February 22, 2025: Torah Portion Parashah Mishpatim - "Judgments"
In this study, we will explore the Torah Portion Mishpatim - "Judgments"
Torah Portion: Exodus 21:1-24:18
Haftarah: Jeremiah 34:8-22; Jeremiah 33:25-26
Brit Chadashah (New Testament): Matthew 5:33-42
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Parashah Mishpatim - "Judgments"
Last week's Torah portion Yitro explained that exactly seven weeks after the Exodus from Egypt (49 days after the great Passover), Moses gathered the Israelites at the foot of Mount Sinai to enter into covenant with the LORD. In a dramatic display of thunder, lightning, billowing smoke and fire, the LORD descended upon the mountain and recited the Ten Commandments to the people.
Upon hearing the law’s moral requirements, however, the people shrank back in fear and begged Moses to be their mediator before God. The people then stood far off, while Moses alone drew near to the thick darkness to receive the Torah from ADONAI.
This week’s Torah Portion reading begins with Moses in the midst of the “thick darkness” receiving additional instructions regarding various civil laws for the Israelites. It begins with the LORD saying to Moses:
The word mishpatim means "rules" or "ordinances" and is derived from the Hebrew word shaphat "to judge". Parashat Mishpatim is sometimes called Sefer HaBrit "the Book of the Covenant", since it contains over 11.5% of all of the mitzvot (commandments) found in the entire Torah (53 of 613). These mishpatim include a wide range of civil laws, criminal laws, ritual laws, financial laws, and family laws. These civil laws are sometimes referred to as bein Adam L'Chavero "between man and his fellow man."
After giving these various mitzvot, the LORD promised Moses that His Angel Malak ADONAI would guard and protect the Israelites until they arrived in the land of Canaan, but on the condition that the people obey His voice. This Angel would drive out the enemies of Israel and assure their victory in the Promised Land.
As Messianic believers we firmly believe that Malak ADONAI was none other than YESHUA HA'MASHIACH in His pre-incarnate state! HalelluYah!
After receiving these additional instructions and laws, Moses descended from Sinai and went before the people and told them all the words of the LORD.
Moses then wrote down the words of the covenant into a separate scroll sefer ha'brit, built an altar at the foot of Sinai, and ordered sacrifices to be made to the LORD.
He then took the sacrificial blood from the offerings, threw half upon the altar, and read the scroll of the covenant to the people. The people ratified the covenant by saying, "all that the LORD says we will do and obey" na'aseh ve'nishmah: נעשׂה ונשׁמע
"7So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him. 8And all the people answered together, “We will do everything that the LORD has spoken.” So Moses brought their words back to the LORD. 9The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and they will always put their trust in you.” Exodus 19:7-9
Upon hearing this, Moses took the other half of the sacrificial blood and threw it on the people saying, "Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words." (Exodus 24:8)
After this, Moses, Aaron, Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel ascended Mount Sinai to eat a "covenant affirmation meal" between Israel and the LORD. It was there that the elders beheld the awesome glory of ELOHEI YISRAEL (the God of Israel), under whose feet was "a pavement of sapphires":
"And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness." Exodus 24:10
After returning from the mountain with the elders, the LORD commanded Moses to go back up to receive the tablets of stone inscribed with the Ten Commandments. Followed by Joshua, who remained down below, Moses re-ascended the mountain, which was still covered by a shining cloud of fire.
On the seventh day there, he heard the Voice of the LORD calling to him from the midst of the cloud of glory, and then he entered into the Presence of the LORD. He remained on the mountain for a total of forty days and forty nights while the Israelites waited for him at the camp down below.
We remember that the idea of establishing a legal system with courts, judges, and officers was derived from Yitro's advice given to Moses in last week's Torah portion: Moses chose God-fearing men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten (Exodus 18:25).
In all of this, we see the mighty Hand of the LORD upon His people, preparing them for what was to come - especially their time in the wilderness, conditioning them so that they would be properly prepared to enter into the Promised Land.
The KEY to all of this is what ADONAI told the people on Exodus 19:3-6:
“This is what you are to tell the house of Jacob and explain to the sons of Israel: 4‘You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. 6And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”
The KEY is OBEDIENCE! He promised His Angel Malak ADONAI, Who would guard and protect them, and Who would drive out the enemies of Israel and assure their victory in the Promised Land!
We too need to make sure that if we want to live under ADONAI's protection, blessings, and favor, we need to make sure we are living in obedience and in submission to the commandments of the LORD, dying to ourselves daily, taking up the tree of sacrifice, so that we may be vessels of honor for His glory!
"5For if we have been united with Him (YESHUA) like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection. 6We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. 7For anyone who has died has been freed from sin."
Romans 6:5-7
This is YESHUA's ultimate goal for us: to be FREED from sin! Just like the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt, and needed to be retrained in their minds and hearts, during their time in the wilderness, so that Egypt would be removed from within them!
This is why, ADONAI chose this time, at the foot of Mount Sinai, to download unto His people all of the commandments and laws, entering into covenant with them, so that they would understand the importance and significance of following in obedience to the LORD. This way, they could be set free, and be prepared to enter into the Promised Land!
Amen and Amen!
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A Final Word: The Urgency of the Hour
The time is now. We are living in the final days, and the harvest of souls is at hand. Just as we must stand with Israel, we must also stand together to spread the Good News of Yeshua the Messiah. This is an urgent matter—souls are at stake, and the need is greater than ever.
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Thank you for standing with us. May God bless you richly, and may He continue to bless Israel and the work of His Kingdom.
Shabbat Shalom!
In His Service,
Elihana Elia & Dr. Hadassah Elia and team at RONI International Alliance, Lev
Echad One Heart Messianic Congregation & Restore Israel Ministry
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