Parashat 18 “Mishpatim” Portion 66 Shemot/Ex 22:24 – 23:19 Yesh 49:1-6 Yakov/James 1:26-2:4

Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim, King of the Universe, you have selected us from among all the peoples, and have given us your Torah.

Exo 22:22  “Do not afflict any widow or fatherless child. 

Exo 22:23  “If you do afflict them at all – if they cry out to Me at all, I shall certainly hear their cry,

Exo 22:24  and My wrath shall burn and I shall kill you with the sword, your wives shall be widows and your children fatherless.

There are currently about 258 million widows and 153 million orphans worldwide. We may say ‘’well this is not my problem’’ According to the Torah – it is! Does the average believer even know a widow or orphan let alone provide some kind of kindness or support for these disadvantaged people. Remember YHVH hears their cries and maybe for this reason the world is about to bear the consequences of their indifference towards these ‘’the least of all people.’’

Mat 25:42  for I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink, 

Mat 25:43  I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, was naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 

Mat 25:44  “Then they also shall answer Him, saying, ‘Master, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not serve You?’ 

Mat 25:45  “Then He shall answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, in so far as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 

Mat 25:46  “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life.” 

Moshe Commands Obedience

Deu 4:1  “And now, O Yisra’ěl, listen to the laws(‘’chukim’’) and the right-rulings(‘’mishpatim’’) which I am teaching you to do, so that you live, and shall go in and possess the land which יהוה Elohim of your fathers is giving you. 

Deu 4:2  “Do not add to the Word which I command you, and do not take away from it,a so as to guard the commands of יהוה your Elohim which I am commanding you. Footnote: aSee also Deu_12:32, Pro_30:6, Rev_22:18-19. 

Deu 4:3  “Your eyes have seen what יהוה did at Ba‛al Pe‛or, for יהוה your Elohim has destroyed from your midst all the men who followed Ba‛al Pe‛or. 

Deu 4:4  “But you who are clinging(הדבקים) to יהוה your Elohim are alive today, every one of you. 

Deu 4:5  “See, I have taught you laws(chukim) and right-rulings(mishpatim), as יהוה my Elohim commanded me, to do thus in the land which you go to possess. 

Deu 4:6  “And you shall guard (shamar)and do(asah) them, for this is your wisdom and your understanding before the eyes of the peoples who hear all these laws,(chukim) and they shall say, ‘Only a wise and understanding people is this great nation!’ 

Deu 4:7  “For what great nation is there which has Elohim so near to it, as יהוה our Elohim is to us, whenever we call on Him? 

Deu 4:8  “And what great nation is there that has such laws(chukim) and righteous right-rulings(mishpatim) like all this Torah which I set before you this day? 

Deu 4:9  “Only, guard yourself, and guard your life diligently, lest you forget the Words your eyes have seen, and lest they turn aside from your heart all the days of your life. And you shall make them known to your children and your grandchildren. 

Deu 4:10  “The day when you stood before יהוה your Elohim in Ḥorěḇ, יהוה said to me, ‘Assemble the people to Me and I make them hear My Words, so that they learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth and teach them to their children.’ 

Deu 4:11  “And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire to the heart of the heavens – darkness, cloud, and thick darkness. 

Deu 4:12  “And יהוה spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard a voice of words, but saw no form, you only heard a voice. 

Deu 4:13  “And He made known to you His covenant which He commanded you to do, the Ten Words, and He wrote them on two tablets of stone. 

Deu 4:14  “And יהוה commanded me at that time to teach you laws(chukim) and right-rulings(mishpatim), for you to do them in the land which you pass over to possess. 

Mat 5:18  “For truly, I say to you, till the heaven and the earth pass away, one yod or one tittle shall by no means pass from the Torah till all be done.[f] Footnote: f Luk_16:17. 

Mat 5:19  “Whoever, then, breaks one of the least of these commands, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the reign of the heavens; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the reign of the heavens. 

אם כסף תלוה – ‘’    if you lend silver..’’

Exo 22:25  “If you do lend silver to any of My people, the poor among you, you are not to be like one that lends on interest to him. Do not lay interest on him.

 

The Hebrew verb word for “interest” is “nashech” means to strike with a sting like a serpent – to bite.

We see how banks and loan sharks impose overwhelming burdens on so many, especially the poor. Who struggle to repay loans because of the high interest rates.

 

In Dev/Deut 23:20-21 it is specifically permitted to charge interest (nashach) to a foreigner (nochri). This may include business loans which carry some measure of risk.

Exo 22:26  “If you take your neighbour’s garment as a pledge at all, you are to return it to him before the sun goes down.

Exo 22:27  “For that is his only covering,(kesutah) it is his garment for his skin. What does he sleep in? And it shall be that when he cries to Me, I shall hear, for I show favour.

 

Covering – “Chesutah”(her covering) covering used for protection. Note the use of the “ketiv” and “Quere” in the Hebrew text – “chesuto”(his covering) The scribes made some corrections (Quere) to the written (ketiv) Torah scroll. However, they always noted these changes without giving reasons. This verse should read:

 

כו  כִּי הִוא כְסוּתֹה לְבַדָּהּ, הִוא שִׂמְלָתוֹ לְעֹרוֹ...

27 for that is her only covering, she is his garment for his skin…

Why femine nouns? There may be a deeper Midrash hidden in this verse. Perhaps the Torah is expressing more concern for the wife of the man who made some bad choices regarding the family finances. Perhaps the man himself is pleading for the comfort of his wife and that she shouldn’t suffer for his bad decisions. Perhaps YHVH does not want poor people to get cold at night.

 

Deu 32:45  And when Mosheh ended speaking all these words to all Yisra’ěl, 

Deu 32:46  he said to them, “Set your heart on all the words with which I warn you today, so that you command your children to guard to do all the Words of this Torah. 

Deu 32:47  “For it is not a worthless Word for you, because it is your life, and by this Word you prolong your days on the soil which you pass over the Yarděn to possess.” 

 

Exo 22:28  “Do not revile Elohim, nor curse a ruler of your people.

 

Here the sages understand “Elohim” to mean judges, who speak on YHVH’s behalf (Ex 21:6; 22:8,9) …”insubordination to YHVH’s appointed leaders is equivalent to insubordination to YHVH Himself.”

Ruler (nasi) – Yahshua was a ruler – an elohim- and yet he was cursed by the people, and in some instances remains a curse word until this day. Have you noticed how some Jewish people refer to Yahshua as ‘’Yeshu’’ this is an acronym carrying a curse against our Master. ‘’As for the curse, the name ‘’Yeshu’’ can be seen as an abbreviation of “Yimach Shmo Uzichro,” may his name and memory be blotted out. Some believe this curse was the original meaning of the name.’’

 

https://news.kehila.org/why-do-israelis-call-jesus-yeshu/

 

When you hear this curse name you can respond in Hebrew:

לא כל כך היזהר שמך וזכרונך עלולים להימחק

Lo, kol kach hizhar shmicha ve zicharoncha alulim lehimchok.

‘’no not so beware your name and memory are liable to be blotted out’’

 

Exo 22:29  “Do not delay giving your harvest and your vintage. Give Me the first-born of your sons.

 

“Honouring YHVH and His appointed leaders is now linked to giving the first fruits of crops, herds and even the first born of one’s sons (who could be redeemed Ex 34:20).

In the replacement theology of the emerging church the bishops replaced the “Kohanim” or Levitical priests with their own priestly order.

 

Exo 22:30  “Likewise you are to do with your oxen, with your sheep. It is to be with its mother seven days. On the eighth day you give it to Me.

Exo 22:31  “And you are set-apart men to Me, and you do not eat any meat which is torn to pieces in the field, you throw it to the dogs.

Exo 23:1  “Do not bring a false report. Do not put your hand with the wrong to be a malicious witness.

Exo 23:2  “Do not follow a crowd to do evil, nor bear witness in a strife so as to turn aside after many, to turn aside what is right.

Exo 23:3  “And do not favour a poor man in his strife.

 

5 Prohibitions of a witness:

1. Cannot give unfounded hearsay testimony
2. Collusion on part of a witness with one of the parties for fraudulent or deceitful purposes is prohibited.
3. No consideration is to be given to one’s social standing in the judicial process.
4. Not to pervert justice by referring to the majority view, if majority view is wrong.
5. Cannot favour a poor person just because he is poor.

 

Exo 23:4  “When you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall certainly return it to him.

Exo 23:5  “When you see the donkey of him who hates you lying under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving it to him, you shall certainly help him.

Exo 23:6  “Do not turn aside the right-ruling of your poor in his strife.

Exo 23:7  “Keep yourself far from a false matter, and do not kill the innocent and the righteous, for I do not declare the wrong right.

Exo 23:8  “And do not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the seeing one and twists the words of the righteous.

Exo 23:9  “And do not oppress a sojourner, as you yourselves know the heart of a sojourner, because you were sojourners in the land of Mitsrayim.

Exo 23:10  “And for six years you are to sow your land, and shall gather its increase,

Exo 23:11  but the seventh year you are to let it rest, and shall leave it, and the poor of your people shall eat. And what they leave, the beasts of the field eat. Do the same with your vineyard and your oliveyard.

Exo 23:12  “Six days you are to do your work, and on the seventh day you rest, in order that your ox and your donkey might rest, and the son of your female servant and the sojourner be refreshed.

Exo 23:13  “And in all that I have said to you take heed. And make no mention of the name of other mighty ones, let it not be heard from your mouth.

Exo 23:14  “Three¹ times in the year you are to observe a festival to Me: Footnote: ¹The Festivals of יהוה are grouped in three, for three different times of the year.

Exo 23:15  “Guard the Festival of Unleavened Bread. Seven days you eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month of Aḇiḇ – for in it you came out of Mitsrayim – and do not appear before Me empty-handed;

Exo 23:16  and the Festival of the Harvest, the first-fruits of your labours which you have sown in the field; and the Festival of the Ingathering at the outgoing of the year, when you have gathered in the fruit of your labours from the field.

Exo 23:17  “Three times in the year all your males are to appear before the Master יהוה.

Exo 23:18  “Do not offer the blood of My slaughtering with leavened bread, and the fat of My offering shall not remain until morning.

Exo 23:19  “Bring the first of the first-fruits of your land into the House of יהוה your Elohim. Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.

 

The following video shows man’s last desperate attempt to reject YHVH’s ‘’constitution’’ and establish their own new world order.

 

https://freedomplatform.tv/plandemic-the-great-awakening/#

 

The Reign of YHVH's Anointed

Psa 2:1  Why do the nations rage,a And the peoples meditate emptiness? Footnote: aQuoted in Mat_4:25-26. See also Dan_2:44, Dan_7:13-28, Hag_2:22, Zec_14:9 and Rev_11:15. 

Psa 2:2  The sovereigns of the earth take their stand, And the rulers take counsel together, Against יהוה and against His Messiah, and say, 

Psa 2:3  “Let us tear apart Their bonds, And throw away Their ropes from us.” 

Psa 2:4  He who is sitting in the heavens laughs, יהוה mocks at them. 

Psa 2:5  Then He speaks to them in His wrath, And troubles them in His rage, saying, 

Psa 2:6  “But I, I have set My Sovereign on Tsiyon, My set-apart mountain.” 

Psa 2:7  “I inscribe for a law(chok): יהוה has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have brought You forth. 

Psa 2:8  Ask of Me, and I make the nations Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth Your possession. 

Psa 2:9  Break them with a rod of iron, Dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ” 

Psa 2:10  And now, be wise, O sovereigns; Be instructed, you rulers of the earth. 

Psa 2:11  Serve יהוה with fear, And rejoice with trembling. 

Psa 2:12  Kiss the Chosen,[b] lest He be enraged, And you perish in the way, For soon His wrath is to be kindled. Blessed are all those taking refuge in Him. Footnote: bHebrew, Nashqu ḇar. Ḇar - Chosen in Hebrew but Son in Aramaic. 

 

Blessed are you YHVH, our Elohim, King of the Universe, you have given us your Torah of truth, and have planted everlasting life within our midst. Blessed are you, YHVH giver of the Torah – Amein.

Parashat 18 Portion 65 ‘’Mishpatim’’ Shemot 21:1-22:23 Ps 58:1-12 Is 56:1-9 + 57:19

Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim, King of the Universe, you have selected us from among all the peoples, and have given us your Torah.

ואלה המשׁפטים – ‘’ve ele há mishpatim’’ comes from the Hebrew word ‘’shaphat’’ to judge, govern, vindicate, punish. These were normally judgments given by the elders at the gates of the cities in ancient Israel to promote righteous governance of YHVH’s people – The gate is where the elders of the city would go to meet, where deals were made, and people would be judged, and restitution made where necessary.

These instructions were given on Mount Sinai, (Moshe spent a total of 80 days on Mount Sinai with YHVH- Deut 9:9-18) Together with the giving of the 10 sayings they contain the essence of the Torah to ensure that the Torah covenant relationships would be honoured and protected. So great was the authority of these righteous judgments that rejection of their rulings carried the death penalty.

Legal Decisions by Priests and Judges

Deu 17:8  “When any matter arises which is too hard for you to judge, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, or between stroke and stroke – matters of strife within your gates – then you shall rise and go up to the place which יהוה your Elohim chooses, Deu 17:9  and shall come to the priests, the Lěwites, and to the judge who is in those days, and shall inquire. And they shall declare to you the word of right-ruling, Deu 17:10  and you shall do according to the word which they declare to you from that place which יהוה chooses. And you shall guard to do according to all that they instruct you. Deu 17:11  “Do according to the Torah in which they teach you, according to the right-ruling which they say to you. You do not turn to the right or to the left from the word which they declare to you. Deu 17:12  “And the man who acts arrogantly, so as not to listen to the priest who stands to serve there before יהוה your Elohim, or to the judge, that man shall die. So, you shall purge the evil from Yisra’ěl. Deu 17:13  “And let all the people hear and fear, and no longer do arrogantly. 

Exo 21:1  “These are the right-rulings(ואלה המשׁפטים) which you are to set before them:   תשׂים לפניהם׃ 

21:2  “When you buy a Hebrew servant, (עֶבֶד עִבְרִי), he serves six years, and in the seventh he goes out free, for naught. 

Following the most important Torah portion” Yitro”- the giving of the Torah -  there is possibly a veiled mystery in this Torah portion ‘’Mishpatim’’ that in the ‘’olam ha ze’’ or this present age, only a ‘’Hebrew slave’’ have been given the desire to embrace and obey all of the Torah. In the coming age ‘’olam ha ba’’ this small remnant of faithful Hebrew slaves will become part of the bride of Messiah and will receive immortal bodies when the Messiah returns. These ‘’Hebrew slaves’’ will rule and reign with Him for 1000 years. After the 1000 years have passed these faithful servants with a host of fellow believers will be ushered into the presence of YHVH for ever and ever – perfect, without spot or blemish -  ‘’shemini atzaret’’ (when Rev 21 will go into fulfilment) the eighth day assembly. Jude vs 24,25.

Notice, that the gematria of the term eved ivri (עֶבֶד עִבְרִי), "Hebrew slave," is 358, which is the same value as that for ‘’Mashiach’’ and also of ‘’nachash’’ or ‘’serpent’’ – 1 Jn 3:8

Exo 21:3  “If he comes in by himself, he goes out by himself; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. 

Exo 21:4  “If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children are her master’s, and he goes out by himself. 

Exo 21:5  “And if the servant truly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children, let me not go out free,’ 

Exo 21:6  then his master shall bring him before Elohim, and shall bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl. And he shall serve him forever. 

The prophet Isaiah foretells of the similarity of the Hebrew slave and the Messiah:

Isa 50:5  The Master יהוה has opened (Heb ‘’patach’’ to carve open) My ear, and I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away. Isa 50:6  I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked (Heb – scraped His face);out the beard, I did not hide My face from humiliation and spitting. 

Isa 50:7  And the Master יהוה helps Me, therefore I shall not be humiliated (confused). So I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I am not put to shame (disappointed). 

Only a ‘’free man’’ could choose the life of a ‘’bond servant’’. You don’t have to be a bond servant, but you choose out of love for your Master and your family to be so. Like Paul – Rom 1:1 – The Roman centurion Mat 8:6-12. Used over 125 times in apostolic scriptures and 800 times in the Tenach (OT).

The Kingdom of YHVH belongs to His Bond servants - Mat 25:23  “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy servant. You were trustworthy over a little, I shall set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ (see Jn 15:14-15)

Exo 21:7  “And when a man sells his daughter to be a female servant, she does not go out as the male servants do. 

Exo 21:8  “If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who has engaged her to himself, then he shall let her be ransomed. He shall have no authority to sell her to a foreign people, because of him deceiving her. 

Exo 21:9  “And if he has engaged her to his son, he is to do to her as is the right of daughters. 

Exo 21:10  “If he takes another wife, her food, her covering, and her marriage rights are not to be diminished. 

Exo 21:11  “And if he does not do these three for her, then she shall go out for naught, without silver. 

Note as with the Hebrew male servant, this female servant has dedicated her life to be a bond servant to her husband master.

Modern society, of course, frowns upon such a practice. Yet tragically there are millions of vulnerable woman and children that are victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse more than at any other time in human history. The Torah legislates human kindness.

In the ancient Hebrew culture, it was said ‘’when you buy a slave, you buy a master’’.

Only once the Hebrew family structure was established could a fair and just society be established. All healthy societies can only come from wholesome family values as taught in the Torah. Sadly, modern culture refuses to build on these Torah instructions regarding the family, the evidence is clearly seen in the disintegration of modern society. Praise YHVH righteous family and societal life will be established before Messiah returns – Acts 3:21

Exo 21:12  “He who strikes a man so that he dies shall certainly be put to death. 

Exo 21:13  “But if he did not lie in wait, but Elohim delivered him into his hand, then I shall appoint for you a place where he is to flee – Num35

Exo 21:14  “But when a man acts presumptuously against his neighbour, to kill him by treachery, you are to take him even from My slaughter-place to die. 

Exo 21:15  “And he who strikes his father or his mother shall certainly be put to death. 

Exo 21:16  “And he who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall certainly be put to death. 

Exo 21:17  “And he who curses his father or his mother shall certainly be put to death. 

Exo 21:18  “And when men strive together, and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but is confined to his bed, 

Exo 21:19  if he rises again and walks about outside with his staff, then he who struck him shall be innocent. He only pays for lost time and sees to it that he is completely healed. 

Exo 21:20  “And when a man strikes his male or female servant with a rod, so that he dies under his hand, he shall certainly be punished. 

Exo 21:21  “But if he remains alive a day or two, he is not punished; for he is his property. 

Exo 21:22  “And when men strive and they shall smite a pregnant woman, and her children come out, yet there is no injury, he shall certainly be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband lays upon him. And he shall give through the judges. 

Exo 21:23  “But if there is injury, then you shall give life for life, 

Exo 21:24  eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 

Exo 21:25  burn for burn, wound for wound, lash for lash. 

Yahshua did not change these laws, He elevated them –

Retaliation

Mat 5:38  “You heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,’j Exo_21:24. Footnote: jThis was the principle for the judges to follow, while יהושע speaks in the next verse of our personal conduct. Mat 5:39  but I say to you, do not resist the wicked. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 

Mat 5:40  “And he who wishes to sue you and take away your inner garment, let him have your outer garment as well. Mat 5:41  “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 

Mat 5:42  “Give to him who asks of you, and from him who wishes to borrow from you, do not turn away. 

Love Your EnemiesMat 5:43  “You heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour Lev_19:18 and hate your enemy.’k Footnote: kHate your enemy was “said,” not “written.” Mat 5:44  “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those cursing you, do good to those hating you, and pray for those insulting you and persecuting you, 

Mat 5:45  so that you become sons of your Father in the heavens. Because He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.l Footnote: l Luk_6:35, Act_14:16-17. 

Mat 5:46  “For if you love those loving you, what reward have you? Are the tax collectors not doing the same too? 

Mat 5:47  “And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Are the tax collectors not doing so too? Mat 5:48  “Therefore, be perfect,m as your Father in the heavens is perfect. Footnote: m Gen_17:1, Psa_119:1, 1Jn_2:5, Heb_6:1. 

‘’ It is also wrong to think Yahshua means that there is no place for punishment or retribution in society. Yahshua here speaks to personal relationships, and not to the proper functions of government (elders) in restraining evil (Rom_13:1-4) . I must turn my cheek when I am personally insulted, but the government(elders) has a responsibility to restrain the evil man from physical assault.’’ Heb 10:28  Anyone who has disregarded the Torah of Mosheh dies (active present verb) without compassion on the witness of two or three witnesses. (‘’Disregards’’ – Gk - atheteō - S114 – ‘’to disesteem, neutralize or violate: - cast off, despise, disannul, frustrate, bring to nought, reject’’ Note this is NOT a past tense verb, it is an active, indefinite verb.)

Exo 21:26  “And when a man strikes the eye of his male or female servant, and destroys it, he is to let him go free for the sake of his eye. 

Exo 21:27  “And if he knocks out the tooth of his male or female servant, he is to let him go free for the sake of his tooth. 

Exo 21:28  “And when an ox gores a man or a woman to death, then the ox shall certainly be stoned, and its flesh is not eaten, and the owner of the ox is innocent. 

Exo 21:29  “However, if the ox was previously in the habit of goring, and its owner has been warned, and he has not kept it confined, so that it has killed a man or a woman, the ox is stoned and its owner also is put to death. 

Exo 21:30  “If a sin-covering is laid upon him, then he shall give the ransom of his life, whatever is laid on him. 

Exo 21:31  “Whether it has gored a son or gored a daughter, according to this right-ruling it is done to him. 

Exo 21:32  “If the ox gores a male or female servant, he is to give to their master thirty sheqels of silver, and the ox is stoned. 

Laws About Restitution

Exo 21:33  “And when a man opens a pit, or if a man digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls in it, 

Exo 21:34  the owner of the pit is to repay, he is to give silver to their owner, and the dead beast is his. 

Exo 21:35  “And when the ox of a man smites the ox of his neighbour and it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and divide the silver from it, and also divide the dead ox. 

Exo 21:36  “Or if it was known that the ox was previously in the habit of goring, and its owner has not kept it confined, he shall certainly repay ox for ox, while the dead beast is his. 

Exo 22:1  “When a man steals an ox or a sheep, and shall slaughter it or sell it, he repays five cattle for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. 

Exo 22:2  “If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there is no guilt for his bloodshed. 

Exo 22:3  “If the sun has risen on him, there is guilt for his bloodshed, he shall certainly repay. If he has not the means, then he shall be sold for his theft. 

Exo 22:4  “If the theft is indeed found alive in his hand, whether it is an ox or donkey or sheep, he repays double. 

Exo 22:5  “When a man lets a field or vineyard be grazed bare, and lets loose his livestock, and it feeds in another man’s field, he repays from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard. 

Exo 22:6  “When fire breaks out and spreads to thorn bushes, so that stacked grain, or standing grain, or the field is consumed, he who kindled the fire shall certainly repay. 

Exo 22:7  “When a man gives silver or goods to his neighbour to guard, and it is stolen out of the man’s house, if the thief is found, he repays double. 

Exo 22:8  “If the thief is not found, then the master of the house shall be brought before Elohim to see whether he has put his hand into his neighbour’s goods. 

Exo 22:9  “For every matter of transgression, for ox, for donkey, for sheep, for garment, or for whatever is lost which another claims to be his, let the matter of them both come before Elohim. And whomever Elohim declares wrong repays double to his neighbour. 

Exo 22:10  “When a man gives to his neighbour a donkey, or ox, or sheep, or any beast to watch over, and it dies, or is injured, or is driven away while no one is looking, 

Exo 22:11  let an oath of יהוה be between them both, that he has not put his hand into his neighbour’s goods. And the owner of it shall accept that, and he does not repay. 

Exo 22:12  “But if it is indeed stolen from him, he repays to its owner. 

Exo 22:13  “If it is torn to pieces, then let him bring it for evidence, he does not repay what was torn. 

Exo 22:14  “And when a man borrows from his neighbour, and it is injured or dies while the owner of it is not present, he shall certainly repay. 

Exo 22:15  “But if its owner was with it, he does not repay. If it was hired, he is entitled to the hire. 

Laws About Social Justice

Exo 22:16  “And when a man entices a maiden who is not engaged, and lies with her, he shall certainly pay the bride-price for her to be his wife. 

Exo 22:17  “If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he pays according to the bride-price of maidens. 

Exo 22:18  “Do not allow a practiser of witchcraft to live. 

Exo 22:19  “Anyone lying with a beast shall certainly be put to death. 

Exo 22:20  “He who slaughters to an elohim, except to יהוה only, is put under the ban. 

Exo 22:21  “Do not tread down a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Mitsrayim. 

Exo 22:22  “Do not afflict any widow or fatherless child. 

Exo 22:23  “If you do afflict them at all – if they cry out to Me at all, I shall certainly hear their cry, 

Salvation for Foreigners

Isa 56:1  Thus said יהוה, “Guard right-ruling, and do righteousness, for near is My deliverance to come, and My righteousness to be revealed. Isa 56:2  “Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who becomes strong in it, guarding the Sabbath lest he profane it, and guarding his hand from doing any evil. Isa 56:3  “And let not the son of the foreigner who has joined himself to יהוה speak, saying, ‘יהוה has certainly separated me from His people,’ nor let the eunuch say, ‘Look I am a dry tree.’ ” Isa 56:4  For thus said יהוה, “To the eunuchs who guard My Sabbaths, and have chosen what pleases Me, and are holding onto My covenant: Isa 56:5  to them I shall give in My house and within My walls a place and a name better than that of sons and daughters – I give them an everlasting name that is not cut off. (Deut 23:1)Isa 56:6  “Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to יהוה, to serve Him, and to love the Name of יהוה, to be His servants, all who guard the Sabbath, and not profane it, and are holding onto My covenant – Isa 56:7  them I shall bring to My set-apart mountain, and let them rejoice in My house of prayer. Their ascending offerings and their slaughterings are accepted on My slaughter-place, for My house is called a house of prayer for all the peoples.” Isa 56:8  The Master יהוה, who gathers the outcasts of Yisra’ěl, declares, “I gather still others to him besides those who are gathered to him.” 

Hos 8:11  “Since Ephrayim has made many slaughter-places for sin, they have been slaughter-places for sinning to him. 

Hos 8:12  “I have written for him numerous matters of My Torah – they were regarded as strange. 

Praise YHVH there is a growing remnant that do not consider such Torah portions as strange but essential in our conduct before Messiah returns – This conduct may well be established by the 144 000 end time witnesses – Rev 7 and Rev 17 before Yahshua’s return - Act 3:21  whom heaven needs to receive until the times of restoration of all matters, of which Elohim spoke through the mouth of all His set-apart prophets since of old. 

Blessed are you YHVH, our Elohim, King of the Universe, you have given us your Torah of truth, and have planted everlasting life within our midst. Blessed are you, YHVH giver of the Torah – Amein.

Parashat 17 Portion 64 ‘’Yitro’’ (“his excellence”) – Shemot/Ex 19:6 - 20:22 Yesh61:6-62:4 Ps 57:1-12

Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim, King of the Universe, you have selected us from among all the peoples, and have given us your Torah.

ואתם תהיו לי – '’and you shall become for me…’’ just as we are ‘’becoming’’ the righteousness of Elohim through Messiah Yahshua – 2 Cor 5:21 – we are also been prepared to become a nation of priests unto YHVH. This Torah portion holds the ‘’key’’ of us becoming …..

Exo 19:6  ‘and you shall be to Me - ואתם תהיו לי- a reign of priests and a set-apart nation.’ Those are the words which you are to speak to the children of Yisra’ěl.” 

‘’Until Heaven and earth will pass away’’ not one of these words will ‘’pass away’’ – Mat 5:17-19

Exo 19:7  And Mosheh came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which יהוה commanded him.

Exo 19:8  And all the people answered together and said, “All that יהוה has spoken we shall do.” So Mosheh brought back the words of the people to יהוה. (a ‘’marriage proposal’’ made and accepted)

Exo 19:9  And יהוה said to Mosheh, “See, I am coming to you in the thick cloud, so that the people hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever.” And Mosheh reported the words of the people to יהוה.

This ‘’thick cloud’’ could be a reference to the marriage ‘’chuppah’’ or canopy.  YHVH, today, is still calling a people to become a priesthood through a ‘’marriage covenant’’ His Torah or ‘’ketubah’’ for ever and ever. YHVH will not change His Mind on this issue - Mal 3:6  “For I am יהוה, I shall not change,[a] and you, O sons of Ya‛aqoḇ, shall not come to an end. Footnote: a Jas_1:17.    

Exo 19:10  And יהוה said to Mosheh, “Go to the people and set them apart today and tomorrow. And they shall wash their garments,

Exo 19:11  and shall be prepared by the third day. For on the third day יהוה shall come down upon Mount Sinai before the eyes of all the people.

Today, some Hebrew minded couples prefer getting married on the ‘’third day’’ of the week. Why?

Exo 19:12  “And you shall make a border for the people all around, saying, ‘Take heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch the border of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall certainly be put to death. (Any unwelcome interference to this ‘’marriage’’ will be destroyed)

Exo 19:13  ‘Not a hand is to touch it, but he shall certainly be stoned or shot with an arrow, whether man or beast, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, let them come near the mountain.”

Exo 19:14  And Mosheh came down from the mountain to the people and set the people apart, and they washed their garments.

Exo 19:15  And he said to the people, “Be prepared by the third day. Do not come near a wife.”

Exo 19:16  And it came to be, on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain. And the sound of the ram’s horn was very loud, and all the people who were in the camp trembled.

Exo 19:17  And Mosheh brought the people out of the camp to meet with Elohim, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

Exo 19:18  And Mount Sinai was in smoke, all of it, because יהוה descended upon it in fire. And its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and all the mountain trembled exceedingly.

Exo 19:19  And when the blast of the ram’s horn sounded long and became louder and louder, Mosheh spoke, and Elohim answered him by voice.

Exo 19:20  And יהוה came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And יהוה called Mosheh to the top of the mountain, and Mosheh went up.

Exo 19:21  And יהוה said to Mosheh, “Go down, and warn the people, lest they break through unto יהוה to see, and many of them fall.

Exo 19:22  “And let the priests who come near יהוה set themselves apart too, lest יהוה break out against them.”

Exo 19:23  And Mosheh said to יהוה, “The people are not able to come up to Mount Sinai, for You warned us, saying, ‘Make a border around the mountain and set it apart.’ ”

Exo 19:24  And יהוה said to him, “Come, go down and then come up, you and Aharon with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to יהוה, lest He break out against them.”

Exo 19:25  And Mosheh went down to the people and spoke to them.

The writer to the book of Hebrew explains the Sinai events in terms of the ‘’renewed covenant’’

Heb 12:18  For you have not drawn near to a mountain touched and scorched with fire, and to blackness, and darkness and storm, 

Heb 12:19  and a sound of a trumpet, and a voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that no further Word should be spoken to them,[c] Footnote: cSee Exo_20:19. 

Heb 12:20  for they could not bear what was commanded, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot through with an arrow.” Exo_19:12. 

Heb 12:21  And so fearsome was the sight that Mosheh said, “I exceedingly fear and tremble.” Deu_9:19. 

Heb 12:22  But you have drawn near to Mount Tsiyon and to the city of the living Elohim, to the heavenly Yerushalayim, to myriads of messengers, 

Heb 12:23  to the entire gathering and assembly of the first-born (Israel first born – Ex 4:22) having been enrolled in heaven, and to Elohim the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 

Heb 12:24  and to יהושע the Mediator[d] of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling which speaks better than the blood of Heḇel. Footnote: dSee Heb_8:6. 

Heb 12:25  Take heed not to refuse the One speaking. For if those did not escape who refused the warning on earth, much less we who turn away from Him from heaven, 

Heb 12:26  whose voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” Hag_2:6. 

Heb 12:27  And this, “Yet once more,” makes clear the removal of what is shaken – as having been made – so that the unshaken matters might remain. 

Heb 12:28  Therefore, receiving an unshakeable reign, let us hold the favour, through which we serve Elohim pleasingly with reverence and awe, 

Heb 12:29  for indeed, our Elohim is a consuming fire. Deu_4:24. 

Quote from ‘’The Normal Christian Life’’ by Watchman Nee:

‘’The law (Torah) requires much but offers no help in carrying out its requirements. The Lord Jesus requires just as much, yea even more – Mat 5:21-40. But what He requires from us. He Himself carries out in us. The law (Torah) makes demands and leaves us helpless to fulfil them: Christ makes demands (higher demands) but He Himself fulfills in us the very demand He makes.’’

Joh 3:36  “He who believes in the Son possesses everlasting life, but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of Elohim remains on him.” 

Below is a fascinating documentary about mount Sinai in Saudi Arabia:

http://www.arkdiscovery.com/mt__sinai_found.htm

Exo 20:1  And Elohim spoke all these Words, saying,

Exo 20:2  “I am יהוה your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Mitsrayim, out of the house of slavery.

Exo 20:3  “You have no other mighty ones against(Heb ‘’al’’- pre-eminence, in addition to)  My face.

Exo 20:4  “You do not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of that which is in the heavens above, or which is in the earth beneath, or which is in the waters under the earth,

Exo 20:5  you do not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, יהוה your Elohim am a jealous Ěl, visiting the crookedness of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Exo 20:6  but showing kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and guard My commands.

We are not to create any kind of distraction that would hinder us from sincere and complete devotion to YHVH and His Covenant with us.

There are believers who believe that generational curses need to be broken over families – this is true, however if anyone believes a generational curse can be broken and then continue to live in disobedience to YHVH’s Torah – they are deceiving themselves.

Exo 20:7  “You do not bring¹ the Name of יהוה your Elohim to naught, for יהוה does not leave the one unpunished who brings His Name to naught. Footnote: ¹Or lift up, or take.

Exo 20:8  “Remember the Sabbath day, to set it apart.

Exo 20:9  “Six days you labour, and shall do all your work,

Exo 20:10  but the seventh day is a Sabbath¹ of יהוה your Elohim. You do not do any work – you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. Footnote: ¹There are other Sabbaths, but this is the weekly Sabbath.

Exo 20:11  “For in six days יהוה made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore יהוה blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart.

Exo 20:12  “Respect your father and your mother, so that your days are prolonged upon the soil which יהוה your Elohim is giving you.

Exo 20:13  “You do not murder.

Exo 20:14  “You do not commit adultery.

Exo 20:15  “You do not steal.

Exo 20:16  “You do not bear false witness against your neighbour.

Exo 20:17  “You do not covet your neighbour’s house, you do not covet your neighbour’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, or whatever belongs to your neighbour.”

Exo 20:18  And all the people saw the thunders, the lightning flashes, the sound of the ram’s horn, and the mountain smoking. And the people saw it, and they trembled and stood at a distance,

Hebrew says “ve kol ha am Rahim et ha kolot” means and the people SAW the voices.

How do you see a voice? The Torah was not meant just to be heard but also SEEN.

Maybe this also refers to the time when Ruach was poured out like tongues of fire on the people at Mnt Tsion (Act 2:3  And there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and settled on each one of them. Act 2:4  And they were all filled with the Set-apart Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them to speak.)  We must remember that the giving of the Torah and Shavuot (Pentecost) are on the same Appointed Time called Shavuot. One happened at Mnt Sinai when they received the Ten Words and there were also lightning flashes etc and the outpouring of the Ruach happened on Mnt Tzion on the Shavuot after Yahshua’s death, resurrection and ascension when the Set Apart Spirit of YHVH was poured out as Yahshua promised.

The Set Apart Spirit of YHVH was working through YHVH’s people in certain ways and times through the Tenach period but on the Shavuot as described in Acts 2 the Ruach was poured out in a special way to all believers.

Exo 20:19  and said to Mosheh, “You speak with us and we hear, but let not Elohim speak with us, lest we die.” (Israel recognizes its need for a Mediator)

Exo 20:20  And Mosheh said to the people, “Do not fear, for Elohim has come to prove you, and in order that His fear be before you, so that you do not sin.”

Exo 20:21  So the people stood at a distance, but Mosheh drew near the thick darkness where Elohim was.

Exo 20:22  And יהוה said to Mosheh, “Say this to the children of Yisra’ĕl: ‘You yourselves have seen that I have spoken to you from the heavens.

Exo 20:23  ‘You do not make besides Me mighty ones of silver, and you do not make mighty ones of gold for yourselves.

While YHVH is speaking to Moshe, Israel is busy making the ‘’golden calf’’

Is it possible that today Christians have made a ‘’golden calf’’ out of ‘’Jesus’’?

Salvation was and always will be through YHVH’s Desire and Power and Yahshua was and always will be the first One who was able to submit himself to carry out YHVH’s Desire.

Aseret Ha Divarot - The Ten Sayings.

The first saying is the cornerstone and foundation of all YHVH’s Messianic redemptive revelation to mankind. The truth in this first saying is so important that if we don’t get it right everything else, we believe will stand on a shaky spiritual foundation.

Isa 45:5  ‘I am יהוה, and there is none else – there is no Elohim besides Me. I gird you, though you have not known Me, Isa 43:11  “I, I am יהוה, and besides Me there is no saviour.

Col 1:14  in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,

Col 1:15  who is the likeness of the invisible Elohim, the first-born of all creation.¹ Footnote: ¹Heb. 1:6, Rev. 3:14.

Col 1:16  Because in Him were created all that are in the heavens and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or rulerships or principalities or authorities – all have been created through Him and for Him. (not ‘’by him’’ as some translations incorrectly add)

Col 1:17  And He is before all, and in Him all hold together.

Col 1:18  And He is the Head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that He might become the One who is first in all.

Col 1:19  Because in Him all the completeness was well pleased to dwell,

The first saying explicitly states that YHVH and YHVH alone is the One who has the power and ability to delivers us from darkness and bondage. We know now that Yahshua was the only one who was able to carry out YHVH’S plan of salvation for our sakes.

Now there are ten sayings and two tablets. In Hebraic thinking that which is heavenly appears on the right-hand side and that which is meant to be the earthly expression of that which is heavenly appears on the left-hand side.

Let us consider the ‘first saying’ that appears on the right-hand tablet: ‘saying number one’ – see 20:2 What is the corresponding saying on the left hand tablet? It is the sixth saying.  “You shall not murder”  - Ex 20:13

When we compare the first saying with the sixth saying we conclude that when you believe or proclaim that there is anyone besides YHVH who is powerful and perfect enough to deliver us from all forms of bondage we are as good as murderers to misrepresent and hide this truth.

Yahshua clearly stated that he only did those things that his Father YHVH revealed to him.

Joh 5:30  “Of Myself I am unable to do any matter. As I hear, I judge, and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own desire, but the desire of the Father who sent Me.

2. The ‘second saying’ is that we must not come to have any other mighty one before His face. This includes ‘’Jesus’’

Joh 4:23  “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father also does seek such to worship Him.

The transgression of this saying brings destruction upon generations of people. Why does it mention three to four generations? I believe it is possible that it takes at least three to four generations of our fathers returning to the Torah and ways of YHVH before we have a chance of coming out from under the curse of this idolatry. I also believe that in the past century there has been a faithful remnant who has laid a foundation for our restoration.

If we compare the second saying to the seventh saying, we find that misrepresenting YHVH is like committing adultery – Ex 20:14

3. The ‘third saying’ is that we must not make the name of YHVH futile. The Hebrew word for “futile” can also mean emptiness, vanity and falsehood.

Perhaps YHVH is not as concerned with the exact spelling and pronunciation of His Name as many seem to suggest. As Yahshua revealed YHVH’s Name to His disciples, he too will reveal YHVH’s Name to his followers before he returns- Joh 17:6  “I have revealed Your Name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world. They were Yours, and You gave them to Me, and they have guarded Your Word.[a] Footnote: aAlso see Psa_138:2. 

Psa 138:2  I bow myself toward Your set-apart Hěḵal,(that’s where He has chosen His Name to dwell) And give thanks to Your Name For Your loving-commitment and for Your truth; For You have made great Your Word, Your Name, above all. (Often translated as ‘’ exalted Your Word above your Name)

The evidence that we ‘’know’’ His Name is when we are able to worship Him in Spirit and in truth - Joh 4:23  “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father also does seek such to worship Him. Joh 4:24  “Elohim is Spirit, and those who worship Him need to worship in spirit and truth.” 

This is one of the reasons why much of our modern-day worship is unacceptable to YHVH – it is carnal and untruthful – one of the evidences of this is how ‘’easily’’ we come before YHVH to worship Him yet there are people around us who have legitimate unresolved grievances against us about who we are and what we have done to them and others. - Mat 5:21  “You heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder,’ Exo_20:13, Deu_5:17. and whoever murders shall be liable to judgment. Mat 5:22  “But I say to you that whoever is wroth with his brother without a cause shall be liable to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raka!’ shall be liable to the Sanhedrin. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ ( נבל יקרא לו הוא מחיב) or (consistently trying to diminish another person’s self -worth)shall be liable to fire of GěHinnom. Mat 5:23  “If, then, you bring your gift to the slaughter-place, and there remember that your brother holds whatever against you, Mat 5:24  leave your gift there before the slaughter-place, and go, first make peace with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Mat 5:25  “Be well-minded with your opponent, promptly, while you are on the way with him, lest your opponent deliver you to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Mat 5:26  “Truly, I say to you, you shall by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. 

That is why the third saying is compared to the eighth saying – you shall not steal- Ex 20:15 It is all about the worst identity theft imaginable. To steal His Esteem and to steal someone’s self-worth.

If the Word of YHVH we study and embrace does not expose us to the ‘’bone’’ we are wasting our time and playing hypocrital spiritual games - Heb 4:12  For the Word of Elohim is living, and working, and sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting through even to the dividing of being and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Heb 4:13  And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all are naked and laid bare before the eyes of Him with whom is our account. 

4. The ‘fourth saying’ commands us to keep the Sabbath. This is compared to the ninth saying which says we are not to be false witnesses. I believe those who refuse to honour the Sabbath as YHVH has commanded are false witness of his truth and of who He really is and who we are called to be.

5. The ‘fifth saying’ is that we must honour our parents. It is easier to understand this command when we understand what a Hebrew parent was called to be. The Hebrew parent was to first provide a sound Torah foundation for their children (see the full shema – Deut 6). Then the parents were to provide education and training in a life skill. The parents were also responsible for providing marriage partners for their children.

So, if your parents did their duty then you would not break the tenth commandment - Exo 20:17  “You do not covet your neighbour’s house, you do not covet your neighbour’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, or whatever belongs to your neighbour.”

Isa 61:6  But you shall be called, ‘Priests of יהוה,’ ‘Servants of our Elohim’ shall be said of you. You shall consume the strength of the nations, and boast in their esteem. Isa 61:7  Instead of your shame and reproach, they rejoice a second time in their portion. Therefore they take possession a second time in their land, everlasting joy is theirs. Isa 61:8  “For I, יהוה, love right-ruling; I hate robbery for ascending offering. And I shall give their reward in truth, and make an everlasting covenant with them. Isa 61:9  “And their seed shall be known among the nations, and their offspring in the midst of the peoples. All who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed יהוה has blessed.” 

Isa 61:10  I greatly rejoice in יהוה, my being exults in my Elohim. For He has put garments of deliverance on me, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isa 61:11  For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the seed to shoot up, so the Master יהוה causes righteousness and praise to shoot up before all the nations! Isa 62:4  No longer are you called “Forsaken,” and no longer is your land called “Deserted.” But you shall be called “Ḥephtsiḇah,” and your land “Married,” for יהוה shall delight in you, and your land be married. 

 

Blessed are you YHVH, our Elohim, King of the Universe, you have given us your Torah of truth, and have planted everlasting life within our midst. Blessed are you, YHVH giver of the Torah – Amein.