Gateway To Freedom Torah Notes
Ki Tetse/ Ki Teitzei - When You Go Out
Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19
Haftorah
Isa. 54:1-10
B’rit Chadashah
Overcoming sinful thinking: Matthew 5:27-30
The body's discipline of the flesh: 1 Corinthians 5:1-5
Who is your neighbor Luke 10:29-37
Relationship to your neighbor: Galatians 6:2;
Honor in Covenant relationships: 1 Corinthians 11:2-15;
Spiritual Blessings: Matthew 5:1-12
Introduction:
Torah parasha Ki Tetse contains more commandments than any other portion. They are centered on the second summarized law of Torah which Yeshua reiterated – “Love your Neighbor.”(Lev 19:18/Math 22:39) Although there are many commandments (72) they are only a few samples to show us YHVH’s concepts of righteous behavior, justice, and blessings by obedience. Thus, by their multitude and diversity they show us the necessity of seeing the Torah through G_d's eyes - by the Holy Spirit. If we put only a strict literal interpretation and application to the commands, we are apt to miss the character and underlying truths which are being conveyed. The root of most all these directions is to love one another and show love, even to the creation, as I, YHVH love. Yeshua said in this love one for one another we show forth that we are His disciples (John 13:35). Thus, again the Son reiterated the underlying root of Abba’s commands.
Some of the laws in this Parasha may be hard to understand and observe today. In our Westernized Christian understanding, we may have the tendency to spiritualize others away. However, if we do so and negate them in our lives, we place ourselves above YHVH’s Torah-law and become a law unto ourselves. Isn’t this humanism: every man doing what is right in his own eyes instead of obeying YHVH whatever the cost? By doing so, we must consider what blessings we are depriving ourselves of, and how are we hindering our love relationship with YHVH and one another.
In the applying this Parasha to the lives of the believer, there is one standard by which we must all measure/judge ourselves against. That standard was summarily (and repeatedly) expressed by Yeshua's in two concepts - humility and servant hood:
Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Mar 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the greatest, shall be servant of all.
Reflect upon these passages for a moment. In order to humble ourselves before G_d AND man we must put ourselves last and ministry to everyone else first. In other words we must humble ourselves and overcome the kingdom of "I AM" (see pamphlet "Opposing Kingdoms") by placing the needs of others before our own. Just how much have we conquered pride and the nurturing of self and flesh for the ministry of the brethren? When you're in study, prayer or otherwise engaged does the interruptive pressing need of another bring turbulence to your soul? The sooner we recognize that this "grinding" of our soul is the signal of falling short, the sooner we'll understand the heart of G_d and the true meaning of loving each other as we love ourselves.
Today, I'd like to reverse our general study order and refer to the B’rit Chadashah (New Testament) first and then only comment on few select verses from the parasha. As we then look at the Torah commands, many might believe that they are not only ancient and barbaric, but also dismiss many of them as not applicable under the grace of the cross. We must remember that just as many of our man-made laws are a preventative to societal chaos, so are YHVH's laws. Seemingly harsh punishments, are a preventative and deterrent to errant behavior. There were no penal or holding institutions in Israel. Thus, many commandments were designed to root out evil before it spread throughout Israel. As far as their severity, we must compare them with the severity in the New Testament to give us an exhortation to right behavior and thinking. For example, there was the punishment of separations unto Satan:
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. (1 Corinthians 5:4-7)
Also consider the punishment of lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-10; Ananias & Sapphira) that demonstrated major consequences, i.e. death. This supernatural sentence was a deterrent which brought the fear of G_d upon the church. (In addition to the death sentence, the laying on of stripes was another form of church punishment not specifically commented upon in the apostolic scriptures. Both sentences persisted through the Inquisition and continued right up through the Puritans of the New England colonies.)
The B'rit Chadashah summarizes many of the commandments of the parasha in these like verses:
Yeshua said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. (39) And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Mat 22:37-40
..if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (Rom 13:9)
If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: (Jas 2:8)
Yeshua taught us the source (Satan) and the root of that which is contrary to the word of G_d. While the enemy of our soul uses the flesh, it is the mind that brings us first into sin. It is those thoughts of the heart which we are to cast away by overcoming:
Matthew 5:27-30 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Mat 5:28 Note that while Yeshua uses the figure of speech "to cut off thy right hand," this was an illustrative figure of speech because self mutilation was an abomination to YHVH's laws and to Israel.
1 Corinthians 5:1-5 If there is no repentance (confession and turning away) from the sin in its members, then the body of Christ is supposed separate it out and turn the offender over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his soul might be saved.
Luke 10:29-37 "The Good Samaritan" teaches us that everyone (not just the brethren) is our neighbor.
Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Where did the "law of Christ" (so often quoted as a "new" law) come from? Obviously, it was His Word as originally stated in the Torah. Have we been so blinded by our Westernized Christian theology to think that the law of Christ is to love God and love one another without definition? The Torah, like this verse, gives us the details of that definition.
1 Corinthians 11:2-15 As I was preparing for this Shabbat in reference to honoring one another, I was led to this verse - one which, without revelation, I've sidestepped for some time. The subject of women's head coverings is ever debated in the church, especially in Messianic or congregations studying their Hebrew Roots. Many under the pressure of societal norms dismissed the literality of the passage, while others who are stricter in their interpretation require adherence. Many good scholarly (but understandable) exegesis considering all sides of the question have been published (e.g. http://bible.org/article/what-head-covering-1-cor-112-16-and-does-it-apply-us-today). However, since we try to live by the Spirit's leading and teaching, I will share what the Lord showed me and to which standard our fellowship abides.
As I was to understand, this passage's subject was not head coverings per se, but rather the order of kingdom and honoring those to whom honor belongs. Thus the point of the passage is;
"the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
Paul continues by saying,
"Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. (1Co 11:4)
Who is "his head?" His head is Christ (not his own head) - isn't that what Paul just stated? Then Paul continues in like construction and reasoning,
"But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. (1Co 11:5)
Thus, if a woman prays or speaks prophesy without her covering, she dishonors her head - her husband. And doing that would be just like (as if) she were shaven. In order to understand what Paul is talking about we must understand the culture of both the Corinthian community and the church. Wearing a head covering was a symbol of several things. Within the church, it was the sign of a woman under the authority of her husband to which Paul is referring. In society it was a symbol of nobility and often piety.
In contrast, a woman with a shaven head was one who was humbled, usually because of adultery or harlotry. Thus, Paul is saying that if a woman is not honoring her husband by acknowledging his authority over her she is a adulterous woman before the Lord. Paul affirms this understanding as he says,
For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. (1Co 11:6)
As I meditated upon these and the ensuing passages about the man (which some might say conflicts with the use of a man's Talit while praying), I asked the Lord how this applied to us today. In our society as in most (not all) of the church, a head covering has little symbolism, beyond style (referring to, "but if it be"). Today's traditional sign of the married woman is a ring. When a woman is seen outside the home without a ring she is assumed to be unmarried and thus independent and available for courtship. Compare this to Paul's analogy. If a married woman removes her ring, she could be considered approachable - a dishonor to her husband. Thus, by the Spirit's leading, we do not require literal head coverings in our fellowship. (Some would argue that this interpretation is too restrictive as it only has married women in view. I believe that is precisely what Paul's teaching is truly about - the appearance of not honoring he that is over you in covenant relationship whether it be husband (by wife), Christ (by man) or God (by Christ).
Matthew 5:1-12 The blessings of Deuteronomy 28 are proclaimed to those who obey YHVH's word: blessing in the city and the country, fruit of thy offspring, and the ground. There shall be an increase in cattle and flocks grains and in thy kneading-trough. Blessing when you come in and go out, over your enemies, in the storehouse, and in every way. We understand that this was the physical, material or earthly blessing for obedience. But, Yeshua went further to describe the spiritual blessings for those who had G_d's heart attitude. Blessed are:
• the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Who are the poor in spirit? Are they not those who are humbly needful, that G_d can show then His love?
• they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Who are those who mourn over the sin of the peoples today? They are those who shall be comforted.
• the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. The meek are the gentle, patient, humble, without resentment with a teachable heart. These shall inherit the earth.
• they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. The ones who will be filled with righteousness are they who have a heart attitude of wanting to do that which is right and holy in G_d's sight in spite of the groaning of their flesh.
• the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Those who show patient endurance and compassion toward the offender shall receive the same from the hand of YHVH.
• the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Those who overcome and are free from mixture seeking G_d out of a purified heart, shall see G_d.
• the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Those who show the love of G_d and bring reconciliation to the nations shall be known as the children of God.
• they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. When one is persecuted for the name of G_d, they are able to apprehend the kingdom of heaven, including the peace of His presence under the shadow of His wings.
• ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:.. When men speak harsh words, slander and persecute you for the testimony of Yeshua and His righteousness, there is great reward awaiting for us in heaven.
Torah parasha
Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19
22:10 You shall not plow with an ox and with a donkey (that is, a kosher animal with a non-kosher animal). In our day, would could we think that this might mean that a righteous person should not enter into a business partnership with a wicked person?
23:3 A child of incest shall not... Mamzer (translated in the KJV as bastard) means “a child of a prohibited marriage.”Contrary to popular opinion, this is not referring to one born out of wedlock (the result of fornication or premarital relations), but rather the fruit of an incestuous or adulterous relationship (ArtScroll Stone Edition Chumash, p. 1054).
23:10–15 With regard to the sanctity of the camp, the Jewish rabbis teach that whereas other armies triumph by force of numbers and arms, Israel’s success is in the hands of Elohim, and, therefore, its army’s most potent weapon is its righteous behavior.
24:1 Write her a bill of divorcement. Divorce laws and a get (written document given to the wife) is the subject of this passage. It is interesting to note that Moses himself, the one who YHVH used to pen the Torah, was very likely divorced and remarried. YHVH himself divorced Israel and gave her a get because of her unfaithfulness to him, and as Yeshua the son, who is God, will remarry her…. 24:4 Her first husband who divorced her shall not take her again to become his wife. The prophetic implications of this are astounding in light of YHVH’s divorce of unfaithful Israel and his eventual remarriage to her. The whole message of the gospel and Yeshua’s death on the cross relate to this verse. (Read “For Love of the Bride” teaching on this website - http://gatewaytofreedom.org/tabid/1066/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/131/For-The-Love-Of-His-Bride.aspx
24:8–9 Leprosy: Remember what YHVH … did unto Miriam. Moses’ sister Miriam was struck with a skin disease because she spoke evil (slander) against her brother. Today do we think that slanderous lips have no consequences except the embarrassment when we're exposed? Do you believe the Word when it says:
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Pro 18:21)
In his book A More Excellent Way: Be In Health, Pastor Henry Wright states his belief (pg 137 Ibid, 2003) that slander may be a root cause of colon cancer. His ministry has dealt with the spiritual roots of many diseases and patterns continued to be revealed.
Haftorah Reading
Isaiah 54:1-10
54:5-7 For thy Maker is thine husband. A wife forsaken, for a small moment YHVH shall hide His face, but everlasting kindness follows.
Notice the sequence for our own lives and take hope that in our hour of despair, it truly is the night before the dawn of everlasting blessing. It is the ashes raised into beauty, the body raised to life to the glory of our G_d - YHVH, Yeshua and Ruach ha Kodesh - Father, Son & Holy Spirit - Echad! Amen & Hallelujah!
In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. (Isa 54:14)
Shabbat Shalom,
Randy