Discipleships and Relationships are Costly. Where there is Unity and Agreement, there is Peace, so long as boundaries are maintained.
Mt 16:24-28 has an important truth. Then Yeshua said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? “For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds. “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
| Parashah #49: Ki Tetze (When you go out) D’varim 21:10–25:19 |
D’varim is organized as an ancient Near Eastern covenant-treaty document. Chapter 12 began a section of more specific stipulations, and this portion continues with a code of laws. The laws of the Torah are more than just legalese; they are covenant expectations that provide us with God’s directions for living life.
It is not the opinion of the writer to persuade either way in agreement or not for any particular idea. This is simply stating facts as outlined with scriptural support. A general outline can be read such as below in various cases. These are God’s laws they can be submitted to or not. Humans are given free choice. It must be remembered though, that there are always consequences to each and every action. One noticeable theme in the many themes in this reading is a “protective enclosure”.
There are many commands along side the 75 of the 613 pinpointed in this week’s reading. Directed guideline laws and categories are encompassed for; family, loans, business, treatment of slaves, dietary, judicial, blasphemy, social, idolatry and related practices, justice, concerning animals for consumption, community, agriculture, incest and other forbidden relationships, prohibitions resulting from historical events, temple, war, sacrifices, vows, donations to the temple (not required in present day), torts. Not all will be expanded upon in these notes.
God is concerned about all aspects of human life. So, let’s look at the end result and work with the past and the present. The laws stated are for benefit of all. There are laws for doing and laws for not doing. There are laws for the natural as well. There are four worlds that people live in, the natural, spiritual, political and economic. There are laws and principles that govern each of these. When one world clashes with another there is an outcome, that will affect you and those around you.
Portion Summary
Moshe emphasizes captive women must be treated with dignity. The rights of the first born should be upheld. A rebellious son is a grave concern. A hanged man still bears the image of God and must be buried before sunset. Laws address lost property, kindness to animals, and safety measures. Regulations on marriage, divorce and sexual morality preserve family integrity. Moshe outlines levirate marriage to ensure inheritance. Israel remembers Amalek’s cruelty and fulfills to destiny to blot out his memory.
Love and War D’varim 21:10–11 You shall certainly let the mother go, but the young you may take for yourself, in order that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.
What are some principles derived from the law of the captive woman? The Torah demands that a captive woman be granted Dignity and Honor. She is to be allowed to mourn her parents. She is to be given the honor of marriage. She is not to be taken forcibly; she is to be married and given the status of a wife. She cannot be treated as a slave, nor can she be sold.
Before the conquering soldier could consummate his desire and marry the woman, he has to allow her to mourn the loss of her family for a full month. During this time, she is to shave the hair of her head and let her fingernails grow. Shaving the head and letting the nails grow long are apparently mourning rituals of the time. Another reason for her hairless and unkept appearance are attempting to dissuade the man from marrying the captive woman by making her appear repulsive to him. Does he now look past the outside appearance and see the true value, charcter and worth.
The month of mourning is similar to a 30 day waiting period during which the man has time to reconsider his intentions. Does he really want to marry the weeping, bald woman with the long fingernails? If at the end of the thirty days the man has decided he is not pleased with her and does not want to marry the woman after all, he is to let her go free. The wisdom in this matter teaches several principles that apply to every romantic relationship. A person should never rush into marriage. Before committing to marriage, a person needs to take time to see past the other person’s sexual allure. A man needs to see through the fog of lust. “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” (Prov 31:30). These laws teach us to curb our natural desires and remember that the person we are so attracted to is, after all, another human being, not a sex object. The battlefield soldier had to delay gratification 30 days and wait until the wedding document was signed.
21:10 war מלחמה milchamah pronounced mil-khaw-maw, (in the sense of fighting); from a primitive root word לחם lacham pronounced law-kham to fight, to war, make war, eat, overcome, devoured, ever, prevail; 1) to fight, do battle, to eat, use as food.
There are various humane conditions in war that should be respected. War and battles should be avoided at all costs. When it is unavoidable certain terms and conditions would seem appropriate, both morally, ethically and legally. Overcoming certain behavioral traits is a battle in itself. Waring against the flesh is a continual process. Self-centeredness and non-submission to each other, in addition to non-communication, is always a direction of disaster, which can come in many forms. It goes against all the fruits of the spirit. As one reads this portion of scripture, do your best to keep the context of the times that the scripture was written. It may also highlight importance and relevance for today’s communities/society. Let the scriptures talk to you, it may highlight something that needs healing or direction.
The law of taking captives for wives and of divorcing them is outlined in verses 10-14, and verse 12-14 are commands. (Dt 24 directs some references which will be expanded upon further in notes). Law of divorce (Dt 21;10-14; 22:13-19; Isa 50:1; Jer 3:8; Mt 5:31; 19:1-8; Lk 16:18; 1 Cor 7:10-24).
Mentioned in Dt 24: Law of Divorce some uncleanness in her pertains to; a hebrew word ערוה ervah pronounced er-vaw. Shame (Isa 20:4); and nakedness (Gen 9:2-23; 42:9, 12; Ex 20:26; 28:42; Lev 18:6-19; 20:11-21; 1 Sam 20:30; Isa 47:3; Lam 1:8; Ezek 16:36-37; 22:10; 23:10, 18, 29; Hos 2:9). It comes from a primitive root verb from ערה arah pronounced aw-raw, which means to make bare. (Removal of a covering – Spiritually, physically, emotionally) = disappointment, and extreme dislike.
Because of the moral laxity there would have been multiple executions, if it weren’t for Moshe modifying the law, although that can’t be proved either at this point. In some cases, the wife was able to clear herself by a solemn oath (Num 5:11-13), and in other cases, allowing the husband to put his wife away privately without bringing her to trial verse 1-4; Mt 1:19).
Basically ervah means; uncover, discover, emptied, rase, leave destitute, make naked, poured out, poured, spreading. To extend this means; to be bare, be nude, uncover, leave destitute, discover, empty, raze, pour out, to bare, lay bare, to lay bare by emptying, empty, to pour out, to make naked, strip bare (of sexual offences).
In summary: to be poured out, be exposed, to expose oneself, make oneself naked, pouring oneself, spreading oneself, vomit forth.
It was clear that divorce was not commanded, but permitted because of the hardness of heart Dt 24: 1. Mt 19:8 states that both parties were free to marry another. Dt 24:2; Dt 24:3 indicates a bill of divorcement. The first husband could not take that same woman as his wife a second time, it was an abomination to God Dt 24:3-4.
In those times the wife became the actual property of the husband, and he became her lord and master (Ex 21:7-11; 1 Cor 11:3; Eph 5:22-23; Col 3:18; 1 Pet 3:5-7). Easy divorce was common among all nations. Still it leaves disaster.
Children, Obey Your Parents D’varim 21:18; Eph 6:1. The Talmud states for stoning in this instance, “There never has been a case of a ‘stubborn and rebellious son’ brought to trial and never will be” (b.Sanhedrin 71a). Prov 29:15 says that a man who does not discipline his son hates his son, but a man who loves his son disciplines him diligently. Discipline teaches a child wisdom, “but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother”. Another proverb states that disciplining a child will not kill him, but warns that withholding discipline could both kill him and doom his soul.
The Torah lists five character qualifications. The son must be stubborn, rebellious, disobedient, a glutton, and a drunkard. In Luke 7:34, the Master alluded to this passage when He said, “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard.’”
The commandment to stone a stubborn and rebellious son has a reputation of being one of the harshest commands of Torah. The sages teach that this commandment was never actually carried out. Instead, it represented an extreme standard to warn parents about the grave responsibility of raising their children in an upright manner.
This commandment also reminds us that before God, all human beings are “stubborn and rebellious” sons and daughters. We are wayward at heart and disobedient to our Father in heaven. We have all merited a death sentence before the heavenly court, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23), and “the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23).
The law of no respect of persons in the house is also reiterated in James 2:9. Here in Dt 21:15-17 there is a parallel. Verses 16, 17 are commands.
Death comes in many forms and in verses 18 to 21 there is one type of death, a consequential putting out of the family and community a protective enclosure which is outlined for rebellious sons. Rebelliousness in nature; in that submission has been overcome with willful disobedience to authority. This breakdown of a family unit and or community unit causes wounds that stain the unity and peace of all, including the person who has committed no self-control with total selfishness.
Verses 19 to 21 are commands with scriptural support for parents who are in desperate need. The enemy of the soul comes to steal, kill and control. It’s because of willful rebellion, that wailful parents cry for help. Society provides merciful standpoints, but sometimes unfortunately there are outcomes that no one likes to see. Opportunities are given for submission to correct certain behaviours.
King David did not fulfill the responsibility of training his children. As a result of permissive parenting, several of David’s sons met tragic ends. His son Amnon raped his step-sister Tamar. It is not recorded that David did anything about it. David’s son Absalom, Tamar’s brother murdered Amnon as vengeance for the rape. David did not properly deal with Absalom’s vigilante action. He merely exiled him temporarily. Absalom led a rebellion against David and was eventually speared by David’s men. David’s son Adonijah attempted to usurp the throne. Solomon had him struck down with the sword for his rebellion. Scripture reads that David never crossed his sons at any time. He never asked them, “Why have you done so?” (1 Kings 1:6). In other words, he never held them accountable for their behavior. Had David disciplined his sons when they were young, rebuking misbehavior and punishing disobedience, the outcome may have been different.
The law of execution by hanging is one extreme end to a problem. This also is stated in Gal 3:13. The commands in Dt 21:22, 23 give a guideline showing that even the land can be defiled.
Lost and Found D’varim 22:1. According to the Torah, we have an obligation to return a lost object to its owner. If you see your fellow’s livestock straying, you aren’t allowed to ignore the wayward animals; you have to return them to their owner. A person might be tempted to keep something he found, but if there is any way of finding the owner and returning the object, the person must do so. This is part of being a people of integrity, a people worthy of God’s name. This is part of loving others. “Treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Torah and the Prophets” (Mt 7:12). The principle of love and assistance applies to almost any practical need a person might have. Throughout every day, there are dozens of opportunities to fulfill this commandment, D’varim 22:4.
Who is impressed by a person who is always attentive to needs and generous with his time and efforts.
In Chapter 22:1-3 all commands, outlines the stray animal laws. Animals displaced are to be cared for in all circumstances.
The Least of the Commandments D’varim 22:6–7; Some questions are posed.
What are the weighty matters of the Torah (Mt 23:23)?
What is the principle behind the commandment?
Dt 22:4, 6, 7 are commands and humane laws.
The intermediary verse 5 has a law against dressing like the opposite sex. This confusional act is also not acceptable to our creator. One could ask the question, why is this verse in the middle of this humane law context?
Dt 22:8 a command, encompasses a law of accident prevention. Today there are health and safety laws for society. Roofs in the East were flat. A protective enclosure, a banister was needed to keep people from falling off, day and night. In the warmer months meals were eaten on the roof as well as sleeping arrangements. The wall was about 3 feet high on all sides of the flat roof.
Unequally Yoked D’varim 22:10 You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together. Another question is posed.
What relationship rule does Paul derive from D’varim 22:10?
Dt 22:9-11 commands come under the law of segregation which are also mentioned in Ex 23:32. It highlights seeds, animals and clothing. Where there are two in agreement – yoked together there is an element of peace. Confusion of two different basic elements or types being together, is to be avoided. Disunity for what could have be a peaceful concept and outcome.
The law of fringes or borders on garments is also mentioned in Mt 23:5.
Dt 22:12 a command has the word fringes גדל gᵉdil pronounced ghed-eel, (in the sense of twisting); wreath (1 Kgs 7:17), twisted threads, tassels (on clothes), festoons (on capitals of columns). Num 15:38-39 tassel ציצת tsiytsith pronounced tsee-tseeth means fringe, lock.
Ex 12:34 Here it refers to tassels hanging from the corners of the under garments. Outer garments were usually made of wool or hair of varying degrees of fineness. Used as a night covering and something used to carry things on a journey.
Getting back to the basic family unit, there is a law for protecting an innocent wife, in cases also mentioned in Num 5:11-31 and Dt 24:1 notes.
In times past, there wasn’t a social security system. Women generally had no means of supporting themself or children in a safe environment. The commanding verses of Dt 22:15-19 outlines a humane protection summary.
Sex Outside of Marriage D’varim 22:20 But if this charge is true, that the girl was not found a virgin … This poses an important question.
In what way did the bride shame her father’s household?
Death for non-virgins, again commands, outlined in Dt 22:20, 21. Purity compromised has many reasons, mercy and compassion for all attained. Standards of acceptability assist the healthy function of society. If everybody has the strength to keep standard then all works well. Our creator also supplies a way out when there is temptation of any sort.
Death as already been stated comes in many forms. Death for adultery a command mention in verse 22 also has references in Ex 20:14. Death of a relationship is never pleasant.
Everyone would like contentment but that is not always possible, which leads to death for rape of betrothed in the cites. The command in verse 24 is also mentioned in Ex 22:16.
Death for rape of betrothed in the fields is mentioned in verse 25-27, 25 and 26 being commands.
Dt 22 Verses 28 and 29 shows the subject of a law for death for rape of unbetrothed also cross referenced in Ex 22:16.
Law of incest a command in verse 30 is also cross referenced in Lev 18:6.
God has His commands and reasons for D’varim 23:1-3.
The law of love for enemies 23:6 is also cross referenced in Ex 23:4.
The law of love and reasons for Edomites and Egyptians also cross referenced in Ex 22:21. Dt 23:7,8 are commands.
In D’varim 23:9 a command reads the law against pagan practice. Dt 14:1 summarizes 2 commands of pagan practices.
- Do not cut your flesh or hair in honor of worship to any god. It was the custom among Canaanite nations to cut the flesh to manifest sincerity in worship and earnestness in prayer to idol gods as in 1 Kings 18:28. More often this was done for the dead (Lev 19:28; 21:5). This was considered meritorious and a help to washing away sins.
- Do not make any baldness between your eyes for the dead. It was a custom in certain nations to cut the hair off and consecrate it to the gods; in others the practice was to cut the hair a certain way in mourning for the dead. Israel was forbidden such marring of the body or cutting of the hair for 2 reasons;
- You are a holy people to Yehovah your Elohim, (Creator)
- God has chosen you to be a peculiar people to Himself, entirely different from the heathen and their superstitious practices.
It seems humans need a constant reminder to do the right thing, whether for self, community, the outstretching land and nation all encompassing. The basic pattern of relationship overflows out like a whirlpool to society and beyond.
Carry a Shovel D’varim 23:13 And you shall have a spade among your tools, and it shall be when you sit down outside, you shall dig with it and shall turn to cover up your excrement.
What is the broader application of the commandment to carry a shovel?
Grounds for Divorce D’varim 24:1 When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favour in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out from his house …
According to Yeshua, what constitutes legitimate grounds for divorce?
What is “hardness of heart”?
Compassion and Righteousness (D’varim 24:13) It will be righteousness for you before the LORD your God. A command.
What are the Torah’s laws meant to instill in us?
Dt 24:14, 15 both commands come under the Law against oppression. Ex 22:21 List 4 commands. Do not vex a stranger, do not oppress him. Do not afflict a widow. Do not afflict an orphan.
Dt 24:16 a command, comes under the law of individual responsibility Ezek 18 and 33.
Dt 24:17, 18 both commands, comes under the law against injustice Ex 23:6; Dt 16:19.
Dt 24:19-22 all commands, comes under the law of gleanings. Lev 19:9; 23:22.
Dt 25:1-3 all commands, comes under the law of punishment by scourging. Lev 19:20; 2 Cor 11:23-24; Heb 11:36; 1 Pet 2:24.
Dt 25:4 a command, comes under the law of care for beasts of labor. 1 Cor 9:7-14.
Dt 25: 5-10 all commands, come under the law of perpetual families. Mt 22:23-33.
Dt 25:11, 12 has a assault and battery insert. Ex 21:18. These commands do not literally mean taking physical action. What hardened heart issues are being discussed.
Dt 25:13-16 all commands, come under Merchantile laws. Lev 19:36; Prov 16:11; 20:21.
And finally Dt 25:17-19, 17 and 19 are commands, verse 19 is the 17th prophecy in D’varim fulfilled, the law of vengeance. Ex 17:8-13. Amalek preyed upon the weak and vunerable. In Judges and 1 Samuel scripture points to Saul. Although he broke the power of Amalek he didn’t fulfil some requirements. Thus Saul was rejected and destroyed. Later the remmant was destroyed by the Simeonites in the days of Hezekiah (1 Chr 4:39-43). Haman, rebellious in character and nature and his rebellious sons were the last recorded Amalekites. They were destroyed in the time of Esther.
| Matthew 24:29-42 |
Within this section we read the parables of the fig tree Mt 13:28; Lk 21:29.
All signs of this prophecy will take place in one generation Mk 13:30; Lk 21:32-33.
Exact date of His coming unknown (Mk 13:34; Acts 1:7.
Messiah’s coming will bring destruction to many Lk 17:22; 1 Th 5:1; Jude 14.
Armageddon: Lk 17:26; 21:34; Rev 19:21; Zech 14:16; Ezek 39:2.
Verse 42 is a command of significance.
Mt 24:35 words (Gk) logos
John denotes the essential Word of God, the personal wisdom and power in union with God. His minister in creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the world’s life both physical and ethical, which is the procurement of man’s salvation. God’s words give life.
This term Logos was familiar to the Jews and in their writings long before a Greek philosopher named Heraclitus used the term around 600 B.C. to designate the divine reason or plan which coordinates a changing universe. This word was well suited to John’s purpose in John 1:1.
In conclusion, this portion reads to reveal purity, show mercy and kindness to all God’s creatures, to exercise compassion and empathy, and to do our best to alleviate the suffering and emotional pain of others is God’s will. In that case, it’s not a small commandment at all. Instead, it belongs to a category of laws that Yeshua called the “weightier provisions of the Torah” (Mt 23:23).