Deuteronomy 29:28
HAN’NIS’TA’ROT LA’YHVH ELOHEINU VE’HAN’NIG’LOT LANU UL’VA’NEI’NU AD-OLAM LA’A’SOT ET-KOL-DIVREI HAT’TORA HAZ’ZOT
“The hidden things belong to ADONAI OUR GOD but the things revealed belong to us and our children forever in order to perform all the words of this Torah.”
The footnote on this text in the STONE Tanakh is very important; it is a principle echoed in the New Testament. It says, “On the last day of his life, Moses initiated the entire nation for the last time into the covenant of God. This gathering introduced the concept of A’RI’VUT, responsibility for one another, under which every Jew is obligated to help others observe the Torah.”
This assistive function which each of us who is in Messiah carries out day to day is pervasive throughout the whole community of the followers of our Lord, beginning with father and mother to child. [Proverbs 1:8]
Peter the Apostle toward the latter part of his life echoes the same sentiment in his second letter, chapter one beginning at verse twelve:
“Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you know them and are established in the present truth.
“Yes, I think it fitting, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
“Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me.
“Moreover, I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
“For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved son, in whom I a well pleased.
“And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” [2 Peter 1:12-21]
This is why we gather regularly; we assemble so that we may build up each other and strengthen each other in our common faith. [1 Corinthians 12-14; Titus 1:4]
Therefore, let us do it. Mothers, teach your babes the stories of the Bible and instruct them in right actions. Fathers, teach your children the ways of the Lord, as it says in the Shema section of Deuteronomy 6:6-7,
“And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart:
“And you shall teach them diligently unto 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 up.”
Parental training is the foundation of a godly society.
That training extends to the entire Body of Messiah and from us as a consequence to the world at large. We are salt and light in the world. Each of us gives off our Lord’s radiance by way of testimony and example.
A’RI’VUT. Be encouraged in this, my dear brother, my dear sister. God is with you to encourage your fellow disciple and to redeem the world, like drops of godliness falling on the sea of humanity. May your droplet be filled with grace and peace as you wisely minister the Words of our Savior to those near you today.
