So it is with our Scriptures. Our pastors are correct in pushing us to study, to read and to know our Bibles. Knowing God's Word for the Psalmist David was the way of a sinless life when he said, "Thy words I have hid in my heart, that I might not sin against you". So I want to offer my pastor friends a perspective from an unlikely (maybe even unknown source) of Jewish literature called The Zohar. In summary, The Zohar is a 23 volume commentary covering the first five book of the Bible, also known as "The Torah" or "The Law of Moses". Yes, 23 volumes covering five books. You know, like a Baptist church business meeting, long and detailed.
In The Zohar, Volume 5, Section Vayetze, Chapter 15 (And Jacob went out of Beer-Sheva), paragraph 109 we read; "And whoever is occupied in the studying of Torah attains freedom from everything, but especially freedom from death, which ahs no power over him. He who studies Torah and attaches himself to it, holds the Tree of Life. If he relaxes his hold on the Tree of Life, the Tree of Death dwells upon him and seizes him. This is the meaning of the verse: :If you relax in the day of adversity, your strength is narrow" Proverbs 24:10. The word "relax" means relaxing one's hold on the Torah.
Rabbi Aba goes a step further and says, "Happy are they who maintain Justice and do Righteousness at all times. Those who study Torah and follow God's ways are freed from ruin-that is-power of death. Those unrighteousness, on the other hand, are abandoned by the Shekinah (Holy Spirit) and become vulnerable to the Evil Inclination, the temptation to do harm."
Now don't have a doctrinal heart attack here, try and work with me. Let's just look at the wisdom of the words for now, and let them breathe out a bit. The New Testament documents are clear that faith comes by hearing, and this hearing comes by the Word of God. In a sense, this type of hearing is like vision, the ability not to see the future, but to see clearly where we are heading and how God is leading us there. And we all know that without vision, the people perish.
Most Christians seem very happy and content getting sprayed every once in a while with the Bible. They occupy pews in rows like cantaloupe, waiting for someone to sing to them, entertain them and read a few words from God's Word. This is a great strategy if your life spiritual goal is to become a cantaloupe, but if you aim to be an Agent of Change in this world for Messiah, its going to take a bit more commitment. Okay, a lot more.
So I issue you this challenge, a challenge for the ages. Contact you Pastor, your Bible study teacher, small group leader (whatever you are calling them these days) and ask them what you could be doing to dig deeper into your study life. Once they get off the floor, give them a minute to respond, you will be glad you did.
Maybe our Jewish brothers are on to something. Maybe we can try and take our faith deeper and not wider. Maybe one of our measuring tools can be our literacy and knowledge transforming the world around us into the place Messiah called us to when He said, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven".
Believe when I say I an not here to lecture you, but offer some humble advice... "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a worker that needs to not be ashamed". Oh, and listen to your pastors and leaders about this too, you will be glad you did.
David Fournier
David Fournier in the Senior Instructor at Restoring Grace. David teaches classes on Hebraic Perspectives, Early Christian Communities and New Testament Formations and Canon. David is available for your church, youth group, seminars and retreats. Email David at:dfour26@gmail.com
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