Parasha Emor: Day 7—Shabbat

Vayikra/Leviticus 21:1-24:23

As it goes, we have a friend who calls from time to time. She is mildly interested in aspects of Israel, but not enough to bring her into a Covenant lifestyle. The conversations, in the past, have ranged in various subjects relating to God to Messiah and, even, the feasts. As a matter of fact, several phone conversations have taken place along the lines of feast observance. The friend would call and want to be a part various community functions relating to discussions, but having more to do with socializing. So, when she began asking about the feasts, we were pricked to give bits of Torah Truth concerning the appointed times, as they are revealed in Scripture, relating what we would be doing and when and so on.

Finally, within the context of one of these conversations, our friend began saying that she had been observing all the feasts of YHVH. Now, you must understand that we had been teaching and discussing with her, for many years, what a Torah lifestyle is, how it is a way of life and a way of worship. It was not relegated to one day a week or that Yeshua was not banished to the Brit Hadashah only. Through various times of exasperation over many years and conversations, we had tried to exemplify Messiah in our walk to our friend and maintained a relationship, even though we had watched her and her family walk away from the knowledge of Torah and applications thereof through Yeshua. Obviously, when  she told us that she had been walking out the Feasts and observing them, we had a twinge of excitement that maybe she was coming back into a proper understanding and relationship.

Well, as it turned out, through a phone conversation, we understood what was really taking place in her life. You see, our friend had moved to another town and had a new neighbor, who just happened to be Jewish. Instead of being interested in our walk, or wanting to come back to fellowship and worship with us, she really wanted more information about the Feasts so that she could discuss how she was keeping them to her new Jewish friend.

Now, I have no doubt that the Father is, can, and will use that for the sake of planting seed in the lives of all involved. As such, we mad the following statement: “The first Feast of YHVH is a weekly Feast.” A curious silence followed.

The question of “What Feast is that?” came next.

“The Feast of Shabbat.” we said. “It is a weekly feast that takes place every seven days. Moreover, it is the sign of the Covenant according to Torah.”

Another slightly awkward pause ensued. We had not said this to hurt or to condemn, but to help someone put the Feast dates in proper perspective. Our friend had made inferences that she was walking according to the commands, but in fact, had false understandings and faulty footings and foundations as to what the commands were, little lone what they meant.

This has given us some pause to think ourselves. As we study Torah and are given insight as to how to walk it out by leading of the Ruach Hakodesh, we begin to see an entire canvas being painted. It is a broader picture, if you will, of the cycle of our paths in which we are to walk, yearly. Then, being blessed withe mercy and grace to walk in Covenant and in the paths of righteousness, we are able to focus on the details of the journey our Creator has us.

It has been a wonderful experience to breathe deep the freshness and newness of these everlasting cycles, even after years of walking in them. At first, it is like watching a thoroughbred race horse, but only being able to see the top half of the horse due to a wall that obscures the view of all four, powerful legs carrying the rider and the horse to the finish line. Later, after years of maturity and spiritual growth, we begin to more clearly understand the strides, tackle and character of the race.

While in your place in this ongoing cycle of growth and continued salvation, remember that you are only one of myriad that are longing to finish what has been started by Yeshua. Allow Him to carry you and to teach you the lessons of His walk. Show others by your actions and loving-kindness in contrast to defamation or condemnation. Moreover, exercise patience before, during and after each part of the race. It takes time to grow and YHVH has all the time He needs to complete what He has begun within you.

Dwell upon Philippians 1:6, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Messiah Yeshua."