3.4.25
Good morning!
We are still at Mt. Sinai in the book of Exodus where God gave Moses the blueprint for building an intimate home to dwell together (Ex. 25:8,9) and the instructions that enable us to make the largest impact in our world at the greatest event that has ever happened in the history of man; the revelation of God to an entire nation at one time (Deut. 4:32-39). What's the follow up to something that amazing? The only answer is...conforming our lives to what He tells us because He has spread us out into the world; not just at one location :-)
At the wedding ceremony, He gave us 53 judgments; 20 positive and 33 negative that directly address our human condition. They are the bedrock of society. Righting wrongs, possessions damaged purposely or inadvertently, someone suffering loss, accidental death, judicial process, to name a few...these laws are to facilitate a healthy society; one that we need to restore desperately.
These are what ground the Sinai experience on earth. If you have heard his voice, what are you going to do about it? Will you live in FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real)? Will you be afraid to FAIL (Facing Adversity Inspires Learning)? This experiential detail of hearing His voice and acting is worth the attention. Some, in our current world, criticize the life dedicated to keeping God's commandments/mitzvot as though it's a life of bondage and legalistic living (in the negative sense), but actually, I, personally, truly care about the details. The 10 Devarim, aka 10 commandments, are potently powerful, but without the commentary in the ordinances, statutes and commandments, interpretation is denominationally culturized at best. These judgments provide a buffet for each 'food category' in our spiritual lives...welcome to Spiritual marriage to the God of all Creation; which sets, or should set, the foundation to our earthly marriages!
It's through these instructions that we get the fuller revelation on how to be lights to the world. It's true, we can use the 'spiritual lingo' of our culture, but without the behavior to match those words, the person isn't true to themselves or to the God they align themselves with (Jm. 2:14-26) and can't qualify to be a Kingdom of Priests, a special treasure, and a holy nation (Ex. 19:6-8; 1 Pet. 2:5,9; Isa. 61:1-11).
Ironically, the continuation of the revelation at Mt. Sinai begins with the purchasing of a Hebrew slave/eved ivri (Ex. 21:2ff). Why start here? First, to contrast the difference between the way the Lord/YHVH does things and Egypts (historical or modern). Secondly, the commandment is saturated with compassion; a necessary attribute to keeping the rest of the judgments/mishpatim...never forget where you've been!
Unlike our modern understanding of abusive slavery, biblical slavery was filled with compassion. The slave owner would need to provide for every need of the individual, bless that individual, treat them with honor and provision, and after six years send them out better than they came in. This, BTW, is NOT socialism. A slave was either purchased as a result of extreme poverty, debt that they accrued or restitution for something they stole. The selling into slavery was not punishment, but an opportunity, that God provided for the individual to look deeper into their own life. Through the slave process they will understand their dilemma and how to fix it through the compassion of their master. It's a 24/7 compassion-filled, self-help workshop designed to liberate and set a person on a joy-filled, independent life where they can reciprocate the compassion (2 Cor. 1:4).
At the most basic level it takes us all back to the Garden of Eden, where the first man and his Ezer Kenegdo stole something that didn't belong to them (Gen. 3:1-7). Hence, since then men have either been slaves to their own godlike mindsets or, as the Apostle Paul says, a liberated bondslave to Jesus Christ/Messiah Yeshua (Rom. 12:1; 6:16-19)
The 10 Words take form in this world through every transaction, every opportunity that we have with our fellow man. They are revealed through daily interactions. Every action that lines up with God's Word is a faith filled (Rom. 10:17), righteous action that prepares your wedding garment (Rev. 19:7,8; cp. Matt. 16:27; Titus. 3:8,14; 22:11-13) and it is the means by which heaven is manifest on earth (Matt. 6:10).
It has been said by the sages that the 10 words were given at Mt. Sinai in the morning and the fine print instructions were given at night? Why? General guidelines while we walk in the light (Isa. 2:5; 1 Jn. 1:7; Rev. 21:24; etc) and specific details on how to live and shine in the darkness (Psa. 119:105; Eph. 5:13; Psa. 18:28; Job 29:3). Is it any wonder that God gave the Priests the commandment to keep the Menorah burning day and night (Ex. 27:20,21; Lev. 24:2-4), a picture of being filled with the 7 Spirits (Rev. 4:5,6; Eph. 5:16-18), the commandments of God (Prov. 6:23), so that we can be lights to the world (Matt. 5:13-16)!?
The world is experiencing many self-inflicted difficulties and the future, for many in the corrupt side of things, seems very dark. It's a good time to focus our attention on things above (Col. 3:1-3), and live out what has been brought down to us, so that those who are around us can have light for their journey. Can I or would I say, as Israel did after hearing the "and these are the ordinances/misphatim..., "whatever you say, we will do even if we don't fully understand" (Ex. 24:3,7)? For our own benefit and that of a healthy society, I'd have to say yes. How about you?
As this week's Torah portion unveils the command to keep the menorah lit day and night (Ex. 27:20,21), may we, through our actions towards one another, bring that oil to our High Priest while He attends to the menorah that lights our path.
"And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of crushed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually. In the Tabernacle of meeting, outside the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shsall tend it from evening until morning before the Lord. It shall be a statute forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel. (Ex. 27:20,21)
"My son, keep your father's command, and do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. When you roam they will lead you; when you sleep, they will keep you; and when you awake, they will speak with you. For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the ways of life." (Prov. 6:20-23)
Have an amazing 3rd day of the week!
Shalom!
At the wedding ceremony, He gave us 53 judgments; 20 positive and 33 negative that directly address our human condition. They are the bedrock of society. Righting wrongs, possessions damaged purposely or inadvertently, someone suffering loss, accidental death, judicial process, to name a few...these laws are to facilitate a healthy society; one that we need to restore desperately.
These are what ground the Sinai experience on earth. If you have heard his voice, what are you going to do about it? Will you live in FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real)? Will you be afraid to FAIL (Facing Adversity Inspires Learning)? This experiential detail of hearing His voice and acting is worth the attention. Some, in our current world, criticize the life dedicated to keeping God's commandments/mitzvot as though it's a life of bondage and legalistic living (in the negative sense), but actually, I, personally, truly care about the details. The 10 Devarim, aka 10 commandments, are potently powerful, but without the commentary in the ordinances, statutes and commandments, interpretation is denominationally culturized at best. These judgments provide a buffet for each 'food category' in our spiritual lives...welcome to Spiritual marriage to the God of all Creation; which sets, or should set, the foundation to our earthly marriages!
It's through these instructions that we get the fuller revelation on how to be lights to the world. It's true, we can use the 'spiritual lingo' of our culture, but without the behavior to match those words, the person isn't true to themselves or to the God they align themselves with (Jm. 2:14-26) and can't qualify to be a Kingdom of Priests, a special treasure, and a holy nation (Ex. 19:6-8; 1 Pet. 2:5,9; Isa. 61:1-11).
Ironically, the continuation of the revelation at Mt. Sinai begins with the purchasing of a Hebrew slave/eved ivri (Ex. 21:2ff). Why start here? First, to contrast the difference between the way the Lord/YHVH does things and Egypts (historical or modern). Secondly, the commandment is saturated with compassion; a necessary attribute to keeping the rest of the judgments/mishpatim...never forget where you've been!
Unlike our modern understanding of abusive slavery, biblical slavery was filled with compassion. The slave owner would need to provide for every need of the individual, bless that individual, treat them with honor and provision, and after six years send them out better than they came in. This, BTW, is NOT socialism. A slave was either purchased as a result of extreme poverty, debt that they accrued or restitution for something they stole. The selling into slavery was not punishment, but an opportunity, that God provided for the individual to look deeper into their own life. Through the slave process they will understand their dilemma and how to fix it through the compassion of their master. It's a 24/7 compassion-filled, self-help workshop designed to liberate and set a person on a joy-filled, independent life where they can reciprocate the compassion (2 Cor. 1:4).
At the most basic level it takes us all back to the Garden of Eden, where the first man and his Ezer Kenegdo stole something that didn't belong to them (Gen. 3:1-7). Hence, since then men have either been slaves to their own godlike mindsets or, as the Apostle Paul says, a liberated bondslave to Jesus Christ/Messiah Yeshua (Rom. 12:1; 6:16-19)
The 10 Words take form in this world through every transaction, every opportunity that we have with our fellow man. They are revealed through daily interactions. Every action that lines up with God's Word is a faith filled (Rom. 10:17), righteous action that prepares your wedding garment (Rev. 19:7,8; cp. Matt. 16:27; Titus. 3:8,14; 22:11-13) and it is the means by which heaven is manifest on earth (Matt. 6:10).
It has been said by the sages that the 10 words were given at Mt. Sinai in the morning and the fine print instructions were given at night? Why? General guidelines while we walk in the light (Isa. 2:5; 1 Jn. 1:7; Rev. 21:24; etc) and specific details on how to live and shine in the darkness (Psa. 119:105; Eph. 5:13; Psa. 18:28; Job 29:3). Is it any wonder that God gave the Priests the commandment to keep the Menorah burning day and night (Ex. 27:20,21; Lev. 24:2-4), a picture of being filled with the 7 Spirits (Rev. 4:5,6; Eph. 5:16-18), the commandments of God (Prov. 6:23), so that we can be lights to the world (Matt. 5:13-16)!?
The world is experiencing many self-inflicted difficulties and the future, for many in the corrupt side of things, seems very dark. It's a good time to focus our attention on things above (Col. 3:1-3), and live out what has been brought down to us, so that those who are around us can have light for their journey. Can I or would I say, as Israel did after hearing the "and these are the ordinances/misphatim..., "whatever you say, we will do even if we don't fully understand" (Ex. 24:3,7)? For our own benefit and that of a healthy society, I'd have to say yes. How about you?
As this week's Torah portion unveils the command to keep the menorah lit day and night (Ex. 27:20,21), may we, through our actions towards one another, bring that oil to our High Priest while He attends to the menorah that lights our path.
"And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of crushed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually. In the Tabernacle of meeting, outside the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shsall tend it from evening until morning before the Lord. It shall be a statute forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel. (Ex. 27:20,21)
"My son, keep your father's command, and do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. When you roam they will lead you; when you sleep, they will keep you; and when you awake, they will speak with you. For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the ways of life." (Prov. 6:20-23)
Have an amazing 3rd day of the week!
Shalom!
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