David F. Nygren of the “Watchman Examiner” once said, “If all the neglected Bibles were dusted simultaneously, we would have a record dust storm and the sun would go into eclipse for a whole week!” This is a sad indictment of the Christian community. In fact, as far as I can tell it is also true. The Bible is a virtual gold mine that sits ignored in the homes of millions.
On every Jewish doorway is a mezuza. This is a small container holding a tiny piece of parchment which written on the inside is Shaddai a name for God. Shaddai is also an acronym from the Jewish phrase “shomer daletot Yisrael” meaning guardian of the doors of Israel. On the other side of the parchment is the Shema hand inscribed from Deuteronomy 6:4-9. A mezuza can be found affixed to the upper right hand side of every door in the house.
4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ESV
Just inside the doorway of every Jewish home one can at first glance see the most important things in their home. The sacred holy books. Many Jewish homes will display their Holy Books (Torah, Targum, Talmud etc.) in a way that draws and tempts every visitor and occupant to read them or ask about them. These Holy Books are treated with great respect. They contain God’s inspired teachings and His Word. Holy Books are not permitted to be placed upside down or left open when not in use. Tattered or worn books that contain the name of God are given a very respectful burial in a Jewish Cemetery just like people!
Christians are obliged to to respect and love God’s Word even more. If you are going to be a Jew you have to learn, memorize and recite daily Scriptures and live according to that lifestyle. There are many who would love to neuter the Scriptures. To render them as only a collection of novel sayings. We must be on guard and maintain our priorities to center our lives around God and the things of God. Created things tend to focus upon the created but we have to shift our focus upon the Creator and not the creation. God has given us His Word. He has spoken. Shall we listen?
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Psalms 121:1-2 ESV
No comments:
Post a Comment