B’Har (On The Mount) / B’Chukotai (In My Statutes)

9/10) Leviticus 25–27

This blog originally came out when the Global Isaiah 62 Fast began. I encourage you to spend a few minutes orienting yourself to this unprecedented move of God in our generation. Click on the video below to learn about how God was mobilizing millions of people to pray for Israel and the Jewish people.

Here is the website that is helping to connect people all over the world to pray toward God’s restoration purposes in Israel for the sake of the world.

Below are two pictures I took in Israel in 2018. Lisa and I were in Tel Aviv after arriving on our first trip to Israel together. It was actually my 3rd trip but the first time being in the Land as a believer. Additionally, it was Lisa’s first trip to Israel and we had landed on my 50th birthday. It was a spectacular first morning waking up in the Land.

I first picture is one I took of a plaque somewhere in Jerusalem that has Psalm 122:6 in three different languages. The other is a moment I captured on that first morning waking up in Tel Aviv of Lisa praying over the city and the people on the balcony overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It was a breathtaking moment I will never forget as we were listening to the song “God of This City” by Chris Tomlin.

Praying for Israel and the Jewish people will lead you deeper into the heart of God and is increasingly important to calibrate your heart toward a peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7) in these increasingly turbulent times.

Click on this image to go to the Isaiah 62 Fast website.

This week is another double Portion (click here for Reading Strategies) and we actually finish the book of Leviticus! Just think — 3 out of 5 books down!! I encourage you, even if you are just jumping in, to start digging into this foundational set of writings upon which the entire Bible rests and refers. It is essential to calibrate your understanding of God by orienting yourself on His foundational revelation that both instructs and illustrates how God’s love works.

God’s love is better than life and stronger than death. God’s purpose has always been to draw near and dwell among us and have an intimate relationship with us as His people. I call this type of intimacy Relational depth and is expressed in the parashah this week in Leviticus 26:11-12,

Moreover, I will make My dwelling among you, and My soul will not reject you. I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.

Remember, God owns everything. I like to think of this in terms of my money and possessions. God owns everything and He is entrusting me with whatever I have. Furthermore, God wants to increase our standard of giving more than our standard of living. God owns everything — we are stewards.

God’s ownership is described in the parashah this week in significantly calibrating ways. Specifically, God owns the Land of Israel.

The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, because the land is Mine; for you are only strangers and residents with Me. (Leviticus 25:23, NASB)

Furthermore, God describes His relationship with His people — those in covenant relationship with Him as being His. Romans 11 describes Jews as “natural branches” and Gentiles as those “grafted in” to this Covenant. Jews and Gentiles who cling to Yeshua (Jesus) are people of the Covenant and belong to God — the Perfect Father full of love for the people He created.

For the people of Israel belong to me. They are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 25:55, NLT)

Over the course of this week, I encourage you to prioritize investing your time, talent, and treasure in pursuing Relational depth with God and others in the strength of the Spirit of God rather than the efforts of your own strength. He is good and His love endures forever!

For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:5)

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Readings for the Week (Double Portion):

Torah: LEVITICUS 25:1–26:2
Prophets: JEREMIAH 32:6–27
Apostolic Writings: LUKE 4:16–21

Torah: LEVITICUS 26:3–27:34
Prophets: JEREMIAH 16:19–17:14
Apostolic Writings: MATTHEW 22:1–14

Click on the picture above or the title name here for the online Parashah commentary for B’Har and B’Chukotai. (If you prefer printed copies, please email me at thomas@faithforall.org)

Shalom,

Thomas