Ki Teitzei - Reading #3

Ki Teitzei כִּי-תֵצֵא - When You Go Out

Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 22:8–23:7

My Thoughts:

“So you shall remove the evil from Israel.” (verse 22) Here are some specific instructions about “taking” a virgin. And also the importance of a woman remaining a virgin until marriage (or it could cost her life). Hashem’s specific instructions are given so that Israel does not become corrupted, anywhere. He does not want people to be influenced by other people who worship false gods, neither does He want any disapproved sexual conduct. How very “loose” we have become regarding virginity. TV, movies, media all promote promiscuity. It would be wise to study these verses and teach our children to be righteous before Hashem.

Challenge:

Verse 8 commands people to make a railing around a porch, or anywhere people may be at risk on a building. He is so wonderful about thinking about the safety of everyone. My challenge to you today is to take a review of your house. Is it safe? Do you have sturdy railings in places they should be? Have you made necessary repairs throughout your house that make people safe? Take an inventory and make sure that you are not taking risks. It is a command. Obey it.

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 22:8–23:7

8 When you build a new house, then you shall make a railing around your roof, so that you don’t bring blood on your house if anyone falls from there.

9 You shall not sow your vineyard with two kinds of seed, lest all the fruit be defiled, the seed which you have sown, and the increase of the vineyard. 10 You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together. 11 You shall not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together.

12 You shall make yourselves fringes on the four corners of your cloak with which you cover yourself.

13 If any man takes a wife, and goes in to her, hates her, 14 accuses her of shameful things, gives her a bad name, and says, “I took this woman, and when I came near to her, I didn’t find in her the tokens of virginity;” 15 then the young lady’s father and mother shall take and bring the tokens of the young lady’s virginity to the elders of the city in the gate. 16 The young lady’s father shall tell the elders, “I gave my daughter to this man as his wife, and he hates her. 17 Behold, he has accused her of shameful things, saying, ‘I didn’t find in your daughter the tokens of virginity;’ and yet these are the tokens of my daughter’s virginity.” They shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city. 18 The elders of that city shall take the man and chastise him. 19 They shall fine him one hundred shekels of silver, and give them to the father of the young lady, because he has given a bad name to a virgin of Israel. She shall be his wife. He may not put her away all his days.

20 But if this thing is true, that the tokens of virginity were not found in the young lady, 21 then they shall bring out the young lady to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones, because she has done folly in Israel, to play the prostitute in her father’s house. So you shall remove the evil from among you.

22 If a man is found lying with a woman married to a husband, then they shall both die, the man who lay with the woman and the woman. So you shall remove the evil from Israel. 23 If there is a young lady who is a virgin pledged to be married to a husband, and a man finds her in the city, and lies with her, 24 then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you shall stone them to death with stones; the lady, because she didn’t cry, being in the city; and the man, because he has humbled his neighbor’s wife. So you shall remove the evil from among you. 25 But if the man finds the lady who is pledged to be married in the field, and the man forces her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die; 26 but to the lady you shall do nothing. There is in the lady no sin worthy of death; for as when a man rises against his neighbor and kills him, even so is this matter; 27 for he found her in the field, the pledged to be married lady cried, and there was no one to save her. 28 If a man finds a lady who is a virgin, who is not pledged to be married, grabs her and lies with her, and they are found, 29 then the man who lay with her shall give to the lady’s father fifty shekels of silver. She shall be his wife, because he has humbled her. He may not put her away all his days. 30 A man shall not take his father’s wife, and shall not uncover his father’s skirt.

23 He who is emasculated by crushing or cutting shall not enter into Hashem’s assembly. 2 A person born of a forbidden union shall not enter into Hashem’s assembly; even to the tenth generation shall no one of his enter into Hashem’s assembly. 3 An Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter into Hashem’s assembly; even to the tenth generation shall no one belonging to them enter into Hashem’s assembly forever, 4 because they didn’t meet you with bread and with water on the way when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you. 5 Nevertheless Hashem your Elohim wouldn’t listen to Balaam, but Hashem your Elohim turned the curse into a blessing to you, because Hashem your Elohim loved you. 6 You shall not seek their peace nor their prosperity all your days forever. 7 You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother. You shall not abhor an Egyptian, because you lived as a foreigner in his land.

Ki Teitzei - Reading #2

Ki Teitzei כִּי-תֵצֵא - When You Go Out
Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19

Reading #2 - Deuteronomy 21:22–22:7

My Thoughts:

So, here is a sensitive subject. Sexual identification is a huge issue in today’s world. A few years ago our Miss USA was a transgender female. What does Hashem think about all of this? In verse 5 we read, “A woman shall not wear men’s clothing, neither shall a man put on women’s clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to Hashem your Elohim.” Some commands are very clear and this is one of them. There is no debate or discussion. Hashem says not to cross dress. It is an abomination to Him. If we want to please Hashem, then we obey Him. And this is in all areas of our life. Some sins are outward like this one. And some sins are hidden. But, let us be clear. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is hidden from Hashem. He sees it all. The best part is if we ask for forgiveness, He forgives. Remember that. Amen.

Challenge:

Sometimes when I pray I worry that what I am asking Hashem for is too small. Then I read today’s verse 22:6, “If you come across a bird’s nest on the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, and the hen sitting on the young, or on the eggs, you shall not take the hen with the young.” This is compassion, even for the least. Not to take eggs or young when the mother bird is in sight. You spare her. Not only is this kind, but it also makes sense for future eggs. If you kill both the mother and eat her eggs, there will be no more eggs in the future! This is compassion and sensibility. Your challenge today is to go through the day and see if there are some times where you can exhibit compassion, even for the smallest thing. Or if you can practice some sensibility instead of selfishness. What a better world we have when we exercise these things! Amen.

Reading #2 - Deuteronomy 21:22–22:7

22 If a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, 23 his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him the same day; for he who is hanged is accursed of Elohim. Don’t defile your land which Hashem your Elohim gives you for an inheritance.

22 You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep go astray and hide yourself from them. You shall surely bring them again to your brother. 2 If your brother isn’t near to you, or if you don’t know him, then you shall bring it home to your house, and it shall be with you until your brother comes looking for it, and you shall restore it to him. 3 So you shall do with his donkey. So you shall do with his garment. So you shall do with every lost thing of your brother’s, which he has lost and you have found. You may not hide yourself. 4 You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fallen down by the way, and hide yourself from them. You shall surely help him to lift them up again.

5 A woman shall not wear men’s clothing, neither shall a man put on women’s clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to Hashem your Elohim.

6 If you come across a bird’s nest on the way, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs, and the hen sitting on the young, or on the eggs, you shall not take the hen with the young. 7 You shall surely let the hen go, but the young you may take for yourself, that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days.

Ki Teitzei - Reading #1

Ki Teitzei כִּי-תֵצֵא - When You Go Out
Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19

Reading #1 - Deuteronomy 21:10–21

My Thoughts:

Some interesting verses (commandments) today. What to do if you bring back a female enemy and want to take her as your wife. Or if you have two wives and one is hated, but she has the firstborn. It seems like Hashem has fairness even in these unusual situations. Not that we can understand all this, but we know we can trust in Hashem and His greatness. Some things in Torah we may not be able to comprehend, but still we can depend on Hashem’s Word. 

Challenge:

In the last part of today’s portion we read about what happens to a disobedient drunkard son. There is no mercy. He is taken out of the city and stoned! This may seem so harsh to us today, but Hashem once again, has His reasons. He wants to maintain peace and set an example. In verse 21 He explains why, “So you shall remove the evil from among you. All Israel shall hear, and fear.” First of all He does not want any evil in His presence and secondly the rest of the people will see the punishment and be afraid to ever do the same! My challenge to you today is to see if you are “setting an example” with your family and friends. If your child does something wrong is there strict punishment? Or do you just casually say, “Oh Johnny, please don’t do that.” I believe Hashem wants discipline for those who are rebellious. So that they can learn and so that they can set an example. In this case it was death. But, we can look at it today as the death of a habit or sin. Be consistent and fair in your discipline. And let your children know that you do it because you love them.

Reading #1 - Deuteronomy 21:10–21

21:10 When you go out to battle against your enemies, and Hashem your Elohim delivers them into your hands and you carry them away captive, 11 and see among the captives a beautiful woman, and you are attracted to her, and desire to take her as your wife, 12 then you shall bring her home to your house. She shall shave her head and trim her nails. 13 She shall take off the clothing of her captivity, and shall remain in your house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month. After that you shall go in to her and be her husband, and she shall be your wife. 14 It shall be, if you have no delight in her, then you shall let her go where she desires; but you shall not sell her at all for money. You shall not deal with her as a slave, because you have humbled her.

15 If a man has two wives, the one beloved and the other hated, and they have borne him children, both the beloved and the hated, and if the firstborn son is hers who was hated, 16 then it shall be, in the day that he causes his sons to inherit that which he has, that he may not give the son of the beloved the rights of the firstborn before the son of the hated, who is the firstborn; 17 but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that he has; for he is the beginning of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his.

18 If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and though they chasten him, will not listen to them, 19 then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city and to the gate of his place. 20 They shall tell the elders of his city, “This our son is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey our voice. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” 21 All the men of his city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall remove the evil from among you. All Israel shall hear, and fear.

Ki Teitzei - Week #6

Ki Teitzei כִּי-תֵצֵא - When You Go Out

Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19

Isaiah 54:1-10

Matthew 24:29-42

1.1 First reading — Deuteronomy 21:10–21

1.2 Second reading — Deuteronomy 21:22–22:7

1.3 Third reading — Deuteronomy 22:8–23:7

1.4 Fourth reading — Deuteronomy 23:8–24

1.5 Fifth reading — Deuteronomy 23:25–24:4

1.6 Sixth reading — Deuteronomy 24:5–13

1.7 Seventh reading — Deuteronomy 24:14–25:19

Shoftim - Reading #7

Shoftim שֹׁפְטִים - Judges

Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9

Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12-52:12

Apostolic Reading: John 14:9-20

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 20:10–21:9

My Thoughts:

This is where the instructions from Hashem get difficult. The Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land and Hashem is instructing them how to take it from the pagan worshipers. All so that, “...that they not teach you to follow all their abominations (verse 20:18).” We may not understand why total cities had to be wiped out, but Hashem has His purposes. This is hard. But, we either believe our one true Elohim knows the Way or He does not. And I believe He does. He does not want His people, and those who join Him -- to be contaminated. He doesn’t want to lose them to false religions. He wants them to only worship Him. And He seems to want to “decontaminate” the Land. It was like He was reclaiming what was His, before evil took it over. Something to study and ponder.

Challenge:

Verses 10-12 describe what seems to be a fair plan of attack for the Israelites in the new Land. They are first to go to the inhabitants and proclaim a peace treaty. However, there is a contingency. If the resident people agree to peace, then they are to become forced laborers for the Israelites. We know from previous Torah verses that slaves were to be treated fairly and generously. I’m sure this was going to be true for these “forced laborers” also. If the people did not agree to a peaceful takeover, then they would be attacked, but spare the livestock, women and children. Everything and everyone else would be wiped out.

I guess my challenge to you today about all of this is to think about your disagreements with others. Do you offer a “peace plan” to them? If we are to glean from today’s study, I think it is important to think about approaching people we are having difficulty with -- with a peaceful approach. Come to them first with kind and generous solutions, instead of “fighting”. An additional challenge. Start thinking about the "Olam Haba" the "World to Come". This will NOT be a place of fighting, killing - sin. It will be a place of total shalom peace. That is hope we have for the future.

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 20:10–21:9

Deuteronomy 20:10 When you draw near to a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace to it. 11 It shall be, if it gives you answer of peace and opens to you, then it shall be that all the people who are found therein shall become forced laborers to you, and shall serve you. 12 If it will make no peace with you, but will make war against you, then you shall besiege it. 13 When Hashem your Elohim delivers it into your hand, you shall strike every male of it with the edge of the sword; 14 but the women, the little ones, the livestock, and all that is in the city, even all its plunder, you shall take for plunder for yourself. You may use the plunder of your enemies, which Hashem your Elohim has given you. 15 Thus you shall do to all the cities which are very far off from you, which are not of the cities of these nations. 16 But of the cities of these peoples that Hashem your Elohim gives you for an inheritance, you shall save alive nothing that breathes; 17 but you shall utterly destroy them: the Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, as Hashem your Elohim has commanded you; 18 that they not teach you to follow all their abominations, which they have done for their gods; so would you sin against Hashem your Elohim 19 When you shall besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against them; for you may eat of them. You shall not cut them down, for is the tree of the field man, that it should be besieged by you? 20 Only the trees that you know are not trees for food, you shall destroy and cut them down. You shall build bulwarks against the city that makes war with you, until it falls.

21:1 If someone is found slain in the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you to possess, lying in the field, and it isn’t known who has struck him, 2 then your elders and your judges shall come out, and they shall measure to the cities which are around him who is slain. 3 It shall be that the elders of the city which is nearest to the slain man shall take a heifer of the herd, which hasn’t been worked with and which has not drawn in the yoke. 4 The elders of that city shall bring the heifer down to a valley with running water, which is neither plowed nor sown, and shall break the heifer’s neck there in the valley. 5 The priests the sons of Levi shall come near, for them Hashem your Elohim has chosen to minister to him, and to bless in Hashem’s name; and according to their word shall every controversy and every assault be decided. 6 All the elders of that city which is nearest to the slain man shall wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley. 7 They shall answer and say, “Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. 8 Forgive, Hashem, your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, and don’t allow innocent blood among your people Israel.” The blood shall be forgiven them. 9 So you shall put away the innocent blood from among you, when you shall do that which is right in Hashem’s eyes.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

In verse 52:8 we read of a wonderful prophecy, “Your watchmen lift up their voice. Together they sing; for they shall see eye to eye when Hashem returns to Zion.” What a great day will that be when Hashem’s glory reigns from Jerusalem! And how wonderful that mankind will be seeing “eye to eye”. That means they will be in agreement. As far as I can tell, mankind has not been in agreement - ever. This is only what can happen in the Olam Haba. No wonder everyone begins to sing. There will be awesome worship when people are together in unity. How good and pleasant that will be!

Challenge:

What a wonderful promise in verse 52:12, “...for Hashem will go before you; and the Elohim of Israel will be your rear guard.” This is something we can believe in today. That Hashem does go before us, and He is also our rear guard. This is our comfort. He really is ahead of us and behind us. Protecting us wherever we go, and watching “our back”. My challenge to you is to spend a minute thinking about how Hashem watches over you. How at times when you may think He isn’t there, He really is. How He really does care about us and protects us. If you are going through a difficult time or even a good time, praise Him for His care and protection. 

Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12-52:12

“I, even I, am He who comforts you.

    Who are you, that you are afraid of man who shall die,

    and of the son of man who will be made as grass?

13 Have you forgotten Hashem your Maker,

    who stretched out the heavens,

    and laid the foundations of the earth?

Do you live in fear continually all day because of the fury of the oppressor,

    when he prepares to destroy?

    Where is the fury of the oppressor?

14 The captive exile will speedily be freed.

    He will not die and go down into the pit.

    His bread won’t fail.

15 For I am Hashem your Elohiim, who stirs up the sea

    so that its waves roar.

    Hashem of Armies is His name.

16 I have put My words in your mouth

    and have covered you in the shadow of My hand,

that I may plant the heavens,

    and lay the foundations of the earth,

    and tell Zion, ‘You are my people.’”

17 Awake, awake!

    Stand up, Jerusalem,

    you who have drunk from Hashem’s hand the cup of His wrath.

You have drunken the bowl of the cup of staggering,

    and drained it.

18 There is no one to guide her among all the sons to whom she has given birth;

    and there is no one who takes her by the hand among all the sons whom she has brought up.

19 These two things have happened to you—

    who will grieve with you?—

desolation and destruction,

    and famine and the sword.

    How can I comfort you?

20 Your sons have fainted.

    They lie at the head of all the streets,

    like an antelope in a net.

They are full of Hashem’s wrath,

    the rebuke of your Elohim.

21 Therefore now hear this, you afflicted,

    and drunken, but not with wine:

22 Your Hashem Adonai,

    your Elohim who pleads the cause of His people, says,

“Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of staggering,

    even the bowl of the cup of my wrath.

    You will not drink it any more.

23 I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you,

    who have said to your soul, ‘Bow down, that we may walk over you;’

    and you have laid your back as the ground,

    like a street to those who walk over.”

52:1 Awake, awake! Put on your strength, Zion.

    Put on your beautiful garments, Jerusalem, the holy city:

    for from now on the uncircumcised and the unclean will no more come into you.

2 Shake yourself from the dust!

    Arise, sit up, Jerusalem!

    Release yourself from the bonds of your neck, captive daughter of Zion!

3 For Hashem says, “You were sold for nothing;

    and you will be redeemed without money.”

4 For Adonai Hashem says:

“My people went down at the first into Egypt to live there:

    and the Assyrian has oppressed them without cause.

5 “Now therefore, what do I do here,” says Hashem,

    “seeing that my people are taken away for nothing?

Those who rule over them mock,” says Hashem,

    “and My name is blasphemed continually all day long.

6 Therefore my people shall know My name.

    Therefore they shall know in that day that I am he who speaks.

    Behold, it is I.”

7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,

    who publishes peace,

    who brings good news,

    who proclaims salvation,

    who says to Zion, “Your Elohim reigns!”

8 Your watchmen lift up their voice.

    Together they sing;

    for they shall see eye to eye when Hashem returns to Zion.

9 Break out into joy!

    Sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem;

    for Hashem has comforted his people.

    He has redeemed Jerusalem.

10 Hashem has made His holy arm bare in the eyes of all the nations.

    All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our Elohim.

11 Depart! Depart! Go out from there! Touch no unclean thing!

    Go out from among her!

    Cleanse yourselves, you who carry Hashem’s vessels.

12 For you shall not go out in haste,

    neither shall you go by flight:

for Hashem will go before you;

    and the Elohim of Israel will be your rear guard.

Apostolic Reading

My Thoughts:

In verse 10 we read, “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from Myself; but the Father who lives in Me does His works.” Many different Christians have different views on the deity of Yeshua. I believe He is an “emanation” of Hashem. Hashem is Elohim of the universes, of everything. How can we possibly understand Him? So, He generously sends His “only begotten Son” so that we can understand Hashem better. It is almost like He presents us a way to get to know Him and His heart -- through Yeshua. That’s what I believe, what do you believe? 

Challenge:

In verse 15 we read, “If you love Me, keep My Commandments.” That’s pretty simple. Even though the Christian church teaches something different. Yeshua consistently taught Torah, lived Torah and was Torah. If we are to “follow” Yeshua, then that’s what we are to do. You are to follow and obey Torah. It is very clear. And Yeshua always pointed to the Father, and encouraged people to return their hearts to Him. The challenge today is that if you are following Yeshua, then think about committing to Israel and to Torah. Join them. It is all about Hashem and His Torah.

Apostolic Reading: John 14:9-20

14:9 Yeshua said to him, “Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father. How do you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from Myself; but the Father who lives in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the very works’ sake. 12 Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father. 13 Whatever you will ask in My name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you will ask anything in My name, I will do it. 15 If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another Counselor,  that He may be with you forever: 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive; for it doesn’t see Him and doesn’t know Him. You know Him, for He lives with you, and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world will see Me no more; but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in Me, and I in you.

Shoftim - Reading #6

Shoftim שֹׁפְטִים - Judges
Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9

Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 19:14–20:9

My Thoughts:

Hashem created a fair and just judicial system and commandments. His people how to utilize this. In verse 20 we read why Hashem is very strict about disobedience to His laws, “Those who remain shall hear, and fear, and will never again commit any such evil among you.” He is setting an example for others. It’s one thing to tell a child the consequences of disobedience but when the punishment is enacted it is clear to the child and his/her siblings the severity of disobeying. It shows everyone what will happen if we do not follow Hashem’s instructions. We know for sure that Hashem loves all of His creation, but it is also clear that He wants the people who follow Him to be dedicated and loyal servants. He is explaining the way to accomplish this. It may seem “harsh” but sometimes harshness is the only way people will listen. Right?

Challenge: 

What a wonderful testimony and promise in verse 20:1, “When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses, chariots, and a people more numerous than you, you shall not be afraid of them; for Hashem your Elohim is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” Hashem’s people were about ready to enter the Land of Israel. A place that they had never been before. A land filled with people who followed false gods. As He is laying out the plan to inhabit this land, He makes a promise about being with them every step of the way. Of course, when Hashem calls us to new places and new plans it can be very scary. But, here is a strong promise that when we see problems that feel really big and impossible, that we need to seek His face and ask Him for guidance and protection. If you are facing a “giant” today, ponder on this particular verse. Try and believe that Hashem will be with you through it all. Have faith that Hashem “has your back”! 

Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 19:14–20:9

19:14 You shall not remove your neighbor’s landmark, which they of old time have set, in your inheritance which you shall inherit, in the land that Hashem your Elohim gives you to possess.

15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin that he sins. At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established. 16 If an unrighteous witness rises up against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing, 17 then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before Hashem, before the priests and the judges who shall be in those days; 18 and the judges shall make diligent inquisition; and behold, if the witness is a false witness, and has testified falsely against his brother, 19 then you shall do to him as he had thought to do to his brother. So you shall remove the evil from among you. 20 Those who remain shall hear, and fear, and will never again commit any such evil among you. 21 Your eyes shall not pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

20 When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses, chariots, and a people more numerous than you, you shall not be afraid of them; for Hashem your Elohim iis with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. 2 It shall be, when you draw near to the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people, 3 and shall tell them, “Hear, Israel, you draw near today to battle against your enemies. Don’t let your heart faint! Don’t be afraid, nor tremble, neither be scared of them; 4 for Hashem your Elohim is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”

5 The officers shall speak to the people, saying, “What man is there 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. 6 What man is there who has planted a vineyard, and has not used its fruit? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man use its fruit. 7 What man is there who has pledged to be married to a wife, and has not taken her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.” 8 The officers shall speak further to the people, and they shall say, “What man is there who is fearful and faint-hearted? Let him go and return to his house, lest his brother’s heart melt as his heart.” 9 It shall be, when the officers have finished speaking to the people, that they shall appoint captains of armies at the head of the people.

Shoftim - Reading #5

Shoftim שֹׁפְטִים - Judges

Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 18:14–19:13

My Thoughts:

In verses 18 and 19 we read about Hashem telling Moses there will be another prophet like him, “I will raise them up a prophet from among their brothers, like you. I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him.  It shall happen, that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I will require it of him.” Who is this prophet? Has he arrived? Many people believe Yeshua (Jesus) is this prophet, others Mohammed. Others believe their prophets like Joseph Smith, etc. Hashem provides a “test” for prophets. See if the prophets “words” have come to pass. If not they are a false prophet. Yeshua, I believe is the prophet Hashem is speaking about. He was sent by Hashem, and He spoke words that Hashem gave to Him. Some of His words came to pass like the Temple being torn down. Other words did not have “cut off” dates and have not happened yet, like the resurrection of the dead in the Olam Haba. Who do you believe to be this prophet like Moses that Hashem is speaking about? Search your heart, and search Scripture. And pray that Hashem shows you.

Challenge: 

In verse 10 we read, “This is so that innocent blood will not be shed in the middle of your land which Hashem your Elohim gives you for an inheritance, leaving blood guilt on you.” Killing innocent people brings blood on the land -- and blood guilt. You may think you support abortion in your community, but you may want to look at it more seriously. Abortion literally takes the life of an innocent preborn child. Aborted babies are either flushed down toilets, ground up in garbage disposals or buried in landfills (except for those who are sold for experimentation or pharmaceutical companies). Does that mean our land has “blood guilt” from this atrocity? My challenge to you today is to spend some time contemplating this. If you believe like I do, I suggest you look into helping to stop abortion in your community. There is a new movement of “sanctuary cities for the unborn”. Go to: https://sanctuarycitiesfortheunborn.com/ Just as in this portion, Hashem is helping people to provide sanctuary cities for babies yet to be born. How exciting is this? Pray about becoming involved!

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 18:14–19:13

18:14 For these nations that you shall dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery and to diviners; but as for you, Hashem your Elohim has not allowed you so to do. 15 Hashem your Elohim will raise up to you a prophet from among you, of your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him. 16 This is according to all that you desired of Hashem your Elohim in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, “Let me not hear again Hashem my Elohim’s voice, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I not die.”

17 Hashem said to me, “They have well said that which they have spoken. 18 I will raise them up a prophet from among their brothers, like you. I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him. 19 It shall happen, that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I will require it of him. 20 But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.”

21 You may say in your heart, “How shall we know the word which Hashem has not spoken?” 22 When a prophet speaks in Hashem’s name, if the thing doesn’t follow, nor happen, that is the thing which Hashem has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You shall not be afraid of him.

19 When Hashem your Elohim cuts off the nations whose land Hashem your Elohim gives you, and you succeed them and dwell in their cities and in their houses, 2 you shall set apart three cities for yourselves in the middle of your land, which Hashem your Elohim gives you to possess. 3 You shall prepare the way, and divide the borders of your land which Hashem your Elohim causes you to inherit into three parts, that every man slayer may flee there. 4 This is the case of the man slayer who shall flee there and live: Whoever kills his neighbor unintentionally, and didn’t hate him in time past— 5 as when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to chop wood and his hand swings the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the handle and hits his neighbor so that he dies—he shall flee to one of these cities and live. 6 Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue the man slayer while hot anger is in his heart and overtake him, because the way is long, and strike him mortally, even though he was not worthy of death, because he didn’t hate him in time past. 7 Therefore I command you to set apart three cities for yourselves. 8 If Hashem enlarges your border, as he has sworn to your fathers, and gives you all the land which he promised to give to your fathers; 9 and if you keep all this commandment to do it, which I command you today, to love Hashem your Elohim, and to walk ever in his ways, then you shall add three cities more for yourselves, in addition to these three. 10 This is so that innocent blood will not be shed in the middle of your land which Hashem your Elohim gives you for an inheritance, leaving blood guilt on you. 11 But if any man hates his neighbor, lies in wait for him, rises up against him, strikes him mortally so that he dies, and he flees into one of these cities; 12 then the elders of his city shall send and bring him there, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die. 13 Your eye shall not pity him, but you shall purge the innocent blood from Israel that it may go well with you.