Exegesis: The Mitzvah
Scripture: Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was hungry, and you gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in: Naked, and you clothed Me: I was sick, and you visited Me: I was in prison, and You came unto Me (Matthew 25: 34-35).
Historical:The word “mitzvah” in Hebrew actually means “commandment.” Mitzvot is plural for commandment and refers to the 613 commandments contained in the Torah. “And He gave to Moses, when He had ceased communing with him on Mount Sinai, the two tables of the Testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God” (Exodus 31:18)
Cultural: In Jewish tradition the Mitzvah refers to a religious duty. It also refers to a deed or “mighty deed” of love, kindness, charity, in an act of giving. A mitzvah is a Jewish tradition in itself. It is an action of love towards others.
Geographical: Israel
Linguistic:Biblical “miswoth” from “siwwah” command. “The tertiary meaning of mitzvahalso refers to the fulfillment of a mitzvah” (Whikapedia).
Literary: (Giving to the Poor)Proverbs 19:17, 14:31, 11:25, 29:7, 22:9 Deuteronomy 15:7-11, Psalm 41:1, Leviticus 19:9-10, and throughout the New Testament.
Intrinsic characteristics: The Law or commandments were given to the people of Israel following a dispensation of “conscious” perception. The Law was the covenant of the principles of right and wrong. It was meant to instruct people on how to behave. It was the type and shadow of our new covenant in Jesus Christ where there is only one MITZVAH: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength and your neighbor as yourself” This Law of God is now written on our hearts in our love and relationship with God and others including the Body of Christ to live with our hand extended out to give out of a response and exchange of love.
Essential Nature of the idea of Mitzvah: The fulfillment of the Law is contained in the Fruits of the Spirit. Galatians 5: 22-23—The fruit of the Spirit of God: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control are relational principles. The fruit of the Spirit tells us how to behave so that we can project the Kingdom of God into this world as we walk out our calling. The fruit of the Spirit tells us how to behave in all our relationships and encounters with other people in terms of mitzvah—in giving to others. We have the opportunity to experience successful relationships as we project compassion to bring to the world deliverance into the light. The word of our testimony or “story” embraces this concept of mitzvah as we become representatives of the Kingdom of God. The acts of mitzvah embrace works of faith and illustrate the behavior of love engrafted into our being. Honoring God by “loving one another” in the capacity we are gifted with in our new life. We love rather than take offense. Forgive where there is bitterness. Mitzvah in my capacity to understand is the Word (Jesus) activated in a New and Living way within our heart of hearts through the Holy Spirit as we walk out our lives in bringing the purpose of God and His Kingdom into this world.
Let’s start with the word patience in the verse 2 Corinthians 12:12 There it is–that word “patient” which fundamentally means “love” without envy, boasting, or pride. (1 Corinthians 13:4). The word of our testimony is the “praise report” of how our actions touch others with love and compassion—especially when in so doing they come to the knowledge of the truth in their salvation. He shows us the path to life in His presence and how to be patient in love. Patience cannot be known without Him….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M85RShK2MBQ
The word “oth” in Hebrew means “sign.” When it is used in the Old Testament it is often bolded. It is typically associated with the covenant God made with His people. (Genesis 9:12, 9:13, 9:17, 17:11). The word of our testimony bears witness to this fact. God desires to operate in our lives in a supernatural way through the covenant with Jesus Christ. At its center, the new covenant is Jesus Christ. He embodies everything the new covenant is. He is the Word of God and the Son of God.
Jesus is the Message of God, the Mind of God, and the fulfillment of scripture in the Word. In himself, he enables us to be reconciled with God so our lives can be like it was supposed to be in the very beginning–a life connected to our creator. The word of our testimony talks about it–these are our own Kingdom stories where God is the star. The word oth which means “sign” also indicates that God is directing and is near “When these signs happen to you, do what you must, because God is with you” (1 Samuel 10:7). The word of our testimony builds faith because it supports the fact that we have a living God operating in our lives because He is with us.
One Hebrew word for wonders is “pele.” It is often associated with miracles and healing. There are many forms of this word used to define the wonderful workings of God including his redemption and God’s dealing with His people. A form of the word pele is also used in “Wonderful councilor, ‘Messianic King’ or ‘King of Wonders.’” The word pele encompasses the wonders of Jesus Christ manifesting in our lives now, today.
The word “mitzvah” in Hebrew refers to a deed. In Jewish tradition a mitzvah is more than that—it is also following a commandment. A mitzvah is a Jewish tradition in itself. It is an action of faith towards others. The fruit of the Spirit of God: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control are relational principles. The fruit of the Spirit tells us how to behave so that we can project the Kingdom of God into this world.
The fruit of the Spirit tells us how to behave in all our relationships and encounters with other people. It is doing to others what we would have them do to us. It is loving your neighbor as yourself. We have the opportunity to experience successful relationships as we project compassion to bring to the world deliverance into the light. “Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was hungry, and you gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in: Naked, and you clothed Me: I was sick, and you visited Me: I was in prison, and You came unto Me” (Matthew 25: 34-35).
The word of our testimony embraces this concept of mitzvah as we become representatives of the Kingdom of God. We love rather than hate. Forgive where there is bitterness. Turn the other cheek and pray for our enemies. These are just a few examples of the “action” of the Gospel of Jesus Christ who brings freedom and new life setting the captives free out of the bondage of slavery to “world thinking” of fear, doubt, worry, and sin. Our testimony declares our gratitude in celebration of the signs, wonders, and amazing deeds we witness as believers to encourage the Body of Christ–especially to share with unbelievers to bring hope and the invitation for salvation–above all, the word of our testimony is an act of worship because it ALWAYS Glorifies God.
I have come to believe that the word of our testimony is an integral part of our walk with the Lord. Our deliverance into the light of The Kingdom of Heaven dwells in our testimony because that is where we see the POWER of God operating in our lives. The word of our testimony tells our personal story of entering the Shalom where “the optimum condition for life to unfold” becomes partaking of the grace and goodness of Jesus Christ. We impart encouragement to believe in a “more excellent way” of life to everyone we encounter.