Nestled in a rather unusual place at the beginning of parsha Shoftim (Judges), just after the Lord commands the establishment of judges and officers (Deut. 16:18-19), and the well known command to pursue justice (Deut. 16:20), we find two commands about the Altar of God.

Simply: do not plant an Ashram pole for yourself next to the Altar of God, and do not set up a pillar for yourself (Deut. 16:21-22).

Why this unusual placement? The Altar of God is to be holy. A place where the people of God can come for forgiveness, restoration, even celebration before the Lord. Idolatry, represented by the pole and the pillar, does something subtle in the human heart that we often overlook.

The Altar of God was to be made of uncut stones (Ex. 20:25; Deut. 27:5-7). Imagine how beautiful and ornate a stilled sculptor like a Michelangelo could form the stones of the Altar of God. Easily creating a masterpiece, a place of such majestic beauty, that few, if any, would dare to approach. Admired from afar, but functionally useless. Keeping at a distance the very people who need to draw near.

Idolatry is an ever-present danger in the life of faith; as it steals our affections that rightly belong to God. Idolatry admires not the “god” it images, but the human effort involved in it. Consider the words of Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein, “The word Asherah comes from the word asher, to make fulfilled or thrive. You tended to the Asherah planted in honor of a particular god. Your care made the tree flourish and thrive. In recognition of the honor you showed it, its god helped you out with some special assistance, placing some natural force at your disposal.”

Yet, why not allow such a holy place to be adorned with poles and pillars, ornate carved stones and magnificent steps? Why not cover the Altar with gold, diamonds, rubies, and other treasures of the earth? Why disqualify human artistry at the Altar when it was permitted in other elements of the Tabernacle?

Simple: once human effort enters the place of sacrifice, our eyes would be taken off the Lord, and we would look back at ourselves, or even to the lack in the human other approaching the Living God. We look for a power apart from the Lord. Once we begin to examine the beauty of the Altar, of what we have tended, we overlook the beauty of His grace, and the high price of forgiveness. Then, we become idolators, our worship profane, and we remain dead in our sins, see the Lords rebuke in Isaiah 65:2-3.

Scripture teaches that God made man in His image. Therefore only God can make an image of Himself. The second commandment forbids idolatry for this very reason. We are not to image God, rather He images us and conforms us to the image of His Son (Ro. 8:29). To see “god” as a pole or pillar, a bird or a bull, diminishes the sanctity of humanity made in His image. Once diminished, it is easily devalued, discarded, and destroyed.

Idolatry, masquerading as holy worship, spiritually disqualifies those He is drawing to Himself. Qualifying those who have reached a human standard of acceptance. So we wait. We hide. We are never good enough, qualified enough, or perfect enough to approach a place of such beauty. Rather than a place of reconciliation of relationship, the idolatrous altar divides and isolates. Relationship with the Lord expects relationship with the human other. We find then, idolatry isolates us, and limits the limitless Living God. Idolatry teaches us that we have a hand in our salvation, and if we have a superior result, we are most certainly more loved. The testimony of Scripture does not support this conclusion.

A command for uncut, simple, natural stones reminds us that He desires the simplicity of an obedient heart, not a perfect heart. He does the work of perfection, not us. Do not wait until you feel “chiseled” enough to “fit in” with the beauty around you, to “fit right” with the approved standard of beauty and holiness before you come to Him. This is not what He wants. He wants you. Come to Him in faith as you are, and He will, as you trust in His sacrifice, conform you to the beauty of His Son.

The command regarding poles and pillars follows commands for justice because as long as we see ourselves as the beautifiers and keepers of the Altar of God, justice, according to God’s measure, is impossible. For by our justice, no measure is ever enough. But in God’s justice, the righteous Judge took the final judgment Himself (2 Cor. 5:17-21).

Be well. Shalom.

In Deuteronomy 19:1-3, Moses speaks about the cities of refuge once again. Six cities, three on the eastern side of the Jordan, and three on the western side of the Jordan. As I have shared before, throughout the ancient land of Israel signs along the road, and at every intersection, pointed the way to the nearest city of refuge.

These signs fulfilled the command recorded in the Torah: תָּכִין לְךָ, הַדֶּרֶךְ, “prepare the way for yourselves.” This is a directive to make the way clear, free of debris, and to set signs for direction. Preparing the way to the city of refuge could save an innocent life.

As numerous as signs to cities of refuge were, it is interesting to note that there is no tradition, or commentary indicating, that signs to Jerusalem were present in ancient Israel. Why?

Comparatively few people needed to flee to the city of refuge as compared to those traveling to Jerusalem. Wouldn’t it seem that signs to Jerusalem should be more prevalent?

I’ve read several opinions on this, and they share the same idea, that when traveling to Jerusalem, for a festival or time of rejoicing, it was a delight to share the good news of the occasion by stopping along the way. In times when daily life was fraught with difficulty, good news would inspire and lift the lives of those along the way. If the signs to Jerusalem were present, there would be no need to stop and share good news.

The way to Jerusalem was prepared. Prepared by the thousands of feet that had gone before; along the same roadways and paths our forefathers and foremothers had walked. And if one did not know the way, or you needed to stop along the way, there was good news to share.

In the Good News According to Mark, Messiah Yeshua/Jesus directs: “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mk. 16:15). This is a variation of the Great Commission of Matthew 20:18-20. The Messiah said “go.” But where?

No matter “where” we are in this world, we are making our way to the New Jerusalem (Heb. 11:13-16), to the One Who is greater than the cities of refuge: Yeshua. But how do we know the way?

Thomas asked this very question: “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn. 14:5-6).

As Messiah explains so beautifully, He is the way; and He has prepared the way before us, as He said “follow Me”. Even more, He has prepared the place where we will rest (Jn. 14:3). Along the way, as we go, we share the Good News of what Messiah has done, to inspire others to repentance, forgiveness and new life in Him.

Those fleeing from judgment did not stop, and they did not share. They were busy fleeing for their lives. But those in Messiah have news to share, not bad news, but Good News. There are two ways, flight or rest. In the city of refuge, you were safe as long as the high priest lived, but not after he died. But in the One greater than the cities of refuge, the One greater than the high priest, the One greater than the Jerusalem below, as He forever lives, those who have received and rejoiced in the Good News, forever live in Him.

David wrote, “A Song of Ascents. Of David. “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord” (Ps. 122:1). David heard and responded to good news, and he prophetically shared Good News that was to come. He did so with joy, even though he knew the deep fear of judgment.

Some days it may seem as if there are no “signs” along the way, but remember that He has prepared the way – free of the debris of regret, shame, rejection, etc. – before you in Himself. He is the sign. And as you move along in Him, He has given you Good News to share, in this age where bad news seems to reign supreme.

Remember to stop, and share. He gently encourages you to do so.

Be well. Shalom.