Are You Weary and Heavy Laden?
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August 28, 2006“Thus says the LORD, Stand you in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and you shall find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘we will not walk in it’.” (Jer 6:16) Not sure where the “good” way is? I am speaking of the way of excellence when it comes to our business dealings. “Good” is one of our corporate values and we have found the way.
The first five books of the Bible (the Torah or the law) were referred to as “the way”. They are full of instruction for business and life. Jeremiah is lamenting the fact that his contemporaries had not chosen the good way, the way of the ancients, and were therefore, weary and heavy laden. Jesus later came to fulfill the law, claiming that He embodied the way and invited those that labored and were heavy laden to come to Him, take His yoke and learn from Him.
I recently heard Rob Bell on a Nooma DVD explain that rabbis would have their individual insights into the “way” and would create a written and oral set of interpretations which were called that rabbi’s “yoke”. It was a high honor and privilege to take on a rabbi’s yoke and if you did, you would know what that rabbi knew, could do what that rabbi did and would be like that rabbi. They were highly selective in extending their yoke. Then Jesus came along and said that His yoke was easy and His burden light. He also said that we could learn that “good” way, have the mind of Christ (1 Co 2:16) and do what He did - and even more (John 14:12). I don’t know about you, but I want in on that action! (Continued tomorrow)
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Comments (3) - Post a Comment
The closer interpretation for Torah is instructions, hence the way. The scripture about Jesus fulfilling the law had been taught incorrectly. That was a well know Hebrew idiom of the period that rabbis employed. What it really says was Jesus came to teach the Torah correctly, not incorrectly, hence the way.
Finally you might want to go to www.jcstudies.com and purchase the dvd series \"Behold the Man\". It is one of the best things you will ever see or read on the Jewishness of Jesus. By the way Dwight Pryor, whose web sit it is and who does the teaching, is Rob Bell's mentor.
Now if you really want to get into this stuff come to Dayton on Oct 19-20 as we celebrate the Feast Of Tabernacles, where Dwight is teaching live. And there will be dancing.
Bill Gaffney at 4:05pm EDT - August 30, 2006
This is great. I know I have missed it and have even meditated on taking on Jesus yoke, however, this gives valuable insight as to what we are actually doing to take his yoke.
Sereda at 11:31am EDT - September 1, 2006
Great input Bill. I hope a lot of folks get to attend. I will check out the website you mentioned as I would love more accurate context than is often given.
Michael Pink at 11:31am EDT - September 2, 2006