Gateway To Freedom Torah Notes
Shoftim - Judges
Deut 16:18 - 21:9
Haftorah
Isaiah 51:12 - 52:12
B’rit Chadashah
John 1:19 - 27
Introduction:
Parasha Softim (Judges) contains YHVH's instructions for several varied subjects including:
- Prohibition of bringing idols near His sanctuary
- Proper honor for G_d in sacrifice
- The establishment of truth.
- Obedience to religious authority
- Prophecies of kings and Messiah
- Abominations before G_d
- etc.
16:18 This parasha begins with YHVH's direction to establish 1) judges and officers and 2) that they should carry out justice and 3) official business at the gates of the city. Throughout the scriptures we find repeated examples of Israel conducting its business where directed (i.e. Ruth 4:11) - in the city gates.
16:21,22 Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee (or which thee shall make) Deu 16:21 The translation of the Hebrew word 'ăshêyrâh into "grove" loses the meaning of this passage. The "grove" or 'ăshêyrâh referred to here are vertical monuments for Ashtoreth, who was the Babylonian goddess, Ishtaar. In other words, YHVH is saying, "don't bring any (represented by Ishtaar groves) foreign idol worship near the altar of the Lord." This is exactly what he reiterates in verse 22 - "set the up any image (idol)."
17:1 The sacrifice of a blemished or defective animal is the outward manifestation of a heart that does not wholly honor G_d. YHVH gave His spotless sacrificial lamb for our salvation. If we only give G_d our spare time, will there soon be any time for Him at all? If we don't give Him our best, the first thing in the morning and at night as He commands, then are we bringing our best, or leftovers that soon perish? Is it too much to lift our hands and voice in the morning to bless Him for His goodness or hit our knees at night and thank Him for the day?
17:6 Judgment of idol worship only by the mouth of two or three witness is the same law as Yeshua and the Apostles taught:
• Matthew 18:16, “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”
• 2 Corinthians 13:1, “This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”
• 1 Timothy 5:19, “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.” (Do we stand against the slander of an elder or let it become a foundation for negative thinking and responses?)
17:8-13 The subtitle to this section could be "obedience to religious authority." The one thing that I think the believers miss today is the fact that YHVH commands them to take their disputes to the religious leaders/YHVH's judges. Yet, do we obey and bring them to G_d's anointed or haul our brother into man's court? In the middle of Roman rule, the Apostles taught that believers should take their disputes before the church (Math 18:17, not the courts of Rome. Furthermore, in the same passage Yeshua said, ".. but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." What is done with a heathen? You put him out from the assembly so G_d's people will not be defiled.
17:14-20 Moses prophesies Israel's rebellion against YHVH's kingship over them to be, "like all the other nations" (This is just what YHVH did not want for them.) Knowing that they would not follow in G_d's perfect will, He commanded that they install he whom YHVH selected. Additionally, He made provision for the king's success and the nation's continuance by commanding that the rulers should write, study and follow Torah.
18:1-6 Provision for the Levite - shoulder, two cheeks and stomach of all livestock sacrificed and the first fruit of grain, wine, oil, and sheep's fleece.
18:9-14 All forms of spiritism are forbidden and are an abomination to YHVH. It is a sad thing to see professing Christians mess with many of these things (mediums, diviners, séances, etc.). Isn't this evidence that by the church discarding the Torah, Christ's children have been led into abominations and cursings by their association? What shall be the judgment upon such teachers? Who will bear the iniquity of the sheep? (Jas 3:1) My brethren, be not many masters, (instructors, teachers) knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
18:10 Another abomination before YHVH is those who "pass their son or daughter through the fire" (of Molech). Israel's children were willingly slain and laid on the pagan alter of fire in adulation (worship/service) to another god. Is this any different between that abomination and when we abort the elect's babies in subservience to our own idols of materialism, lust, pride, etc? G_d calls children a blessing. What have we in the United States called them? The laws of our land call the right to abortion a "freedom." YHVH calls it an abomination.
18:15-19 Prophecy of the great prophet: Yeshua. Characteristics of the prophet and his ministry include:
1. He will be like Moses
2. YHVH will raise him up.
3. Raised up in the midst of Israel
4. Raised up for Israel
5. Promised at Sinai
6. All must hearken to Him
7. Spokesman for YHVH
8. Faithfully speak what YHVH commands
9. Some will not hearken
10. He will be of Israel (Judah)
11. He will speak in YHVH's name
12. Those who do not hearken to Him will be punished.
Certainly, we can see that Yeshua fulfilled all these characteristics (and more). (John 4:25, 26; 5:45-47; Acts 3:22-24)
Those who will not hearken to him shall bear their own iniquity and YHVH will "require it of him" (i.e. punishment for sin). In light of this Word consider Yeshua's words and relate them to this prophecy: John 12:47-50 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. (48) He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (49) For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. (50) And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
It is "interesting" to note that according to this Torah passage the raising up of the prophet is in response to the words given at the Sinai covenant. It was the fulfillment of Israel's desire not to have YHVH speak directly to them. This prophet, like Moses, will be raised up and speak the words YHVH will put in His mouth (can they contradict the unchanging word of G_d? No they cannot!) How long will the modern church deny Yeshua's mission? (This is a rhetorical question.)
On the other side of the coin Judah could not understand His words because they were the same words that Moses had spoken which they had so twisted. Thus, Yeshua said that Moses would be the witness against their apostasy: Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. John 5:45
According to the Torah and the prophets one sign of the Messiah was that all Israel, both houses (Ephraim and Judah) would be gathered back together in the land. Since the house of Judah did not see Yeshua doing this, they rejected Him AND the word he spoke forth from G_d. There is a lesson here for us. We should be extremely careful that our accepted theologies don't block us from the truth and the path which Abba desires us to go. Isn't this exactly what keeps so many Christians from the truth of the Torah? Their pastor's theology blocks them from the truth of the Bible.
18:20-22 The test of a prophet is when his word does not come to pass. Why then do we continue to listen to those prophets whose words are encouraging, but do not come to pass? Many prophets avoid placing a time on their word, because that is the only true test of fulfillment and authentication of the prophet. And yet, many who have spoken a time completion on their word often say that the prayers of the saints have made G_d repent of His intention (when it is a negative word) or the lack of the saints have not made the blessing (positive) prophecy come true. And yet, the church continues to honor many "professional prophets" out there who continue to pour forth the "sure word of G_d" which does not come to pass. It takes strength and faith to swim against the current and not follow the crowd.
19:1-13 Here we find the commandment to establish three cities of refuge for those who commit manslaughter (unintentional killing) so that he might not be slain by a rightfully empowered blood avenger. Remember that this person (the refugee) was to restored in the year of Jubilee. Thus, it was like a sentence of containment - if he wanted to live.
19:15-21 Accusations are to be judged by the priest when there are not two witnesses. Review verse 19. While this may be restricted to the physical, isn't this the same principle as Yeshua spoke? Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
20:1-20 YHVH encourages his people not to fear the greater opponent because our G_d is with us (them) in battle. In order to assure that fear will not sweep through the army he commands separation of those who are of a fearful heart. Today, we are engaged in a spiritual battle with an enemy that more often shows his work than himself. If we cannot truly believe that G_d is with us and empowers us to do engage in this warfare, then no amount of intellect will get you through. G_d doesn't call you to be an "observer" in the spiritual battles of intercession and deliverance.
Furthermore, soldiers were dismissed if they 1) hadn't dedicated their new house, 2) eaten of a new vineyard or 3) had betrothed a wife but had not consummated the marriage. In our warfare we probably wouldn't die, but this passage suggests an interesting discussion on exemptions and the necessary heart condition of an intercessor or deliverance minister.
21:1-9 This is a most interesting and often ignored passage in Torah commentaries. Those few who do address the procedures for inquiry of the slain, most often relate it to the concept of having responsibility for our brothers and proclaiming innocence before G_d. By tradition, the elders of the nearest city say, "Our hands have not shed this blood.." and ask forgiveness. They do this not because anyone thinks they are guilty of the killing, but rather to acknowledge that we are all our brother's keeper and share in the responsibility for his death.
I believe there is another often overlooked significance of this passage in the spilling and shedding of innocent blood. Just like the blood of Able, innocent blood brings a curse upon the land that it does not produce in its strength.
Gen 4:10-12 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. (11) And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; (12) When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
Thus, YHVH has them shed the blood of pure heifer - on the spot that was defiled (not in Jerusalem). (Would you think that only Messiah's blood can redeem this land from the guilt of slaughtering the innocent? How do you apply that blood?)
Haftorah
Isaiah 51:12 - 52:12
Isa 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
The Apostolic scriptures used the term "gospel" meaning the "good news." This is no doubt the passage that the apostles thought upon when they taught on the gospel of the: 1) kingdom, 2) Yeshua, 3) Elohim and 4) peace. Thus, the Haftorah is about the restoration of all things both spiritually and physically in both shadow and type (By the blood of Messiah we have been (shadow) saved and comforted, but we shall be (type) saved when He restores the kingdom upon earth.
51:12, 13 In these times of explosive and disturbing transitions of our nation and the liberties we enjoy, we must never forget these passages. It is not any man-devised system or man himself that is our comfort, it is G_d himself. If we do not look only toward Him, fear will consume us like a fire. I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man..
Isa 51:17 It is the Lord himself that puts in the tempest of correction through destruction, desolation, famine and sword. But He is the one who also takes away that bitter cup Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury;..
Isa 51:22b Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again: I can personally attest to this verse's application to the individual as well as the whole of Zion. As I described in the book, "Overcoming The Fear Within" I went through a dark hour of my soul when the spirit of fear ruled my very essence. This was the word which the Lord spoke to my heart when He gave me the strength to overcome my spiritual oppressors. Can we comprehend and receive His Word that only He can comfort our soul?
Isa 52:1 A prophetic time when Jerusalem will once again truly be "the holy city" - when the Lord redeems Jerusalem (vs 9). Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city:
Isa 52:3 For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money (redeemed by the blood of the prophesied servant.
B’rit Chadashah
John 1:19 - 27
This is the description of John the Baptizer calling himself the voice crying in the wilderness and prophesying the coming of the promised prophet Moses spoke about who would restore all Israel.
Shabbat Shalom,
Randy