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Our Torah portion this week (i.e., parashat Shemini) provides a summary statement about the intent of God's heart for those whom he has called: "For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. וִהְיִיתֶם קְדשִׁים כִּי קָדוֹשׁ אָנִי - You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy" (Lev. 11:45, cp. 1 Pet. 2:16). This is repeated throughout Torah: "You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine" (Lev. 20:26); "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth" (Deut. 7:6). We are chosen to be a "kingdom of priests," a set-apart people, and a light to the nations (Exod. 19:6; Isa. 42:6; 1 Pet. 2:9). Indeed this is the starting point for all true holiness: to understand that you are beloved of God, cherished and set apart to live in the fellowship of his love...
Hebrew Lesson
Lev. 11:45b Hebrew reading (click):
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The Spirit of God speaks to the heart of faith: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with love I have drawn you" (Jer. 31:3). Note that the word translated "I have drawn you" comes from the Hebrew word mashakh (משׁך), meaning to "seize" or "drag away." As Yeshua said, we are pursued by God's love, and he will haunt us until we surrender to his will (John 6:44). As we look to Yeshua, as we lean on him, God will reveal more of himself to us. He gives us the grace and strength we need; he is always enough...
Hebrew Lesson
Jer. 31:3b Hebrew reading (click):
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