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The Hebrew word "chok" means a "divine decree," derived from a verb meaning "to engrave" (חָקַק). The sages say that the word is directed to a desire to do God's will "engraved" upon the heart rather than simply understood with the intellect (2 Cor. 3:3). The first time "chok" (חוֹק) appears in the Torah concerns Abraham's obedience of faith as demonstrated by the sacrifice of his beloved son (Gen. 26:5), and the second time concerns the sacrifice of the Passover: "This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations, as an eternal decree (חֻקַּת עוֹלָם), you shall keep it as a feast (Exod. 12:12-13). Because both the Akedah (offering of Isaac) and the sacrifice of the Passover lamb reveal God's yeshuah (יְשׁוּעָה), his salvation, we are to engrave the significance of our deliverance upon our hearts forever, just as God Himself has metaphorically engraved us upon his own heart, it is written, "behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands" (Isa. 49:16). The LORD has chosen you to know Him from the foundation of the world; He has called you by name, and you are his (Isa. 43:1).
Hebrew Lesson:
Isaiah 49:16 reading (click):
Hebrew Lesson:
Jeremiah 33:33b reading (click):
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