Readings
- Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9
- Isaiah 51:12–53:12
- Matthew 3:1–17
Companion readings for Shoftim 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:
- Mt. 26:47-27:10 (First Fruits of Zion)
- Mt. 5:38-42, 18:15-20; Ac. 3:13-26; 7:35-53; 1Co. 5:9-13; 1Ti. 5:17-22; He. 10:28-31 (Complete Jewish Bible by David H. Stern)
- Mt. 3:1-17 (Parashiot From the Torah and Haftarah by Jeffrey E. Feinbe of Flame Foundation)
- Jn. 20:19-29 (Chayyei Yeshua Three-Year Besora Reading Cycle by Mark Kinze)
Studies
The following are recorded studies and notes on passages from Shoftim by Hallel Fellowship teachers Richard, Daniel and Jeff:
Impartial judgment: The Torah’s blueprint for ethical leadership (Deuteronomy 16, 19)
Are we truly responsible for one another? We’ll see in this study of the Torah passage שֹׁפְטִים Shoftim (“judges,” Deut. 16:18-21:9) that leaders must take accountability for justice — even when a crime seems distant or unsolvable. The laws of ancient Israel aren’t just relics; they reveal a universal call to judge righteously, without bias or self-interest. Whether it’s the murder of an unknown victim or the integrity of our daily decisions, the Torah insists we recognize the divine mandate for justice.
In a world increasingly detached from morality, these lessons feel more urgent than ever. Righteousness isn’t optional….
How to respect authority the Bible way (Deuteronomy 16:18–18:22)
The practical application of the Fifth Commandment to honor one’s mother and father (Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16) goes far beyond our parents. In the Torah passage שֹׁפְטִים Shoftim (“judges,” Deut. 16:18–21:9) and via the teachings of Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ), we learn that this instruction also applies in our we interact with and respect those who have power over us.
Heavenly guidance for making righteous judgments (Deuteronomy 16–19)
Is it OK to mix the practices of other religions with the worship of God? How far must we go in following the instructions of leaders and judges? These are the sobering lessons on the standards of Heaven and earthly authorities raised in the Torah passage שֹׁפְטִים Shoftim (“judges,” Deut. 16:18–21:9). Learn more through this Bible study.
Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9: Judge shopping and other travesties of justice the LORD hates
Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ) said, “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 5:30 NASB). But how do we learn the will of the Father by which Yeshua judges?
As Yeshua lived by “every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4; Luke 4:4; Deut. 8:3), so can we. The Torah passage שֹׁפְטִים Shoftim (“judges,” Deut. 16:18–21:9) is all about how judges and officers of justice should conduct themselves.
Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9: Learn to judge life & death righteously & mercifully
There are shadows of Messiah in the Torah passage שֹׁפְטִים Shoftim (“judges,” Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9), even down to the ceremony when a community is unable to bring a murderer to justice. There are levels of investigation and a careful pursuit of justice and a balance between the rights of the “avenger” and the rights of the accused.
In Shoftim, Moshe (Moses) elaborates on practical application of the Fifth and Sixth commandments. One lesson is that if you do not have respect for your parents, you lose respect for all kinds of authority, from the babysitters to teachers, employers, police officers, judges, prophets…
Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9: Shadows of ‘the Prophet’ and death of the Messiah
Shadows of the prophet status and crucifixion of the Messiah appear in the Torah passage שֹׁפְטִים Shoftim (“judges”), covering Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9. In a section of the Bible focused on codes of justice still used in modern society, there also is hope for the greatest mercy the world has ever seen, in Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus the Christ).
Echoes of the Messiah in Ancient Laws: Rediscovering the Relevance of Deuteronomy 21
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 19-20: Cities of refuge; malicious witnesses; how to clean up the Land; genocide of the original inhabitants
Laws on the cities of refuge discouraged vigilantism and encouraged respect for the legal system to decide guilt or innocence. There was a serious penalty against “malicious witnesses” in criminal cases. God gave rules for the war to clean the Land, including discharge from service for the distracted and annihilation of certain existing peoples.
Deuteronomy 17-18: A Prophet greater than Moses to come; ‘abomination’ defined; punishment for following other gods and a warning against doing that; choosing a king; Levite inheritance
Deuteronomy 17 covers the type of animals to be given for sacrifice, what to do with a person who is worshiping another god and when and how they will chose a king. Deuteronomy 18 explores Levites and their inheritance, a reminder to the children of Israel that they are not allowed to “learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations” and a foretelling of a Prophet will come who is even more powerful than Moses.
Deuteronomy 15-16: God teaches complete freedom via cycles of seven
Seven shows up repeatedly in Scripture. It appears first with the seventh day of creation, threads through God’s cycles of appointments with mankind, and foreshadows the timing of Messiah Yeshua’s arrival as the Word become flesh and culminates with many of the symbols of the Day of the Lord.
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.
Deuteronomy 19-20 — foundations of modern jurisprudence & lessons on the military draft
The foundations for modern criminal law are found in the Torah: malice aforethought, compensatory damages, perjury, and proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Also, the army of ancient Israel was not to be manned by a draft.
Deuteronomy 18 — Revealing the Creator via a prophet like Moshe
One of the most precious promises of the Torah is found in Deuteronomy 18. A prophet like Moses — Messiah — would come and reveal God in a more intimate way. However, we must not seek divine knowledge by other means — divination.
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