Worthy Brief - 6/21/2023
Friend, understand the obligation of love!
Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Here's another interesting Hebrew word parallel. The Hebrew word for "love" or "affection", "chiba", is formed by the same root letters as the word, "chova", "obligation", "debt", or "duty". In Hebrew, the only difference between these two words is a few vowel points. But you say, "Isn't love the very opposite of obligation !?" Well, yes and no. The Hebrew language has a wonderful way of relating concepts which seem incompatible.
The common romantic view of love in films and novels draws heavily on strong feelings of affection or passion. Even our love for God can flow from those kinds of feelings. (The apostle Peter was filled with them shortly before he denied the Lord three times.) But love based on obligation is another matter, and it's significant that the Jewish marriage contract, the "Ketubah", contains a list of "obligations" that a husband is required to fulfill for his wife. He might be passionately "in love" with her when he signs this contract, yet the wisdom of experience says this passion may wither with time, so the marriage ceremony formally "obligates" him to his spouse. By accepting these "obligations", he agrees that love is nurtured by commitment.
One Rabbi commented: "Love which flows from obligation endures, but when obligation follows love, both are doomed."
Our bridal relationship to Yeshua (Jesus) also reflects this reality. His "obligation" to us flowed from an irrevocable decision of His will and commitment to love us...which cost Him His human life. We might speculate on the Lord's feelings for us, but we don't have to wonder at all about His obligation, or the absolute security we have in His love for us. Our love for Him can be the same. Feelings of love are wonderful. But they also come and go. And there'll be times when we wonder, "Where's that lovin' feeling? Is God really there?" And that's when the sure foundation of commitment will arise in the heart of every true lover.
Friend, God's great love for us is expressed in His commitment; to cover our debt of sin; guide us through this earthly life, and be our eternal Heavenly Husband. Cleansed by His blood and filled with His Spirit we can love Him and one another with the same commitment. The feelings will follow.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Dallas, TX)
(Baltimore, MD)
Editor's Note: We are planning our Summer and Fall Tour so if you would like us to minister at your congregation, home fellowship, or Israel focused event, be sure to let us know ASAP. You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information.
Beijing and Havana in talks about joint military base in northern Cuba
China and Cuba are in talks over building a joint military training facility in northern Cuba that could lead to Beijing having permanently stationed troops close to the United States, thus also expanding the scope for espionage activity, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday. The facility would be located just 100 miles from the US mainland.
Russia hopes to sign free trade agreement with Iran by end of year
In further evidence of warm ties between Russia and Iran, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk announced this week that Moscow hopes to sign a free trade zone agreement with Iran and several other Eurasion countries by the end of the year, i24News reports.
Titanic Submarine Goes Missing; Rescue Launched
A submersible used to take tourists to view the wreck of the doomed Titanic ship has gone missing in the Atlantic Ocean, sparking a search and rescue mission, officials say.
Austria Foils Islamist Attack Against Pride Parade
Austria was investigating three suspected Islamists Monday who were detained over allegedly planning to attack the annual LGBTQ+ Pride parade.
Pakistan Mourns Migrant Shipwreck Deaths As Greece Prosecutes Smugglers
Pakistan was holding a day of mourning, and nine suspected human smugglers were to appear at a court in Greece after one of Europe’s worst migrant ship disasters killed hundreds, many of them Pakistanis.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Kills Islamic Jihad Terrorists in Fiery Jenin Raid; Media Fails to Report the Full Facts
The Israeli military launched a counter-terrorism raid in the West Bank city of Jenin on Sunday to arrest terrorists planning deadly attacks against civilians in Israel.
Germany to pay $1.4 billion to Holocaust survivors next year, “this suffering is still being felt deeply”
Continuing its commitment to making reparations for the Holocaust, Germany is set to pay $1.4 billion in 2024 to fund welfare programs and one-time direct compensation payments to survivors, USA Today reports.
Inside the United States
Federal judge strikes down Arkansas ban on transgender treatments for minors
A federal judge on Tuesday struck down Arkansas's ban on transgender-related treatments for minors, including hormone treatments, puberty blockers, or sex reassignment surgeries.
SCOTUS punts on Christian college’s challenge to Biden transgender housing directive
The Supreme Court on Tuesday opted against hearing a Christian college's challenge to a Biden administration rule that it says infringed on its policy of separating its residence halls by biological sex.
Hunter Biden Pleads Guilty In Deal To Avoid Jail
President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, will plead guilty in a deal to avoid jail time after he was charged with a gun felony and two tax misdemeanors.
Biden Admin Misses Deadline to Reveal Intelligence Findings on COVID-19 Origins
A June 18 deadline for President Joe Biden’s administration to declassify and release documents pertaining to the origins of COVID-19 has come and gone without a clear response.
John Durham to Testify on Capitol Hill This Week
Special counsel John Durham is expected to testify this week before the House Intelligence Committee and the House Judiciary Committee.
Vietnam Whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg Dies At 92
Journalists, friends, and family have plunged into mourning after Daniel Ellsberg, a military analyst who became one of the most important whistleblowers of the 20th century by leaking secret documents about the Vietnam War, died over the weekend.
Christian News
Nigeria: Fulani murder 46 Christians in Benue state, “the whole land is thrown into wailing and mourning”
Nigeria’s government came under renewed fire for doing nothing to end the ongoing jihadist slaughter of Christians in the country after Fulani jihadist herdsmen murdered 46 Christians in Benue state earlier this month, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Islamic jihadists have murdered well over 50,000 Christians in Nigeria since 2009, killing 5,014 last year alone.
Freed US Missionary ‘In Hell’ During Captivity
An evangelical American missionary recently freed after more than six years of captivity by Islamic extremists said Monday he had endured hell in part because he refused to convert to Islam.
Christian Teaching Assistant Wins Appeal Against Sacking Over Transgender Views
A Christian teaching assistant who lost her job in England after publicly opposing transgender books in primary schools has won an appeal in a case seen as crucial for “freedom of belief and freedom of expression,” her advocates told Worthy News.