Lessons from the Remnant - The Heart

Israel, Jews and the Old Testament are all things that we might find interesting. But how often do we look to Israel for lessons on how the Kingdom of G-d should be? Do we look at the history of Jews to learn the lessons of those who have spent hundreds of generations worshipping G-d? These things are the soul of our faith! When we read the Old Testament do we see poetry, romance and adventure or do we see a bunch of “irrelevant” laws and a “boring" quiet time?

Over the last few years, it has become popular to question leaders, challenge methods and to look for new ways of doing things. We have gone from “don’t tell me what to do” or “I don’t need any help” to looking for a “Purpose Driven Life”. While we must always question methods and search for better ones, let us not lose sight of what is really important: faith, hope and love.

One of the best paths to faith, hope and love is to discover the heart and soul of Israel in the pages of the Old Testament. For through these, we can learn about G-d’s faith in his kingdom, hope for his people and his love since time began. We can look at the book of Exodus to see how to figure out the direction of our lives once we receive our freedom by G-d’s gracious hand. We can look to the book of Esther to learn about true courage as we see one of G-d’s daughters put her life on the line to preserve the lives of her people. We can read the Psalms to see what it is like to have the heart of G-d while being a man, as David did. In all these examples and many more we learn that our hearts and passion are as important as our obedience. We learn that we must risk our hearts and to pursue and help those that need it even if they don’t act as if they want the help. Israel survives today, in part, because they have helped each other. We will survive if we listen to the voices of our past.

G-d’s voice tells us that we should “Love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart, soul, strength and mind.” (Deuteronomy 6:5) He did not say with all your best methods. The methods of each generation were usually not included in the Bible. He wants each generation to figure it out for itself, but he does tell us that heart, soul and passion are supreme. They mean so much that Jesus calls them the greatest command. Let us not be methodical. Rather, let us live full of heart and passion for our G-d!

The second greatest command is to “love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18) Most of us love ourselves quite a bit. And there is little we wouldn’t do for ourselves if we were in trouble. In fact, there is no end to the lengths we will go to help ourselves. How much more do we need to do this for others? We are supposed to know this, but why do we more and more often only help those who “want” help or do it only when it is convenient? Is it right to avoid problems or to stop giving to those who are down or struggling? No! We must risk our lives for our brothers and sisters, or else who will be there for us when we are down and cannot help ourselves?

We risk our hearts slowly hardening and dying when we become slaves of methods with no soul. Do we want to live for tradition or die for love? At the end of the day, let us look at the successes and failures of the Jews and Israel in the Old Testament, so we can become what those prophets and voices of the past have dreamed of. Let us be a vast and diverse kingdom that wears our hearts on our sleeves and leaves no man or woman behind!