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.
Seven Reasons Messianics Must Stand on the Side of Israel-Part 5 of Israel’s Inextricable Link to our Salvation Series
I’ve titled this discussion: Seven Reasons This Messianic Stands with Israel. Because this discussion complements the last series, we published (i.e. Israel’s Inextricable Link to our Salvation), which is not yet finished, I included it in said series. So, this post...
Learning to Forget God — Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 132
This week's discussion will be on the contents of the 132nd parashah of our 3-year Torah Reading cycle. The contents of our discussion today is found in Deuteronomy/Devarim 8.1-20. It is part of the broader annual reading cycle's "Ekev" (aka Because) that most...
Yeshua’s Passover — The Means to Our Salvation, Redemption, and Covenant Relationship with God
As I am recording and posting this installment of TMTO, many observant Jews and Messianics will celebrate Pesach tomorrow evening, April 22. We who keep the observational calendar will observe Pesach on Tuesday, April 23, as well as observing the night of our Master’s...
Choosing Yeshua as our Pesach: Shadows of Pesach 2024
I’ve chosen to title our discussion here today “Choosing Yeshua as our Pesach: Shadows of Pesach 2024.” If I could have you turn to Exodus 12.1-6, we will read the portion of Torah is directly tied to this special day on Yah’s set-apart calendar: And...
Aviv’s Prophetic Shadows of our Redemption and Salvation Through Yeshua Messiah
The Torah ... a shadow of the good matters -- good things -- to come...(The Scriptures, 3rd edition. , Heb 10:1).As I am recording and posting this installment of TMTO, we are heading into this week's Sabbath on this beautiful Preparation Day in the DFW. And yes, we...
Welcome to Aviv 2024-A Brief Overview of the Month and a Discussion of What God Expects From Us This Month
And Yahweh said to Moses and to Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2 “This month will be the beginning of months; it will be for you the first of the months of the year... “Observe the month of Abib, and you shall keep the Passover to Yahweh your God, for in the...
Why do we Dislike the God of the Old Testament? Thoughts & Reflections on Torah Reading 127
Introduction to Reading 127 This week's Torah Reading is contained in Deuteronomy 2.1-3.22. For all intents and purposes, it is a continuation of last week’s reading. It is the 127th Parashah of our 3-year Torah Reading cycle. I’ve been led to title this...
Deuteronomy-A Rehashing and Retelling of Torah to a New Generation-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 126
This week's Torah Reading, contained in Deuteronomy 1.1-46, is the 126th portion of our 3-year Torah Portion reading cycle. I’ve entitled this teaching: “Deuteronomy – A Rehashing and Retelling of Torah to a New Generation.” Deuteronomy is where we will be...
Explaining the Current Calendar Confusion Among Observational Calendar Keepers
Explaining the Current Calendar Confusion Among Observational Calendar Keepers Greetings Saints of the Most High. Trusting that this special post finds you, your families, and fellowships are well and blessed at the start of this new week. As I am...
The Torah of the Cities of Refuge–Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 125
Shabbat Shalom. This week's Torah Reading, contained in Numbers 35:9-36:13, is the 125th portion of our 3-year Torah Portion reading cycle. And for our discussion today, we will focus only on verses 9 through 34 of chapter 35. This is, by the way, the final...
