As was often the case when the LORD was uttering His statutes, He would start with a concept connected to the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a powerful foundation to the Kingdom of God, which should not be ignored. It is not about religious designation of this day or that day, but it is a set-apart day, week or year(s) that renews, restores and revives life in the LORD.
It is also interesting to see that the meaning of "say", or 'amar in Hebrew (see above), includes the truth that the things or desires that we say only in our own hearts carry the same weight as if we have spoken them aloud. Jesus proved this many times when He knew by divine insight and addressed what others were thinking in their hearts but had not spoken aloud. (see Mt. 9:1-4, Mt. 12:22-28, Lk. 6:6-10, Lk. 9:46-48, Jn. 6:64). It is a warning to us that although we may hold our tongues against speaking something, it still manifests in the Spirit as we only think it. In a good way, this is also the power found in godly prayer spoken in the heart. We can't have it one way and not the other as well.
The LORD orally gave His statutes as He continued His discourse with Moses on the mount. He also said: "If you walk in My statutes (huqqa/haqaq - statute, ordinances, limit, enacted, something prescribed, appointed, manner, that which is established or defined, a right or privilege/cut out, cut into, cut upon, engrave, to stamp violently, portray, lawgiver, justice, truth, decide to be just, necessity, obligation) and keep (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-My-commandments, and perform them, then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit....You shall...dwell in your land safely. I will give peace in the land...and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil + beasts (ra' + hay/haya - any evil or wickedness that brings hurt, trouble, affliction, distress, calamity, evildoer that comes against life, against sustained life, prosperity, restoration to health or life, or against revival from the dead) , and the sword...You will chase your enemies, and they shall fall...I will look on you favorably and make you fruitful, multiply you and confirm (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-My-covenant with you....I will set My tabernacle among you...I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people...I have broken the bands of your yoke and made you walk upright." (Lev. 26:3-13, excerpt). On the other hand, ignoring the statutes of God will bring the opposite of these blessings.
Between chapters 25 and 26 in Leviticus, from which these two combined Sabbath reading portions, B'har, "On the Mount", and B'chukkotai, "In My statutes", are taken, the LORD spoke to Moses on the mount about the Sabbath of the land in the seventh year, and the Jubilee of restoration that was to come after seven sabbath years (in the fiftieth year after at the completion of forty-nine years). The LORD gave His statutes regarding the redemption of property from debt, the redemption of those forced into indentured servitude by debt, or their release from debt at Jubilee ("Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" [Mt. 6:8-13]), and the merciful treatment of those who have become slaves. These statutes are about mercy and restoration and the release of yokes and burdens, both physical and spiritual. These are statutes of the Kingdom of God and His *aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega-covenant.
Jesus preached the Kingdom of God and signs, wonders and miracles followed His preaching to confirm its truth: "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel (euangelion - good tidings, glad tidings of the Kingdom of God, glad tidings of salvation through Christ, the proclamation of the grace of God, a good message, to bring good news, the joyful tidings of God's kindness) of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people." (Mt. 4:23, see also Mk. 1:14-15, Lk. 4:43, Mt. 24:14). He taught the statutes of God His Father, in a way that amazed the people who heard because God's statutes had never been taught to them in this manner. (see Mt. 7:28-29, Mk. 1:21-28, Jn. 7:14-17 and 44-46). The statutes came to life through His Words and parables.
As Moses was changed by his experience on the Mount with the LORD, his face shining with light afterwards (see Ex. 34:29-30), the disciples of Christ were changed inwardly when Jesus would lead them into an "On the Mount" experience.
These are some examples of the experiences that the disciples had with Jesus "On the Mount":
"And seeing the multitudes, He (Jesus) went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them the statutes of God, saying: 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven." (Mt. 5:1-12, see also Micah 6:8).
There are several instances when it is recorded in scripture that Jesus would go up on a mountain by Himself to pray, or with His disciples, to rest away from the crowds. (Mt. 14, Lk. 6, Jn. 6). As His disciples saw that the way that Jesus prayed was different from what they were used to seeing, as Jesus ceased praying, one of the disciples asked Him: "Lord, teach us to pray..." (Lk. 11:1). Jesus told them not to pray as the hypocrites do, with great public show, but to find a private "alone" place to speak to their Father in heaven, who dwells in the secret place. He then taught His disciples what we call "The Lord's Prayer". (Mt. 6:5-15). We will see, as Jesus knew, that general crowds are not found on mountain tops. You may find yourself alone there with Him, but that's alright.
In Mt. 14:22-33, Jesus had sent His disciples ahead by boat, while He stayed on the mountain to pray all night. A wind storm broke out on the sea, and Jesus came, walking on water, to get to His disciples. Peter got out of the boat and walked on the stormy water to get to Jesus. When they entered the boat, the wind quieted. Those on the boat said to Jesus, "Truly, You are the Son of God."
In Luke 6:12-17, Jesus had gone to the mountain alone to pray. He then called all of His disciples to Him there and chose the twelve, whom He called apostles. They all came down with Him and Jesus healed the multitude.
In John 6:3-14, Jesus and His disciples together went up on a mountain. Jesus looked and saw a great multitude of people coming to them. He then told His disciples to feed all of the multitude, which they had no way of doing. It is here that Jesus then miraculously fed the multitude with the five loaves and two fish that they had on hand and which He miraculously multiplied to fully feed all.
Being on the Mount in the Spirit with Jesus is a place to experience Jesus, the Word or statutes of God, and to be transformed by it. Isaiah wrote that in these last days, many, even nations, would come to the mountain of the LORD, where His house is, to be taught, and those nations would be transformed. (see Isa. 2:1-5).
Jesus took only three of His disciples to a certain place: "Now after six days Jesus took (paralambano - to take with or join to one's self, to receive something transmitted, to associate with oneself in any familiar or intimate act) Peter, James, and John, and led (anaphero - to bear, carry, bring or lead up [to a higher place], to bring up to the altar, to offer up) them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured (metamorphoo - to change into another form, to transform) before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses and they were talking with Jesus." (Mk. 9:2-4). The three disciples who were present on this mountain with Jesus did not understand what was happening before their eyes at the time, but I'm sure that they came to understand later on.
There was another mount where Jesus did one of His greatest works, but according to the scriptural account, only one of His appointed disciples was there with Him. That great work was on Mount Calvary, or Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified and died, until three days later, when He was resurrected in the tomb. Only John, who profoundly referred to himself in this account as "the disciple whom (Jesus) loved", and several of the women who followed Jesus, were present that day with Him on that mount. (Jn. 19:25-27). Although Jesus invites us to follow Him there (see Mt. 16:24-27), as we can see above, Mount Calvary is not a popular destination. There are no seats of honor there, nor the blowing of trumpets before men to commend our works, nor the religious honors of men to be found there. However, it is important to note that it is the perfect viewing place of the Garden of Resurrection, which is very nearby. (see Jn. 19:41-42).
There is another mount, The Mount of Olives (elaion/elaia - olive orchard, Mount of Olives/the fruit of an olive tree), from which Jesus ascended into heaven before the eyes His disciples whom He had gathered there, and is the same mount upon which Jesus will descend to the earth upon His return, and where He spoke to His disciples/apostles and gave them direction. (Acts 1:4-14, also Zech. 14:3-4).
The Body of Christ has many eyes, seeing different things from various positions and locations. However, from this Sabbath's B'har ("On the Mount") and B'chukkotai ("In My statutes") reading portions, I learned that there is something very special and particular about the view and Presence found on the spiritual Mount of Messiah/Christ. The mountains tended to be lonely places as we saw, but Jesus was there. These mountains were not a place to be seen and praised by men, but Jesus was there. These mountains, that in history were used by men for purposes of idolatry and false worship, were transformed into places that became the ground under the feet of Jesus Christ and His disciples for the glory of God, rather than men.
If you would like to know more about being with Messiah/Christ on the Mount, you can join my prayer: "Father, Your Son, Jesus, my Lord and Savior, brought His disciples to the various mountains of His Presence: in prayer, in the life-giving statutes of God, in miracles, in transformation, in death to self, in ascension and return. Your Word says: "I will lift up my eyes to the hills - from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth." Lord Jesus, give me spiritual eyes to see from this place on the mount. Give me a heart that desires to follow You to this place on the mount because You are leading me there. Lord, give me ears to hear the voice of the statutes of God coming to life on the mount of Your Presence. I ask this in Your name, Jesus. AMEN."
*NOTE: aleph-tav written in Hebrew as אֶת, are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The meaning of the two pictographic Hebrew letters can also be interpreted "Adonai (Lord) of the Cross/Covenant". In the New Testament, these letters are translated as Alpha and Omega written as ΑΩ , the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. These letters are those by which Jesus Christ identifies Himself in the Book of Revelation: see Rev. 1:8, Rev. 21:6, Rev. 22:13.
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