Now let’s take a look at some of Yeshua's interpretations:
Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
Yeshua uses a teaching style called a parallelism which links the phrases “light so shine before men” to “they may see you good works.” "Let your light shine" means "see your good works." The punch line -- when men see your good works they will glorify God in Heaven. In Yeshua's culture “light” and “life” are often used interchangeably.
This was something his disciples had heard many times. It was an important part of the announcement he made at his home synagogue when he informed them that he had been called to lead his movement. He had been asked to read a section from the Prophets that day and this is what he read from Isaiah 61:1-2. It is found in
Luke 4:16-21).
The Spirit of Yahweh is upon me, because He has anointed me to announce
the good news to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of Yahweh.
By the way, his Jewish followers never called him “Christ.” “Christ” is the English transliteration of the Greek word “christos” – minus the “-os” ending – which was used to translate the Hebrew word "mashiach" which means “anointed.” At that time period many were expecting Yahweh to send an "anointed one" to usher in the final period before the Great Day of Judgment" when all mankind would be judged.
Yeshua's description of the “anointed one” from Isaiah didn't fulfill their expectations. According to Yeshua, the anointed one was sent to do the following:
● announce the good news to the poor
● heal the brokenhearted
● proclaim liberty to captives
● proclaim the recovery of sight to the blind
● set at liberty those the oppressed
● proclaim the acceptable year of Yahweh
His followers understood that the words from Isaiah 61 were linked to the “light” in a very important way. The link is found in Isaiah 58 (keep in mind there were no chapter and verse markers in scrolls). The link is found in Isaiah 58:8 --
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn . . .
The first word is very important – “then,” which means "your light shall break forth" after you do something! What did they have to do? The answer is spelled out in verses Isaiah 58:3b-7:
Indeed, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and exploit all your workers.
Indeed you fast for strife and debate, and to strike with the fist of wickedness.
You will not fast as you do this day, to make your voice heard on high.
Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down
his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this
a fast, and an acceptable day to Yahweh?
Is this not the fast that I have chosen; to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the
heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor
who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself
from your own flesh?
Who are the oppressed? They are the “workers.” The oppressors are those in authority over them – their fellow Israelites. What were the oppressors doing? They were actively involved in doing religious things for their God, Yahweh -- fasting, praying, calling out to Yahweh. What did Yahweh wanted them to do instead?
● share their bread with the hungry
● bring those who were homeless into their homes
● provide clothes for those who were naked
● go to the aide of their fellow Israelites
This is what the "then" meant. After you do the things above this is what will happen:
(1) then your light shall break forth as the dawn
(2) then your healing shall quickly spring up
(3) then your TZEDAQAH (righteousness) shall go before you
(4) then the glory of Yahweh shall gather you
One of the most important words in the teachings of Jesus appears above – TZEDAQAH. It is usually translated “righteousness,” and in this context it is used in parallel to “light.” "Doing acts of TZEDAQAH" means “letting your light shine.” Now, take a moment to consider what Yeshua's disciples must have though as they heard Yeshua's words in light of what they knew about the words of Isaiah:
By doing acts of TZEDAQAH they free the oppressed and their nation begins to heal.
News of their acts of TZEDAQAH will go before them.
They will come together as they honor and give glory to Yahweh through their acts of TZEDAQAH.
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