Read Time: 7 Minutes
This week’s Torah portion, Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9), provides profound insight into the judicial system established by God and its spiritual implications for believers today. The title Shoftim means “judges” in Hebrew and is derived from the root word shafat, which means “to judge.” As Moses continues his final address to the Israelites on the threshold of the Promised Land, he outlines instructions for appointing judges, officers, and leaders to ensure justice and righteousness among YAH’s people.
Shoftim not only provides practical guidelines for governance but also points us to Yeshua, the ultimate Judge and King of righteousness. Through this portion, we are reminded of the importance of pursuing justice, guarding our spiritual gates, and walking in the ways of our Messiah. Let us delve into the themes of Shoftim and discover how they apply to our lives as followers of Yeshua.
The Call to Pursue Justice
One of the key verses in Shoftim is Deuteronomy 16:20:
"Justice, justice shall you pursue, that you may live and inherit the land that YHVH your Elohim is giving you."
In Hebrew, this verse reads Tzedek, tzedek tirdof, with the repetition of the word tzedek (justice or righteousness) emphasising the importance of pursuing justice diligently and righteously. This repetition is not accidental—it underscores the need for integrity and fairness in every aspect of life.
Justice, however, must be achieved in the right way. The Torah warns against perverting justice through bribery, favoritism, or false testimony:
"You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous." (Deuteronomy 16:19)
This principle reminds us that justice must be rooted in righteousness, mercy, and compassion, reflecting the character of our YAH. Yeshua, the King of righteousness (Melech Tzedek), embodies these attributes perfectly. He is the ultimate Judge who executes justice with wisdom, fairness, and love.
Yeshua: The Righteous Judge
Throughout Scripture, we see that YAH is the ultimate Judge, delegating authority to human judges and leaders to uphold His standards. Shoftim reminds us of the attributes of a righteous judge—wisdom, fairness, integrity, and mercy—all of which are perfected in Yeshua.
Yeshua Himself declares:
"I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me." (John 5:30)
Yeshua’s judgment is rooted in the will of the Father, reflecting the divine justice and mercy of YAH. He is the embodiment of righteousness and truth, the one who judges with perfect integrity.
As followers of Yeshua, we are called to pursue righteousness in our own lives, reflecting His attributes in how we think, speak, and act. This means being honest in our dealings, showing mercy and compassion, and guarding against corruption and injustice.
Guarding Our Gates: Spiritual Lessons from Shoftim
Deuteronomy 16:18 instructs the Israelites to appoint judges and officers at all their gates:
"You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates, YHVH your Elohim gives you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment."
In biblical times, gates were the entry points to cities, where legal decisions were made and justice was administered. Spiritually, the human body can be likened to a city with gates—our senses (what we see, hear, touch, taste, and breathe) are the portals through which we interact with the world.
Just as judges and officers were placed at the gates of cities to ensure justice, we must guard the gates of our lives, ensuring that what we allow into our minds and hearts aligns with YAH’s standards. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us:
"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."
Guarding our gates involves being mindful of what we consume—whether it’s the media we watch, the conversations we engage in, or the thoughts we entertain. It also means asking Yeshua to cleanse our spiritual temple, just as He cleansed the physical temple in Jerusalem. Let us appointed Yeshua, the Judge, to sit at our gates.
Cities of Refuge: Yeshua as Our Sanctuary
Shoftim introduces the concept of cities of refuge, places where individuals who accidentally caused harm could flee to escape the avenger of blood. These cities provided safety and protection, ensuring that justice was administered fairly.
Spiritually, Yeshua is our ultimate city of refuge. He is the one we run to for safety, forgiveness, and restoration. Hebrews 6:18-19 describes Him as our refuge:
"We who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."
The names of the cities of refuge—Kadesh, Shechem, Hebron, Betzer, Ramoth, and Golan—each reflect attributes of Yeshua:
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Kadesh: Meaning “sanctuary” or “holy,” this reminds us that Yeshua is our holy sanctuary, the one who makes us holy through His sacrifice.
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Shechem: Meaning “shoulder,” this points to Yeshua as the one who carries our burdens and bore the cross for our sins.
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Hebron: Signifying fellowship or friendship, this reflects the intimate relationship we have with Yeshua, who calls us His friends (John 15:15).
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Betzer: Meaning “fortress” or “stronghold,” this reminds us that Yeshua is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
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Ramoth: Meaning “heights” or “exalted,” this reflects Yeshua’s exalted position as King of kings and Lord of lords (Philippians 2:9).
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Golan: Associated with “separation” or “exile,” this reminds us that Yeshua was separated for our sake and calls us to be set apart for Him.
Just as the cities of refuge were accessible to all, Yeshua is near to us, ready to receive all who call upon His name.
The Prophet Like Moses: Yeshua in Shoftim
In Deuteronomy 18:15-19, Moses prophesies about a prophet who would come after him:
"YHVH your Elohim will raise up for you a prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear."
This prophecy points directly to Yeshua, who is the ultimate fulfillment of this promise. Like Moses, Yeshua is a mediator, intercessor, and lawgiver. He speaks only what the Father commands Him, embodying the perfect will of YAH.
Yeshua Himself confirms this in John 5:46:
"For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me."
The parallels between Moses and Yeshua are striking: both were deliverers, both offered their lives for the people, and both led YAH’s people into covenant relationship. Yet Yeshua surpasses Moses, for He is the Son of YHVH, the one who brings eternal salvation to all who believe in Him.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Yeshua declares:
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6)
To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to seek YAH’s will above all else, to desire His ways, and to live in alignment with His character. This pursuit is not about self-righteousness but about a deep longing to reflect the attributes of our King.
When we seek righteousness, we are filled—satisfied abundantly by the presence and provision of YAH. This is the reward of those who pursue justice and walk humbly with their Elohim (Micah 6:8).
Conclusion: Walking in the Footsteps of Yeshua
Torah Portion Shoftim reminds us of the importance of justice, righteousness, and spiritual vigilance. It points us to Yeshua, the righteous Judge and King of righteousness, who embodies the perfect justice and mercy of YAH.
As followers of Yeshua, we are called to pursue righteousness, guard our spiritual gates, and reflect His attributes in our daily lives. Let us hunger and thirst for righteousness, knowing that He will fill us abundantly and lead us into His eternal kingdom.
May we walk in the footsteps of Yeshua, our refuge, our sanctuary, and our righteous King.
From our house to your house, shalom.
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