Shoftim: Judges — שופטים

Thoughts on Torah for Last Week.
 
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Deuteronomy 11-16
In this parsha, the Lord summarizes aspects of having a relationship with Him.  A relationship in life is either based on blood/genetics or with a contract.  Relationships created by contract happen in business, employment, family, etc.  Contracts can be implied by the actions of the parties or expressly written setting out the parties rights and responsibilities.  God defines a relationship with Him in a contract – a marriage contract - and in Judaism this contract is know as a ketubah.  But lets review the mitzvot/commandments before we continue.  Go to Part 16 at time mark 6:50 minutes - HERE.

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What is a ketubah?
This brief video presents the basics of what a Ketubah includes.  As you read through this post, you may want to formalizing a written ketubah between you and God.

The Bible as God’s Ketubah
For us to fully understand what's involved in having a relationship with God, we have to look at the whole of the Bible.  Separating the Bible into two different parts as stand alones doesn’t provide us with the whole picture of what God requires for a relationship with Him in time and eternity.
 
Yeshua taught that for us to live forever, we must accept His Atonement, Death and Resurrection.  This teaching is the main focus of the New Testament.  However, the New Testament doesn’t give us enough details to construct a full relationship with Him.  Presently, those details are found in the Torah.  Let’s look at the parsha for last week that provides a basic summary of this relationship,  and then use this summary to create a written ketubah between you and God.

My Responsibilities
To accept Yeshua as Messiah, who reversed the consequences of Adam and Eve’s transgression
of physical and spiritual death – 1 Corinthians 15:22
To fulfill to the best of my ability, Gods statutes and rules – Deu. 12:1
To dwell with His Name – Deu. 12:11
Do not follow people that go after other Gods – Deu. 13
Eat only that which is clean – Deu. 14
To release your brother on the sabbatical year, from any obligation to you -Deu. 15
To provide for the Poor - Deu. 15.
Observe the Holy Days that symbolize a developing relationship with God - Deu. 16

God’s Responsibilities
To resurrect us and to live in God's presence throughout eternity - 1 Corinthians 15:22.
To send us His Holy Spirit.
To bless us with life, liberty and happiness - Deu. 11
To bless us with property, protection and posterity - Deu. 11
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Hebrew Study

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Isaiah Chapter 46
Jehovah sends his Endtime servant as a bird of prey to turn his errant people from idolatry to righteousness.

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Resource Links for this Week's Portion

TORAH: Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9
GOSPELS: John 14:9-20

Listen and Read the Portion
First Fruits of Zion

Torah Pearls with Nehemia Gordon

HAFTARAH: Isaiah Chapter 47

Commentary with Avraham Gileadi, PhD