LOL (Love -> Obedience -> Love)

Read time: 13 minutes

Obedience is a complex topic. It invokes an array of intense emotions from slavery and dictatorship to less extreme but nonetheless everyday annoyances like micromanagement, distrust, and “rule by fear” environments. The paradox of obedience to God is that it springs from a place of pure love and devotion and ultimately brings blessings upon us like rain. Proof of such is the gift of free will and it is only by free will that we choose to love God and obey His commandments, statutes and precepts. Free will is the driving principle in both earthly and heavenly relationships. Yeshua (Jesus) is always the best Rabbi (Teacher) for these deep topics. As he puts it:

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”” (Matthew 11:29-30, ESV)

The yoke was always a symbol of obedience, labor and oppression in the Bible (Jer. 28:12, Jer. 28:14, Eze. 30:18, Eze. 34:27, Hos. 10:11). Yeshua was simply showcasing the paradox of godly obedience here. For what the world considers wise, God considers foolish (1 Cor 1:27, 1 Cor. 3:19). And unfortunately in many if not most cases, what God considers wise, the world considers foolish. We are living in a spherical, rotating paradoxical conundrum. But we have been given a free gift – should we choose to accept – of a path to overcome the paradox, and therein overcome this world. What an amazing Rabbi and Lord we (choose to) serve!

But the paradox of obedience grows roots here in that through His Love and our love for Him, we unlock the secret to prosperity, peace and order. Obedience to the civil law (normally) leads to quiet(er) life without fines or penalties, retribution, or fear of social reprisal. Obedience to a cause means complete devotion and focus on that cause, without the fear of distraction or lack of prioritization. Obedience to one’s parents typically leads to more freedom, trust, responsibility, and perhaps even the occasional reward. In the same, interwoven but even brighter light, obedience to God and his commandments, statutes and judgements is perfect peace (shalom shalom). It releases all bonds to this world and comes from an ocean of love. It is a GPS for the high seas of life!

Side Note: Perhaps one quick disclaimer here. Salvation does not come from obedience but rather through the grace of God and our sacrificial lamb (Yeshua) who shed his blood and paid the ultimate price for our sins. Therefore, here we are simply talking about Love, it’s deep-rooted connection to Obedience, and the inevitable blessings and further cycle of love flowing from such. We will discuss salvation in a separate writing. Now let’s return to the regularly scheduled programming. 🙂

Before we dive deeper together though, let’s begin with an earthly, physical example of the connection between love and obedience. In fact in many cases, God gives us physical experiences as a representation or rehearsal for a metaphysical experience or as a practical insight into his His truth and wisdom. We just need to open our eyes and be mindful of His presence and teaching in our lives. Meditation is part awareness and part digestion. As awareness is the open space through which nutritious thoughts and ideas enter, digestion is equally critical for nutrient absorption.

Using this awareness, think about the last time your spouse, significant other, or best friend asked you to help on a project, do a chore, run an errand, or simply show up at a certain time somewhere. (If this has never happened to you in that context, wake up that’s not a relationship or you are dreaming!) If you don’t have a spouse or girlfriend, you can replace one of the three with a parent or family member. You get the point.

When that individual asked you to do something. Did you do it? Let’s pretend you did. They came home and saw what you had done, and hopefully they were pleased with you and said thank you. Perhaps you were even rewarded or blessed for your kindness and obedience. Moreover, if you were repeatedly obedient to them, would they not be more inclined to reward you further or return the favor in a sort of “returning the love”? We also see this amongst strangers who “pay it forward.” (TRY IT!)

Now let’s examine the flip side of this – call it “the upside down” (for my Stranger Things fans). When your spouse or parent came home they saw you didn’t do what they asked you to do. You didn’t wash the car or clean your room or put away your clothes. Or even worse, you didn’t do all three and the status of such was worse than before. And now imagine this has happened on a continuous basis. What type of questions do you imagine this other individual is asking themselves, perhaps even – do they truly love me? We all are disobedient at some point. None of us are perfect. #Facts. But what do we typically do when we are unable to be obedient – we apologize and learn our lesson on how to fulfill the request next time. If we have the knowledge and continue to simply disregard, we send a message to the other person which is much louder than words. Excuses or pity may get you out of jail once, but that card is all too quickly played and is normally the red carpet to further distress.

“A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.” (1 Peter 2:8, ESV)

Point is – we were all destined to sin. This was part of the fall of the first Adam some 6000 years ago. And our collective fall continues to this day. But it is how we react to this fall and sinful nature that matters. This is what shapes the underpinnings of the heart, the motivations, desires, and our intention. We must strive to be obedient, to circumcise our hearts, and ultimately give love where it is due – and it is definitely due to our merciful Creator God! When we fail fast, we need to pivot even faster. This is true in business and life. Lest we end up on the wrong track or the wrong place at the wrong time. However, there is no pit deep enough to escape the saving grace and mercy of God…keep that in mind (and take a quick peak at Psalms 139:7-10 – we will be here when you get back).

Interesting factoid, Torah, which is translated to the law (and is actually more literally “teaching”), comes from the Hebrew Word Yarah. Below in the Strong’s Interlinear Concordance, we see that its roots are based in instruction, demonstration, and pointing something out like an archer to his quiver. What a metaphor! Now let’s hit the target 😉

H3384 (Strong)
_
יָרָא יָרָה_

yârâh yârâ’
_
yaw-raw’, yaw-raw’_

A primitive root; properly to flow as water (that is, to rain); transitively to lay or throw (especially an arrow, that is, to shoot); figuratively to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to teach: – (+) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew, shoot, teach (-er, -ing), through.

Therefore, the Torah can be viewed effectively as Gods instruction manual to living in love and living for Him. So what can we glean from this instruction manual for life? We can learn all of the laws for living. And if we follow the instruction manual to living, what does it bring us? Prosperity, health, wealth, success, peace and love. You name it (except salvation of course!). Don’t believe me? See below.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8, ESV)

”If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you today, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.” (Deuteronomy 30:16, ESV)

“But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” (James 1:25, ESV)

“Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”” (Luke 6:47-49, ESV)

What about sacrifices?

This is always the first question that people point to in order to discredit the entire word of God. Well, maybe second to stoning. But we just can’t brush away the word of God. This is clearly not the solution. A better question would be, do you think it would be logical for someone to create a law for living, call it eternal and perfect, and then change their mind? Of course not. And clearly we serve the most logical Creator – he is the creator of logic! Therefore, perhaps before we ask these types of questions or try to “poke holes” in God’s logic, let’s consider that the motivation may come from a darker, more deceptive being, rather than from God or our own best interest. Instead we should ask these questions and then use them as fuel to understand and learn more. For instance, what is a major item that is required for the sacrifices? A temple would be one of the correct answers. And no, not your neighborhood synagogue or church. Read the law and see all it has to say about the requirements of the Temple. And may the third temple be rebuilt in our time! Also, with regards to stoning, read the story of the adulteress and how Yeshua (Jesus) handled the situation. Again, for another article. In the meantime, keep your mind open and perhaps go deep into the Torah, Acts, Hebrews and definitely Titus 3! I always try to read the Bible as one whole story, not separate anecdotes (Hint: it is not just a manual but in the grand scheme…a love story).

”But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” (Titus 3:9-11, ESV)

It would also produce spiritual fruit to ponder and deep-dive on the verse below…

“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6, ESV)

what about slaves,

This is also a tough one. But we have to remember that we are confined and constrained to our own heavily emotional and modern context of slavery. Slavery in biblical times was not always tied to race. I say always because it was in fact common after a society was overthrown in war for men, women and children to be taken as slaves. Think of Egypt or Babylon and the Hebrew Slaves. However, in Israel and in Torah, slavery was permitted with many restrictions. Slaves or servants (used interchangeably) were permitted the same rights according to the Torah when it came to serving God and normal day-to-day living with the obvious exceptions. In today’s context, they were closer to live-in workers or employees that receive room and board (without the ability to work remotely or from home!). God even commands and reminds the Israelites (on multiple occasions) that they were once slaves in Egypt so to treat their slaves properly (Deu 16:12, Deu 24:18, Deu 24:22). Also, they had slaves within their own community. It was more part of the economic system and to serve for a greater spiritual economy. But again, for another article. Finally and perhaps the largest difference between our social construct of slavery and the biblical form, is the ability for Slaves to go free every seven years…at no cost.

”When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing.” (Exodus 21:2, ESV)

This allows for an internal reset in the economy every seven years (concept known as “Shemitah” for another study). Hmm…what else does the number seven signify…? Spoiler alert, it is God’s number for rest. We work six days and rest on the seventh, then we start the new week! This is yet another physical example that God uses for spiritual purposes in the New Testament. You can also read many more about the Shemitah Concept and other laws surrounding Slavery in Deuteronomy 15 and Exodus 21, respectively.

And for those who say this only applies to Hebrews or “Israeli Citizens”…

There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.”” (Exodus 12:49, ESV)

”One law and one rule shall be for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you.”” (Numbers 15:16, ESV)

Finally, God clearly sees all men as created equal, namely because we were all created in the image of God! And after we were created, He gave us all ONE LAW. And there were a number of reasons one could end up as a slave in the first place. But slaves were taken care of, given shelter, food and other necessities. And they were certainly and foremost to be treated as humans with all God-given rights. They were even allowed, perhaps even encouraged, to marry and rest on the Sabbath. If we are all to obey the same law, and laws of slavery were included in this, then it would be nothing like our “historical or modern context” of slavery.

what about me.

Think back to the roots of the Torah, the word root of the Word if you will. 🙂 This root word was Yarah, and it came from the verb to flow (like water). Therefore, we must view His word as flowing like water. It is absolutely critical that no matter your label, denomination, faith, credence, or whatever you cling to (sorry)…that you plant yourself in His word like a tree on a riverbed. As we search for riverbed soil for our gardens to grow earthly fruit, we should do the same for our spritual fruit. The deeper the roots the sturdier we are in times of drought, and the sweeter, more robust our harvest.

”Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” (Psalms 1:1-3, ESV)

Therefore, plant yourself in His Word and focus on the love, then obedience to showcase your love, as David did so often in meditation and in song and music. Plus, normally when God repeats something (i.e. two witnesses), we should pay close attention and note its importance. And here it is obvious (especially when you read all of Deuteronomy or the full Torah)…

“You shall therefore love the LORD your God and keep his charge, his statutes, his rules, and his commandments always.” (Deuteronomy 11:1, ESV)

“And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.” (2 John 1:5-6, ESV)

”“And if you will indeed obey my commandments that I command you today, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, he will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil. And he will give grass in your fields for your livestock, and you shall eat and be full.” (Deuteronomy 11:13-15, ESV)

And remember there is no greater love than to lay down ones life for those you love. When I read this next verse, it is clear that Yeshua (Jesus) showed the ultimately love. I am also forever grateful for those that have laid down their lives protecting and serving our country.

”Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13, ESV)

I see all of you as family and pray that you find this reading fruitful in some way. And though we may disagree, I pray that we are able to find the love which connects us all and focus on building up each other in His name.

Shalom v’ahavah (Peace and love),

”For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Galatians 5:14, KJV)

”He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.” (1 Peter 1:20-25, ESV)

Takeaways to make a way…

-Continue to center on Love (God is Love)
-Be aware of God in the physical and stay mindful of His presence in your life and in the world around you
-Obedience to God is out of our own free will (His yoke is light)
-Use the Bible to unite and build, not quarrel and divide
-The word (including His law) flows like water, and it is alive, sharper than any double-edged sword
-Plant yourself in His Word like a tree near a stream
-Build your house on the rock which is the Word

Further Study with your Buddy…

If you would like to find some actionable ways to put your trust in God and His blessings, check out this other post entitled “In God We Trust”

and more coming soon…

Questions for Reflection…

How do you show love to your spouse or friends?
How do you receive love from your spouse or friends?
What does obedience mean if the law is cancelled?
Why would God change or cancel His law?
Is your view on the law your decision or have you followed this since birth?
Is the view of the majority always right?
Where do you see God’s love in nature?
Are you planted near water? How deep are your roots?