Parashat Ki Tavo, spanning Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8, highlights the fulfillment of the Torah through Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah. This midrash explores the offering of the first fruits, the blessings and curses, and the renewal of the covenant, integrating these elements with Messianic beliefs.
Deuteronomy 26:1-11 outlines the commandment to bring the first fruits of the harvest to the Temple, accompanied by a declaration: “A wandering Aramean was my father, and he went down to Egypt and sojourned there, few in number; and there he became a great, mighty, and populous nation” (Deut. 26:5). This ritual symbolizes gratitude and divine provision.
In the New Testament, Yeshua is described as the "first fruits" of those who have died, signifying His resurrection as the beginning of the new creation. In 1 Corinthians 15:20, Paul writes, “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” This aligns with the idea of offering the first fruits, as Yeshua's resurrection represents the first of a greater harvest to come.
This Messianic interpretation sees Yeshua as the ultimate fulfillment of the first fruits offering. Just as the Israelites brought their first fruits as a token of gratitude and acknowledgment of God's provision, so too, Yeshua's resurrection is a token of God's promise of eternal life through Him. The act of offering the first fruits thus finds its ultimate expression in Yeshua, who embodies the fulfillment of God's promises and the first evidence of the resurrection to come.
Bringing the first fruits also represents a deeper acknowledgment of God's redemption. In Romans 8:23, Paul speaks of the believers' anticipation of redemption, saying, “And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.” This reflects the Messianic understanding that the first fruits offering is not only a gesture of thanksgiving but a prophetic sign pointing to the greater redemption brought about through Yeshua.
Deuteronomy 27:9-26 and 28:1-68 outline the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. This duality illustrates the covenant's conditional nature and serves as a moral and spiritual guide.
From a Messianic perspective, Yeshua's life and teachings fulfill the Torah's blessings and curses. In Galatians 3:13, Paul declares, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.’” This verse highlights how Yeshua took upon Himself the curses that the Torah prescribes for disobedience, thus redeeming believers from these consequences.
Yeshua's role as the redeemer is seen as the fulfillment of the Torah's conditions. The blessings outlined in
Deuteronomy 28represent the ideal state of divine favor for Israel’s obedience, while the curses are the natural consequences of disobedience. Yeshua’s sacrificial death and resurrection address these curses, offering redemption and restoration. His fulfillment of these conditions provides believers with the hope of receiving the blessings promised by God through obedience in Him.
In Jeremiah 31:31-34, the prophet speaks of a new covenant: “Behold, days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.” This prophecy is seen as being fulfilled in the New Testament through Yeshua's establishment of a new covenant.
In
Luke 22:20, Yeshua Himself declares, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.” This statement connects directly with Jeremiah's prophecy, indicating that Yeshua's sacrifice is the means by which the new covenant is established. This covenant surpasses the old one by not only addressing the legal and moral aspects but also by providing a direct and personal relationship with God through the Messiah.
Deuteronomy 29:1-8 recounts the renewal of the covenant between God and Israel, signifying a fresh commitment to the divine laws and a reaffirmation of the bond that sustains the people. This renewal is seen as an ongoing process that reflects the dynamic relationship between God and His people.
The renewal of the covenant is profoundly connected to Yeshua’s mission. In Hebrews 9:15, it is written, “For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” This verse emphasizes that Yeshua mediates a new covenant, one that fulfills and transcends the old.
The renewal of the covenant through Yeshua signifies a deepening and completion of the original covenant's promises. Just as the Israelites were called to renew their commitment to God, believers in Yeshua are invited to embrace the new covenant, which provides not only a reaffirmation of the original promises but also a new dimension of spiritual fulfillment. Yeshua's role as mediator ensures that this covenant is both enduring and transformative, reflecting the ultimate goal of the Torah's ethical and spiritual teachings.
In John 15:5, Yeshua says, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.” This metaphor illustrates the living, dynamic nature of the covenant relationship, where Yeshua is the source of spiritual vitality and fruitfulness.
The new covenant is not just a set of rules but a living relationship with Yeshua. The dynamic nature of this relationship reflects the ongoing renewal of the covenant in the believer’s life. As Yeshua is the vine and believers are the branches, their spiritual growth and fruitfulness depend on their connection to Him. This relationship embodies the essence of the covenant as a living, active engagement with God through the Messiah.
Parashat Ki Tavo, when viewed through a Messianic perspective, reveals profound connections between the Torah’s teachings and the fulfillment of those teachings through Yeshua the Messiah. The offering of the first fruits, the blessings and curses, and the renewal of the covenant all find their ultimate expression in Yeshua’s life, death, and resurrection.
The first fruits offering finds its fulfillment in Yeshua as the first fruits of the resurrection. The blessings and curses are addressed through Yeshua’s redemptive work, which provides believers with the promise of eternal life and restoration. Finally, the renewal of the
| All Portions this week (LINK) | ||
| Torah | Haftarah | B'rit Chadashah |
|---|---|---|
| Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8 | Isaiah 60:1-22 | Luke 24:44-53 |
| COMMENTARY | ||
| Fruits of Torah | Torah Resource | Hebrews for Christians |
| Ardelle -ver1 | Tim Hegg -part1 | Torah Table Talk |
| Ardelle -ver2 | Curses of the Law | |
| Ardelle -ver3 | The Goal of the Law | |
| AUDIO COMMENTARY (Nehemia's Wall) | ||
| Portion | Torah Pearls | Prophet Pearls |
| Ki-Tavo | ||