Testing Your Words

I could hardly get past the first few verses of Parsha Shelach - Lecha when what I believe HaShem (the L-RD) wanted me to comment on came jumping out at me.

Bamidbar {13:1} HaShem spoke to Moshe, saying, {13:2} Send you men, that they may spy out the land of Cana'an, which I give to the Bnei Yisrael (Children of Israel): of every tribe of their avot (fathers) shall you send a man, everyone a prince among them. {13:3} Moshe sent them from the wilderness of Paran according to the Mitzvah (Command) of HaShem: all of them men who were heads of the Bnei Yisrael.

If there is any portion of Scripture that teaches us that HaShem tests us, this portion of Scripture is it! Here we read about HaShem instructing Moshe to send out spies to check out the land of Canaan. Now what possible need would the all knowing G-d of heaven and earth have for these men, heads of their household, to make a spy trip and report back on what they saw to Moshe? HaShem being omnipotent could have very easily given Moshe a detailed report with maps, plans descriptions and details on both the lay of the land and its inhabitants had He wanted to, without having to send out human spies. It could have been much like He did when He gave Moshe the plans for the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Human spies after all, would only have a ground level, limited view, whereas HaShem not only has a bird's eye view, but He also has an x-ray vision eye view, nothing can be hidden from him.

Have you ever wondered why as a believer, you come across so many obstacles in your life? Why when you’re faithful, tithing, and trying to do everything right you still encounter “giants” in your land, whatever they may be; illness, family problems, personal problems, unemployment or whatever? Well wonder no more! With your reading of Parsha Shelach-Lecha, HaShem has just given you the answer.

Bnei Yisrael had recently made a serious commitment to HaShem, they declared in His hearing:

Shemot (Exodus) {19:7} Moshe came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which HaShem commanded him. {19:8} All the people answered together, and said, "All that HaShem has spoken we will do." Moshe reported the words of the people to HaShem.

Have you ever considered this? When you accepted Yeshua into your life you did not only accept Him as your saviour but also as your Lord (King, Ruler of your life)? Do you know what it means for Yeshua to be Lord of your life? It means you abdicate the throne of your life and you turn your entire life, which means every aspect of it, including (but not limited to) total trust, over to Him. Therefore in accepting Yeshua as Lord it is as if you too have exclaimed in His hearing, "All that HaShem has spoken I will do." In other words, you declared yourself to be a servant of the L-d. All good servants follow orders and do things as they are told. They trust their masters implicitly, especially after they have made a vow to do so.

HaShem knew what was in bnei Yisrael’s hearts. Yes, not even the condition of the heart is hidden from Him. He knew their response to the spy mission before they were ever sent out, in fact, before the spies were ever born ! But they needed to know their own hearts. They needed to know the severity of their words. Their children needed to know, future generations needed to know and we need to know the seriousness of our words as well! HaShem tests your words and Parsha Shelach-Lech is proof of that!

Some sing hymns at their congregational services, others, like us sing praise and worship songs. Some recite liturgy, while others do extemporaneous prayers, some like us, do both. Have you ever taken the time to carefully consider what it is you are saying to HaShem at these times? Here at Melech Yisrael we recite a prayer called the Shema (Hear). As part of this prayer we recite a portion called the Ve'ahavta (And you shall love). The Ve'ahavta is a prayer which repeats HaShem’s commandment to raise our children and nurture them in the admonition of the L-rd. Here is a portion of the prayer which is taken from:

Devarim (Deuteronomy) {6:6} These words, which I command you this day, shall be on your heart; {6:7} and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.

If you are reciting this prayer, as we do at Congregation Melech Yisrael, or any other prayer, song, hymn or liturgy, then you can be certain that HaShem is going to test your words. And if your word do not match up with your heart, demonstrated by your actions, then your own words become a testimony against you. Yes, you convict yourself of the crime of disobedience and idle speech.

Be careful what you say to HaShem because you can be sure He will test what you say and if your words do not line up with your actions as demonstrated by the results of your test, and fail, prepare for a wilderness experience which you may not survive!

Rabbi Jack "Yaacov" Farber is the spiritual leader of Congregation Melech Yisrael in Toronto, Canada.

Copyright 2004