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ADAR BET 22

Brotherly Love

 

“…And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection.” (2Pet 1:7 AMPC)

 

I am reminded of a very dear and special friend of more than 40 years, one who has a love for the Father that is genuine, and who does not know a stranger.  Cathy has a kind and encouraging word for anyone and everyone, and is probably the best example of someone that I personally know who lives the concept of “loving your neighbor as yourself” (Lev 19:18).

Torah is all about community, of inter-acting with one another, of accepting one another, and of learning to live with one another with all our personal likes and dislikes.  That one who is like-minded in their beliefs of Torah observance, yet can – on occasion – stroke your fur in the wrong direction has been allowed in your life specifically to cultivate and perfect your ‘brotherly love’.  I know personally what I am talking about – I have one such person in my life.  And it is not just about ‘getting along’.  We are being called to develop and nurture the ideal and practice of ‘brotherly love’ in all our relationships with the brethren. 

Please note that I have stressed like-minded believers of Torah observance. Let me give you some facts here: there were no ‘Christians’ at the time this epistle was written.  There were only those of the Jewish nation (Torah observers) who had aligned themselves in the belief that Yeshua of Nazareth was/is the Messiah, as well as the Gentiles (those outside of the Jewish people) that had also chosen to believe and accept, and were continuing in the path of Torah. No such thing as a ‘gentile believer’, as these people had now been ‘grafted in’ (Rom 11:17-18), and were now part of Israel. The Tanakh (Old Testament) was the only ‘Bible’ they had, as the Apostolic Writings (New Testament) had as yet to be compiled, and it was from these writings that all were taught.

While the Hebrew word chêsêd (Strong’s H2617) is loosely translated as random acts of kindness, it is perhaps in the ACTION of chêsêd where ‘brotherly love’ can best be displayed and observed.  And for most of us, it takes little effort to be kind, to be gentle, to extend that hand where you know one is needed.  Perhaps Hillel said it the best:  "What is hateful to you, you shall not do so to your neighbor. This is the whole of the Torah, the rest is only commentary" (Shab. 31a).

The Greek word that has been translated as ‘brotherly love’ – some translations read ‘kindness’ – is the word philadelphia (Strong’s G5360), just like the American city by that name.  The word itself is only found six times in the Apostolic Writings, and in every occurrence signifies a loving relationship with those of the brethren, those that are like-minded.  I am going to take this one step further, and mention those folks who are still part of the westernized church system, or the Sunday church people, if you will.  They are serving the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to the best of their ability, to the best of their knowledge.  Yes, there are doctrinal errors in some of what they believe; however, there are many things that they do right, and they should still be treated with honor and respect.  I believe that the love that we have one for another is a sign of who we belong to: “By this shall all know that you are My taught ones, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35)

 

“The one who loves his brother stays in the light, and there is no stumbling-block in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (1Joh 2:10-11 ISR)

“Let the brotherly love continue.” (Heb 13:1 ISR)

 

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