Read Time: 7 Minutes
This week’s Torah portion, Ki Tetzei (“When You Go”), begins in Deuteronomy 21:10 and provides profound insights into the responsibilities of YAH’s people. While the portion covers a variety of laws, two key themes emerge that are deeply relevant to the Messianic believer: the call to deal with death and brokenness in the field and the restoration of lost property.
These two principles reveal the heart of YAH for His people and point us to the ministry of Yeshua, the Messiah, who came to seek and save the lost and bring life to those who were spiritually dead. As we study Ki Tetzei, we are reminded of our priestly mandate to intercede for the broken world, restore wandering souls, and cultivate a model of fellowship that reflects the biblical design for the church.
Let us explore these themes and discover how they apply to our lives today as followers of Yeshua.
The Slain Man in the Field: Dealing with Death
Deuteronomy 21:1-9 begins with a fascinating ordinance regarding a slain person found lying in a field:
"If anyone is found slain lying in the field in the land which YHVH your Elohim is giving you to possess, and it is not known who killed him, then your elders and your judges shall go out and measure the distance from the slain man to the surrounding cities. And it shall be that the elders of the city nearest to the slain man will take a heifer which has not worked and which has not pulled with a yoke."
On the surface, this ordinance provides practical instructions for dealing with unsolved deaths in the land. However, when viewed through a Messianic lens, it carries profound spiritual significance.
The slain man in the field represents fallen humanity—dead in trespasses and disconnected from YAH. Scripture teaches us:
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of YAH, and the wages of sin is death." (Romans 3:23, 6:23)
The field, as Yeshua often taught, symbolizes the world (Matthew 13:38). Humanity lies spiritually dead in the field of the world, a victim of sin and its consequences. The Torah calls for elders, judges, and priests to step in and deal with this death, offering atonement and intercession on behalf of the people.
The Heifer as a Picture of Yeshua
The ordinance required the elders of the city nearest to the slain man to take a heifer—a young cow that had never been yoked—and break its neck in a valley. This ritual was accompanied by a confession and prayer for atonement:
"Provide atonement, O YHVH, for Your people Israel, whom You have redeemed, and do not lay innocent blood to the charge of Your people Israel." (Deuteronomy 21:8)
The heifer is one of the most important typologies of Yeshua, the innocent one who bore no yoke of sin yet dealt directly with death on behalf of others. Just as the heifer was sacrificed to cleanse the guilt of innocent blood, Yeshua was sacrificed outside the camp to atone for the sins of the world (Hebrews 13:12).
This ordinance reminds us that YAH requires atonement for all guilt, even when the culprit is unknown. Yeshua’s sacrifice covers both intentional and unintentional sins, including generational wounds and sins we may not even be aware of.
As believers, we are called to be priests and kings, stepping into situations of brokenness and death with the power of Yeshua’s atonement. Even if we are not directly responsible for the sin or suffering we encounter, we have a mandate to intercede, pray, and act redemptively.
Paul understood this principle when he wrote:
"If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it." (1 Corinthians 12:26)
We are called to discern the spiritual bloodshed in our communities—poverty, injustice, trauma, and sin—and bring the cleansing power of Yeshua into these situations. Let us not wash our hands of responsibility like Pilate (Matthew 27:24), but instead wash our hands in Messiah’s sacrifice, proclaiming His redemption over the land.
Restoration of Lost Property: Seeking the Lost Sheep
Deuteronomy 22:1-3 introduces another beautiful ordinance:
"You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep going astray and hide yourself from them; you shall certainly bring them back to your brother. And if your brother is not near you, or if you do not know him, then you shall bring it to your own house, and it shall remain with you until your brother seeks it; then you shall restore it to him."
While this law emphasizes the restoration of lost property, it also points to a deeper spiritual truth regarding the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Yeshua often spoke of lost sheep, coins, and sons to illustrate YAH’s heart for His people. In Luke 19:10, He declares:
"For the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost."
The lost sheep represent believers who wander off the path and become disconnected from YAH. As His followers, we are called to seek and restore these lost sheep, bringing them back to the fold.
Yeshua’s earthly ministry was marked by His pursuit of the lost. He traveled to Jericho, Samaria, Galilee, and Jerusalem, often risking His life to reach those who had gone astray. His mandate was clear:
"I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 15:24)
The ordinance in Deuteronomy 22 calls us not to hide ourselves from the lost sheep but to bring them into our homes and nurture them until they are restored. This is a beautiful picture of discipleship—inviting others into our lives, caring for them, and preparing them for the Master’s return.
Notice the instruction:
"You shall bring it to your own house, and it shall remain with you until your brother seeks it; then you shall restore it to him."
Yeshua resides in the heavenly sphere, and we are His representatives on earth. When we encounter lost sheep, we are called to bring them into our homes and nurture them in fellowship until they are fully restored to Him.
The Biblical Church Model: Hospitality and Fellowship
Hospitality plays a significant role in the restoration of lost sheep. Yeshua modeled this principle throughout His ministry, often teaching, healing, and sharing meals in intimate home settings. Consider Simon’s house, Mary and Martha’s home, and the Upper Room.
Acts 2:46 describes the early believers:
"So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart."
Opening our homes to others creates a safe and nurturing environment where trust and truth can grow. It allows people to experience YAH’s love firsthand, not just hear about it.
The Torah calls us to bring lost sheep into our homes, not mega-churches or large infrastructures. In a home, every face is seen, every voice is heard, and relationships are authentic.
When we cultivate a priestly atmosphere in our homes—through prayer, worship, and fellowship—we create a space where the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) is present and transformative. Hospitality becomes an act of divine warfare, pushing back darkness and fostering kingdom growth.
A Call to Action
Ki Tetzei challenges us to take spiritual responsibility for the brokenness and lostness in the world around us. As priests and elders, we are called to:
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Deal with Death:
Step into situations of spiritual death and brokenness, bringing the cleansing power of Yeshua’s sacrifice through intercession, prayer, and action. -
Restore the Lost:
Seek out the lost sheep of Israel, bringing them into our homes and nurturing them in fellowship until they are restored to the Master. -
Cultivate Hospitality:
Open our homes as sacred spaces for discipleship, healing, and kingdom growth. Use the dining table as an altar to display YAH’s love and truth. -
Do What Is Right:
Actively pursue righteousness and justice, knowing that faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
Conclusion
The Torah portion Ki Tetzei reminds us that righteousness is not passive—it is restorative. We are called to be the change we want to see in the world, bringing the light of Yeshua into every situation of death and brokenness.
Let us not hide ourselves from the lost sheep or the slain in the field. Instead, let us step forward as priests and elders, interceding for our communities and opening our homes to nurture the sheep of Yah.
May we walk in the footsteps of Yeshua, the ultimate Heifer who dealt with death, and the Good Shepherd who seeks and restores the lost.
From our house to your house, shalom.
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