Beth HaDerech; Messianic Jewish Congregation, Toronto, Canada

God is True and His Word is True

Weekly Sidra:  Bechukotai (by my decrees) Torah Portion: Vayikra / Leviticus 26:3-27:34 Haftorah: Yermiyahu / Jeremiah 16:19-17:14 “O Lord, my strength and my stronghold, My refuge in a day of trouble, To You nations shall come From the ends of the earth and say: Our fathers inherited utter delusions, Things that are futile and worthless.  Can a man make gods for himself?  No-gods are they!  Assuredly, I will teach them, Once and for all I will teach them My power and My might.  And they shall learn that My name is Lord.” (Jer. 16:19-21) This week’s Parasha (reading) is Bechukotai (By my Rulings).  This portion in a nutshell states that God will bless us if we follow His commandments and bring curses upon us if we refuse to follow them. I was struck by this as I read the Haftorah portion.  It states that nations will say that they inherited delusions and that God will ultimately teach him His ways.  Many people today are under delusions.  They seek happiness in work, drugs, alcohol, or other things.  This applies also to false religious beliefs.  Many people claim that the Torah is an “old” book which their God has allowed them to abandon. The Haftorah goes on to say “Thus said the Lord: Cursed is he who trusts in man, Who makes mere flesh his strength, And turns his thoughts from the Lord.  He shall...