Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue
WEEKLY PARSHA
Parsha #47: Deuteronomy [D'varim] Re'eh (See) 11:26-16:17
Haftarah: Yesha'yahu (Isaiah) 44:11-45:5
B’rit Chadasha: 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 1 Yochanan (1 John) 4:1-6
In chapter 13, verse 1 we are warned to not add nor subtract from YHVH's Torah. Again as a duality and confirmation of Torah this warning is repeated in Revelation. Judaism and Christianity both have added to YHVH's Word by imposing in many cases their own well-meaning additions in an effort to meet denominational agendas. Some additions or manmade torah is directly contrary to YHVH's Torah. Just one example is sufficient to demonstrate this. The ruling and making of denominational policy to allow homosexuals to practice their lifestyle and even be ordained and become leaders of churches and denominational intuitions. Jews on the other hand have invented myriads of rules and regulations that circumvent YHVH's Torah and make it a burden. Religious institutions subtract fro YHVH's Torah when they find it inconvenient to obey, i.e., Shabbat and dietary laws. These people by altering YHVH's perfect eternal Word are saying YHVH is outdated, out of touch with the times, and falls short of perfection.
Verses 2-6 addresses False Prophets. The word prophet merely means a "proclaimer of YHVH's Word." A preacher, pastor or rabbi fits the description within this context. However, what I want to address here is to particularly point out that this scripture warns us to beware of prophets who perform signs and wonders. Not all miracles are from YHVH. Scripture explains that such signs and wonders by false prophets are to test us. How? Most people if they see a miracle would believe it is from YHVH? Yet, not always because hasatan is the god of this world and he too is imbued with wondrous powers. If we then are denied these criteria for judging a man's relationship with the Master of the Universe then how can we be certain this or that person is a true prophet of YHVH. Elsewhere in scripture is given the answer. We must judge everything by the Word of YHVH Elohim. We have not other yardstick by which to judge truth. There are many influences out there claiming to be YHVH's spokesman. Astrologers, psychics, and even false preachers make such spurious claims. YHVH tells us they are an abomination to Him. We are not to be taken in by any of these even though they perform signs and wonders. Stick to the Word of YHVH if you are to be wise and true.
Moshe then goes on to reiterate the dietary laws and lists the three festivals, Pesah, Shavuot and Succos where all men are to appear before YHVH and bring to Him what he can and not to come empty handed. May we take heed from YHVH's Word.
B'rit Chadasha:
1 Corinthians 5: 9-13
Sha'ul refers to an earlier letter here in verse 9 so we learn that all that Sha'ul wrote did not become Holy Scripture. Here we see Sha'ul urging us not to communicate (eat) with those that practice certain sins, but with those inquiring about the faith or with other believers it is permissible. This principle is very Jewish, and contradicts many peoples idea that Sha'ul was not discriminating in his behavior toward unbelievers and Gentiles. His criterion seems here to be closely aligned to the Jewish way of thinking of his time. Separateness from that which is defiled.
1 Yochanan (1 John) 4:1-6
Verse 1 is certainly a warning for us today. We being removed from the spiritual realm for so many years and rediscovering it has lost our ability of discernment to know which spirits are from YHVH. We must remember that not every inner voice or feeling is from YHVH Elohim. Some are merely our own feelings superimposed on our own longings. Others are truly from the spiritual realm, but unfortunately, are from hasatan and his demons. By the same logic not every religious leader or teacher is from YHVH. We are told to test the spirits. What we have to observe, is, does every spiritual experience we encounter fall in line with YHVH's Torah or does our teacher fall in line with what the bible says. During the time of this writing there was the heresy of the Docetists that taught that Yahshua did not come bodily but was a spirit that appeared to be human. They considered flesh on too low a level for so exalted a figure as the Son of YHVH. This doctrine exists today in "theosophy" and in Eastern religions. On a wider scale in the church Yahshua's divinity is often portrayed to the exclusion of his humanity. Yahshua promised us false prophets (preachers) so we should not be amazed that preachers, pastors, and rabbis are wolves in sheep's clothing. We are told the world listens to them so we should not be astonished to see them being successful and leaders of large followings. People who are of the world, with their own demonic influences desire to hear and support them. Yochanan recognized such a category of people, and his advice was to ignore their message and not be preoccupied with trying to win them over, rather we should take as our guideline that whoever knows YHVH listens to us; whoever is not from YHVH doesn't listen to us and we can be satisfied with that.
Halftarah: Yesha'yahu (Isaiah) 44:11-45:5
This is the third of the seven "prophecies of comfort," read between the Fast of the Ninth of Av and Rosh Hashanah. In the Halftarah, YHVH comforts Yisrael by telling them what benefits those who follow YHVH's path will reap. He says that B'nai Yisrael's moral influence in the world will be so great that nations whom B'nai Yisrael have never heard of will come flocking to them
Things to think about:
1. Why could a city that was destroyed because it inhabitants worshipped idols not be rebuilt?
2. Why do you think that YHVH wants B'nai Yisrael to come to Jerusalem three times a year? What is so special about the three times mentioned in our Parsha?
Sages Wisdom:
"And you shall eat there before YHVH, and rejoice in all you have." (12:7)
This instruction on how to serve YHVH is an important element in Judaism. In many other religions service to their god is through deprivation of physical pleasure. YHVH prefers that we enjoy the many beautiful things given to us by Him, while making sure to raise this enjoyment to a level of service of YHVH.
"And you shall rejoice before YHVH, you, your children, your servants…(12:12)
Why a communal form? Isn't it enough to enjoy happiness alone? Not by Torah standards for we are required to share this happiness with our loved ones and those less fortunate because sharing adds yet another greater dimension to one's happiness.
"You shall open your hand wide to him. (15:8)
We are commanded to give handsomely to the poor. We are not to offend those to whom we give because they have feelings and this is why we do not recite a blessing before extending charity.
Gramatria:
Anaim atem La'shem…"You are all children of YHVH…" (14:1)
If you count up the words in the verse (in Hebrew), you will find that there are 12 words. This tells us that all tribes are of equal importance to YHVH. We are all His children.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Davis