So Shavuot is celebrating the convenant of Moses and the giving of the Torah. There is more to this festival. But that is just a bare bones assessment of what it is about.
From this website: "The Hebrew word, torah (תורה), is derived from a root that was used in the realm of archery, yareh (ירה). Yareh means to shoot an arrow in order to hit a mark. The mark or target, of course, was the object at which the archer was aiming. Consequently, torah, one of the nouns derived from this root, is, therefore, the arrow aimed at the mark, The target is the truth about God and how one relates to Him. The torah is, therefore, in the strict sense instruction designed to teach us the truth about God. It reveals the character of God and gives us guidelines so that we can live and thrive. Torah means direction,teaching, instruction,or doctrine."
So God gave us this truth/instructions by which we are to be in relationship with him. This is, of course, a continuation of the covenant of Abraham in which we learn that our righteousness comes through faith and belief. But then we are given the truth/instructions of how to be in relationship with God.
But of course we often miss the mark of the law, to continue the archery theme. And then Yeshua came to share with us more about the Torah and the heart of pursuing that relationship with God. He explained the covenant further. And He was the spotless lamb needed for our relationship with God, just as we celebrated 50 days ago at Pesach/Passover. He was living, walking example of Torah. He was the "end" (not as in the period or the stop but the fulfillment and culmination of Torah. But the Torah was/is still so relevant. It is there to teach us the truth about God, it was the path Yeshua himself walked, and it is the way we walk to have abundant life. I am not doing nearly as good a job as I have heard others explain this. I am so grateful for knowledgeable guidance from some friends and a book called Restoration. But back on topic...
Then, He (Yeshua) said it was better that He go away and leave us the Helper/Spirit of Truth (John 14:16-17). That title really struck me. The Holy Spirit was to be the Spirit of Truth. That means he is the spirit of Torah. And he helps us to be in relationship/covenant with God. And it is just even more significant that on a day when the disciples were gathered to celebrate the giving of Torah that they would received the Spirit of Torah to dwell within them.
And then I was reading from a bible study by Pricilla Shirer. And she said this and it really struck me too:
"While our insatiable desire to know it all seems to rarely be satisfied, we must discipline ourselves to place confidence in His decision to give us the information we need to successfully accomplish the step we are on in the journey." And then a bit later she said: "They [the disciples] could rest easy in Jesus' departure and the partial information He'd given them not because they had enough notes from their three years with Him to carry them the rest of the way but because a wise and wonderful Director would be with them to given them step-by-step instructions. If they'd listen, He'd guide. If they'd follow, He'd lead. The result--a life well lived and a journey well taken"
God's story is so rich and woven together in a way to reveal himself to us and to equip us for this journey of life and our worship to him. He is full of mercy and endless love. I celebrate and remember! Praise God!
