Judah - The Lawgiver of God – Part One

Hebrew: Mechoqeck

By OvadYah Avrahami

Awesome Biblical Proof that:

The rejection of Judaism and its Rabbinical leadership is in direct violation of the Declarations of the God of Israel according to which:

Judah is the Judicial Authority (Mechoqeck) of HaShem on earth

Judah is the sole representative of the Kingdom of HaShem on earth

The Rabbinical leadership is the authorised Teacher of the Torah of HaShem –

AND ABOVE ALL! - - - Judah is ?……READ ON for this staggering Revelation!

Index

Introduction

The following Scriptures should raise no eyebrows:

Isaiah 33:22 - “For HaShem is our Judge, HaShem is our Lawgiver (Mechoqeck), HaShem is our King; He will save us.”

Obviously, the Lawgiver does not break the Law by sitting in Judgment, but His unauthorised subjects do.

Even those who oppose of God’s Law (Torah) would not think of denying that HaShem is the Lawgiver, as these Scriptures confirm. They would however take exception to the following Scriptural statement and undoubtedly find, or create reasons for arguing it away. The onus is on you though, as the individual reader, to consider the following statement and decide how you would accept it or interpret it. This text uses the exact same Hebrew word Mechoqeck,, and is written in the very same Bible, the Word of HaShem.

This text will no doubt raise many eyebrows.- coming from the Mouth of HaShem Himself:

Psalms 60:7 - “Judah is my Lawgiver (Mechoqeck),”

And just in case someone may propose that this is an editorial error in the Bible, it is repeated once more in Psalms 108:8.

The word Mechoqeck appears 6 times only, in the Tanach (OT).

Once it refers directly to HaShem Himself, as quoted in the introduction above in Isaiah 33:22 and reprinted:

Isaiah 33:22 - “For HaShem is our Judge, HaShem is our Lawgiver (Mechoqeck), HaShem is our King; He will save us.”

Twice it refers clearly to Judah (the Jews).

Psalms 60:7 – “Judah is My lawgiver.” (Hebrew: ‘Yehudah Mechoqeqi’). Some English translations render it ‘My Sceptre’.

Psalms 108:8 – the same words and translation.

Of the three remaining instances, twice it is a vague reference, but the final instance is an equally bold declaration regarding Judah, as recorded in the Word of HaShem. This declaration regarding Judah is no doubt inspired by His Spirit in line with the Divine Promise made to Jacob by HaShem Himself at Luz (or Bethel) in Samaria.

According to this Divine Blessing, G-d would bless Jacob’s descendants, which would grow into a multitude of nations, whom G-d would bring back to this very Land of Israel (Genesis 28:10-19).

Genesis 49:10 – “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a Lawgiver (Mechoqeck) from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the obedience of the people (the nations) be."

This text and its bold declaration will form the theme of our further discussion.

Genesis 49:10 – “Divine Appointment of Judah”

Rabbi Mordecai Eliyahu

Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel (1983 to 1993) and Member of the Supreme Rabbinic Court in Jerusalem

The Blessing declared by Genesis 49:10 upon the Tribe and the descendants of Judah was part of the Blessings pronounced by Ya’acov (Jacob) under Divine Inspiration, on his death bed, over his 12 sons (fathers of the 12 Tribes of the nation of Israel which would proceed from them). It was defined as being a declaration of “what lies before them in time to come.” (Genesis 49:1).

According to this Prophetic Blessing, Judah (the Jews) would retain the ruling legal authority amongst the 12 Tribes of Israel "... UNTIL Shiloh comes," to whom the ruling authority "over the nations" belongs.

There can be no doubt, that one of the main reasons why Jews (descendants of the Tribe of Judah) are disliked by other nations, is because of their image of representing legalism, religious legalism, which they portray. This dislike certainly protrudes from many Christians who regard themselves as ‘free from this legalism through the Grace of their Messiah.’ Even a major part, if not the majority, of Hebraic Roots Restorers (a great awakening phenomenon of late), protests against what they regard as ‘the man-made legal obligations of the Rabbis’.

Notwithstanding this resistance, these Restorers of Torah, as they like to portray themselves (and which indeed they are identified by) are gradually partaking more and more of these Hebraic legal responsibilities themselves – like the Sabbath, Feast days, Jewish customs, etc.

The majority of these returnees to Torah principles, claim to uphold only the literal injunctions of the Bible, while vehemently rejecting the Rabbinic "man-made” injunctions. Yet, ironically, they are also adopting many of the salient Rabbinic Oral Torah directives for rituals and religious items for which the literal Word (the Bible) offers no directives at all.

Examples of these are the Prayer phylacteries, Tefillin, the Talith, the Mezuzah, etc. In their restorative drive, however, they select only those laws which they believe they are obligated to, and even then, they choose to interpret and define these Laws according to their own understanding or, as many claim, “according to the leading of the Holy Spirit”- though they still vociferously differ with each other. This results in great discord and disunity in the Restoration Movement because of the great confusion amongst its adherents regarding interpretation of these ‘Jewish’ Laws and practises and their rejection of rabbinic interpretation.

Above all this confusion, one striking effect is indisputable: viz. the Power of the Word of G-d:

That the Tribe of Judah (Jews) have indeed remained as the Guardians of Torah throughout the ages, since Moses received it from G-d and interpreted it for the people, notwithstanding all the persecutions and pogroms they had to endure for this Divine Mandate placed on them by G-d;
That the Tribe of Judah would remain to blaze the Trail and, by example, set the Pace and be the Light unto not only the nations, but also to those who, while opposing their interpretations of the Word of G-d, yet follow their guidance as they are no doubt led by the Spirit of G-d.
The Most High certainly employs paradox and controversy to achieve His Purpose!

Christians claim that their Messiah replaced the authority of Judah

James Tissot, “Woe unto You, Scribes and Pharisees”, Brooklyn Museum

Let us consider at the outset, the claims of Christianity that the Christian Messiah, Jesus, since his appearance 2000 years ago has therefore replaced the ruling authority of the Jews; being Shiloh who has come. By far the greater majority of the Messianic Hebraic Restoration Movement, who proclaim a more authentic Jewish version of the Christian Messiah, and whom they call by his Hebrew name Y'Shuah, also erroneously believe that he replaced the authority of the Jewish rabbanim of Judah.

Let us recall here our opening quotation regarding Judah as being the Lawgiver (Mechoqeck) of HaShem. Has Jesus or Y'Shuah now replaced Judah as the Lawgiver, thereby ending its legal Mandate? Adherents of this claim are unanimous in their vehement denial and rejection of "Rabbinic authority". Yet, it would be a great insult today, to credit any 'Messiah' with "Ruling over the nations" (as the latter part of the Prophecy and Divine Mandate of Genesis 49:10 specifies) while we observe the ever worsening ungodliness, rebellion, terror and sinfulness of the nations! Prophecy defines His Rule over the nations as a Rule with "a Rod of Iron".

This has surely NOT been accomplished yet - but will most certainly be so, when Messiah takes over the Rule of this world in the aftermath of the War of Gog Magog (Armageddon) - now well in sight! Until then, Judah remains to be the Lawgiver (interpreter) by Divine Mandate (Genesis 49:10).

When the Messiah comes as Ruler over the Nations, as the King of the World, then only will He take over the Law 'faculty' (Mechoqeck) from Judah.

The Reign of King Messiah

Further Torah confirmation of Judah as the Lawgiver

The legal authority of Judah as the Mechoqeck of G-d, entails the issue of Torah Law interpretation. The Word of G-d makes clear provision for the nation of Israel for this Torah guidance:

Deuteronomy 17: 8 -13 – “If a case comes before you … any dispute at all … you must make your way to the place that HaShem your G-d chooses and approach the Levitical priests and judges then in office (does that include today?). They will … give a decision for you. You must abide by the decision they pronounce for you … you must take care to carry out all their instructions. You must abide by the verdict they give you and by the decision they declare to you, swerving neither to the right or left of the sentence they have pronounced for you. If anyone presumes to disobey either the priest who is there in the Service of HaShem your G-d, or the judge, that man must die. You must banish this evil from Israel. And all the people shall hear of it and be afraid and not act presumptuously a second time.”

How should this Torah Directive apply to Messianic followers – if their Messiah did appear 2000 years ago? How does it apply to Hebraic Roots Restorers today who are gradually adopting more and more Jewish Torah injunctions? Where should they turn for sound and proper Torah interpretation today? Does the Messianic New Testament not in fact quote their Messiah’s command and confirmation (almost as a direct reference to Deuteronomy 17 above) that they should listen to the Jewish Scribes and Pharisees and DO what they say (Matthew 23:2)?

Matthew 23:2-3 – “Then Jesus spoke to the people and to his disciples saying: ‘Upon the seat of Moses the Pharisees and the sages sit. Now all which (they) say to you, keep and do; but (according to) their ordinances and deeds do not do because they say do or not.” (Shem-Tob’s Hebrew Matthews)

One of the remarkable features of the Hebraic Restoration Movement is its Return to Torah observance - which is simply another Prophetic fulfilment. In fact, they claim that this was one of the main mandates of their Messiah - to return the masses to Torah observance - to reconcile them to the Eternal Covenant.

To credit any Messiah with the designation of Mechoqeck for this lawless dispensation today, is nothing short of a grave insult against His capability as Law Interpreter.

The Torah Dispensation of the Messiah

That 'Shiloh' refers to the Messiah, is almost unanimously agreed to by Jewish commentators throughout the ages. Refer Notes:

So, are the Messianic claims that their Messiah has now replaced the Torah Law faculty of Judah valid - or is there another explanation?

Christians believe that Messiah will return at the End of Time - in a 2nd Coming to rule as King. Jewish interpretation is also explicit about the existence of TWO Messiahs:

Messiah ben Yosef - Who will regather the exiles of Israel, having reconciled them to Torah observance (concluding a Renewed Covenant with them), and;
Messiah ben David - Who will reign as King over Israel and the world.

You might want to read -

“Messiah ben Joseph” – Wikipedia

“Messiah Son of Yosef” – Yair Davidiy with Brit-Am

“Tracing Mashiach be Yosef” – Rabbi Daniel Krentzman

“Kol-hator” – Quoting the Gaon of Vilna

The Rabbinic sages knew that the ancestral right to the kingly leadership rule, resting in the Davidic line of the tribe of Judah, would cease at the coming of the "Messiah, the son of David" (a common appellation of King Messiah found in Rabbinic writings).

Conclusion: 'Shiloh' must therefore refer to Messiah's yet future Coming, when He will truly reign as King over the nations. Until then, according to Genesis 49:10, Judah will retain its authoritative legal rule, having duly been mandated for this by HaShem "until Shiloh comes - unto Whom the nations would be obedient."

Isaiah 11:10-13 – “‘In that day’ the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to Him, and His place of rest will be glorious. ‘In that day’ HaShem will reach out His hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of His people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the sea.

He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will assemble the scattered people of Judah (Jews) from the four quarters of the earth. Ephraim's (Biblical compound term used for regathered 10 Tribes of Israel) jealousy will vanish, and Judah's enemies will be cut off; Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah, nor Judah hostile toward Ephraim." (Refer also to Ezekiel 37:15).

Though "the Root of Jesse" is claimed by Messianics to refer to their Messiah who came 2000 years ago, this Prophecy from Isaiah clearly refers to a yet future event - a Time when Judah and Ephraim will be reconciled to each other.

UNTIL that Time of Reconciliation of the two divided Houses of Israel, Judah shall retain its Mechoqeck leadership through its Rabbinic authority over Torah interpretation - much to the vehement rejection of 'Ephraim' - the Ten Tribes and other Gentiles who have turned to the G-d of Israel yet reject His Torah with its 'legalism'.

Jurisdiction of the Lawgiver (the MeChoqeck)

Orthodox Jews at the Wailing Wall

Some amazing revelations await us as we delve deeper into the Hebrew Scriptures surrounding this topic of the Law of HaShem and Judah’s designation as the Mechoqeck of HaShem. May the contents of this study assist in bringing some agreement and unity, by accentuating the Divine appointment of Judah as the Mechoqeck of HaShem, i.e. the ‘Law Giver’ or Law Interpreter and authority.

What does the Law of HaShem entail – of which Judah has been declared ‘the Mechoqeck (Lawgiver) of HaShem’? In its broader sense, the Law of HaShem is referred to as:

THE TORAH – “law; teaching, direction; instruction." This noun occurs 220 times in the Hebrew Tanach (OT). In Judaism it entails the first 5 Books of the Bible which specifies the 613 Laws of HaShem. Often referred to as ‘The Laws of Moses’ – meaning, ‘as given through Moses’.

Psalms 119 defines the Torah in finer detail:

Psalms 119:1 – “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the Torah of HaShem".

This is followed by 176 verses praising the Laws, Statutes, Judgments, Commandments, Decrees, Precepts etc. We will shortly define the total encompassment of His Torah (Instruction, teaching, direction, system).

G-d gave Israel the Torah in order that they might observe it and enjoy the Blessings of Life which come through observing it:

Deuteronomy 4:8 - “And what nation is there so great, that has Statutes and Judgments so righteous as all this Law, which I set before you this day?"

The Prophets called Israel to repentance by returning to the Torah Instructions: Isaiah 1:10. Jeremiah prophesied of a future time when G-d would renew His Eternal Covenant with His People in terms of the ‘New Covenant’, according to which the Torah would be internalized: G-d's people would willingly obey Him, according to a loving spiritual obedience of their hearts and minds:

Jeremiah 31:30-33 –“Behold the days are coming – the word of HaShem – when I will seal a new covenant with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah: not like the covenant that I sealed with their forefathers on the day that I took hold of their hand to take them out of the land of Egypt, for they abrogated My covenant – although I became their Master. For this is the covenant that I shall seal with the House of Israel after those days - the word of HaShem – I will place My Torah within them and I will write it onto their hearts; I will be a G-d for them and they will be a people for Me.”

At the end of days, in the final hours before the revealing of the Messiah, the Torah is the last things the HaShem invites both the House of Judah and the House of Israel to remember!

Malachi 4:19 (Stone Edition TaNaKh) or Malachi 4:4 (NKJV – “Remember the Torah of Moses My servant, which I commanded him at Horeb for all of Israel – [its] decree and [its] statutes. Behold I send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome day of HaShem. And He will turn back [to G-d] the hearts of fathers with [their] sons and the hearts of sons with their fathers. Lest I come and strike the land with utter destruction.”

Isaiah 56:3-7 – “And the foreigners who join themselves to G-d to serve Him and to love the Name of G-d to become servants unto Him, all who guard the Sabbath against desecration and grasp My covenant tightly — I will bring them to My holy mountain, and I will gladden them in My house of prayer; their elevation offerings and their feast offerings will find favour on My Altar, for My House will be called the house of prayer for all peoples.”

What does this Law of Moses entail, to which the people are admonished to return?

The word ‘Torah’ is derived from the Hebrew root verb yarah - (2 Chronicles 26:15) meaning to show the way, to shoot, to throw (like an arrow), to pour water, to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to teach, archer, direct, inform, instruct, to lay a cornerstone.

The word for a teacher, in Hebrew (Moreh), is a direct derivative of this verb.

Do we have an indication here, that by being appointed and declared the ‘Mechoqeck’ of HaShem (‘The Lawgiver’), that Judah has been Divinely intended to be the Law Teacher of the 12 Tribes and of the world? Let us see if we find further references in our search for this answer, by delving further into the meanings of the various Hebrew words used for ‘Law’ in the Bible. Let us throughout our study also bear in mind the mandated pointers of Shevet (Sceptre) and Mechoqeck given for Judah in Genesis 49:10.

Psalms 119 confirms that the Law of HaShem entails various concepts which we will list under the section Notes 2 for those readers who want to make an in-depth study.

Psalms 119:1-8 – “Praiseworthy are those whose way is perfect, who walk with the Torah of HaShem. Praiseworthy are those who guard His testimonies, they seek Him wholeheartedly. They have also done no iniquity, of they have walked in His ways. You have issued Your precepts to be kept diligently. My prayers: May my ways be firmly guided to keep Your statutes. Then I will not be ashamed, when I gaze at all Your commandments. I will give thanks to You with upright heart, when I study Your righteous ordinances. I will keep Your statutes, O, do not forsake me utterly."

This wide encompassment of His Law, gives clear indication of how shallow the reasoning goes, which claims that G-d has no Law – or, that it is only the 10 Commandments which have to be observed. HaShem’s Laws and System are for the purposes of running a country and a nation. This requires as wide a set of laws, rules and regulations as any country requires.

It should resolve from this, amongst the professing followers of HaShem across the world, who read and search the Bible, that the authority regarding the spiritual operation and determination of this much wider encompassment of His Law has been given to the spiritual leaders of Judah – “until Shiloh comes, to Whom the Rule belongs,”... when nations will be subdued to His Rule of Law – as in any government in the world.

Many modern day Messianic Hebraic Roots Restorers (reawakening 10 Tribers) who are in the process of returning to Torah (as prophesied in Ezekiel 37:15 and other Prophecies), take great exception though to the suggestion, even in their own NT Writings (Matthew 23:2, Romans 3:2), which sanction both Deuteronomy 17 and the Divine Mandate to Judah contained in Genesis 49:10.

Further Divine Mandates unto Judah

The Esteemed Kabbalist Sephardi Rabbi Yitzhak Kaduri – Painting by Elena Girshbein

Genesis 49:10 – “The Sceptre shall not depart from Judah … until Shiloh comes …”

The Hebrew word translated Sceptre here, is ‘Shevet’. Shevet - "tribe; rod." - a rod denoting rule over a nation as defined in:

Ezekiel 19:11, "And she had strong rods for the scepters of them that bare rule,..."

In modern Hebrew, Shevet mainly means "tribe". In the Tanach it is used 143 times to denote a "tribe," a division in a nation. It is the preferred term used for the twelve Tribes of Israel (Genesis 49:16; Exodus 28:21).

As ‘a rod’, the word Shevet is used as ’a symbol of authority in the hands of a ruler’. As such it is translated ‘sceptre’ in Amos 1:5, 8 and as ‘an instrument of warfare’ by Messiah at the establishment of His Kingdom.

Isaiah 11:4 – “But with righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and He shall smite the earth with the rod (Shevet) of His mouth..."

In Gen. 49:10,Shevet is generally translated ‘Sceptre’ – depicting the Rule and authority of Judah.

This interpretation however, would result in duplicating the “ruling“ aspect of this Divine Mandate in this Scripture, viz. “The Sceptre (ruling rod) shall not depart from Judah, nor a Lawgiver (Mechoqeck) from between his feet, until Shiloh comes to Whom the Rule belongs.”

We may therefore consider using the alternative and more often used meaning of ‘Tribe’ for Shevet, in the first part of the text. Thus: “The Tribe (tribal identity) shall not depart from Judah, nor a Lawgiver (Mechoqeck) from between his feet, until Shiloh comes.”

This would be perfectly valid in terms of the historic fact: Th that while the Ten Tribes of Israel disappeared because they rejected the Torah authority (Mechoqeck) of Judah and were resultantly cut off and exiled by HaShem. Judah remained identified throughout the 2000 years of their dispersion – all the time retaining and expounding their Mechoqeck (Lawgiver) Mandate.

As for the word ‘Law’, where we have seen various alternative synonyms, the word Shevet also has a synonym: “Matteh” – meaning both ‘rod’ and ‘tribe’. . It occurs 251 times in Tanach. As ‘staff’ it signifies authority or power over another nation. And as such it is used in reference to the Messianic Rule Psalms 110:2. It refers to ‘Tribe’ 183 times. The "tribes" of Israel are each designated as ‘matteh’.

This dual meaning for ‘matteh’ therefore validates the probability that the Divine Mandate to Judah, in Genesis 49:10, could well refer to the maintenance of Judah’s Tribal identity as the ‘Lawgiver’ of HaShem, who should be recognized for it by the Returnees of the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel.

Prophecy predicted the re-identifying of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel in the End Time, when they would return to Torah and to the Land. It should be clear from this, that their Return should then also be preceded by true repentance from their original arrogance and rejection of the authority of Judah and a recognition and subjection to Judah’s Divine Mandate as the Mechoqeckim (Lawgivers) of HaShem.

For a clearer understanding of such a suggested probability, it is necessary that we at this stage do a quick review of the conditions surrounding the historic rejection of Judah and its Divinely mandated Mechoqeck (Law Giver) status, by the Ten Northern Tribes of Israel.

Continue to Part Two – “Judah - The Lawgiver of God – Part Two”

************

You might Want to Read the Entire Series on “Judah the Mechoqeck”

“Judah - The Lawgiver of God – Part One”

“Judah - The Lawgiver of God – Part Two”

The world around is quickly becoming transformed into a polarizing a world of two choices: for G-d or for Satan, for Goodness or for Evil, for Restoration of All Israel or against the restoration of the House of Israel and the House of Judah. As it comes to the Lost Ten Tribes of the House of Israel, our naturalized homelands as we know them to be will soon disappear and we will have only one choice left, assimilate into Clinton’s global village or return to our ancestral tribal homelands in Israel. The prophets have a lot to say as to the fate of each of these Lost Israelites.

This comes to one sobering conclusion, if you are a descendant of the Lost Ten Tribes of the House of Israel and you despise your brothers, the Jews, you will be left cohabitating with peoples who will have a genetic hatred to you even though you think you want to be a part of them.

So today, the G-d of Israel is whistling or coaxing you to come back to the brotherhood of Klal Yisra’el (All Israel). To learn more about this redemptive process, you are Welcome to Contact “Kol Ha'Tor”,the Voice of the Turtledove. Here is a joint Orthodox Jewish and 10-Triber Mission to bring awareness of the imminent fulfillment of the Biblical Prophecies regarding the Redemption of all Israel (12 Tribes Re-conciled and Re-United). This super Event of all Times will entail establishing in the region of Shomron (the Ancient Bible Heartland of the Patriarchs) and the Judean Wilderness into a new homeland for the Return of the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel when All Israel will finally be redeemed.

For inquiries about Kol Ha Tor Vision for the Lost Tribes of Israel, Visit – “Shomron Lives!”,a Spiritual Retreat and Guest House in Samaria, that hosts Shomron (Samaria) Tours to reacquaint the Returning Lost Tribers of the House of Israel.

Destination Yisra'el

A Blog for the Lost Ten Tribers Awakening to their New Reality

Search

Categories

Recent Posts

Archives

Become a Fan

11/25/2012

Judah - The Lawgiver of God – Part One

FAIR USE NOTICE