A Special Treasure!! Israel is a holy nation unto the Lord. The Hebrew word for holy is kadosh, which means to be set apart or sanctified for dedicated service. Out of all the nations on the face of the earth, Elohim chose Israel to be His own special treasure (segulah). All true followers of Yahushua are also Elohim’s segulah: “…a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, Elohim’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9) Through the blood of Yahushua, those who were non-Jews have been grafted into the olive tree of the Jewish blessings, becoming fellow inheritors of the covenant of Elohim (Ephesians 2:11–13; Romans 11:17). Paul prayed that the eyes of our understanding would be opened to see the hope of our calling in Yahushua: “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints.” (Ephesians 1:18) Further on in Ephesians 4:1, he urges us “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” This means we should be making deliberate choices every day to walk in the ways of Elohim. And when we walk in the ways of Elohim, we will live holy (set-apart) lives. Am Kadosh—A Holy People “You shall not eat any abominable thing.” (Deuteronomy 14:3) In terms of maintaining a holy lifestyle, one of the first aspects that YHWH addresses in the lives of His holy people (am kadosh) is food! Biblical dietary laws (kashrut) serve to maintain the separateness of Elohim’s people from the pagan nations. Certain animals are clean (tahor) and others are unclean (tamay). Unclean meats may be sold to a foreigner but are not permitted for holy people (Deuteronomy 14:21). Later on in the Parsha, Elohim reveals that holiness expresses itself in love for our neighbor. He commands Israel to be generous in giving to the poor and needy in the Land: “You shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your needy brother; but you shall surely open your hand unto him….” (Deuteronomy 15:7–8) The poor will always be with us (Deuteronomy 15:11), and Scripture makes it abundantly clear that we are to give generously to the poor and needy in the Land. YHWH promises that if we obey Him in this, then He would bless us in whatever we put our hand to: “If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded... then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” (Deuteronomy 15:7–10) Believers might be missing out on their greatest blessing if they fail to realize the importance of this command. Likewise, Elohim made a promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel) and to their descendants that He will bless those who bless the Jewish people (Israel) and curse those who curse the Jewish people (Israel) (Genesis 12:3). In the Brit Chadasha (New Testament), the apostle Paul exhorted Gentile Believers in Yahushua to give materially in exchange for all they have received spiritually through the Jews (Romans 15:25–27). “For salvation is of the Jews.” (John 4:22)
Posted on: Fri, 02 Aug 2013 12:43:58 +0000
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