The Song of Moses in Revelation
Ha'azinu "Hear!"

When we hear that the saints sing the Song of Moses in Revelation, we might be tempted to think it is the victory song from the Song of the Sea.  This doesn't make sense contextually, though, for how often are the seven assemblies of Revelation urged to "hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies [churches]"?  The Torah portion for this week is Haazinu, "Give Ear," and it is a summary of the history, present reality, and prophecy of Israel.  If the Torah concludes with Moses' song to Israel and exhortation to "Give Ear!", then what are the odds that the Song of Moses is only the Song of the Sea?  

The Father declares the end from the beginning, and if the beginning, Bereishit "In the beginning" (Genesis) of the Torah is begun from its conclusion, Haazinu and V'zot HaBrakha (and this is the Blessing), then it makes sense that those Torah portions would be augmented by reading the Book of Revelation, which also cautions hearers not to add to nor take away from the words of the Book.  In fact, if Israel gives ear, then the blessing of the tribes makes sense in Revelation just as it does in the concluding messages of Moses in his song. 

Since Revelation is the revelation of how the whole world is purged to re-enter the Shabbat, I was able to identify 114 correlations between the Song of Moses in this Torah portion and Revelation.  How faithful is our Father to perform His Word?  Awesome!

Here is a sample from CG WKBK5Vol.V that demonstrates the connection:

At what moed (feast) season of the year would the Song Of Moses be read on Shabbat? The fall, at the season of the High Holidays that correspond to the Feast of Trumpets, Yom HaKippurim, and Sukkot.  Therefore Sardis is Trumpets, Yom HaKippurim is Philadelphia, and Laodicea is Sukkot (see CGWKBK 1 for detailed explanations).  These are the last days, and John was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day. 

The Peshitta, an Aramaic translation of Revelation 3:17, contains an interesting additional identification of the Laodiceans, who correspond to both Shabbat and Sukkot as the Seventh assembly of Israel: "You say I am rich and my wealth has increased and I need nothing; and you do not know that you are miserable and a wanderer and poor and blind and naked." (Lamsa, trans., 1933)  The Aramaic text adds "and a wanderer," which is not contained in Greek versions.  This is meaningful, for Israel identifies herself as a wanderer every Sukkot!

The rich fatness of Yeshurun in the Song of Moses is attributed to the Laodiceans by John in Revelation, but the addition of "wanderer" directly ties the Seventh Assembly to the observance of Sukkot, which required a ritual recitation over offerings that began with, "My father was a wandering Aramean..."  The text is also recited as part of the Pesach haggadah, reinforcing the chiastic structure of the moedim.  It is ironic that the self-identification as an Aramean wanderer is most precisely translated from the Aramaic Peshitta manuscript.  

Our gift to you this Shabbat is access to the teachings for Rosh HaShanah and Yom HaKippurim at our local congregation, The Olive Branch.  The videos give a more detailed overview of the Seven Assemblies of Revelation as the Seven Feasts of Adonai, and it contrasts the chronological, natural presentation of Creation in Genesis One with the more spiritual presentation through the four Rivers of Eden in Chapter Two.  There is still time to purchase a copy of Creation Gospel Workbook Five, Vol. 1, Bereishit, if the videos interest you and you'd like the full teaching - and more importantly, the menorah coloring page - of the Rivers of Eden as the Golden Menorah, the  Feasts of Adonai, and His Seven Spirits listed in Isaiah.  



Ketubah

Renewing your wedding vows at Sukkot or getting married soon? Or would you just like to have a ketubah in addition to your marriage certificate?

I have a few ketubahs with the days of creation theme. I won't be able to mail them out until after Sukkot, but if you're interested, email me. You could also pick it up if you're at the Wewoka, OK, Sukkot gathering.





There are only five in existence (other than my own), and each is numbered and signed by the artist. First-come-first serve at $50 plus postage and mailing tube (or just $50 at Wewoka).



BEKY Books

There will be two new BEKY Books available soon!  Truth, Tradition, or Tare: Growing in the Word may be ready by the end of the month, and Peter's Vision: Beacon or Bacon will follow closely.  Visit www.bekybooks.com frequently for new titles, or feel free to suggest new titles.  The authors are planning based on your suggestions!