Comments (0)God’s Wrath
October 2, 2009Last week’s beautiful cover page story “Yesterday and Today” of personal essays on the meaning of the Ten Commandments was most timely and appropriate for this past Shabbos Torah Portion of Haazinu (Dueteronomy 32: 1-7 and 21:22).
Here Moses calls us to testify what Hashem has also warned Israel of the calamities that will befall Israel if it disobeys the Ten Commandments and the ultimate joy that will come with the final redemption when we uphold them.
There was a lot in the Torah portions where the Prophets indeed show us the eternal truths that were predicted in Biblical times (yesterday) and how ironically those prophesies seem to be so relevant today. When the Prophet speaks on behalf of Hashem in reference to G-d’s wrath in Deut. 32: 21: It appeared so timely, hard to believe these words were prophesized over 5,000 years ago. Verse 21: “They provoked Me with a non-god (rock stars material possessions, sport icons and political figures) angered Me with their vanities (photo-ops with Hollywood Jet setters and enemies of Israel) so shall I provoke them with a non-people (“Palestinians”) with a vile nation shall I anger them — (Nation of Islam).”
Ironically, the next prophesy seems to indicate what is happening in the United States and other parts of the world. The prophet warned: “For fire will have been kindled in My nostrils and blaze to the lowest depths. It shall consume the earth and its produce, and set ablaze what is founded on mountains.” Isn’t this what is going on now in the United States with the numerous forest fires in California, Texas, Arizona? Could it be because some of our leaders put their trust in corrupt alliances instead of the G-d of Israel, in the Arafats of the world and those who support them, instead of putting their trust in HaShem? And we like the ancient Hebrews have our own American idols.
The good news is: While HaShem put forth His voice in wrath and prophetic warnings, the G-d of Israel assures us that he pardons our transgressions for the remnant of His heritage and that His wrath willbe withdrawn.
Barbara Ann Fennell Bloom
Owings Mills