Sifrei Devarim

(Devarim 1:1) “These are the words which Moses spoke, etc.”: Now did Moses prophesy only these? Did he not write the entire Torah, viz. (Ibid. 31:9) “And Moses wrote this Torah”? What, then, is the intent of “These are the words”? We are hereby taught that they were words of rebuke, viz. (Ibid. 32:15) “And Yeshurun grew fat and it kicked, etc.”

Similarly, (Amos 3:1) “Hear this prophecy which the L-rd spoke, etc.” Now did Amos prophesy only these? Is it not written (Amos 1:1) “The words of Amos, one of the herders of Tekoa, who saw visions concerning Israel”? The intent (of “this prophecy”) is that they were words of rebuke, viz. (Ibid. 4;1) “Hear this thing, you cows of Bashan on Mount Shomron, etc.” The “cows of Bashan” are their (corrupt) judges.

Similarly, (Jeremiah 7:1) “The word that came to Jeremiah, etc.”, (Ibid. 40:4) “And these are the words that the L-rd spoke, etc.” Now did Jeremiah prophesy only these? Did he not write the entire book, viz. (Ibid. 51:64) “Until here, the words of Jeremiah”? What, then, is the intent of “And these are the words”? We are hereby taught that they were words of rebuke, viz. (Ibid. 30:5-7) “A sound of terror have we heard, of fear and not peace. Ask now and see if a male has ever given birth. Why, then, do I see that every man puts his hands upon his loins like a woman in childbirth, and all faces turn pale? Woe! For that day is great. There is none like it. It is a time of trouble for Jacob. But from it he will be saved.”