Dry Sticks and Toothpicks - EMOR From CG Workbook Five, Volume 3, Vayikra After presenting detailed information on the holy behavior of the priests, the high priest, their children, the honor due those offices, the observance of the Sabbath and moedim, and the dressing of the holy menorah, a narrative is introduced that seems to interrupt the sayings of Emor. The son of the Israelite woman and an Egyptian man blasphemes the Name in anger. Whatever he said, it was so vile that it would take more than a toothpick to clean out his mouth. As they say down South, he needed a “come-to-Jesus” session in the woodshed. The flow of the text from the observance of Shabbat into the desecration of the Name by the son of an Israelite woman is not by chance. It illustrates how the failure to teach the honor of Shabbat results in the ultimate dishonor to the parent. Where did the unnamed son of an Egyptian and Israelite learn this disrespect for the Holy Name YHVH? Not likely from his Israelite mother, but possible. What about the Egyptian father who would have a much looser connection to the heritage of the Holy Name or the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? Much more likely. The blessing that should have flowed from the son’s father was absent, whether by the son’s own choice to blaspheme in anger or from modeling behavior he’d learned from his parents. The Torah implies that it was not the mixed ethnicity of the blasphemer that was the problem, but the different values he’d learned, for the Torah goes on to declare that there is one law for the stranger and the native-born (24:22). The expectations are the same in the holy community built of holy ones. The son of the Israelite woman dishonored her name, for his name is not recorded, but hers! On the other hand, Timothy was the son of an Israelite mother and a Greek father. In contrast to the blasphemer, Timothy was taught respect for the Torah, and therefore he grew a habit of respect for holy things from his childhood, allowing the blessings of his parents to flow in his life as a heritage. This allowed him to minister alongside the apostles and to shepherd holy flocks from his youth. Timothy honored both his parents, proving that ethnicity has no bearing on the blessing, but obedience and honor to one’s Godly parents and building their names. Paul mentions the blessing that has flowed to Timothy from two generations to the third, and like the Torah portion mentions Shlomit and Dibri, he mentions the mother’s and grandmother’s names: For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. (2 Timothy 1:5) Lois means “agreeable,” and Eunice means “good victory.” Unlike the disagreeable blasphemer who speaks contrary to his mother and grandmother’s names (“peaceful” and “my Word”), Timothy has a good victory over his emotions, making him fit for holy service. He is a young man who can remain faithful under pressure because of the soft sayings of his mother and grandmother who taught him to honor the Torah. Paul goes on to imply that he has taken the obligation of spiritual fatherhood in Timothy’s life by blessing him with a spiritual gift, just as a natural father would impart a blessing through the laying on of hands: For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (v. 6) Because of his heritage of respect learned from his mother, Timothy was able to render regard for Paul’s ministry among both Jews and Gentiles, and the blessing of the father Paul passes on to Timothy. There are times that a wise person may become a mentor for a youngster, supplying the blessings and heritage of a spiritual father or mother. In some cases, this may be to supply a missing foundation of honor for the Word, but in Timothy’s case, it may be to augment the existing strong foundation and further equip the young person for ministry. Yeshua points out this familial relationship: For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother. (Matthew 12:50)
Posted on: Fri, 02 May 2014 20:25:09 +0000
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