Shoftim “Judges”
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-
Shoftim is the Hebrew word for “Judges”, this is the name for the weekly Torah Portion reading for the Deuteronomy starting in chapter 16 verse 18 and going through chapter 21 and 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 51 verse 12 through chapter 52 verse 12.
The gospel readings incorporated with the weekly Torah portion readings come from the book of John in chapter 14 with verses 9 through verse 20.
Torah Portion Overview-
I am enjoying seeing Bible tools progress. With the advent of Logos AI from Faithlife, I asked it to summarize Deuteronomy 16:18 to 21:9 in one sentence and it did not disappoint! The following is the summary from Logos Bible Software.
“Deuteronomy 16:18 to 21:9 outlines various laws and instructions for the Israelites, including the appointment of just judges and officials, procedures for difficult legal cases, and the establishment of a system of governance with checks and balances, all emphasizing the importance of fairness, righteousness, and proper worship, while also stressing Israel's special relationship with God and the responsibilities that come with being His chosen people.”
And now I would like to present a more in-depth overview. In this torah portion we see the importance of justice. Israel was commanded to point judges and officers who were commanded carefully to judge with justice. Following this the subject switches to idolatry where Israel was commanded to stay away from idolatry, specifically Asherah trees and sacred pillars. Israel’s sacrifices were to be pure, they were not to sacrifice blemished animals to Yahweh. The punishment for idolatry is laid out plainly, after a lawful investigation and conviction there is only death by stoning. But what if a case were too hard for the judges that were appointed? They were to escalate such cases to the Levitical Priests. The judges and all Israel were commanded to obey their rulings, if they did not, then the death penalty was commanded. Going along with the theme of justice and judgement, Israel was given laws for their kings that were to come. They are reminded yet again that the Levitical Priests were to have a portion of the sacrifices because they served the Lord. Next came the laws against the disgusting versions of idolatry (child sacrifice, divination, fortunes, omens. It also prohibited those who were sorcerers, charmers, mediums, and necromancers, as the nations they were dispossessing had practiced such abominations. In the middle of all this we get the promise that God will raise up a prophet like Moses, and Israel was commanded to listen to Him. In contrast to this prophet the false prophet was addressed and also received the death penalty. Returning to the theme of justice, Israel was reminded that they were to make a place for those who had accidentally killed someone and were found innocent; the cities of refuge. Continuing with justice Israel was forbidden to move a boundary marker, as this would not only steal from their neighbor but would be stealing from their future generations. Next Israelites who would offer testimony were given instructions as well as laws for false witnesses. Israel was commanded on military service and warfare, the taking of prisoners and the complete destruction of others. Lastly they were informed about the sacrifice for an unknown murdered person to cleanse the land and prove the innocence of the elders. As we can see this torah portion is mostly concerned with justice. This is because God is just and a people who serve and know Him should be just.
Today I want to focus on the prophecy by Moses that God would raise up a prophet like himself.
“The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. This is what you requested of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’ Then the LORD replied to me, ‘They are right in what they have said. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable.”
Deuteronomy 18:15-19 (NRSVue)
If you read commentary on these verses you will find them pointing to the coming prophets of Israel and understanding these verses as God instructing Israel to listen to them. However, there are some problems with this interpretation. The context of God raising up a prophet like him is given with the giving of the law at mount Horeb. Although it is possible that this is only a reference to the coming prophets, I believe there is more here. Moses wasn’t just a prophet that spoke God’s words. In my opinion, he was distinguished from other prophets in that he spoke directly with God, he led Israel on the journey of freedom, their exodus, and he represented God himself (Exodus 7:1). These put him a step above a normal prophet. Thus, I would argue that the promise that God would raise up a prophet like Moses is a promise for more than a “normal” prophet of Israel.
Pointing out these three traits we would think of one person, Jesus. Moses spoke with God face to face.
“Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then he would return to the camp, but his young assistant, Joshua son of Nun, would not leave the tent.”
Exodus 33:11 (NRSVue)
Jesus spoke directly to God and from God to us.
“for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak.”
John 12:49 (NRSVue)
Not only this, He is the face of God. In this Jesus is shown to be so much greater than Moses! For He was not limited to speaking with Him as a friend, but spoke with Him more intimately, as a Father and Son!
“Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, but if you do not, then believe because of the works themselves.”
John 14:9-11 (NRSVue)
Moses led the children of Israel to freedom from Egypt to the footsteps of Israel, preparing them to enter the promised land. In the same way, Jesus led us from spiritual Egypt, that is, slavery to sin and death and to the footsteps of heaven! Whereas Moses saved a generation from slavery, Jesus saved all people who will call on His name. Whereas Moses led them through the wilderness to get to the promised land, Jesus went into the wilderness on our behalf and brought us to freedom. Whereas the first Exodus was accomplished with the blood of a lamb on the doorpost, the second and greater exodus was accomplished with the blood of the Lamb of God on the doorpost of our heart!
Thus Jesus lines up with the prophet promised, one that God would raise up Himself! There are more connections though. For at Moses’ birth the Egyptians attempted to kill the newborn babies.
“Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall throw into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.”
Exodus 1:22 (NRSVue)
The same sin was done when Jesus was born. When Herod the king saw that the magi had ignored his instructions and instead tricked him, he saw a threat to his reign, for he was the “king of the Jews”. He ordered the execution of the infants around Bethlehem.
“When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the magi. Then what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”
Matthew 2:16-18 (NRSVue)
Both Moses and Jesus performed many great miracles. However, there were specific miracles that identified Moses as a prophet when he went before Pharoah. Moses was given the ability to turn his staff into a serpent (whether a cobra, or perhaps a crocodile) (Exodus 4:2-5), he was given the ability to turn his hand leprous and back again (Exodus 4:6-8), and lastly the ability to turn the Nile water into blood (Exodus 4:9).
Jesus too accomplished these signs but in an even greater way. For He did not turn His hand leprous, but instead touched the lepers and healed them!
“When Jesus had come down from the mountain, great crowds followed him, and there was a man with a skin disease who came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” He stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing. Be made clean!” Immediately his skin disease was cleansed. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Matthew 8:1-4 (NRSVue)
He didn’t just turn a normal hand leprous, but healed a man covered in leprosy, showing Himself greater than Moses. Whereas Moses turned water into blood, Jesus turned water into wine at a great wedding! His sign wasn’t one of judgement but one of blessing.
“Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the person in charge of the banquet.” So they took it. When the person in charge tasted the water that had become wine and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), that person called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee and revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.”
John 2:6-11 (NRSVue)
Not only was Jesus greater in this sign, He was also greater with the sign of the serpent. Whereas Moses turned his staff into a serpent and ate the staffs of the Egyptians, Jesus broke the power of the Serpent, Satan, as well as the power of the rulers of this world. Thus, once again, He showed Himself to be greater than Moses.
Not only this, but Moses was the mediator of the old covenant and Jesus of the new covenant. Whereas the old covenant brought the law which brought death, the new covenant brought life and peace with God!
Thus, I believe these prophecy verses about a prophet to come like Moses is not referring to just normal prophets, but to Jesus Himself. God raised up Jesus and it is Him that we were commanded to hear. We must listen to Him!
Torah Portion Scriptural Highlights-
Deuteronomy 16:18 Israel shall appoint judges and officers and they shall judge justly.
Deuteronomy 16:21 Commandments against Asherah trees and sacred pillars.
Deuteronomy 17:1 Israel was not to sacrifice blemished animals to Yahweh.
Deuteronomy 17:2 Idolatry is punished with death after a lawful investigation and conviction.
Deuteronomy 17:8 Difficult legal cases shall be escalated to the Priests and Judges and Israel should obey their rulings. The death penalty for those who do not obey.
Deuteronomy 17:14 The laws for Israel’s kings.
Deuteronomy 18:1 The Levitical Priests shall have a portion of the sacrifices because they serve the Lord.
Deuteronomy 18:9 Laws against the disgusting versions of idolatry (child sacrifice, divination, fortunes, omens, those who are sorcerers, charmers, mediums, and necromancers, as the nations they are dispossessing are.
Deuteronomy 18:15 God will raise up a prophet like Moses but the false prophet shall die.
Deuteronomy 19:1 The city of refuge laws.
Deuteronomy 19:14 Do not move boundary markers.
Deuteronomy 19:15 Laws concerning the amount of witnesses and false witnesses.
Deuteronomy 20:1 Laws on military service and warfare, the taking of prisoners and the complete destruction of others.
Deuteronomy 21:1 The sacrifice for an unknown murdered person to cleanse the land and prove the innocence of the elders.
Haftarah (Prophets) Scriptural Highlights-
Isaiah 51:12 Yahweh will comfort Zion, do not fear men.
Isaiah 51:15 God encourages Jerusalem who has suffered judgement.
Isaiah 52:1 The Lord will redeem Jerusalem, but not with money.
Isaiah 52:7 The watchmen are sent out to call to Jerusalem.
Brit (Gospel) Scriptural Highlights-
John 14:9 If you have seen Jesus you have seen the Father, because He is in the Father and the Father is in Him. If you believe in Jesus you will do great works.
John 14:15 Keep His commandments and He will send a Helper to you.
John 14:18 Jesus will not leave us orphans but will come to us. But Jesus is going to the Father.
References-
Peter C. Craigie, The Book of Deuteronomy, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1976), 262.
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