“Help me remember! Let us join in argument, Tell your version, That you may be vindicated.” (Yeshayahu 43:26)

This week’s Torah portion is Vayikra or Leviticus as it is called in most Bibles. It is the third book of the five books of Moses. Vayikra deals mainly with bringing offerings to God.

One of my favourite television shows is Judge Judy. The main reason I watch the show is because I like the way she handles her courtroom. She does everything in an orderly fashion. She always listens to both parties giving both the defendant and the plaintiff a chance to tell their version of the events.

The verse I have chosen above is similar in that God wants to hear our argument. He wants us to tell Him our version of the events so that we may be vindicated. The Torah portion instructs us in the manner we are to bring our offerings to God. The Haftarah portion is God’s rebuke to us for not bringing our offerings to him.

In the verses prior to the one above, HaShem (God), states His case against us.

The people I formed for Myself
That they might declare my praise.
22 But you have not worshiped Me, O Jacob,
That you should be weary of Me, O Israel.
23 You have not brought Me your sheep for burnt offerings,
Nor honored Me with your sacrifices.
I have not burdened you with meal offerings,
Nor wearied you about frankincense.
24 You have not bought Me fragrant reed with money,
Nor sated Me with the fat of your sacrifices.
Instead, you have burdened Me with your sins,
You have wearied Me with your iniquities.
25 It is I, I who — for My own sake —
Wipe your transgressions away
And remember your sins no more. (Isaiah 43:21-25)
God continues by explaining that Israel has sinned by worshipping idols made of stone (44:10); iron (v 12) and wood (vv 13-20).
Part of it he burns in a fire:
On that part he roasts meat,
He eats the roast and is sated;
He also warms himself and cries, "Ah,
I am warm! I can feel the heat!" (Isaiah 44:16)

When it comes to worshipping God are we not the same? Do we not get complacent in our lives?

Many of us live in nice homes, where we can sit by the fire and keep warm. Our bellies become fat and we become satisfied because we have food to eat. We have our jobs which help to pay the bills, etc.

However, we often forget that it is God who meets our needs and it is God who gave us our jobs and our food, etc. By forgetting that it is God who meets all our needs we are inadvertently creating our own idols.

In the end God reveals His true love for us.

“Remember these things, O Jacob
For you, O Israel, are My servant:
I fashioned you, you are My servant —
O Israel, never forget Me.
22 I wipe away your sins like a cloud,
Your transgressions like mist —
Come back to Me, for I redeem you.
23 Shout, O heavens, for the Lord has acted;
Shout aloud, O depths of the earth!
Shout for joy, O mountains,
O forests with all your trees!
For the Lord has redeemed Jacob,
Has glorified Himself through Israel.” (Isaiah 44:21-23)

Remember to thank God for everything you do and do not have in life. He will wipe away your sins and redeem you. As God might say, I rest my case!!