July 18, 2026 Dvarim (Words)

In this week's reading, Mosheh begins recounting Yisra’ěl’s journey through the wilderness as the people prepare to enter the land promised to them by יהוה. He reminds them of the command to leave Mount Ḥorěḇ, the appointment of leaders and judges, and the failure of the first generation to trust יהוה after the spies returned from the land of Kena‘an. Because of their unbelief and rebellion, that generation was sentenced to wander in the wilderness until they had died. Kalěḇ and Yehoshua, however, remained faithful and were promised entrance into the land. Mosheh also recounts Yisra’ěl’s victories over Siḥon, sovereign of Ḥeshbon, and Oḡ, sovereign of Bashan. These victories demonstrated that יהוה was already delivering powerful enemies into the hands of His people. The passage closes with Mosheh encouraging Yehoshua not to fear. Just as יהוה had defeated these sovereigns, He would continue to fight for Yisra’ěl as they moved forward in faith and obedience. Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22 Isaiah 1:1-27 Matthew 3:1-12