Tefillin without Torah

When I traveled to Israel in 2005, I noticed small metal boxes permanently affixed to the door jambs.  The metal box and parchment is called the "mezuzah."  A qualified scribe uses special ink and a writing implement to copy selected verses from the Torah.  One of the utilized passages is likely Deuteronomy 6:4-9:  "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! ⁵ You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. ⁶ "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. ⁸ You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ⁹ You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."  This has been a long-standing tradition observed by Jewish people both in Israel and around the world.

During my trip to Israel I spent several days in Jerusalem, in the walled area commonly called the "Old City" as a point of reference.  It was common to see male Orthodox Jews wearing tefillin (small leather boxes which also contain parts of the Torah) on their forehead and left arm.  Coming from an American background, it was amazing to see people devoted to their religious beliefs and traditions.  I greatly respect those who out of love for God and His word make great sacrifices to honour and obey Him.  Indeed, no sacrifice is too great when you serve the greatest God!  While my Christian theology may be repulsive to some Orthodox Jews because of fundamental differences (I believe Jesus Christ has been revealed as the Messiah and Son of God), I love and highly respect them.

As I looked at the mezuzah in our hostel, I considered the Spirit behind the letter of the Law of Moses.  Hidden under the metal cover were scriptures from the Torah, the Word of God.  But because of the case it could not be read.  Other than meeting the requirement of the Law, what function could the words of truth serve if they remained hidden and unseen?  I read that the parchment is to be inspected by a professional scribe twice during a seven year period.  The same question could be posed concerning the tefillin:  what profit is it to carry the Word of God so no one can see it?  When I read the Deuteronomy passage, I am reminded how God has said that He will write His law upon our hearts.  I ought to love God with all my heart, soul, and strength, and continually teach my children to do the same at all times.  Just like a man would tie a string around his finger to remind and signal him of a task to perform, or how a woman wears a jeweled frontlet between her eyes for beautification, in like manner the Word of God must be valuable and precious to me.  God's Word provides instructions and signs to follow.  The doorposts and gates of a home or city provide security and strength.  As a Christian, my faith is founded on the truth as revealed through the Holy Scriptures.

It is possible that a man may obey all the traditions of men from his youth and still not enjoy a relationship with God.  He might rise early and go to bed late because of much praying, purchase tefillin from revered scribes at great cost, and recite the Torah verbatim daily from memory and still not know God or be known by God.  Jesus has been revealed as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, the Living Bread which has been sent from heaven, and the True Light which has come into the world.  Unless a man knows Christ, He cannot know God.  Jesus said He is the Resurrection and the Life:  the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes unto the Father except through Him.  Traditions are good when they cause us to remember and honour God, but they can be empty as tefillin without the Torah when we simply "go through the motions."

Psalm 119:11 says, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!"  As a young person, I thought this verse meant I was supposed to memorize passages from the Bible.  But what good is the memorization of scripture unless I heed it?  Jesus Christ is the Word become flesh.  When the Spirit of God dwells within my heart, His presence will be evidenced by a life lived for the glory of God through His power.  The truths of God's Word keep me from sin.  All people ought to treasure and continually bring to remembrance the true sayings of God as revealed in the Bible.  Christians are called by some, "people of the Book."  May we invest our time in the mastery of God's Word so He might have full mastery over us.  What good is a Bible unless it is opened?  And what is the purpose of reading without understanding?  What will knowledge without wisdom profit?

Jesus says in John 16:12-15:  "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵ All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you."  Jesus still has much to teach us.  No matter how many works we have performed for God's glory, there are many left undone.  May our traditions and practices draw us into closer communion with our LORD and Saviour, and may others be drawn to the beauty of His holiness!  May Christ Himself be as a sign on our hands and as frontlets between our eyes!