Ha’ Azinu’s Ten Commandments’ Moment: God

If God didn’t exist, he would have been invented

Voltaire

God is perhaps the Ten Commandments’ most controversial subject. Poetry from the Torah Portion Ha’Azinu provides Prophetic insight into the divine being. Moses’ depictions provide much understanding of the Israelite Deity. Moses’ lifetime observations takes readers to the heights of Mt. Sinai to unlock the topic.

Pursuant to scripture, Moses’ intimate relationship the Israelite God makes his observations essential towards grasping the Deity’s essence. In scripture, he arguably is ultimate authority on the topic.

In Ha’Azinu, Moses is nearing the end of his journey as the Children of Israel’s leader. His poetic observations about God are based upon his forty year partnership with the Lord. Thus, a lifetime of experience shaping his views should be appreciated.

He depicts God as follows: “The Rock: His work is unblemished, for all His ways are judgment, A God of trust, and without injustice, He’s virtuous and right.” Deuteronomy 32:4.

In sum, Moses describes the perfect authority; always correct in his actions and opinions; trustworthy, moral and fair. A rock!

Prior Encounters

Before this poem, two other God-Moses encounters also render essential depictions.

With the Golden Calf incident, the Exodus goal is jeopardized. Moses’ words during this moment of crisis bares relevance. During the theophany, Moses says to God: “The Lord, the Lord, merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in kindness for and faithfulness…” Exodus 34:6. This section is famously referred to as the “Thirteen Attributes of God.”

This describes God as a figure with compassion and grace. [Note: To no surprise, this passage is included within the Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement, liturgy.]

To complete this brief discussion, the essential encounter must be discussed- the introduction. At the Burning Bush theopany, God introduces himself to Moses. He tells Moses “I’m your father’s God, Abraham’s God, Isaac’s God, and Jacob’s God.” Exodus 3:6.

This divine identification reveals a God who covenants with humans- a partner. It also reveals a deity who is multi-generational- eternal; a being immune from the human lifespan.

Conclusion

Essentially, the Torah’s depiction of God represents something impossible for a human to be. No leader can possess the scriptural qualities. Arguably, humans require guidance from a source that exceeds humans’ capacity. Thus, Voltaire’s assertion that people would invent God if he did not exist bares relevance. Without a God, the world is moral void required to be filled. The Torah presents as a Deity’s instructions meant to address this void.

Arguably, a secular world requires high moral standards. While humans can be moral, they often fall short. Thus, to maintain unwavering multi-generational moral standards, the ultimate authority must be present.

Be well!!

Please like, follow, comment or share.