JD Vance, Trump, Iran & the Shocking Lesson Moses Taught Israel | The Land of Israel Fellowship

All right, my friends. So, here at the Land of Israel Fellowship, we've always been ahead of the curve. But, right now, as America is signing this new deal surrendering to Iran, things are going to speed up. And we're about to see one of the final refinements and clarifications that call out the righteous among America and help create a new people, a new Israel, a new people that's around the world. And we're watching it unfold as we move into the next stage of our history. And so, it looks like the pres- the vice president of America, J.D. Vance, he is leading the charge in leading this American split away from Israel. And in fact, when you're looking at the Torah portion this week, I can't help but feel like this was destined to happen sooner or later. So, I want to dive into that this fellowship. But for now, I just want to lay the foundation for the rest of the session. And of course, it's connected so deeply to the Torah portion of the week because the Torah portion of the week is always speaking to us personally, nationally, internationally. It's why we learn the Torah not as an ancient text of wisdom, >> [clears throat] >> but as a living word. Uh the word Torah itself in Hebrew doesn't mean book like the word Bible does. Torah is a verb that means guide. It's a living ancient word that is a living word guiding us right now. So, let me explain. This week, we see where Moses sins. Where he misses the mark not following God's instructions. He hits the rock and causes him not to enter into the land of Israel and fulfill his life's mission. And the question people have been struggling for 3,000 years is, "What is it about hitting the rock that's so disastrous? I mean, that causes Moses, the greatest leader and prophet the Israelites ever had, to not enter into the land of Israel and so most people just articulate the problem as it seems that Moses was commanded to speak to the rock. Instead, he hit the rock and although in obedience is very important following the directives of God, it's vital especially for a leader. I don't think that's what's happening here and I want to tell you something. I think it has very little to do with hitting the rock. Something much more fundamental was missing and it's so fundamental that God saw said Moses like you simply can't make it into the promised land and that fundamental thing is actually coming to fruition right now before our eyes. So I just want to look closely at the verses. And first God commands Moses and Aaron speak to the rock before the eyes of the children of Israel. So instead of the people the gathering together and Moses speaking a prayer to God before them to bring water from the rock or saying a public blessing before them, Moses and Aaron speak to the people instead of to the rock themselves. And look at what happens. This is Numbers chapter 20 verse 10 and 11. Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together for the before the rock. And he said to them, "Hear now you rebels, must we bring water for you out of this rock?" Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod and water came out abundantly and the congregation and their animals drank. So Moses and Aaron gather the people around and instead of speaking a prayer before them or making a blessing of some kind, they gather the nation and speak to them asking them a question. Listen to what they say, "Must we bring water for you out of this rock?" I mean it's interesting also that it's framed as a question and I looked into this. Every Jewish translation always positions it as a question. There are some other translations that read as just a sentence, but it's a question. "Hamin hasela hase, are we going to bring water out of this rock?" So, Moses asked, "Should me and Aaron bring water out of the rock for you?" So, a thirsty nation obviously would say, "Yes, please, you and Aaron bring us some water." And right there, that's the issue. It wasn't about hitting the rock or speaking to the rock. God commanded to gather the people around not uh just to gather them around, but to perform a miracle through speech or prayer, putting all of the focus and attention on Hashem. Imagine a prayer, "Hashem, master of the universe, please do the impossible. Bring forth water from this rock in the desert." And the whole nation would have to answer and say, "Amen." I mean, that was one of the greatest educational opportunities for the generation about to enter into the land of Israel. Instead, Moses asks, "Do you want me and Aaron to bring you water from the rock?" And the nation, instead of saying "Amen, hallelujah," had to answer, at least in their hearts, and answer the question, "Yes, Aaron and Moses, can you please bring us some water? Save us. We're dying of thirst here." And so, if you look closely, look at what God says in response. He doesn't mention the fact that Moses hit the rock at all. Hitting the rock has nothing to do with Moses' sin. And I say the word sin here in the most literal sense. Sin in Hebrew, chet, literally means like an arrow misses the mark of the bull's-eye. Moses misses the mark and the purpose of this whole gathering. This is at the very end of the 40 years in the desert. Most of the people alive now, it's the next generation. They were either kids or they left Egypt uh they were like they were either born in the desert or they were very small when they left Egypt. I mean, they didn't experience as adults the 10 plagues, the splitting of the sea, even the revelation at Sinai. This was the opportunity to sanctify God's name and bring them all closer to Hashem and realize that Hashem is their savior. Not Moses and Aaron. And so, look at what Hashem says in the next verse. Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe me to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." Hashem said, "Because you didn't sanctify me, you will not be able to enter into the land." I mean, the people will look to you as the source. And more than anything, the people always need to have God, the ultimate good, their ultimate king as the priority. Moses, in some ways, is like was too good of a leader for a kingdom of truth, love, and justice to really, truly be established. God has to be the foundation and the source, the ultimate authority. And here, Moses and Aaron, they missed the mark cuz they talk about, "Should we bring it out?" And they almost forced the nation to say, "Yeah, can you please bring it out?" As if they're the ones to do it. And you look what's happening in America and Israel right now. It's exactly that. Someone sent me this post, kind of Jewish humor about the Trump deal, but I think it reveals a deeper truth. In show this morning, we shifted from Trump is amazing to Hashem is in charge. And that is really the truth. I mean, you could imagine every synagogue, and definitely in America, they're like, "Trump is so amazing, the best friend Israel's ever had. Trump is so incredible, he's the greatest president." And then when the Saudi deal happened, everyone was like, uh Hashem is in charge. Hashem is in charge. What else could they say? And that is just the truth. So many people in America were giving the president of America, President Trump, all of the credit for all of Israel's successes. In real world logic, statistics, and politics, I mean, how could America not receive the credit? It only makes sense. They are the superpower of the world. They're fighting alongside Israel. And if Israel wins, the credit's going to go to the superpower. But, that's exactly the heart of the lesson why Moses and Aaron weren't allowed to enter into the promised land. Moses and Aaron, even though they were righteous and good, the nation would not be able to like not give them credit the way the water was brought out of the rock. And right now, it's like the way things were unfolding in Iran and Israel, Hashem consciousness wasn't elevated at all because Trump and America were getting all of the credit. And if you listen, and you see it clearly today. I mean, just look at these couple of clips of President Donald Trump from the last few days about his unlimited power and how without him Israel wouldn't even exist. Check this out. >> There are no limits. >> No limit. No, not I haven't learned that lesson yet. I know there are, but >> You know, uh >> There are no limits. We defeated them totally militarily. Uh I was asked by Pakistan because they're close to please not do anymore. I said, "I like them a lot." If it weren't for Donald Trump, Israel would have been eviscerated. >> Without the United States, there would be no Israel. >> Okay. Without the United States, there would be no Israel. He has unlimited power. Israel only exists because of him and the United States. Them fighting words. I mean, and he's picking a fight with God Almighty. And hey, that was a highlight from this week's Land of Israel Fellowship. If you like that highlight, you'll love the Land of Israel Fellowship. Find out more on the landofisrael.com.