandments.  We can isolate examples where He saw us through some hardships and didn’t abandon us.  People come into our lives just when we need them to, for example, or a job or some money comes through for us.  Sometimes we have to wait a very long time, and then, like in Isaiah 54:11, “He set our stones in the finest way and lays our foundations with sapphires.” 

     Our very lives are a gift and this Shenandoah valley to which we were led is beautiful and rich like sparkling jewels.  I was so impressed with it when I first saw it in my 20s.  I didn’t know the groundwork was being laid to live here much later, after visiting my daughter at college several times.

     I can follow my now three children to the also breathtakingly lovely West Coast, or I can be thankful to be here in this very spiritual place where I can make an impact, more than with my children whom I am not supposed to make idols of.  It’s good for them to observe how I’m trusting G-d to care for them, so far from their home.  They don’t appear to need me, unless Yeshua tells me otherwise at some point.  That’s also true of my oldest child, who recently moved to Richmond from Charlottesville.

     I can also make the mistake of worshipping the house that has more room than I need, but that I love, and has lost me much money waiting to be sold.  I could have bought it out way below market, and now it won’t sell for much due to lowered prices, but I will be grateful for the sale and whatever I get to keep.  It’s also in a nice town that I chose, that’s no longer right for me like it once was.  I know these things also from a pattern of timely phone calls and notices, including the ones that cemented my decision to move here and stay here, and the calls that caused my youngest child to leave Virginia and move in with her sister, clear across the country.  I note and respect how things have fallen into place for her there so far, which overrides my shock and sadness due to her leaving so suddenly.

     In conclusion, we must all do what we were called to do for Yeshua’s purpose.  We are not alone, because He is here with us, giving us guidance and instruction, even in these difficult times we’re in right now, when our normal activities are curtailed.  We need to turn to Him more than ever, while we’re waiting for things to turn around and not get discouraged.

Shabbat Shalom!