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Utensil of Blessing: Peace

By Boaz Michael | Comments (2) | Posted on January 5, 2007

We are living in exciting times. Believers, both Jewish and non-Jewish, from all denominations and backgrounds are beginning to see the beauty and relevance of the Torah. We are seeing a restoration that has not been seen since the days of the apostles.

And yet, when individuals either join or create fellowships, we realize that not everyone sees eye to eye. Our excitement is sometimes stifled by arguments over doctrine and practice. Sadly, congregational splits, families leaving, and individuals at odds with one another are common outcomes. In our efforts toward restoration and hammering out the details of a Torah lifestyle, we sometimes forget the importance of living in shalom and unity.

We at First Fruits of Zion are in a unique position because we are not exclusively affiliated with any one congregational organization. Therefore, we are able to see things from a different perspective. Our prayer is that God will use us as an instrument of His shalom as we speak at various congregations, and with individuals that differ on certain issues.

Through these kinds of opportunities, we have been forced to ask the question: What does true unity look like? Does it just mean forming an official denomination and bringing everyone under one centralized leadership? Or, is it simply singing the same songs and hearing a Shabbat sermon every week? Hardly! If it were that easy, there wouldn’t be any issues!

So, where does unity begin? It starts with each one of us. Biblical ethics foster unity—qualities like justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23); righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17); and faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13). Unity is born from respect, humility, and kindness.

Said R. Joshua b. Levi, "The Holy One, blessed be He, is going to give as an inheritance to every righteous man three hundred and ten worlds, as it is written, ‘That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance and that I may fill their treasuries.’” (Proverbs 8:21)

Said R. Simeon b. Halafta, "The Holy One, blessed be He, found no utensil to hold Israel's blessing except for peace, As it is written, ‘The Lord will give strength to His people. The Lord will bless His people with peace.’” (from Psalm 29:11, Mishnah Uqtzin 3:12)

With unity comes blessing. Rabbi Simeon describes peace as being the very vessel in which Israel's blessings are stored. There are also some blessings that come only to "His people," meaning a collective whole. God certainly blesses us individually, but there are other blessings reserved only for the corporate body, just as the popular song Hinei Mah Tov goes, "Behold how good and how pleasant it is, for brothers to dwell together in unity." (Psalm 133)

We all know that unity is a good thing, but what about the reverse? How bad is division? The apostle Paul does not mince words,

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of G-d dwells in you? ["you" is written in the plural form] If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are." (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

Those are serious words, showing that unity and division are serious matters to God. Unity takes much effort to attain. So, rather than wrestling with the Scriptures and our past theologies, we can aspire to wrestle with ourselves in our flesh. We have to overcome the tendency to bear grudges, speak gossip, lie, and grumble. We must have gratitude, humility, compassion, and love. Wherever our flesh is weak, the strength of God's Spirit is able to overcome. It's not a matter of trying, but of surrendering.

Please keep the staff of FFOZ in your prayers as we endeavor to encourage unity and peace in the body of Messiah. Pray that God would give us wisdom and insight as we help to bring peace between man and his brother.

If you or your community would benefit from meeting with us, feel free to contact us to arrange a possible time.

May the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, guard your hearts and minds in Messiah Yeshua. (Phillippians 4:7)

About the Author: Boaz Michael is the president and founder of First Fruits of Zion.

Visitor Comments

Boaz
I am filled with joy to read your post in your last Editoral I felt that we had been abandon in the search for overall leadership I think we need. I understand you position and accept it. Though at times to have someone who knows more and has greater experience to turn to in organized setting would be wonderful. Yet there are draw backs walking down that road.

Unity is tuff to there is great lack in our collective ability to communicate effectly and to hear hard words. That takes maturity and training for this to happen. I want you personally to know that everything that is done in the greater community is done in infancy of Torah. I feel so lost in trying understand the obligations and their true meaning in our greater community. At times I wish I could find someone who has skill to mediate between us or instruct us. I know that when we as community deal with the difficuilties and we act without a mediator. That makes it even tuffer for everyone involved. Yet true responsibility is found in accepting responsiblity for your actions with in the community that it is hard to do.

The movoment is growing Boaz and that means the evil one is also on the offensive so division is excepted. Yet I will tell you of a little of our community. After the Wooden Podium our community had stagnated yet I chose to remain until it become clear that things would not work. We seperated relucantly, I cried ( I was heart broken) for weeks praying for direction. Today our small community is growing in amazing ways. We were just one then we are two families and in 5 months we are now 4 families in our small group. Division is not always bad always regetable though.

Warren

Posted by: Warren Nyack | January 5, 2007 7:22 AM

Boaz:

This is such a great post. I think that we need to continually ask ourselves the question "What does unity look like?" I often see people who do not have unity and peace as their main objective and that draws a certain amount of division with it.

Are we all always going to agree with each other? Nope! Are we all going to sometimes find division a necessity? Yes. But, what matters is how we see, work, pray, and love each other in spite of our differences. The minute we create an "us" versus "them" atmosphere unity will become more and more difficult, if not impossible. I have seen that happen all too often.

Great message Boaz, Amen and Amen.

Shalom,
Bill

Posted by: Bill Beyer | January 5, 2007 2:33 PM

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