Parashat 48 Portion 161 ‘’Shoftim’’ Deut 18:14-20:9 Mic 5:11-6:8

 Baruch atah, YHVH Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu laasok b’divrei Torah.

Blessed are You, YHVH our Elohim, King of the universe, who has made us set apart through His commandments and commanded us to engross ourselves in the words of the Torah. Blessed are You, YHVH, Giver of the Torah – Amein

כי הגוים האלה – ‘’because of these nations’’ -  Deu 18:13  “Be perfect – (Heb – ‘’tamim’’ complete and whole) before יהוה your Elohim, vs 14

Deu 18:14  for these nations whom you are possessing (you are evicting) do listen to those using magic (cloud consulters – obscure the truth through lies and deception) or and to diviners.(Heb ‘’kasam’’ to capture through deception) But as for you, יהוה your Elohim has not appointed such for you. 

 

YHVH has not appointed His people to be ‘captured’’ or ‘’deceived’’ in this manner – rather we are called to expose deception in a gentle and kind way amongst ourselves – wherever possible.

 

Ti 2:23  But refuse foolish and stupid questions, knowing that they breed quarrels. 

2Ti 2:24  And a servant of the Master should not quarrel but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 

2Ti 2:25  in meekness instructing those who are in opposition, lest somehow Elohim gives them repentance unto a thorough knowledge of the truth, 

2Ti 2:26  and they come to their senses, out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his desire. 

 

One of the most powerful signs of the end times is going to be the ‘’opening of the eyes’’ of many believers and the exposure of false spirituality and a return to the ancient paths of the Torah.

 

Luk 12:1 … “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees,(false teachers – pride and arrogance) which is hypocrisy. 

Luk 12:2  “And whatever is concealed shall be revealed, and whatever is hidden shall be known. 

Luk 12:3  “So, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms shall be proclaimed on the house-tops. 

 

This is very much one of the main connecting themes of this Torah portion – ‘’exposing hidden corruption so we can walk in the light of truth’’ This will be extremely relevant in the last days.

 

As believers we are called to live as our Messiah lived - 1Jn 2:6  The one who says that he abides in him must live the same way he himself lived. In fact Paul felt so strongly about this that he stated twice in Galatians 1 – that if we misrepresented the Messiah and the Good News – we would bring a curse upon ourselves – see Gal 1:8,9.

Act 24:14  “And this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the Elohim of my fathers, Exo_3:15 believing all that has been written in the Torah and in the Prophets, 

 

 A New Prophet like Moshe

Deu 18:15  “יהוה your Elohim shall raise up for you a Prophet[b] like me from your midst, from your brothers. Listen to Him, Footnote: bSee footnote at Deu_18:18. 

Deu 18:16  according to all you asked of יהוה your Elohim in Ḥorěḇ in the day of the assembly, saying, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of יהוה my Elohim, nor let me see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ Act 3:23  ‘And it shall be that every being who does not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ Deu_18:15-19. 

Deu 18:17  “And יהוה said to me, ‘What they have spoken is good. 

 

Why would the Israelites say such a thing? Because a day of judgment and total devastation would come upon the earth because of mankind’s rejection of His Torah – Is 24 - Moshe and Yahshua and Paul were amongst the greatest Torah teachers that ever lived – there presentation of the Torah was never to condemn people but show and lead them to the way of repentance – Rom 8:1 – to expose the hidden secrets and motives of our hearts – 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.

 

Deu 18:18  I shall raise up for them a Prophet[c] like you out of the midst of their brothers. And I shall put My Words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. Footnote: cSee also Act_3:22-26, and Act_7:37. 

Deu 18:19  And it shall be, the man who does not listen to My Words which He speaks in My Name, I require it of him. 

Deu 18:20  But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My Name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other mighty ones, even that prophet shall die.’ 

Deu 18:21  “And when you say in your heart, ‘How do we know the word which יהוה has not spoken?’ – 

Deu 18:22  when the prophet speaks in the Name of יהוה and the word is not, or comes not, that is the word which יהוה has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him. 1 Cor 14:26-30

 

Laws Concerning Cities of Refuge – a reminder that we are guilty for the death of Messiah-

Deu 19:1  “When יהוה your Elohim cuts off the nations whose land יהוה your Elohim is giving you, and you dispossess them and dwell in their cities and in their houses, 

Deu 19:2  separate three cities for yourself in the midst of your land which יהוה your Elohim is giving you to possess. 

Deu 19:3  “Prepare a way for yourself, and divide into three parts the border of your land which יהוה your Elohim is giving you to inherit, that any man-slayer shall flee there. 

Deu 19:4  “And this matter of the man-slayer who flees there and lives: he who strikes his neighbour unknowingly, not having hated him in time past, 

Deu 19:5  even he who goes to the forest with his neighbour to cut timber, and his hand swings a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the handle and strikes his neighbour so that he dies – let him flee to one of these cities and live, 

Deu 19:6  lest the revenger of blood, while his displeasure is hot, pursue the man-slayer and overtake him, because the way is long, and shall strike his being, though he was not worthy of death, since he had not hated him before. 

Deu 19:7  “Therefore I am commanding you, saying, ‘Separate three cities for yourself.’ 

Deu 19:8  “And if יהוה your Elohim enlarges your border, as He swore to your fathers, and has given you the land which He promised to give to your fathers – 

Deu 19:9  when you guard all this command to do it, which I am commanding you today, to love יהוה your Elohim and to walk in His ways all the days – then you shall add three more cities for yourself besides these three, 

Deu 19:10  so that innocent blood is not shed in the midst of your land which יהוה your Elohim is giving you as an inheritance, or blood-guilt shall be upon you. 

Deu 19:11  “But when anyone hates his neighbour, and shall lie in wait for him and rise against him and strike his being so that he dies, then he shall flee to one of these cities, 

Deu 19:12  and the elders of his city shall send and bring him from there, and give him into the hand of the revenger of blood, and he shall die. 

Deu 19:13  “Your eye shall not pardon him, but you shall purge the blood of innocent blood from Yisra’ěl, so that it might be well with you. Num 35

 

Midrash – Will YHVH once again provide safe places of refuge for His people in the last days?

Property Boundaries – the aim of all deception is to rob you of your inheritance.

Deu 19:14  “Do not remove your neighbour’s boundary, which those in the past have set, in your inheritance which you inherit in the land that יהוה your Elohim is giving you to possess. 

Laws Concerning Witnesses – false teachers collude with other false teachers and have ‘’ganged up together to fight against the truth – the story of religion.

Deu 19:15  “One witness does not rise up against a man concerning any crookedness or any sin that he commits. At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses a matter is established. 

Deu 19:16  “When a malicious witness rises up against any man to accuse him of turning aside, 

Deu 19:17  then both men who have the dispute shall stand before יהוה, before the priests and the judges who serve in those days. 

Deu 19:18  “And the judges shall diligently search and see if the witness is a false witness, who has falsely accused his brother, 

Deu 19:19  then you shall do to him as he thought to have done to his brother. Thus you shall purge the evil from your midst. 

Deu 19:20  “And let the rest hear and fear, and never again do this evil matter in your midst. 

Deu 19:21  “And let your eye not pardon, life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. 

Laws Concerning Warfare – Yahshua’s special recruitment policy for warfare -  Only a remnant will be called to engage YHVH’s enemies in the last days – 144 000 -

Deu 20:1  “When you go out to battle against your enemies, and shall see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them, for יהוה your Elohim, who brought you up from the land of Mitsrayim, is with you. 

Deu 20:2  “And it shall be, when you draw near to the battle, that the priest shall come and speak to the people, 

Deu 20:3  and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Yisra’ěl: You are drawing near today to battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not fear, or tremble, or be afraid before them, 

Deu 20:4  for יהוה your Elohim is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’ 

Deu 20:5  “And the officers shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Who is the man who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man dedicate it. 

Deu 20:6  And who is the man who has planted a vineyard and has not begun to use it? Let him also go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man should begin to use it. 

Deu 20:7  And who is the man who is engaged to a woman and has not taken her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man take her.’ 

Deu 20:8  “And the officers shall speak further to the people, and say, ‘Who is the man who is afraid and tender of heart? Let him go and return to his house, lest the heart of his brothers faint like his heart.’ 

Deu 20:9  “And it shall be, when the officers have finished speaking to the people, that they shall appoint commanders of the divisions to lead the people.

 

A Remnant Shall Be Delivered – ministry of end time 144 000 witnesses -

Mic 5:7  And the remnant of Ya‛aqoḇ shall be in the midst of many peoples, as dew from יהוה, as showers on the grass, which do not wait for man nor delay for the sons of men. 

Mic 5:8  And the remnant of Ya‛aqoḇ shall be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of a forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, who, if he passes through, shall both tread down and shall tear, and there is no one to deliver. 

 

Mic 5:11  “And I shall cut off the cities of your land, and I shall pull down all your strongholds. 

Mic 5:12  “And I shall cut off witchcrafts out of your hand, and let you have no magicians. 

Mic 5:13  “And I shall cut off your carved images, and your pillars from your midst, so that you no longer bow down to the work of your hands. 

Mic 5:14  “And I shall pluck your Ashěrim out of your midst, and I shall destroy your cities. 

Mic 5:15  “And I shall take vengeance in wrath and rage on the nations who did not obey.” 

The Indictment of the Lord

Mic 6:1  Hear now what יהוה is saying, “Arise, strive with the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. 

Mic 6:2  “Hear, O you mountains, the controversy of יהוה, and you everlasting foundations of the earth! For יהוה has a controversy with His people and He shall reprove Yisra’ěl. 

Mic 6:3  “My people, what have I done to you? And how have I wearied you? Answer Me, 

Mic 6:4  for I brought you up from the land of Mitsrayim, and I ransomed you from the house of bondage. And I sent Mosheh, Aharon, and Miryam before you. 

Mic 6:5  “My people, remember, please, what Balaq sovereign of Mo’aḇ counselled, and what Bil‛am son of Be‛or answered him, from Shittim to Gilgal, in order to know the righteousness of יהוה.” 

Mic 6:8  He has declared to you, O man, what is good. And what does יהוה require of you but to do right, and to love loving-commitment, and to walk humbly with your Elohim? 

 

1Co 3:1  Brothers, I couldn't talk to you as spiritual people but as worldly people, as mere infants in the Messiah. 1Co 3:2  I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, because you weren't ready for it. And you're still not ready! 1Co 3:3  That's because you are still worldly. As long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, you are worldly and living by human standards, aren't you? 1Co 3:4  For when one says, “I am of Sha’ul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not fleshly? 1Co 3:11  For no one is able to lay any other foundation except that which is laid, which is יהושע Messiah. 1Co 3:12  And if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 

1Co 3:13  each one’s work shall be revealed, for the day shall show it up, because it is revealed by fire. And the fire shall prove the work of each one, what sort it is. 

1Co 3:14  If anyone’s work remains, which he has built on, he shall receive a reward. 

1Co 3:15  If anyone’s work is burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved, but so as through fire. (flesh and blood cannot reveal these things to you – Mat 16:17)

 

 

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 48 Portion 160 ‘’Shoftim’’Deut 17:14-18:19 Is 33:22-34:8

Baruch atah, YHVH Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu laasok b’divrei Torah.

Blessed are You, YHVH our Elohim, King of the universe, who has made us set apart through His commandments and commanded us to engross ourselves in the words of the Torah. Blessed are You, YHVH, Giver of the Torah – Amein

אשׂימה עלי מלך – I will recruit over me a king

Deu 17:14  “When you come to the land which יהוה your Elohim is giving you, and shall possess (יָרֵשׁ) it and shall dwell in it, and you shall say, ‘Let me set a sovereign over me like all the nations that are around me,’ יָרֵשׁ A primitive root; to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish, to ruin: - cast out, consume, destroy, disinherit, dispossess.

 

Note the irony and tragedy of this opening verse – YHVH blesses His people with an inheritance by driving out a people that don’t belong there. Then YHVH’s people have the cheek to thank Him by telling Him ‘’we prefer to be ruled by a king of our own choosing’’.

 

1Sa 8:5  and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a sovereign to rule us like all the nations.” 

1Sa 8:6  But the word was evil in the eyes of Shemu’ěl when they said, “Give us a sovereign to rule us.” So Shemu’ěl prayed to יהוה. 

1Sa 8:7  And יהוה said to Shemu’ěl, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from reigning over them. 

1Sa 8:8  “According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Mitsrayim, even to this day – forsaking Me and serving other mighty ones – so they are doing to you too. 

1Sa 8:9  “And now, listen to their voice, but you shall certainly warn them, and shall make known to them the ruling of the sovereign who does reign over them.” (he will tax you and send your sons to war. Force you to work on his farms and manufacture weapons - 1 Sam 8:10-13)

 

Deu 17:15  you shall certainly set a sovereign over you whom יהוה your Elohim shall choose. Set a sovereign over you from among your brothers, you are not allowed to set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. 

 

Jer 33:20  “Thus said יהוה, ‘If you could break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that there be not day and night in their season, 

Jer 33:21  then My covenant could also be broken with Dawiḏ My servant – so that he shall not have a son (singular) to reign upon his throne – and with the Lěwites, the priests, My attendants. 

Jer 33:22  As the host of the heavens is not counted, nor the sand of the sea measured, so I increase the descendants of Dawiḏ My servant and the Lěwites who attend upon Me.’ ” 

 

Yahshua was the son of David – the King Messiah who lives forever and ever –

Rev 17:14  “They shall fight with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for He is Master of masters  and Sovereign of sovereigns. And those with Him are called, and chosen, and trustworthy.” 

 

Php 2:5  For, let this mind be in you which was also in Messiah יהושע, 

Php 2:6  who, being in the form of Elohim, did not regard equality with Elohim a matter to be grasped, 

Php 2:7  but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, and came to be in the likeness of men. 

Php 2:8  And having been found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, death even of a stake. 

Php 2:9  Elohim, therefore, has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name, 

Php 2:10  that at the Name of יהושע every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 

Php 2:11  and every tongue should confess Isa_45:23 that יהושע Messiah is Master, to the esteem of Elohim the Father. 

 

Isa 33:22  for יהוה is our Judge, יהוה is our Inscriber,  מחקקנו יהוה is our Sovereign, He saves us – 

 

Isa 49:16  “See, I have inscribed  מרחוק  you on the palms of My hands; your walls are always before Me. 

 

The haftarah portion is added to clearly state that no other mighty one has the right to ‘’inscribe’’ you in the palm of their hands – we only have ONE legal owner.

 

‘’The idea of the Messiah's name being inscribed in the palm of God's hand is represented by the phrase "Behold, I have engraved you (singular) on the palms of my hands,"

 

Judgment on the Nations

Isa 34:1  Come near, you nations, to hear. And listen, you people! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world and all its offspring. 

Isa 34:2  For the displeasure of יהוה is against all the nations,a and His wrath against all their divisions. He shall put them under the ban, He shall give them over to the slaughter, Footnote: aSee footnote Jer_30:11. 

Isa 34:3  and their slain be thrown out, and their stench rise from their corpses. And mountains shall be melted with their blood. 

Isa 34:4  And all the host of the heavens shall rot away. And the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll, and all their host fade like a leaf fading on the vine, and like the fading one of a fig tree. 

Isa 34:5  “For My sword shall be drenched in the heavens. Look, it comes down on Eḏom, and on the people of My curse, for judgment. 

Isa 34:6  “The sword of יהוה shall be filled with blood, it shall be made overflowing with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For יהוה has a slaughtering in Botsrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Eḏom. 

Isa 34:7  “And wild oxen shall come down with them, and young bulls with bulls. And their land shall be drenched with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.” 

Isa 34:8  For it is the day of the vengeance of יהוה, the year of recompense for the cause of Tsiyon. 

 

Therefore no king or ruler must get ‘’too big for his boots’’ look at the tragic commentary of all the kings and Judges of Israel.

 

Deu 17:16  “Only, he is not to increase horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Mitsrayim to increase horses, for יהוה has said to you, ‘Do not return that way again.’ 

Deu 17:17  “And he is not to increase wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor is he to greatly increase silver and gold for himself. 

Deu 17:18  “And it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his reign, that he shall write for himself a copy of this Torah in a book, from the one before the priests, the Lěwites. 

Deu 17:19  “And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, so that he learns to fear יהוה his Elohim and guard all the Words of this Torah and these laws, to do them, 

Deu 17:20  so that his heart is not lifted up above his brothers, and so as not to turn aside from the command, right or left, so that he prolongs his days in his reign, he and his children, in the midst of Yisra’ěl. 

 

Provision for Priests and Levites

 

When the only true and legitimate king of kings – Yahshua – son of David returns – He shall put in order His Master’s Kingdom – YHVH’s Kingdom to whom alone all things belong.

 

Deu 10:14  “See, the heavens and the heaven of heavens belong to יהוה your Elohim, also the earth with all that is in it. 

Deu 10:15  “יהוה delighted only in your fathers, to love them. And He chose their seed after them, you above all peoples,[a] as it is today. Footnote: aSee also Deu_7:6, Deu_14:2, Deu_26:18, Psa_135:4 and Amo 1:1-9:15. 

Deu 10:16  “And you shall circumcise the foreskin of your heart,[b] and harden your neck no more. Footnote: bSee also Deu_30:6-8, Rom_2:26-29 and 1Co_7:19. 

Deu 10:17  “For יהוה your Elohim is Elohim of mighty ones and Master of masters, the great Ěl, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. 

Deu 10:18  “He executes right-ruling for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and a garment. 

 

According to the Torah YHVH has chosen the Levites (‘’Levi “joined to”) to join His people to Himself and bring restoration to mankind. When Yahshua returns He will make sure that every word and command in the Torah regarding YHVH’s chosen Levitical priesthood are carried out with no exception and no opposition. (Is 66:21; 1 Pet 2:9) ממלכת כהנים וגוי קדוש ועם סגלה

 

1Pe 2:9  But you are a chosen race,b Deu_10:15 a royal priesthood,c Isa_61:6 a set-apart nation,d Exo_19:6 a people for a possession,e Isa_43:2 that you should proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light, Footnotes: bAlso see Isa_43:20. cAlso see Isa_66:21. dAlso see Deu_7:6. eAlso see Exo_19:5, Tit_2:14.

 

Deu 18:1  “The priests, the Lěwites, all the tribe of Lěwi, have no part nor inheritance with Yisra’ěl. They are to eat the offerings of יהוה made by fire, and His inheritance. 

Deu 18:2  “But among his brothers Lěwi has no inheritance. יהוה is his inheritance, as He has spoken to him. Lev 25:32

Deu 18:3  “And this is the priest’s (Kohen) right from the people, from those who slaughter a slaughtering, whether it is bull or sheep: they shall give to the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the stomach; 

Deu 18:4  the first-fruits of your grain and your new wine and your oil, and the first of the fleece of your sheep, you give to him. 

Deu 18:5  “For יהוה your Elohim has chosen him out of all your tribes to stand to serve in the Name of יהוה, him and his sons forever. 

 

Jer 33:20  “Thus said יהוה, ‘If you could break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that there be not day and night in their season, 

Jer 33:21  then My covenant could also be broken with Dawiḏ My servant – so that he shall not have a son to reign upon his throne – and with the Lěwites, the priests, My attendants. 

Jer 33:22  As the host of the heavens is not counted, nor the sand of the sea measured, so I increase the descendants of Dawiḏ My servant and the Lěwites who attend upon Me.’ ” 

 

Deu 18:6  “And when the Lěwite comes from one of your gates, from where he has sojourned among all Yisra’ěl, and shall come with all the desire of his being to the place which יהוה chooses, 

Deu 18:7  then he shall serve in the Name of יהוה his Elohim, like all his brothers the Lěwites, who are standing there before יהוה. 

Deu 18:8  “They are to have portion for portion to eat, besides what comes from the sale of his inheritance. (Levites were not like monks who had taken a vow of poverty)

Abominable Practices

Deu 18:9  “When you come into the land which יהוה your Elohim is giving you, do not learn to do according to the abominations of those nations.a Footnote: aSee footnote at Deu_12:30. 

Deu 18:10  “Let no one be found among you who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practises divination, or a user of magic, or one who interprets omens or a sorcerer, 

Deu 18:11  or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 

Deu 18:12  “For whoever does these is an abomination to יהוה, and because of these abominations יהוה your Elohim drives them out from before you. 

Deu 18:13  “Be perfect before יהוה your Elohim, 

Deu 18:14  for these nations whom you are possessing do listen to those using magic and to diviners. But as for you, יהוה your Elohim has not appointed such for you. 

A New Prophet like Mosheh

Deu 18:15  “יהוה your Elohim shall raise up for you a Prophetb like me from your midst, from your brothers. Listen to Him, Footnote: bSee footnote at Deu_18:18. 

Deu 18:16  according to all you asked of יהוה your Elohim in Ḥorěḇ in the day of the assembly, saying, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of יהוה my Elohim, nor let me see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ 

Deu 18:17  “And יהוה said to me, ‘What they have spoken is good. 

Deu 18:18  I shall raise up for them a Prophetc like you out of the midst of their brothers. And I shall put My Words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. Footnote: cSee also Act_3:22-26, and Act_7:37. 

Deu 18:19  And it shall be, the man who does not listen to My Words which He speaks in My Name, I require it of him. 

 

Act 3:23  ‘And it shall be that every being who does not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ Deu_18:15-19. 

Act 3:24  “And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Shemu’ěl and those following, have also announced these days. 

Act 3:25  “You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which Elohim made with our fathers, saying to Aḇraham, ‘And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.’ Gen_12:3, Gen_22:18, Gen_26:4.

 

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 48 Portion 159 ‘’Shoftim’’ Deut 16:18-17:17

 Baruch atah, YHVH Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu laasok b’divrei Torah.

Blessed are You, YHVH our Elohim, King of the universe, who has made us set apart through His commandments and commanded us to engross ourselves in the words of the Torah. Blessed are You, YHVH, Giver of the Torah – Amein.

שׁפטים ושׁטרים

Deu 16:18  “Appoint (תתן־לך) judges and officers within all your gates, which יהוה your Elohim is giving you, according to your tribes. And they shall judge the people with righteous right-ruling. 

Deu 16:19  “Do not distort right-ruling. Do not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. 

Deu 16:20  “Follow righteousness, righteousness alone, צדק צדק  so that you live and inherit the land which יהוה your Elohim is giving you. (no Robin Hoods)

 

The pursuit of righteousness must always follow the path He has prescribed, and none other.

 In modern Hebrew a magistrate is called a “shofet shalom” (justice of the peace) and a policeman is called a “shoter’’

“Even in the millennial kingdom of YHVH people will need guidance and correction and not always do what you expect but what you inspect.”  Why? His people will always have the responsibility to choose between right and wrong – always always always.

 

Forbidden Forms of Worship

Deu 16:21  “Do not plant for yourself any tree as an Ashěrah near the slaughter-place of יהוה your Elohim that you make for yourself. 

Deu 16:22  “And do not set up a pillar, which יהוה your Elohim hates.

 

‘’To plant an Asherah tree/pole beside the altar of YHVH meant that pagan worship was going to be combined with the worship of YHVH. This was tantamount to associating pagan fertility symbols with the worship of the one true Elohim. This was strictly prohibited, and if the priests failed to prevent this type of syncretism (mixing of religions), the judges and officials were tasked to enforce the law. Paganism often promoted through religious rituals and philosophies sought to establish an accompanying spiritual and moral authority to ‘’assist’’ YHVH – it often served as an alternative way of obtaining power, pleasure and prosperity in violation of YHVH’s instructions – often at the expense of others.

By setting this provision in this location, Moses seems to underscore the fundamental incompatibility between paganism and YHVH's governing system. This is likely because of the underlying goal of each system. Paganism fundamentally revolves around each person seeking to have their appetites and desires fulfilled at the expense of another. The deities' purpose is to provide a moral authority for human manipulation and exploitation. For example, the extreme sexual exploitation listed in Leviticus 18 was, in many cases, an integral part of pagan worship.’’

 

Some rabbis believe corrupt judges and police can be compared to ‘’Asherah or phallic” symbols.

This is a rather interesting association and deserves further consideration.

If one considers the history and evolution of religion and politics – there can be no doubt as to how corruption and evil have infiltrated and even dominated these two domains. The resultant destruction and defilement are clearly evident in societies and communities all over the world – promoted by secret societies and patronage networks.

 

To gain a deeper understanding to the context and application of this Torah portion we will quote an edited description by a Christian theologian of what life will be like during the millennium:

 

‘’During the Millennium, the glorified saints, with immortal bodies (1 Corinthians 15:53), will rule and reign over the nations with an iron scepter (Revelation 2:26,27), along with Jesus (Yeh (Psalm 2:9), after they return with Him from heaven back to earth. (rapture)

Just prior to the onset of the Millennium, during God's day of vengeance, there will be a considerable reduction of the world's population, mainly due to the terrible Judgments found in the book of Revelation. But  people who enter the Millennium will reproduce just as people do now. Without the wars and continual deaths of people that take place now, the population of the earth will increase rapidly and substantially.

Many believe that there will be no sin during the Millennium. I completely disagree. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and death will be the final enemy to be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26). Not until the end of the Millennium will death be eliminated (Revelation 20:14).

During the Millennium, all rebellion and evil will be exposed and punished by Jesus and the glorified saints. Therefore, at that time, there will be much less motivation to sin—and, as a result, much less death—than there is in the world now.

Generally, the world will be a utopia. People all over the earth will go to the millennial Temple and Holy Mountain in Jerusalem to worship Jesus, and His Law will go out from Jerusalem throughout the whole world (Isaiah 2:2,3). All who acknowledge and embrace the rule of Jesus on His throne as King over the earth (Jeremiah 3:17; Zechariah 14:9), and who accept and obey His commandments, will be greatly blessed and prosperous. They will get along with each other just as the animals will (Isaiah 11:6-9). Throughout the earth, there will be great love for Jesus and for His wonderful compassion and benevolence.

Not everyone will love Him, though. Many will continue to have prideful hearts and will hate the Law and Word of the Lord that will go out from Zion/Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3). It is people like these who will be deceived by Satan when he is released at the end of the Millennium; they will engage in a great rebellion but will be destroyed with fire from heaven (Revelation 20:7-9).’’ End quote.

 

NOTE: I personally do not agree with all that is stated in this article - but I think it is noteworthy that Christians display some amazing insight into last days events.

 

https://www.tedmontgomery.com/bblovrvw/emails/Millennium2.html

 

So, where did things start going wrong?

 

To better understand where human beings went wrong and lost their way in this world – we need to go back to the beginning of time.

 

Gen 3:15  “And I put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed.

 

Note YHVH states the Eve’s seed and not Adam’s seed – scholars believe this is a clear indication of the virgin birth of Messiah. (not Adams seed, but Eve’s seed)

The same verse then also implies that Satan would also have ‘’seed’’ or offspring that will clash and even try to destroy Eve’s offspring. See Gen 6:1-8

 

A more important question would be – why did things go wrong?

 

Adam and Eve were given a choice to either be in a covenant with Life or a covenant with death.

This covenant with death persists to this day and is clearly evident in the world around us.

Adam and Eve did not have to enter into a covenant of death – but they did – and so did we.

 

Even after mans tragic fall YHVH still offers man a way back into His presence.

 

Mat 7:13  “Enter in through the narrow gate! Because the gate is wide – and the way is broad – that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in through it. 

Mat 7:14  “Because the gate is narrow and the way is hard pressed[a] which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Footnote: aOr the way is afflicted. 

 

Why? – see the teaching of this Torah portion.

 

You cannot mix truth with lies and at  some time you will have to come out of religion.

 

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from the heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.[a\ Footnote: a Jer_51:6, Jer_51:9, Jer_51:45. Also see Jer_50:8, Jer_50:13, Jer_50:28. 

 

Deu 17:1  “Do not slaughter to יהוה your Elohim a bull or sheep which has any blemish, any evil matter, for that is an abomination to יהוה your Elohim. (give YHVH only your best)

Deu 17:2  “When there is found in your midst, in any of your cities which יהוה your Elohim is giving you, a man or a woman who does what is evil in the eyes of יהוה your Elohim, in transgressing His covenant, 

Deu 17:3  and has gone and served other mighty ones and bowed down to them, or to the sun or to the moon or to any of the host of the heavens, which I have not commanded, 

Deu 17:4  and it has been made known to you and you have heard, and have searched diligently. Then see, if true: the matter is confirmed that such an abomination has been done in Yisra’ěl, 

Deu 17:5  then you shall bring out to your gates that man or woman who has done this evil matter, and you shall stone to death that man or woman with stones. 

Deu 17:6  “At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall he that is to die be put to death. He is not put to death by the mouth of one witness. 

Deu 17:7  “The hand of the witnesses shall be first against him to put him to death, and the hand of all the people last. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. 

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. 

Laws Concerning Israel's Kings

Deu 17:14  “When you come to the land which יהוה your Elohim is giving you, and shall possess it and shall dwell in it, and you shall say, ‘Let me set a sovereign over me like all the nations that are around me,’ 

Deu 17:15  you shall certainly set a sovereign over you whom יהוה your Elohim shall choose. Set a sovereign over you from among your brothers, you are not allowed to set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. 

Deu 17:16  “Only, he is not to increase horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Mitsrayim to increase horses, for יהוה has said to you, ‘Do not return that way again.’ 

Deu 17:17  “And he is not to increase wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor is he to greatly increase silver and gold for himself. 

 

When YHVH’s leaders fail to obey His instructions evil prevails over His people and over His Land.

 

Jos 11:22  There were none of the giants left in the land of the sons of Israel; only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod there remained some. 

 

‘’The territorial spirit has never been deposed in that area.” In other words, while much of the ancient world was cleansed of these beings, Gaza stayed under the influence of what he calls a “demonic Nephilim spirit.”

This helps explain why forces have been at war with Israel since the nation’s reestablishment in 1948.’’ End quite (Even Yoshua/Joshua failed to obey YHVH)

 

We need a scriptural world view to escape the insanity and devastation that is about to come upon all mankind in these last days. We also need to understand and repent of our involvement in this coming destruction – no one is innocent. Where did it all go wrong?

An evil and perverse spirit accompanied by man’s desire to determine his own destiny in life is at the core of mankind’s downfall. HaSatan successfully convinced man that he could live a blessed life on earth without being in a dedicated covenant with YHVH alone. In fact, man has always been encouraged to seek ‘’additional’’ sources of blessings, pleasure and prosperity outside of a single devoted covenant with YHVH. Human religion and alignment with false teachers and evil spirits have always provided a rich supply of such opportunities – which all of mankind have eagerly and enthusiastically embraced – you and I included.

Jer 2:4  Hear the word of יהוה, O house of Ya‛aqoḇ and all the clans of the house of Yisra’ěl. 

Jer 2:5  Thus said יהוה, “What unrighteousness have your fathers found in Me, that they have gone far from Me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless? 

Jer 2:13  “For My people have done two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters,[c] to hew out for themselves cisterns, cracked cisterns, which do not hold water. Footnote: cSee Jer_17:13. 

Jer 5:30  “An astounding and horrible matter has come to be in the land: 

Jer 5:31  The prophets have prophesied falsely, and the priests rule by their own hand, and My people have loved it so. And what are you going to do at the end of it?  

 

שׁפטים ושׁטרים

Deu 16:18  “Appoint judges and officers within all your gates, which יהוה your Elohim is giving you, according to your tribes. And they shall judge the people with righteous right-ruling. 

Deu 16:19  “Do not distort right-ruling. Do not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. 

Deu 16:20  “Follow righteousness, righteousness alone, צדק צדק  so that you live and inherit the land which יהוה your Elohim is giving you. 

 

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.