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Parasha Shoftim (Judges)
by Rabbi Jack "Yaacov" Farber
The Scripture readings for the Shabbat of August 30/2 Elul are: Devarim/Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9; Yeshiyahu/Isaiah 51:12-52:12; Ma'asim Hashilichim/Acts 3:22-23. Nachalatenu be'Olam Haze/Our Inheritance in this World I was drawn to a particular passage in this week's Parasha, which I believe relates to a question I am often asked by believers in Mashiach (Messiah) Yeshua. It is question that deals with eschatology (end times). Devarim {18:1} The cohenim (priests) the Leviim (Levites), [even] all the tribe of Levi, shall have no portion nor inheritance with Yisrael: they shall eat the offerings of HaSHEM made by fire, and his inheritance. {18:2} They shall have no inheritance among their brothers: HaSHEM is their inheritance, as he has spoken to them. This passages clearly states that the priestly tribe of Levi will have no inheritance in the land with Yisrael. That means that they will not be given a tract of land to call their own as would the other tribes of Yisrael. The Scripture goes on to say the reason for this is because their inheritance is the L-rd. In other words they have been singled out by HaShem to serve Him and thus not be involved in any materialistic entanglements, which certainly comes with the owning of property. "What does this have to do with end time," you might be asking? The answer is, a lot! I have been teaching over the past years and I am certain you have heard from others as well, that born again non-Jewish believers become joint heirs of the promises made to the patriarchs, Avraham (Abraham), Yitzchak (Isaac) and Yaacov (Jacob). Galitim/Galatians 3:29 And if you are Mashiach's, then you are Avraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. As we all should be aware, one of the promises made to Avraham by HaShem was the land of Yisrael. Therefore as a non -Jewish believer in Mashiach Yeshua you become as the seed of Avraham and have a claim in Yisrael to your portion of real estate. The question that arises and the one, which non- Jewish believers ask me often is, "what will my share be and what tribe will I be inheriting through when Mashiach comes and establishes the Messianic Kingdom on earth?" This a valid question and the answer is given to us right here in Parasha Shoftim, of course as illuminated and brought into its spiritual perspective by the Brit Chadasha (Renewed Covenant). 1 Kefa (Peter) {2.9} But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light: As believers in Mashiach Yeshua, both Jewish and non-Jewish, we have become a royal priesthood, a holy nation. In other words we are a nation of priests. HaShem's original intention for His called out people was to be such a nation. Shemot/Exodus {19:6} And you shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak unto the bnei Yisrael (children of Israel). In other words what the bnei Yisrael could not accomplish in their power, HaShem through the power of Mashiach Yeshua accomplished in us. In fact in every area of Torah where Yisrael failed, Yeshua succeeded that through Him we might succeed. As such our Parasha hashavuah (Parasha of the week), Shoftim tells us that we who are born again believers in Mashiach Yeshua, do not have an inheritance in the land, we do not have a claim on any portion of real estate, HaShem is our in heritance! The purpose of the priesthood was to minister before the L-rd on behalf of the nation, to interceded for the people before HaShem. The priesthood also ran the Temple and administered the korbanot (draw near/sacrifices). If you have been following my teaching, these are all the functions of a believer today. We minister before G-d on behalf of the unsaved. We intercede for the unsaved, we run the temple; our bodies (1 Corinthians {6.19} What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Ruach HaKodesh [Holy Spirit] which is in you, which you have of G-d, and you are not your own?) and we administer the korbanot through repentance and confession of sin. Just as HaShem did not want the post Mitzrayim (Egypt) priesthood to get mixed up in materialism, likewise He does not want His Messianic priesthood to get mixed up in materialism. Now do not get me wrong. The priesthood did have their jobs and they did get paid for the work that they did, but they were not to be caught up in the things of the world. Rather their focus was to be on the things of G-d. As priests of HaShem we are to do the same, He is our inheritance.Rabbi Jack "Yaacov" Farber is the spiritual leader of Congregation Melech Yisrael in Toronto, Canada. Copyright 2003
- Romans 1:16, NIV |