Mussar

Know Your Place

Posted on May 24, 2015 by K. Gallagher

The Spirit of Shavuot

After reading this past week’s Torah portion, B’midbar,[1] and celebrating the fourth Biblical festival of Shavuot (Pentecost), I began to think about our various “positions” before Adonai. The Mussar middah (character trait) humility has at its core the question of a person’s proper place. A balanced person neither thinks too highly of himself nor too lowly. Likewise, he or she doesn’t focus too much on self or on the faults of others. This sounds so simple, but the issue of humility is a great struggle for most of us. (Me included!)

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In parsha B’midbar, HaShem described not only the placement of each individual tribe as they camped, but also outlined the order in which they would travel and go to war. The tribal leaders were named and the duties of the priests for the movement of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) were established. Adonai is very specific and organized. There was no question as to one’s duty or placement in the body of Israel. Today, instead of knowing our place, we seem to be “all over the place” in both physicality and deed; each thinking his way, interpretation, or understanding is higher or better.

This creates confusion, not unity. Instead of being united like the believers at Shavuot in Acts Chapter 2, we seem to be more scattered and divided like they were after Messiah’s last Passover and subsequent crucifixion. Using this as a model, we know that Yeshua’s desire was for them to come back together as one people at Shavuot. This is why the risen Messiah told them during the days of the Omer count to go to Jerusalem and WAIT for the promise of being “clothed with power from on high.”

“And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”  (Luke 24:49 NASB. See also Acts 1:4)

We all know what happened next.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (Acts 2:1 KJV)

When we fully come into the Spirit of Shavuot, we know our proper estate. Can you even imagine how glorious the unity of the people was? Look at what their actions produced; it’s eerily similar to when God spoke the Ten Words to the people standing at the base of Mt. Sinai at an earlier Shavuot:

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  (3)  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  (4)  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:2-4 KJV)

So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.  (17)  And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.  (18)  Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.  (19)  When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder. (Ex. 19:16-19 NASB)

Adonai descended upon Mount Sinai in fire at the giving of the Ten Commandments and the people trembled. Later He descended in fire again, but this time, instead of manifesting on a mountain, the fire sat upon the people that had gathered at His Mountain (Zion). Like the mountain, the people were not consumed. In both cases, the Word of Adonai went forth like FIRE at the feast of Shavuot!

The people in each of the above examples were unified. I dare say that their theology was NOT what united them. It’s difficult to find two people that have the same opinion on any given matter. Jews have a saying to express this: “two Jews, three opinions.” So, what did unite the people? Or better yet, what CAN unify us?

The two most memorable Shavuot festivals have at their heart two great leaders. And there is one trait that both are said to possess that I find most fitting for us to focus on within the theme of unity. Moses is called the most humble man on earth.[2] Later, the one like unto Moses[3] is also called humble.[4] By following Moses’ and Yeshua’s example, it’s not our theology and opinions that binds us into one accord. Rather, it’s our willingness to “know our place” or live in a state of humility.

The Humility of Shavuot

“Always seek to learn wisdom from everyone, to recognize your failings and correct them. In doing so you will learn to stop thinking about your virtues and you will take your mind off your friend’s faults.” —Cheshbon ha-Nefesh by Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Satanov.

If there is one thing that I notice more than anything on television, the blogosphere, and social media, it is that our focus is continually on the faults of others. I see very little introspection and meekness. As Rabbi Menachem mentions in the above quote, it is by seeking to learn wisdom from EVERYONE that we are enabled to really see our own failings and correct them.

Everyone? Even the heathen, pagan, atheist, and cult follower? Most would squawk that these lost souls have no wisdom. Is this true? The last time I checked, they too were made in the image of God. While they may need redemption, they too, are a holy soul and Adonai cares greatly for them. Pride is what causes us to assume that we have nothing to learn from these precious ones.

But, this is also true of those that we interact with from the redeemed. Just because Joe Schmoe doesn’t think, believe, or act out his walk with the LORD exactly like you do, doesn’t mean that you are better than him or that he doesn’t have something to teach you. Again, it’s PRIDE that keeps us from gathering together. I’ll give you an example from my own life.

Years ago, I was part of a congregation in FL. The local Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) church allowed us to meet in their building. I personally don’t think or believe like SDAs. Other than obeying the Sabbath, I thought I didn’t have much in common with these folks. One day, the SDA group asked us to join with them to break bread. To be honest, I didn’t really want to go. My prideful little self secretly thought, “What could they possibly teach me at this point?” I know you’ve never had a thought like that about a person or group, but I freely admit my debauchery to you anyway.

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Long story short, I went… begrudgingly. The meal was fine. It was more or less a communion service in their fellowship hall. Since I associate communion with Passover, I felt that the meal wasn’t quite “accurate.” (More pride.) Then, something odd happened. The people rose from their seats and began to break off for a foot washing ceremony. Without anyone leading, spontaneous songs and hymns began to flow from the lips of these people. A sweet Spirit entered our midst and I think my mouth hung open, lol.

Married couples went to one room. Singles of the same sex went off into two other areas (children included). A sink and a stack of basins were in each room for us to gather water. One spouse sat while fresh, warm water was poured over the other’s feet. Song and praise continued to flow throughout the building. It was one of the most touching experiences I’ve ever had in my life. The water was just water, but it felt like SO much more than that.

It was SO much more than that! Adonai humbled me in a way that day that I will NEVER forget. Washing someone else’s feet is the epitome of humility. But, I honestly believe it takes even MORE humility to have someone else wash YOUR feet.

Feet are the lowest part of our bodies. Since they are what touch the earth and because they are what carry our every weight and burden, they are likened to our nephesh (soul/flesh). They are our beast (of burden). And they get dirty. They, more than any other part of us, need frequent washings. You can walk around in the dirt all day and your hands can remain clean, but not your feet.

Some of you may know that I’m a licensed manicurist. I give pedicures (wash, clean, and manicure of the feet) all the time. I actually enjoy it. I consider it a privilege to care for a person in this way that is often difficult for them to do for themselves. But without soap, sweet ointments, or even toenail polish, the foot washing that I gave and received at that little SDA church has stood out as the best of the best.

Having my feet washed in the presence of Adonai and His people nearly overwhelmed me. The chip on my shoulder fell off the minute the water touched my toes. This is the Spirit of Shavuot. I wanted to separate myself out like the disciples did at Passover and Unleavened Bread, but Abba wanted me to humble myself and gather together with His people in one accord and one place.

Shavout isn’t about perfect doctrine or halachah. It is one of the pilgrimage feasts and as such, it is literally a FOOT festival. You must tame your feet and direct them to Jerusalem to receive the promise of the Father. The journey will make your feet both tired and dirty, but when you arrive, true disciples will be there with fresh water and songs of praise on their lips. Better yet, YOU will be there happy to wash the grime and mud off of your neighbor’s feet.

The heart of the commandments is LOVE. And there is no better way to express the love for your brother than to wash his feet. In a sense, this humble act says; let me wash the dirt from your lower nature. I know walking through life gets your soul muddy. I understand. I too, have a dirty nephesh. Let me refresh you. Allow me to care for you by meeting a need we all share regardless of our theology or lack thereof. I love you anyway. Let me learn something from you. You matter to me.

If we think about Moses and Yeshua, didn’t they do exactly this? Both dealt with imperfect and challenging people. Both humbled themselves and SERVED the people. They knew their place. Instead of calling fire down from heaven to destroy those with dirty feet, they tenderly washed the people.[5] The result was a fiery Word in the mouth of Israel.

Since Shavuot is about the Bride receiving her ketubah (Torah Covenant) and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, I thought it would be fitting to conclude with the words of Abigail, a bride of King David. Let’s see what wisdom this model bride can teach us:

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When the servants of David came to Abigail at Carmel, they spoke to her, saying, “David has sent us to you to take you as his wife.” She arose and bowed with her face to the ground and said, “Behold, your maidservant is a maid to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.” (1Sam. 25:40-41)

Abigail was a humble bride; one any king would desire. She proved this through the selfless action of foot washing. Shavuot beckons us to ask: “What do I do with the feet of those I encounter? Do I step on their toes? Do I turn my nose up at their grime? Or do I bow down low and tenderly wash them clean?” May we become a maidservant like Abigail. When the King comes to take us as His Bride, may we know our place as ones who wash the feet of His servants!

[1] Numbers 1:1- 4:20. B’midbar literally means “in the wilderness”.

[2] Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth. (Num. 12:3)

[3] “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me [Moses] from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.” (Dt. 18:15)

[4] “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Mat. 11:29-30)

[5] Ex. 19:10-11; John 13:5-13

Categories: Moedim, Mussar, Torah Portions | Tags: , , , , , | 10 Comments

Tikvah Part II

Posted on November 6, 2013 by K. Gallagher

 

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Who doesn’t need more hope?

In Part I, we touched on the Hebrew word tikvah, hope, and trusting that in the end, God really will come through for us. Hope is an expectation for something FUTURE. It involves patience, waiting, and trusting.

Surely there is a future (aharit), and your hope (tikvah) will not be cut off. (Pr. 23:18)

Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; if you find it, then there will be a future (aharit), and your hope (tikvah) will not be cut off. (Pr. 24:14)

In Hebrew there is a play on words in these verses. Remember how hope or tikvah is also a bound rope or cord? The above verses paint a picture of hope being like a rope that is NOT cut off. It doesn’t snap, break, or unravel. Though the fiery trials of life might feel as if you are only hanging on by a thread, that thread is far stronger than we imagine. Tikvah or hope comes with the promise of a future. You can count on this “thread,” it leads someplace, which is the future.

 

Placing your hope in the LORD will not leave you wanting or disappointed as hard as the struggle might be in the moment. Adonai has a plan for you and He has not left you “hanging.”

“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the LORD, “Plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future (aharit) and a hope (tikvah).” (Jer. 29:11)

“There is hope (tikvah) for your future (aharit),” declares the LORD, “And your children will return to their own territory.” (Jer. 31:17)

Why do we struggle so much with getting this? We have a future. There is hope in every situation. This is true even in death.

“For this Elohim is our Elohim, forever and ever; He Himself leads us, even to death.” (Psalms 48:14, TS2009)

Though death seems so very final and scary to us, there is still hope. But even knowing this, we more often mope around and mutter along with the dry dead bones in Ezekiel these words:

… ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope (tikvah) has perished. We are completely cut off.‘ (Ezek. 37:11)

Notice how Adonai reverses this negative confession in the next few verses.

Therefore prophesy and say to them, “Thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it,’ declares the LORD.” (Ezek. 37:12-14)

Do you ever feel as hopeless as an old bag of dry bones? Are you walking through the valley of the shadow of death right now? Are you so overwhelmed with the issues of life that you feel as if the marrow in your bones has dried up and crumbled? If Adonai can cause living flesh to grow anew on dead bones and raise one from the grave, how much more can He speak life and a future hope into our personal circumstances right now?

We must cling to our great hope and never give up! It is as real as the scarlet cord that saved the life of Rahab and her family. It is not a coincidence that our aharit (future) is so often mentioned with our tikvah (hope). It’s not a hope for the future. Our hope IS our future! Our Elohim (God) is no respecter of persons, He is faithful.

King David, whose life and livelihood was in peril many, many times, knew how to remind his soul of the truth when he was hanging by a thread.

Psalms 23:1-6 (NASB)
1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

David trusted that God leads one like a shepherd. Adonai is the sovereign King of the Universe and not one single thing happens that He does not preside over. Therefore, because God is my shepherd, I shall not want, lack, or need despite what it “feels” like in the moment. He will, once again, give me rest in green pastures and drink from still waters, restoring my soul. The scary giants, obstacles, enemies, and circumstances that steal my breath and cause me to fear for my life or livelihood ARE the places where Adonai IS with me. These “places” are His rod of correction, His goads that teach me the things that I need to learn – they are for my good. In this, I can trust Him and be comforted. I have no need to fear evil or enemies because they can do nothing outside the good, loving will of my Savior.

This is also like the trust that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had when faced with death. Rather than bow to the false image of Babylon, they offered up their bodies. They believed that Adonai was fully capable of saving them from the fiery furnace, but even if He chose to not save them, His will was for the good, and their hope in new life was not diminished.

“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18, NASB)

After turning up the heat seven times hotter than normal, they were tied up and cast into furnace. The king was astonished to see them untied and walking around in the flames. But there was a fourth one there with them!

“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (Daniel 3:25, NKJV)

What did David say? “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.” Beloved, no matter what you are facing, no matter how horrible your prognosis, the “fourth” one is with you in the very midst of this fiery trial. Your suffering is not in vain. Your pain and turmoil are producing something eternal. Stand on that and believe!

“For our trouble, light and momentary, is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, as we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, TLV)

Thus, Peter said:

Cast all your worries on Him, for He cares for you. Stay alert! Watch out! Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, searching for someone to devour. Stand up against him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being laid upon your brothers and sisters throughout the world. After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace—who has called you into His eternal glory in Messiah—will Himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. All power to Him forever! Amen. (1 Peter 5:7-11 TLV)

The scarlet thread of hope, redemption, and salvation IS trustworthy. It is more real that a tangible rope you can grasp with your hands. Let go of anything that is preventing you from trusting and believing that God loves and cares for you. He is no respecter of persons. He WILL do for you what He does for others. You are not alone and you have not been forgotten. Release your fear, doubt, and unbelief and look toward the future.

 

Categories: Biblical Symbols, Ethics, Mussar | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Tikvah (Hope) Part I

Posted on October 26, 2013 by K. Gallagher

What is Biblical Hope?

For thou art my hope (tikvah), O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. (Ps. 71:5)

 We typically think of hope as a feeling that something desirable is likely to happen. Unlike a wish or longing, hope implies expectation of obtaining what is desired. In Hebrew, hope is the word tikvah (teek-VAH). Strong’s defines it as a cord, expectation, and hope. It comes from the Hebrew root kavah meaning to bind together, collect; to expect: – tarry, wait (for, on, upon).

Did you notice the concrete idea of a woven cord? While hope in English is abstract, hope in Hebrew provides a strong visual. A bound cord, rope, or thread cannot only be seen with the eyes, but it is something one can grasp hold of with their hands. In other words, hope is something real enough that we can cling to it. Hope is not something out of our reach.

The first occurrence of the word tikvah in the Bible is in the book of Joshua in the account of the two Israelite spies and the woman Rahab of Jericho.

The men said to her, “We shall be free from this oath to you which you have made us swear, unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather to yourself into the house your father and your mother and your brothers and all your father’s household. (Jos. 2:17-18)

She said, “According to your words, so be it.” So she sent them away, and they departed; and she tied the scarlet cord in the window. (Jos. 2:21)

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While the Hebrew tikvah is used here in its literal sense as a “cord or thread,” it also reveals the figurative picture of hope. The scarlet thread was Rahab’s hope. It was her only guarantee that her household would be spared by the Israelites. Though the physical cord had been tied to ensure their safety, Rahab still had to WAIT for the realization of the spies’ promise.

This is where the root of tikvah, kavah, becomes relevant to our understanding. We can typically relate to hope. But we too often forget that hope is rooted in waiting. Being patient and waiting for an expected thing or outcome is very difficult for the majority of people. There are numerous examples of Biblical heroes that struggled with waiting, sometimes with devastating consequences. Think about Abraham and Sarah’s impatience with producing an heir. They eventually agreed to use the surrogate Hagar that produced Ishmael. The effects of their impatience can still be felt today through Ishmael’s offspring, a persistent enemy of Israel.

So, the real question is how do we cling to hope? How do we keep from growing restless? How do we keep doubt from over taking us?

The truth is that we can cling to the hope we have in the promises of Elohim (God). Like grasping onto a strong rope, our hope is tangible and secure. Nevertheless, we must wait for their fulfillment and not grow weary. But what about the myriads of issues in our daily lives that do not have a direct reference of promise in Scripture; is our hope real when we are trusting that YHWH will intervene in these affairs?

Life isn’t black and white. There are many “gray” areas as we only see “dimly” most of the time. Our nature seeks certainty and absolutes no matter the issue or subject. Hope lives in the grayness and uncertainty of life; it can seem foggy. But, if we continue to cling to it, the sharp clarity of black and white will emerge into focus and with it, the full technicolor of life. Yet, this realization isn’t why I’m writing. I want to be able walk steadily in the foggy path I currently find myself meandering.

Some of our travels and seasons on the journey of life don’t make sense to our natural minds. What appears in the natural to be unfair, trying, or even wrong are, in fact, the very place Adonai desires for us to be. How else would one learn to lean on Him, and trust and hope in His promise to never leave us or forsake us? Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that we won’t feel that He has. But feelings aren’t a reliable gauge of truth. Feeling empty, dry, or deserted causes us to cry out to the Almighty. When everything is hunky-dory we typically don’t cry out.

My family is in a place in the wilderness where we are continually crying out. It seems as if the desert is going to consume us… but this is where I must CHOOSE to see with spiritual eyes and stand on the promises of my MASTER. He really is in control of the Universe and every detail of my life. If I can relinquish my every anxiety over to Him, I will find the shalom I am so desperately seeking. If you are in a similar place of desperation, join me in taking courage although it seems the sky is falling all around you.

Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD. (Ps. 27:14)

Even when the Word doesn’t speak directly to your situation or perhaps even appears contrary to a promise you’ve been standing on, know that God is love. No matter the problem, issue, or situation, in the end, His will and purposes ARE without a doubt being met. We must simply release our façade of control and be willing vessels no matter the cost.

This brings me to the question that I HOPE I can answer in the affirmative:

Can I let go of what I think is supporting me when I can’t see where I will land? Do I trust Him to catch me or throw me a rope?

There is a precious scarlet cord that runs not only throughout the Bible, but through each of our lives. But in order to see it, we must do just what I’ve been writing about. We must let it go of ourselves and tenaciously take hold of His rope. That is our only real HOPE – tikvah.

I suppose my (and many other people’s) problem is the feeling (there’s that word again) that we aren’t worthy of being caught. We are fully aware that we do not deserve God’s kindness or chesed. Perhaps this limbo like desert is really a place of remembrance. We must remember, call to mind, what Adonai has already done in our lives. He is not a fickle Greek god. He is trustworthy and He changes not. This is what we must do when fear, doubt, and even restlessness tries to overtake our hope.

We must think about that tangible woven cord that was plaited just for us. Perhaps this is the very reason Rahab’s cord was the color red or scarlet. It is to remind us of our scarlet sins and the scarlet blood that washes them clean, white as snow. Like Rahab, we don’t deserve to be spared. We aren’t worthy, yet He loves us still. He forgives. He saves. He is right in the midst of the desert with us. We mustn’t try to force or work our way around our situation. Real hope waits on the Master to provide the way, all we have to do is walk as He leads.

Can we hold onto this hope in the midst of swirling chaos?

See Part II

Categories: Biblical Symbols, Ethics, Mussar | Tags: , , , , | 31 Comments

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