(A Note: Please forgive this incomplete commentary—we were unable to get our updated text to post. We will continue to work on the problem until it is resolved. Lord bless your Shabbat!)
Parashat Bechukotai
פרשת בהר־בחקתי
“In My Statutes”
Torah Portion: Leviticus 26:3-27:34
Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14
B’rit Chadashah/New Covenant: Matthew 21:33-46
Shabbat | 1 June 2019 | 27 Iyyar 5779 | Day 42 of the Omer
“I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there...” II Chronicles 6:6Jerusalem Day 2019 is observed on Sunday, June 2nd
Special Observance: Yom Yerushalayim יום ירושלים (Jerusalem Day) Twilight Saturday, May 12 through Twilight Sunday, May 13
Jerusalem Day is an Israeli national holiday commemorating the miraculous reunification of Jerusalem and return of sovereignty over the Old City at the conclusion of the Six Day War in 1967. Jerusalem Day was established to thank God for answering the 2,000 year old prayer,
"Next Year in Jerusalem!"
2019 MARKS THE 71st ANNIVERSARY OF THE ReBIRTH OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL AND 52 YEARS SINCE THE ReUNIFICATION OF THE CITY OF JERUSALEM—BOTH PROPHETIC AND MIRACULOUS EVENTS!
"I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go into the house of the LORD.'
Our feet have been standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem is built As a city that is compact together,
Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the LORD,
To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the LORD.
For thrones are set there for judgment, The thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.'
For the sake of my brethren and companions,
I will now say, 'Peace be within you.'
Because of the house of the LORD our God
I will seek your good."
Psalm 122
IN VAST CONTRAST TO THE PRIOR ADMINISTRATION, TODAYS' U.S. HAS FORGED STRONG TIES WITH ISRAEL, RECOGNIZING SHE IS OUR SINGULAR TRUE PARTNER IN MIDDLE EAST, SHARING COMMON ETHICS AND VALUES. To solidify this partnership, U.S. President Trump fulfilled his promise to move the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Emboldened by America's move, Guatemala announced they will move their embassy to Jerusalem, and at least ten more countries are considering the diplomatic move. Honduras may be next. America's solidarity with tiny Israel seems to have inspired favor for her—even with some of her Arab neighbors. Bahrain backed Israel's right to self-defense against Iran in response to a barrage of rockets aimed at the Golan Heights—even acknowledging the region as "Israel," most unusual in the context of the Golan Heights. Sunni Muslim support for Israel has been growing with the announcement of Saudi King Salman's son and heir apparent that Israel has a right to a homeland.
The mood in Israel is giddy, understandably! Yet, we must remember that Jerusalem is at the epicenter of all prophetic and spiritual warfare. While we celebrate God's goodness in restoring HIS land—and it is HIS—for His purposes and His glory, the enemy is also at work. The Palestinian Arabs have declared a series of escalating border attacks, "Days of Rage," "Marches of Return," and some massive rocket attack barrages. They are fueled by other forces...Shiite entities, Hamas, and ultimately Iran. The favor Israel and America enjoy by Sunni nations put them in the crosshairs of the ultimate war brewing between Sunnis and Shiites that threaten to tear apart the Middle East.
So celebrate and praise the Lord, but also remember to continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river,
and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8
The servant of Adonai recognizes that all things are sacred. Our lives are not our own—we are His—our very breath given, to live a life that will bring Him glory. Likewise, all creation testifies to His majesty. As Divine Sovereign, Adonai commands the seasons and natural laws—the Empyrean Conductor, He orchestrates His magnum opus, from the evanescent to eternity.
From the Divine Command, the heavens, the earth, the sun, and the moon were formed. It was at His desire that mankind was formed from dust and became a living being, carrying the 'ruach'—the breath and spirit—of his creator.
Into His creation, the Divine Conductor imbued rhythms: “As long as the earth endures,” night and day, springtime and harvest, and His Appointed Times. Times of renewal ... Times of refreshing ... Times of lifting burdens ... And times of being set free....
In these last readings of the book of Leviticus,
Adonai once again entreats His People:
“Rest!”
Not only Israel,
but the land,
the animals,
the sojourner,
the servant,
and the foreigner
who trusts in Israel’s God,
is granted rest and relief from labor.
Oh, that we would trust Him!
To His children,
Adonai is faithful
in provision, protection, and peace.
For all the world is His. Psalm 24:1
How we treat one another is also ultimately spiritual. Our merciful God intended that His People would care for one another with an open hand, and not be crushed under debt. So, along with the daunting warning and admonition put before Israel of blessings or curses, rejoice as you learn of the Shemittah (the Sabbath Year) and the Yovel (the Year of Jubilee), the blessings of trusting in our faithful and Holy God!
Leviticus 25:1-55 Trust in the LORD Your God
The Shemittah
“And the LORD spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land which I give you, then the land shall keep a sabbath to the LORD. Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit; but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the LORD. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard. What grows of its own accord of your harvest you shall not reap, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine, [for] it is a year of rest for the land. And the sabbath [produce] of the land shall be food for you: for you, your male and female servants, your hired man, and the stranger who dwells with you, for your livestock and the beasts that [are] in your land—all its produce shall be for food.” vv. 1-7
The Kingdom of Adonai operates in utter opposition to all world systems. The world presses us to work, work, work until all quality of life is lost, and to wring every drop of resource at one’s fingertips—from time, employees, and land—in an effort to grow profits higher and higher.
While our beneficent King, Adonai, says, “Rest!” Even the land and the animals must have their rest! And this commandment is not only for Israel, but also for the Gentiles who have joined themselves to Israel and her God.
Is this harsh and legalistic? In a barbaric world eons before labor laws, quite the opposite! This may be one reason that servants, also rendered slaves* chose not go free from Israeli masters in the ancient world, but willingly became bondservants.
While our beneficent King, Adonai, says, “Rest!” Even the land and the animals must have their rest! And this commandment is not only for Israel, but also for the Gentiles who have joined themselves to Israel and her God.
Is this harsh and legalistic? In a barbaric world eons before labor laws, quite the opposite! This may be one reason that servants, also rendered slaves* chose not go free from Israeli masters in the ancient world, but willingly became bondservants.
*SLAVE or SERVANT ~ The Biblical Concept
Let's take a look at the terminology "slave" in its biblical context before moving on.
Most of us will likely attach a highly negative connotation to that word. (With good historic reason!) Slave is possibly an unfortunate choice in translating the Hebrew word, eh'·ved עֶבֶד. Although it may properly be translated as slave, it is the same word rendered: servants, worshippers (of God), (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc), (of Israel), servant (as form of address between equals).
Thus, the biblical word rendered slave does not present the proper understand in today's context.
“...for your livestock and the beasts...”
Hebrew commentaries note that the Divine Promise in this verse reminds us that Scripture reveals Adonai’s tender regard for the animals of His Creation. In Proverbs 12:10, God defines a righteous man as one who regards/perceives and sees/considers the life of his animal.
Hebrew commentaries note that the Divine Promise in this verse reminds us that Scripture reveals Adonai’s tender regard for the animals of His Creation. In Proverbs 12:10, God defines a righteous man as one who regards/perceives and sees/considers the life of his animal.
The Shemittah~The LORD's Release
The Sabbath Year (in Hebrew shemittah, שמטה, Strong's 8059), is the seventh year of the seven-year agricultural cycle mandated by the Torah. This began with their entrance into the Land of Israel. During Shemittah, the land is left to rest—lie fallow—and all agricultural activity ceases. There is no plowing, planting, pruning, or harvesting. The term shemittah is translated “rest” in Exodus 23:11, and “[the LORD’s] release” in Deuteronomy 15:2.
"I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released..."
Bob Dylan, ©1967
There is something in the soul of man that urges us to cast off shackles ... to be free. Yet without Divine wisdom, we haven't the eyes to see that the jailer is the one who deceives us with false promises of fulfilling the desires of our flesh. True freedom comes singularly from the One our carnal nature struggles against like a drowning man, clawing for air. Our sin nature imprisons us with a sentence of inner corruption and enslavement to an insatiable taskmaster.
On the way to Damascus to attend to important matters seemingly "good," the excellent Pharisee Sha'ul, was apprehended by Israel's Messiah, who called to him in Hebrew: "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads!" (Acts 26:14) He was forever changed. Although his physical sight was taken from him for a season, his spiritual eyes were opened! He was a Pharisee of Pharisees—he knew and lived the Word of God. Yet, he now "grokked"—deeply understood the deeper meanings and the prophetic truths by the Holy Spirit of God! The Word had become living and active, imbued with the power and authority it never had before. His authority as a leader in the Temple was now subjugated to the authority of Yeshua, the long-awaited Messiah of Israel, in whom ALL AUTHORITY on earth and in heaven resides! Matthew 28:18
Strong's Concordance defines the Greek word rendered goad: κέντρονan (ke'n-tron) An iron goad, for urging on oxen, horses and other beasts of burden, hence the proverb, "to kick against the goad."
Each of us need a Damascus Road experience—perhaps more than one. We need to fully "grok"—be apprehended by Yeshua as LORD, King Messiah, and Redeemer! AND we need to be thoroughly changed—our eyes opened to embrace the authority of God and the truth of His Word—even if it means UN-learning traditional "truths" and comfortable doctrines.
Sha'ul, who was also called Paul, having been endowed with heavenly wisdom, exhorted Timothy: "I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ...He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords..." 1 Timothy 6:13-15
"The "commandment" is the "Law," or Torah. It is the exact same word used throughout the Gospels when Yeshua rebuked the Pharisees for violating Torah, or the "Law." Indeed, Yeshua said in Matthew 5:17-19 that He did not come to abolish the Law (Torah), but to fulfill. (fully preach, rightly interpret, fill full) Let us not "kick against the goads," and reject Yeshua's authority. Paul said we can imitate him because he imitates Yeshua. (1 Corinthians 11:1) He upholds all that Yeshua spoke,(indeed he has to, or he would be a false prophet!)
Therefore, we need to interpret his words in this light, rather than using the few ambiguous NT texts to abrogate the foundation of the faith, thinking we are obtaining freedom ... from what? From that which God says actually gives us liberty? (Psalm 119:45) Or from the very embodiment of the Word—Yeshua?
“...a Sabbath to the LORD...” Leviticus 25:2,4"The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd." Ecclesiastes 12:11 (If you are wise, you will know who that Shepherd is!)
Somehow we tend to miss the part about the Sabbath being, “the LORD’s.”
Yeshua said the Sabbath was made for man, anthrōpos in Greek, meaning mankind. Mark 2:27
Throughout the Scriptures, Adonai is emphatic regarding the issue of sanctifying His Sabbaths. Is it a burdensome thing to ask of His children to rest and trust in Him, so that the world will see our devotion and glorify His Name?
Just as mankind is afforded a rest on the seventh day and in the seventh year the land also, both are held in a trust, ultimately belonging to Adonai. Thus the Sabbaths represent and reaffirm man's attendant responsibilities as inheritors of a grand creation from the Divine Creator. Hebrew commentary writer, F. Perles: "Just as the freedom of the individual is a fundamental principle of the Torah, so is the freedom of the land from the absolute ownership of man." The Shabbat and Shemittah clearly declare that man owns nothing and is owned by no one, save his Creator. Life and all that sustains it is simply a Divine gift, and we the benefactors, have simply to respond with open hands, hearts, and lives to the Divine giver of all.
I think some of us are dogmatic on the point of non-observance of the Sabbath because we believe it is a “work,” which of course is a bit of an oxymoron. Besides, the only “works” that are warned against in the New Covenant are those that are a substitute for trusting in Yeshua for salvation. Once redeemed, the redeemed should live a life of faithfulness—evidenced by their works. Matthew 5:16, Ephesians 2:10, 1 Timothy 5:25, 6:18, Titus 2:7,14, 3:8,14, Hebrews 10:24, James 2:17-26
Although we may feel confident in our theology, and the legacy of our Christian traditions, are we absolutely certain the Almighty doesn’t see the typical Christian view on the Sabbath as defiance against His Holy Word? Israel repeatedly took her fate into her own hands—leaned on her own understanding, rather than leaning on her Maker and His Word—and fell into grievous error. She was warned by prophets, that judgment would come. II Chronicles 36:17-21 records the horrifying Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem following the warnings of Jeremiah and many others.
The Babylonian captivity lasted 70 years. The kings of Judah had defiled the Temple and transgressed grievously before Adonai. Israel had neglected the shemittah, the Sabbath Year, for 490 years—now owing 70 Sabbath Years to the LORD. What was not given willingly, Adonai reclaimed during Judah’s 70 year Babylonian captivity! “...until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.”
For 70 years the land of Israel lay fallow and received its due rest. Why? Did Adonai care so much for the land? Of course not. The real reason is the overworked land represented a turning away from Adonai as Provider and King—determination to self-rule and reliance. Another word for it is defiance. By not sanctifying His Sabbaths, it brought reproach to His Holy Name before the nations. Therefore, He lifted His arm of protection from them. Adonai allowed Israel to experience what it is to have no God at all, and have to depend on their own strength.
Israel is Our Example
"Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come."
1 Corinthians 10:11
Too Long in the Sun?
Christian observance of the Sabbath (with the other biblical observances) was uniformly outlawed from the time of Constantine. (Constantine, who was head of the pagan church as well as the new Christian church did not become a true believer in Jesus until he was on his deathbed.) These observances were deemed practices of the “detestable Jewish crowd," to be avoided, "... so that we might have nothing in common with that nation of parricides who slew their Lord.” Eusebius Pamphilius: Church History, Life of Constantine, Oration in Praise of Constantine, Chapters 18 and 19
By that time, Constantine’s decree to “rest upon the venerable day of the sun” had become firm Church doctrine. However, inspired by the Bible, available in common language in the sixteenth century, small groups of Protestants in Europe began to revive the observance of the Fourth (sometimes called the "third" at that time) Commandment.
Many zealous to recover the purity of the first church, were grieved that the Divine commandments and observances had been perverted by Emperor Constantine, the early councils, and the Catholic Church—not based on Scripture, but cultural bias.
God is Not Mocked
God’s heart has not changed. Followers of Yeshua are warned: “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on [the testimony of] two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?” Hebrews 10:26-29
Yeshua also said, speaking to believers, that whoever breaks the least of the commandments and teaches others to do so will be the least in the Kingdom, whereas, those who do and teach faithfulness to the Word will be be the greatest. (Matthew 5:19) His desire is that we delight in and treasure His Word, like David expresses throughout the Psalms. In this, Adonai is glorified.
God will not break His Covenant or Forget His People Israel
“‘Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, nor shall I abhor them, to utterly destroy them and break My covenant with them; for I [am] the LORD their God. But for their sake I will remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God: I [am] the LORD.’ These [are] the statutes and judgments and laws which the LORD made between Himself and the children of Israel on Mount Sinai by the hand of Moses.’” vs. 44-46
Whom God loves, He chastises. Not for destruction, but correction and restoration.
Proverbs 3:12,13:24
Proverbs 3:12,13:24
How unfathomable and unsearchable
is the faithfulness and lovingkindness of the God of Israel!
is the faithfulness and lovingkindness of the God of Israel!
When concluding the reading of the last words of each of the books of the Torah,
it is traditional for the entire congregation to proclaim:
it is traditional for the entire congregation to proclaim:
“Chazak, chazak, v’nit’chazek!”
“Be strong, be strong, and may we be strengthened!”
Haftarah Bechukotai
Jeremiah 16:19-17:14
Jeremiah 16:19-17:14
We have arrived at a significant point in our journey through the Torah. With this week's passages studied we will have completed the first three books of the Pentateuch; Genesis—the establishment of the Jewish people, Exodus—the redemption of that people, and now Leviticus—the encoding of life practices for that God-chosen people. This third book mightily impacts our current Haftarah portions.
In this Haftarah we will look at two weeks' worth of study, both at the same time. Lets start off with Behar, Jeremiah 32:6-27, and bring Bechukotai, Jeremiah 16:19-17:14 in along the way. We’ll bounce from one to the other, but a great ride is ahead. So settle in and lets get going.
The historical setting of Jeremiah 32:6-27 is intriguing, though one might think the relevance of these verses a bit out of place. What’s going on? Well, at the time the event recorded in these verses takes place Judah, and Jerusalem specifically, are in the path of a military tsunami. It is 588 BCE. Babylon’s military might has been brought to bear against the Southern nation of Judah. God has brought this monster of a military machine up by His hand to punish Judah for its ongoing and grievous sin. The land has been run over and now Nebuchadnezzar has laid siege to his last target, the city of David.
Speaking of this event, II Kings 25:1 says, “Now in the ninth year of his reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, camped against it and built a siege wall all around it.”
You can see that things are not going well for Judah.
After initiating the siege of Jerusalem Nebuchadnezzar temporarily withdraws to meet an Egyptian relief force sent by Pharaoh Hophra. It is Hophra’s intent to aid Judah, but they are turned back in short order. While the Babylonians are gone Jeremiah attempts to leave the city and travel three miles' distance to his home town of Anathoth to settle some business. Thinking Jeremiah is trying to defect he is arrested and placed in a very unpleasant confinement.
When this Babylonian withdrawal to engage Egypt happens King Zedekiah believes relief by the hand of this nation of his sinful Southern alliance will turn away Nebuchadnezzar’s forces. But it doesn’t. Babylon’s return to once again take up the siege throws Judah’s ungodly King into despair. In one of his final acts of desperation Zedekiah, now looking for any sign of hope, summons Jeremiah from his cell. He asks him, “Is there a word from the LORD?”
Jeremiah had had it pretty tough up to this point. After being arrested he was beaten and then thrown into a dungeon cell. After being there, “...many days,” we now see Zedekiah bringing him to his palace where he hopes to get some good news. But there is none to be had. Jeremiah tells him, “You will be given into the hand of the King of Babylon.”
Jeremiah would go on to say, “Thus says the Lord, 'He who stays in this city will die by the sword and by famine and by pestilence, but he who goes out to the Chaldeans will live and have his own life as booty and stay alive.' Thus says the LORD, 'This city will certainly be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon and he will capture it.'" Jeremiah 38:2-3
Jeremiah would go on to say, “Thus says the Lord, 'He who stays in this city will die by the sword and by famine and by pestilence, but he who goes out to the Chaldeans will live and have his own life as booty and stay alive.' Thus says the LORD, 'This city will certainly be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon and he will capture it.'" Jeremiah 38:2-3
As you might imagine this message is not well received, and Jeremiah is sent back to confinement, albeit a little less unpleasant place this time.
In Jeremiah 32:6-27, one of our two Haftarah portions, we have the account of Jeremiah taking time in the middle of a siege, which he knew his side was going to lose, to buy some property that he knew he would never take control of. Hmm... And he even knew that this property would become the possession of the conquering king. More confusing yet is the fact that Jeremiah himself was told by God that this period of possession by the Babylonian empire would last seventy years, well past his expected life span at that point. Jeremiah 25:11
This does not sound like an investment any sound thinking financial advisor would recommend. Indeed, Jeremiah never did take possession of this property. Ultimately he was taken to Egypt where it is believed he later died. Thus he never did return to Judah. So why would he go through this financial exercise?
This does not sound like an investment any sound thinking financial advisor would recommend. Indeed, Jeremiah never did take possession of this property. Ultimately he was taken to Egypt where it is believed he later died. Thus he never did return to Judah. So why would he go through this financial exercise?
The first point to be made here is that the sages must have chosen this particular Haftarah text because of the Torah portion that it goes with. Parashat Behar, has to do with purchasing, selling, and redeeming property. Jeremiah 32:6-27 addresses only the story of the property purchase and mentions the siege only in so far as it may be related to the purchase. This makes sense since very specific Haftarah portions were selected, in part, for their similar theme with the corresponding Torah portion.
A second thought is that while Jeremiah would not personally benefit from this purchase, this act by Jeremiah was a “sign” that Judah would someday be returned to the land to operate under covenantal law.
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Take these deeds, this sealed deed of purchase and this open deed, and put them in an earthenware jar, that they may last a long time.’ For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Houses and fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.’” Jeremiah 32:14-15
And a third point. It was the sinfulness of this Southern nation, her repeated refusal to live by covenantal law, that caused God to bring about this great calamity to the nation of Judah. Therefore, Jeremiah’s unwavering obedience to that covenantal law—here the the law of redemption found in this week’s Torah portion of Leviticus—that illustrated to Judah the obedience they should have been exhibiting all along. But, because they didn’t God says,
“‘Indeed the sons of Israel and the sons of Judah have been doing only evil in My sight from their youth; for the sons of Israel have been only provoking Me to anger by the work of their hands,’ declares the LORD. ‘Indeed this city has been to Me a provocation of My anger and My wrath from the day that they built it, even to this day, so that it should be removed from before My face, because of all the evil of the sons of Israel and the sons of Judah which they have done to provoke Me to anger—they, their kings, their leaders, their priests, their prophets, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They have turned their back to Me and not their face; though I taught them, teaching again and again, they would not listen and receive instruction.’” Jeremiah 32:30-33
Now lets take that bounce we spoke of earlier and see where the ride takes us. Our arrival point is at the Haftarah portion, Bechukotai, Jeremiah 16:19-17:14. The sages probably chose this passage because in it is seen a reference, most likely, to the laws of the Sabbatical year. (Jeremiah 17:4) And regarding that Sabbatical year God said to Moses,
“And the LORD spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land which I give you, then the land shall keep a sabbath to the LORD. Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit; but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the LORD. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard. What grows of its own accord of your harvest you shall not reap, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine, [for] it is a year of rest for the land. And the sabbath [produce] of the land shall be food for you: for you, your male and female servants, your hired man, and the stranger who dwells with you, for your livestock and the beasts that [are] in your land—all its produce shall be for food.” Leviticus 25:2-7
Ultimately the Law, the statutes, and the ordinances would be violated by the Israelites. Invasion and exile would follow as a consequence of their repeated sin. For example, because of greed and lack of trust in the Lord’s promised provision during the sabbatical year the Israelites refused to give the land its sabbatical rest. Knowing that this would be the case God warns in Leviticus 26:34-35,
“You, however, I will scatter among the nations and will draw out a sword after you, as your land becomes desolate and your cities become waste. Then the land will enjoy its sabbaths all the days of the desolation, while you are in your enemies' land; then the land will rest and enjoy its sabbaths. All the days of its desolation it will observe the rest which it did not observe on your sabbaths, while you were living on it.”
And what of Jeremiah’s input in 17:4? There God says,
“And you will, even of yourself, let go of your inheritance that I gave you (the land that was to get its sabbatical rest every seven years); and I will make you serve your enemies in the land which you do not know; for you have kindled a fire in My anger which will burn forever.” (emphasis mine)
How is it that a nation as blessed as Israel could so consistently turn their backs on God? They had a rich heritage in their story of redemption from Egypt, and in God’s consistent and bountiful provision for their needs. This was always the case when they walked in obedience and in the covenant promises of God’s future blessing. (And by the way these are promises that would ultimately be theirs regardless of Israel’s future lack of faithfulness.) So where do we find our answer to this turning of the back on God? Jeremiah 17:9-10 is where we go.
“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.”
As I read the story of Israel three simple truths continually stand out to me. The first is, live the Law, and be blessed. The second is, violate the Law, and be cursed. And the third (?); It is that the heart of man will determine which of the first two truths take place.
It is pretty simple really. When the Jewish people gave their hearts to God and demonstrated this by living the Law, they were blessed. But when the Jewish people trusted solely in their heart's guidance—apart from their God and obedience to His Law—this brought cursing. Thus Zedekiah and his followers, not following God’s Law allowed the heart to perform its deceitful and desperately sick work. So they had to be cursed. And they were. Jeremiah on the other hand followed God’s Law. He did this out of an obedience that proved his heart had been wholly given to his God. Why else would he buy property that he never would take possession of?
Is there an application for the believer today? Certainly. It is that our deceitful and desperately sick hearts, alone and on their own, will lead us to violate God’s will for our lives. Our sin nature will make sure of this. And a sick heart’s wishes allowed to operate outside of the will of God will only lead to calamity. But there is a however...
It is that even though the nature of our heart is pretty bad, a pretty bad heart turned over to God will lead to pretty good things. Look at what Solomon says,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.”
Proverbs 3:5-8
Turning your heart over to Him is a “refreshment” we cannot miss.
So which will it be? Disobedience and punishment...or obedience and blessing?
B’rit Chadashah | New Testament Behar~Bechukotai
Matthew 21:33-46
Our B’rit Chadashah passage is Matthew 21:33-46, and illustrates THE ONLY WAY to please God. In this passage, familiar to most of us, is a story told by Yeshua. He tells it to the chief priests and the elders (v. 23) who were challenging His authority to cleanse the Temple, and heal the blind and the lame. Matthew 21:12-15, 23
Upon hearing the disturbing news, the landowner sent even more representatives than the first time. But the vine-growers became more entrenched in their decision to give up nothing of what they had been entrusted with and which belonged to the landowner. They decided they were happy with the status quo and so when these new representatives arrived, the vine-growers treated them just as they had the first group.
Understandably upset at the course of events the landowner decided to send his son to make the transaction. He felt the vine-growers would respect his son. This however was not the case. The vine-growers knowing the son was the heir to the vineyard decided to kill him as well. They reasoned that they then would seize the inheritance of the vineyard. And so they killed the son.
Yeshua...the Son of God...the murdered son in this story...the Son that was to be hung on a tree...then asks these priests and elders what the owner would do when he finally came and confronted the vine-dressers. They said he would bring them all to a wretched end, and give the vineyard to others who would pay the landowner his due at the proper time.
At this point in the narrative it becomes clear to the chief priests, elders, and now the pharisees (v. 45) that the vineyard is Israel, that they are themselves the vine-growers, that the sent servants are Yahweh's prophets, and that the son that was slain is the Messiah to come. This had to become clear to them as Jesus concludes this story with,
“Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER STONE; THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES?’ Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it. And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.” vs. 21:42-44
Those standing before Jesus knew that He was indicting them. And His claim was that He would take their vineyard and give it to others who would properly handle its fruit, which is obedience to God’s covenant standards.
The nation of Israel had been promised covenant blessings if in return they would simply be obedient. They had however failed miserably at keeping the—the very things we have been reading about in Leviticus. They wanted to live their way and that was the same as not giving the landowner his due. It was HIs nation they had been given to care for by being obedient to the Law, but they wanted to do it their way and not God’s. Prophets had been sent by Adonai to correct this problem, but they had been ignored or killed, so that the rulers and people of Israel might keep what did not belong to them, doing things their way and not God’s.
And now the Son of the Landowner was there. As a last resort He had been sent by the Landowner, His Father, Adonai Himself, to claim what was rightfully the Landowner’s to have—the Jewish nation living in obedience to God. But the Son knew that would not happen, just as it had not happened in the story. Christ had come to offer Himself as King, to claim and reign over what was rightfully the Father’s, the landowner of that “vineyard.” (Matthew 4:17) Now what was to come next?
This time Messiah’s offer of Kingship, of claiming the rewards of the vineyard—which was in effect their obedience—would be rejected. This was foreknown by the Father, the Landowner. And the son would be slain by the vinedressers. But let us not miss that the true Son of God offered Himself on that tree for the sins of the whole world. (I John 2:2) Those who had been in charge of the vineyard would be removed and ultimately punished for their actions. But what of the vineyard?
The Son had said this to the vine-growers, those wicked caretakers of the Covenant blessings. “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.” (v. 43) What could the Messiah have meant by this? I believe our answer is to be found in Romans 11:11-24. There the Apostle Paul says:
“I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?”
Romans 11:11-24 speaks of Israel in part as a branch being broken off from the cultivated olive tree and the Gentile in part being grafted in. This I think is the passing of the care-taking of the garden. It is an opportunity for the new vine-growers to do things God’s way and offer the profit of that obedience to the landowner, God Himself. But what is that profit or fruit of the vineyard? Why, it is the same as above—LIVING IN OBEDIENCE TO GOD.
Much ill has come to Israel as a result of their not obeying the covenant God first established with them. They turned their backs on the covenant blessing that could have been manifested by being obedient; this obedience could have been offered to God as His fruit from the vineyard of opportunity that belonged to Him. And now Israel in part has been “broken off” from the vine (removed from the garden) for a season ... and others, Gentiles, have been grafted in. The vineyard now has new vine-dressers. But note those vinedressers are now both Jew and Gentile. Ephesians 2:11-14
Oh, how important obedience is ... and how heavy the consequence for disobedience. It would be good for each of us to move our thinking from a national level, as portrayed in this story, to an individual one, where we are each the focus. How obedient are we? Do we risk disobedience to the Landowner?
Oh, how important obedience is ... and how heavy the consequence for disobedience. It would be good for each of us to move our thinking from a national level, as portrayed in this story, to an individual one, where we are each the focus. How obedient are we? Do we risk disobedience to the Landowner?
Is not service and giving Him His due the path to fulfillment we should all take?
His way surely must be... THE ONLY WAY.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
John 14:26
Shabbat shalom!
In Messiah’s Love,
His EVERY Word Ministries
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