Wonderful Obligations
“For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach.” Deuteronomy 30:11
Not Too Difficult – Moses instructed the people. His instructions are only part of the Torah. The stories of Adam, Noah, Abraham and Joseph are also Torah. They are narrative instructions. They provide us with living examples of how to live and how not to live. They are case studies in grace, mercy, sin and punishment. But one thing Moses makes crystal clear (in Hebrew) is this: it’s a wonderful obligation!
Did you think Torah was rules and regulations? Is it just a long list of things you have to do once you are grafted into the commonwealth of Israel? If that’s your frame of mind, then you haven’t understood Torah at all. You need a lesson in Hebrew vocabulary. It can start right here with the phrase lo niphlet (not too wonderful-difficult). Yes, that’s right. The root word pala (the “p” becomes “ph” in this derivation) means both “wonderful” and “difficult.” Well, almost. You see, the root is a verb, not a noun. So it really means “to do something wonderful or difficult.” Keeping Torah is doing something wonderful. But it is not difficult. That’s where lo comes in. There are two negatives in Hebrew – lo and al. Lo is usually associated with absolutes like the absolute prohibitions of the Ten Commandments. On the other hand, al is often conditional, like the conditional prohibitions found in Proverbs. Which negative is used here? Lo – the one that says keeping His commandments is absolutely not too difficult.
OK, so God doesn’t give us instructions for living that we cannot possibly fulfill. What makes these same instructions wonderful? For that answer we need a bit of meditation on the nature of the Torah.
First, Torah is God’s way of life. You don’t have to follow a process of trial and error in order to know how to live. God spells it out for you. How simply wonderful is that? God takes all the guesswork out of living and makes it about as simple as it can be. Just do what He says.
Second, God chooses to give us His instructions. He didn’t have to do that. He could have said, “Well, you made your choice. Now go figure it out yourself.” But He didn’t. He was merciful. He knew we were incapable of seeing the bigger reality of what is true and good and beautiful. So, He told us. Wonderful!
Third, living according to Torah is a blessing. It’s not rule behavior. It’s the privilege of honoring God by fulfilling His instructions. It’s a form of worship. Wonderful! Now you know why a Jewish man can pray, “Lord, I thank you for not making me a woman.” It’s not misogyny. He thanks God because there are more commandments for men than there are for women and this means, as a man, he is able to honor and bless God more.
Finally, Torah is wonderful because applying it to my life makes me a light to the nations. I am different. I live differently. I think differently. I react differently. I am the salt that preserves God’s way in the world. I am the light that attracts the world to Him. I am His representative on earth. Absolutely wonderful!
Topical Index: Torah, too difficult, wonderful, lo niphlet, Deuteronomy 30:11
Upside down, inside out, it is all backwards from what I was taught. Even so, people have told me that I am different. That I am not likie everyone else. I took offense, but maybe it was really a compliment. I trully believe that it is in the living, in relationship with God as I know Him through Jesus that life becomes worth living.
The above is my reaction to Skips presentation and in no way is meant to make sense.
greetings to all carbon units.. “Remember.. you are unique!.. (just like everyone else!) lol!-
Three Bible “heavy-hitters”, three “names”.. Abraham, Moses and Noah. (heard of these guys?)
Their “story” is found bound in a book. It is G-d’s book of instruction. (Torah). It has been said (and rightly so), “you can observe a lot by watching.” (Yogi Berra). These three “names” are just three men. They are also three “just” men. Every one of them are different and every one of them the same. We can “observe” (and celebrate) their differences and we may also “see” the crucial common tie-point that connects each life. Each individual, each one was related to YHWH “by faith.” Each life had a story to tell and each life had a “life-message” to leave as a legacy. (BTW, G-d did this…)
We are the same. Made out of the same stuff as these three, we worship, pray to and live for, the very same G-d as Abraham,Moses and Noah. Isn’t that awesome!? “I am the LORD, I change not!”
Do not ever make the mistake of “insignificance”. Self-pity is every bit as devastating as self-love or pride. Every hair of my (balding) head is numbered. Remember the bustle and activity near the temple as Yeshua “observed” the widow woman (out of how many present that day?) as she was giving her “two mites?” A “mitey” testimony to us!
One more “observation” today. Let’s look at the “lo”. (How lo can you go?) How small to some, how “insignificant.” Did you “notice?” (ah yes..,-today is the day of small things-Hallelujah!..) Does this now make a bit more sense?– “And lo, -I am with you always, even to the end of the age!” -(“Lo is usually associated with absolutes..-thanks Skip!)
..and lo,”I am with you always.”
Pardon me…. “Hallelujah!”
G-d… “with us!” (always!)
> …and in no way is meant to make sense.
Don’t worry Roy, the beauty of Hebrew is that it doesn’t have to make sense to make you smile. 🙂
> Upside down, inside out, it is all backwards from what I was taught.
Yep. Me too. Including the Bible study I was in this morning. Paraphrasing my dispensationalist teacher, “Torah is the old way and we couldn’t do, so God sent His son and Jesus said it’s finished.” yada yada yada. God love him. 🙂
I went to Israel with Skip and Bob and the rest of the crew. Here’s what I learned, concise and in my own words:
Life is contextual. It is not dogmatic. Our experience makes this obvious.
So why do humans (believers and non-believers alike) work so hard to canonize everything?
Because we yearn for formulas that create *predictable* outcomes which are safe, reliable, and beneficial; be it car insurance or eternal salvation.
Meanwhile, Life is hanging out just around corner with a 2 by 4, waiting to remind you how unpredictable he is.
So everyone, please, take a deep breath and smile wherever you are.
After all, it’s only Tuesday.
Shalom & Cheers,
Patrick
Skip’s Tech Geek
Thanks, Patrick. I would still like to gather in the Phoenix area, maybe after the first of the year.
Shabbat Shalom,
Speaking of wonderful … speaking of awesome counsel … The Torah/The Word …. consider the name of the child to be given to us: Pele-joez-el-gibbor-Abi-ad-sar-shalom (Wonderful Counselor, Mighty G_D, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace)
What an advantage we have over our brethren in the wilderness all those years ago. The author of creation, The Word made flesh, has come and dwelt amongst us. And through His mighty works we can now have Torah circumcised upon our hearts forever by the Ruach HaKodesh … a gift from Elohim given in the name of Yeshua HaMashiach!
Our G_D is indeed worthy of our passionate praise, service and worship … long live The King … Long live Yeshua, Who has been given all things by ELOHIM!
Hi Drew,
Very good stuff 🙂
You remind me of the enthusiasm and the Love of HaShem I witnessed nightly outside on BenYehuda St. in Jerusalem during Sukkot. I was in awe… someone would start playing an instrument in the square and then someone else would start singing praises or laments to G-d. Then people of all ages would stop and listen and start to dance! It was a party every night … and all to Honor Adonai Elohiem, I thank Adonai that I was there to experience this, because there is no where else in the world that “faith shown through works” is so much part of everyday life. Only Israel has this kind of relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Here are some awesome links that really show the Jewish heart as I see it. (all Toramzeon videos are worth watching) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfF6-TkAnBM