11.10.26 – It's Time to Be Happy

We live in a world of violence, hatred, and offense at every intersection of life. It is just as Yeshua said: "As it was in the days of Noah and Lot, so will it be in the coming of the Son of Man" (Luke 17:27–28). He could have also said, "As it was in the days of Jacob and Esau..."

Historically, it was a time when self-centeredness was rampant. As in the days of the judges, men were doing whatever they saw was right in their own eyes (Judg. 21:25). Self-centered and independently directional lifestyles are two states of being that do not lead to happiness. Ask Esau 🤔

Yeshua's advice: "Happy are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God" (Matt. 5:9). Applied in hindsight, this advice could have solved many problems. These people are filled with joy. They are bringing peace to warring parties. Wait a minute! Is not the one standing between two warring parties the one who gets shot at by both sides? It is another paradox in the making!

When you have the Hatfields and the McCoys, the peacemakers are assigned to bring peace to these guys. At the beginning, they will be the enemies from both sides. They will be shot at, spit at, thrown rocks at, and most likely go home battered and bruised. It is bringing peace at a sacrificial price. Yeshua is talking about a person whose role in life is to bring peace, and they are happy in it. Honestly, who wants a role like this? In this week's Torah portion, Toldot, through their independent love for Jacob and Esau, both parents were trying to bring peace within a very fragmented family.

Have you ever stopped to think who would be the peacemakers in the Tanakh? The answer may surprise you: the Prophets. The Prophets are the ones who were sent to make peace. Huh?? Yahweh and His people are at odds with one another. The prophet is NOT sent to bring judgment; they are sent to bring peace. We can see why no one wanted to be a prophet. They came bearing peace from Yahweh. They sought to reconcile two parties that were warring. They stood alone when no one in the camp would carry out the role. Yah's people always rejected them. They rejected and killed them all (Matt. 21:35–36). Even when the greatest of all the Prophets came on the scene to bring peace between two warring parties, the leaders of Israel rose up and slew Him (Matt. 21:37–39).

Every prophet was given the ministry of reconciliation and peacemaking. It is the same ministry Yeshua came to fulfill. It is the same ministry that we have been given (2 Cor. 5:19–21). It is a ministry that has Yeshua as our primary example. It is a ministry that does not hold a person's trespasses against them. It is a ministry that focuses on reconciliation until reconciliation is reached, even to the point of death. It is a ministry where the peacemaker is willing to take on the sin of the warring parties for the sake of oneness in the group. Paradoxically, it is a state of bliss (Matt. 5:9).

The angels announced "peace on earth, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14) when the Prince of Peace arrived (Isa. 9:6). Yet, paradoxically, the Greatest Peacemaker did not come to bring peace, but a sword (Matt. 10:34; Luke 12:51). Huh? How can this be? He came to bring peace, yes, but not at the price of compromising between two parties. Just as the Prophets brought a message of reconciliation and peace to the Israelites, they sided 100% with the Scriptures/Yahweh, and there was no compromise. It brought division, while at the same time creating the means for peace with Yah! Hence, Yeshua's focused mission to bring peace between two warring parties had to begin with division! The line had to be drawn. The side of happiness had to be established. His mission was successful! Unfortunately, the end result was not peaceful for Yeshua. No. From the get-go, He was shot at, despised, and rejected. The Greatest Peacemaker was rejected and put to death. What a price for happiness!

Since the Garden, this has been Yahweh's plan! Bring mankind back to Me, whatever the cost. When we act like peacemakers, we are acting like Yahweh. To be a good son is to act like your Father. Yahweh is the ultimate Peacemaker. He was willing to sacrifice on behalf of those in conflict. Those who are peacemakers, regardless of what they go through, will be happy, and they will be called sons of Elohim because they are acting like their Father!

How are you doing on the happiness scale? How are your imitation skills doing (Eph. 5:1–2)?

Be a great imitator today!

Shalom,
Alan

www.lightintorah.org

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