Gateway To Freedom Torah Notes
Ki Tavo: When You Enter
Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8
Haftorah
Isaiah 60:1-22
B’rit Chadashah
On giving: Luke 21:1-4
On spiritual blessings of adoption: Ephesians 1:3-6
On Torah Obedience: Rom 1:18, Rom 2:6-1, 2 Cor 5:10, Rev 22:11- 13
Introduction:
As we read this parasha together you may get an impression of d'ej'a vu (e.g. Didn't I just read this?). We might ask why so much repetition is necessary. It is as if Moses is talking to children - and you would be correct! YHVH knew Israel's heart, but in YHVH's love gave them repeated warnings about the consequences of their disobedience. These passages are a reiteration of the principles and instructions which Moses wrote just a few chapters before. Their central theme is 1) charity and 2) blessings and cursings in response to Israel's obedience (or disobedience).
There is an all important passage that is directed to modern day believers (Israel) in next week's parasha - which again reiterates blessings and cursings. It is like the words of blessings which Yeshua spoke in John, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;" (John 17:20) Deuteronomy similarly records:
Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath; But with him that standeth here with us this day before the LORD our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day: (Deu 29:14, 15)
The Word emphasizes, through repetition, the importance of keeping the commandments and instructions of G_d in both the first and second covenants (John 15:10). And yet, the majority of the Western church would believe that we only need to abide by the laws and moral standards of man to walk in G_d's way. The question to each of us today is what do you really believe? Are you walking according to G_d's laws and instructions or by the vanity of our own man made standards?
26:1-12 Tithes/offerings and prayers. YHVH again instructs his people on tithes and offerings. They are to care for the Levite, sojourner, fatherless and the widow. I note that some translations most often used by those studying the Hebraic roots of the faith often translate "sojourner or stranger" (KJV) as "proselyte" - meaning one who is converting to become part of Israel. Of course, their reasoning is the separation that Israel was to maintain from the world and the traditions that were followed in observing this commandment. However, in light of Yeshua's teachings (i.e. "the good Samaritan") defining who is our brother, do you think this would be a proper translation?
Thus, if we are commanded to financially care for those who temporarily "dwell with us" (i.e. a sojourner), then shouldn't we be able to feel genuine love toward those who are walking their spiritual journey a little differently from our own? Yeshua said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35) We can easily miss the Master's blessing and blessing of fellowship, if we disregard (or criticize) a fellow believer who has not received the same revelation, nor maintains the same theology or calling. It is time to seek knowing one another in the Spirit so that we may come into a greater unity of the faith.
26:13-19 An Israelite was to bring the tithes of their increase before the Lord (at least every three years), affirm his obedience to the commands and ask for YHVH's blessings. How should this apply to our prayer life? I often find that when praying aloud in declaration, the Ruach HaKodesh will speak (both in affirmation and correction) about the very thing I'm avowing. It is a wonderful edification in either affirmation or repentance brought on by the knowledge of our shortcomings.
27:1-8 YHVH commands the erection of an altar of sacrifice and a monument inscribed with the words of the law to be constructed upon Mt. Ebal - the mount from which the curses (for disobedience) were spoken forth. Can we comprehend the testimony (of the monument convicting of the offense/sin) and the need for the sacrifice (the altar) as another physical example of Elohim's salvation plan?
27:11–16 Matthew Henry points out: The six tribes appointed to read the blessings from Mount Gerizim were all children of free women (Leah and Rachel). On the other hand those, with the exception of Reuben (who had lost the right of primogenitor or firstborn status because of his affair with his father’s handmaid, 1 Chron 5:1), appointed to read the curses from Mount Ebal were children of bondwomen (Bilhah and Zilpah). What are the spiritual implications of this? (Compare this with offspring of the free and bondwoman pertaining to Isaac and Ishmael in Galatians 4:21–31. Hint: Gal 4:24 = two covenants - one flesh (Gen 21:18, 17:20) and one of the Spirit, everlasting (Gen17:19).)
Gal 4:21-26 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? (22) For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. (23) But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. (24) Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. (25) For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. (26) But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
Heb 12:22-24 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, (23) To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (24) And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
These two passages require a foundational understanding of the principles of G_d's covenant to understand them in context. That is why they are more commonly theologically misapplied by saying… the law is of no affect to those bought by the blood of Yeshua. Yet, Yeshua said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." (Mat 5:23) Paul summarized this whole issue by saying:
Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Rom 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Notice what the allegory is saying:
1) There are two covenants, one of the flesh and one of the spiritual/heavenly.
2) The former - flesh - is subject to the second - spiritual.
3) In the first - flesh - there is bondage, but in the spirit we are made free (by the blood of Yeshua).
27:11–26 In these verses we find listed some of the blessings and cures for Torah obedience. Do you believe the Torah principles (spiritual truths) of blessing for obedience and curses for disobedience to YHVH’s Word are for us today? If we can't fully embrace this truth, then we must ask ourselves why not? Does YHVH’s character, truth or Word change? (Mal 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not;). We must not mistake YHVH's longsuffering and mercy toward us for nullification of His Word, principles or promises.
There is an often overlooked phrase in this passage, that is repeated in 28:15, which says: "Keep all the commandments which I command you this day." (27:1) What was commanded "this day" that would make a man be accursed? Was it disobedience for any one of the 613 mitzvot (laws) given, or just specific ones? Of the twelve given in verses 15-26 all but one (the last - vs 26) relate to the royal commandments (i.e. The 10 commandments). It is interesting to note that four of them relate to coveting. They expand upon who is included in the prohibition of sexual intimacy with relatives.
28:1-14 In contrast, the blessings accompanied the heart that hearkened to all of YHVH's commandments. Do you see how important it is to seek the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) for His guidance? When I come into your house, it is expected that I observe the rules of the house so that you might bless me (so to speak). When we come into our loving heavenly Father's house - His kingdom - some still say we can ignore His rules without repercussions. Is it any wonder why His children are often under the rod of correction?
Doesn't this beg the question of what is in between blessing and cursing? Isn't the answer in G_d's very character? Consider:
Psa 89:14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
Pro 21:3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Isa 56:1-2 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. (2) Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.
28:47 Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.
YHVH states that ungratefulness for the blessings he has given us and failure to obey him out of a joyful and glad heart will bring curses on us. Let us reflect on this. How much time each day do we spend thanking him for his blessings in our life? When we get up in the morning? Every time we eat? At noonday do we stop to praise him, as David did? Before we go to sleep? Not only is doing so a form of worship, but such a heart attitude and orientation helps us to keep our focus continually upon Him so that we will "forget not all his benefits (Ps 103:2)" and fall into a state of "hardened heart and forgetfulness (Deut 29:2–4)."
Even more… aren't we seeing the dark clouds of decrease coming over this great nation as it has turned from the thanksgiving of G_d on the Pilgrim shores, to pride in our own creations and abundance? If we can see G_d's grace being lifted over this nation, then let us awaken to YHVH's righteous ways soon or His judgment and justice are inevitable.
Blessing and Curses - New Testament affirmation:
No matter how much we see the rotten fruits of sin before us every day, many blood bought believers in Messiah Yeshua do not accept them as the consequences of sin against YHVH's commandments. The Westernized believer has been condition to disbelieve if the "eye" doesn't see a consistent "scientific" cause and effect relationship. Has the church negated the G_d of justice to only have faith in His mercy? In other words, is the church walking in faith for only G_d's mercy and not the whole Word? Has it been sold a bill of dispensational theological goods that the G_d of the New Testament is only a G_d of mercy until His wrath is released upon the earth at His second coming?
The TRUTH is:
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, (Rom 1:18)
God "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Rom 2:6-13 NIV)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Cor 5:10 NIV)
He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Rev 22:11- 13)
That is the truth (Thy Word is truth - John 17:17) about the importance of the Torah for every blood bought believer in Messiah, Yeshua!
Haftorah
Isaiah 60:1-22
The Millennial Kingdom
The wonderful and inspiring passages in this Haftorah are exciting for all believers who recognize who they are in Yeshua. We are grafted into Israel to become "one new man" - Israel: who rules with G_d (i.e. meaning of the name, Israel. Gen 32:28) (Ephesians 2:11-22, Hos 1:10, etc.) Isaiah prophecies that time when we will arise and shine amidst great darkness, and be called back from the four winds (Isa 60:4, Hos 1:11, Mark 13:27, Mic 2:12, etc) to become one with Judah.
Although Judah doesn't yet acknowledge "Christians" as being their brother, Israel, in the faith, they do believe that the whole house of Israel must be re-gathered as credentials of the Messiah. This passage describing the millennial kingdom will be the revelation of the hidden stick of Ephraim that will be joined with the stick of Judah (Ezek 37:15 - 37:28) to dwell with together under the covenant of peace.
Shabbat Shalom,
Randy