Phase Reference Key Word(s)
Death of a strong leader Deu 31:16a , Judges 2:8-9 Death, died
Remembering History Deu 32:7-9, Judges 2:10 Death, died, forgot, didn’t remember
Israel’s rebellion/rebelled Deu 31:16b, Deu 32:15-18 Grow fat, forsake, abominations,
Judges 2:11-13,17 ignore, provoke, new gods
YHWH’s response to Israel Deu 32:19-22, Deu 31:17a Conceal my face, fire, blaze
Judges 2:14-15
Consequences of rebellion Deu 31:17b, Deu 32:23-26 Sword, famine, dread,
Judges 2:15 evils against them
YHWH refused to totally Deu 32:35-39, Relent, compassion, their power
Destroy them Judges 2:16, 18 is gone, none remains
Punishment for Israel’s Deu 32:40-43, Sword, vengeance, judgment,
Enemies blood, intoxicate Judges 2:18
*The basic flow of this song (Deu 32:1-52) is: sin, judgment, and deliverance and is similar to Judges CH.2.
Both last week’s torah portion (Vayelech) and this week’s portion (Ha’azinu) are very closely thematically related. So much so that they are prophecies related to the same sequence of events. They are parallel accounts of the same events from different perspectives. Both portions are prophecies of events that will repeat many times over in numerous generations beginning soon after the death of Moses. Both portions are also prophecies of events that will specifically occur in the latter days. According to the song of Moses, Israel will experience judgment because they forsook and rebelled against YHWH. How does one forsake/rebel against YHWH? By forsaking His Torah…His instructions.
Other readings: Judges 10:6-18 another similar parallel…
Side Note*
*Deu 32:15, we see the word Jeshurun (meaning upright or straight one). This is the first time in the Torah we see this word. The root word for Jeshurun is “Yawshar”= to be straight or even. It can also mean to be right, pleasant, and prosperous. We see that Jeshurun grew fat (“Shawman”- to shine, be oily and gross) and kicked (“bawat”- trample down, despise)… Israel, which was to be a “straight” or “upright” nation amongst the nations, became “puffed up” and full of self-pride, and eventually turned away from YHWH and His word. This rebellion against YHWH eventually lead to Israel’s downfall, the destruction of the Holy Temple, and the dispersion of the 12 tribes of Israel.
**References: Tony Robinson’s Torah Teachings
[Midrash: Parashat HaShavuah] “Ha’azinu” (Give Ear) Deu. 32:1-52