Your Daily Slice

TAMMUZ 18

What Is on YOUR Doorpost?

“…And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house …” (Deu 6:9)

The Threshold Covenant is one of the oldest forms of covenant known to mankind; archeological evidence continues to bring more and more confirmation to this statement. There is a belief that the threshold of a home was, in fact, the very earliest of family altars, where sacrifices were performed. Crossing over a threshold into a house was, apparently, indicative of coming into covenant with all of those who were within; this is something Messiah Yeshua confirmed when He spoke of the one who did not enter in by the door as nothing but a thief and a robber (see John 10). One cannot steal from someone they are in covenant with. We also see further confirmation of this Threshold Covenant in the age-old tradition of a groom carrying his bride over the threshold – again, coming into covenant.

The doorway itself was considered a framework for the altar, and inscriptions were often found upon them. Biblical sources show us that the Israelites were to place the blood of the Pesach lamb (probably sacrificed at the threshold) upon the doorposts and lintel of their home (see Ex 12). Our opening verse from Deuteronomy was written after that first Pesach, instructing us as to what we are now to put on our doorposts: “these WORDS” (Deu 6:6). Hence, the birth of the mezuzah.

The mezuzah consists of a piece of parchment upon which is written the words of Deu 6:4-9 – the Sh’ma – and placed within a small case. It is further inscribed on the outside with one of the names of Elohim, Shaddai, which is an acronym for the Hebrew words which mean Guardian of the doorways of Israel. After being prayerfully attached to the outside doorway of the home, whenever we now enter through this door, we are to glance at the mezuzah, touch it, kiss our fingertips, and touch it again – thus acknowledging the sovereignty of Elohim over our homes and our lives.

Do I have one? Yes, I have several on both of my outside doors, and one on the doorway coming into my office. Do I remember to touch it every time I go through? No, I do not. However, even when all I do is glance at it, my heart is still rejoicing in my Elohim, my King, and my Deliverer. Is having a mezuzah necessary for my salvation, deliverance, and redemption? No, I do not believe it is, and yet what better way to have the Words of our Elohim written upon our doorposts.

For those of you who are interested in further study of the Threshold Covenant, I recommend a book by H. Clay Trumbull, titled “The Threshold Covenant,” available on amazon. Rico Cortes also has a very in-depth teaching on this subject, available on his website, http://wisdomintorah.com/. This is a members-only website; however, I highly recommend joining, and paying the monthly fee. Rico is an excellent teacher, one I have had the privilege of meeting in person several times now, and his weekly commentary on the Torah portions are not only in depth, but outstanding.

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