Readings
- Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19
- Isaiah 54:1–10
- 1Corinthians 5:1–5
Companion readings for Ki Tetze from the B’rit Chadashah (New Testament) from MessianicJudaism.net (also has through-the-Bible readings for prophets and B’rit Chadashah) and First Fruits of Zion:
- Lk. 23:1-25 (First Fruits of Zion)
- Mt. 5:31-32, 19:3-12, 22:23-32; Mk. 20:2-12, 12:18-27; Lk. 20:27-38; 1Cor. 9:4-18; Ga. 3:9-14; 1Ti. 5:17-18 (Complete Jewish Bible by David H. Stern)
- 1Co. 5:1-5 (Parashiot From the Torah and Haftarah by Jeffrey E. Feinbe of Flame Foundation)
Here’s a handy outline of the book of Devarim (Deuteronomy) you can print out:
Studies
The following are recorded studies and notes on passages from Ki Tetze by Hallel Fellowship teachers.
Parenting on the edge: When negligence becomes a crime (Deuteronomy 24:16)
This study on the Torah reading Ki Tetze discusses contrasting approaches to justice between recent cases in Michigan and Georgia, where parents were charged for not preventing their children’s actions, and North Korea’s practice of punishing entire families for an individual’s wrongdoing. It compares these to the Torah’s principle of personal responsibility and prevention of harm.
How to empower the next generation to walk in righteousness (1Corinthians 5)
The Scriptures call us to holiness and faithfulness. In this study of the Torah passage כִּי־תֵצֵא Ki Tetze (“when you go forth,” Deut. 21:10-25:19) focusing on a parallel passage in 1st Corinthians 5, we will see that tolerating unrepentant sin weakens the witness of the community of believers. Confronting sin with grace is an act of love — for the individual and the congregation. As we strive to walk uprightly, may we have the courage to uphold righteousness and the humility to receive correction. Only then can we fulfill our purpose to be a holy people.
What ‘men’s clothing’ and mamma birds can teach us about the Golden Rule (Deuteronomy 22:1–7)
“Treat people the same way you want them to treat you” (Matt. 7:12 NASB) is the Golden Rule of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus). But in the Torah reading כִּי־תֵצֵא Ki Tetze (“when you go forth,” Deut. 21:10–25:19) we’re reminded that Heaven sent this instruction much earlier. In this study, we explore the big role the Golden Rule plays in helping today’s society answer today’s vexing questions about gender and parent roles.
Covet or leave it: True path to contentment (Deuteronomy 24:17–25:19)
The Tenth Commandment tells us, “Do not covet…” (Ex. 20:17; Deut. 5:21). Coveting is not a word we often use in the modern English, but when we do use it, we usually define it as desiring someone else’s stuff.
But the Torah passage כי תצא Ki Tetze (“when you go forth,” Deut. 21:10-25:19) teaches us that there’s more at heart than just desire for that brand new car in your neighbor’s garage. We are taught to be content with what we have — especially, our spouse — and not to usurp or seize what’s not ours. Treating others fairly is part of…
Wandering heart, where treachery starts (Deuteronomy 21:10–14)
We may think that faith and belief are wishy-washing things that can change with our mood or socio-economic situation. But the way the Bible uses those concepts, the clearer translation may be “trust” or “dependable.” We trust in God’s words, find the promises of Heaven dependable.
But the flip side of that is, are we trustworthy? Are we dependable? Are our desires, lives and resources following after Heaven’s instructions? Or are they wandering back and forth between God’s rules and the Zeitgeist, the Spirit of the Age, what’s trendy and popular.
Those questions are behind the instructions about marriage and adultery in…
Real meaning of ‘eye for an eye’: God’s lessons in peace-making
Last time, we discussed lashon ha-ra (evil tongue, i.e., gossip, slander and divisiveness) and how it is one of the latter-day plagues among God’s people.
In this excursus, we will explore a related principle taught in Torah by Yeshua and His apostles: proportionality. A number of Christians often consider “eye for an eye and tooth for tooth” an example of the “old covenant” not to live by anymore and quote Yeshua to that effect.
Rather, we’ll see that “eye for an eye” is a Bible parabolic idiom teaching proportionality. The point of justice is to restore the offender to the community,…
Deuteronomy 24-25: Divorce, kidnapping, charity, limits to punishment, marriage to bear an heir
This passage covers sometimes strange instructions for divorce, kidnapping, charity, limits to punishment and marriage to bear an heir.
Deuteronomy 22-23: Laws on finding lost items, cross-dressing, bird hunting, conduct in war, tithing ill-gotten gain, inappropriate relationships
Deuteronomy documents the thoughts of Elohim, illustrated by how often Messiah Yeshua and the apostles quote from it. By studying these commandments, statutes and judgments — at times difficult to understand — we can see a small glimpse of how God thinks, not in the past tense but in the present tense.
Deuteronomy 21: Shadows of Messiah in the laws for unsolved murder, firstborn of ‘unloved’ wives, punishment for ‘rebellious’ sons
Many believers in Yeshua dismiss this chapter and similar ones as “just a list of rules” and assume they have no relevance to the modern times. Yet there is foreshadowing of the Messiah in the laws for cities to atone for the “stain” of unsolved murder, inheritance for the firstborn of “unloved” wives and capital punishment for “rebellious” sons.
Deuteronomy 25-26: Sowing seeds of a healthful culture
Honesty in business dealings and setting aside for the LORD the first and a 10th of what He has blessed us with seem like straightforward teachings from these two chapters for modern times. However, what do we do with teachings in this passage about men temporarily marrying their sisters-in-law to perpetuate the name of her dead husband and amputation as punishment for women who “fight dirty” seem way out of step with modern culture? Richard Agee explores what God is trying to show us about Himself with these teachings.
Deuteronomy 23: not mixing pagan worship with the worship of the LORD
The seeming prohibition against emasculated men and illegitimate children in God’s “assembly” in this chapter have been used widely to discredit His word. Explore whether God is being capricious and cruel with such proclamations, or whether He wants His people to avoid the pitfall of mixing evil worship practices with worship of the LORD.
Deuteronomy 24: What’s the big deal about divorce?
Much has been lost in modern society has been lost by treating divorce and kidnapping as less serious matters than God does in Deuteronomy 24. Richard Agee explores a key question in this chapter: Why does God forbid remarriage to the first husband after a second marriage? The answer is clear in the original Hebrew text.
Deuteronomy 22: Meaning of male and female
Why the LORD hates cross-dressing so much? There’s more to this seeming grab bag of anachronistic rules than is apparent on the surface.
Deuteronomy 21: Cursed is He hung on a tree; blessed are we for mercy long foreseen
Explore the connection between Messiah Yeshua’s (Jesus) being hung on a tree, the cross, and the command here to hang cursed, executed criminals on a tree and execution of a rebellious son. Also discussed is God’s handling of “cold” murder cases.
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