What do you think about when you hear the word love? How do we picture the love of a father? I believe this week’s Parasha (Weekly Torah Portion) clearly illustrates true love from the Father above. This week’s Parasha is called BeChukotai and is found in Lev. 26:3-27:34.
The first ten or so verses of the Parasha are an invitation from God to His people Israel to walk in obedience to God’s voice and obey His commandments. If the people obey there is abundant blessing from the produce of the Land, rains in their season, and protection against the enemy. The real blessing, however, is that God promises to dwell in the midst of His people and walk among them (26:11-12). This is the ideal picture of a loving Father and His obedient children.
Then God lays out the plan of discipline for Israel if they choose not to obey (26:14-39). The discipline of God is progressive in relation to their stubbornness of heart. His reaction to their disobedience seems harsh and cruel, however, His only goal is to bring them back into full relationship with Him.
This scenario reminds me of the story of Jonah. Jonah disobeyed God’s word and God sent the storm against him. Jonah remained stubborn and desired death to repentance and as a result was thrown into the sea. God sends the great fish to swallow him up until he repents and turns back to God. God then causes the fish to bring Jonah safely to dry land. The storm and the fish were not sent to kill Jonah but to shake him and wake him through the discipline of the Lord.
The bigger picture is even more amazing and full of God’s mercy. The entire city of Ninevah, including the animals, repents and turns to God. God relents and shows compassion to this gentile city.
As is spoken in the Proverbs of Solomon, “My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, or loathe His reproof, for whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father, the son in whom he delights.” (3:11-12). Discipline is part of the heart of God to bring us back into relationship with Him.
God’s love does not always fit the picture we have in our minds. Let us be careful to heed the discipline of the LORD and allow Him to dwell in our midst.
Shabbat Shalom!
Torah Portion: Lev. 26:3-27:34
Haftarah Reading: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14
What true words!, and how eloquently expressed!
“Tough love” I think the modern day expression is.
A strong, blessing, guiding, protecting love that disciplines to bring us back to where we should be when we stray.