LifeAndLight

      This week's Sabbath reading portion is titled R'eh, which is translated as "Behold". The Hebrew title comes from the word ra'a meaning: "behold, see, look, consider, perceive, foresee, seer, inspect, learn about, discern, distinguish, give attention to, to see the face of a king, to see the face of God, enjoy the light, to live, to be taught in visions divinely brought, to care for what is seen, to choose for oneself, to see for oneself." As we can see, the meaning of ra'a is very deep and is an essential element in our relationship with God. It includes seeing with the eye, but it is more about seeing with our spirit, the inner eye which God has given to all of us by which we may discern God and the things of God. In Jn. 1:1-5, and 14 scripture says that all men have been created in the life of the Word, who is Jesus, and the life is light in each of us (see the meaning of ra'a above also). There is a basic knowledge of God that has been infused into all people. The Creator doesn't leave us blind but gives us the spiritual sight to behold and discern His face if we choose (see ra'a above) to do so.

     Relating to this Sabbath's reading portion, "Behold" or r'eh/ra'a, appears in Deut. 11:26-28: "Behold, I set before you today (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-a-blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known." The LORD doesn't just ask for blind obedience but wants us to r'eh/ra'a, to discern with our inner spiritual vision, the truth regarding the blessing, which we can see is associated with the knowledge of *aleph-tav, the Messiah/Christ, and the curse of which He is speaking here. As we can see from the meaning of r'eh/ra'a, "behold", above, there is also a choice that comes with this special vision, just as God offered a choice above to His people of the blessing or the curse.

     As we will see below, several reading selections from this week's R'eh/Ra'a, "Behold" Sabbath reading reveal the awesome blessing of choosing His Word and choosing to live in the light of the LORD.

     The great blessings of the LORD in this R'eh/Ra'a, "Behold", Sabbath reading also come with the obedient observance of "The LORD's Release" (semitta/samat - release from debt, remission of debt, suspension of labor/shake, release, throw down, overthrow, let loose, rest, fling down, to smite, to strike, to thrust), also called Shemitah, as revealed in Deuteronomy 15. The meaning of the word also includes a shaking up and an overthrow. The oppression of debt is cast down. Jesus taught His disciples to pray for the LORD's Release, or Shemitah, in what we call The LORD's Prayer: "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." (see Mt. 6:9-13). We all carry a debt of one form or another, physical or spiritual, and we all need the release from that debt.

     The LORD's Release was to occur in the seventh year when all debts owed by (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-neighbors and (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-brethren were to be forgiven. This "Release" was to be done out of a heart of love and joy for one's brethren and God's will, and not with resentment or manipulation. The blessing that accompanies Shemitah Release is stated: "...for the LORD will greatly bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance - only if you carefully obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe with care (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-all-these-commandments which I command you today. For the LORD will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you." (Deut. 15:4-6). Looking at the blessings that follow the Shemitah Release of the LORD, the economy and banking system of the world can be overturned and shaken as a result. This is the power and authority within the LORD's Shemitah Release. Jesus Messiah/Christ is the Person who fulfills the Shemitah Release for us. All of our debts to God are "Paid in full" through Him as He said, "It is finished (teleo - to finish, to end, to pay)" while on the cross. (Jn. 19:30).

     From Isaiah 54-55 of this week's reading, the prophet wrote the word of a tremendous blessing from the LORD to His people who had suffered affliction: "Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of crystal, and all your walls of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the LORD (see ra'a meaning above), and great shall be the peace of your children. In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear...No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me...Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you - the sure mercies of David." The house of David, who at the writing of Isaiah had been dead for over two hundred years, is the line from which Messiah/Christ (Jesus), the Son of David, would be born. Isaiah also wrote that other nations would run to this people "because of the LORD your God, and the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you." (Isaiah 55:5). Jesus also prayed, saying to His heavenly Father that He, Jesus, has given those who believe in Him the same glory as He has with the Father from the beginning. (Jn. 17:22-24).

     The meaning of r'eh/ra'a, or "Behold," as given above includes "to see the face of a king", as well as being associated with light and life. From another section of this Sabbath we read in Proverbs 16:15-16: "In the light of the king's face is life, and his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain. How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver." As we saw above, life and light mentioned in ra'a and in John 1 are connected to "the king's" face. The Messiah/Christ Jesus is the King of kings. Of His Kingship, He has also made us to be kings or royalty of the Kingdom of light in service to God. (see 1 Pet. 2:9-10 [Ex. 19:6], Rev. 1:6, 5:9-10).

     Isaiah again in this Sabbath's readings, speaks the Word of the LORD to the land of Judah who will sing this song: "We have a strong city; God will appoint salvation (yesua - salvation; the Hebrew name of Jesus) for walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in." (Isa. 26:1-2). The prophet directed the Word of the LORD to "the land of Judah", which is the southern part of Israel including Jerusalem. The Hebrew word 'eres used here is referring to the land, but also means "earth, world, nations." Judah is one of the twelve tribes of Israel, but the Hebrew word itself is yehuda/yada/yad which means "praised/thanksgiving, confess, make confession (see also Rom. 10:9-10)/hand, consecrate, power, strength, sign, monument." Those who believe in Messiah/Christ Jesus are also a consecrated/sanctified people (see Heb. 10:10) through Messiah/Christ who make confession by mouth of the belief in their hearts, and signs follow the believer. (Mk. 16:15-18). Our testimony is a living monument to the salvation, power and glory of God. (see Rev. 12:10-11, 1 Pet. 3:15).

     Within the language is not only a surface understanding, but also a deeper or wider understanding that can be found within it. God's vision, even as expressed to Abraham and others, is not small or limited.

     From this same Sabbath reading selection, Isaiah 26 also promises us further blessings in our God. Those blessings include perfect peace, an everlasting covenant, justice, righteousness, grace, increase, glory, expansion, perfect judgment, and the raising of the dead.

     This R'eh/Ra'a Sabbath reading portion also brought mention of "a curse" from Deut. 11:26-28 as written above. The curse follows the turning away from God to go after other gods. The LORD also warned that after (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-the-nations of the promised land were cut off from the land by the LORD before the Israelites, the Israelites were not to follow after or inquire after the gods of those people: "You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-their-sons and (*aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-daughters in the fire to their gods. (*Aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega)-Whatever-thing I command you be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it." (Deut. 12:29-32).

     The previous people who inhabited the land had knowledge of the Messiah/Christ as we can see by the presence of the *aleph-tav designation. Even their children were appointed to belong to the *Aleph-Tav/Alpha and Omega Christ. However, those people chose to turn away from that knowledge and were even willing to burn their children to death in order to worship demon gods with abominations. Paul wrote in Romans of those who knew God, who had manifested Himself to them since the creation, but they chose (see ra'a meaning above) to deny that knowledge. They knew God but did not glorify Him as God. Therefore: "...they became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened....Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts..." (Rom. 1:18-24). Their abasement grew worse, even "knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death..." (v. 26-32). We see the same today. Many people have chosen to turn away from their inner knowledge of God and to turn away from His life and light. The Lord repeatedly says to them, "Behold (the face of God, the face of the King)!" We have the freedom that God has given each man to choose, to see, to behold, to discern, and to enjoy and live in the light of life which exists only in Him.

     However, there exists a most powerful and overcoming truth for all mankind: Jesus became a curse, and suffered the death of it, so that we may be set free from the power of the curse and to receive the blessings: "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree'), that the blessing of Abraham (see Gen. 12:3, Gen. 22:15-18) might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Gal. 3:13-14). 

     Messiah/Christ Jesus, the righteous and innocent, both divine and man, inseparable from His Father in heaven, became a curse to Release us from the debt of the curse contained in the Law. What must the righteously divine Jesus have felt by becoming a curse, and all of the abominations of the curse, separated or cut off from the light and life of God His beloved Father? He suffered this and then overcame it on our behalf. He shook and overthrew the spiritual debt economy of the spirit of this world.

      Again, God says to man: "Behold!"

     If you would like to learn more about r'eh/ra'a, and the blessing of looking upon the life and light of the face of God and the King, Jesus, you can join my prayer: "Gracious and blessed Lord, You have poured out a blessing too great for me to contain. You have released me from all debt, and You have delivered me from the curse through the sacrifice and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus, my Savior. You allow me to stand in Your light and life, and have said that I may see Your face through spiritual ra'a sight. Lord, Your face is the only face that I desire, and I never want to turn away from Your face. Blessed be the Holy One of Israel who is LORD of all of the nations and people of the whole earth. All of the families of the earth are blessed within Your covenant, including all of my family, as You promised Abraham. I praise You, Lord, and offer my thanksgiving and my love to You in the name of Jesus, my King. 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.