RSEA.D. Notes Week 143

Torah Study Notes for Week 143 of the Torah Reading Cycle

thecord.life/notes/week143

Read
Aloud together to hear the Word (Leviticus 23:1-3; Nehemiah 8:1-4; Luke 4:16-17)

  • Torah (T): Devarim (Deuteronomy) 22:8 – 23:25
  • Prophets (P): Isaiah 1:16-26
  • Apostolic (A): 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; Matthew 12:1-8
  • Additional (ADD): Sirach 9:1-9; Sirach 41:1-23

Summary
Context and coherence (Nehemiah 8:8)

Chapter 22

  1. The prohibition of coupling dissimilar kinds.
    1. What are the effects?
      1. Deuteronomy 22:9 You will not sow your vineyard with two kinds of seed, lest all the fruit be defiled, the seed which you have sown, and the increase of the vineyard. 10 You will not plow with an ox and a donkey together. 11 You will not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together
        1. Leviticus 19:19 You will guard my statutes. Do not square your beasts with different kinds. Do not sow your field with two kinds of seed; a garment made of different kinds of linen and woolen will not go up upon you.
      2. Kinds:
        1. Greek diaphoros, From G1308; varying; also surpassing: – differing, divers, more excellent.
        2. Hebrew Kilayim (H3610), divers seeds kinds, mingled seed; dual of kele’ in the original sense of separation; two heterogeneities — divers seeds (-e kinds), mingled (seed).
    2. Volatility of the family unit begins with the abusive behavior exercised in the coupling of marriage partners.
      1. Two scenarios are described in verses 13-30. They all highlight the biblical principle relating to sexual sin and its corrosive nature on the soul, if not held in check (1 Cor. 6:18-20).
        1. The first addresses a situation of the slanderous accusation of a husband towards his wife, in an attempt to nullify a marriage based upon superficial intent.  (Deut. 22:13-.
          1. Deuteronomy 22:13-14 If any man takes a wife, and goes in to her, hates her, 14 and places on her deeds of words, and will bring out upon her an evil name, and says, “I took this woman, and when I came near to her, I didn’t find her virginity;”
          2. Could it be that he simply wanted her out of lust, not love; and now hate has set in?
          3. Examples in scripture: Jacob and Leah – Gen. 29:16-30, Amnon & Tamar – 2 Sam. 13:1-20
      2. The second instance unveils the absence of what Pete described last week as intentionality. What can fill the gap is dullness; ineffective for the purpose aimed at (etymology dictionary). In verses 22-24, characterizes that all parties involved in the sexually deviant behavior submitted themselves to a level of compromise.
        1. Deuteronomy 22:22 If a man is found lying with a woman married to a husband, then they will both die, the man who lay with the woman and the woman. So you will remove the evil from Israel.
        2. This reveals the marriage was either hidden from the man or known and not regarded by both participants. Either way the question is how did sin creep in of this magnitude.
          Vs. 23-24 reveals a lapse of righteousness on the part of the virgin pledged to be married [but did not cry-out], and an impulsive recklessness by the man who did not consider his neighbor’s wife. Her pledge was the agreement between two families to would have involved a payment of some sort-dowery, gifts, and a scheduled wedding ceremony.
          1. Again, this makes you wonder how anyone could

Chapter 23

  1. This chapter covers a multitude of various instructions. A notable observation is the consistency of not allowing the coupling of the holy with the unclean, or unholy. The importance of maintaining a sharpness when it comes to living under YHWHs instructions are to stay alert. I believe this is a helpful warning against the mundane tendencies we all fall into in our daily activity.
    1. This speaks to dullness brought on by misuse.
      1. How do we guard our heart against dullness?

Exhortation
Counsel, comfort, and encouragement (Acts 13:14-15)

  1. One way we experience the world is through our sensory system. There are eight in total according to the Star Institute, a leading research, education, and therapy center. Five of the eight are well known as sight, audio, smell, taste, and touch. The other three can be summarized as interoception. Interoception refers to sensations related to the physiological/physical condition of the body. It works in tandem to determine how an individual perceives their own body (star). In much the same way as we interact through the senses physically, there is a spiritual component which allows us to experience the Most High in a healthy way. Those senses come by the holy spirit to give us discernment, wisdom, understanding, and truth.
    1. Supporting scripture:
      1. John 16:13 (ESV): When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
      2. Psa. 119:125 I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.
      3. Job 12:13 With God is wisdom and might. He has counsel and understanding.
  2. This week I observe a theme that warns us against the dulling of the senses. If we are not intentional, humble, and on guard we can find ourselves diminishing in doing good (Galatians 6:9).
    1. To be dull is defined as; “to lessen the vigor, activity, or sensitiveness of” (transitive), from dull (adj.). Of pointed or edged things, “make less sharp, render blunt,” from late 14c. Of colors, glass, etc., “remove the brightness or clearness of,” late 14c. Intransitive sense of “lose vigor, intensity, or keenness” is from late 14c. Related: Dulled; dulling (etymonline.com).
    2. Luke 21:34 So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly.
  3. Some contributing factors from this week’s readings touch on how dullness can take hold and weaken the vigor we have to walk in His ways.
    1. Coupling of different kinds (T)
      1. Deut. 22:9 – You will not sow your vineyard with two kinds of seed, lest all the fruit be defiled, the seed which you have sown, and the increase of the vineyard. 10 You will not plow with an ox and a donkey together. 11 You will not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together.
      2. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15 What agreement does Messiah have with Belial? Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement does a temple of Elohim have with idols? For you are a temple of the living Elohim. Even as Elohim said, “I will dwell in them and walk in them. I will be their Elohim and they will be my people.” 17 Therefore Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch nothing unclean. I will receive you.
        1. Unequally yoked or yoked with a different kind = G2086 Hetero + zygous from G2087 + G2218 (a balance or pair of scales)
        2. The idea that there will never be balance between within this relationship. There will always be a tilt toward either worldview. We may think we can win someone over by tolerating their lifestyle, but we are warned that this never produces conversion; rather the believer will render blunt that righteous influence.
    2. Drifting from the standard (P)
      1. Isaiah 1:21-23 How the faithful city has become a prostitute! She was full of justice. Righteousness lodged in her, but now there are murderers. 22 Your silver has become dross, your wine mixed with water. 23 Your princes are rebellious and companions of thieves. Everyone loves bribes and [chasing after recompense].(DSS)(LXX)
      2. Isa 6:9-10 (Brenton) – Ye shall hear indeed, but ye shall not understand; and ye shall see indeed, but ye shall not perceive. 10 For the heart of this people has become gross, and their ears are dull of hearing and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
      3. Hebrews 10:19-27, 39 (Emphasis Added) Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God… But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.
        1. What circumstances in our life can cause us to drift of course: disconnected from community, false sense stability.
        2. From my own experience, this is a real challenge for young adults.
          1. Sirach 9:1-9 – Don’t be zealous over the wife of your bosom, and don’t teach her an evil lesson against yourself. 2 Don’t give your soul to a woman and let her trample down your strength. 3 Don’t go to meet a woman who whores, lest perhaps you fall into her snares. 4 Don’t associate with a woman who is a singer, lest perhaps you be caught by her tricks. 5 Don’t gaze at a virgin, lest perhaps you stumble and incur penalties for her. 6 Don’t give your soul to prostitutes, that you not lose your inheritance. 7 Don’t look around in the streets of the city. Don’t wander in its deserted places. 8 Turn your eye away from a beautiful woman, and don’t gaze at another’s beauty. Many have been led astray by the beauty of a woman; and with this, passion is kindled like a fire. 9 Don’t dine at all with a woman who has a husband, or revel with her at wine, lest perhaps your soul turn away to her, and with your spirit you slide into destruction.
    3. Bad associations (A)
      1. 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortionist. Don’t even eat with such a person. For what do I have to do with also judging those who are outside? Don’t you judge those who are within? But those who are outside, Elohim judges. “Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.”
      2. Psalms 26:4 I have not sat with deceitful men, neither will I go in with hypocrites.
      3. Proverbs 22:24-25 Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbors anger, 25 lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul.
        1. How do we balance maintaining fellowship and distancing ourselves with someone who has chosen to walk counter to scripture?
          1. Put them away.
          2. Go to them alone. Go to them with 2-3 witnesses.
          3. Pray and confess to one another (James 5:16).

Does anyone have specific questions or need any clarification from what was said during the Summary or Exhortation?

Application & Discussion
Living the Word and following Yeshua (Acts 2:37; Romans 2:13)
Questions, input, and sharpening (Proverbs 27:17; Luke 2:46)

Romans 2:13 For it isn’t the hearers of the Torah who are righteous before Elohim, but the doers of the Torah will be justified.

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.

    1. What questions or comments came up during your family’s discussion of this week’s study?
    2. “What other related Scriptures did you find during your study of this week’s portion?”
    3. Have you ever experienced something from this study or something related to it?
    4. “What changes do you need to make in your life to align with what you learned during this week’s Torah Study?”