Be an Agent of Hope
Parashat Bechukotai, Leviticus 26:3–27:34
Mary Haller, Tikvat Israel, Richmond, VA
Preparing this drash has taken me on a journey through my own faith walk. While processing the challenging part of this week’s reading known as the Tochechah (“Reproach” or “Rebuke,” Lev 26:14–43), I realized how prayerful self-examination holds the potential to lead us to a deeper connection with hope.
When we read through this portion we are initially made aware of the importance of obedience and how it has an effect on our future. In the Tochechah, we quickly learn how Israel’s failure to follow God’s laws and keep his commands has consequences. History tells us these consequences can be deadly. Thankfully, this dark section is immediately followed by a wonderful reminder of hope in 26:44-45.
Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, nor will I hate them into utter destruction, and break My covenant with them, for I am Adonai their God. But for their sake I will remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God. I am Adonai.
In my early walk of faith, life seemed simple—do good and be obedient and it will be okay. It didn’t take long for me, however, to realize life on earth is not at all simple. It was during that time I began to read scripture not just for face value, but to understand the underlying meaning. This shift initiated lessons that were challenging but valuable. It wasn’t too long before my prayers shifted from what I needed to prayers for understanding what my Creator desired of me. I wanted to live out what he had designed me to do.
The day was May 25; the year was 2005. Memorial Day celebrations in the USA were just around the corner. The day was clear and the morning sun was shining brightly in the eastern sky, bringing with it a warmth that felt like a loving hug. I was sitting at my desk looking out the large window onto my peaceful street. Thoughts were flooding my head as I prepared my fingers to be the vehicle that brought my thoughts to the keyboard and into words. My thoughts of love, mercy, grace, and hope were then interrupted by the harsh clanging sound of the doorbell.
Answering the door that day changed my life forever. God’s lesson plan was nothing I could have predicted, and my only preparation was the life I had lived leading up to that day. My childhood, my choice to surrender my life to Messiah, and every moment led me to this time.
On the other side of my door were two young soldiers, one male and one female. They were in dress greens with maroon head covers. Let me explain: both my son and my son-in-law were serving in the military. The maroon head covers told me these two soldiers were attached to an airborne unit. Immediately my mind went to thoughts of my son, since his assignment was with the 82nd Airborne Unit. Confusion set in and I asked myself what could possibly have happened that would cause these soldiers to be at my door? It was as if my whole body was moving in slow motion, as if time had stopped.
The day suddenly took a sharp detour. One moment I was preparing a lesson on living a life filled with the hope we have in Messiah and the promises of blessings that are ours. The next moment the messengers were delivering their news. One soldier was a chaplain from Ft. Liberty (then known as Ft. Bragg) and the other was his driver.
The message they were tasked to deliver was harsh. With it came a lesson for my entire family. Life has dark days, and we must choose how to proceed. The soldiers stood straight and tall asking repeatedly for my daughter. My thoughts were not of relief. I knew the message was dire and her future would be forever changed.
The Army only sends soldiers to a family member’s door to deliver a death notification. Our son-in-law sacrificed his life that day carrying out a mission in Iraq. My heart was broken for my young daughter, and for my son-in-law’s family. Anger could have followed the brokenness that invaded my soul, and that anger could have slipped into hatred, utterly disabling me from providing loving support for my daughter.
Thankfully, I was able to press on in love, extending grace and mercy, and being an agent of hope in this time of despair.
Throughout history, many people have been faced with dire circumstances. Elie Wiesel was clearly an agent of hope in a time when hope was scarce. He made many statements on the value and importance of hope, including this:
One must wager on the future. I believe it is possible, in spite of everything, to believe in friendship in a world without friendship, and even to believe in God in a world where there has been an eclipse of God’s face. . . . We must not give in to cynicism. To save the life of a single child, no effort is too much. . . . To defeat injustice and misfortune, if only for one instant for a single victim, is to invent a new reason to hope.
It is now nineteen years since we lost our son-in-law, and my choice to hold on to hope has birthed blessings. The dark night dissipated; the sun eventually rose brightly bringing a new day.
Ha Tikvah (the hope) will only fade if we allow it to. I encourage you to be an agent of hope. Your life will dispel the darkness.
Scripture references are from the Tree of Life Version (TLV).