Shoftim (Judges)
Deut. 16:18 - 21:9

This week’s Torah portion deals primarily with the appointment of leaders in Israel - prophets, judges, priests and kings. There are several observations that we can make about these appointments. First, notice that the outline of the section beginning in chapter 12 roughly parallels the first five of the Ten Commandments. Chapters 12-15 center on worshipping God exclusively and correctly (commandments 1-3). Chapter 16 is about special days of worship (4^th commandment). Now beginning in chapter 17 and following we have the appointment of authority figures in the land. (5^th commandment). In other words, perhaps the book of Deuteronomy is an explanation of how the Ten Commandments are to be applied to the people as a whole.

The fifth commandment says "Honor your father and your mother". May I suggest that this commandment is not only about giving honor, respect and obedience to parents but it is a principle regarding all figures of authority - and it is elaborated on in "Shoftim", our Torah passage for this week. From the time of our birth until the time that we die, God has placed authorities over us. We begin with our parents. Part of the child rearing process is for parents to teach their children to respect and obey authority. This certainly is important because as most of us knows, it is not easy to obey authority. Many of us have a tendency to defy authority at some level. The Talmud says, if a person is commanded to do something he has to overcome an innate impulse to defy authority. If he does it voluntarily, he does not have this rebellious tendency to contend with, (Avodah Zerah 3a). Here in today’s Torah portion, God places both civil and spiritual leaders over the people. In ancient Israel , he appointed judges and kings to rule over the people as well as prophets and priests. The principle for us is that we are placed under both civil and spiritual authority as well. Does this mean that we are must always obey all authority? Yes and no. Certainly we are to obey all of the authorities in our lives as much as possible. The Scripture is clear on this (1 Peter 2:12ff.) We are to be a good testimony among the nations. However, if we are called upon to sin or to commit injustice we must object! In Deut. 16:20 we read Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you. Also in chapter 18:22 we are told not to be afraid of prophets who speak falsely. In other words, if we are called upon to commit injustice or follow a teaching that is not in accordance with the Word of God we must object. How then do we discern our response to the various authorities in life? It is our responsibility to submit ourselves to the authority of God and to recognize that obedience to authority is really obedience to Him. If we view our submission to authority through the lens of the Torah and the whole Bible we will not go wrong. In fact, in Deut. 18, God promises that the day would come when He would send another prophet like Moses to lead us.

When Yeshua came, He fulfilled that promise and when we follow Him we will certainly be obedient in our submission to authority.

Shabbat Shalom!