Keeping the Commandments Because of Love for Messiah

This weekend I heard a beautiful analogy. I was listening to a pastor and she spoke these words:

"I am not faithful to my husband because I am afraid of what he would do to me if I wasn't. I am faithful to him because I love him and want to honor him."

She went on to talk about the good things that come from faithfulness in marriage. Reliability. A stable family for their children. Relationships filled with trust and peace. A home where everyone can flourish.

Her point was this works the same way in our relationship with YHWH. We don't work to keep his commandments because we are scared he might punish us if we don't. We follow YHWH's instructions because we love him and want to bring honor to him. This issue is so central to his heart that Yahusha spoke of it.

As the Messiah said in John 14:15:

"If you love me, keep my commands."

If we love him, our actions should reflect that!

Which commands exactly is he talking about? The Hebrew word for commands is 'mitzvoth', and it means YHWH's commandments or obedience in keeping Torah. The Messiah is calling us to be obedient to Scripture's instructions, including things found in the Old Testament such as Sabbath, Biblically clean eating, and the set apart times. We aren't called to these things because God is really angry with us, but because he wants us to live as closely to him as possible! YHWH does not want us to reap the consequences of disobedience and distance from him, just as a loving spouse longs for faithfulness from their beloved. He desires that we follow his ways so our lives may be filled with good things. If you love him, choose to honor him. The point isn't to avoid punishment or even to receive blessing. Simply honor him by keeping his word because he is worthy.

Related posts:

Ten Commandments as Marriage Vows
Traffic and Laws and the Benefits of Scripture's Instructions

King David's Final Advice

Shavuot in Acts 2

There are many believers who place more emphasis on the Holy Spirit than on the written Word of YHWH. Other believers focus in on the Torah, while ignoring the Holy Spirit. But did you know these are inseparable? 

The most significant outpouring of the Holy Spirit happened in Acts 2. Most of us know this day as Pentecost, so we think of this day and the Holy Spirit as a brand new thing. Pentecost, however, is a Greek word that most Bible translators choose to call Shavuot.

The Holy Spirit was given at one of the festivals of YHWH. Shavuot was not a new thing in Acts 2, it first happened in Exodus 19, and is talked about in Leviticus 23, and Deuteronomy 16.

The Holy Spirit will always direct you to honor the Word of YHWH. And, yes, that includes the Torah and the instructions given there.

Tehillim 119:1 says,

"Blessed are those who are undefiled in your ways; who have their walk in the Torah of YHWH."

Happy Shavuot!

Celebrating Shavuot

Hopefully everyone is looking forward to the pinnacle of the Feast of Weeks! Whether you are new to keeping the festivals of YHWH or are just looking for some fresh ideas I've put together a list of fun traditions and new ideas. Do you have a favorite activity for Shavuot? Please share below!

Bake bread. Shavuot requires two loaves of wheat bread (Vayikra 23:16). In our culture bread is mostly purchased at the store, and is usually inexpensive and of very low quality. In days of past, however, bread was baked at home or bought from highly skilled bakers. As perhaps the staple of the diet, you can imagine they became quite good at baking and that was obvious tasting the bread. If possible, take the time to bake bread. Challah made with eggs and butter or olive oil is traditional but as long as it is leavened, any type will do.

Bring a free-will offering. YHWH says to rejoice by giving (Deuteronomy 16:10). Many times it's easy for giving to feel more like a tax or obligation than something to celebrate but Deuteronomy 16:10 says we are to give according to how YHWH has blessed us. He isn't asking us to give what we don't have. By giving we are celebrating that YHWH has provided for our needs.

Read the book of Ruth. This is a fun tradition for Shavuot since much of Ruth revolves around harvest season. Significantly Ruth was born a Moabite but chose to be grafted into the people of Israel, showing us that our bloodline is not what makes us Israel but choosing to follow YHWH. This is a fitting reminder during a holiday that is to be celebrated by all of YHWH's children.

Rejoice with your household. Deuteronomy 16:10 talks about celebrating with our family but doesn't stop there. Servants, Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows "that are among you" all get mentioned. Shavuot is an opportunity to share of the blessings and festivals of YHWH with others. Host a party to share about this holy day or prayerfully consider sending a card or gift to someone.

Have a festive meal. After all, it is also known as the Feast of Weeks. Since the first wheat harvest of the year is emphasized it makes since to include bread in your meal. Set up a crostini station with different toppings to try. Traditionally dairy foods are served on Shavuot since "milk and honey" is thought to be an euphemism for the Torah. Grilled cheese, blintzes, yogurt bars, and cheesecake are all common during the festival.

Teach the Ten Commandments. The Torah was given to Israel on or around Shavuot so studying the Ten Commandments is very fitting. Look for crafts to do with children or get a canvas and paint your own Ten Commandments to decorate with.

Study Torah. There is a Jewish tradition of staying up all night studying in anticipation of Shavuot. It's not everyone's cup of tea (remember the guy who fell asleep and fell out the window when Shaul was preaching?) but a late-night Bible study with lots of coffee would be memorable.

Get mikvahed. Yochanan the Immerser said that while he baptized with water, Yeshua would immerse with fire. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit was poured out in the form of fire on those in the Temple. And it happened on Shavuot. And with reasonably warm weather in most of the world what better time for a mikvah?

Remember the poor. In Vayikra 23:22 we are instructed to help provide for the poor. This is just a few verses after we are instructed to observe this festival. Look for ways you can bless others during the Shavuot season.

Ask for the Holy Spirit. Shavuot is the day the most remarkable outpouring of the Ruach Hakodesh. Spend time praying for more of the Holy Spirit of YHWH in your life, family, and community. Ask for understanding of the Word, and for the Ruach Hakodesh to be poured out.

Shavuot: First Fruits of Wheat

Shavuot--the final Springtime feast--the harvest holiday--the Feast of Weeks--is almost here. Have you been counting the omer? By my count we are on the 44th day of the omer, and Shavuot will arrive on day fifty, this Sunday evening. This feast is also known in Greek as Pentecost, which means fiftieth.

What is Shavuot? Exodus 34:22 tells us,

And you shall observe Chag Shavuot, of the bikkurim of the wheat harvest.

While bikkurim is Hebrew for first fruits, this is a separate feast from the First Fruits during Matzah week, which concerns the barley harvest.

Shavuot is about wheat.

Scripture speaks highly of wheat. Our culture does not. Most of us hear "gluten free" and equate that with healthy. But the Bible says that wheat is good.

It is widely believed that the Torah was given on Shavuot, but did you know Scripture doesn't actually tell us that? Exodus 19:1 says that the Torah was given during the third month of the year, so it is likely that this idea is correct as Shavuot falls in the month of Sivan. However, I think we should be aware this isn't necessarily the case.

The most significant Shavuot in history happened ten days after Yahusha ascended into the shmayim.

Acts 2:1-4
And when the moed of Shavuot was fully counted by the omer, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from the shamayim as of a groaning Ruach, and it filled all the Bayit where they were sitting. And there appeared to them divided tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Ruach Hakodesh, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Ruach Hakodesh gave them utterance.

The Spirit of Set Apartness fell on the Temple. The Torah was written on the hearts of men.

On Shavuot, we are to give thanks for the first wheat harvest. The spring harvest is undeniably important but the biggest harvest happens in the fall. On Shavuot, we thank YHWH for providing for us for this time, and we remind ourselves that he will provide again.

On Shavuot we give thanks for the word of YHWH and his Holy Spirit in our lives, we expect an outpouring of understanding that day, and we look forward to what he will provide. Is it hypocritical to show thankfulness for what we've been given while asking for more? Absolutely not. As with the wheat offering, we give thanks for each loaf of bread but we recognize that one meal won't sustain us forever. Shavuot is about remembering that YHWH has sustained us until now and he will keep sustaining us. As with the wheat offering it is a time to place our well-being in his hands.