As I reflect on this week's Torah portion, I’m struck by how timeless and relevant God's Word is. A year ago, I wrote about this very passage, and as I revisit it now, I find that what I shared then remains just as valid, just as powerful, and just as necessary today.

One verse in particular stood out to me as I re-read this portion:

And the LORD your God will drive away these nations from you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them quickly, otherwise the wild animals would become too numerous for you. 
Deuteronomy 7:22

God, in His wisdom, chose to remove Israel’s enemies gradually. He could have done it in an instant, wiping them out with a single stroke. But He didn’t. He had a purpose in the process protecting Israel from the dangers of their own land. It wasn’t the external enemies that would threaten them most; it was the wild, unmanageable forces of nature that would rise if everything was done too quickly. God’s timing is never random. He sees what we cannot, and He moves us forward at the pace that will preserve us.

As I ponder the deeper message in this portion, I’m reminded of how God's justice can challenge our understanding of fairness. The commands in Deuteronomy 7:12-21 are harsh on the surface. Israel is instructed to “consume all the peoples whom the LORD your God will deliver to you; your eye shall not pity them, nor shall you serve their gods.” But this isn’t about cruelty. It’s about protecting Israel from spiritual destruction. The nations they were to conquer were steeped in idolatry, practices that posed a direct threat to Israel's covenant with God.

Idolatry, not military strength, was the true danger. If Israel were to compromise their devotion to the one true God by embracing the false gods of these nations, their faith would crumble. God’s judgment wasn’t driven by hatred for these nations; it was driven by love for Israel. The preservation of their faith, their identity, and their relationship with God was of utmost importance.

This passage speaks powerfully about the dangers of focusing too much on what we see. The Israelites might have looked at the nations around them and thought, “How can we overcome such giants? They are stronger than we are!” But God warned them not to trust their own perceptions. Human sight can be deceiving. What appears overwhelming to us is nothing compared to the power of the God who delivered Israel from Egypt. We’re called to look back at God's past faithfulness and trust that He will act again.

As we face today’s challenges, especially those Israel faces with the ongoing threats of Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and Yemen, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. The noise of the world, the weight of the conflict, and the pressure to succumb to fear can cloud our judgment. We might ask, “Where is God in all of this?” But the answer is clear: He has not abandoned us. The same God who delivered Israel from Egypt, who preserved them through the wilderness, is the same God who stands with us today.

As Israel is increasingly isolated by the world, and as more nations turn against her, we are reminded that God’s faithfulness and commitment remain unshaken. In the midst of growing opposition, He is with us, and His promises stand firm.

Isaiah 49:14-15 assures us of this truth:

But Zion said, ‘The Lord has abandoned me, and the Lord has forgotten me.’ Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.

God’s promises are unshakable. His love is unwavering. Even in the darkest moments, when it feels like the world is against us, He is there. He has not forgotten us, and He never will.

As I read on in Isaiah 49:26, we are reminded that God's justice will prevail:

I will feed your oppressors with their own flesh, and they will become drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine; and humanity will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

This is the God we serve, the one who will bring justice to the earth and defend His people. His power and authority are not subject to the whims of human rulers or the shifting tides of politics.

In these difficult days, let us remember that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is still on His throne. His power has not diminished, and His promises remain as steadfast as ever. The stories of deliverance from the past aren’t just ancient tales, they are living testimonies of God’s faithfulness.

Today, as we face uncertainty, we must choose to focus on the unchanging nature of God. The same God who parted the “End Sea” (Red Sea), who gave Israel victory over its enemies, is the same God who is with us now. Let’s fix our eyes on Him, trusting that He will guide us through every challenge, as He always has.

May we find peace in this truth: God is our protector, our strength, and our hope. His promises are unbreakable, and His love for His people is eternal.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 
Psalm 27:1

Shabbat Shalom,
Moran