Why Torah Portion Studies?

 

The point in Netzarim studying Torah is to understand the mind and heart of the Creator of the Universe. Furthermore, it is to learn about the Creator’s Ways. It has to with living a life of blessings and avoid life’s problems (i.e., curses). Then it’s to learn of and do the things that please Father; to obey His commandments; to stay within Abba’s perfect, eternal will. As well as it’s to gain an understanding of the future Kingdom of God coming soon to an earth near you.

 

The writer of the Cepher of Hebrews described Torah as

 

“…having a shadow of the good things to come, although not the actual manifestation of the originals…” (Heb. 10:1).

 

Avoid the Pitfalls of Reading the Weekly Torah Portions

 

Therefore, it is up to each of us, each week when we read and study the established passages/portions/readings that we not fall into the trap of simply reading to get through them. That is why I read the week’s portion between the first and second day of the week—prior to that week’s Sabbath reading—so that I can meditate on it for much of that week. Doing so allows the Ruach haKodesh (that is the Holy Spirit) to speak to me and show me the mysteries contained therein. I am then able to apply those elements to my day-to-day walk with Mashiyach (that is Messiah).

 

Therefore, I encourage you not make an exercise out of studying Torah each week. If you invest your heart, mind and spirit into it, and filter each reading through the teachings and examples of our Master Yahoshua, I promise that your day-to-day walk with Messiah will be greatly improved—enhanced—expanded—made whole. In addition, you shall be blessed.

 

Let’s get into Re’eh

 

Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17

 

“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of YHVH your Elohim, which I command you today, and the curse, if you do not obey YHVH your Elohim, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known” (Deu. 11:26-28; ESV).

 

Thus, we are blessed when we “shama” Torah. We are cursed when we fail to “shama” Torah AND when we turn to other gods.

 

Shama

The Hebrew term “shama” is unique in that it is a triple combination action word: to hear—to listen—and to obey.

 

To hear—we hear Torah with attention or interest; that is we pay attention; hear critically as one does in a court case.

 

To listen—we give heed to Torah; we give ear to; we consent or agree to its tenets.

 

To obey—we consent to the commandments do them.

 

Diligently Keep Torah

 

A diligence that is involved here is different from our simply keeping Torah. It is really a heart thing. Sadly, however, our cousins in Judaism are more diligent to work around Torah than they are to diligently live and walk out Torah to the best of their ability.

 

Truly, we are talking about a “walking out of Torah” more than anything.

 

Then Moshe instructs us to be careful to follow all the laws and ruling that he put put before in preparation for possessing the Land of Promise and this instruction was a perpetual command (Deu. 12:1).

 

Re’ eh is About Being Exceptional-Not Like the World

 

In the process of our taking possession of the Land and living therein, Re’eh provided us the example–in my mind, it provides a prescription–whereby we extricate ourselves from the world system and live set-apart lives, wholly and acceptable unto YHVH our Elohim (12:1-14:29).

 

I believe these principles beautifully apply to us today. Unfortunately, most would not see how Re’ eh applies to us today. Their arguments against such a thing would stem from a belief that idolatry is practiced little in western society today. Others under nominal Christianity’s grace perversion believe we may worship God and live in whatever manner pleases us. Furthermore, since the Law was done away with and we’re no longer live in an agrarian culture, tithing is not applicable today. The other thing is that and we live in the ” Wild-Wild-West” as it relates to teachings, whereby anything and everything goes related to the Word of God.

 

But what I intend to show you throughout the rest of this post is just how timely Torah Portion Re’eh is and how everything contained therein applies to us even today.

 

 

1. Rid ourselves of any vestiges of idolatrous influence in our lives (12:1-3). We were commanded to utterly destroy all idols in the land. Like the Amorites that resided in the Land, these idols would be devoted to destruction. (Listen or read my previous post where I spoke about the Amoritish people being marked/devoted for destruction and I explained why this was so.) Today, most people would not recognize the existence of idolatry existing in Western society. These would likely consider idols as outdated.

Indeed, for the most part, idols have been relegated to museums and photographs in textbooks. However, I submit to you that the enemy is extremely cunning. For idolatry continues in the hearts, minds and consciences of most non-believing peoples of the world today. Sadly, most do not realize they are worshiping false gods:

 

• Entertainment Industry (music-movies-television-video games-inspired often by demonic influences).

 

• Politics (worship government-provider-governs our lives).

 

• Outright satan worship (the increase in satan worship-return of New Age).

 

• Abortion (modern-day sacrificing to Moloch).

 

• Technology (the coming technocracy-the worship of technology-the Beast-obsession with cellphones-technological advancements coming from the enemy).

 

• Drugs and Alcohol (gateways to demonic influence).

 

• Carnality (that which God deemed evil is now good; that which God deemed as good is now evil)—owned by false gods of antiquity.

 

• Homosexuality-LGBTQ—owned and proliferated by false gods of antiquity.

 

• Modern day participation in ancient pagan rites, festival and holidays (Catholic holidays-satanic celebrations such as the Day of the Dead celebration; spirit cooking).

 

• Western culture and traditions (fashion–ideology-social media—focus on sexuality and sensuality—instant gratification—the blurring of lines between males and females—séances—the strange affinity towards adopting Islam and Sharia Law while rejecting Judeo-Christian values and Faith).

 

So important was the abolition of idolatry to the early Body of Messiah that James, the Brother of our Master Yahoshua established 4-basic requirements for new converts to be received into the Body of Messiah. Consequently, those 4-basic requirements came straight out of Torah. James stated to those gathered in the Jerusalem Council:

 

“Therefore, I conclude (this after receiving Paul’s, Barnabas’ and Peter’s testimony before the Council) that we shouldn’t create problems for Gentiles who turn to God. Instead, we should write a letter, telling them to avoid the pollution associated with idols, sexual immorality, eating meat from strangled animals and consuming blood…refuse food offered to idols, blood, the meat from strangled animals, and sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid such things” (Act. 15.19, 20, 29–Jerusalem Council; CEB).

 

Paul recognized the existential danger to those who held to idolatrous ways:

 

“Don’t you know that people who are unjust won’t inherit God’s kingdom? Don’t be deceived. Those who are sexually immoral, those who worship false gods, adulterers, both participants in same-sex intercourse…” (1 Cor. 6.9; CEB) .

 

Paul discussed the wisdom of avoiding foods that were offered to idols in order to not present a stumbling block to others of the Faith–(1 Cor. 8:1-13). In so doing Paul acknowledges that idols in and of themselves are not gods, but simply graven images. However, it’s what they represent that is the problem. For these represent actual, true and living demigods who rule the earth and the heavens.

 

Thus, Paul instructs the Corinthians–once a hotbed of rampant, unbridled idolatry to: “…flee from idolatry.” He admonishes the Corinthians to set themselves apart from the common social and dietary practices of their community. For in continuing to partake in such anti-Torah behavior, the Corinthian disciples would be giving themselves over to communion with demons (1 Cor. 10.14, 20-22).

 

Even the Apostle John wrote to His disciples that they guard themselves from idolatry (1 Joh. 5.21).

 

2. Worship YHVH according to the manner in which He prescribed in His Torah (12:4-14, 26, 27). We were not to worship YHVH as the Amoritish people worshiped their gods. Once we entered into the Land we were to worship YHVH according to His prescribed ways. We were commanded to worship YHVH exactly as He prescribed in His Torah at the place where He chose to place His Name at His prescribed times. There we would bring our tithes, burnt and freewill offerings and rejoice before YHVH. We would be prohibited from performing any sacrifices within the confines of our communities and homes, but only at the appointed place. Today, we worship YHVH in Spirit and in Truth–according to His Word and to the leading of the Ruach HaKodesh. Our Master spoke to the Samaritan Woman at Jacob’s Well about this:

 

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (Joh. 4:23, 24; KJV).

 

Today, our worship of YHVH is vastly different from that of those that went before us. We no longer engage in animal sacrifices. Our offerings are no longer burnt offerings. Instead, our offerings are that of the fruit of our lips as we offer praise and adoration for our God. The writer of Hebrews described it this way:

 

“Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His Name” (Heb. 13:15; ESV).

 

The Apostle Peter described our worship as “spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to Yah, by Yahoshua Messiah” (1 Pet. 2:5). We render petitions unto YHVH in personal and communal prayers—either in our very own prayer closets or within our group gatherings. Paul described our worship to the Ephesian Assembly Members as “speaking to themselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in their heart to YHVH; giving thanks always for all things unto YHVH and the Father in the Name of our Master Yeshua Messiah” (Eph. 5:19, 20).

 

With the sacrifice of Yahoshua haMashiyach and the destruction of the Temple, we no longer are required to journey to Jerusalem to keep the Feasts nor to render unto Him sacrifices. In fact, our set-apart bodies have replaced the Temple and it is our bodies where the Spirit of YHVH resides. Of this, Paul wrote:

 

“Don’t you know that your body is a temple for the Ruach HaKodesh who lives inside you, whom you received from God? The fact is, you don’t belong to yourselves…” (1 Cor. 6:19; CJB).

 

The other thing we do besides worshiping our Creator in Spirit and in Truth is that we keep His 7-mandated Feasts, also in Spirit and in Truth. We don’t as I mentioned just a second ago, have to go on over to Jerusalem 3-times a year to keep the Feasts—I guess standing in front of Wailing Wall, which is really a part of a Roman Fort and not Herod’s Temple—as some in our Faith Community shame the unknowing of our Community into doing. If you are led, however, to conduct pilgrimages to Jerusalem to keep the Feasts each year, you should follow the leading of the Ruach in your lives. However, that becomes your specific calling, but it is not a commandment for the Body of Messiah. We keep that of Torah, which we can keep, and we do it to the best of our ability to do so under the guidance of the Ruach HaKodesh. Nevertheless, our Temple is where we stand and who we are in Y’shua Messiah today.

 

This brings us to the next point.

 

3. Follow Father’s prescribed food laws (12:15-17, 25; 14:3-21). Father provided us specific instructions on the class of animals that we could consume that He deemed to be food. Just because Father created animals does not mean that they were meant or designated by YHVH be consumed as food by us. It should be understood that wherever we find in the Bible that Father said that He gave us all meats for food, He is saying that He gave us those meats that He has designated as food and we should not restrict ourselves to only certain of those meats. Father means for us only to consume foods—not things that are not food. Animals such as pigs, shellfish and scavenger birds clean up our natural environment. Their bodies were designed to consume refuse and dead creatures from the natural environment. In addition, when we begin to see that Father created everything for a purpose—including the animals and us—then we can better understand why He prohibited us from consuming those things that He deemed as NOT food. Unfortunately, it is a fair bet that the pagan Canaanite nations we were instructed to devote to destruction consumed these non-food creatures and Father wanted to ensure that we not follow in their dietary regimen. Today, because the rest of the world follows food consumption as the gods of this world prescribe, in order for us to be His set-apart people, we are compelled to keep His Dietary Laws. Believe it or not, a great many of the things that the world consumes and treats as foods, if they existed back during the time Moshe passed Torah along to us, no doubt Father would have prohibited most of those items. Processed foods; foods that are made in a lab; pork and shell fish products; and even certain pharmaceuticals are not to be consumed as foods by the redeemed of the Most High. The other thing that must be taken into account is the consumption of blood, which from the very beginning, YHVH vehemently prohibited (Gen. 9:4, 5; Lev. 17:11, 14, Deu. 12:23). The reason given to us by Father for not consuming blood is simply that “blood is the life.” Blood has always been special or even sacred to Father and that is why He chose to use blood to ratify and establish many of the covenants between Him and us. (Covenants and Blood are a series we will be doing next year—Abba willing—so standby.) Continuing, Father prescribed how we are to humanely slaughter animals for food, as well as for sacrifices: the animal’s blood is to fall to the ground (or collected in a container when used as a sacrifice), and thus, our meat would be devoid of blood. Sadly, we have no control today over how our animals are slaughtered or whether they were processed with blood in them. That is why it is important that we diligently examine our food—not just the type of food we are looking at consuming–but also how the food was processed and what was done with it in the processing.

 

4. Finances—Tithes and Offerings are Vital Parts of Worship (12:17, 18; 14:22-29). Our worship was to include the giving of a 10th of our increase during the 3-pilgrimage Feasts of YHVH. Part of the tithe was to support the Levite that dwelt within and served our community. Another portion of our tithes—every 3rd year in fact—was to be used to support the forgotten of our community—specifically the orphans and widows and the Levites. Add to this the Sh’mittah —Sabbath Year–observes every 7th year—whereby we would give the Land we inherited from YHVH rest; free any Hebrew slaves we had procured over the previous 6-years, and forgive any unpaid debt owed to us (which I’ve spoken about at length in previous installments of TMTO) and our service unto YHVH would eliminate poverty from our community (15:4). Thus the financial system that Father put into place prior to our entering and taking possession of the Land would maintain in great part the priestly system, keep us spiritually in-tune with YHVH by exercising our Faith, and by taking care of our community needs—i.e., the least fortunate of us. Today, many in our Faith Community reject the concept of Tithes and Offerings. These contend that we cannot practice tithing the way it was given to us to do YHVH in His Torah. Well, I say, if that is the case, then we can not keep His Feasts—right? If that is the argument—that we can’t tithe because we’re not an on an agricultural system as our forefathers were, then it stand to reason that we can’t keep the Feasts, especially the 3-mandated pilgrimage feasts because we can’t keep it as stipulated in Torah. Let’s stop the foolishness. We worship YHVH in spirit and in truth. Thus, we keep the Feasts in the spirit in which Father gave it to us. Therefore, we must practice tithing and the giving offerings with the same spirit. Giving is part of worship, as well as it helps to offset the costs associated with serving the Body of Messiah. Paul talked about God “loving the cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). Paul also addresses the importance of supporting those who administer the Word of Truth to the Body on a full-time basis (1 Cor. 9:9; 1 Tim. 5:18). I recognize that parts of nominal Christianity fell for the “prosperity movement,” which soured many in our Faith in their giving of Tithes and offerings. Nevertheless, that is their problem, but we know and should do better. Tithing and the giving of offerings willingly and joyously should be an integral part of our Spirit and Truth worship of YHVH such that the needs of the Body are properly taken care of and such that YHVH receives the glory and honor He so justly deserves.

 

5. We are not to seek after nor follow in the idolatrous ways of the people of the Land (12:29-31). These commit horrendous abominations to their gods, all of which YHVH hates. (Yah singles out the sacrifice of children as most abominable–which is for us modern day abortion and child trafficking.) A popular teaching within and without our Faith Community of late has been that of the identification and the worship of the false gods of antiquity and predictions that these will return in the End Days. Nevertheless, Abba instructs in His Torah that we are not to even name them or inquire how these were worshiped. Father commanded:

 

“And in all things that I have said to you take care; and make no mention of the name of other gods, nor let them be heard out of your mouth” (Exo. 23:13).

 

In fact in our preparation to take possession of the Land, Yah commanded us:

 

“And ye shall overthrow their altars (speaking about the idols of the Amorites that were devoted for destruction by us) , and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place” (Deu. 12:3).

 

As tempting and especially interesting as inquiring and discovering the things pertaining to the worship of ancient pagan peoples, we are commanded to not do so. I think it is important to know about such things, but we must be cognizant that such studies must have a reasonable limit and not consume our thoughts and attention.

 

6. We must shama Abba’s Word explicitly without adding to or subtracting from it (13:1). Repeatedly throughout His Word, Father explicitly commands us to not add to or take away from His Word. Unfortunately, many within and without our Faith Community do so without impunity and with gusto. The Jews are most renowned for doing exactly this very thing that Father prohibited us from doing. Yet these defend what they have done—implementing the Talmudic system that they claim puts a fence around Torah. Nominal Christianity has done similarly by implementing the perverted grace doctrine, which takes the believer 180-degrees in the opposite direction, whereby the believer lives as they so choose, erroneously believing that the Law was completely done away with.

 

7. We are to abhor and reject those who teach or preach false doctrine as well as avoid those that follow and keep false teachings (13:2(1)-13:7 (6)). Father in this passage specifically targeted false prophets who would come and by virtue of their proved prophetic gifts, then lead many astray by coaxing them to follow false gods. Today, the violation is not only that of leading the supposed people of God away from YHVH to follow after false gods, but also leading people astray to follow after false Gospels and a rejection of Torah. Moreover, we see that happening more than we’d care to think about.

 

Conclusion

 

What we have in these seven or so preparatory elements in my opinion was a foretaste—a rudimentary sketch if you will—of the coming Kingdom of YHVH. Although we cannot keep all these elements as they were originally passed down to us, it becomes our responsibility to keep them as our Master described our present day worship practices, in Spirit and in Truth. We examine and sort out those things that we must keep—those normative elements of Torah that directly apply to us as they did to our forefathers—from those that are restrictive—those elements that for whatever reason we can’t keep as originally passed down—and consider how we should live those elements out in the spirit in which they were given.

 

When we do these things—when we walk out our Faith in such a way—our Faith Community is guaranteed to prosper and we stand as lights to a dark world. Non-believers will be drawn to us and inquire why we are so blessed and why we do what we do. Our Jewish cousins will be moved to jealousy and inquire why we do what we do and ultimately come to accept Yahoshua as their Messiah and establish a true and substantive relationship with the Creator of the Universe.

 

Our cousins in Judaism and our forefathers in the Hebrew Faith failed to carry through with the original plan because their hearts were not in to bringing about the Kingdom of God here on earth. Torah was not in their hearts nor was it written on their minds (Heb. 10:16). We, on the other hand, have received the initial down payment of the renewed covenant and we have Torah thriving within us—we have the example of Yahoshua to guide us in our walk—we have the Ruach HaKodesh to aid us in living and walking out Torah in grand style, despite living in an evil and depraved world. All that is necessary for us to be successful in our journey is to be “shama” His Word—love YHVH and follow the example and teachings of Yahoshua His Son—and give ourselves over the guidance of Yah’s precious Holy Spirit. In so doing, Yah promises to do the rest.

 

Let’s us crossover and possess the Land—the Spiritual Land of Promise—as we await the return of our Master.

 

Faithfully