1. Va’etchanan
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2. Va’etchanan Va’etchanan = “And I pleaded” Deuteronomy 3:23 – 7:11
The 45th Torah Portion Readings
2nd reading in the Book of Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy 3:23 – 7:11
Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1-26
Gospel: Luke 22:13-38
Deuteronomy 3:23-26 (KJV) Dt 23 And I besought the LORD at that time, saying, 24 O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might? 25 I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. 26 But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter.

3. Va’etchanan
Deuteronomy 3: And I besought the LORD at that time, saying, 24 O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might? 25 I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. 26 But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter.

4. Deuteronomy Chapter 3
Moses’ speech, continued and his desire to go over and see the good land.
God told Moses he could not go over into the promise land
God told Moses not to bring up the matter again
Like a good parent, God is true to His Word. In essence He says, "That's enough, Moses. I don't want to hear anymore about it.“
Our hearts go out to this man Moses as he begs the Lord to let him enter the land which has been his goal for forty years. What a lesson this is for us. Though we repent of our sin, we will have to take the consequences of it in this life whether we like it or not.
This conversation reveals something of the intimacy of Moses’ relationship with God. It also heightens the feeling of tragedy in the experience of a man who devoted his life to fulfilling God’s promise for Israel but knew he would never see its completion. But Moses could at least look at the land from the peak of Mount Pisgah.

5. Deuteronomy Chapter 4 An exhortation to obedience
Moses appoints the three cities of refuge beyond Jordan
Deuteronomy 4:2 (KJV) Dt 2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
One purpose of the Law was to give the Israelites a full life as they obeyed God (vv. 1-4). In verses 5-8 another purpose of the Law is revealed: to make Israel morally and spiritually unique among all the nations and thereby draw other nations to the Lord. In contrast with all other nations Israel was not to be distinguished by her natural resources, The experience at Horeb was designed to produce a fear of God in the hearts of the people so that a covenant between them and the Lord could be possible. In the Old Testament the fear of God is more than awe or reverence though it includes both. Fearing God is becoming so acutely aware of His moral purity and omnipotence that one is genuinely afraid to disobey Him.
This is the first time in the Bible that God tells anybody that He loves them. God has demonstrated that He loves man from the very first of Genesis, but, up to this point, He hasn't said anything about it. This is the first time He mentions it. He gives this as His motive for what He has done. He has already delivered them out of the land of Egypt, and He is going to do greater and mightier things for them. The basis of it all, the motive for it all, is that God loves them.
Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee. The greatest undertaking of any nation is the education of the young. Probably the greatest failure of any nation is the failure in education. Look at America today and see the dismal failure we are making in this matter of education. Now I am not blaming the colleges and the schools. Do you know where the problem lies? It is right in the home. God tells these people, "I want you to teach your children and your grandchildren." The failure to teach is the failure of Mom and Dad in the home.

6. Deuteronomy Chapter 5 The covenant in Horeb The ten commandments
Deuteronomy 5:1 (KJV) Dt 1 And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.

7. Deuteronomy Chapter 6
The Shama – Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (KJV) 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
Deuteronomy 6:2-3 (KJV) Dt 2 That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.

8. Deuteronomy Chapter 7 All communion with other nations is forbidden
Israel to be separate from other nations. God wants other nations to become like Israel. Today God wants the nations to become like the church. The church was brought into the world to reform the world, but like Israel conformed to other nations the church has conformed to the world.
Another reason may be God told them that he would “destroy thee suddenly.” Some believe that there was a great deal of STD in the land and if Israel would have intermingled with the nations they may have been lost through the diseases.
What is man's answer to the love of God? It is obedience.
God will bless any people who respond to His love by obedience.

9. Luke 22:7-10
7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. 8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. 9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? 10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.
Although the portion begins at Luke 22:13, the paragraph would likely begin at vs. 7.

10. Luke 22:11-13
11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. 13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
There is no reason to read a miracle into this passage. Our Lord had been to Jerusalem many times. He knew the man who had this upper room. He had said to our Lord, "When you are in Jerusalem, bring your disciples here." Probably the Lord had already made arrangements with him to use the room and was letting him know that He needed it at this time. It would be easy to recognize a man carrying a jar of water because women usually carried the water from the wells to their houses. This private location kept the plans secret—even Judas would not know their destination until they arrived.

11. Luke 22:14-16
14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
Jesus had looked forward to this quiet time with his disciples. We know from John’s Gospel that a great deal was said during the Passover meal. These would be Jesus’ “last words”—thus words of vital importance to these to whom he was entrusting the carrying on of his work. Jesus knew that his time of suffering would soon come, and that he would not celebrate this event again until it comes to fulfillment in the Kingdom of God. The mention of “fulfillment” reveals the complete and ultimate significance of the entire Passover celebration. While Passover commemorated a past event, it also foreshadowed Jesus’ work on the cross. As the spotless Lamb of God, his blood would be spilled in order to save his people from the penalty of death brought by sin. At that time, those who belong to Christ will sit down at a glorious banquet (see 13:29; 14:15-24; Isaiah 25:6-8; Revelation 19:7-9). Jesus will not celebrate Passover until God’s plan is complete.

12. Luke 22:17-18
17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
The bread and the wine were common, not only at Passover meals but also at every meal in that culture. Those elements symbolized His “body,” the sacrifice for the entire nation, and His “blood.” He was the sacrificial Lamb who was to take away the sin of Israel and of the entire world (John 1:29).
This Gospel mentions two cups of wine. In the traditional Passover meal, the wine is served four times. A fourth cup of wine would conclude the meal. Jesus made the vow to abstain from wine before the fourth cup. Jesus reserved the drinking of this cup for the future restoration. Because Jesus would be raised, so his followers will be raised. One day all believers will be together again in God’s new Kingdom (see 11:2) The Kingdom of God refers to the time of the complete fulfillment of the rule of God. When Jesus celebrates with his people, all God’s promises, power, and authority will be fully realized.

13. The Four Cups 1. “Bring Out” 2. “Delivering” 3. “Redemption/Blessing”
4. “Taking Out”
(1 Cor. 10:16) The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

14. Luke 22:19-20
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
The Lord took two of the most frail elements in the world as symbols of His body and blood. Bread and wine -- both will spoil in a few days. When He raised a monument, it was not made of brass or marble, but of two frail elements that perish. He declared that the bread spoke of His body and the wine spoke of His blood. The bread speaks of His body broken -- not a bone broken but a broken body because He was made sin for us (see 2Cor. 5:21). I do not believe He even looked human when He was taken down from that cross. Isaiah had said of Him, "...his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men" (Isa. 52:14); and "...there is no beauty that we should desire him" (Isa. 53:2).
Jesus took the loaf of unleavened bread, thanked God, and broke it. Because bread was considered a gift from God, it was irreverent to cut bread with a knife, so bread would be torn (or broken) with the hands. Jesus gave the bread to the disciples to eat with the sauce. As he did so, he gave this Passover practice an entirely new meaning. Just as the Passover celebrated deliverance from slavery in Egypt, so the Lord’s Supper celebrates deliverance from sin by Christ’s death. Jesus told the disciples: “This is my body, given for you.” Jesus used literal terms to describe a figurative truth. Just as he had so many times said, “I am” the door, the bread, the light, the vine, so the bread symbolized Jesus’ work of salvation on behalf of humanity. That his body would “be given” pictures the cross on which Jesus gave his body in death, allowing it to be broken so that believers could receive life.
Jesus told the disciples to eat the broken bread in remembrance of me. He wanted them to remember his sacrifice, the basis for forgiveness of sins, and also his friendship that they could continue to enjoy through the work of the Holy Spirit.
As noted above, in a traditional Passover meal, wine is served four times. Most likely, the cup mentioned in this verse was the third cup; the words of 22:17-18 were spoken about the fourth and final cup that Jesus did not drink, vowing first to complete his mission before drinking again of wine.

15. Luke 22:21-23
21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. 22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! 23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
The one who was going to betray Him was in their midst. John makes it clear that during the Passover our Lord took the sop, gave it to Judas, and said, "That thou doest, do quickly" (see John 13:26-30). Then Judas left.
Jesus now revealed that the betrayer was one of the gathered disciples who was eating the Passover meal. Judas’ accountability and God’s sovereign plan for Jesus’ death are seen together (v. 22). Jesus had to die, for His death was the basis of salvation for all mankind and the only means for lifting the curse of sin. But the betrayer was accountable for his actions. Apparently the disciples had trusted Judas completely, for they had no idea who would do such a thing
Verses 3-6 revealed that the man who will betray Jesus is Judas Iscariot. Although the other disciples were confused by Jesus’ words, Judas knew what he meant. The betrayer was there among them, joining them in the meal, one of Jesus’ chosen twelve disciples. Jesus’ words allude to Psalm 41:9.
Jesus’ death was part of the divine purpose; Jesus recognized that. But this does not remove responsibility from the betrayer. Judas allowed his desires to place him in a position where Satan could manipulate him (22:3). In betraying Jesus, Judas made the greatest mistake in history. But the fact that Jesus knew Judas would betray him does not mean that Judas was a puppet of God’s will. Judas made the choice. God knew what that choice would be and confirmed it. Judas didn’t lose his relationship with Jesus; rather, he had never found Jesus in the first place. Judas, by his own choice, betrayed God’s Son into the hands of soldiers, but Judas’s betrayal was part of God’s sovereign plan (Psalm 41:9; Zechariah 11:12-13; Matthew 20:18; 26:20-25; Acts 1:16, 20).
It must be remembered that while Judas betrayed him, all the disciples fled, and Peter even denied ever knowing Jesus. But all those disciples came to Jesus for forgiveness; Judas never took that opportunity. Instead, he killed himself (Matthew 27:3-5).

16. Luke 22:24-25
24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. 25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
These men who had recognized how low they could stoop also had ambitions to be the greatest. Can you imagine that? Right in the shadow of the cross these men are grasping for position. We see that in the church today. The saints today are not much of an improvement over the apostles.
The disciples’ arguing about which of them was considered to be greatest is surprising in view of what Jesus had just said about one of them betraying Him. Jesus then told them that such thinking is like that of pagans. The followers of the Messiah should not think about such things. Rather than wanting to be the greatest, His followers should each desire to be the one who serves. For Jesus was among them as One who serves (diakonōn, “serves in a lowly way,” v. 27). The disciples should desire to be like Jesus. Ultimately they will have places of honor in the kingdom because they were with Jesus in His trials. They will fellowship with Him, and sit on thrones judging Israel’s 12 tribes (cf. Matt. 19:28).
The most important event in human history was about to take place, and the disciples were still arguing about their prestige in the Kingdom! The disciples, wrapped up in their own concerns, did not perceive what Jesus had been trying to tell them about his approaching death and resurrection. The disciples had already had this discussion (9:46) and Jesus had told them that they should be like children—the least among them would be the greatest (9:48). As before, they were either ignoring his words about his death, or they were wondering who would take over when Jesus died.

17. Luke 22:26-27
26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
The Lord is telling them that He has taken the lower position. That is what He did when He took my place on the cross. It is like a master getting up from the table and telling his servant, "You sit down and eat, and I will serve you." When Jesus Christ came to earth, all mankind should have been His servant! Instead, He served mankind. He set a table of salvation and has invited us to this great feast of salvation.
The world’s system of leadership varies greatly from leadership in God’s Kingdom. But among Christians, the master is to be like a servant. There are different styles of leadership—some lead through public speaking, some through administering, some through relationships. Whatever the style, every Christian leader needs a servant’s heart. Jesus immediately corrected his disciples’ attitudes, for they would be unable to accomplish their mission if they did not love and serve one another.
22:27 Jesus did not come to sit at the table and be served; he came as a servant. Greatness is determined by servanthood. The truly great leader places his or her needs last, as Jesus exemplified. Because Jesus served, his disciples must also seek to serve, not seeking to occupy better positions. Being a “servant” did not mean occupying a servile position; rather, it meant having an attitude of life that freely attended to others’ needs without expecting or demanding anything in return. An attitude of service brings true greatness in God’s Kingdom.

18. Luke 22:28-30
28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
The apostles will have a special place in the kingdom. They bridged the gap between the Old and New Testaments. They came out of the Old Testament economy and moved into the New Testament economy. You and I are not in that position today. None of us fits into that particular place because chronologically they bridged the gap. They will be given a prominent position and will not only eat and drink at the Lord's table but will also sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel. That will be their position.
The child of God has some great things in store for the future. The redeemed are going to occupy exalted positions. I wonder if you are working for a place in heaven. I do not mean to say that you should work for your salvation. You do not work for salvation, but you do work for your place in heaven. You are going to heaven by the grace of God, but you are going to be judged according to your works to see what position will be yours. Are you interested in your good works? You should be!
Now I believe that the only thing God will judge is the exercise of the gift He gave us. He gives us a gift when we are put into the body of believers at the time of salvation, and there are literally thousands of gifts. The subject of gifts is an interesting one. Do you know what one of the gifts was in the early church? There was a woman named Dorcas who sewed. Sewing was her gift. She made clothes for widows who otherwise would not have had any clothes. You will be rewarded according to your faithfulness in exercising the gift God has given to you. The way you live your Christian life is important before God.
The disciples had remained true to Jesus throughout the three years of ministry and the hardships it often entailed (9:58). They had been willing to be servants, sharing the gospel message and healing people through Jesus’ power (9:1-6). The words, “I now grant you the right to eat and drink at my table in that Kingdom,” refer to Jesus’ promise that because of their faith in him, they would enjoy the promised messianic banquet with him. This would happen, not immediately, but in due time. They would receive all that he had promised. In addition, they would also sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. The “thrones” and “tribes” can be understood in different ways. (1) If taken literally, the twelve apostles will rule the tribes of Israel at Christ’s return (although this leaves open the question of Judas’s betrayal, the addition of Matthias as a disciple to replace Judas, and the role of Paul’s apostleship). (2) If not taken literally, then the disciples will oversee the church, which will have a prominent place in God’s plan. (3) This may be a promise to Jesus’ closest disciples (probably Paul would be included), who will have a special place of authority in God’s Kingdom. But the entire church, meaning all believers, is included.
The second understanding (the disciples will oversee the church) seems likely. Jesus Christ gave the Kingdom to the new Israel, his church—all faithful believers. His coming ushered in the Kingdom of God with all believers as its citizens. God may allow persecution to continue for a while, but the destiny of his followers is to possess the Kingdom and live with him forever. The apostles, and all believers, can trust that Jesus will surely accomplish all that he promised.

19. Luke 22:31-34
31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
The word converted in this passage does not mean conversion as we think of it. The Lord is speaking about the time when Peter will have a change of heart and mind and his faith will be increased. At that time such a tremendous change would be wrought in Peter that he would be able to strengthen his brethren. The Lord knew that Peter would deny Him, and yet He said, "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not."
The Lord today is our intercessor. He knows when you are moving toward the place of failure and stumbling. If you belong to Him, He has already prayed for you that your faith fail not. You may fail Him, but if you belong to Him, your faith will not fail. The reason your faith will not fail is because He has prayed for you. My, what a picture of His love!
In John 17:9 our Lord prayed to the Father, "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine." The Lord does not pray for the world. He died for the world, and you cannot ask Him to do any more than that. He died for the world, but He prays for His own that they will be kept while they are in the world. The Lord Jesus Christ prayed for you today. It may be that you did not pray for yourself but He has prayed for you.
Peter was later able to strengthen his brethren. The man who has been tested is the man who is really able to help others, even if he has failed and has come back to the Lord
Luke alone recorded these solemn words to Simon (Peter) and described Satan’s role in the upcoming difficulties all the disciples, but especially Peter, were soon to face. Satan asked to sift them like wheat, meaning a severe trial. These words recall when Satan asked God for permission to test Job (Job 1:7; 2:2). Satan wanted to crush Simon Peter and the other disciples like grains of wheat. He hoped to find only chaff and blow it away. But Jesus assured Peter that although his faith would falter, it would not be destroyed, “But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen and build up your brothers.” Jesus prayed for faith, not the removal of the test. Apparently, he knew that Peter would fail; otherwise, there would be no need for Peter to repent. Yet Jesus was confident of this turning back, and also understood that, having faced this trial, Peter would be able to strengthen fellow believers. Indeed, the book of 1 Peter deals entirely with encouragement for believers who are undergoing trials and difficulties. Peter became a source of strength to many who needed it.
Peter seemed to ignore Jesus’ words regarding intercession on his behalf and simply answered with bravado. Peter considered his loyalty to exceed anyone’s, for he declared that suffering and death could not dissuade him. Peter surely wanted to believe that his loyalty to Jesus would be strong, but Jesus already knew that Peter would initially fail the test. Instead of being the only loyal disciple, Peter would, in fact, prove to be more disloyal than the other ten. Not only would he desert Jesus, but he would also deny three times that he even knew Jesus. And this would happen before the night was over.

20. Luke 22:35-36
35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
It is marvelous the way the disciples were provided for during that particular period of time when the Lord sent them to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He is now going to send them on a new mission with a new message. They will actually have a new audience because they will not be confined to Israel but will carry the message to the world.
We are living in difficult days. The Lord said, "He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." Why? For self protection, of course. They were living in days that required a sword. We need to recognize that fact also. If we do not resist evil today, all kinds of evil will befall us. We could end up in the hospital or have some of our loved ones slain.
Here Jesus would reverse his earlier advice regarding how to travel (9:3). Before, Jesus had sent the disciples out without extra resources, wanting them to depend on God and on other believers to meet their basic needs. The disciples remembered that they did not lack anything during that preaching tour. But now, Jesus explained, the situation was different. His followers needed to be prepared.

21. Luke 22:37-38
37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
You do not need to overdo this thing and make your home an armed garrison, but you do need to protect yourself.
Jesus quoted from Isaiah 53:12 and said that those very words were about to be fulfilled. Jesus would take the place of transgressors, taking their punishment for them. Because of all that was about to happen to Jesus, the disciples would be in danger too. The disciples did not understand. The “fulfillment” of which Jesus spoke referred to his death, but the disciples were busy checking for arms with which to defend themselves. They came up with two swords, hardly enough to defend them all. But Jesus said, “That’s enough,” meaning either that this was not the time to think of using swords or that he’d had enough of their discussion. In either case, mention of a sword vividly communicated the trials they soon would face.

22. Isaiah 53:10-12
10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

23. Va’etchanan
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