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Beatitude or Battitude? from Creation Gospel Workbook Five Vol 5: Devarim
Torah Portion Ki Tetzei
The title of the Torah portion Ki Tetzei means "When you go out." Count how many times the word "hand" is used in the portion, and then seemingly random commandments tie together. What is in my hand is what is within my power or my sphere of influence. The commandments instruct me how to handle the things and people that are "in my hand," or under my ability to influence for good. Every time I "go out," there is potential within my hand to demonstrate the quality of mercy.
We preserve the dignity of sacred relationships by abounding in the quality of chesed, lovingkindness or grace. One who has chesed is predisposed to act favorably toward another. One definition of an attitude is "a predisposition to act." It is not the act itself, but the precondition. Attitudes can be good or bad before the corresponding action.
According to Scripture, an attitude of lovingkindness predisposes one to act favorably toward a parent, child, townsman, Israelite, or an alien who is working his way toward citizenship. Even Egyptians and Edomites were to be given grace and an opportunity to join the covenant community when certain conditions were met. It is only toward Amalek that Israel is told to have no attitude or predisposition of grace.
The problem with chesed is that it is often based on good things the person has done for us, our social history. Once that person has done some harm, we become predisposed toward gracelessness. We set up an internal account and start keeping score on their errors. We interpret everything that person does as negative, foolish, or suspicious.
If we were favorably disposed toward that person, which is the commandment of the Torah portion, then we would take no account of wrongs. We would not begin noting or recalling the "signs" that confirm our graceless attitude and recording them internally, or worse yet, sharing that account ledger with others, who may in turn set up their own debit account based on your testimony, not actual wrongs done to them. This battitude, too, is sin, for taking up a wrong not your own violates the Word. When we take up an offense not our own, it is usually without hearing any evidence from the accused. If we do hear evidence, we can be "bribed" by our good relationship with one party and fail to hear the other party impartially. It's wrong, but it's very human to be graceless "when we go out."
This Torah portion commands an attitude of grace, even in judgment of death. Even toward sinners. Even toward those who "deserve" their consequences, like a debtor or one under the death penalty. It does not mean they are exempt from consequences, but that they are met with a predisposition to accept their imperfections and to believe that repentance will occur. We try to mitigate the judgment.
A man hung on a tree must not be left there one second after sundown. One second more, and the judge becomes the sinner. The corpse cannot help himself, for he is dead. Why worry about a dead man's humiliation? He's dead! We worry about shaming even a dead man on a tree or terrorizing a mother bird because when we do it or allow it, it is to our own disgrace. Preserving the honor of the creation is a commandment because WE are damaged when we are graceless toward the helpless.
When he hung on the tree, Yeshua was flanked by two men. One had nothing to offer but a word of tribute to the dying Yeshua. The other had nothing to offer but a word of shame to a dying Yeshua. Even though the thieves could not have known it, THEY were the ones who soon would be the beneficiaries of grace and gracelessness. One thief returned what he could to The Beginning of the creation: a final word of encouragement to one forsaken. The other thief robbed the dying Yeshua of grace...and received none. The grace-giving thief received paradise with Yeshua "this day."
Chesed, grace, lovingkindness, is a form of love. It is the love predisposition or attitude that believes all things, hopes all things, bears all things. Understand this grace attitude by examining the child-parent relationship, the sacred relationship in which grace functions most reliably. It functions less reliably as one works outward into spouse, extended family, family of faith, community, strangers, and then enemies.
For instance, parents are most likely to believe the good things they hear about their children. We are least likely to believe a good thing about our enemy. Children receive the greatest portion of a parent's grace. Parents are least likely to accept the bad things about their children. Parents sometimes will blame themselves, the conditions, the teacher, the school, the coach, other children, etc.
Although a lesson on child discipline could be inserted here, the point is that teaching grace searches for reasons to put faith in the goodness of children. Grace is a wonderful quality when it is balanced with discipline because it communicates to the child that he stumbled in the choice or behavior, yet the failing does not reflect his true nature, just as our own blunders do not reflect the nature of Messiah Yeshua, but our bad choices. A predisposition of lovingkindness has faith that sooner or later, the child will live up to his high calling. Our Abba believes this of us, as well.
On the other hand, if someone has offended us, we search for evidence of corrupted character. Everything becomes a sign of his incompetence or worse yet, the lack of God's approval on his life. Bad things that happen to them become God's judgment, and it validates our lack of trust. It may well be God's judgment, but it may also be a test in their lives because their Abba loves them. It would be wrong to be Job's comforters and incur the Father's wrath with foolish talk and foolish thinking. After all, if their Father is predisposed toward that child with lovingkindness, which I like to call livingkindness, He will not receive your cold or judgmental words toward His child well. How well do you receive evil reports on your children?
Many believers have a "messiah" mentality. They demand that all others "in their hand" conform to their level of observance and timetable. Even Yeshua gave grace on the tree: "Father forgive them, they don't what they're doing." The soldiers did not know until the darkness and earthquake that they'd crucified the Son of God. Can you imagine how you'd have felt? "WHAT HAVE I DONE? CAN I EVER BE FORGIVEN FOR NAILING THE PRECIOUS HANDS OF THE MESSIAH INTO A DEAD TREE? GOD PUT THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY 'IN MY HAND,' AND I DESTROYED THE ONE WHO WEPT TO GATHER JERUSALEM UNDER HIS WINGS! MY GOD, SAVE ME! FORGIVE ME! I HUMILIATED THE SON OF GOD! WHAT SHALL I DO? OH MY GOD, MY GOD."
Yeshua, the mother bird of Jerusalem, had already forgiven them, not forsaken them. When they were mocking, murdering, robbing, and callous to the cries of those dying on the trees of humiliation and torture, Yeshua had already forgiven them. He didn't say:
"Follow this commandment precisely when, where, and how I tell you."
Yeshua was THE Messiah, but he forgave people who didn't understand what they were doing yet. It was not yet within their hands to obey because it was not within their understanding, but because it was in HIS hands to forgive them, intercede for them, and leave a Comforter to teach His Word, he left the door open for them to "Ki Titzei" when they understood.
Father, forgive us for not having a predisposition of grace. Change our hearts so that we may give kindness to all whenever "we go out."
Starting NEW CLASSES After Sukkot!
The Weekly Torah portion and CG Workbook Two: The Wicked Lamp and the Seven Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls
Our teachings on HRN and YouTube are free, but some folks know that growth occurs with a lesson plan and systematic study. Looking for a more individual approach and the fellowship of other students?
In the past I've limited online students to 24 per class due to the cost of the plan. We will be switching to a less expensive plan on
Zoom after Sukkot, which will permit up to 99 students per class (don't go looking for that lost sheep...it's me).
We hope to start enrolling new students within a couple of weeks, so stay tuned to Creation Gospel e-mails, and we will also add an enrollment info page to our website:
www.thecreationgospel.com
For those ready to enroll in the free Creation Gospel seminar, we will post that separately soon, so don't give up. We need to test and learn this new
Zoom platform so that I'm ready for you! Because the preferences were split evenly between two Sunday classes and four two-hour weekday classes, I'll offer both options. Stay tuned!
Description of the Weekly Online Torah Class:
Live classes are held online each Monday night 9:00 - 10:00 pm EST or Tuesday afternoons at 1:30 - 2:30 pm EST. New classes start in October 2017, and you can join live on Zoom for the one hour teaching and after-class discussion. Each class teaching is recorded, and students receive a link to download the recording to both classes, not just their own.
Cost is $20 per month for the live class, which may be paid through Paypal or by check to:
Hollisa Alewine
PO Box 846
East Bernstadt, KY 40729
The $20 cost is per student email login. For students who happen to be away from their computers, it is possible to log in in to the class with an iPad or iPhone. For fellowships or Bible studies who want to join as a group, contact us for special pricing.
To enroll, click on the Contact button on our website and supply the following information:
Name
Email address for class login
Class preference (Monday night or Tuesday afternoon)
If your schedule is not a good fit, you may sign up to receive only the recordings for $10 per month. Just indicate this in your email.
*Due to travel for speaking engagements or classes falling on a feast day, classes occasionally are rescheduled on a different day. Students also have priority signup for special free seminars.
Devarim of
Creation Gospel Workbook Five continues to pull the threads from the Rivers of Eden through the Torah portions. It has illustrative stories, wordplay, and thematic explorations of the text and symbols.
The Torah text is traced to its apocalyptic outcomes in some portions, and the literal text is compared and contrast
ed with the figurative language often used in Scripture.
The hermeneutic device of consecutive numbers is explained, and the challenge of ritual and tradition is addressed. The Song of Moses is keyed thematically to the Book of Revelation, and the final Mosaic blessing on the sons of Israel is keyed to the Valorous Woman of Proverbs 31, revealing a secret in blessings, a blessing on the daughters.
Each portion has review questions, bonus discovery questions, and assignments suitable for both individuals and study groups.
Table of Contents:
- Devarim - The City Mouse and the Country Mouse
- Vaetchanan - I Got Tefillin
- Ekev - Hot Rocks and Cold Stones
- Re'eh - When Figs Fly
- Shoftim - Humpty Dumpty Reads War and Trees
- Ki Teitzei - All the Pretty Flowers
- Ki Tavo - Pillar Talk
- Nitzavim* - Blowing Smoke
- Vayelekh - How do You Cut a Steak?
- Ha'azinu - Song-Riders
- Vezot Haberakhah - Fat Man and Little Girl
The most important objective of the workbook, to encourage individual spiritual transformation from the Word, is included in each Torah portion.
Early Bird Room Discount Available Through Labor Day!
When you reserve accommodations, call the park directly and mention Women of Valor. Conference registration is at www.Women-of-Valor.com.
Join us at Women of Valor as we encourage and strengthen one another on the road to Zion. With the seasonal themes of Hanukkah in mind, we will focus on gratitude, compassion, spiritual warfare through worship & prayer, persevering faith, overcoming obstacles, trusting in Adonai's Right Hand, and the rededication of the Temple. This year's speakers and mentors include:
Hollisa Alewine, Ph.D., The Creation Gospel
Jimmilea Berryhill, Ph.D., President of Jubilee Christian College
Jane Diffenderfer, President of Women of Valor
Kisha Gallagher of Grace in Torah and Renewed Radio Program
Robin Gould, DRE of New Covenant Path
Valerie Moody of Covenant Footsteps Ministries
Lisa Rubel of Dancing With Jordi
Deborah Wiley, PhD of Oasis Life Center
| Time: |
Arrival on Friday to the venue is at 4:00 PM |
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| Venue: |
Barren River Lake State Resort Park, 1149 State Park Rd, Lucas, KY 42156 |
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| Donation: |
$89.00 Early-bird Discount
$109.00 after Sept. 4th (Labor Day weekend)
$119.00 after Oct. 15th
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Our annual conference venue is a beautiful, restful place to gather as we celebrate the New Moon of Kislev in preparation for Hanukkah. The meeting space can accommodate up to 175 women. Sleeping options include 2BD/2Ba cottages at $171/night w/4 full-sized beds and kitchens. The cottages are limited, so book early. The hotel rooms, $81/night (Double Occupancy) in the Louie B. Nunn Lodge, have 2 queen-sized beds, that can sleep four. There is a full-service restaurant in the conference center for those who wish to dine there. Registration fees include a Shabbat dinner, all main sessions, breakouts, and worship events.
LaMalah Children's Centre
Orphanage Update
Special thanks to our regular donors and our new donors. The history of LaMalah Children's Centre is now located on our website www.thecreationgospel.com.
If you have children's clothes or children's books (in English) to send, you can mail them to:
Peter W Ndungu
P.O.Box 724
Limuru 00217
Kenya
East Africa
If you can help toward this goal, as always, we welcome your assistance. For those of you who send monthly support to the orphanage, we can't thank you enough for fulfilling Messiah's commission.
Another way to help...
Want to help The Creation Gospel every time you purchase something on Amazon? Our ministry is part of our local congregation, The Olive Branch, in East Bernstadt, Kentucky. If you reset your amazon home page to
https://smile.amazon.com
and select The Olive Branch Messianic Congregation Inc. as your charity, Amazon donates a small percentage of each sale. Every penny helps, and our congregation is a great help in meeting special needs at the orphanage and other outreaches.
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