Parashah Mishpatim: Exodus 21–23
Exodus 21:1, These are the judgments [mishpatim]. Most of the Torah-laws listed in Exodus chapters 21 through 23 are civil in nature and relate to our relationship with our fellow man (as summarized by the phrase, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself,” Lev 19:18).
These laws would correspond to the second half (the fifth through tenth) of the Ten Words or Commandments of Exodus 20.
These civil laws are an expansion or elucidation of those foundational principles given in chapter 20. For example, death by someone’s animal is an expansion of the “thou shalt not murder” command. The charging of usury on loaned money is an expansion of the commands not to covet or steal. The land sabbath and annual sabbaths (appointed times or moedim) are an expansion of the weekly Sabbath.
It should be possible to see how all of YHVH’s Torah commands spring from the original ten, which form the foundation for the rest of the Torah.
Additionally, the approximately 1056 imperative commands found in the Testimony of Yeshua (NT) all spring from the 613 found in the Torah. Think about it. YHVH’s Word would be in opposition to itself if any of the 1056 were to contradict or nullify any of the 613. If they did, that would make YHVH into a liar and his word inconsistent with itself (Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8; John 10:35).
Yet have you ever heard this taught in the church? If it were, how many doctrines of men would come crashing down?
This reminds me of Isaiah 8:13-20:
Yehovah, the ‘Warrior King’ is who you must respect as kadosh. He is the One you must fear. He is the One you must dread. 14 He [Yeshua] will be your Temple. But for both houses of Israel, He’ll be a Stone that causes people to trip, and a Rock to stumble over. For the inhabitants of Jerusalem He [Yeshua: 1 Peter 2:4-8] will be a trap and a snare. 15 A great many will stumble over Him, fall, be broken, be snared, and be captured. 16 In a time of distress, bind up the Testimony and put a seal on the Torah among My disciples. 17 I’ll wait for Yehovah, who hides His face from the house of Jacob, and I’ll look for Him. 18 I and the children [disciples] who Yehovah has given Me are for signs and miracles in Israel from Yehovah the ‘Warrior King’, who lives in Mount Zion! … 20 To the TORAH and to the TESTIMONY! If people dont speak in agreement with these Words, it’s because it [the truth] hasnt dawned on them!
PS
Revelation 12:17 The dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went away to make war with the rest of her offspring, those who obey the Commandments of YHVH [TORAH] AND have THE TESTIMONY OF YESHUA (the so-called NT).
Revelation 19:10 I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said, “Dont do that! I’m a fellow servant, I’m your brother who also adheres to the TESTIMONY OF YESHUA [His “written statements”]. Worship YHVH, because the TESTIMONY OF YESHUA is spirit inspired utterances [or ‘the spirit of prophecy’].”