Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue
Parashah#48: Shof’tim (Judges) D’varim (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9
Haftarah: Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 51:12-53:12
B’rit Chadashah: 1 Corinthians 5:9-13
In this parashah we continue with the process of G-d’s instructions to the Israelites as they evolve from a nomadic existence in the desert, to a nation brought to a land that G-d has prepared for them. One of the first issues on the agenda is the appointment of fair and honest judges and the abolishment of anything that is defined as idolatrous by G-d’s standards.
In the context of idolatry, G-d warns the people not to plant an Asherah tree or erect a pillar for idol worship near the Altar of HaShem. Asherah in the Bible refers to a Canaanite fertility goddess and the wooden cult objects associated with her worship. The term “Asherah” appears many times in the Tanakh often associated with practices that were condemned by G-d. The concept of placing an idolatrous symbol or worshiping it so close to the Altar of G-d may serve as an example of how easily some who “professes” to love and worship G-d, accept and assimilate pagan practices and traditions into their lives while insisting they love the G-d of Israel. A real time example is an individual who has negated G-d’s commands in favor of family traditions or popular practices such as Easter, Christmas, eating forbidden foods, and accepting the Catholic church’s adulteration of G-d’s Sabbath and Sovereignty as the only One who can absolve sin. G-d cautions the Israelites that the penalty for idol worship is death by stoning. However, He qualifies the penalty by requiring two or three witnesses to condemn the accused before the death sentence may be handed down.
Moshe was instructed by G-d to enforce G-d’s law in every Jewish city in the Land. Shof’tim (Judges) were to be appointed in every city to decide civil, domestic, and sometimes religious controversies. The judges were to practice their roles with justice and righteousness with complete impartiality. The judges were also given executive powers of state, so they were able to conduct enforcement of judicial matters.
Moshe warned the people to accept the verdict of the judges, doing what they teach which was G-d’s Torah (Deut. 17:11), turning neither to the right nor to the left from the verdict. Anyone in violation was to be put to death. This was and is G-d’s way of exterminating wickedness from Israel- all the people would hear about the verdict and outcome and would be afraid to act presumptuously. This concept of ignoring true teaching of G-d’s Torah by credible Torah teachers and subsequent death for such a choice will cost the offender more than the first death. YHVH/Yahshua repeats this sentence for those who continue living unrighteously in Revelation 22:10-19 where John had the following vision: “Then he said to me, “Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy in this book, because the time of their fulfillment is near. Whoever keeps acting wickedly, let him go on acting wickedly; whoever is filthy, let him go on being made filthy. Also, whoever is righteous, let him go on doing what is righteous; and whoever is holy, let him go on being made holy. ‘Pay attention!’ [says Yahshua,] “I am coming soon, and my rewards are with me to give to each person according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega (Alef and the Tav), the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.’ “How blessed are those who wash their robes [repent], so that they have the right to eat from the Tree of Life and go through the gates into the city! Recall that the judges were placed at the gates of the city to demonstrate that the city followed G-d’s commands/laws. “Outside are the homosexuals, those involved with the occult and with drugs, the sexually immoral, murderers, idol-worshippers, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”
Moving on to verse 18: “I warn everyone hearing the words of this prophecy in this book that if anyone adds to them, G-d will add to him the plagues written in this book. And if anyone takes anything away from the words in the book of this prophecy, G-d will take away his share in the Tree of Life and the holy city, as described in this book.”
Comparing the sentence of idolatry and other antinomian behaviors described in our parashah with Revelation 22:11-19 we see a serious example of “what goes around comes around.” We are told in “Mark 4:22: “For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed, is meant to be brought out into the open.” 1 Timothy 5:24 reads “The sins of some men are obvious, going ahead of them to judgment; but the sins of others do not surface until later. In the same way. Good deeds are obvious, and even the ones that are inconspicuous cannot remain hidden”
The sooner we learn the truth of G-d’s Torah, internalize it, and live by it, the more we can fulfill our purpose to glorify G-d and make His Name known throughout the nations. Some people may say that they have no delusions of reaching masses of people through their lifestyle testimony for G-d. However, let me remind you that through the use of modern technology, you have the power to reach more people than you may realize. According to Isaiah 55:11: G-d’s Word will always achieve its purpose.” This verse reassures us that whatever G-d intends through his Torah will come to pass. This applies to all facets of our lives. Never underestimate your potential in serving G-d.
A subject in this parashah on which Orthodox Jews argue to this day is found in Deut. 18:15. The Gentiles divined the future from consulting soothsayers, mediums, astrologers, and the like. But G-d provided Israel a navi (prophet) like unto Himself; “ elav tishma’un (to him you shall listen”. The Orthodoxy maintains that Moshe was the greatest prophet ever. But Moshe himself stated the following words indicating there would be another: “Adonai will raise up for you a prophet like me from among yourselves, from your own kinsmen. You are to pay attention to him, “just as when you were assembled at Horev and requested Adonai your G-d, ‘ Don’t let me hear the voice of Adonai my G-d any more, or let me see this great fire ever again; if I do, I will die!’ On that occasion, Adonai said to me,’ They are right in what they are saying. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kinsmen. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I order him. Whoever doesn’t listen to my words, which he will speak in my name, will have to account for himself to me.” We see fulfillment of this prophecy in John chapter 12.
Haftarah: Yesha’yahu 51:12-52:12
This is the fourth of the “seven prophecies of comfort” read between the Fast of the ninth of Av and Rosh Hashanah. So very tenderly as a righteous groom who is about to forgive his idolatrous bride, HaShem says, “Anochi, Anochi hu m’nachemchem” (I, I am he who comforts you). Adonai assures us that although Israel was punished greatly for the sin of idolatry, He will redeem her, punish those who led her astray and return His people to Zion. He escorts the exiles, (Adonai will go ahead of you, and the G-d of Israel will also be behind you (Is. 52:12) in a slow methodical processional in sharp contrast to the hasty exodus from Egypt. This haftarah reiterates the truth of a progressive salvation versus an instantaneous, all-inclusive event taught by many Christian clergy. We are also reminded that G-d is not all love and mercy. His justice will prevail against those who led Israel astray and against those who choose to follow their own ways and gods. Although G-d’s mercy endures forever, He will return as the conquering King Yahshua with justice and righteousness (Psalm 119:137; Rev. 19:11).
B’rit Chadashah: 1 Corinthians 5:9-13
In my earlier letter I wrote you not to associate with people who engage in sexual immorality. I didn’t mean the sexually immoral people outside your community, or the greedy, or the thieves, or the idol worshipers-for then you would have to leave the world altogether! No, what I wrote you was not to associate with anyone who is supposedly a brother but who engages in sexual immorality, is greedy, worships idols, is abusive, gets drunk, or steals. With such a person you shouldn’t even eat! For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders? Isn’t it those who are part of the community that you should be judging? G-d will judge those who are outside. Just expel the evildoer from among yourselves.”
These verses reflect Revelation 22:11 discussed earlier in this commentary. This narrative is clear, but I want to bring your attention to a couple of things. In verse 9 Sha’ul (Paul) states “my earlier letter.” This letter has not survived except in the reference here. From this we learn that not everything Sha’ul wrote was included in G-d’s Torah. Secondly, in verse 11 we read “with such a person you shouldn’t even eat.” But we should eat with those inquiring into the faith (Acts 10:1-11:18) and with fellow believers.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Tamah Davis-Hart