Parshas Eikev: Expect Miracles!

Moses finishes reviewing events of the last 40 years in this week's powerful Torah portion, Eikev: Devarim (Deuteronomy) 7:12 - 11:25. Eikev means because, and Moses explains that events occur as they do because people set events in motion for good or for evil.

The Covenant in Simple Terms

In Parshas Eikev, God promises His loving protection. He promises his blessings for high birthrates, Jewish prosperity and safety. In return, God requires that the Israelites fulfill His vision of a Heaven on earth by showing mercy as He shows mercy, by being kind as He is kind, by loving Him and serving Him completely and unconditionally, and glorifying Him by keeping His laws and commandments.

Moses reminds the people of all the times in the past 40 years when he intervened on their behalf to soften God's wrath when they defied His authority. He warns them that in the future he will not be there to plead for them when they abandon Torah and morality. 

He foresees a time when the people reject Torah principles, when they revert to intellectual pride, self reliance in battle, secular humanism, materialism, ingratitude, paganism and wickedness. He tells them of the dire consequences they can expect when they do so. He advises them to take responsibility for their waywardness. Only repentance will save their nation.

A Father's Mercy and Love

Our Haftarah this week, Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 49:14 - 51:3, opens with the people of Zion accusing God of abandoning them to foreign powers. 

And Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me."

God reassures the people that he will not forsake His children Israel as a misguided mother forgets to show mercy for her children. Through Isaiah, God promises the world a messianic redeemer just as He promised Abraham and Sarah a son.

Shall a woman forget her sucking child, from having mercy on the child of her womb? These too shall forget, but I will not forget you.

A Prophet From Conception

In chapter 49 verses 1 and 5, Isaiah establishes his prophetic credibility by attributing his formation in the womb to God’s design and intention. Eventually, King Menashe denies Isaiah's birthright by executing him to stop him sharing his prophetic message.

49:1.  Listen to me, you coastlands! Pay attention, you people from far away! The Lord called me from the womb; while I was still in my mother’s body, he pronounced my name.

49.5.  And now, the Lord, Who formed me from the womb as a servant to Him, said to bring Jacob back to Him, and Israel shall be gathered to Him, and I will be honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God was my strength.

Eikev and Isaiah Lessons for Today

Like Isaiah, every human being has intrinsic worth and a God given destiny. Nations that legalize killing children in the womb face really serious trouble.

As stated by the Center for Reproductive Rights, over the past 30 years more than 60 countries and territories have liberalized their abortion laws. Even in countries that limit or ban abortion, pro abortion legal activists continue efforts to expand access. Is it any wonder the world is a mess?

According to Moses, the remedy is clear. Acknowledge that our situational ethics divorced from Torah and morality cause our own misery. Repent.

Embrace a new ethos by showing mercy as God shows us mercy, a mercy that saves innocent babies in the womb; by being kind as God is kind, a kindness that gently cares for a mother and her baby in the womb; by loving God and serving Him completely and unconditionally, and by glorifying Him by keeping His laws and commandments.

We can expect miracles when we do.

May there be abundant peace from Heaven, and good life upon us and upon all Israel. Amen.

Cecily Routman

Cecily Routman is the founder and president of the Jewish Pro-Life Foundation. She opposes abortion homicide in general and among Jews in particular and laments secular policy making in Israel that results in loss of Jewish life and delays the messianic redemption. Cecily envisions a Torah based holy Land of Israel and a world that respects the life of every human being from conception.

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