by Rod Thomas | The Messianic Torah Observer

In this installment of The Messianic Torah Observer, I invite you to join me on a Yeshua-focused journey through the double Torah reading of Behar–Bechukotai found in Leviticus 25.1–27.34. Together, we reflect on the profound spiritual meaning behind Sh’mittah, Yovel/Jubilee, covenant obedience, covenant discipline, and the sacredness of our commitments unto Yah.

This Torah reading reminds us that the Land belongs to Yehovah, time belongs to Yehovah, and ultimately, we belong to Yehovah. The commandment of the Sh’mittah, or Sabbath Year, teaches us to cease from our striving and trust wholly in Yah’s provision. It calls us to acknowledge His sovereignty over the Land, over our sustenance, and over every aspect of our lives. Through this moed, we are taught rest, dependence, trust, obedience, and the proper ordering of our priorities in covenant relationship with the Creator.

We also explore the rich theology and practical meaning of Yovel, the Year of Jubilee, where release, restoration, redemption, and return take center stage. In Jubilee, property is restored, debts are reckoned in light of Yah’s justice, and those in servitude are released. These divine instructions reveal Yah’s heart for mercy, compassion, community, and covenant faithfulness. They also point us toward the greater redemptive realities that find their fullest meaning in Messiah Yeshua, who brings true rest, liberty, and restoration to His people.

In this discussion, I also examine the blessings promised to those who walk in Yah’s statutes and remain faithful to covenant. Obedience leads to peace, provision, security, fruitfulness, and the joy of Yah dwelling in the midst of His people. At the same time, Bechukotai confronts us with the sobering consequences of covenant unfaithfulness. Yah’s discipline is not arbitrary, nor is it disconnected from His love. Rather, it reflects His holiness, His jealousy over His people, and His unwavering commitment to the covenant He established with Avraham, Yitschaq, and Ya’achov.

Another important part of this reading is Leviticus 27, which addresses vows and dedications made unto Yah. Here, we consider the spiritual seriousness of our commitments and what it means to offer our resources, our time, our gifts, and our lives in service to the Kingdom. In Messiah, this has direct implications for discipleship. We are reminded that what we vow and commit unto Yah is holy, and our lives are to reflect integrity, faithfulness, and wholehearted devotion.

Throughout this episode, I encourage us all to consider what these timeless instructions teach us today as Torah-honoring disciples of Yeshua HaMashiyach. How do we trust Yah more deeply? How do we hold possessions more loosely? How do we care for those in our communities who are in need? And how do we walk faithfully in covenant while allowing the Ruach Kodesh to sanctify us into a set-apart people?

My hope is that this teaching will encourage, challenge, and edify you as you continue your own Torah journey. Behar–Bechukotai is a powerful reminder that Yah is faithful, that His covenant stands, and that His desire is for His people to walk uprightly before Him in trust, obedience, humility, and love.

In This Episode

  • The meaning and purpose of Sh’mittah, the Sabbath Year
  • How the cycles of sevens reveal Yah’s order, sovereignty, and purpose
  • The spiritual and communal significance of Yovel/Jubilee
  • Why the Land ultimately belongs to Yehovah
  • Trust, provision, and covenant faith in the Sh’mittah and Jubilee
  • Blessings associated with obedience to Yah’s statutes
  • The consequences of covenant disobedience in Bechukotai
  • Yah’s discipline as an expression of covenant integrity and holy love
  • The enduring faithfulness of Yah even when His people fail
  • The spiritual significance of vows and dedications in Leviticus 27
  • What these Torah instructions mean for Messiah-centered discipleship today

Key Themes

  • Covenant faithfulness
  • Rest and trust
  • Redemption and release
  • Obedience and blessing
  • Discipline and restoration
  • Kingdom living
  • Set-apart discipleship in Yeshua

Passage Covered

Leviticus 25.1–27.34
Parashot: Behar and Bechukotai

Suggested Keywords

  • Behar Bechukotai
  • Torah reading
  • Messianic Torah Observer
  • Yeshua-focused Torah Living
  • Shmittah
  • Shemitah
  • Jubilee
  • Yovel
  • Leviticus 25
  • Leviticus 26
  • Leviticus 27
  • covenant faithfulness
  • Torah portion podcast
  • Messianic Bible teaching
  • Kingdom living
  • obedience and blessing

Closing Invitation

Thank you for fellowshipping with me in this installment of The Messianic Torah Observer. I pray that this teaching blesses and strengthens your walk in Yehoshua HaMashiyach and deepens your love for Yah’s Torah and His ways.

If this discussion blessed you, I invite you to share it with others who are seeking to walk in covenant faithfulness and Truth.

Irresistible Holiness-Torah Portion-26-Eighth-Shi’mini–TMTO-23

by | Mar 29, 2019

What Father is essentially saying here to us through this shadow picture—this lesson—this Torah Portion—is, “Look, I’m going to get the glory and my holiness is going to be proclaimed and demonstrated to all the world. Now this can be done by and through your actions of obedience and worship of me. And if you choose to glorify me and extol the virtues of my holiness to the world, you’re going to have to do it my way. For if you don’t choose to do it my way, then I’m still going to get the glory and my holiness will be demonstrated and manifested through my chastising of you. You see, it’s going to be done my way; or it’s going to be done my way. Either way, I’m going to be glorified and deemed holy to all the world.”

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