Gateway To Freedom Torah Notes.
Re'eh - See/Behold!
Deuteronomy 11:26 - 16:17
Haftorah
Isaiah 54:11 - 55:5
B'rit Chadashah
1 John 4:1 - 6
Introduction:
Today's parasha begins with, "Deu 11:26-29 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; (27) A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: (28) And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. (29) And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal." Nature's testimony is a continuing evidence that YHVH's Torah is still in effect today. While the mount of blessing, Mount Gerizim is lush and covered in green foliage, the curse upon Mount Ebal is shown by its barren landscape.
Deu 11:26 Blessing and Curses - Many, many dissertations, books and volumes of books have been written on this passage as it relates to modern day believers. Some emphasize that all the curses of the law were nailed to the tree and citing verses like Gal 3:13 as their proof text, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:" Other theologians argue that the evidence that the law of blessings and curses are still in force is seen in mankind's diseased bodies every day.
Truly they are. And yet, I don't believe it is not because Yeshua didn't take the curse, I believe it is because we haven't allowed Him to take it.
When we received Christ as our Savior and Lord, He forgave us of all our sins and took the curse of all our past sins. Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. He then further made provision for all the sins which we errantly commit - offering forgiveness through confession (asking forgiveness) and repentance for ourselves AND all our generations (Jer 14:20, 32:18). However, because we continue to walk in the burden of our unconfessed sins, we suffer the curses of those sins until their revelation (through the Word and the leading of the Ruach HaKodesh) and repentance. It is the Truth you know/apprehend (and confess) that sets you free from the curse of the law as John affirms: Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Deu 12:2 Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods.. Today, G_d is calling His people to conquer their land and utterly destroy the idols of the world that are in our lives. In our time the primary "gods" of the Western World are self (pride), materialism, and humanism (age of reasoning, "I can," etc.) which are exhibited in every rebellion to G_d's Word. We must each ask G_d to reveal and then repent and overcome everything in our lives that is displeasing to G_d and His holiness.
Deu 12:3 ",,destroy the names (of demon "gods".." Another commandment very similar is: "Exo 23:13 ..and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth. Because these commandments were taken quite literal, Israel used to change their name to a sound alike name of ridicule. The ArtScroll Stone Edition Chumash gives the example where the pagan temple called, “the house of the crest” became “the house of the ditch” because the word crest and ditch were similar in Hebrew.
Deu 12:5 Where G_d shall choose..thou shall come..and shall bring..tithes and offerings of your hand. (paraphrased) Are you bringing your tithes and offerings to the place where G_d has chosen for you? So that you may be blessed?
Deu 12:13 Offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: There are many needy and even worthy "places" that the Lord is working. But, we each need to seek Him for direction whether that is the place He wants us to worship or give our offerings. The litmus test would be has he put His name there? Is that where his manifest glory and presence is to be found?
Deu 12:15 - 27 In the wilderness, the slaying of an animal took place at the tabernacle because they were offered as a peace offering. However, once they had come into the promise land Israel could slaughter animals wherever they wished - including kosher wild animals. Yet, YHVH makes it very clear that they were not to drink the blood, but that it should be poured out "upon the earth like water" (v. 16). This same phrase, "poured out upon the earth like water," is generally given in conjunction with the command not to drink the blood. It is repeated in verse 24, and again in 15:23, 25, 28, etc.
When we are commanded not to eat the blood with the flesh (v. 23), does that mean that all color and moistness is to be cooked out of the flesh? Or, does it mean that we are not to eat that which is still alive - as we can now see under a microscope when the blood is alive for several minutes after the blood is extracted?" While Hebraic tradition frowns upon "pink meat," this should be a matter of having a clear conscience before G_d (Rom 9:1 - conscience bearing witness in the Holy Ghost). And yet, 1 Cor 10:32 says; Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.
Deu 12:28 - 32 Observe and hear….Why? So that it may go well with thee and thy children (generational blessing). Thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. (32) YHVH's commands, instructions and ordinances have been numbered at 613. And yet the Talmud, Mishnah and its commentaries add thousands upon thousands to them as "clarification" to those given. That is why Yeshua had to constantly bring the religious leaders' perceptions back to the true Word. YHVH's Torah has been likened to a computer program. Change one line of the programming code and it will end up leading the user to an erroneous conclusion and to the possibility of finally crashing. As I have repeatedly said, the Torah is the reflection of YHVH's true, holy and perfect character. (What man can improve upon G_d's character?) That is why the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) must be our teacher and not the doctrines of man.
Deu 13:1 After instructing Israel not to add or diminish from His Torah, YHVH gives two warning examples that are especially significant for His Church today.
A) Prophets or dreamers giving signs but leading the people of G_d away from YHVH to "other gods." In my short lifetime I have heard men of reputation preaching some very errant doctrines based on humanism ideologies, materialistic spiritual formulas and even more recently the adoration of "angels" (1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;) We must "test" every spirit - please read the B'rit Chadasha now ( i.e. 1 John 4:1 - 6).
B) Enticements of the world to serve other "gods" which are brought forth by those nearest to you.
Deu 13:12 If a city of Israel turns to another god…destroy it. Joshua 22:10-34 tells the story of such an inquiry when Phinehas (son of Eleazar) and the leaders on the west side of the Jordan made inquiry about an altar that Gad, Reuben and the half tribe of Manaasseh built. They recognized that as a part of the body sinned so would the whole congregation fall under the hand of the Lord (Jos 22:18, 31). Have you ever thought about the effect upon you when part of the Church rebels against the Lord's Word in specific (i.e. homo-sexuality) or in general (rejection of the YHVH's Torah)?
Deu 13:17, 18 "When thou shall hearken (hear and do) the voice of the LORD thy G_d" - G_d will turn His anger and show mercy unto His people. There is a condition for God's mercy once we have heard the way to go. The condition is when we go the way we've been commanded. I shudder for those who turn their back upon the way the Lord has shown them to go. Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,..
Unfortunately, most Christians only know the way to walk from the pulpit teachings which have most often dismissed G_d's Torah. However, G_d is releasing His truth that will set the captives free. He will have a generation that will keep the Torah and have the testimony of Yeshua as the book of Revelation declares; Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Yeshua. Rev 14:12. Until that time we must love all our brethren and judge not, lest we be judged.
Deu 14:1, 2 ..the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself. "Peculiar" is translated from the Hebrew word segullah - a shut up (protected) valued jewel, a precious possession, a special goodly treasure worthy unto a king. That's you! It is the enemy of our souls who tries to rob us of that identity. Notice that it is an identity of who we are to our Elohim, not who we think we are in condemning eyes of our enemies, our own eyes or the eyes of others.
Deu 14:3-21 Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing. Eating an unclean animal made the recipient spiritually unclean and prevented him from partaking or coming near the presence of G_d and His dwelling place (tabernacle). These instructions were given for a set apart people to remain in fellowship and not just for better health (Although scientists have repeated affirmed that side benefit.) Abba's simple instructions could be summarized as follows:
1. Animals must have split hooves and chew the cud.
2. Fish must have fins and scales
3. Birds must be clean, not meat eaters
With the many substitute flavors available today, isn't it either the Church's ignorance of G_d's Word, a spirit of lust or just defiant rebellion that inhibits the body of Christ from honoring our Father's wishes?
Deu 14:22 The tithe - three parts to the tithe in worship to YHVH:
1) The Levi'im - the reason was for the support of the Levites service in the temple (Num 18:21)
2) Rejoice before him - the reason was, "that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always (v. 23)
3) Giving to others - Levites, sojourners, orphans and widows. This resulted in YHVH's blessing (v. 29)
There is a very important promise that G_d associates with bringing forth the tithe: Mal 3:10-11 .. I will open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (11) And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. (transcribed)
Deu 15 The Sabbath year, after every seven years, every brother or neighboring creditor is to be released of his debt. Additionally, in the seventh year when you have no right to exact repayment, you are not to have an "evil eye" (i.e. be stingy) in supplying your brother's need. (v. 9) If you do withhold you hand, his cry will become a sin against you. (Notice what Yeshua was really talking about when he referred to the "evil eye" unto the darkened soul in Luke 11:34). Furthermore, if you are to make release of a Hebrew servant, then you are commanded to send him away liberally with meat ("out of thy flock"), bread/grain ("out of thy floor) and wine ("out of thy winepress)(v. 14). And all of this you must do with a willing heart so that YHVH may bless you.
The philosophies of man being espoused today are a satanic twisting of these commands of YHVH. Liberal philosophies would say that those who are materially successful are not blessed of G_d, but are thieves (of satan) who have victimized the poor. Thus, man's government of social justice would require a redistribution of wealth to pay back the victims. The individual's heart attitude and principles of YHVH's blessing are irrelevant to such philosophies.
Deu 16 YHVH's Three Pilgrimage Festivals Here we have a summary of the three festivals of pilgrimage: Passover (Pesach), Pentecost (Shavuot) and Tabernacles (Sukkot). As we are about to celebrate the Fall feasts in rehearsal/declaration of Yeshua's second coming (Trumpets), final atonement (Yom Kippur) and dwelling with us (Tabernacles/millennial kingdom reign) it is time for us each to review how important these set apart times or moedim are to each one of us. When we are willing to set apart time for business, conferences and vacations, but do not set time apart to celebrate the feasts of YHVH, what does that say about our spiritual priorities?
Haftorah
Isaiah 54:11 - 55:5
As an appropriate encouragement to the celebration of the upcoming Feast of Tabernacles, the prophet Isaiah describes the time when YHVH has glorified Israel and the people will return to the land under Messiah's reign. These are the realities of the saints' peace, power and "economics" in the Kingdom of God during the millennial reign. Because the Kingdom of God is currently within the temples of flesh we dwell in, are they not the reality that brings peace, power and spiritual "economics" to our soul? Let us declare and believe in the Word for our very life - as we are commanded.
Isa 54:13 Our children shall be taught of the Lord and reside in His peace and the prophesied Sabbath "rest."
Isa 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.
Isa 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
B'rit Chadashah
1 John 4:1 - 6
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (2) Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: (3) And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (4) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (5) They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. (6) We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Shabbat Shalom,
Randy
Gateway To Freedom Ministries