Torah Portion Shoftim – God’s Presence and Our Response
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Torah: Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9
Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12-52:12
Besorah: John 20:19-29
Elul 4, 5784 | September 7, 2024
This week’s Torah portion, Shoftim, gives us a blueprint for establishing justice, leadership, and righteousness within a community.
The Haftarah from Isaiah continues the message of comfort and hope, while the Besorah portion from John captures an intimate post-resurrection appearance of Yeshua, offering us deep insights into His words and actions.
These readings offer profound lessons about God’s presence among His people and how we are called to respond to that presence. Let’s explore the narratives and themes of each portion and uncover their deeper meanings for our lives today.
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Torah Portion: Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9)
Understanding the Portion
The Torah portion Shoftim begins with Moses instructing the Israelites on how to establish a just society as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This portion lays out a blueprint for governance, justice, and leadership, emphasizing the need for righteous judgment and adherence to God’s commandments.
Moses commands the people to appoint judges and officers in every city to ensure that justice is maintained:
“Judges and officers you are to appoint within all your gates that Adonai your God is giving you, according to your tribes; and they are to judge the people with righteous judgment.”
Deuteronomy 16:18, TLV
The portion goes on to provide guidelines for future kings, emphasizing that any king must be chosen by God and must adhere to specific rules, such as not accumulating excessive wealth or many wives, and writing a personal copy of the Torah to study daily.
These instructions highlight the importance of humility, obedience to God, and the acknowledgment that even the highest earthly authority is under divine law.
Moses also addresses the role of prophets, instructing the people to listen to the true prophets whom God will raise from among them and warning against false prophets who would lead them astray.
A Little Nugget: The Repetition of “Justice”
When Moses instructs the people, he says, “Justice, justice you must pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20, TLV). The repetition here isn’t accidental—it highlights the importance of justice being both the goal and the means.
In Jewish thought, this repetition emphasizes that justice must be pursued with righteousness. It teaches that one cannot achieve a just end through unjust means.
Furthermore, the Hebrew word for “justice,” Tzedek, is related to Tzedakah (charity or righteousness), suggesting that true justice is always connected to righteousness and compassion.
Pursuing Justice in Our Lives
Reflect on areas where you might be called to pursue justice in your own life. Are you seeking justice with integrity and compassion, or are there times when the “end justifies the means” in your mind? This passage invites us to consider how we can be more intentional about aligning our actions with God’s standard of justice, ensuring that our pursuit of what is right is carried out in a righteous way.
2. The King’s Role and the Torah
Moses also speaks about the future kings of Israel, giving specific instructions to ensure that they lead with humility and obedience to God:
“Now when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself a copy of this Torah on a scroll, from what is before the Levitical kohanim”
Deuteronomy 17:18, TLV
The king is to write his own copy of the Torah and keep it with him, reading it all his days to learn to fear the Lord and to keep all the commandments.
A Little Nugget: The Torah as a Guiding Light for Leadership
The command for the king to write his own Torah scroll is unique in the Torah. This practice was meant to remind the king that he was subject to God’s law and that his authority was granted by God. The king’s regular study of the Torah would prevent him from becoming arrogant or corrupt and would ensure that his leadership was always aligned with God’s will.
Rabbinic tradition teaches that the king’s Torah scroll should accompany him wherever he goes, symbolizing the idea that the Torah—God’s instruction—is not just for study but for everyday life, guiding all decisions and actions. Torah commands that every Jew write a Torah scroll (or have one commissioned) but the king was to write TWO – one to be kept in his treasury and one to accompany him wherever he went.
Keeping God’s Word Central
Consider how you can make God’s Word a guiding light in your own life. What practices can you implement to keep Scripture at the forefront of your daily decisions and actions? Whether it’s daily Bible reading, scriptural meditation, or memorization, find ways to ensure that God’s Word is shaping how you lead and serve in your community.
3. The Role of Prophets: Listening for God’s Voice
Moses continues by speaking about the role of prophets:
“Adonai your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your midst—from your brothers. To him you must listen.”
Deuteronomy 18:15, TLV
Prophets were to serve as God’s mouthpiece, calling the people back to the covenant whenever they strayed from His ways. This promise also foreshadows the coming of Yeshua, who is often seen as the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy.
A Little Nugget: The Prophet as a Mouthpiece of God
The Hebrew word for prophet, נָבִיא (Navi), means “one who is called” or “one who proclaims.” Prophets were tasked with proclaiming God’s message, often in times of moral or spiritual decline. Unlike kings or priests, prophets did not inherit their roles; they were chosen by God, often from unexpected places, to deliver His messages.
The role of the prophet was not just to foretell the future but to remind the people of God’s ongoing presence and call them to repentance. This was a unique and sometimes dangerous calling, as prophets often spoke against the prevailing powers and called for a return to God’s ways.
Being Open to Prophetic Voices
Are there areas in your life where you might be resistant to hearing God’s call to change or grow? How can you be more open to the messages God may be sending through Scripture, prayer, or other people? Take time to listen for God’s voice, especially in areas where you may need guidance or correction.
Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12-52:12
Understanding the Portion
The Haftarah this week continues the theme of comfort that we have seen over the past few weeks. God speaks through Isaiah, offering words of reassurance to His people who have faced exile and suffering. God reminds them that He is their comforter and that they need not fear mortal man:
“I, I am the One who comforts you. Who are you that you should fear man, who dies, or a son of man, who is given up like grass?”
Isaiah 51:12, TLV
This passage is about more than just physical comfort; it’s about spiritual reassurance and the promise of God’s enduring presence. God tells the people to awaken from their spiritual slumber and prepare for His redemption.
Isaiah continues with a call to Zion to clothe itself in strength and splendor, as God is preparing to redeem His people and restore Jerusalem to its former glory.
A Little Nugget: The Call to “Awake, Awake!”
The repeated call to “Awake, awake!” is significant. It’s not just a call to wake up physically, but a spiritual awakening.
The Hebrew word עוּרִי (U’ri) suggests a deeper awakening to God’s presence and action in the world. This is a call for spiritual readiness and anticipation, encouraging the people to prepare themselves for God’s deliverance and to live in a way that reflects His holiness and righteousness.
The “beautiful garments” mentioned are a metaphor for holiness and the righteousness that comes from being in right relationship with God. This isn’t about outward appearance but about inward transformation and readiness for God’s work.
Awaken to God’s Presence in Your Life
Are there areas in your life where you might be spiritually asleep or complacent? How can you awaken to God’s presence and prepare yourself for His work in your life? Consider setting aside time for prayer, reflection, or service to help you become more attuned to God’s voice and ready to act on His guidance.
3. Proclaiming God’s Reign: A Message of Hope and Salvation
Isaiah speaks of the joy and beauty of those who bring good news:
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces shalom, who brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, who says to Zion,“Your God reigns!””
Isaiah 52:7, TLV
This passage captures the joy of hearing that God reigns and that salvation and peace are coming. The message is one of hope and restoration, encouraging the people to look forward to God’s redemption and the establishment of His kingdom.
A Little Nugget: The Good News of God’s Reign
The term “good news” here is not just any news—it’s a proclamation of God’s victory and His reign over all. In the ancient world, messengers would run from the battlefield to bring news of victory. This passage portrays the joy of hearing such news, emphasizing that God’s reign brings peace, justice, and salvation.
For early believers, this verse also took on a messianic significance, pointing to Yeshua as the ultimate messenger of good news who proclaims God’s reign through His life, death, and resurrection.
Being a Messenger of God’s Good News
Think about how you can be a bearer of good news in your own life. How can you proclaim God’s peace and salvation to those around you? This could be through sharing your faith, offering encouragement, or just simply living in a way that reflects God’s love and righteousness.
Besorah: John 20:19-29
Understanding the Portion
In this Besorah portion, Yeshua appears to His disciples after His resurrection, bringing them peace and commissioning them for their mission:
“Shalom aleichem!” (Peace be with you!)
John 20:19, TLV
The disciples are fearful and uncertain, hiding behind locked doors. Yeshua’s appearance brings them peace and reassurance. He shows them His hands and side, proving that He is truly resurrected. He then breathes on them and says, “Receive the Ruach ha-Kodesh (Holy Spirit)” (John 20:22, TLV), empowering them for the mission ahead.
Later, Yeshua appears again when Thomas is present, addressing Thomas’s doubts directly and inviting him to touch His wounds and believe.
A Little Nugget: The Significance of Yeshua’s Wounds
When Yeshua shows His disciples His hands and side, He is offering them tangible proof of His resurrection. But more than that, His wounds serve as a reminder of His humanity and His suffering. Yeshua’s wounds are not hidden but displayed, showing that even in His glorified body, He bears the marks of His sacrifice.
This act of showing His wounds also serves to bridge the gap between doubt and faith. Thomas, who doubted the resurrection, is given the opportunity to see and touch, to move from doubt to belief. This encounter teaches us that faith is often a journey, and that Yeshua meets us where we are, inviting us to deeper trust.
Embracing the Journey of Faith
Consider how Yeshua’s approach to Thomas’s doubt can inform your own faith journey. Are there areas where you struggle with doubt or need reassurance? How can you invite Yeshua into those areas, allowing Him to meet you where you are and guide you toward deeper faith? Reflect on the ways you can embrace both your doubts and your beliefs as part of your journey with God.
2. The Commissioning of the Disciples: Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Yeshua commissions His disciples to carry on His work:
“As the Father has sent Me, I also send you”
John 20:21, TLV
He breathes on them and imparts the Holy Spirit, giving them the power and authority to continue His mission on earth.
This commissioning is a significant moment, as it marks the transition of the disciples from followers to leaders, entrusted with the task of spreading the Gospel and building the early church. Yeshua’s breathing on them symbolizes the impartation of spiritual life and authority, echoing the breath of God that gave life to Adam in Genesis.
A Little Nugget: The Breath of New Creation
Yeshua’s act of breathing on the disciples is symbolic of new creation. Just as God breathed life into Adam, Yeshua breathes spiritual life into His disciples, empowering them to carry out His mission. This act signifies that they are now part of a new creation, born of the Spirit and called to live and work in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Living as a New Creation
Reflect on what it means to live as a new creation, empowered by the Holy Spirit. How can you live in a way that reflects the life and power of the Spirit within you? Consider practical ways to rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and strength in your daily life, from making decisions to sharing your faith with others.
Connecting the Teachings: God’s Presence and Our Response
The Torah portion, Haftarah, and Besorah all emphasize the importance of recognizing God’s presence and responding to it. They challenge us to live lives that reflect God’s justice, mercy, and love, and to be active participants in His work in the world.
1. Recognizing God’s Authority and Presence:
- Whether through the establishment of justice in Deuteronomy or Yeshua’s post-resurrection appearance, we see the importance of acknowledging God’s authority and responding with faithfulness. How can we better recognize and honor God’s presence in our lives?
2. Finding Comfort and Courage in God’s Presence:
- Isaiah’s message of comfort and Yeshua’s words of peace remind us that God’s presence brings comfort and courage, even in the face of fear or uncertainty. How can we draw strength from God’s presence in our own challenges?
3. Being Bearers of God’s Presence:
- Yeshua’s commissioning of the disciples and the call to proclaim God’s reign in Isaiah remind us that we are called to be bearers of God’s presence, sharing His love and truth with the world. How can we live in a way that reflects God’s presence and brings His message of hope to those around us?
Practical Applications
1. Acknowledge God’s Authority in Your Life:
- Reflect on areas where you may need to more fully recognize and submit to God’s authority. Are there decisions or actions where you need to align more closely with His will?
2. Find Comfort in God’s Presence:
- In moments of fear or uncertainty, take time to pause and invite God’s presence into the situation. Remember that He is with you, offering peace and comfort.
3. Be a Carrier of God’s Peace:
- Look for opportunities to share God’s peace with others. Whether through a kind word, a listening ear, or a helping hand, be a reflection of God’s presence to those around you.
Reflection Questions
- How can you better recognize God’s presence and authority in your daily life? What steps can you take to ensure that your actions reflect His will and righteousness?
- Isaiah speaks of God as a comforter and protector. How can you lean on God’s presence to find peace and courage in times of fear or uncertainty?
- Yeshua met His disciples in their fear and doubt, offering them peace and assurance. How can you be open to experiencing Yeshua’s peace in your own moments of doubt or fear?
- The disciples were sent to carry Yeshua’s presence and message into the world. How can you be a bearer of God’s presence, sharing His love and truth with others around you?
- Reflect on how God’s presence can transform your understanding of justice, leadership, and community. How can you apply these principles in your own life and community?
My Final Thoughts
The Torah portion Shoftim, the Haftarah from Isaiah, and the Besorah from John all offer us profound lessons about God’s presence and how we respond to it. As we reflect on these teachings this week, let’s commit to recognizing God’s presence in our lives, finding comfort in His promises, and carrying His peace and message to the world.
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