It is customary for religiously practicing Jews to read from an annual cycle of weekly Old Testament readings called Torah Portions. This is said to be the same reading schedule that was taught every Sabbath in the Synagogues during the times of Jesus in the first century.

As Christians exploring the Torah portion cycle we must maintain a balance of including the Old Testament, the prophets, and the gospels in our weekly bible study.

Torah Portion Name and Readings-

Ki tavo are the Hebrew words for “when you enter”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Book of Deuteronomy starting in chapter 26 verse 1 and going through chapter 29 verse 9.

Prophets and New Testament-

It is also important to point out that along with the Torah portion readings and teachings, there are what are called Haftarah portions which are readings from the Bible in the books of the prophets. This week’s haftarah readings come from the book of Isaiah in chapter 60 verse 1 through verse 22.

The gospel readings incorporated with the weekly Torah portion readings come from the book of Matthew in chapter 4 with verses 13 through 24.

Torah Portion Overview-

As parents we strive to raise our children to be good and productive members of society. Part of that is discipline. While discipline looks different from house to house it has one thing in common, it is for the good of the child. We seek their long term success.

In this Torah portion we get a very clear view of the curse of the law (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Is this how we should see these curses? Is this our Father’s discipline? Or is this something else? Natural consequences for leaving the God of life?

Adam too suffered the curse of the law. He was given a command (Genesis 2:16-17) and in disobedience found three types of exile:

1. Exile from the garden.

2. Exile from the presence of Yahweh.

3. Exile from life (death).

Thus the curse of the law could be said to be exile, from land (Deuteronomy 28:36, 64), presence (Ezekiel 5:11), and life (Deuteronomy 28:26).

G. K. Beale makes the following points in A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New Audio Book (Tantor Audio), in chapter 2. The Redemptive-Historical Storyline of the Old Testament:

• The Temple and Promised Land are compared to the sacred Garden of Eden (Isaiah 51:3, Ezekiel 36:5, Joel 2:3, cross reference Genesis 13:10, Ezekiel 47:12).

• The Promised Land was very fruitful just like Eden (Deuteronomy 8:7-10, 11:8-17, Ezekiel 47:1-12).

• Promised Land is called God’s Holy Land (Psalm 78:54, Zechariah 2:12) because it was to be a greater Garden of Eden.

• The calling of worldwide dominion to Adam while in the garden (Genesis 1:26-28) was transferred to Israel (Exodus 19:6). Thus Israel was a type of Adam.

• Just as Adam was a priest, so too Israel was to be a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6).

We can see clearly that Israel and Adam are connected. Israel broke the covenant and was divorced by God (Jeremiah 3:8) and was sent into exile. Yet Judah continued to commit sins and idolatry. Judah too was sent into exile to Babylon.

Beale further points out that their continued sin and idolatry eventually led to Yahweh leaving the temple (Ezekiel 9:3, 10:4, 18-19) where Yahweh stood on the mountain to the east of the city (Ezekiel 11:22-23), the Mount of Olives! Thus Israel and Judah suffered exile (even though Judah did return from Babylon).

We can see that Adam and Israel, a type of corporate Adam, failed in obedience and faced the curse of the law (Daniel 9:11). Indeed, anyone who looks at the law as a source of righteousness and justification will fail, and thus, will be under its curse.

Galatians 3:10 (ESV)

“For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”

What then?! Are we bound to forever fail and thus be cursed? Is our destiny one of curses and destruction?! No. Because there was another type of Adam and Israel, Jesus Christ!

• Just as Israel wondered the wilderness for 40 years so too Yeshua was in the wilderness for 40 days (Matthew 4:1-2).

• The dominion of Israel was transferred to the Messiah (Daniel 7:14).

• He is the temple (Revelation 21:22) and the Great High Priest (Hebrews 3:1, 4:14).

• He is the great and final sacrifice (Hebrews 9:26).

Where Israel and Adam, and indeed us all, failed in our obedience, Jesus was perfect in His obedience (2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15, 5:8, 1 Peter 2:22, 1 John 3:5).

Yet having no sin, keeping the law perfectly, Christ did suffer exile! For He was cursed and died.

Galatians 3:13 (ESV)

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us--for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”

Thus He set us free from the curse of the law! We are no longer bound to a life of failure and curses! In Him we find life!!

Torah Portion Scriptural Highlights-

• Deuteronomy 26:1 Offering of the first of the produce and tithe of the third year

• Deuteronomy 27:1 Make witness stones and an altar on Mount Ebal and offer sacrifices

• Deuteronomy 27:9 Recitation of curses on Mount Ebal

• Deuteronomy 28:1 The blessings of the law

• Deuteronomy 28:15 The curses of the law

• Deuteronomy 29:1 Moses encourages Israel to keep the covenant

Haftarah (Prophets) Scriptural Highlights-

• Isaiah 60:1 Yahweh will glorify and restore Jerusalem (the Jews)

Brit (Gospel) Scriptural Highlights-

• Matthew 4:13 Jesus moved to Capernaum after John is arrested and Jesus begins preaching

• Matthew 4:18 Yeshua calls some disciples to follow Him

• Matthew 4:23 Jesus heals and teaches and His fame spreads.

Bibliography

• G. K. Beale, A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New Audio Book (Tantor Audio), 2. The Redemptive-Historical Storyline of the Old Testament

• Walther Zimmerli, Ezekiel: A Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel, ed. Frank Moore Cross and Klaus Baltzer, Hermeneia—a Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1979–), 251–252.

• Daniel I. Block, Deuteronomy Audio Lectures Part 2: 61 Lessons on History, Meaning and Application (Zondervan Academic), Deuteronomy 27:1-26.

Further Study

• G. K. Beale, A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New.

• Daniel I. Block, Deuteronomy Audio Lectures Part 2: 61 Lessons on History, Meaning and Application.

To Watch an overview of this week’s Torah Portion CLICK HERE