Articles by Ashley Saville Watson

TOPIC: A reader’s question arising from Acts 15:20 & 16:4,5

We might well ask whether there is a relationship between 1) the ‘legal QUARTET’ of FOUR Levitical purity requirements prescribed to the church in Acts 15:19,20; 2) the TEN WORDS of the Tablets of the Sinai Marriage Covenant; and 3) the weekly 7th day Sabbaths and the SEVEN related Holy Sabbatical Convocations in their THREE respective FEAST SEASONS (Gen 2:2,3; Ex 20:8-11; 23:10-17; Deut 16; Is 56:6; Matt 5:19; 12:8).

With this in mind, a reader asks:

Does Acts 16:4,5’s cross-reference to the FOUR RULINGS in Acts 15:20 as “decrees” (which Strong’s Concordance also defines as dogma, laws or ordinances) also INDIRECTLY refer to the Ten Commandments and the perpetual, blessed TIME-RELATED precepts – which include the WEEKLY Shabbat and ANNUAL Sabbaths – the “Holy Convocations” given to us forever, as practised in antiquity, and GROUNDED in observance of the Fourth Commandment, confirmed by the LORD and Paul in Word and deed? (Matt 5:19; Rom 3:31)

ANSWER:

Whether we know it or like it or not, there’s no question that BEHAVIOURAL CONSTRAINTS (some evidence of a circumcised heart/repentant lifestyle, at the very least) apply to acceptance of individuals for participation in the LORD’s set-apart Appointments (Holy Convocations/Sacred Assemblies/High Sabbaths) (Ex 12:48,49; Ps 24:3-6; 42:2,4; Rom 2:13,25-27).

It can be very dangerous taking the ‘holy ground’ of the uniquely sacred Sabbaths, lightly.

The sages warn us that the Divine Appointments are for those who have PURE hearts, not for those who SIMULATE (affect) having circumcised hearts (Deut 10:16-21; Jer 4:4; 9:24-26).

Undoubtedly, Acts 15:20, which pinpoints crucial ‘hygiene factors’ for a righteous walk, addresses this basic concern.

‘Basic’ in the sense that keeping the Ordained Appointments with our Holy Maker, to be “nourished on pure doctrine” in His Presence, and by feasting at HIS table (Ps 23), is the BASIS of covenant-keeping for the sanctification of TIME, within which everything else CREATED, exists.

Idolators, fornicators, the “effeminate” (who violate natural law) and others who fall under certain descriptions of unrighteousness, are unworthy of the most intimate spiritual fellowship.

Generally, God is patient with our spiritual growth (Is 48:9; 57:11b), covering our faltering steps with His Blood (lest we be destroyed) as we learn obedience under grace, but He draws a solid red line FROM DAY ONE, with “these NECESSARY things” in Acts 15:20.

Converts must have produced proof of repentance by having turned from ABOMINATIONS, or the Feasts themselves are polluted and the congregations, defiled.

It’s tempting to believe that salvation by grace entails accountability to no more than FOUR stipulations for righteous living.

However, SANCTIFICATION of spirit, soul and body (1 Thess 5:23) would be a feat, if there were so FEW precepts to lead us away from the REPROBATE nature of the first Adam, to the PURITY of the Last Adam which only heart circumcision and submission to the inward working of the Spirit (the grace which enables obedience to God’s holy requests of us), can accomplish.

We would not be stretching the truth by alleging that in the mind of Messiah are the following riders:

Acts 15:24

“…to whom we gave no such commandment (for your RECONCILIATION and INNOCENCE to be reinstated)”

‘ “But now ye have been made clean through the Word,” “if you love Me” you will follow-on to know Me by learning and doing My commandments’

Jn 14:15,21-24; 15:3-15; 1 Jn 2:3-6

Neither Y’shua-Jesus nor Paul ever knew or kept what we call Sun day as anything but “Yom Rishon,” the head or “first day of the week” (“day the first”), the resumption of the work-week after Shabbat, which dates from the beginning of time according to the pattern of the week of Creation.

The Saviour and His chief Apostle to the Gentiles would have been regarded as having uncircumcised ears and hearts (Jer 4:4; 6:10), had they confessed and acted differently, thereby following a different gospel.

Due to Y’shua being “LORD, even of Shabbat,” the “everlasting covenantal sign” of “all power/authority in heaven and earth” vested in Him over the redeemed (Ex 31:13,16; Matt 28:18), Shabbat is symbolically the THRESHOLD of Y’shua as the “Door” (Jn 10:9,10), which we pass over through the Doorway (i.e. “in Christ”) to “go in (enter Shabbat for total rest) and out (into the secular world) to FIND pasture” after the weekly close of Shabbat, by walking after the Spirit IN but not OF the world from sunset Saturday to mid afternoon Friday.

In other words, labouring VIRTUOUSLY during the six days APPOINTED for work, to establish testimony, and thereby, reputation for the covenant and our covenant-keeping God (Deut 7:9-15; 8:18).

So to characterize Shabbat as anything other than a core axiom of the faith, would be SEDITIOUS DISINFORMATION.

Logically, Shabbat (the inception of “the Way” in Gen 2:2,3) is the first of “the first ways of…David” and is therefore undeniably, at the front of the “first works (of righteousness)” which will be used to evaluate our loyalty to Y’shua as our “Firstlove,” since our salvation is “the sure mercies of David” (2 Chr 17:3-6; Is 55:1-5; Acts 10:35; 13:32-39; Rev 2:4,5).

Just a glance at Is 58:13,14 (14 especially) should convince us that attainment of the promise of ABUNDANT life in Jn 10:10 is heavily dependent on NOT DISOWNING the Biblical, seventh day Sabbath.

Rev 2:4,5 describes Ephesus’ serious spiritual condition, due to estranging themselves from Paul’s MESSIANIC teaching (Rom 3:31).

Amongst all the procedural principles ignored or renounced by the church, misuse of Sun day as an imposter for Shabbat, is the most serious disruption of the Biblical blueprint for the unhindered flow of grace.

Given the number of references to Shabbat in Acts (none of which refer to the first day of the week), it’s inconceivable that Paul, Timothy and Titus would not have affirmed the church in Shabbat-keeping.

No-one can read Ex 20 and Deut 5 and claim Sun day is the seventh day of Scripture (just consider the weekday order, as historically defined in any reputable dictionary), without displaying evidence of a profoundly unscrupulous streak.

Those who follow Rome’s rejection of the Ten Commandments by their denial of Shabbat (according to Scripture, denying even one is repudiation of all), by choosing Sun day over Shabbat as an ‘ecclesiastical innovation,’ show YHVH that they are NOT taking His command seriously, to submit to His Spirit to write His laws on their hearts, to serve them with their minds (Prov 7:1-3; Rpm 7:22,25; Heb 8:8-12; 10:16).

This failure is ultimate proof that they are neither being led by the Spirit (Rom 8:4,14) nor obeying His Son (Heb 5:9), through Whom the Spirit of Holiness originally blessed and set apart the Genesis Frid sunset to Sat sunset Shabbat, as the EVERLASTING covenantal sign between redeemed man and the Creator-Redeemer God of the Hebrews, as well as to Principalities and Powers (Ex 31:13,16; Eph 3:1-10), that they are adopted, by grace, in the eternal House of Jacob which our Master Y’shua will rule forever (Is 14:1; 45:4; 54:3; 55:5; Lk 1:33; Acts 5:32; Rom 7:22,25 – 8:14; 11:17-29).

The grace we partake of with Paul for the “defence and confirmation” of the Gospel and therefore, for the defence and confirmation of the sanctified and blessed Holy Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment (Ex 20:8-11; Is 56:6; 58:13,14; 66:22-24), the first and holiest commandment prepared for and given to man (Gen 2:2,3; Mk 2:27,28; Heb 4:1-6,9-11), is FUNDAMENTAL to our high vocation of holiness, which is to be “valiant for the truth” (Jer 9:3), to testify to and walk in “all truth,” to keep and defend “the one faith,” by the truth being our witness – “to have a good testimony from ALL [who’ve ever walked righteously, as the narrow path demands] AND indeed, from THE TRUTH ITSELF,” that we are “manifestly a letter from the Messiah” (neither adding nor subtracting anything from “the Way”) and therefore a seal of Paul’s apostleship (certifying by our example that he both lived and taught all the truth) (Acts 20:25-32; Phil 1:6,7; 1 Cor 9:1-3; 2 Cor 3:2,3; Eph 4:1-4; 2 Tim 4:3-8; 3 Jn 1:3,4,12; Jude vs 3; Rev 14:6,7,12; 22:14,15,18,19).

We can safely assume that the Acts 15:19-24 table fellowship Regulations/ “Judgments” (“mishpatim in Hebrew which the KJV describes as “decrees”) AND the “Ketubah” (Marriage Covenant) of Ten indivisible Words (Ex 34:27,28,32) and the Seven Holy Convocations (which are extensions of the weekly Shabbat), are JOINTLY foundational doctrine originally kept by all converts (Jude vs 3), as historical records prove conclusively.

The Spirit has QUEUED our heavenly Father’s instructions, for us to encounter and learn to apply them “line by line, precept by precept, here a little there a little,” to mature in obedience to live a sanctified life, wholly in the light, in the full stature of the spotless Lamb of God (Is 28:9-13; Eph 4:12-14,23,24; 1 Thess 5:23; 1 Jn 1-3).

Acts 15:20 is at the FOOT of the ladder of sanctification by being at the HEAD of that queue (priority-wise), along with the Ten Words which include Shabbat, the principal and holiest time-related precept.

Acts 15:20 is not a ‘new,’ liberating mini-Torah as many believers suppose, but a specimen summary of behaviours that are an ABOMINATION to the LORD. Verse 20 barely scratches the surface of what full consecration to the will of YHVH entails (Matt 6:10; 12:50; 28:20; Col 4:12b).

For anyone seriously enquiring after truth, in less than a couple of minutes, a comparison of Acts 15:20 with 1 Cor 5:7-12; 6:9-20 & Eph 5:2-18 will reveal that the contents of Acts 15:20 can’t possibly be the final word on obedience.

If we insist on holding that view, we’ll subvert our souls by deceiving ourselves (“oppose ourselves” as in 2 Tim 2:19-26), and will find it impossible to meet the test of doing “NOTHING AGAINST the truth” (2 Cor 13:5,8).

To put it bluntly, it’s the false gospel of “THE WILL OF THE GENTILES” (dictates of the flesh; rulings of the nations; commandments and doctrines of men; human tradition) (Col 2:8,20,22) which insists that grace now OVERRIDES duties and obligations of sonship, instead of providing the holy power to FACILITATE our full obedience.

Acts 15:20 becomes a fetish (an object of irrational reverence) and a rather dumb rule of thumb to apostates (wilfully ignorant defectors to a different gospel) who haven’t the common sense, let alone the wisdom, to consult the rest of the Bible to grasp how challenging its call is to absolute purity through the obedience of sacrificial living as proof of love (1 Jn 5:2&3), beginning with the principles taught in the Sermon on the Mount.

There are no shortcuts to purification of a bride, and purification, essential to our perfection (Col 1:28,29), is impossible without delighting in the Father’s Instruction (Matt 5:48; 12:50).

That means that recusants (those who obstinately refuse to be conformed to sound doctrine, to be conformed to the image of the Messiah), will hope in vain for a good expected end (Prov 24:13,14).

It’s obvious no Jewish Apostle or protege of Jesus’ Apostles would have press-ganged newly believing Gentiles into a PAGAN mold.

There was no semblance of a Sun day ‘sabbath’ ’till the official apostasy in 321AD and 325AD, which arrogantly overruled the weekly Biblical Sabbath and the Passover Feast of Unleavened Bread (Matt 12:8; Lk 22:1,16-18; 1 Cor 5:7,8).

Early believers, under more or less direct instruction by the Apostles, would all have known that “the seventh day” is the one and only Shabbat; and the three Pilgrim Feasts, the infrastructure for our complete sanctification (Ex 23:10-17; Deut 16; 1 Thess 5:23), for all generations who would join themselves to Israel by faith, to cleave to THEIR God, the one and only God (Ex 23:17; Deut 4:39,40; Is 14:1; 56:6-8; Zech 12:1; Jn 10:16).

It boggles the mind how anyone could keep a straight face trumpeting Acts 15:20, while denouncing ANY of the Ten Words, which were given “in commandmenT” (as “the commandment to keep the commandmentS” – Ex 34:32; Deut 30:10,11; 2 Jn vs 5&6) as the overall benchmark for holy living.

Take a look at Deuteronomy 4:13&14 for confirmation:

Those 4 Acts 15:20 “Judgments” (wise determinations on how to live Godly lives in community, especially in the intimacy of table fellowship), FOLLOW-ON (vs 14) from observance of the pillar-like, immutable Ten Words (vs 13), now to be transferred by the Spirit of Truth from stone Tablets and written on the fleshy tablets of our hearts, to be found in the Holy of Holies of the tabernacle of our flesh, now the Temple of the Spirit, or our standing as disciples of truth and righteousness is questionable (2 Cor 3:3; Heb 10:16).

Anyone who imagines that these four ‘collateral’ (concurrent/concomitant but subordinate) Levitical PURITY requirements (which would have been in “the SIDE of the Ark” alongside the Tablets – Deut 31:24-26; Acts 15:20), TRANSCEND and SUPERCEDE the Ten Pronouncements which we call commandments, which are the cornerstone of righteous civilization, in the LORD, has taken leave of his or her senses.

Colloquial English words have been substituted for peculiar Hebrew terms in many passages in most translations, but the purpose and effect is the same. The Instruction (Torah) of our God (Rom 2:13; 3:31; 8:4,6,7; James 1:22-25; 2:12) is our heritage of Instruction too (Deut 33:4; Rom 3:20; 7:7,12-16,22,25; 1 Tim 1:8-11), to learn to reverentially fear God and delight in His ways (Deut 5:29; Ps 1; 19:7-13; 40:7,8; 119; Rom 7:22), to help us understand what our Father regards as the immoveable BOUNDARIES of acceptable behaviour, for US to be “offerings acceptable in word and deed” (Deut 33:4; Rom 3:31; 12:1,2; 15:16-18).

Whether Paul travelled with Timothy (Acts 16:1-5), or Timothy and others travelled without Paul, it’s easy to prove that many Scriptures such as Rom 3:31; 12:1-21 &13:1-14 & 14:1-23; 1 Cor 4:17; 7:19; 8:4; 11:1,2; 2 Cor 2:9; Phil 2:12,13; Col 3; 4:12 describe far more than a set of instructions fewer than the fingers of one hand.

So yes, “decrees” in Acts 16:4,5, while specifically identifying Acts 15:20 as their primary context, also encompass all other “sayings” which have Divine legal weight as the Father’s Instruction, under classifications such as commandments (Matt 12:50; Jn 8:51,52; 14:15; 1 Cor 7:19; 1 Jn 2:3-6; 5:2&3; 2 Jn vs 5&6), ordinances (1 Cor 11:1,2) and “traditions” (2 Thess 2:15 – specifically Shabbat, Passover, Shavuo’t/Pentecost and the Fall Feasts).

1 Cor 7:19; 11:1,2 also cross-reference TRADITIONS (which are YHVH’s Personal “Testimonies” in Ps 119:111; 2 Thess 2:15) which are either commandments or ordinances – decreed as institutions of the faith, in perpetuity (e.g. Ex 12:14,17,23).

Shabbat is both a commanded everlasting covenant in its own right (Ex 31:13,16; Is 56:6; Matt 12:8) and an intensely holy tradition, and both Shabbat & Passover which are thematically related (Deut 5:15), are encompassed by the term “ordinance” in Is 24:5 (Rome having changed both, to subversively and illegitimately swap Sun day and Easter for Shabbat and Passover).

Shabbat is our STATUTORY PROTECTION, as the great covenantal sign of our separation from the world and sanctification “in Jacob,” in Christ as ruler forever of the House of Jacob on David’s Throne (Gen 28:14; Is 9:6,7; Mk 11:10; Lk 1:32,33; Rev 21:12).

As the sages say, God keeps those who ‘Shema’ (Hear & heed) the two-fold command to “remember” AND to “observe” (keep, guard, treasure) Shabbat’s unique sanctity, to keep it INTACT (Is 58:13,14).

The Feast High Sabbaths are NO LESS HOLY than the weekly Shabbat because their ‘gravitas’ hinges on the sanctity of Shabbat as the UNDERLYING testimony of the IDENTITY of the God of the Hebrews as Creator-Redeemer (Ex 20:8-11; Deut 5:12-15); and their STATURE is significantly MAGNIFIED by the knowledge of the glory of the accomplishments of YHVH describes to us for advanced instruction in the covenant, in the additional testimonies that each Feast and its unique Sabbaths (two for Passover; one for Shavuo’t/Pentecost; four for the Fall Feast season) represents.

The weekly and Feast Sabbaths JOINTLY proclaim the reasons why the God of Israel is the one and only true, wise, living God (Deut 4:39; Is 44:24) Who alone warrants mankind’s repentance, total trust, loyalty, reverence and the highest praises (Acts 20:21; Zech 14:9).

The only reason given by the sages for the weekly Sabbath having greater weight is, they say, due to there being 52 of them, which is an artful deduction!

That rationale can be effortlessly flipped by inferring from the uniqueness of each once-off High Sabbath, that each of them is greater than any one weekly Sabbath.

But these are moot points.

The truth is that one cannot make an argument that would justify considering the seven special annual Sabbaths any LESS holy and less BINDING upon us, than the weekly Shabbat.

This is truly treasure hidden for us in Christ Col 2:2,3

It’s given to “comfort” and “knit us together in love” in Him as the Hebrew “one new man,” Jacob-Yeshurun, corporately keeping the original, perpetual Appointments, as His true witnesses (Deut 33:5,26; Is 44:1-8; 56:6; Lk 1:33; Matt 12:8).

The sages teach that it can be derived from Scripture (e.g. Gen 26:5) that all three fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob kept Shabbat (Melchizedek ministered bread and wine and blessed Abraham, God’s friend, when he returned from war to REST).

Noah’s priestly firstborn son Shem, extremely long-lived, was alive and quite likely ministered Torah to Abram, the next elect ‘saviour’ of the world (hence Gen 26:5), who like Noah (the “preacher of righeousness” through whom civilization was rebooted as it will be again after the Final Judgment, through Y’shua as the Seed of Abraham – Gal 3:16) and later, Moses, was a type of Messiah our Deliverer and living proof of the holiness of Torah instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:14-17).

After all, who can argue that Abram did not take Gen 17:1 seriously, to BE Abraham, father (of the PERFECTED faith) of many nations? (James 1:22-25; 2:12,4-26)

That’s evidently how Abraham Isaac and Jacob prepared themselves, through many trials, to be in the bride (Matt 8:11,12), or there’d be no “Abraham’s bosom” to which to go after death.

To be exact, one really should add this:

James 2:21-23, which refers to Gen 15:4-6 & 22:1-18, refers specifically to “obeyed My VOICE” in Gen 26:5, but note, the rest of the categories of faith for faithfulness in Gen 26:5 (namely, “charge, commandments, statutes and laws”) apply equally to James 1:22-25 & 2:12

CONCLUSION:

Acts 16:4,5 “established the churches in the faith” because while appearing to be a limited reference to Acts 15:20, we should infer from the full counsel that it actually describes the comprehensive ongoing Apostolic training in righteousness in “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:25-32) that was taking place from region to region, since the PREPARATORY, “necessary” RULINGS for new converts in Acts 15:20 (to help set the standard for holiness) are mere spiritual milk.

Its four requirements, important as they are, are amongst the ELEMENTARY precepts included in Is 28:9-13’s reference to “the Way,” spiritual MILK from which we are to be weaned, to progress to maturity in the doctrine that distinguishes the faith into which we’ve adopted, from all other systems of belief (Lk 20:21; Eph 4:12-14,23,24).

Heb 5:11-14; 6:1-12 urge us to advance beyond elementary principles by heeding Is 28:9-13, to learn our entire covenant (Heb 13:20,21), to be sure to be fully pleasing to our King, and besides, have the joy of experiencing the “glorious liberty” and “rest and refreshing” which walking lawfully after the Spirit, to be “dead with Y’shua” to sin (Rom 7:25-8:23; 2 Tim 2:5,11), promises to the faithful who keep themselves “undefiled in the Way,” to remain in Y’shua’s love, abiding in the Vine, honoured to have HIM call us His “friends” (Ps 119:1,45; Jn 14:15,21-24; 15:3-15; 1 Cor 3:17; 2 Cor 7:1,2; 2 Tim 2:20,21; 1 Jn 3:3)

Torah Portion: Deut 31:1-30 | Prophetic parallels: Joel 2:15-27; Hosea 14:1-9; Micah 7:18-20; Rev 15 | Topic: the call to the absolute purity of chaste virgins, by the Song of Moses AND the Song of the Lamb, noting how YHVH’s WRATH is sharply contrasted in Deut 31:16,17,29 versus 19-21 & in Rev 15:2-4 versus 15:5-8, with the MERCIFUL appeal implicit in these two Songs, to heed the reasonable requirements of “the everlasting covenant,” to avoid harm and even destruction (Rom 12:1,2; Heb 13:20,21)

Yet again, we find that the Hebrew Scriptures have no less in common with the New Testament Books, than the reverse, leaving anyone who harbours a bias against either, as instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:14-17), with no place to hide.

By repeating “…He will not FAIL thee nor FORSAKE thee” (Deut 31:6,8), counterbalanced by repetition of, “LEARN to FEAR the LORD” (Deut 5:29; 6:23-25; 31:12,13) to “observe to do” (be DOERS of) “the Way which I’ve commanded you” (Deut 31:12,29; Lk 20:21; Rom 2:6-13; 7:22,25; James 1:22-25; 2:12), we’re reminded that while the Father of Israel’s LOVE is unconditional, His obligation to keep covenant (i.e. not breach His promise) with us INDIVIDUALLY, is inevitably voided at some point by provocations, by our failure to reciprocate in good faith, in appreciation for the holiness of the everlasting covenant (Nu 14:34; Deut 7:9-12; Heb 2:1-3; 10:26-39; 13:20,21).

We’ll read more about YHVH’s responses to contempt for His laws (Rom 8:6,7), in Deut 32.

Ananias and Saffira (Acts 5:1-10) are an object lesson (intentionally placed close to the account of Pentecost) to give warning to us against complacency, by showing the SEVERITY of what is in store for imprudent, rebellious spirits who in one way or another scorn YHVH’s Appointment with His nation at Sinai on the first Shavuo’t, by repudiating the marriage covenant and the moral law for which it stands, by their own breach of righteousness (Matt 7:21-27; Rom 11:20-22; 1 Peter 4:17).

So Deuteronomy 31 is yet another proof that the Glad Tidings proclaimed to Israel as well as to us (Heb 4:2), is a constant reminder that the PROMISED FREEDOM (the freedom that lies BEYOND the ACT of our translation into the Kingdom of God’s Son through justification by faith) is inextricable from RESPONSIBILITY to submit to loving correction for our ongoing sanctification by refinement of our souls by obedience to righteousness, to be AS our Master Whose Image, the express image of Deity, is the acme of the perfection of holiness (Matt 5:48; Lk 6:40; Jn 8:31,32,34-36; 15:3-14; Rom 8:4,29; 2 Cor 7:1; Col 1:13,28,29; Heb 12).

Given that the true worship is patterned on what occurs in HEAVEN (both in terms of furnishings, and of the content of jurisprudence – Matt 6:9,10), there’s no reason to believe that there’s not an ORIGINAL in Heaven’s Sanctuary (Rev 11:19; 15:5), of the “statutes and judgments” which were “put in the SIDE of the Ark of the Covenant (Deut 31:9,24-26) and which include the preparatory Acts 15:20 Levitical table fellowship regulations as part of the collateral body of Divine law (i.e. in the sense of ‘additional but SUBORDINATE’; ‘connected, but ASIDE FROM the MAIN subject’ – Deut 4:13,14; 7:9-12; 29:9,12-15)

The Fundamental indivisible Ten Commandments (Ex 25:22; 34:27,28,32), the ‘main subject’ of righteousness in word and deed on the Way of Holiness, from which the collateral (subordinate) “paths of righteousness” which comprise “the Way of the LORD,” derive; AND the Song of Moses (Deut 31:21,22; Rev 15), TOGETHER witness against covenant- breakers

If we examine both contexts objectively, we’ll find that the Song of the LAMB is no LESS of a witness against those who mistake “the Way of YHVH” as mere SUGGESTION (Lk 20:21; Acts 24:14), than the Song of Moses (Deut 31:15-30; 32:15-35; Rev 14:6,7,12; 15:1-7).

The Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb which sing the praises of the Holiness of YHVH’s Instructions for GODFEARING CONSECRATION, were written as anthems to inspire loyalty to YHVH and His “everlasting covenant,” by encouraging the household of faith to rise to the standard of righteousness now set corporately by Messiah’s deeper and fuller teachings, for Israel (and their church) to become the triumphant, unimpeachable “Yeshurun” (idealization of uprightness) “in whom YHVH-Immanu El-Y’shua will be King” (Deut 33:5; Lk 1:32,33) through the everlasting Reign of the Begotten Son, on the restored Throne of David (Deut 32:15; 33:26; Is 9:6,7; 44:1-8; Jer 31:7,31-36).

Dying in the LORD with “victory over the BEAST, and over his IMAGE, and over his MARK and over the NUMBER of his NAME” (Rev 15:2,3), is not possible except by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony of YHVH’s faithfulness to keep those who “keep the Word of His patience” (as defined by Rev 3:10; 14:6,7,12), in His love.

As Hosea 14:8 prophesies, “From (and now in) Me is thy fruit (of obedience to the commandments) found” (a cross-reference to abiding in the Vine by sanctification by the commandments, to “remain forever” inscribed for Life – Jn 15:3-15; 1 Jn 2:3-6,17,28,29).

Moses and Y’shua are jointly concerned to usher in everlasting righteousness (Deut 18:18,19).

The Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb are the theme songs of the “they” of Rev 15:3&4, who cleave to YHVH in the strong faith always found by devotion to exercising FEAR of YHVH (Ps 119:38 – hence its great emphasis throughout Scripture), thereby offering HIM the strength of an uncompromisingly righteous witness as our ultimate tribute to HIS Love for US, since obedience is the currency of Divine Love (1 Jn 5:2&3; 2 Jn vs 5&6), the performance of truth held out as a great blessing to be desired, in its own right (1 Jn 5:3; Rev 3:10; 14:6,7,12,13)

The Haftarah (corresponding, ‘parting,’ follow-up) selections from the Prophets (Hosea 14:1,4-9; Micah 7:18-20; Joel 2:15-27; Rev 15:1-8) support the conclusion that both Songs share the themes of return and restoration (to the purity of holiness possible only through return to sound doctrine as in Rev 15:3&4 – “just and true are THY WAYS…who shall not Fear Thee”) through removal of the reproach of sin through the necessity for our chastisement, even scourging (Heb 12:6-8), for our refinement to take place by the Presence and power of the Spirit to ensure sanctification of a remnant of proven and therefore “legitimate” sons to be fit to be heirs of YHVH, as “partakers of HIS own Holiness” (Acts 10:35; Rom 8:4,17; Heb 12; 1 Peter 1:2,13-18).

We would be frighteningly remiss if we were to neglect to heed the mounting weight of loving warnings to keep ourselves in YHVH’s love, which DOMINATE THE CLOSING PORTIONS of both the Torah and the Book of Revelation which speaks for the ENTIRE Bible, as the confluence of all narrative and doctrinal threads.

HalleluYaH for not leaving us without a SURE, albeit NARROW path, to the victory of Rev 15:2 which will result in the FULFILMENT of the election of the House of Jacob/dynasty of David in Ex 19:5-8, in the restoration of the monarchy to Jerusalem in Is 9:6,7; Mk 11:10; 1 Peter 2:9,10 & Rev 1:5&6; 11:15 when Israel and its co-heirs in its commonwealth will rise to rule as “Yeshurun”-chief-of-nations, with the nations as THEIR INHERITANCE (Deut 33:26-29; Is 14:1; 54:3; Zech 2:10-12; Rom 4:13; Lk 1:33; Eph 2:11-19)

There’s quite obviously a PROFOUND relationship between Deut 29:9,12-15, and the exalted, princely heraldic title “Yeshurun” in Deut 33:26 (attributed to overcoming, Godfearing, princely Jacob), which we should examine more closely (Gen 32:26-30; Is 44:2,3), especially since the fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have such a great vested interest in OUR upholding the terms of the everlasting covenant which they knew even then as “the Way of YHVH,” which Y’shua, as Seed of Abraham, was sent to teach us, to fulfil His Father’s instruction to ABRAHAM to command his household (the church) AFTER HIM to keep “the Way” (of justice and righteousness) which his Seed would later Personify by demonstrating it to perfection for us to likewise or be called liars for claiming to know Him (Gen 18:18,19; 26:5; Is 29:22-24; Matt 8:11,12; Lk 6:40; 20:21; Acts 24:14; Gal 3:16,29; Heb 13:20,21; 1 Jn 2:3-6).

We could restate the Topic as:
“Entering into” “the everlasting covenant,” to qualify to enter into the LORD’s oath to be ACKNOWLEDGED and ESTABLISHED as legitimate sons, as “YESHURUN” (the ideal, glorious church, by attainment of the image of YHVH) through the perfection of Holiness of one and the same (Hebrew) body, the righteous remnant of the Abrahamic dynasty of JACOB, heirs of the world (Deut 29:12-15; Is 44:1-8; Lk 1:33; Rom 4:13,16; Eph 2:11,12,15,19; 3:6; 4:4; 5:26,27; Heb 12:5-11,23,28; 13:20,21)

So we are all to “ENTER INTO the covenant” (Deut 29:12-15) to be sanctified by the commandmenT to keep the commandmentS (Deut 30:10,11; 2 Jn vs 5&6) to be a “noble vine” (“Yeshurun”), vessels of honour fit to “enter into the oath” to be established as LEGITIMATE sons (Deut 28:9,10; Heb 12:8), to reign in glory, with dominion of the NEW EARTH in union with the LAST ADAM – the obedient “special treasure” of whom Y’shua will not be ashamed to call them brothers, or His Father, to be called their God, because just as “not all are Israel, who are OF Israel” (Rom 9:6), neither will all who profess to be the church (which is the remnant House of Jacob), meet the criterion of holiness, for the redemption of their bodies in the First Resurrection of the FAITHFUL (Ex 19:5-8; Mal 3:16-18; Rom 8:4-7,17,23; Heb 2:10,11; 5:9; 11:16; 1 Jn 2:3-6,28,29).

In the prophecy of Torah, the closing chapters of Deuteronomy (which we’re considering altogether, in this commentary) contribute towards framing the end of the age to give the clearest possible warnings that NEGLECT to keep covenant will mean the end (literally termination) for “many,” for not heeding the Messiah as Moses warned (Deut 18:18,19; Acts 3:22,23) and as the LORD reiterates in Matt 7:13-27; Jn 5:24; 8:51-52 and elsewhere.

The poetic epithet, “Yeshurun,” the supreme label for YHVH’s Royal vision for Zion, His nation (awaiting the return of David’s Monarchy to Jerusalem – Gen 49:10; Is 9:6,7; Lk 1:32), as His soon-to-be superlative conduit of the wisdom of His commandments, statutes and judgments (Deut 4:5-8; Is 2:2-4 Micah 4:1-8), is what we could call the prophetic rear-projection of the redemptive plan for the consummation of salvation, by RECONCILIATION and UNIFICATION of “all things which are in Heaven and on Earth,” in the Messiah Y’shua as Head of “ALL things, for the church (of Jacob)” (Lk 1:33; Eph 1:9-12,22,23 & Col 1:20), to warrant the aspirational, royal ceremonial title “Yeshurun” being applied to the sanctified, overcoming body of believers through whom YHVH will INFLICT POETIC JUSTICE ON THE LAST ENEMY, DEATH, through the Messiah-King of Israel reigning over them and us in God’s household, the House of Jacob, on the Throne of David (Mk 11:10; Lk 1:32,33; 1 Cor 15:24,25).

“Yeshurun” is the NOBLE, exalted, even ecstatic spiritual condition into which Israel and their commonwealth will be catapulted “in one day,” to receive the inheritance of all things as heirs of YHVH who are “all righteous” (Is 60-62; 66:8-14; Jer 31:7; Rom 8:16,17; 11:25-29).

Israel (= “triumphant” from the root, “mastery”) and Yeshurun (= “upright,” dedicated to justice) are both descriptive of Jacob’s emerging STATURE as the firstborn (Gen 25:23; 32:28).

“Yeshurun” would have applied to Israel when they were FIRST PLANTED in Canaan as “a NOBLE vine” (Ps 80:8-11; Jer 2:21) having just crossed Jordan on dry ground and renewed their unanimous Sinai vow of obedience (Ex 19:5,6; 24:7,8) by choosing blessing while passing between the Mnts Ebal and Gerizim (Deut 11 & 27).

The concept of being a noble vine, fully consecrated, doing all YHVH’s will – points to their refinement to perfection under their New Covenant, which in God’s mercy, is the ultimate remedy for backsliding (Jer 2:21; Heb 8:8-11).

“The flesh (to which Israel is peculiarly and perversely prone) weakens the law” (Rom 8:3,4), which is why they need the Gift of the Ruach for YaH to work in them, both to be WILLING to be willing, and to DO Torah (Matt 5:18,19; Rom 8:4-14; Phil 2:12-15; 3:10-17; 2 Thess 3:4,5).

Deut 33:26-29 is Messianic prophecy pointing to Israel’s exaltation in latter house glory (Is 46:13; Haggai 2:7,9; Lk 2:32; Rom 11:25-29)

“Yeshurun” would have been LEAST APPLICABLE when, through its persistent provocations, Israel was “an empty vine” when “judgment sprang up as hemlock in the furrows of a field” (Hosea 10:1-4) and when “their vine was of the vine of Sodom, their grapes, grapes of gall and their clusters bitter” (Deut 32:15-32), when “they were not estranged from their lust” but “were not steadfast in His covenant” (e.g. Nu 25:1-9; Ps 78).

They would not deserve that honourable title again until their intense refinement like silver fired seven times in a clay oven, both before and under the New Covenant as a RE-purchased possession, purchased in HIS Blood as “Messiah their Passover” (Ex 15:16; Zech 9-13; 1 Cor 5:7,8; 1 Peter 1:17-23), produces a remnant WORTHY of being sealed for final redemption by the down- payment of the Holy Spirit of promise (Eph 1:13,14), to which Deut 33:26 and Is 44:2,3 and Ezek 36:24-37 refer.

In his homilies at the State Funeral of EIIR, Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Selby, resoundingly quashed the idea of once-saved- always-saved, by repeatedly emphasizing, in different ways, that it is those who both believe in and who “live (FOR Christ) unto righteousness” (faithful to His precepts) to “be YE holy (as proof of “returning to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls”) because I am Holy” (Rom 6:10,11,22; 1 Peter 1:2,13-19,22; 2:24,5), to whom the hope of final redemption by the better, first resurrection (Jn 5:28,29; Rev 20:6 – the Resurrection for which Elizabeth II sleeps in Christ as the crown of Life for a life of service in His Name), applies.

This is so because persecution for upholding truth and righteousness is a barometer of loyalty to the Throne whose foundation in Christ is forever justice and righteousness (2 Tim 3:12).

The King of kings must rule as LORD OF and OVER ALL “to the ends of the Earth,” as “King in Jacob/Yeshurun,” His elect witness nation, just as He did previously in the church of the dynasty of Abraham in the wilderness which through the Hebrew New Covenant has become His body through “the mystery of Godliness” (Deut 33:4,5; Ps 59:5,13; Is 41:21-27; 44:1-8; Lk 1:32,33; 1 Tim 3:16).

“Yeshurun” would have been a powerful motif to use, to further impress on world leaders that the One and only God does not slacken His standard of conduct, to accommodate the idolatries mankind embraces at a whim.

“Yeshurun” has music in it. Even the shhh “sound of many waters.” And not just a hint of the IDENTITY of the Messiah into Whose outstretched arms Israel is to RUN, to receive the Gift of the Presence and power of His Spirit, to “RUN the way of His commandments” (remembering His scathing rebuke: “NONE of you keep the law”) in order to be the generation whose PLEA for His RETURN in the Glory of the Father and His angels, will be HEARD (Prov 28:9; Matt 23:23b,39), by their refinement as gold and silver making them the purest expression of the holy phenomenon of Transfigurement of human nature (by possession of the soul) into the Image of the Most High (Ps 40:7,8; 119:32; Matt 5:17-20,48; 6:9,10; Lk 6:40; Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 3:15-18; Heb 8:8-12; 10:16; 1 Jn 3:3-7)

POETIC metaphorical language has a special place in YHVH’s heart.

Especially in describing Israel, His chief righteous cause (Ps 74:22), His “vine” which He “planted” between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates (“the sea and the river”) and which He HAS VISITED (Ps 80:7,8,11,14-19; Lk 1:78,79) and which He also endearingly calls His “turtledove” (Ps 74:19-22), and “Yeshurun” (Deut 32:15; 33:5,26; Is 44:1-8) when they rise CORPORATELY to “the excellency of DIGNITY” and “excellency of POWER” of the consecrated firstborn male (e.g. Gen 49:3), intended for the display of YHVH’s glory, by His nation PROPERLY sanctifying His Name (Deut 7:9-12; Is 46:13; Lk 2:32), as the FAITHFUL “residue” (reserved remnant) of “Israel My son, even My firstborn” (as the millennial “one new man,” or ‘unique Hebrew successor-civilization’ to the world we know) (Eph 2:11,12,15,19; 3:6).

It is through the last days’ Messianic overcoming “Yeshurun” that YHVH will “swallow up death in victory” (Is 25:7-9).

Namely, through the PROVEN Messianic church of “the Fountain of Jacob” (in which we also hope to be confirmed as bona fide sons – Gen 28:14; Ps 68:26; Lk 1:33; 1 Cor 1:8; Heb 12:1-11), that will have overcome the death of sin by living for Christ, just as “obedient to righteousness” as HE was, by the Spirit (Lk 6:40; Rom 6:1-22; 7:25-8:14,23; 2 Cor 5:15; 1 Tim 6:11-14) to be offerings to God worthy to be ACCEPTABLE for the general “Resurrection of Life” (Lk 20:35; Jn 5:28,29; Rom 2:6-13; 15:16-18; 2 Cor 5:9-11),

So rather than treat the remaining Portions of Deuteronomy separately, let’s consider the tight relationship between 1) the call to conscientious covenant-keeping by ALL generations of believers, in Deut 29:9,12-15 (i.e. the necessity to “enter into” the covenant in order to “enter into” the oath), and 2) the POETIC DESCRIPTION of the perfected, “true Israel of God” (those “jewels” of holiness who do not mock God by DISPUTING His PRECEPTS – Ex 19:5-8/1 Peter 2:9,10/Rev 1:5; 14:6,7,12; Is 64:5; Mal 3:16-18; Rom 2:6-13; 3:31; Col 1:28,29; Gal 6:16), as triumphal Yeshurun.

The “Yeshurun” epithet, used for SOLEMN REPROOF in Deut 32:15 (when Israel yet again went “out of the Way,” the “unprofitable” reprobate condition described in Rom 3:12), and as an ACCOLADE for the more glorious latter House of Jacob in Deut 33:26 (the glorious church in Is 46:13; Haggai 2:7,9; Eph 2:11,12,19; 5:26,27), is one of the strongest proofs of the continuity of YHVH’s Instruction (Mal 4; Rom 3:31), AND of the Hebrew identity of the church which originated as Abraham’s household LEARNING THE WAY as heirs of the righteousness which is of faith (Gen 18:18,19), as WE do today, as the Fountain of Jacob/Israel (Deut 33:28; Ps 68:26; Gal 3:29) – the remnant Messianic eternal House of Jacob the firstborn nation amongst which we are grafted in as their inheritance in Messiah (Ex 4:22,23; 19:5-8; Is 14:1; 49:5-8; 54:3; 55:1-5; Lk 1:33; Acts 24:14; Rom 11; Heb 12:23).

“Yeshurun” is Israel finally raised to high estate by submitting to learn the Way of YHVH taught by YHVH in the Person of Y’shua the Messiah (2 Chr 6:18,27; Lk 20:21).

God has indeed “dwelt with men on the Earth” (2 Chr 6:18,27), as LORD-Immanu El-Messiah, to “teach us the good Way (of holiness), wherein we should walk” (Is 35:8; Lk 1:78; 20:21; Acts 24:14), for He must justify the RIGHTEOUS according to the degree to which they’ll have practised righteousness in word and deed (1 Kings 8:23,32; Jn 5:24,28,29; Rom 2:6-13; 15:16-18; 2 Cor 5:9-11; 1 Jn 3:3-10)

We ought to be embarrassed by the number of times, especially in the closing chapters of His Torah (Deut 26-33), with corresponding warnings throughout Revelation, that our Covenant-keeping Father has had to remind us to do the same, to remain “in Y’shua” to remain “with (the Father)” – “YHVH be WITH YOU, while ye be WITH HIM (Deut 7:9-15; 29:8,12-15; 2 Chr 15:2; Is 56:6; 1 Cor 7:19; 11:1,2; 1 Jn 2:3-6,17; 5:2&3; 2 Jn vs 5&6; Rev 1-3,12,18-22).

2 Jn vs 5&6,9-11 makes that point startlingly clear.

The constant refrain is “return and obey” in various forms (e.g. Deut 30:2,8,20; Hosea 6:1-3), NOT ‘forsake the covenant with impunity’ as some have dared to believe, to their destruction (Deut 29:25-28; 30:18).

Returning through diligent obedience was regarded as important enough, for a Song to have been composed to serve as a witness against renegades (Deut 31:21); and for the entire covenant to be read in the hearing of all Israel on each Shmittah (Year of Release) Sukkot (Feast of Booths) as revision and induction of up and coming generations into Torah as the nation steps into a new seven year cycle of submission (Deut 31:10-13), immediately post-Yom-Kippur-Fast-of-repentance, to keep a short account with YHVH.

The entire Bible is the Source of HOW to prove to YHVH that we actually believe “that if One died for ALL, then were ALL dead,” by our choosing to “live henceforth (as “dead to sin,” by living) NOT UNTO OURSELVES, but unto Him Who died for us and rose again” (Rom 6; 2 Cor 5:14,15; 1 Jn 3;3-10).

This is the meaning of “enter into covenant with the LORD our God” (Deut 29:12-15).

The chief purpose of the Holy Spirit as Teacher/Counsellor, and as the Power of YaH to accomplish (Phil 2:12-15), is for us to make good on that holy obligation to learn to fear God by learning to do all His will, to FIND His promised “rest and refreshing” for ourselves, by “walking at liberty” in His precepts, as within a fence of roses (Deut 31:11,12; Ps 119:1,45; Is 28:9-13; Rom 2:6-13), to have “full assurance of hope” (of inclusion in a Godfearing, spotless bride), “to the end” (Heb 5:11-14; 6:1-12; Rev 3:1-6,10-12,16; 2:5,26; 12:17; 14:6,7,12)

As Archbishop Selby said, living for Christ in that way, provides both abundant life NOW, and the Hope that we’ll rise to glory – by producing the abundant, “peaceable fruit of righteousness “meet for repentance” (Acts 26:18,20; Heb 12) which PROVES we are indeed sanctified by the Blood and wholly acceptable.

Hence the concept of justification by WORKS of RIGHTEOUSNESS, by sanctification by the COMMANDMENTS (Acts 10:35; Eph 2:10; 1 Thess 4:1-3a; 5:23; James 1:22-25; 2:12-26).

Snapshots of the modus operandi of THAT admirable degree of consecration, are inserted strategically THROUGHOUT the Bible to help order our priorities, once w’ere reconciled by faith in the redemption which is in the Master’s Blood (Deut 5:49; 7:6-15; 10:4,12-17; 18:13; Ps 103:17,18; Hosea 12:6; Amos 5:14,15; Eccl 12:13; Zeph 2:3; Rom 2:6-13; 3:20,31; 7:7,12-16,22,25; 8:4-14; 1 Tim 6:11-14; Rev 14:6,7,12; 22:11), leaving no-one with excuse for treating the PASSIVITY of IMPUTED righteousness as the goal of salvation, especially since such great emphasis is placed on sanctification by the commandments throughout the New Testament, culminating in especially intense exhortation and admonition from Rev 14 through 22.

Under Moses, YHVH was honoured “IN Yeshurun” AS KING (Deut 33:4,5) when Israel was TEACHABLE, submitting to the wisdom of their heritage of Torah; so shall He be honoured as the “more glorious latter house of Jacob” (the proper identity of the endtime church) mends ITS ways to keep THE Way (Haggai 2:7,9; Lk 1:33; Rom 3:31), for righteousness in word and deed to be restored (Rom 15:16-18), by “mercy and truth MEETING together and righteousness and peace KISSING each other” (Ps 87:9-13), for only then (when we cease provoking the LORD by insisting on the idolatry of our self-will) will “the ordinances of Heaven and Earth” be harmonized (Jer 33:25; Matt 6:9,10) and the song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb be fulfilled (Deut 31:19-22,28-30; Mal 1:6; Rev 14:1-3,6,7,12; 15:1-4).

That is when the two consonantal couplets which make up the Memorial Name YH VH, will be UNIFIED in practice, because YH stands for the Divine Atttubute of JUSTICE/JUDGMENT and VH, for MERCY.

The BLEND of both Attributes will bring about the desired goal for Creation through the ekklesia of Jacob (Acts 7:38) which is now Messiah’s body, thereby raised to the stature of HIS FULLNESS (Eph 4:13,14,23,24), to be rightly acclaimed as “YESHURUN” – redeemed man (as Jacob was – Matt 8:11,12) purged, cleansed, sanctified and perfected as covenant-keeper (Col 1:22,23,28; 4:12).

“HALLOWING (honouring, exalting, glorifying) His Name” (Matt 6:9,10), and His Name being “put ON us” (Nu 6:27) means His image being imprinted on our souls by His laws written on our hearts (Heb 8:10), for THEM (the doers of His laws) to be His own, for having “approved the things which are more excellent, being taught out of the law,” to do them (Ex 19:5-8; Rom 2:6-26; James 1:22-25).

That’s when the Unification of all things prophesied in Eph 1:9,10, will be fulfilled, because YHVH cannot be God as “all in all” while His creation mutinies and refuses to return to Him IN OBEDIENCE, to be “WHOLLY sanctified, spirit, soul AND body,” to be restored to His Image (Rom 8:29; Col 3:9,10; 1 Cor 15:28).

In short, “Yeshurun” becomes a VALID IDENTITY for a people made trustees of the holiest ‘pandect (codex) of profitable laws in all eternity, against a rebellious spirit’ (Deut 4:5-8; Is 2:2-4), WHEN they who PROFESS the righteousness of the yoke of Heaven BASED on possession of the laws life, ARE NO LONGER HYPOCRITES, but a light to the world by walking lawfully, after the Spirit, as Y’shua and Paul did (Matt 5:19,48; 11:29,30; 12:50; Rom 7:22,25-8:14).

May Israel’s God and Father hasten that day, for us to rejoice with His people (Deut 32:43; Jer 31:7), and for all Creation, for their and its liberation from bondage to suffering by defilement by our collective Torahlessness (Is 24:5; Rom 8:4,6,7,18-22; 1 Jn 3:4).

Such is the overarching lesson of Deuteronomy

HalleluYaH

38 precepts await us in Deut 21:10 – 25:19, some seemingly incongruous in our day, but all nevertheless ordained to help reveal the MIND and SENSIBILITY AND SENTIMENTS of Deity, to help guide us, by the Spirit, on His “Way of life (everlasting),” to bring us to the full stature of the Messiah as trophies of His sanctifying work in those who don’t find it “a strange thing” to be obedient “in EVERYTHING” (Ps 106:3; 139:23,24; Prov 6:3; Hosea 6:1-3; 8:1-12; Matt 28:20; 2 Cor 2:14-17; 3:18; 5:5; Eph 4:13,14).

The Ezra 9 image (above) perfectly illustrates the point that ‘Revival’ is a seed, a MEANS to serious REFORM and Restoration of all doctrine wilfully forsaken over nearly 1900 years

The ATTAINMENT of true sonship (Phil 3:10-17; Heb 12:1,4-11), defined as loyalty to YHVH and to His covenant (Jn 14:15,21; Rom 3:31; 1 Jn 2:3-6,17), is ultimately RECOGNIZED, REWARDED and MANIFESTED by the inclusion in the FIRST resurrection (Rom 8:19,23), of those DULY PREPARED and “walking at liberty” (“obedient in everything,” to be “dead with the Messiah” to indictment by the law, for transgression of truth and righteousness – 2 Cor 2:9; Col 4:12; 2 Tim 2:5,11), UNDEFILED in “the Way of YHVH” (Ps 1;19:7-13; 119:1,45; Rom 7:22,25; Acts 24:14), to be worthy to “walk WITH our Messiah in white,” by being given “fine linen, clean and white,” representing “the crown of righteousness” (2 Tim 4:3-8) awarded for “working righteousness” as proof of Fear of God, that great test of full consecration to the will of God (Deut 5:29; Ps 50:5,23; 86:11; 111:10; 119:38; Prov Matt 6:9,10; Lk 1:50; Acts 10:35; Heb 12:14,28; Rev 3:4; 14:6,7,12).

Eternal life being dependent upon HOLINESS (Rom 6:22; Heb 12:14; Rev 20:6), salvation from eternal death NECESSITATES our willingness coupled with the Spirit-enabled ability to examine, separate, categorize/classify and discern righteous application of knowledge (Rom 3:20,31; 2 Tim 2:15) to know without a shadow of doubt WHAT constitutes ABOMINATION (detestable and abhorrent) in the sight of God, amongst all that is esteemed by man (Lev 5:17; Lk 16:15), or we are not fully revived/raised from our baptism into Messiah’s Death (Rom 6:1-6)…we are not “dead to sin” (“circumcized to the world”) to “walk lawfully in Him” in perfect repentance and perfect faith (faith completed by works), free from defilement caused by accidental or presumptuous breach of covenant, in the “newness of life” now possible through our costly justification and regeneration by the Blood, water and Spirit (Lev 5:17; Deut 25:16; Jn 3:5; 4:14; Rom 8:13; Col 2:6; Titus 3:5; 2 Tim 2:5; Heb 10:16).

Being Instructed “out of the law” equips us to fulfil Rom 2:13,18,26; 12:1,2; 8:4-14 & Phil 1:9-11 – “approving the things that are MORE EXCELLENT,” to answer “the call to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:1-15).

There is no such thing as discipleship by the Spirit APART FROM study of “the Way” (which Abraham learned to perfection and) which is anchored on the rock (feminine singular) of the Torah and the Prophets (Gen 17:1; 18:18,19; 26:5; Matt 5:17-19,48; 7:24,25; 28:20; Acts 24:14)

What is “highly esteemed by men,” versus what appalls YHVH and justifiably deserves the label “abomination” (more frequently mentioned in Scripture than most of us have ever taken to heart), are the POLES between which we are to DISCOVER “the Way of YHVH” which leads to Life (Matt 7:13,14), by constantly using the infallible ‘Berean Test’ based on consulting the wisdom of the Torah and the Prophets, for verification or rebuttal of anything pertaining to our spiritual life (Prov 25:2; Acts 17:11; 18:25,26; 24:14; 2 Cor 13:1,5; 2 Tim 3:14-17).

We are to avail ourselves of “the knowledge of sin” (Rom 3:20; 1 Tim 1:8-11; 2 Tim 3:14-17) in order to throw the Divine will into SHARP RELIEF.

‘Revival,’ always a merciful dab of power from on high, is grace shown (“a LITTLE SPACE,” our probation, once reconciled, to undergo trials of the heart) to learn YHVH’s commandments (Acts 21:20; Rom 3:20,31) to be fully delivered from bondage to error and sin by being sanctified by doing His will (Rom 2:13; 1 Thess 4:1-3a; 2 Thess 2:13-15; James 1:22-25), “to LEAVE us a REMNANT, to ESCAPE…” (Ezra 9:8-10; Lk 17:10; 20:35; 21:36; Rev 3:10; 14:12).

Torah is given to train and fine-tune our CONSCIENCE to esteem ALL precepts (Ps 119:128; Col 4:12), to instantly detect error and sharply differentiate between virtue and abomination.

If conscience is WEAKENED by a restricted, biased spiritual diet (Heb 5:11-14; 6:1-12), and unexercised and further undermined by weak faith (which Y’shua always rebuked), it is easily DEFILED (1 Cor 3:17; 8:6-13).

Biblical ‘Revival’ is not so much an event or series of events marked by worship teams; the receiving of merciful relief ministered as the Spirit wills as the fruit of the nine ministry gifts of the Spirit; and perhaps being slain in the Spirit, but is a SOLEMN RETURN to God in deep repentance for straying from the plumbline of the Torah and the Prophets, as amplified by the Messiah (Deut 18:18,19; Acts 3:22,23; Matt 5:18,19,48; 17:5; Rom 3:31).

The concept of being revived (an act of CONVICTION BY THE SPIRIT, of REPENTANCE and of RETURNING) is perhaps best summed up by the personal transparency shown by the willing introspection and external inspection described in Ps 51:2,11; 139:23,24; 2 Cor 13:5; 2 Peter 1:10,11 & James 1:22-25; 4:4-10.

The broadest definition of revival must surely be, our being made aware of our NEED FOR GOD, and of our nakedness before Him, not just knowing that He EXISTS, but that the reward that LASTS, is reserved for those who “EARNESTLY seek Him,” by which obedience is ALWAYS implied (Deut 7:9-15; 28:1,2,9,10; Ps 53:1; Heb 5:9; 11:6).

We’re commanded to pray for governments so that the Word of God has “full course” and is glorified (2 Thess 3:1-3; 1 Tim 2:1-5), because without rulers PREDISPOSED to doing us GOOD (Rom 13), by governing under JUST laws, men would ‘eat each other alive.’

For that reason, it is clearly of the deepest regret to the Holy One Who is Father of all, that so few of us identify unequivocably with the Torah prophecies about the calling of our holy chief-of-nations-designate (Deut 26:16-19; Jer 31:7,10,17,31-36) as witness-in-chief (Is 43:1-11; 44:1-8) to the wisdom and the beauty of the holiness of our Father’s STATUTE BOOK (Ex 19:4-8; Deut 6:25; 28:9-14; 32:46,47; 33:2,4; Mal 4; Lk 1:33; Matt 5:19; Rom 3:31), especially in Deut 4:5-8 and Is 2:2-4 & Micah 4:1-8.

We’re called to demonstrate the wisdom of YHVH’s laws, to the world.

It is an integral part of OUR call too, to witness as THEIR co-heirs.

Have we overlooked 2 Tim 3:10?

As Paul’s highly commended protegé, evangelist (proclaimer) Timothy was a model Torah disciple (2 Tim 3:10,14-17).

Evangelism and with it, REVIVAL, have been OVERSIMPLIFIED to the point of being stage- managed (in terms of censorship of at least 80% of the everlasting covenant in revival meetings); REPENTANCE has consequently become deeply COMPROMISED; and understanding of ELIGIBILITY for the First Resurrection scandalously SCOFFED AT, all because ‘altar calls’ promising INSTANTANEOUS UNCONDITIONAL full assurance of hope, contrary to Paul’s teaching and practice (Phil 3:10-17; 2 Tim 4:3-8; Heb 6:11), have been SEVERED from Proclamation of the weighty moral law by which true, LONGSTANDING repentance was always designed to be obtained by conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment BY THE SPIRIT, using the benchmarks of Kingdom morality and ethics.

How else can someone QUANTIFY what it means to “fall short of the glory of God” (in order to gauge the scale of repentance PERSONALLY applicable from time to time – 2 Cor 13:5), if not by being taught the PARAMETERS of the HOLINESS of “the WAY,” which the bank of precepts (spiritual treasure) found woven into the complete Biblical narrative, are there to illuminate (Ps 119:96-105; Is 35:8; Rom 3:9-12,20,23,31).

In this busy Portion, we’re further introduced to the “statutes and judgments” derived from the Ten commandments (Deut 4:10,13,14) and which are intended to instill Fear of God so that we take ANY of His commandments seriously enough to obey them and teach them to our children (Matt 5:19), since YHVH has never condoned abridgement of the Way (Ex 20:20; Deut 4:10; 5:29; 12:32; Matt 5:19; 1 Cor 7:19; Col 4:12; 1 Tim 4:16).

He grants forgiveness so that He may be held in AWE, not just loved. If Fear of God doesn’t FOLLOW His kindness that leads to repentance, and DEEPEN by concerted efforts to increase in the knowledge of YHVH and through contemplation of our personal history of His mercy and grace towards us in every season of our lives, it is unlikely that a believer will master “the Way of peace” (Rom 3:17,18; 2 Tim 2:5) to produce sufficient proof of righteousness to reach the purity required as the test of holiness (2 Tim 2:20,21; 1 Peter 1:2-9; 1 Jn 3:3,4,7).

Fear of God is a powerful hedge against a SHALLOW walk.

The precepts commented on below contain principles which have wide application down the generations, for those who want to enjoy the GREATEST benefits of allegiance to the Throne of grace, which COMMANDS their observance (Matt 6:9,10; 12:50)

The Portion begins in Deut 21:10-14, by describing measures in times of conquest (which we can generalize), evidently to mitigate or neutralize the dangers of unequal yoking (since intermarriage with pagans is never approved by YHVH – Ezra 10:1-3).

This prompts our recall of Paul’s various warnings against unequal yoking, including prostitution and not marrying out of the faith, upon the decease of a believing spouse; or folding a marriage when an unbelieving spouse is more than willing to remain with a devout spouse, thereby obtaining the extraordinary benefit of being sanctified by the saved partner.

The proscriptions against unequal yoking include binding oneself to the counterfeit church of Rev 18:4,5, and its doctrines of men.

Deut 21:18-21 is not going beyond what is written in Ex 20:12. It is raising an alarm against the severity of the sin of parental dishonour by the contempt of insolence and insubordination, justifying the death of a dissolute, rebellious, reprobate son, defiant of the dignity and authority of BOTH parents, as a just remedy to the CURSE which this example brings upon society. It ought to persuade us that character is not benefited by SPARING the rod, which, if even exercising the rod fails, fully warrants the extreme penalty. NOT chastising a son as Biblically prescribed, is a recipe for perdition (ruin and misery) through vexation and grief (Heb 12)

Ex 21:22,23 takes up heaven’s plea to nations from Ex 20:13 and Nu 35:30-34, not to abolish the death penalty for pre-meditated murder, which would otherwise defile and curse the Earth (the penalty for violating Ex 20:13 is non-negotiable, unmitigateable, unabateable, and beyond commutation)

Deut 22:1-4 emphasizes the sanctity of private property and putting the interests of others ahead of our own as a cornerstone principle of the Royal Law (Lev 19:18b; Jn 13:34; James 2:8-12) which is to be universally respected (Matt 22:39)

Deut 22:5 should leave us under no illusion that gender distinctions are to be held as sacrosanct as life itself and that it is abomination to God, to repudiate and mock the biological demarcations of gender identities established by Him as natural law.

Deut 22:6,7 is a teaching on compassion, containing a broader lesson on faithful stewardship of creation, upon which one’s longevity depends (Rev 11:18b)

Deut 22:8 teaches us to be sensitive about justifiable liability for harming others due to foreseeable negligence.

Deut 22:9,10 teaches the mystery of distinctions in nature, necessary for blessed productivity and sanctified crops

Deut 22:11 is by no means an arbitrary rule, but expressly forbids THIS blend of fabrics because it was a hallmark of a defiled pagan priesthood implacably opposed to the sanctity of the holy kingdom of priests which Israel and their co-heirs are called to be (Ex 19:4-8; Rev 1:5)

Ex 22:12 describes one of the practical measures, the ‘tzit tzit’/fringe representing “the Way” compromising not just 613 laws (many superceded by the Crucifixion), but well over a 1000 precepts/principles of righteousness set out in the New Covenant, which include continuing to “remember” and “observe/guard” Shabbat as the sacrosanct covenant sign of our sanctification (Ex 31:13,16; Mk 2:27,28); and the ‘Mezuza’ cylinder on the doorpost signifying household acceptance of the yoke of Sovereignty of the “God and Saviour” of the Hebrews Who made Heaven and Earth and Who redeemed us – Deut 6:4-9; Is 45:17-25; Matt 11:29,30; Mk 12:28-34; Jn 10:30; Titus 2:13, to constantly recall us to conscientious faithfulness to all the will of God. The Mezuza serves to arrest the attention and convict of complacency, those households YHVH mercifully watches over to return them safely home, yet who take Him and His covenant lightly (Deut 32:15; Ps 121:4-8; Rev 3:16-22)

Deut 22:13-21 is there to witness against anyone who marries for self-interest, and who lies and commits crimen injuria (soul-afflicting, criminal defamation/libel), bearing false witness (Deut 5:20) and who ridicules the deadly seriousness of VIRGINITY as a condition for HOLY wedlock, for the realization of the FULLNESS of the promises made, for maintaining the integrity of the marriage bed, to produce holy offspring (Heb 13:4). The degrading of marriage by worldliness, along with breach of many other high-minded moral absolutes, has caused a torrent of defilement of the earth (Is 24:3-6) and has had a shocking knock-on effect on the church’s treatment of the analogous mystery, of the marriage between the Saviour and a PURE bride (Gen 2:24; Eph 5:28-33), as somehow UNRELATED to covenant-keeping and refinement by fire like gold and silver (Matt 3:11; Rom 8:4,6,7; Mk 9:49; Eph 4:13,14,23,24)

Deut 22:22-30 reinforces the plain truth that adultery (which includes breach of engagement by promiscuity), the transgression of Deut 5:21 (a terrible betrayal of the marriage covenant of Ten Commandments), is not with impunity, either in this life or the hereafter, because to begin with, covetousness (inordinate desire) of any kind is defined by the New Covenant as IDOLATRY (1 Cor 6:10; Eph 5:5; Col 3:5; Heb 13:5), and sexual sin (the absolute proof of lack of Fear of God) resulting from contempt for the blessing reserved for the marriage union (Matt 5:31,32; 1 Cor 6:12-20; 7:1-5,8-14), is an invitation to the lake of fire (Rev 21:8; 22:15)

Deut 23:1-9 will require skill in ‘halacha’ (application) by the Spirit, but certainly, by analogy, at an abstract level, reveals the depth of YHVH’s insistence that as sons of the Living God Who is “no respecter of persons,” WE ARE ALL to accept chastisement in order not to be “bastards”/illegitimate sons (Deut 23:2; Heb 12:8-11 KJV), to be impartial at all times, as “offerings acceptable” to the LORD, through total commitment to obedience in word and deed (Rom 15:16-18), showing particular care not to suppress mercy and compassion and cause affliction by infringing the laws of charity, because being tight-fisted in dispensing staple help to the needy is the quickest way to separate ourselves from our openhanded Maker, as YHVH’s fury and extreme sentence upon the Ammonites and Moabites (way beyond the “third & fourth generation” of Ex 20:5b) demonstrates (Ps 82:1-4; Is 58:6-11; Dan 4:27; 1 Jn 3:16-18). That includes deliberately or negligently entrapping others in sin (Deut 23:4b-6)

Deut 23:7 adds a note about maintaining respect for kinship and considerateness/reciprocation towards those who’ve formerly been a blessing

Deut 23:10,11 reflects the holiness of body fluids and their proper use in time and place (involuntary nocturnal emissions require sanctification of the body; masturbation is cursed), especially now that the body is the temple of the HOLY Spirit; whereas Deut 23:12-14 raises the importance of basic decency and prudence in dealing with body waste products for YHVH not to need to avert His gaze (Hab 1:13); and to protect ourselves and the environment from uncleanness/pollution/infection/contamination, alluded to in 2 Cor 6:17,18; 7:1

Giving asylum to fugitives from oppression (Deut 23:15,16) is mentioned in the same breath as abhorring prostitution and sodomy, both forms of satanic captivity/bondage; and never funding offerings from mammon derived from these abominations (Deut 23:17,18, Rom 1:24-32)

Deut 23:19-23 reminds us that extortionate interest charged to a fellow believer is detestable to God because it proves a desperate lack of faith in the numerous promises that God will repay exactly what we give as alms; and multiply seed sown as gifts to others in need, 30,60, and even 100 times (2 Cor 8&9), if we give without asking, without strings attached.

Deut 23 ends in verses 24&25 with more property law counsel, in terms of what it is appropriate to consume in another’s vineyard or from another’s grain harvest if one were to legally find oneself on such properties. This all has to do with teaching distinctions and moderation in behaviour to respect boundaries, while demonstrating the Sovereignty of our LawGiver as Owner of the Earth which He made. It’s obviously never appropriate to plunder a neighbour’s property, OR even to fill containers with produce to cart off, instead of just satisfying a present hunger or a desire to sample a crop by eating only sufficient to satisfy a hunger or curiosity, on the spot, unless of course the owner INVITES one to take more.

Deut 24:1-4 was a temporary dispensation of leniency due to the hardness of Israel’s heart, by refusal to circumcize their hearts, and has been superceded by the regulation of marriage by Instruction given in the Sermon on the Mnt (Matt 5:31,32) which harks back to the very beginning in Gen 2:24, which as the default position (first principles), stipulates INSEPARABILITY of a consummated (hence one flesh) marriage, which the LORD Himself qualifies by making adultery by one of the parties the ONLY grounds for divorce by the other (Lk 16:17,18). The impact of the sorry state of personal defilement of “the land” by ignoring the Messianic teaching (Acts 3:23), the church in effect encouraging the merry-go-round of once- wedded individuals, is noted in Deut 24:4.

It is highly significant that the expanded Jewish bedtime ‘Shema’ proclamation of faithfulness to the One and only God (Mk 12:28-34), includes the reflexive plea: “May my BED be flawless (undefiled) before You.”

No-one (married or single) whose bed (‘holy ground’), which the temples of HIS Spirit occupy for a third of HIS day, is desecrated (in thought or deed), is acceptable to this Holy, Holy, Holy God (Heb 13:4).

We deduce this from the fact that our beds are a physical token of His rest, which we are to labour (in righteousness) to enter, to find the “rest and refreshing” promised to doers of the Way (Is 28:9-13; Rom 6:13-26)

The deeper we ‘peer into’ the perfect law of liberty (Deut 33:4; James 1:22-25), the more we should appreciate how merciful our God is to retain the spiritual-examination and repentance function of the Yom Kippur Fast (the backstop to complacency) to help us dot the i’s and cross the t’s of our annual account with Him, to be sure to end the cycle of Moedim (Calendar of Holy Appointments) fully absolved (1 Tim 1:5-2:6), for our names to REMAIN inscribed as the righteous, to enter the new cycle (signified by Sukkot/Tabernacles) WITH HONOUR (1 Jn 2:3-6,17,28,29; Rev 3:1-6)

Our holy VOCATION (“LEARN of Me”) is indeed a HIGH calling to PERFECTION of righteous living, which Paul never took for granted (Eph 4:1; Phil 2:12-15; 3:10-17; Col 1:22,23,28,29; 2 Tim 4:3-8).

God’s love of the honeymoon of marital love and His careful watching over marriages properly sanctified to His glory, is described in verse Ex 24:5’s provision of a year’s sabbatical (“free at home for a year”) to cocoon, to establish a marriage relationship on the rock of Torah, in Him (Matt 7:25)

Deut 24:6 warns against demanding security of such value that it would be like “taking a life in pledge.” This and so many other fiduciary laws show how carnal mercenary instincts (rampant oppressive opportunism) inflame YHVH’s anger. We cannot serve Mammon and YHVH

Deut 24:7 amplifies the Ten Commandments (Ex 20:15,17) to show that kidnapping (theft and trafficking of a LIFE) carries the death penalty. If not now (because the world disagrees), certainly THEN. Future reckoning.

Deut 24:8,9 reminds us that even the dreadful consequences of presumption (“the great transgression” – Ps 19:13) and rebellion/attempted usurpation can be REVERSED through remorse and earnest intercession

The cry of God is for purity and piety.

A leading Jewish prayer, “PURIFY our hearts, to serve You in all TRUTH,” reflects the longing of YHVH for co-operation with His Spirit, to perfect holiness (Deut 5:29; 2 Cor 7:1; Phil 2:11,12)

Mercy will then triumph over judgment.

Deut 24:10-13 insists on creditors observing privacy laws, personal dignity and being mindful of debtors’ well-being (such as not leaving him exposed to the elements overnight for the sake of retaining a pledge) in the process of obtaining of security/pledges to ensure repayment of a debt

Deut 24:16-18 covers the need for strict impartiality in administration of the law to ensure fairness and mercy for the foreigner, the orphan and the widow, by YHVH making an appeal to conscience, reminding Israel what He did repeatedly, magnanimously, to protect, provision and preserve them (and us) while we were yet in bondage to sin and fear of death; and reinforces the principle of PERSONAL accountability to YHVH to be conformed to His will (Rom 12:1,2; 1 Cor 6:9-12; 11:1,2; 2 Cor 2:9), judgment of sin being an INDIVIDUAL cost to count, to preferably choose life and blessing by doing righteousness, such as Ex 24:13b

Ex 24:19-22 develops this moral lesson on avoiding the hypocrisy of double-standards (further extended in Deut 25:13-16) by showing how seclusion and private ownership is never an excuse for withholding grace from the most vulnerable amongst the poor and needy.

In these iconic illustrations of three Holyland crops: grain, vines, olives, we are reminded (unless we were ignorant) of the principle of ’eminent domain’ – namely that the Earth in its entirety is forever the LORD’s, literally in EVERY respect, assigned as HE wishes to whomsoever He pleases (Jer 27:5); AS IS the world and all who populate it is entirely His (notwithstanding satan’s seductions), for us to “learn of Me” (Matt 11:29,30; 12:1-8), for us to wear HIS yoke of commandments (not man’s – Is 29:13), by developing HIS sensitivity to suffering, and HIS remedy of loving-kindness and compassion, to be “in the world, AS HE IS” in Heaven (Matt 5:19,48; 1 Jn 4:17).

By the time we reach the 38th benchmark of sanctification (Deut 25:17-19; Rom 3:31; 15:16-18) at the close of this Portion in a few minutes, Torah study ought to have been vindicated, by our having almost FELT the CALIBRATION OF OUR SOULS by the Spirit acquainting us with the mind of Christ (Jn 17:17,19; 2 Cor 3:18; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 Thess 2:13,14; Heb 8:8-12; 10:16), to enhance our discernment of moral distinctions, to more easily comprehend the narrowness of “the Way of Holiness” which is “the Way of YHVH,” the “Way of life” and “path of the just” to which ‘revival’ MUST lead us, or prove ineffectual (perhaps even counterfeit) in finally “winning Messiah” doctrinally pure DISCIPLES who through diligent covenant-keeping, obtain full assurance of hope, to the end (Deut 32:47; Prov 4:13,18; 6:23; Is 35:8; Matt 7:13,14; 19:16,17; Lk 1:17; 20:21; Heb 5:9,11-14; 6:1-12; 10:36-39; 12:25-29; 2 Jn vs 5&6,9-11).

Hebrew prophecy leaves no doubt what the purpose is of the “Spirit of HOLINESS” (Rom 1:4) Who manifested in TONGUES OF FIRE (Matt 3:11) as candles, on the heads of the consecrated company of devoted bondservants, all upper room pursuers of perfection (2 Cor 7:1); and Who manifested as a Dove descending to identify the Messiah to John, while He was teaching “the Way” to those who were under conviction by the Spirit (Lk 3:10-15,21,22).

Holiness is everything, or eternal life is a mirage (Rom 6:22; Heb 12:14; 1 Peter 1:13-17).

Let’s wrap-up the line-by- line, precept-by-precept analysis (Is 28:9-13), with some commentary on Deut 25.

Deut 25:1-3 contains a general principle upheld throughout by the New Covenant, but most keenly stated in James 1:22 – 2:26.

Namely, that eternal salvation is the call to be ACTIVELY righteous (’emunah’ from Hab 2:4 & Heb 10:38,39 meaning both faith & faithfulness), not just to believe and CONFESS it (2 Cor 5:21; 1 Jn 3:7), which would not do justice to righteous Abraham’s zeal for Torah and expectation of OUR obedience to “the Way of YHVH,” for him to receive all that YHVH has promised him (Gen 18:18,19; 26:5).

There’s no entering into the “rest and refreshing” of God if we are DENIERS that grace for reconciliation has a SEQUEL (after justification by the Blood), in the spiritual ministry whose task it is to PRODUCE AND FOSTER righteous living in all the will of God (Rom 8:4,12-14; Col 4:12; Heb 12:28).

The principle is that YHVH “will justify the righteous (i.e. those who demonstrate sufficient proof of righteousness in word and deed), to give him (reward him) ACCORDING TO HIS (the righteous man’s reputation for) RIGHTEOUSNESS” (1 Kings 8:32; Jn 5:29; Rom 2:6-13; 1 Jn 2:3-6,28,29).

So shall those who habitually “WORKETH righteousness” (Acts 10:35) be glorified, while those who quibble about the holy laws of God, such as gainsaying the efficacy of the death penalty and of FLOGGING for those “WORTHY of being BEATEN” (Deut 25:2), instead of fines and imprisonment (Deut 25:2,3; Rom 8:6,7), will very likely be judged and condemned with the world for not discerning the purpose of the Crucifixion, which is the transfigurement of our souls by purification by our full acceptance of and conformance to the will and image of God (Jn 3:19-21; 1 Cor 11:28-32).

Fines disfavour the poor and breed arrogance in wealthy wrongdoers. The affliction of flogging and public disgrace would do more to police unrighteousness and “turn the (stubbornly) disobedient to the wisdom of the just” than most laws on statute books, pretending to be righteous

Deut 25:4 is a metaphor for censoring, stifling and suppressing the truth; withholding due provision to honourable ministers of the full counsel (2 Jn vs 9-11 is the corollary); and touching the LORD’s anointed in any other number of ways; obviously with an agricultural application – inconsiderateness to working animals

Deut 25:5-10 is related to the ‘degrees of affinity’ which determine matters of incest and succession. Here, under the classification, “Duty of a husband’s brother,” we are educated to consider how great our God’s concern is for continuity of legacy and inheritance by preservation of patriarchal identity down the lineages of the House of Jacob in which we are grafted (Nu 1:42; 2:2; Lk 1:33). This in no wise touches on adultery and fornication, but describes the existence of the deep moral duty of a brother to his deceased sibling, to perpetuate the sibling’s own household, under his family name. To do this requires succession by a male firstborn, of a marriage needing the sanctified appointment of a proxy-husband as a kinsman-redeemer to “raise up unto his brother a name in Israel/build up his brother’s house,” by conceiving an heir for the deceased. All above- aboard and intensely honourable, hence the opprobrium which refusal of this remedy for breach of heredity would bring (Deut 25:9,10)

Deut 25:12 advises caution in how we go about obtaining deliverance in crises so that we don’t inadvertently defile ourselves and trade one kind of oppression for a different bondage, this time to sin, by not having consulted Rom 3:20b and acquainted ourselves with the path of life

Finally, in Deut 25:13-16 & 17-19, we’re reminded on the one hand that in economic matters, virtue (honesty/truthfulness/equity) is WISDOM, which along with tithing and firstfruits offerings, bring longevity, riches and honour (Prov 3:7-16); and that YHVH will inevitably avenge us of our enemies, that “everlasting righteousness” and justice will prevail, and their memory and the pall of past suffering at their hands, will be obliterated, even though we will never forget the mercy of our deliverance.

ALL THE ABOVE falls within the prudent warning contained in the wisdom-rule to “count the cost” of being built up into the express image of YHVH in Y’shua, to finish the race, because “few find” the narrow path that “leads to life” because few have the will to surrender their wills to follow the principle of the Master’s Gethsemane love-declaration, “not My will, but THINE be done,” to both honour AND Fear the Father (Mal 1:6; Matt 7:13-27; 22:12-14; Lk 14:24-35; 22:42-44; 1 Cor 9:24-27).

HalleluYaH.

So we see how the detail in Torah precepts teaches eternally rewarded, universal virtues like truthfulness, honesty and impartiality/equity that are marked Character traits of the Creator into Whose express image our salvation must conform us in the wonder-working soul-transfiguring power of His Spirit, or we “fail the grace” by failing the test of holiness by not fleeing from all that is abomination in His sight (Lk 16:15; 2 Cor 3:18; Rom 8:4,29; Heb 12:14,15,28).

(By the grace of YHVH, ‘Revival,’ a grammatical form of ‘revive’ that does not appear anywhere in the received texts, will be considered in further depth in the context of next week’s Portion)

See Titus 3:7 Amplified Bible (below)

The call to “walk after the Spirit,” as the definition of abiding in the Vine to be “in Christ/the Messiah” (Jn 15:1-15; Rom 8:1-14; 1 Jn 2:3-6,17,28,29), is Heaven’s unambiguous CONFIRMATION of the beauty of the holiness of the “just, good, spiritual laws” of our Lawgiver and, ultimately, Judge of the thoroughness of our PREPARATION during our probation under grace, to be “accounted worthy” of selection amongst His blessed, spotless bride (Lk 20:35; 21:36; Rom 3:31; 7:7,12-16,22,25; 1 Cor 7:19; 2 Cor 5:9-11; Rev 20:6).

It is inconceivable for anyone to “REMAIN FOREVER” “in the Messiah,” if this fundamental truth is disavowed, and the Holy Spirit (our Sanctifier – Rom 15:16-18; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 Thess 2:13-15), and the LORD Y’shua our Master (our Intercessor, for our perfection – Lk 6:40; Heb 7:25), DISobliged (refused our co-operation, for our obligatory refinement like gold and silver, to be conformed to the express image of YHVH in Y’shua-Jesus).

Titus 3:7 Amplified Bible

“[He regenerated and renewed us by His Spirit] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favour, wholly undeserved) [so that we might be ACKNOWLEDGED and COUNTED as CONFORMED to the Divine will in PURPOSE, THOUGHT and ACTION], and become heirs of eternal life, according to [our] hope”

So here, in a description of our restoration to peace and favour with YHVH through the Name of His Son invoked for the remission of sins in our regenerative baptism into His Death and Resurrection, the Amplified Bible provides the simple, self-evident insight/corollary that DOING righteousness under grace (the doing of which falls within the scope of “GRACE for GRACE” in Jn 1:16; Heb 12:28 and of “righteousness…from FAITH to FAITH” in Rom 1:17), is IMPLICIT in the righteousness (and with it, original innocence) IMPUTED to us AS grace, BY grace (Acts 10:35; Matt 5:20; 1 Jn 2:28,29).

Just as “faith & faithfulness,” which together comprise the Hebrew ’emunah’ in Hab 2:4 which has been way too loosely translated merely as “faith” in Heb 10:38; so grace, like intercession, is incomplete without production of obedience, as proof that grace has been received to turn us completely “from disobedience, to the wisdom of the just(ified)” to make us ready for the Return of the LORD for a spotless bride (Lk 1:17; Eph5:27; 1 Tim 6:14;2 Peter 3:14).

So James 2 is not proposing an ADD-ON heretical form of justification which is IN CONFLICT with the justification by grace through faith which is carefully explained by Paul as “grace REIGNS through (our “putting on” the new nature as armour of light, by being servants of) righteousness” (uprightness in everything, at all times – Ps 106:3; Rom 5:21; 6:6,18,19,22; 13:12-14; Eph 4:23,24; Col 3:9,10; 2 Tim 2:5,11; Heb 12:28; James 2:14-26), but is merely expressing the OBVIOUS, namely, that disdain for and refusal of personal Voice instructions/directions (e.g. Gen 22) and the standing laws of God, not only voids INSTRUCTION (Rom 3:31), but failing repentance, voids SALVATION ITSELF (Matt 7:21-23; 8:51,52; 12:50; Jn 12:47-50), because faith without deeds and actions of obedience to back it up, is inoperative – dead (James 2:14,17,20-26).

This teaches us a great lesson about ‘revival.’

Namely, that grace does not REIGN unless we FULLY REVIVE (having been dead in Torahlessness/sin/unrighteousness – 1 Jn 3;3-10) by following-on, “in continuance,” to KNOW the LORD” (Is 64:5; Hosea 6:1-3, Rom 2:6-13,26) by gaining UNDERSTANDING of Him, in ever-closer RELATIONSHIP with Him, by learning to FEAR Him (a healthy motivation to be perfect in all His ways – Is 8:13,14,16,20; 28:9-13; Matt 5:48), by learning the COMMANDMENTS, to diligently do them, in order to abide in the Vine to remain forever in the Saviour’s love (hence Deut 4:10; Jn 14:15; 15:10; 1 Cor 7:19; 1 Jn 2:3-6,17,28,29, Rev 14:6,7,12).

So grace is law’s greatest ally, because the flesh weakens the law (Rom 8:3) and grace circumcises the sin nature to condemn sin in the flesh, so that finally, BY THE SPIRIT, we can be “dead with Y’shua” to the law (synonomous with being “dead to sin”) by mastering “the Way” which MAGNIFIES IT (Is 42:21; Lk 20:21; Acts 24:14; Rom 8:3,4,14; 2 Tim 2:5,10,11; 1 Peter 1:22; 2:24)

“Acceptance in the Beloved” as “an offering acceptable to YHVH” (Eph 1:6,7; Rom 12:1,2; 15:16-18) is predicated on BEING HOLY AND BLAMELESS (Eph 1:4; Heb 12:14), as proof of repentance (Acts 26:18,20) and of adoption (Eph 1:5), or we “fail the grace” (and trample the covenant and the Blood) that saved us (Heb 10:26-29; 12:15).

This is a kavod matter. The weightiest of all, which is why we must advance from the milk of initial repentance and cleansing by the Blood of reconciliation and justification, to learn the righteousness of walking (lawfully) in the light, for that Blood to CONTINUE TO BE AVAILING/ADVANTAGEOUS (Heb 6:1-11; 1 Jn 1:5-2:6,17).

The Shema entails OBEYING the “sayings” we are commanded to HEAR.

Circumspection/being heedful (Eph 5:15) requires at least that (Lk 17:10), if we’re serious about ‘winning Messiah’ by obtaining “the crown of righteousness,” to attain the promise of resurrection to LIFE on the strait path that “few find” (Matt 7:14; Jn 5:28,29; Phil 3:10-17; 2 Tim 4:3-8).

Spiritual apathy and inaccuracy are potentially self-destructive (Matt 7:13,24-27; Eph 5:10,15-17; Heb 10:26-39; Rev 2:5,26 3:1-6,10-12,16).

Paul doesn’t leave Torah behind (Rom 3:31) any more than Y’shua would do so (Matt 5:17-19).

The penalty for doing so is the same as under the previous covenants (Hosea 8; Mal 2)