{"id":6223,"date":"2017-01-08T14:15:14","date_gmt":"2017-01-08T14:15:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.matsati.com\/?p=6223"},"modified":"2017-01-13T01:25:58","modified_gmt":"2017-01-13T01:25:58","slug":"bits-torah-truths-parashat-vayechi-walking-god-activity-select","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/bits-torah-truths-parashat-vayechi-walking-god-activity-select\/","title":{"rendered":"Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Vayechi, \u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05d5\u05d9\u05d2\u05e9, Walking with God an Activity for a Select Few?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[youtube url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oXa9JZ4L6c8&amp;feature=youtu.be&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>As we conclude the study on the first book from the Torah (Bereshit \/ Genesis) a question we may have is what does it mean to <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cwalk with God?\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 In the Tanach, there are several people described as <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cwalking with God,\u201d<\/span><\/em> beginning with Enoch according to <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 5:21-24<\/span><\/em>, which states <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">5:21 Enoch lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Methuselah. 5:22 Then Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters. 5:23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 5:24 Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Based upon what the Scriptures say, Enoch walked with God and the Lord removed him from this world.\u00a0 This teaches us that we, the children of God are <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cin\u201d<\/span><\/em> the world, but we are not <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cof\u201d<\/span><\/em> the world.\u00a0 Noah also was described as <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201ca righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God\u201d<\/span><\/em> (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 6:9<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 The prophet Micah provides us with a glimpse into what the Lord desires for us saying, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Micah 6:8 \u201cHe has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?\u201d (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Do you think these descriptions of the men who <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cwalked with God\u201d<\/span><\/em> is an activity reserved for a select few?\u00a0 The Lord God of Israel desires for all of His children to walk with Him.\u00a0 When the Torah speaks of <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cwalking,\u201d<\/span><\/em> it often refers to a lifestyle which is in line with the ways of God as opposed to walking in the ways of the world (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">2 Kings 8:27, Ephesians 2:2, Colossians 3:7<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 If this is the case, why do the modern theologies today so vehemently teach against God\u2019s Torah as a way of life for His people?\u00a0 In the Apostolic Writings, the phrase <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cwalking with God\u201d<\/span><\/em> is often paralleled to <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cwalking in the Spirit\u201d<\/span><\/em> (see <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Galatians 5:16 and Romans 8:4<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 To walk with the Lord God of Israel means that we choose to live our lives according to God\u2019s Word to bring glory to His Name, regardless of personal cost.\u00a0 According to David in the psalms, walking with the Lord also means we do not walk with evil people as companions (see <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Tehillim \/ Psalm 1:1-3<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 This is what is understood as the narrow path we are set upon in seeking God\u2019s kingdom, as opposed to the broad way which leads to destruction (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Matthew 7:13-14, he way of the world<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 In other words, as God\u2019s people, we choose to not live our lives to please our sinful desires (Romans 13:14).\u00a0 We seek first God\u2019s kingdom and seek to eliminate everything that does not enhance our walk with Him (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Hebrews 12:2<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 This is why Paul said what he did in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">1 Corinthians 10:31 \u201cSo whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.\u201d (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 As a result of these things, it is not difficult to identify the one who walks with the Lord, because God\u2019s ways according to His word, are reflected in his thoughts, his actions, his motivations, and his life choices because such a person spends time with the Lord and in His Word.\u00a0 In this week\u2019s Torah Portion, note how Jacob speaks of his fathers Abraham and Isaac walking before the Lord God of Israel.\u00a0 What is the significance of their having done this?\u00a0 Let\u2019s reflect upon how we should be living our lives as we discuss this topic further.<\/p>\n<p>In this week\u2019s Torah portion, we are looking at <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 48:10-22<\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 48:10-22<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 48:10 Now the eyes of Israel were so dim from age that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them close to him, and he kissed them and embraced them. 48:11 Israel said to Joseph, \u2018I never expected to see your face, and behold, God has let me see your children as well.\u2019 48:12 Then Joseph took them from his knees, and bowed with his face to the ground. 48:13 Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel\u2019s left, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel\u2019s right, and brought them close to him. 48:14 But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh\u2019s head, crossing his hands, although Manasseh was the firstborn. 48:15 He blessed Joseph, and said, \u2018The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, 48:16 The angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; And may my name live on in them, And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.\u2019 48:17 When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on Ephraim\u2019s head, it displeased him; and he grasped his father\u2019s hand to remove it from Ephraim\u2019s head to Manasseh\u2019s head. 48:18 Joseph said to his father, \u2018Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn. Place your right hand on his head.\u2019 48:19 But his father refused and said, \u2018I know, my son, I know; he also will become a people and he also will be great. However, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.\u2019 48:20 He blessed them that day, saying, \u2018By you Israel will pronounce blessing, saying, \u2018May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh!\u2019\u2018 Thus he put Ephraim before Manasseh. 48:21 Then Israel said to Joseph, \u2018Behold, I am about to die, but God will be with you, and bring you back to the land of your fathers. 48:22 \u2018I give you one portion more than your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and my bow.\u2019 (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\">\u05d9\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05d1\u05b0\u05d3\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b4\u05d6\u05bc\u05b9\u05e7\u05b6\u05df \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05d5\u05bc\u05db\u05b7\u05dc \u05dc\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea 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\u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d9\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea \u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d9\u05b7\u05d3-\u05d9\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05b9 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05e8\u05b9\u05d0\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d0\u05b6\u05e4\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b5\u05e8\u05b7\u05e2 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05de\u05b9\u05da\u05b0 \u05d9\u05b7\u05d3-\u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05e1\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc \u05de\u05b5\u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05e8\u05b9\u05d0\u05e9\u05c1-\u05d0\u05b6\u05e4\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05e8\u05b9\u05d0\u05e9\u05c1 \u05de\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4: \u05d9\u05d7\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05e1\u05b5\u05e3 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05db\u05b5\u05df \u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d6\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b9\u05e8 \u05e9\u05b4\u05b9\u05d9\u05dd \u05d9\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05e0\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05e8\u05b9\u05d0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05b9: \u05d9\u05d8\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05df \u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b8\u05d3\u05b7\u05e2\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b8\u05d3\u05b7\u05e2\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d2\u05bc\u05b7\u05dd-\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u05d4-\u05dc\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d2\u05b7\u05dd-\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d2\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b8\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e7\u05bc\u05b8\u05d8\u05b9\u05df \u05d9\u05b4\u05d2\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b7\u05dc \u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b6\u05e0\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u05d4 \u05de\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05d4\u05b7\u05d2\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd: \u05db\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b2\u05db\u05b5\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b5\u05da\u05b0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05e9\u05b4\u05b9\u05de\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05e4\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05e9\u05b6\u05b9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d0\u05b6\u05e4\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05dc\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05de\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4: \u05db\u05d0\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05e1\u05b5\u05e3 \u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b5\u05ea \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e2\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b5\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d0\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b9\u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd: \u05db\u05d1\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05d3 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b8\u05e7\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05bc\u05b7\u05d3 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05b9\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9:<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Jacob states in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 48:15-16<\/span><\/em>, \u05d8\u05d5\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05e1\u05b5\u05e3 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b9\u05ea\u05b7\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e4\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e7 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b9\u05e2\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b5\u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05d3\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b7\u05d3-\u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4: \u05d8\u05d6\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05da\u05b0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d2\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b4\u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc-\u05e8\u05b8\u05e2 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b5\u05da\u05b0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b5\u05d0 \u05d1\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b9\u05ea\u05b7\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e7 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05d2\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05d1 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5: <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">48:15 He blessed Joseph, and said, \u2018The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, 48:16 The angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; And may my name live on in them, And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.\u2019 (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Note how Jacob opens his blessing saying \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b9\u05ea\u05b7\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e4\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 which may be translated as <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cthe God that they, my fathers, walked before Him\u201d<\/span><\/em> saying that the Lord is the One before whom he had walked.\u00a0 The Lord is his shepherd, his redeemer, and the One who saved him from all evil.\u00a0 With this said, Jacob declares that his name (Israel) will live on in the children, along with the names of his fathers Abraham and Isaac.\u00a0 This places an important emphasis upon his words in relation to living up to one\u2019s name and family.\u00a0 Jacob was establishing the standard upon which his fathers had lived their lives, which is to live by faith and righteousness before the Lord.\u00a0 Sforno comments upon this in the following way.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Sforno on Bereshit \/ Genesis 48:15 Part 3<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> \u05d4\u05d0\u05dc\u05d5\u05e7\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05e9\u05e8 \u05d4\u05ea\u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d5 \u05d0\u05d1\u05d5\u05ea\u05d9 \u05dc\u05e4\u05e0\u05d9\u05d5, as if he had addressed G\u2019d in a preamble to the blessing, saying: \u201cYou are the G\u2019d before Whom my fathers walked steadfastly, etc.; please do what I ask for the sake of their merit.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Sforno states that these verses are to be interpreted as being addressed to the Lord God of Israel and to his grandsons.\u00a0 He asks that they live their lives for the Lord for the sake of the merit of their fathers.\u00a0 Jacob is telling his children to live for the Lord for the name sake of their fathers and their family.\u00a0 This is a very important concept, because we are known by the family and the people we keep.\u00a0 Repeatedly in the Scriptures, we are instructed to live for His (God\u2019s) name sake according to the Scriptures.\u00a0 For example, God guides us for His name\u2019s sake (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 23:3<\/span><\/em>), He forgives our sins for His name sake (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Tehillim \/ Psalm 25:11<\/span><\/em>), He leads us for the sake of His name (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Tehillim \/ Psalm 31:3<\/span><\/em>), He delivers us from sin for His name\u2019s sake (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Tehillim \/ Psalm 79:9<\/span><\/em>), He deals with us out of His goodness for His name\u2019s sake (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Tehillim \/ Psalm 109:21<\/span><\/em>), and He lets us live for His name\u2019s sake (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Tehillim \/ Psalm 143:11<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 The point is, the Lord God does what He does for His sake and not ours.\u00a0 We exist as God\u2019s people, alive and thriving in His kingdom, in order to embody his name.\u00a0 When the Lord acts for His name\u2019s sake, He is acting in accordance with His character and to uphold the honor of His word, because of the glory that He has laid upon his people.\u00a0 This is why Jacob and the rabbis emphasize the importance of Jacob\u2019s words calling upon his grandchildren to live for the Lord and for the sake of his name living on through them.<\/p>\n<p>Radak has the following to say concerning <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 48:15<\/span><\/em>:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Radak on Bereshit \/ Genesis 48:15 Part 2<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> \u05d0\u05e9\u05e8 \u05d4\u05ea\u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d5 \u05d0\u05d1\u05d5\u05ea\u05d9 \u05dc\u05e4\u05e0\u05d9\u05d5, I have already explained on Genesis 17:1 that this wording includes serving G\u2019d in one\u2019s heart as well as with deeds. The root of all religious service is in the heart. [when it is only the from the lips outward it is a sham. Ed.] We must not understand Yaakov as claiming credit for himself or boasting, that he himself had served G\u2019d, although it is a fact that he had served the Lord; he meant to give credit to his fathers, suggesting that if G\u2019d had been at his side this had been largely due to the merits of both his father and grandfather. \u05d4\u05de\u05dc\u05d0\u05da, having first spoken about G\u2019d having assisted him, and creating the impression that G\u2019d, personally, had done so, he now mentions the intermediary always used by G\u2019d to do His work. We know from Psalms 34:8 \u05d7\u05d5\u05e0\u05d4 \u05de\u05dc\u05d0\u05da \u05d4\u2019 \u05e1\u05d1\u05d9\u05d1 \u05dc\u05d9\u05e8\u05d0\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05d9\u05d7\u05dc\u05e6\u05dd, \u201cG\u2019d\u2019s angel camps around those who fear Him and He rescues them,\u201d that His agents called \u05de\u05dc\u05d0\u05db\u05d9\u05dd are close at hand whenever the righteous are in danger. This is why Yaakov at this time referred to \u05d4\u05de\u05dc\u05d0\u05da \u05d4\u05d2\u05d5\u05d0\u05dc \u05d0\u05d5\u05ea\u05d9 \u05de\u05db\u05dc \u05e8\u05e2, the one sent by G\u2019d to rescue him, protect him, and bless him, \u05d9\u05d1\u05e8\u05da \u05d0\u05ea \u05d4\u05e0\u05e2\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd will function similarly and protect Joseph\u2019s sons. We know that such angels had been in evidence protecting Yaakov first from Lavan, then from Esau, and again when the Emorites launched an attack after Yaakov\u2019s sons had killed the males of Shechem and looted the town.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Note how Radak connects serving the Lord being accomplished in the heart which is connected to our deeds.\u00a0 To only give the Lord <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201clip service\u201d<\/span><\/em> from the heart is what he calls a <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201csham\u201d<\/span><\/em> (<em>noun: a thing that is not what it is purported to be, adjective: bogus; false<\/em>).\u00a0 In addition to this, notice how Radak says <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cWe must not understand Yaakov as claiming credit for himself or boasting\u201d<\/span><\/em> he explains that the credit goes to both the Lord God in heaven, and to his intermediary (\u05d4\u05de\u05dc\u05d0\u05da, angel, messenger).\u00a0 Radak concludes saying, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cThis is why Yaakov at this time referred to \u05d4\u05de\u05dc\u05d0\u05da \u05d4\u05d2\u05d5\u05d0\u05dc \u05d0\u05d5\u05ea\u05d9 \u05de\u05db\u05dc \u05e8\u05e2, the one sent by G\u2019d to rescue him, protect him, and bless him, \u05d9\u05d1\u05e8\u05da \u05d0\u05ea \u05d4\u05e0\u05e2\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd will function similarly and protect Joseph\u2019s sons.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 How significant is this interpretation in relation to Yeshua the Messiah, the one sent of God to save His people?<br \/>\nThe Jewish commentary Akeidat Yitzchak has the following to say:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Akeidat Yitzchak 100:11<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> Noach was a similarly motivated person. \u201cNoach walked with G\u2019d .\u201d (Genesis 6:9) Of the ancestors, collectively, the Torah testifies \u201cyour forefathers walked in front of Me.\u201d (Genesis 48:15)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Akeidat Yitzchak connects Noah to being motivated to walk with God, and having been so motivated, he walked before the Lord as a righteous man.\u00a0 This speaks of men who took it upon themselves to prepare their hearts to seek the Lord.\u00a0 The Scriptures provides us with much precedent on the need for man to prepare his heart before the Lord to seek the God of Israel all the days of his life.\u00a0 Midrash Tehillim 108, Part 1 states saying, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cScripture also says, Then the priests, the Levites, arose and blessed the people; and their voice was heard of the Lord, and their prayer came up to His holy habitation, even unto heaven (2 Chronicles 30:27).\u00a0 David said, Accordingly, behold, I will prepare my heart so that the Holy One blessed be He, will hear my prayer.\u00a0 Hence it is said, My heart is prepared, O God; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises (Tehillim \/ Psalms 108:2).\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 This illustrates for us the importance of preparing our hearts daily.\u00a0 In <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">2 Chronicles 12:14,<\/span><\/em> we read <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cAnd he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD\u201d<\/span><\/em> (\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05e9\u05c2 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05e2 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b5\u05db\u05b4\u05d9\u05df \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b9\u05d5 \u05dc\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05e8\u05b9\u05d5\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05bd\u05d4\u05c3).\u00a0 The Tanach states directly that Reheboam did evil because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord.\u00a0 If you think about it, relatively few people set out determined to do evil.\u00a0 They don\u2019t wake up in the morning asking themselves saying, \u201ctoday how can I transgress God\u2019s commands to do evil?\u201d\u00a0 Instead, sin is more subtle than that, a person falls into sin because he or she has not prepared his or her heart to seek the Lord.\u00a0 This passage in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">2 Chronicles 12:14<\/span><\/em> speaks of Rehoboam, the king of Israel, who was the grandson of David.\u00a0 He inherited the throne when he was 41 years old, at the death of his father Solomon.\u00a0 In the beginning of his reign, his heart was sensitive to the Lord because we are told that he listened to the Lord at the word of a prophet from God according to <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">2 Chronicles 11:1-4<\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">2 Chronicles 11:1-4<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 11:1 Now when Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, 180, 000 chosen men who were warriors, to fight against Israel to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam. 11:2 But the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 11:3 \u2018Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, 11:4 \u2018Thus says the Lord, \u2018You shall not go up or fight against your relatives; return every man to his house, for this thing is from Me.\u2019\u2019\u2018 So they listened to the words of the Lord and returned from going against Jeroboam. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Studying the history of Israel, we learn that Rehoboam\u2019s seeking the Lord God of his fathers only lasted for three of the 17 years of his reign (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">2 Chronicles 11:17<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 Does this sound familiar?\u00a0 It certainly does to me. During the time I have been alive, I have known a few people who genuinely loved the Lord at one time and were excited about the things of God, yet they grew cold and, in many cases, completely abandoned the Lord and the things that were once so important to them.\u00a0 How can this be?\u00a0 Could this be because they did not daily prepare their hearts to seek the Lord?\u00a0 The word \u201cprepare\u201d means \u201cto make (something) ready for use or consideration\u201d (synonyms: make\/get ready, put together, draw up, produce, arrange, assemble, construct, compose, formulate).\u00a0 Notice the definition to prepare means to make something ready for use.\u00a0 When we prepare our hearts, we are making our hearts ready for the Lord to use.\u00a0 This phrase <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cto prepare our hearts\u201d<\/span><\/em> conveys the idea of a deliberate effort over a prolonged period of time.\u00a0 The Hebrew word that was translated <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cprepare\u201d<\/span><\/em> in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">2 Chronicles 12:14<\/span><\/em> is \u05d4\u05b5\u05db\u05b4\u05d9\u05df is from the root word \u05db\u05d5\u05df meaning <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cto be firm, be stable, be established, to fix.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The preparation of our hearts is to fix it upon one thing, to seek the Lord God of Israel and His kingdom.<\/p>\n<p>According to David, we read the following, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Tehillim \/ Psalm 10:17 \u201cLORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart.\u201d (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The concept here is that the Lord God of Israel is also involved in preparing our hearts.\u00a0 Part of the preparation and seeking the Lord is in trusting in Him and depending upon Him for the strength to make our hearts not subject to change or variation.\u00a0 Note David\u2019s words that say humility is a key part of preparing the heart.\u00a0 The desire of the humble heart is to have a heart that is prepared for seeking the Lord God in heaven.\u00a0 <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Mishley \/ Proverbs 16:18 states, \u201cPride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.\u201d (KJV)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The basic conclusion may be that when a person falls from their position in the Lord, they have fallen from humbly depending upon Him.\u00a0 For such a person, the humble heart is forsaken or neglected and the seeking of the Lord forgotten, where shortly thereafter is the fall.\u00a0 In addition, our imaginations and memory function as an important part of preparing our hearts.\u00a0 David said in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">1 Chronicles 29:18, \u201cO LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee.\u201d (KJV)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 David believed remembering the Lord was a vital part of the preparation process.\u00a0 In <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">1 Chronicles 29:4-7<\/span><\/em>, we read of the expense of the construction of the Temple, David prayed that the Lord would use the memory of this event to prepare the people\u2019s hearts.\u00a0 In the Torah, the Lord warned the children of Israel not to forget the mighty works He had performed for them lest they turn away from following Him (see <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 4:9, 4:23, 6:12, 8:11-14, and 8:19<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 Moshe linked our memory to remaining true to the Lord.\u00a0 This is why the preparation of our hearts is so important, and once the heart is prepared, as the midrash says, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cHence it is said, My heart is prepared, O God; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises (Tehillim \/ Psalms 108:2).\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 We prepare our hearts to remember the work of God in our lives, to continue to seek the Lord God in heaven, and to seek His kingdom in our lives for His glory.\u00a0 All of these things coupled together lead us to prepare ourselves for service, and so that He can use our lives to serve in His kingdom.\u00a0 Because of all of these things we too can say \u201cMy heart is prepared, O God; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Radak goes on to say in his commentary:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Radak on Genesis 17:1 Part 3<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> \u05d4\u05ea\u05d4\u05dc\u05da \u05dc\u05e4\u05e0\u05d9, as rendered by Onkelos, \u201cserve Me\u201d by carrying out what I command you ( in order to become perfect). This is also that meaning of the word \u05d4\u05ea\u05d4\u05dc\u05da in Genesis 24:40 as well as in Genesis 48:15 It is a reference to serving the lord in thought and deed. All service of the Lord is rooted in man\u2019s heart. This is why King Chiskiyah in Kings II 20:3 in his prayer says: \u05d0\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d4\u2019 \u05d3\u05d1\u05e8 \u05e0\u05d0 \u05d0\u05ea \u05d0\u05e9\u05e8 \u05d4\u05ea\u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05ea\u05d9 \u05dc\u05e4\u05e0\u05d9\u05da \u05d1\u05d0\u05de\u05ea \u05d5\u05d1\u05dc\u05d1\u05d1 \u05e9\u05dc\u05dd, \u201cplease o Lord remember how I have served you in truth and with a pure heart, etc.\u201d Chiskiyah first refers to his serving G\u2019d with his heart, before mentioning that he had performed deeds which constituted service of the Lord also, when he said \u05d5\u05d4\u05d8\u05d5\u05d1 \u05d1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e0\u05d9\u05da \u05e2\u05e9\u05d9\u05ea\u05d9, \u201cand I have done what is pleasing in Your eyes.\u201d At this juncture G\u2019d commands Avram that He will require additional service from him, service to be performed on his own body. He had already proven that his heart was pure. He had also already perfected his personality traits to the extent that his mind and intelligence had suggested such improvements. This form of service to be performed on his body was something that his mind and reason would reject as illogical. G\u2019d demanded this only in order for the people whom Avraham would produce would be recognizable by the circumcision of their body as unique, as wearing the mark of G\u2019d. Even though many of the gentiles do circumcise themselves also, they do not do so in response to a command by G\u2019d. Only the special seed of Avram, i.e. Yitzchok was included in this command. Also Yitzchok\u2019s special seed was included in that command, [i.e. according to our author Ishmael\u2019s children and Esau\u2019s children as well as the sons Avraham had by Keturah would not have been included in this commandment. Because of these considerations G\u2019d commanded the circumcision before Yitzchok would be born or even conceived. Any convert, not alive at that time but joining the Jewish people and its faith are therefore described as being \u05d1\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d0\u05d1\u05e8\u05d4\u05dd \u201cdescendants, sons of Avraham,\u201d [This is an additional meaning of the name change from Avram to Avraham, foretelling him that he would become the spiritual father of all future converts. Ed.]<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Note how Radak concludes <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cAll service of the Lord is rooted in man\u2019s heart,\u201d<\/span><\/em> and that serving the Lord God in our hearts leads serving the Lord by our deeds (how we live).\u00a0 Also, the service of the heart, and what the Lord expects of us according to His word, Radak says <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cThis form of service to be performed on his body was something that his mind and reason would reject as illogical.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Isn\u2019t this the basic premise for modern theologies in relation to the Law of God today?\u00a0 Radak\u2019s comments are in relation to the command of circumcision<\/p>\n<p>The Torah states according to <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Shemot \/ Exodus 25:1-8<\/span><\/em> saying,<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Shemot \/ Exodus 25:1-8<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 25:1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 25:2 \u2018Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution. 25:3 \u2018This is the contribution which you are to raise from them: gold, silver and bronze, 25:4 blue, purple and scarlet material, fine linen, goat hair, 25:5 rams\u2019 skins dyed red, porpoise skins, acacia wood, 25:6 oil for lighting, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 25:7 onyx stones and setting stones for the ephod and for the breastpiece. 25:8 \u2018Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. (NASB), (\u05d0) \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d3\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05a5\u05e8 \u05d4\u2019 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc\u05be\u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05a5\u05d4 \u05dc\u05bc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u05bd\u05e8\u05c3 (\u05d1) \u05d3\u05bc\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05e8\u0599 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc\u05be\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05a3\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c2\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u0594\u05dc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05d7\u05d5\u05bc\u05be\u05dc\u05b4\u0596\u05d9 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b8\u0591\u05d4 \u05de\u05b5\u05d0\u05b5\u05a4\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc\u05be\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1\u0599 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05a3\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b6\u05a3\u05e0\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u0594\u05d5\u05b9 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05d7\u0596\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b8\u05ea\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05c3 (\u05d2) \u05d5\u05b0\u05d6\u05b9\u05d0\u05ea\u0599 \u05d4\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b8\u0594\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05a5\u05e8 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05d7\u0596\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b5\u05d0\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u0591\u05dd \u05d6\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05a5\u05d1 \u05d5\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u0596\u05e1\u05b6\u05e3 \u05d5\u05bc\u05e0\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05bd\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05ea\u05c3 (\u05d3) \u05d5\u05bc\u05ea\u05b0\u05db\u05b5\u05a7\u05dc\u05b6\u05ea \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05d2\u05bc\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u059b\u05df \u05d5\u05b0\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b7\u05a5\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e0\u05b4\u0596\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05a5\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b4\u05d6\u05bc\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05dd\u05c3 (\u05d4) \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b9\u05e8\u05b9\u05a8\u05ea \u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05dc\u05b4\u05a7\u05dd \u05de\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u059b\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b9\u05e8\u05b9\u05a5\u05ea \u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u0596\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e6\u05b5\u05a5\u05d9 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d8\u05bc\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05dd\u05c3 (\u05d5) \u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u0596\u05de\u05b6\u05df \u05dc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05d0\u05b9\u0591\u05e8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e9\u05c2\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd\u0599 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05a3\u05de\u05b6\u05df \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u0594\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05d8\u05b9\u0596\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e1\u05bc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05dd\u05c3 (\u05d6) \u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9\u05be\u05e9\u05c1\u05b9\u0595\u05d4\u05b7\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u0596\u05d9 \u05de\u05b4\u05dc\u05bc\u05bb\u05d0\u05b4\u0591\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05e4\u05b9\u0596\u05d3 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b9\u05bd\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05df\u05c3 (\u05d7) \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05a5\u05e9\u05c2\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b4\u0596\u05d9 \u05de\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u0591\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05db\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u0596\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9\u05db\u05b8\u05bd\u05dd\u05c3)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Note how the Lord speaks to sons of Israel to raise a Terumah (contribution) according to how each persons heart moves them.\u00a0 Note how the rabbinic commentary interprets these verses:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Sefer HaChinuch (16 cent.)<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> Know, my child, that any commandment that God requires of humankind comes only out of God\u2019s desire to benefit us&#8230; God\u2019s command to build the Tabernacle, for us to offer therein our prayers and sacrifices, comes not out of God\u2019s needs to dwell in an earthly dwelling among humankind, but rather [out of God\u2019s awareness that we need] train our own selves.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Malbim (19th cent. Eastern Europe)- Commentary on Exodus 25:8<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> &#8230;Each one of us needs to build God a Tabernacle in the recesses of our hearts, by preparing oneself to become a Sanctuary for God and a place for the dwelling of God\u2019s glory.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The rabbis say that this commandment of God to construct the Tabernacle is for our benefit.\u00a0 How so?\u00a0 So that we could train ourselves to offer prayers and sacrifices before the Lord.\u00a0 In the Targum on <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 50<\/span><\/em>, David says that the Lord does not take bulls out of their flocks because he owns the cattle on a thousand mountains, He does not require sacrifices because He is hungry (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">50:8-13<\/span><\/em>) as compared to the rabbis translation into the Aramaic Targum that speaks of the Lord not rebuking his people because they were unable to offer sacrifices due to the sanctuary being laid waste on the Temple Mount.\u00a0 Due to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, the rabbis are saying that God does not cause the people to be guilty for their lack of bringing an offering before Him.\u00a0 This describes living in obedience to the word of the Lord with respect to what we are able to do within the context of an absent Temple.\u00a0 These comments go to show that we are called to obedience, and to have a high regard for God\u2019s word because these things direct us to God\u2019s will and plan which was to bring His Messiah Yeshua into this world for the purpose of salvation from sin.\u00a0 The purification of the soul on the inside, the sacrifice of Yeshua purifies us from within, purifies the soul whereas the Temple sacrifices purified the body externally.\u00a0 The significance of this statement is found in the rabbinic translation (Targum) in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 50:14-15<\/span><\/em> which speaks of subduing the evil impulse.\u00a0 Note what the Lord God says in the story of Cain and Abel from <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 4:4 Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering; 4:5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. 4:6 Then the Lord said to Cain, \u2018Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 4:7 \u2018If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.\u2019 (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The Lord speaks to Cain about sin and he says, if we do not do well, sin is crouching at the door and its desire is for you.\u00a0 In addition, he says, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cbut you must master it.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Notice how the Lord speaks of the mastery over sin in our lives, in the sense that we do not allow sin to be all consuming in our lives.\u00a0 The rabbinic translation of <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cOffer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving\u201d<\/span><\/em> is accomplished by subduing the evil impulse which is a direct parallel to <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 4:4-7<\/span><\/em>.\u00a0 The Apostle Paul writes we are to put our bodies to death (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Galatians 5:24<\/span><\/em>) which is called <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201ccrucifying the flesh with its passions and desires.\u201d<\/span><\/em> (see also <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23, Romans 6:6, Ephesians 4:22, Colossians 3:5<\/span><\/em>)\u00a0 The act of offering a sacrifice of praise is lived out in our lives as a pleasant aroma before God.\u00a0 This is what it means when the rabbis speak of training ourselves in their commentaries as it is related to the Tabernacle of God.\u00a0 We train ourselves to stay away from sin, and to go before the Lord with the attitude of repentance and seeking His kingdom.\u00a0 Malbim commentary on<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> Shemot \/ Exodus 25:8<\/span><\/em> speaks of the need for each of us to build a Tabernacle in our hearts, as place that is prepared for the Lord to dwell.\u00a0 We literally become a sanctuary for the Lord and become a place for His glory to dwell.\u00a0 Does this not sound very similar to what the Apostle Paul taught in 1 and 2 Corinthians and elsewhere?\u00a0 Our prayer should be <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cOh Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary Pure and holy, tried and true And in thanksgiving, I\u2019ll be a living Sanctuary for you.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Notice how the Midrash states, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cTherefore, I will prepare your throne, as is said, And your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you; your throne will be prepared forever (2 Samuel 7:16).\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 In regards to the Tabernacle, how can the throne of God remain forever, as an earthly throne is destroyed?\u00a0 The Tabernacle in the heart is eternal, by reason that we will one day dwell with the Lord in the body forever.\u00a0 The midrash continues saying, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cI will sing, yes, I will sing praises, even with my glory (Tehillim \/ Psalms 108:2).\u00a0 David said I will sing on account of the glory which You have given me, as is said, Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me hither (2 Samuel 7:18) that is, brought me to my kingship.\u00a0 Hence, my glory.\u00a0 Therefore, I have not been sleeping, but have awakened the dawn with psaltery and harp, as it is said, Awake, psaltery and harp; I will awake the dawn (Tehillim \/ Psalms 108:3). David went out, Never has dawn come upon me and found me asleep.\u00a0 For I want to awake the dawn.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The idea here is that David opens his day with psalm and praise unto the Lord.\u00a0 According to the Psalms, David writes as a man in turmoil saying that the enemy has pursued his soul (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Tehillim \/ Psalm 143:3<\/span><\/em>), his heart is appalled (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Tehillim \/ Psalm 143:4<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 Based upon these verses, it is difficult to believe David woke up each day in mid-morning all warm and cozy.\u00a0 These words describe a battle where his enemy is in motion.\u00a0 The best way to start the day, everyday, is with the prayer.\u00a0 Do you begin your day with God?\u00a0 If you can\u2019t say \u201cyes\u201d to that simple question, then can you really say with confidence that you are \u201cwalking with God?\u201d We all battle the same things which include laziness, disinterest, and the temptation to skip my time with the Lord in prayer.\u00a0 Remember that Yeshua taught there was a special blessing to those who met with the Lord secretly <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cin the closet.\u201d<\/span><\/em> Because of these things, getting started may be difficult, but once started, spending time in the \u201cDivine Presence\u201d is greatly fulfilling.\u00a0 Regular devotions and prayer are a must in order to have a proper and healthy spiritual relationship with the Lord. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.matsati.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/BTT_Parashat-Vayechi-2017.pdf\">BTT_Parashat-Vayechi-2017<\/a>  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[youtube url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oXa9JZ4L6c8&amp;feature=youtu.be&#8221;] As we conclude the study on the first book from the Torah (Bereshit \/ Genesis) a question we may have is what does it mean to \u201cwalk with God?\u201d\u00a0 In the Tanach, there are several people described as \u201cwalking with God,\u201d beginning with Enoch according to Bereshit \/ Genesis 5:21-24, which states 5:21 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6227,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6223","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-bits-of-torah-truth"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6223","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6223"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6223\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6227"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6223"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6223"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6223"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}