October 3, 2025 – Dr. Susanna Kokkonen
Ha’azinu 5785 (2025)
Deuteronomy 32:1-52 (Haftarah: Samuel 2:1-51)
Ha’azinu, the name of this Torah portion means “listen.”
“Listen, you heavens, and I will speak; hear, you earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!” (Deuteronomy 32:1-3 NIV)
It was a command by Moses (and thus given to him by God) to remember the past. But it is not just that. The generations to come were ordered to ask their elders about past events.
“Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.” (Deuteronomy 32:7 NIV)
Dividing the Lands
Moses also described the division of the lands. Lands were given to peoples based on the number of Israel’s children.
” When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided all mankind, he set up boundaries for the peoples according to the number of the sons of Israel. For the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance.” (Deuteronomy 32:8-9 NIV)
This is confirmed in the New Testament. When speaking to the people of Athens Paul affirmed that it was God who gave the nations their areas.
“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” (Acts 17:26 NIV)
Forgetting God
Sadly, Moses went on to describe (like many other prophets) how the nation would serve other gods. Consequently, God would hide His face from them.
“I will hide my face from them,” he said, “and see what their end will be; for they are a perverse generation, children who are unfaithful. They made me jealous by what is no god and angered me with their worthless idols. I will make them envious by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation that has no understanding. “ (Deuteronomy 32:20-21 NIV)
At one point Moses too had, seemingly, lost faith during the years at the desert. He was not allowed to see the land except from a distance.
“This is because both of you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites. Therefore, you will see the land only from a distance; you will not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel.” (Deuteronomy 32:51-52 NIV)
David’s Song
The prophetic portion includes a beautiful song by David affirming the help he received from the Lord.
“I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies.” (2. Sam. 22:4 NIV)
God saw David’s powerful enemies and rescued him.
“He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” (2. Sam. 22: 18-20 NIV)
Finally, with God’s supernatural help David could do more than a person could ever do on their own.
“With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.
As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” (2. Sam. 22: 30-35 NIV)
There are beautiful verses in the New Testament confirming the supernatural nature of a believer’s help when faced by impossible circumstances.
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13 NIV)
Warsaw Ghetto
Nazi Germany attacked Poland on September 1, 1939. Less than a month later the city of Warsaw fell completely. As thousands of people were killed and the city demolished, the position of the Jews changed. Already in January 1940, synagogues were closed.
On Yom Kippur, October 12, 1940, Germans announced the establishment of a ghetto. This was terrifying. Coming to a major holiday and hearing the announcement – this as not by chance. Warsaw’s Jews were to move to a confined space. They had to leave their neighbors, their houses, and their friends. Life, as they had known, was over. It was terrifying.
They may not have known it at the time, but this was the beginning of the end to the Jewish Community in Warsaw.
We have just observed Yom Kippur this week. It was a solemn day of fasting and praying. This year we need help. Israel needs strength. Israel needs our payers.
May we continue in prayer!
*For an explanation of the terms see the first The Torah Portion Blog.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Genesis 1:3 NIV
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105 NIV
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
Isaiah 60:1 NIV
…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 NIV
Torah Scrolls were attacked and desecrated during the Holocaust. The enduring images of the Kristallnacht (November 9-10,1938) are those of synagogues on fire and Torah Scrolls burning. Some of these desecrated Torah Scrolls disappeared, others were buried. Some were lovingly rescued and are on display in museums in various locations.
