CHESHVAN 6
Requirements
“And now, Yisra’ĕl, what does YHWH your
Elohim REQUIRE of you …”
(Deu 10:12 HRVS, emphasis mine)
Among the definitions
listed for the word “require”, our friend Daniel Webster has suggested the
following: “to demand; to ask, as of
right and by authority. We require a person to do a thing, and we require a
thing to be done”[1]. And I believe that this definition
exemplifies this passage of Scripture perfectly: Elohim has the right, and the authority, as
my Creator and my Elohim, to require
me to do certain things.
Our
everyday lives are filled with situations that require something of us. Married
couples, by virtue of the relationship they have, require and expect certain
actions from each other. The same rings
true of the relationship between parents and their children: because
you are my child, I require you to behave in a certain manner. Let us look at another scenario: because
you are pursuing a degree at an institute of higher education, there are
certain required subjects you must successfully complete in order to attain
that degree. My last example is that of
the work place: most every employment
opportunity now lists what is called a “job description”, requirements that
must be met by the prospective employee.
My
Father, as my supreme Parent, has the right to demand, and expect, certain
behavior from me; should I choose to not act
in the manner required, it is nothing by outright rebellion against my
Parent. I cannot act as the proverbial
“step-child”, and still expect to be a welcome part of the family. Just as an employee who does not perform according to the expected
“job description” would eventually be terminated, my actions in contradiction
to what my Father requires of me will end in discipline and chastisement.
What
then is the “modus operandi” that my Creator requires, expects, and asks of
me? Stay tuned for the next installment!
©2018
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