Be on the alert! Stand firm in the faith! Be men of courage! Be strong! Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, TLV

For the last several years, I’ve joined the ranks of souls who choose a word for the year. Selecting my word took a few weeks, but finally one rose above the others: Chazak! Chazak is Hebrew and can be translated several ways, the most common is: Be Strong! Therefore, Paul’s concluding remarks to the believers in Corinth include, “Be strong!”

But, is there more to this blessing?

For thousands of years, upon the conclusion or reading of each book of the Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy), the congregation would say, “Chazak, chazak, ve-nit chazek” (Be strong, be strong, and let us be strengthened!).

“This book of the Torah should not depart from your mouth—you are to meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will make your ways prosperous and then you will be successful.

Have I not commanded you? Chazak! Be strong! Do not be terrified or dismayed, for ADONAI your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9, TLV

The tradition was believed to have come from Joshua. And frankly, I get it. Moses has died, been buried by ADONAI Himself, and now the leadership of Israel was in the hands of Joshua — at a historically pivotal moment. The Children of Israel were finally to reach “The Promised Land.”

Would you be terrified, dismayed, intimidated? I sure would.

But, GOD has reminded Joshua, though his mentor, Moses is no longer with him, the Creator of the Universe will be with Joshua wherever he goes.

Back to today’s verses. Paul exhorts the believers strongly, but also reminds them to cover all in love.

For the first time in Israel’s history, the Jewish people were going to the nations. Not like Joshua to conquer, but to be emissaries. Disciples of Jesus from Israel  were sent to show pagan and Jewish souls alike that sin and death was conquered on the cross. Love and strength, combined.

Because of Yeshua’s atoning sacrifice, the world had the opportunity to become redeemed children of the GOD Most High. A people once considered enemies — forbidden by GOD Himself to associate with — were now given an engraved invitation to be grafted into the Jewish Olive Tree (Romans 11:16-24). The set time had come.

So that seemingly simple good-bye blessing, carries thousands of years of history and meaning. My word for 2021 is my blessing to you: “Chazak, chazak, ve-nit chazek” (Be strong, be strong, and let us be strengthened!)