8.13.26 – Selfless Living

Last week's Torah portion, Re'eh ("to see"), continued the thought of blessing from the previous week's study of Eikev ("because"). This week's Torah portion, Shoftim ("judges"), presents the method Yahweh uses to ensure the blessing continues in the lives of the nation of Israel.

Just as the seventy elders Moses chose had to possess specific qualities to judge (Ex. 18:21), so too these individuals had a list of self-qualifying traits (Deut. 16:18–17:1).

If we could summarize the six qualities mentioned in this week's Torah portion, we could say that these individuals needed to be selfless! Selfishness describes a person who will do whatever it takes to get what they want (2 Cor. 12:20; James 3:15). Selflessness, on the other hand, is demonstrated by the individual who works to fulfill his calling as a productive member of the community.

Throughout history, selfishness has often been associated with prostitutes and politicians who manipulate the public to gain power. Hence, every judge had to serve without attaching personal gain to his rulings. This mindset—similar to that of Yeshua, the One to whom all judgment is given (John 5:22)—is exhorted to each of us through Paul's letter to the assembly at Philippi (Phil. 2:3). This stands in contrast to striving for glory, honor, and eternal life through good works (Rom. 2:7).

As you head into this fourth day of the week and the 46th day of counting toward the firstfruits of the oil, may it be a growing quality in each of us to put away the power-hungry mindset that seeks only what is best for "me." Put away the mindset of political prostitution for personal gain, as we see it splattered throughout social media, the news media, special interest groups, and so on.

It is hard to follow the ways of God above when we adopt, inadvertently or purposely, the ways of the world system.

As with the judges, who had to be self-regulating in their own lives, we too must be self-regulating if we are to walk with the same mindset as the most righteous and just Judge, who always applies mercy and truth in perfect measure.

If you are anything like me, knowing the standard in my mind is one thing (the judges/shoftim); having the will to employ those self-judgments is another (the officers/shotrim).

Shalom!
Alan

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