Torah Portion Eikev – Reflecting God
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Torah: Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25
Haftarah: Isaiah 49:14-51:3
Besorah: Luke 24:13-32
Av 20, 5784 | August 24, 2024
Torah Portion: Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25)
In this portion, Moses continues his final address to the Israelites, emphasizing the blessings that come from obedience to God’s commandments and the importance of remembering His faithfulness.
As we explore this Torah portion, along with the Haftarah from Isaiah and the Besorah from Luke, we’ll focus on the theme of how to reflect God’s character in our lives by serving those around us with love, humility, and dedication.
The Hebrew word Eikev (עֵקֶב) is the name of the Torah portion and can be translated as “because” or “as a result of.” The portion begins with the phrase “V’haya eikev tishme’un” (וְהָיָה עֵקֶב תִּשְׁמְעוּן), which means “And it shall come to pass, because you listen” or “as a result of your listening” (Deuteronomy 7:12).
In this context, Eikev suggests a connection between obedience to God’s commandments and the blessings that will follow as a consequence. The word Eikev can also be associated with the Hebrew word for “heel” (עָקֵב, akev), symbolizing something that follows closely, just as the heel follows the rest of the foot. This association reinforces the idea that blessings will follow the people if they faithfully follow God’s commandments.
The Call to Obedience and Humility
In Deuteronomy 8:1-3, Moses is speaking to the Israelites about their journey through the wilderness. He reminds them that the whole experience was designed by God to humble them and test what was in their hearts. God allowed them to hunger and then provided manna, teaching them an essential lesson: “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”
Let’s think about that for a minute. What Moses is saying here is that our physical needs are important—after all, God provided manna—but there’s something even more critical: our spiritual nourishment. God was teaching the Israelites (and us) that true life, true fulfillment, comes from relying on His word, His promises, and His guidance.
In our lives, we often focus on meeting our physical needs—working hard, making sure we have enough to eat, and providing for our families. But how often do we stop to consider how we’re feeding our spirits?
Just as our bodies need food, our souls need God’s word. It’s about finding that balance and understanding that God’s words are life-giving. And part of living by every word of God involves humility—acknowledging that we can’t do it all on our own and that we need His help, His provision, every step of the way.
Imitating God’s Compassion and Justice
In Deuteronomy 10:17-19, Moses gives us a beautiful description of God’s character. He tells the Israelites that God is “the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.” This is the God who executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and who loves the stranger, providing him with food and clothing. Then Moses hits us with this: “You are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.”
This is a call to action. It’s not just about knowing who God is, but about reflecting His character in our own lives. God’s justice isn’t just an abstract concept; it’s active. He cares for the most vulnerable—the orphan, the widow, the stranger—and He expects us to do the same.
Imitating God means stepping into the shoes of those who are struggling and offering them the support they need. It’s about being fair, showing no favoritism, and providing for those who might otherwise be overlooked.
Think about how we can live this out today. Who in our communities needs a helping hand? Maybe it’s someone who’s new to the area, someone who’s going through a tough time, or someone who just doesn’t have the resources they need.
God calls us to be His hands and feet, to serve others with the same compassion and justice that He shows. This is what it means to walk in His ways—actively seeking to make a difference in the lives of others.
Haftarah: Isaiah 49:14-51:3
God’s Unfailing Compassion
In Isaiah 49:15-16, we get one of the most tender images of God’s love:
“Can a woman forget her baby, Or disown the child of her womb?
JPS
Though she might forget, I never could forget you.
See, I have engraved you On the palms of My hands, Your walls are ever before Me.”
Isn’t that powerful? The image of a mother and her child is one of the strongest examples of love and care, and yet God says His love is even more enduring.
He’s telling the people of Israel—and us—that no matter what happens, no matter how bleak things might seem, He hasn’t forgotten us. We’re literally engraved on the palms of His hands. That’s how close we are to Him. That’s how much He cares.
When we’re going through tough times, it’s easy to feel abandoned or alone. But this passage reminds us that God’s compassion is unfailing. He’s always there, always watching over us, always ready to comfort us.
And just as God shows us this incredible compassion, we’re called to reflect that same love and care in our relationships with others. When someone in our life is struggling, how can we be a source of comfort and support? How can we be a reflection of God’s never-ending love?
The Call to Trust and Follow God’s Ways
Isaiah 51:1-3 is a call to look back and remember God’s faithfulness to the patriarchs and matriarchs of our faith. God tells the people to look to Abraham and Sarah, the “rock from which you were hewn.” Just as He blessed and multiplied Abraham, He promises to comfort Zion, turning its wilderness into Eden, a place of joy and gladness.
This is about perspective. Sometimes, we get so caught up in the challenges we’re facing that we forget to look back and see all the ways God has been faithful in the past.
Isaiah is reminding us that the same God who blessed and guided Abraham and Sarah is still at work today. He’s still in the business of bringing hope out of hopelessness, joy out of sorrow, and life out of barren places.
When we’re feeling lost or overwhelmed, it’s important to remember that we’re part of a much bigger story—God’s story.
He’s been faithful throughout history, and He’ll continue to be faithful to us. Our job is to trust Him, to follow His ways, and to reflect that faithfulness in how we live. How can we be a source of comfort and hope to others, just as God has been to us?
Besorah: Luke 24:13-32
The Walk to Emmaus
In Luke 24:13-16, we find two disciples walking to Emmaus, discussing everything that had happened with Yeshua’s crucifixion. As they’re talking, Yeshua Himself comes up and walks with them, but they’re kept from recognizing Him.
Isn’t that fascinating? They’re walking with Yeshua, but they don’t even realize it.
How often does that happen to us? We’re going through our day, dealing with challenges, maybe even feeling a bit lost, and all the while, Yeshua is right there with us, but we don’t see Him.
This story is a reminder to be spiritually aware, to open our eyes to God’s presence in our everyday lives. Sometimes, we need to slow down, reflect, and ask God to reveal Himself to us in the midst of our journey.
As the story continues in verses 25-27, Yeshua begins to explain the Scriptures to the disciples, showing them how everything pointed to Him. Even though they don’t recognize Him yet, He’s teaching them, opening their minds to the truth.
What a lesson in patience and understanding!
Yeshua doesn’t get frustrated with them for not recognizing Him or understanding right away. Instead, He gently guides them, helping them see the bigger picture.
We can learn a lot from this when it comes to serving others. Sometimes people don’t “get it” right away. They might not see God’s hand in their lives or understand what He’s doing. Our job is to be patient, to guide, and to share God’s truth with love and compassion, just like Yeshua did.
The Revelation and Response
Finally, in Luke 24:30-32, we see the moment of revelation. When Yeshua breaks bread with them, their eyes are opened, and they recognize Him. But as soon as they do, He disappears from their sight. They immediately reflect on how their hearts were burning within them while He talked with them on the road.
This is such a powerful moment. It’s in the breaking of bread—an act of fellowship and sharing—that they finally see who Yeshua really is.
And isn’t that true for us, too? When we share a meal, when we sit down with others in fellowship, it’s often in those simple, everyday moments that we see God most clearly. We recognize His presence in our lives and in the lives of those around us.
And what’s their response? They don’t just sit there—they get up and go back to Jerusalem to share the news with the others. When we encounter God, when we see Him at work in our lives, it should inspire us to action. We’re called to share that experience, to encourage others, and to spread the message of God’s love and faithfulness.
Connecting the Teachings: Imitating God and Serving Others
The Torah portion, Haftarah, and Besorah all invite us to reflect God’s character in our daily lives. They challenge us to live out our faith by serving others with compassion, humility, and love.
1. Imitating God’s Compassion:
- Just as God shows compassion to the vulnerable, we’re called to extend that same love and care to those around us. Whether it’s through acts of kindness, supporting someone in need, or simply being present for a friend, we can reflect God’s heart in everything we do.
2. Serving with Humility:
- Humility is key to serving others effectively. When we recognize that everything we have comes from God, it frees us to serve without seeking recognition or reward. Our focus shifts from ourselves to the needs of others, and in doing so, we truly walk in God’s ways.
3. Recognizing God’s Presence:
- Just like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we need to be aware of God’s presence in our lives, even when it’s not immediately obvious. By staying connected to Him through prayer, Scripture, and fellowship, we can learn to recognize His hand at work and be inspired to share His love with others.
Reflection Questions
- How can you imitate God’s compassion in your interactions with others, especially those who are vulnerable or marginalized?
- In what areas of your life can you serve others with greater humility, recognizing that all good things come from God?
- How does the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus encourage you to be more aware of God’s presence in your daily life?
- What steps can you take to ensure that you’re walking in God’s ways and reflecting His character in your actions?
- How can you share the message of God’s love and faithfulness with others, just as the disciples shared the news of Yeshua’s resurrection?
My Final Thoughts
The Torah portion Eikev, the Haftarah from Isaiah, and the Besorah from Luke all offer us profound lessons in imitating God’s character and serving others. As we reflect on these teachings, let’s commit to walking in God’s ways, showing compassion, and serving others with humility and love. May these actions draw us closer to God and to each other, as we seek to live lives that honor Him.
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NEW Kids Mussar on YouTube!!
I have been wanting to start a Mussar program (developing spiritual traits) for kids ever since I started the adult program but health issues preventing me from being able to focus on it. Well, the time has come! I recently launched Mussar for Kids on YouTube where we have songs about different traits that young children can listen to with animated video to go along with it! I would love it if you would check it out, like, subscribe and share so we can get more biblical teachings out there for kids!
If you would like more teachings or want to explore our courses, visit our Besorah Learning Center! I just added a whole bunch of new devotionals (including some FREE ones), including a set for teens! We do have a Basic Beginner’s Hebrew Course as well if you have been wanting to learn Biblical Hebrew!
Tanakh: a New Translation of the Holy Scriptures According to the Traditional Hebrew Text. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1985