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Post by R' Y'hoshua Moshe on Aug 17, 2004 0:20:39 GMT -8
Here is the Torah Reading Schedule for this week: "Shof’tim” – “Judges” : Deuteronomy (Devarim) 16:18-21:9 You may find the Haftarah discussion under "Nevi'im & Ketuvim" section. May the following be our prayer... "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy ." - Psalms 119:18 Also, please share with us what our Heavenly Father has shown you, or ask any questions that you may have. Shalom chaverim (peace friends), Reuel |
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Post by R' Y'hoshua Moshe on Aug 19, 2004 11:44:58 GMT -8
"Shofetim (judges) and officers shall you make you in all your gates, which YHVH your G'd gives you, according to your tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment." - Devarim (Deuteronomy) 16:18 I have met many individuals that even though they do not admit it...they -hate- this commandment. These individuals (me at one time) despised any authority over them. Thus, they have shaped their theology to cater to this sinful attitude without really realizing it. They go from one congregation, and one fellowship to another because they cannot abide under the spiritual leadership that G'd has set, and ordained in that place. Therefore, these people reject the thought of "organized religion" because that means that there is an authority other than themselves. How can our religion (faith) be anything but organized if we are to succeed at the goal? Is YHVH a G'd of disorder? Certainly not! He is not the G'd of confusion. But, these individuals are characterized by disorder, and this is shameful and actually serves to blaspheme the name of YHVH our Elohim.  Messianic Judaism in many areas is a disjointed movement at the moment because there are too many individuals that despise many of the leaders that G'd has set as judges, and spiritual authorities in our congregations. How will we ever become the head if we do not submit to the G'd appointed authority, and we are always doing our own thing?? How will we accomplish the goal of Messianic Judaism, and/or based faith in Yeshua The Messiah (G-d's goal) if we cannot work together to accomplish that goal? And, how are we to do this without structure, and leadership that the people are willing to be in subjection to? As we see in the above passage, G'd has indeed always had a leadership structure, and model that is to be followed. Are these leaders always perfect in their decisions??  Unfortunately...No. Are we to be in subjection to them nonetheless?...Yes. If they are not commanding us to do something that is clearly sin we do not have a Biblical leg to stand on if we rebel. The above passage does not just refer to appointing government officials, but I believe it speaks of judges within the congregation of believers as we see rav Sha'ul (Paul) speak of... " Dare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the holy ones?
Don't you know that the holy ones will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Don't you know that we will judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?
If then, you have to judge things pertaining to this life, do you set them to judge who are of no account in the assembly?
I say this to move you to  . Isn't there even one wise man among you who would be able to decide between his brothers?" - 1Corinthians 6:1-5 Brothers, and sisters in Yeshua HaMashiach...let us be in subjection to the leadership that we find ourselves under which is promoting Based Faith In Yeshua HaMashiach to the world. Do we pray for different leadership? Pray that G'd will use the current leadership to accomplish His goals. Do we spend more time complaining, reviling, and undermining leadership than we do praying for them? Teshuvah! Turn, and repent! You know to whom I speak...it is you! Encourage, and support your judges, and officers...your spiritual leaders...your rabbi, your pastor...your shamashim (deacons). Spend more time praying than complaining.  Shalom chaverim, Reuel
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Post by Kallah on Aug 20, 2004 7:37:37 GMT -8
"Shoftim v'shotrim tetane l'cha {Judges and officers you shall appoint for yourselves} in all the gates that HSHEM has given you for your tribes, and they shall judge the nation with righteous judgment." Devarim[Deutronomy 16:18]
B"H
Shalom, chaverim!
The thoughts that come to mind; this Parsha not only points to the importance of appointing leaders, but, that we (all bnei Ad-n-y) have a responsibility in choices that effect the nation as a whole. Ad-n-y sees His children and their actions, and He judges the whole earth and everything in it (by them).
Interesting Parsha for us to read during face of the current Presidential race. Who shall the people appoint? How much trust Ad-n-y invest in His children that we will choose righteously. How He has given us the power of attorney to elect who will lead our nation. How He has from the beginning allowed us to choose who are to be the spiritual governing body within our congregations. El-him admonishes.....that it not be one who takes bribes. Gifts blind judgement. That it not be a leader who rationalizes evil; making excuses that allow for the continuance of injustices. A leader not given into the pressures of ill advisement , and what is the popular reasoning; but, to do what is the RIGHT thing to do (according to G-d's righteousness). I wonder sometimes how impartial we are in the electing of leaders (spiritual or secular). Do we carefully consider who will lead us righteously? What are the candidates offering; promising? Are 'we' the ones being bribed? "If" you vote for me..."blah..blah...blah"..... "I will give you....." ....... "I promise you". Whoever wins and is elected to lead our nation, as well as whoever the spiritual leader is at our congregations, Ad-n-y, Blessed is He, is very much aware of the intentions of the heart, and the outcome. Sometimes we have leadership that are harsh, and we come to learn to be humble and submit to the yoke of authority, so that we not become rebellious. Then there are those who will lead us into a path of deception; living off the wool of the flock; our eyes too focused on the leader (outside appearance)and on their every "Thus saith the.....", leading by deceit under the guise of holines, soon causing division. Then only to flee, and desert congregation. We are tested even then. Will we scatter, or pull together and work in unity? Will we truly place our focus and trust in G-d, and NOT in man. Ad-n-y will reward our return to Him, and our unity ----- and with His leading and not our own, a leader will rise from among our (own) congregations, who will lead us into the path of His righteousness. Ad-n-y will bless us with a time of shalom. Who we choose to follow says a lot about us.
It is something to think about, that throughout the centuries every culture has sought and had a leader, they hoped would be a just judge to set order, and lead the people wisely, in peace, harmony, freedom from unwarranted burdens, and salvation from annihilation by enemies.
How awesome Avinu, who sent us Yeshua. All the earthly leaders, judges, princes, kings, that His children, and all mankind for that matter could ever appoint to lead them, Abba chose for us His Yeshua. He is Melech Melechim (King of Kings) and Shofet Shofetim (Judge of Judges). Let's continually pray for our leaders. ALL leaders. When we spot something wrong in the leadership, may we examine ourselves, and what Ad-n-y is telling us (and US .... as in 'United States'). In (all) our election selections, may we follow G-d's method of voting. That we cast our votes wisely, understanding what G-d has commanded us. That the leader(s) in our congregations and the leaders of the nation, judge the nation with righteous judgement. That the populace may receive just rulings. In every thing, Ad-n-y's will, will be done. Sha alu Shalom Yerushalayim.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. -- Mishle [Proverbs 3:6]
Shalom b'shem Yeshua HaMashiach, Kallah
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Post by R' Y'hoshua Moshe on Aug 20, 2004 23:01:01 GMT -8
Good points Kallah, as we do have a spiritual responsibility in regards to selecting the leaders in government (particularly because we have been given the right to cast a vote). Although, we both know that it is G'd whom selects. This is especially true when it comes to our spiritual leaders. For these we do not necessarily vote. G'd always selects His annointed regardless of the will of the congregation of Israel... "When you are come to the land which YHVH your G'd gives you, and shall possess it, and shall dwell therein, and shall say, I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are round about me;
you shall surely set him king over you, whom YHVH your G'd shall choose: one from among your brothers shall you set king over you; you may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother." - Devarim (Deuteronomy) 17:14-15 We also see that we are not even really supposed to appoint a king/ruler over us that is not a brother. Yeshua says in Mat. 12:50, "For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother." This hopefully will effect the way some people vote. On a slightly different note, let us continue to read in chapter 17 (a few verses earlier)... "You shall not sacrifice to YHVH your G'd an ox, or a sheep, in which is a blemish, or anything evil; for that is an abomination to YHVH your G'd.
If there be found in the midst of you, within any of your gates which YHVH your G'd gives you, man or woman, who does that which is evil in the sight of YHVH your G'd, in transgressing his covenant,
and has gone and served other gods, and worshiped them, or the sun, or the moon, or any of the army of the sky, which I have not commanded;
and it be told you, and you have heard of it, then shall you inquire diligently; and behold, if it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is done in Yisra'el,
then shall you bring forth that man or that woman, who has done this evil thing, to your gates, even the man or the woman; and you shall stone them to death with stones.
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he who is to die be put to death; at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
The hand of the witnesses shall be first on him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. So you shall put away the evil from the midst of you." - Devarim (Deuteronomy) 17:1-7 It is interesting to note that Yeshua The Messiah's instructions found in Mattityahu (Matthew) 18:15-17 which most of the "Church" holds to be the standard in which we are to correct individuals caught in transgression have different appilication that what we see above. Yes, it is true that Yeshua agrees that the matter should be established by two, or three witnesses as we see above. But, I don't believe what Yeshua stated (in the passage I refrenced above) is in connection with death penalty offenses as we read about in Devarim 17:1-7. Do we go through the steps as spoken of in Mattityahu (Mat.) 18:15-17 when someone is caught murdering, commiting adultery, molesting their children, or any other death penalty offense?? Surely there is a difference for those whom are in covenant, and are caught doing a sin that is unto death. Do we simply warn such an individual, and wait for them to re-offend ;D Of course not! Do we see any examples of this in scripture? Rav Sha'ul (Paul) comes to mind.... "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles, that one has his father's wife.
You are puffed up, and didn't rather mourn, that he who had done this deed might be removed from among you.
For I most certainly, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has done this thing.
In the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, you being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah,
are to deliver such a one to Hasatan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Yeshua." - 1Corinthians 5:1-5 In the above passage Sha'ul (Paul) certainly did not go through the 3 steps as outlined by Yeshua HaMashiach. No, Sha'ul says that he has already judged the individual(s) that have done this deed, and that they should be immediately cut off from the congregation. Congregational leadership must keep in mind this when disciplining within the congregation. Sins unto death are not to be tolerated. I say this to the of many. "If there arise a matter too hard for you in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within your gates; then shall you arise, and go up to the place which YHVH your G'd shall choose; and you shall come to the Kohanim the Levites, and to the judge who shall be in those days: and you shall inquire; and they shall show you the sentence of judgment. You shall do according to the tenor of the sentence which they shall show you from that place which YHVH shall choose; and you shall observe to do according to all that they shall teach you:
according to the tenor of the law which they shall teach you, and according to the judgment which they shall tell you, you shall do; you shall not turn aside from the sentence which they shall show you, to the right hand, nor to the left.
The man who does presumptuously, in not listening to the Kohen who stands to minister there before YHVH your G'd, or to the judge, even that man shall die: and you shall put away the evil from Yisra'el.
All the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously." - Devarim (Deuteronomy) 17:8-13 As we read the above passage we see where the Rabbis claim their authority comes from, and where many people believe that the Talmud does have authority over people's lives. These Rabbi's claim that they represent "the judge who shall be in those days". Is this true? Maybe. But, my question would be, "Whom annointed them to be judges to pass down authoritative halacha?". Does not Yeshua HaMashiach give this authority to His disciples for the Kingdom Of Heaven as we see in Mat. 16:19, and Mat.18:18? Therefore, would not this authoritative halachah pass to the judges of the congregation of Israel which is of Mashiach (Messiah)? I believe this is the case. Therefore, if G'd annoints judges, or leadership over the congregation which gives a judgement in a certain matter which someone within the congregation does not heed...this would be considered a sin unto death. Not that we could today in America put such a one to death (because we don't live in a based theocracy)...But, such a sin is not to be taken lightly, and at the very least the advice given by Sha'ul (Paul) as found in 1Corinthians 5:1-5 should be followed. "It shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is before the Kohanim the Levites: and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life; that he may learn to fear YHVH his G'd, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them; that his heart not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he not turn aside from the mitzvah (commandment), to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children, in the midst of Yisra'el." - Devarim (Deuteronomy) 17:18-20 This king that is selected must be totally dedicated to YHVH's , and he should write it out himself, and dedicate himself to intense study, and memorization of . This is -the standard- for -any- ruler, or king that we are to appoint. This ruler must also be humble, and even though he is a king his heart must not be lifted above his brothers, nor should he suppose that he is above the law of His G'd. Maranatha! Oh, Adonai Yeshua...come soon!! May we be appointed righteous rulership, may we be moved to pray for our current leadership everywhere to become this.... "I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men: for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of G'd our Savior; who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth."- 1Timothy 2:1-4 Shabbat shalom, Reuel |
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Post by R' Y'hoshua Moshe on Aug 20, 2004 23:58:18 GMT -8
As we read in chapter 18.... "When you are come into the land which YHVH your G'd gives you, you shall not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices sorcery, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer, or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
For whoever does these things is an abomination to YHVH: and because of these abominations YHVH your G'd does drive them out from before you.
You shall be perfect with YHVH your G'd.
For these nations, that you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice sorcery, and to diviners; but as for you, YHVH your G'd has not allowed you so to do." - Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18:9-14 As we see in the above passage G'd drove out the pagan nations from before Israel because of their transgression of His . We also see that there is a explicit warning given to the Congregation of Israel by G'd... " you shall not learn to do after the abominations of those nations"We also saw this earlier in Devarim (Deut.) 12:30. But, what has the Church done? What are their main celebrations characterized by?? They are steeped in paganism (Sunday observance, Christmas, Easter etc...). G'd also warns us by the prophet Yermeyahu (Jeremiah) in chapter 10... "Hear ye the word which YHVH speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith YHVH, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree..."- Jeremiah 10:1-5 Of course with anti- , and anomiac sentiments ruling in "The Church"...all of this gets flung out the window. But, as we read a few chapters later in the book of Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah), some will realize their error... "O YHVH, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit." - Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 16:19 Notice the connection between the things that are of no profit, and are vain in these two passages. "YHVH thy G'd will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; According to all that thou desiredst of YHVH thy G'd in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of YHVH my G'd, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. And YHVH said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.
I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him."- Devarim 18:15-19 In the above passage we see the most wonderful prophecy regarding Yeshua HaMashaich. He is the one that G'd raised up to be a prophet like Moshe. He is the one that the people should have listened to, and someday -will- listen to... "Therefore G'd also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; that at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Yeshua the Messiah is Lord, to the glory of G'd the Father."- Philippians 2:9-11 We also see that G'd will require of him whom has rejected Yeshua HaMashiach's instructions ( ), and rulership...even if such a one...even if many were pious, or observant. Again, states that anyone whom rejects the prophet that would come after Moshe (that is like him) would be guilty. This warning still stands. May we pray for the salvation of Israel! |
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Post by Mark on Sept 6, 2008 5:10:14 GMT -8
I’d like to launch off the Parashah, particularly from Deuteronomy 17:8-13 with another story from the Scriptures that is a little uncomfortable for us.
Eli's own sons were a bad lot. They didn't know GOD and could not have cared less about the customs of priests among the people. Ordinarily, when someone offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant was supposed to come up and, while the meat was boiling, stab a three-pronged fork into the cooking pot. The priest then got whatever came up on the fork. But this is how Eli's sons treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh to offer sacrifices to GOD. Before they had even burned the fat to GOD, the priest's servant would interrupt whoever was sacrificing and say, "Hand over some of that meat for the priest to roast. He doesn't like boiled meat; he likes his rare." If the man objected, "First let the fat be burned--God's portion!--then take all you want," the servant would demand, "No, I want it now. If you won't give it, I'll take it." It was a horrible sin these young servants were committing--and right in the presence of GOD!--desecrating the holy offerings to GOD.
(1 Samuel 2:12-17)
These were the guys that would sit in judgment over the people Israel, as described in Deuteronomy 17. What do we do when those who sit in judgment over us have no fear of God?
It’s really hard to follow honor and respect a ruler who is not honorable and who doesn’t have integrity. It’s easy to justify treating such with contempt. Scripture warns us against this in many places: 1st Peter 2:13-15, 2nd Peter 2:9-10, Romans 13:1-5, Proverbs 19:12, and 20:2. So what do we do when the Leadership and authority under which Adonai has placed us is against us (and thus, presumably against Him). We have a number of examples throughout history. And quite honestly, at varying levels today in this society in which we live.
There are a couple recourses found in the Scriptures. The first, and most obvious, is to get on our faces before Adonai and plead for His protection. Scripture promises us that justice will be done; though that justice doesn’t necessarily fall along our timeline, nor prevent the damages that we fear the most. Remember that John the Baptist was beheaded. It was just a few weeks ago that I was sharing with my family that "all things work together for good for those who love God and who are called according to His purposes." (Romans 8:28). We have to remember that Adonai doesn’t necessarily see things the way that we see them… and "good" does not necessarily mean fun or happy. Aren’t you glad you’re sharing these Scriptures with me today?
The second recourse is found in Exodus 23:6 and Deuteronomy 16:19. There is not a single judge but many judges. Even the judges can be legally sued against in the process of Law- the High Priest and his sons are not even exempt from legal matters that could be taken against them.
Here’s the point. Lots of times we have circumstances where those in authority over us don’t seem to be treating us fairly. Lots of times, this is simply a result of our basic default that we know better than those around us and are smarter than those who rule over us. Other times, we are legitimately being wronged. In either case, it is not okay for us to deny the legitimacy of the process of Law just because we’re not seeing the conclusion that we had hoped to see. It is necessary for us to remain humble and under the authority of government, whether it be civil, religious or family and respectful to the dignitaries that Adonai has placed over us. Yet, it is equally important to righteously use this system in order to affect righteousness in one’s community.
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Post by alon on Aug 19, 2017 0:36:17 GMT -8
This week's par'shah
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: Deuteronomy (Devarim) 16:18-21:9
Unfortunately...No. Are we to be in subjection to them nonetheless?...Yes. If they are not commanding us to do something that is clearly sin we do not have a Biblical leg to stand on if we rebel.
. Isn't there even one wise man among you who would be able to decide between his brothers?" 
