Mile Markers
And YHWH says, “Because this people draws near with its mouth, and they honor Me with its lips, but its heart is far from Me, and their fear of Me is taught by the command of men; . .” Isaiah 29:13
Far – Followers of YHWH are commanded to count the mile markers. They are to have intimate acquaintance with the Hebrew word rachaq. This verb means “to be far away” or “to become far away.” If you’re going to follow the Lord, you must distance yourself from competing ideologies.
Notice that rachaq is a verb. In English, “far” is an adverb. It describes an action, but it isn’t the action itself. So, when we translate this verse, we add “is” to the sentence. But in Hebrew, the verse should read “its heart distances itself from Me.” This is a deliberate action, not an accidental modifier of some inner condition. This is walking away from God.
How does God describe walking away from Him? You’ll notice that walking away does not show itself in religious apathy. These people still speak the words. They sing the songs, say the prayers and recite the creeds. The mile markers of separation are not visible to anyone but God. Rabbinic literature was particularly sensitive to this invisible separation, so much so that they had a special Hebrew word for the problem. That word is kavvanah. Abraham Heschel says, “Kavvanah is attentiveness to God. Its purpose is to direct the heart rather than the tongue or the arms. It is not an act of the mind that serves to guide the external action, but one that has meaning in itself.” “Kavvanah in this sense is not the awareness of being commanded but the awareness of Him who commands; not of a yoke we carry but of the Will we remember; the awareness of God rather than the awareness of duty.”[1]
Heschel draws attention to the fact that kavvanah is being rather than doing. It is experiencing being with God. The external actions that accompany our religious expressions are incidental to dwelling in the presence of the Lord. If our hearts draw near to Him, we stop trying to be dutiful servants of the Most High. We become awe-struck worshippers of He Who Is.
Now read the second part of this verse. Why do the people engage in religious activity without kavvanah? God says, “Their fear is taught by the command of men.” Let that sink in a minute. Human traditions, human religious practices, human rules for moral behavior replace heart-felt wonder. God’s mile markers are pulled up and our rituals and rites are put in their place. What is the result? A form of worship without the power of the living God. It all looks so good, but the hearts of the people are not near the presence of God. They have distanced themselves by being religious instead of righteous.
Now the questions: How are your heart mile markers? Are they being uprooted by the teaching of men or the declarations of the church? Where is kavvanah in your life?
Topical Index: kavvanah, rachaq, far, religion, Isaiah 29:13
[1] Abraham Heschel, Between Man and God, p. 165
Absolutely wonderful commentary! A very elegant Hebraic translation of what it means to be “luke-warm”!
Now for the tough questions:
“How are your heart mile markers …. Are they being uprooted by the teaching of men or the declarations of the church? Where is kavvanah in your life?”
These are the same questions Yeshua asked. These are the same persistent issues which plagued the sheep back then: Man made tradition/dogma; Leaven in the teachings; A complacent laity; Legalistic and insincere halakah; The blind leading the blind!
It is indeed strange to see how much of the past remains in the present. We must not be smug and think that this is not a prevalent situation this very day! We must not be part of the Church of Laodicea!
I am glad as well that you point out: “The mile markers of separation are not visible to anyone but God.” We need to keep in mind that only Yeshua is He Who searcheth the reins and hearts of people. So despite all of the battles being waged against the body of Messiah let us keep a tender heart attitude for the sheep while remaining unmovable by the principalities and agents of satan.
In the end … kavvanah is all about passion!
A few random thoughts and free associations…
Popeye the Sailor is on Google this morning, I used to watch him every day as a kid.
I am what I am and that’s all that I am, I’m Popeye the sailor man (spinach = spirit).
I watched I am Legend last night, where Will Smith is a kind of Sacrificial Lamb, with his German Shepherd, trying to save the world.
His inspiration is Bob Marley.
Back in the seventies, when I had to teach Isaiah in the Humanities Dept at UCSD, I began the class with by playing Rivers of Babylon by Bob Marley.
My best friend in graduate school was Jim Kavanagh.
Kavannah is such a wonderful word! How we need to add this to our vocabulary and keep it in the forefront of our minds. It is “focused attention!” This reminds me (once again) of the story of the “perfect mule.” I hope you’re famiiar with it- I’ll try to long story/short it.. the mule had to be “whopped between the eyes” with a two-by-four to get his attention and then he would listen to the farmer’s instructions to “gee” and “haw.” Yes, my hard- headed and hard-hearted brothers, we also need to have our (ahem..), focus fixed. This usually comes by way of some sort of pain. Pain is one of the best attention getters available today!
I don’t like it, but hey, in a word, it works! ( I know.. that’s two words).
YHWH wants and deserves our focused attention. The Teacher will show up when the student is ready. Are you ready to hear what G-d will say? Are you ready to do obey what He shows you? Yes, and yes.. “all” we like sheep have gone astray..(rachaq). But, praise G-d for His words.. “draw near unto G-d and He will draw near unto you.” He has issued the invitation. What will our heart-response be? Are we running from Him or running to Him? G-d has a way of getting our attention. No doubt in this feeble mind. When He (ahem..) “chastens” His own, it is only to (ahem..) open our eyes and to bring us back from our wandering ways. G-d never “punishes” us. Yeshua took our full punishment at Calvary. YHWH deals with us now as errant children. Look at the invitation of the Christ.. “come unto me”. Look at the privilege we have according to G-d’s own words written in Hebrews 10:22: “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” Yeshua has made a way for us by the blood of His cross to “draw near” and to access the very throne of grace. The veil of the temple has been torn asunder and we now have (before unthought of) access to the ever available Holy One. Are you aware of the privilege we have been given as children of YHWH? The freedom of choice to simply pray from the heart.. “LORD, that I may receive my sight!” Open the eyes of our hearts LORD.. cause us to return to our Creator,Counselor, Comforter and Friend. Thank you for your call upon our lives and for bringing into this place of refuge and refreshment. We praise you for our dear brother Skip and ask you our Abba for your good hand of grace and blessing to be upon him and his house in a strong and mighty way. Thank you for the gift of your words which give life to all who hear them. Let each of us be and become “awake and aware” of your holy Presence in our lives. Accomplish in us and through us that which pleases you is our only prayer. At your invitation and the name of Yeshua our Savior, I offer this prayer. Amen.
Skip,
One of your best! This was so good, I made a copy to carry with me!
Skip,
Paul Michalski who leads the New Cannan Society forwarded this post to me. Thank you. It’s helped clarify something I felt but didn’t understand. I believe that reflecting on the aspects of God’s character — mercy, compassion, justice, etc — brings about a state of adoration that draws us close to Him. Would you agree? Any recommendations about what I might read to explore this further?
With best wishes and warmest regards,
Michael