Bechukotai: In my statutes — בחקותי

​Thoughts on Last Weeks Torah portion.
 
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Leviticus 25-26
This parsha includes the sabbatical year, the jubilee year, redemption of property, kindness for poor brothers, and redeeming a poor man.  These laws are a continuation of the laws that were initiated at Sinai and are part of what God defines as being holy, and to be in a special relationship with Him.  For a review of the mitzvot/commandments in this parsha, go to Steve Berkson’s teaching in Part 12 and begin at time mark 46 minutes – HERE.  In our review of the feasts last week, we outlined the covenants God requires to be in a relationship with Him.

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These covenants are necessary for anyone to move forward into the Millennial reign of the Messiah.  In the broader context, the prophet Isaiah sees a Hebrew Gospel that integrates both spiritual levels of humanity set out throughout the scriptures with covenants associated with each category of humanity, so that we know what is expected to be in relationship with God.  Commenting on this concept, Dr. Gileadi said,
 
“What Bible scholars call a “systematic theology,” for example, is wonderfully developed in the seven spiritual levels or categories of people that appear in the Book of Isaiah. But like all else in its pages, its treasures are concealed within literary patterns that disclose their secrets only on diligent searching. Ascent from the Jacob/Israel level to the Zion/Jerusalem level ensures one’s salvation. But ascent to levels higher ensures one’s glory or exaltation. All hinges on keeping the laws of God’s covenants as they pertain to each level of ascent. Descent from the Jacob/Israel to the Babylon level, or even to Perdition, on the other hand, ensures one’s damnation.” 

(Go Here to review Spiritual Categories.)
 
Individual Covenants
​Extending and integrating our discussion of God’s Holy days of last week, we can connect the dots between the covenants that God sets out and Isaiah’s categories of humanity.  Though Yeshua’s atonement, death and resurrection saves humanity from eternal spiritual and physical death, Yeshua’s sacrifice underpins the individual covenants we make with God.  The individual covenants we make with God is what moves us forward into a fuller relationship with Him and gets us into the Millennial kingdom with the Messiah. So now our summary looks like this,

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Isaiah Chapter 33
Jehovah preserves the righteous at his coming but the wicked of his people and the nations burn up.

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Hebrew Study

Isaiah 40:9 (Isaiah's "Good News" Gospel}

English	Hebrew	Transliteration
Scale	עַ֣ל	ahl
the mountains	הַר־	hahr
heights	​גָּבֹ֤הַ	gah-voh-hah
(on me)	​עֲלִי־	ah-lee
You (Zion)	​לָךְ֙	lahk
who brings good tidings	​מְבַשֶּׂ֣רֶת	me-vah-seh-reht
Zion	​צִיּ֔וֹן	zee-yohn
raise	​הָרִ֤ימִי	hah-ree-mee
mightly	​בַכֹּ֙חַ֙	vah-koh-kah
your voice (Jerusalem)	​קוֹלֵ֔ךְ	koh-leek
who brings good news.	​מְבַשֶּׂ֖רֶת	me-vah-sheh-reht

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Resource Links for this Week's Portion

TORAH: Leviticus 26:3-27:34
GOSPELS: Matthew 16:20-28

Listen and Read the Portion
First Fruits of Zion

Torah Pearls with Nehemia Gordon

HAFTARAH: Isaiah Chapter 34

Commentary with Avraham Gileadi, PhD