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“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse.” This begins Parasha Re’eh, translated “See.” Our parasha covers Deuteronomy 11:26–16:17 and continues with Moses instructing our people in the specific commandments of Adonai. These commandments include the kosher laws, tithes, the Sabbatical year, the biblically mandated feasts, and the command to avoid idolatry. In these various topics we see the truth about salvation and righteousness.
In chapter 12, we are commanded to destroy every trace of the Canaanites’ pagan religion. We are reminded not to practice their wicked ways and offer sacrifices anywhere we desire. Instead, we were only to offer sacrifices in the place the Lord would choose to dwell, which later is revealed to be Jerusalem.
Chapter 13 records three situations to illustrate the severity of idolatry. The first situation describes how to respond if a prophet or dreamer performs signs and miracles. Even if supernatural signs occur and prophecies come to pass, we must still analyze what the prophet is saying. If that prophet tells us to abandon Adonai, we are to put them to death.
In the second situation, if even our closest family members or friends try to encourage us to follow false gods, they must be put to death as well. We are commanded to be the first to bring them to the proper authorities and the first to stone them.
The final situation is what to do if an entire Israeli city was reported to have turned against Adonai. First, we were to take great pains to substantiate the rumors heard. If it was true, then the entire city was to be destroyed along with its inhabitants. The city was to be treated as one of the Canaanite cities. Nobody was to take anything from it, and it was never to be rebuilt.
Chapter 14 concerns kosher and unkosher animals. A land animal must have a split hoof and chew its own cud. A fish must have both fins and scales; it cannot be a bottom feeder such as shrimp. For birds, carrion birds are considered unkosher because of their diet of dead animals.
Chapter 14 ends with a discussion on tithing. Tithing is mandated in this chapter under the Mosaic Covenant as the way we are supposed to support the priesthood, whose duties were to all the people. It was also a matter of justice and mercy to support the poor of society, orphans and widows. Taking care of those in need is found throughout God’s Word. In James 1 we are told pure religion is to care for those who are most in need.
In Chapter 15, the Sabbath year every seven years is commanded again. Specific details on freedom from debts are given as well. In this chapter we are commanded again to provide for the poor so that their needs will be met. We must also provide for newly freed slaves as well, so that they are not forced back into slavery. A people set free, as Israel was, should go out of their way to encourage freedom within their land. These are great principles because most people will need second chances and fresh starts. The parasha ends with the command to journey to Jerusalem for the mandatory three pilgrimage feasts: Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot.
Re’eh is a very theologically packed parasha, but all these specific commandments are encompassed by the same underlying principle. This principle is found in the first verse of this parasha: “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse.” The Lord has set before us the paths to blessing and to curses. Throughout this parasha, Moses encourages us to follow all these commandments so that we may be blessed, because it is the Lord’s desire to bless us, not curse us.
When the Lord says for us to “see”, He is telling us to do more than read. He wants us to apply to apply these teachings to our lives through His power. We are not under the Mosaic Covenant, but the truth of these commandments is still relevant for us today so that we may be blessed.
These commandments help us “see” that we cannot allow false beliefs to lead us away from God’s perfect truth. There are many today who try to convince us to “see” differently in dangerous ways. One way is teaching false Gospels that focus on wealth and earthly success. Others teach that we can ignore principles of righteousness that are uncomfortable or inconvenient for us. People who have no care for those who are in need, withholding mercy and kindness from those who desperately need it. Perhaps most dangerous are those who engage in syncretism, merging false beliefs with God’s truth. This has been a problem throughout history. In Messiah Yeshua’s day there were many Jewish people who mixed their faith with Greco-Roman idolatry. Of course, this also continues today in a variety of ways as well.
Parasha Re’eh is a reminder that we must be seeking after God and “seeing” Him correctly. The Lord alone is the source of truth and has revealed to us everything we need to know while also giving us the power to experience blessings and not judgment. We do not need false prophets and half-truths when we have been given the source of all Truth. We just need to trust and obey our wonderful Messiah through the power of His Holy Spirit. Then, one day soon, every eye will truly see the Lord, and we will know Him even more deeply as we experience eternal life with the Lord forever. This is the greatest blessing He has set before us.
May each one of us see and experience the blessings of the Lord. May we reject the lies of this world for the transforming truth found in Adonai alone. May the Lord open our eyes, and the eyes of our people, so we can see and experience the powerful glory of Messiah Yeshua.