The Romanian-born Jewish author, activist, professor, Nobel laureate, and Holocaust survivor (surviving both the Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps), Eliezer "Elie" Wiesel (1928-2016), in a statement made to a British newspaper [the Daily Mail] on July 15, 1988, made this observation: "I marvel at the resilience of the Jewish people. Their best characteristic is their desire to remember. No other people has such an obsession with memory." The concept of remembrance, especially of God and His gracious dealings with His called-forth people, is evidenced throughout the biblical narrative. In fact, the call to "remember" is found hundreds of times in the Scriptures. If we're honest, however, we'll have to admit that the people of God throughout history have had a tendency to forget God, and such forgetfulness has never served them well. In Jeremiah 2:32, God lamented, "My people have forgotten Me days without number." Yet, He had clearly commanded, "Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God" (Deuteronomy 8:18). Sadly, we are a fickle people, constantly in need of being reminded of truths and realities we too easily forget. Thus, God instituted numerous objective focal points among His people to serve as visible reminders of His love and grace, and also of their need to order their lives appropriately in response.

In addition to various commandments and laws, the Lord prescribed points of remembrance that were more visible and tangible in nature. There were sacrifices of animals, birds, grain, and wine. There were physical structures like the tabernacle and later the temple, along with their many dedicated objects such as altars, incense, veils, bowls, etc. There was the pot of manna, Aaron's budding rod, the urim and thummim, the priestly robes, and countless other such items, each of which were reminders of something spiritually significant to the people of God. There were specials days and annual events, such as the Sabbath, Passover, the Feast of Tabernacles/Booths, Purim, and many others. There were also certain objects the people were to make that contained portions of the sacred writings, and these objects were to be placed on the body or on the doorposts of their homes. The former was known as a phylactery, which was a "small square leather box containing slips inscribed with scriptural passages and traditionally worn on the left arm and on the head by observant Jewish men and especially adherents of Orthodox Judaism during morning weekday prayers" [Merriam-Webster Dictionary]. "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead" (Deuteronomy 6:8; 11:18). The latter was known as a mezuzah, which is the Hebrew word for "doorpost." Various texts, especially the words of the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4f), were to be written on parchment, placed within a case, and affixed to the doorposts of their dwellings. "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates" (Deuteronomy 6:9; 11:20). It is this tradition of the mezuzah that I want us to examine more closely in this current issue of my Reflections.

To those of us who are "goyim," a modern Hebrew and Yiddish term meaning a non-Jew (an outsider, a Gentile), such objects as a phylactery or a mezuzah may seem rather strange, although a Jew might have a similar view of a Christian "goy" (singular of "goyim") wearing a cross in the form of a necklace or earring, or having crosses attached to the outside or inside of one's home. To both groups, these are simply objects of remembrance and devotion, serving very similar purposes. God has commanded such remembrances under both old and new covenants: the Lord's Supper, for example, for those of us who cherish the sacrifice of God's Son. "Do this in remembrance of Me" (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). These objects are not holy or salvific in and of themselves (although we sometimes make them so) but are simply emblems and symbols that remind us of the greater realities upon which our faith is fixed. Similarly, the mezuzah case, and the parchment within it, were not holy or salvific in and of themselves, but simply designed to keep God and His words ever before them. "The spirit of the command, and the chief thing intended, was that they would give all diligence to, and use all means to keep, God's laws always in remembrance" [The Preacher’s Homiletical Commentary, e-Sword].

Sadly, God's people, under both old and new covenants, tended to lose sight of the spiritual aspects of these items of remembrance, and they elevated them instead to objects of veneration. "The Jews, forgetting the spirit and design of this precept, used these things (i.e., the phylactery and mezuzah) as superstitious people do amulets or charms" [ibid]. Some Christians do the same with the cross, using it (and even making "the sign of the cross") to ward off evil or protect them from demons and vampires! The Jews did the same. An online Jewish site, which dealt with the mezuzah, stated, "Some believe the mezuzah to contain magical properties; that it is a good luck charm that protects them from evil and harm. Many Jews believe that the mezuzah can guard their houses, their cars, and their possessions. Thus, they keep a mezuzah in these places, believing it to be an amulet to defend them from evildoers." Again, we Christian goyim can't be too judgmental of our Jewish brethren, for historically we have done much the same with our Christian objects of remembrance. Such objects can also be abused by allowing them to become objects of pride and vanity. Jesus had some very pointed and harsh words for the Pharisees in Matthew 23, and one of His criticisms of them was that "they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments" (vs. 5). Our Lord did not condemn the use of these items; rather, He took exception to these religionists trying to appear superior to other believers by making these items bigger and fancier. It was all about putting on a show.

The idea behind the phylactery and the mezuzah was that these items would be constant reminders that the Lord God, and His love for them and their love for Him, would fill their hearts and their homes; He would indwell them and dwell where they dwelled. Thus, the powerful words of the Shema would ever be in their hearts and homes! "Hear, O Israel. The Lord is our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up" (Deuteronomy 6:4-7). The passage then immediately gives instruction about the phylactery (vs. 8) and the mezuzah (vs. 9). The parallel passage to this is Deuteronomy 11:18-20. In both old and new covenants, the primary Truth that is to be impressed upon our hearts and minds, and which is to be imparted to our households, is that we are to love the Lord our God with all of our being, and we are to evidence that love in all our daily actions and interactions. Thus, the phylactery on the body is to remind us that God is Lord of our lives; the mezuzah on the doorpost is to remind us that God is the Lord of our homes! "The mezuzah represents the concept of the doorpost as the dividing line between the outside world and the sanctity of the home" [from an online Jewish site].

The doorpost has always played a significant spiritual role within the lives of the people of God. Prior to inflicting the tenth plague upon the Egyptians, for example, God ordered the people of Israel to take some of the blood of a lamb and "put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses" in which they were to eat this "Passover" lamb (Exodus 12:7). When the angel saw the blood on the doorpost, he would pass over that house and spare those within from death. This practice would become part of their Passover tradition for generations to come. The shed blood of the lamb would signify the covering of that home (i.e., its occupants) from the curse of death; they would fall under the loving protection of God. The shed blood of the Lamb of God does the same for us today. Not only individually, but if we have the same resolve as Joshua ("But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD” - Joshua 24:15), that resolve will place our homes and families under the saving power of Christ's blood. "There is a fine hint here that home devotions and home teaching of the words and will of the Lord should be a prominent feature in every Christian family" [Dr. Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible, vol. 1, p. 314]. Our God always intended the home to be a safe haven for His people, a place where love reigned (love for God and love for one another). It would be a constant refuge from the harshness and cruelty of the world around them. As the members of each home came and went daily through the doorway of their house, they would see the mezuzah, which would remind them that they were loved by their God, and that they were to love Him and others, and that they were to manifest this love in their lives. We all need that same reminder today, for the home should be the first line of defense against the godlessness of this world, yet far too often it is not.

The mezuzah is typically affixed in a slanted fashion to the doorpost of a house, and oftentimes to doorposts within the house (customs vary among Jewish communities on this). You will rarely see it hung straight (either vertically or horizontally). "The reason behind the slant dates back to the 11th century, when a French rabbi named Rashi, and his grandson Rabbenu Tam, who was also a rabbi, argued about the proper orientation of the mezuzah. Rashi believed the mezuzah should be hung vertically, pointing towards God, while Rabbenu Tam argued for a horizontal orientation, citing instances in the Bible where important documents were kept horizontally. This issue was eventually solved by placing the mezuzah at a tilt. This symbolizes an important compromise in Jewish law, symbolizing how multiple voices and perspectives are welcomed and taken into account in Judaism" [from an online Jewish site].

"The home is here supposed to be a center in which the conserving forces of truth and godliness are to be themselves conserved. What a profound principle Moses here indicates, viz. that a nation will be good or bad according to its home life! How wonderful that an infant nation should, at its starting, have this truth deep graven in its statutes - i.e., our land will be as our homes are! NOTE: Whatever was essential in the days of Moses, in the training of children for God as the means of guarding a nation, is no less needful now - 'Fathers, bring up your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord' - Ephesians 6:4" [The Pulpit Commentary, vol. 3, p. 123]. The slanting of the top of the mezuzah toward the interior of the house indicates the Lord's focus upon those within this dwelling. His love and concern are for them, and His eyes are ever on them to guide and protect them. This mezuzah would be a constant reminder to those within this house that they were to be mindful of God and His will for their lives at home as well as during those times at the tabernacle or the temple [Adam Clarke, Clarke's Commentary, vol. 1, p. 755]. "Every home in which love dwells will be a temple" [The Pulpit Commentary, vol. 3, p. 129]

From a Minister in New Zealand:

I just read your article titled "The Divine Dishwasher: Studying a Simile in 2 Kings 21:13" (Reflections #885). That was a good article, Al. Yes, we can be patriots and followers of Jesus at the same time. The book of Amos, chapters 1-2, is evidence of this, and Jonah testifies to it as well. Righteousness exalts a nation, and sin is a reproach to any people. Again - good one, brother!

From a Reader on the Island of Barbados :

Brother Al, thank you so much for sharing that article on "The Divine Dishwasher." Keep on staying fresh, staying relevant, and staying with the Word of God. I am an appreciative reader on Barbados!!

From a Reader in Tennessee:

Brother Al, while I have received your Reflections for years, this is my first written comment to you. I just wanted to say how very much I appreciated your article on "The Divine Dishwasher." At first, I was not sure how it would play out, but when I saw the reference to King Manasseh, I knew where you were going with it. How true it is (what you wrote in your article), and how very close we are in this nation to the precipice! I just hope and pray we can turn things around quickly. Thanks again, Al, for this article!

From a Reader in South Carolina:

Al, "The Divine Dishwasher" was an excellent article, and I agree with you 100%. If we don't turn our country around, then God will punish this nation!!

From a Reader in Georgia:

Al, regarding your "Divine Dishwasher" article, I see some leaders in our faith-heritage who are scared to death that Christians will be involved with politics. Some are even declaring that America isn't a priority for us, but only God's kingdom. So sad! Yes, God's kingdom must always be first, but we should also realize that every nation is of concern to our God, as it should be to His people who live there. I wonder if some of those preachers and elders aren't infected with a little TDS (Trump derangement syndrome)!! Love ya, brother.

From a Missionary in Tanzania, Africa:

Please remove me from your mailing list for Reflections. I have become increasingly aware that you have two allegiances: one to God and another to this nation (the USA). I should have noticed the implications when I saw you had posted a picture of yourself on Facebook holding a machine gun during your two years in Vietnam, something I know Jesus would never do!! Nevertheless, I have learned much from your writings, and I have them all in my files. By the way, your last article on "The Divine Dishwasher" was excellent, although I felt it left out much concerning a broader definition of what sin looks like. God bless you, Al.

From a Reader in Oklahoma:

Al, I believe that our once great country has only months to survive. I am convinced that God is going to wipe the USA from the world, and that He is going to do it soon. I fear there are simply too FEW who are willing to repent of the insanity and perversion to cause God to relent from what is coming! Also, far too many "church"-going people treat God's church as a social club. This country is about to fall.

From a Reader in Texas:

Al, I had to drop you a note because I had some tears of joy in my eyes during our sermon by Rick Fyffe this past Sunday morning (July 21, 2024) here at the Southeast Church of Christ in the Houston area. His sermon was titled "Where Do We Go From Here?" (Click Here to watch and listen to this service). I don't get tears in my eyes very often, and so this has to have been one of my all-time favorite lessons by our minister. This was his conclusion to a series on hell, where he barely scratched the surface of all that he could have done with the topic, though he did come up with a few surprises that caught me off guard, having not heard them before. The "surprise" this week, however, was what he said would likely be the only two things keeping people away from God (or out of heaven). The two items were self-righteousness and hypocrisy. He then went on to mention several things he had faced as a preacher, from not being allowed to baptize divorced people and other things, and how ashamed he was to have been part of a heritage that was obsessed with "being RIGHT."

The big surprise was a picture he put on the screen that was obviously our own entry to our auditorium. He then exclaimed, "You probably recognize the place, but none of the people!" He then told us how a church in our vicinity had lost the use of their building and had called nearly every other church in our area asking for a place to hold their worship service on Sunday afternoon. All of these other churches said NO. Probably last on the list to call was us (because of the reputation of Churches of Christ), but they called anyway, and our leadership said YES! This group was a Pentecostal church, and they said, "We understand your commitment to singing without instruments, and if you want, we will adhere to your belief in your building." I'm proud to say that our leaders said to them, "No, you go ahead and worship in whatever way you desire and are used to for your own group." This other group was shocked, and we were told that they rocked our auditorium with praise unto God. Al, the message you have been preaching is getting out, and I am so proud that our congregation (from a heritage with a reputation of being the least likely to offer their buildings) was, in fact, the only one that DID step up and make it possible for that church to worship God! The love of God evidenced in that act was witnessed by a great many people in this area! We love you, brother, and I sent this so that you would know that the message you preach IS getting through to others!!

• This dear brother, Mike Smith, has been a dear friend for many years. In fact, he and his wife have traveled out here to see Shelly and me several times over the years and have worshipped with us a number of times. He also graciously gave me permission to share his email with my readers, and he said there was no problem with me mentioning the name and location of his congregation. I really appreciate Mike doing this, because this testimony of this loving act toward other brethren in Christ NEEDS to be shared far and wide. It should inspire us all to greater efforts to achieve unity among believers. I don't know everyone in that particular congregation, but I do know that one of the elders there is also a longtime reader of my Reflections and a Facebook friend. Almost two years ago to the day (Sunday, July 24, 2022) an historic Unity Service was held between our congregation and the Mountain View church (which is Pentecostal) here in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Interestingly enough, Mike and his wife were present at that service!! The story of how that service came about is found here: Reflections #849 - "A Memorable Unity Assembly: A Day of Worship, Prayer, and Fellowship." In the picture at the top of the article, Mike and his wife are seen in the very center of the photo, backs to the camera; he has a purplish shirt, and she is to his left in a black/white speckled shirt). It was such an honor to have them with us on that very memorable and spiritually special day! That entire service, by the way, can be seen and heard on YouTube and also on Facebook (the links to both sites are given in the text of my above-mentioned Reflections article). -- Al Maxey

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