Yeshua Restores Family
Part 4 of Love with Boundaries
As with any description of Yeshua’s ministry by Mark or any Gospel, there are a multitude of details. The challenge when reading those accounts is to find those details. The Gospels are not biographies in the modern sense, but rather theological narratives that focus on Yeshua’s identity and mission. As such, they often omit details that would be considered important in a modern biography, such as Yeshua’s physical appearance or his family history. However, they do provide a wealth of information about Yeshua’s teachings, miracles, and interactions with others. By paying close attention to the details, we can learn a great deal about Yeshua’s character and message.
Some of the details that can be found in the Gospels include:
Yeshua’s birth in Bethlehem
His baptism by John the Baptist
His temptation in the wilderness
His selection of the Twelve Disciples
His teaching in parables
His miracles, such as healing the sick and raising the dead
His arrest, trial, and crucifixion
His resurrection from the dead
These details provide us with a rich picture of Yeshua’s life and ministry. They help us to understand his message and his significance for humanity and the fulfillment of the Scriptures.
Mark 5:35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” 37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 39 When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.” 40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. 43 But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said give her something to eat.
Here we are at the end of the story. Of course, there are many details that we will not be able to cover due to the constraints of time and space. However, I hope that you will take what has been shown to you here and do your own further study. There are many resources available online and in libraries that can provide you with more information on the topic. I encourage you to explore these resources and learn as much as you can about this fascinating subject.
The narrative thus far has introduced Yair, a synagogue ruler and the father of a young girl who is ill and requires Yeshua’s healing. On his way to the girl, Yeshu was touched by a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years and was healed. We have now returned to the story of Yair’s daughter.
Yair is distraught over his daughter's illness and begs Yeshua to come and heal her. Yeshua agrees and goes with Yair to his house. When they arrive, they are told that the girl has already died. Yeshu tells Yair not to be afraid, and that his daughter will live. He then goes to the girl's room and takes her hand. He tells her to get up, and she does. The girl is alive and well, and Yair and his wife are overjoyed.
This story is a powerful example of Jesus' power to heal. It also shows his compassion for those who are suffering, but there is much more to it than that. This would definitely be the surface or simple understanding of the text called P’shat in Hebrew.
Here in our text we have a young girl who is 12 years old, and what I see is that this young 12 year old girl is at the age of getting her Bat Mitzvah. In Judaism, a girl becomes a woman and a daughter of the commandments when she reaches the age of 12. This is called bat mitzvah, which means "daughter of the commandment." It is a time of celebration and transition for the girl, her family, and her community. The girl typically attends a special ceremony at her synagogue, where she reads from the Torah and recites a blessing. She may also give a speech or lead a service. After her bat mitzvah, the girl is considered an adult in the Jewish community and is expected to follow the commandments. This includes attending synagogue services, studying the Torah, and performing acts of charity.
Yair is probably feeling devastated and concerned because his daughter and he may miss out on one of the most important moments in their lives. A bat mitzvah is a Jewish coming-of-age ceremony for girls, and it marks the transition from childhood to adulthood. It is a time for the girl to celebrate her Jewish identity and to take on new responsibilities in the community. Yair's daughter would have been able to participate in the bat mitzvah service, lead prayers, and read from the Torah. She would also have been able to take on other leadership roles in the synagogue. Yair is probably worried that his daughter will not be able to experience all of these things if the bat mitzvah is canceled. He may also be concerned about how the cancellation will affect his daughter's sense of Jewish identity. This is a big deal today in Judaism and I am sure as well during the time of Yeshua.
Another interesting detail is that she is 12 years old. Remember our woman with the issue of blood, her flow of blood was for 12 years. In Hebraic literacy this connects these two stories as a unit. We also discovered that the woman with the flow of blood was likened to the whole house of Israel, the 12 tribes. Here we have a 12 year old YOUNG girl who represents Tzion the virgin daughter of Jerusalem. I find this very interesting.
Lamentations 2:13 How can I admonish you? To what can I compare you, O daughter of Jerusalem? To what can I liken you, so that I might console you, O virgin daughter of Zion? For your wound is as deep as the sea! Who can heal you?
(**please read the whole chapter of Lamentations 2 for further context.)
Psalm 9:14 Be compassionate to me, Adonai. See my affliction from those hating me. Lift me up from the gates of death. 15 Then I will tell all your praises in the gates of the daughter of Zion, rejoicing in Your salvation (Yeshua).
The role of the daughter in the Bible is a complex one. On the one hand, she is seen as a precious figure who is to be protected and cherished. On the other hand, she is also seen as vulnerable and in need of protection. This duality is reflected in the metaphor of Daughter Zion, which is used to describe Jerusalem and Israel. In this metaphor, Jerusalem is seen as a daughter who is loved and protected by her father, God. However, she is also seen as a vulnerable daughter who has been abandoned and devastated by her father. This duality reflects the complex relationship between God and Israel. On the one hand, God loves and protects them. On the other hand, he is also capable of anger and wrath. The metaphor of Daughter Zion is a powerful reminder of the complexity of this relationship.
In the patriarchal world of the Bible, the unmarried daughter is the most precious figure and, therefore, potentially the most vulnerable in the household. She remains protected within her father’s household until she moves to her husband’s home. She is an extension of her father’s honor; her bride-price is determined by her status as a virgin and the father bears the consequences if she is raped or debased (Exodus 22:15-16, Deuteronomy 22:13-29). Likewise, God as “father” is ultimately responsible for Daughter Zion’s honor, and God is later implicated in her devastation in Lamentations and the prophecies of lament and consolation.
In the beginning, Jerusalem, the city of David, is metaphorically compared to a daughter, who is protected under God's special care. This suggests the sacred relationship between the people and the divine presence in the Temple and Jerusalem. The city is seen as a precious jewel, a crown on God's head. It is a place of safety and security, where God's people can find refuge. The metaphor of Jerusalem as a daughter also suggests that the city is dependent on God for its protection and well-being. God is the father who cares for his daughter, and Jerusalem is the daughter who looks to her father for protection. This metaphor is a powerful reminder of the special relationship between God and his people.
Amos 5:1 Hear this word that I take up as a lament over you, O house of Israel: 2 She has fallen, never rising again—virgin Israel—She is forsaken on her land, with nobody to lift her up. 3 For thus says Adonai Elohim: “The city that sends out a thousand will have a hundred left, and one that sends out a hundred will have ten left for the house of Israel.”
Later prophecies of comfort and return promise the daughter full restoration and a return to her former joy. No longer would the defiled and uncircumcised (in heart) enter her, nor would she be held as a "captive daughter." Instead, God would deliver her and dwell in her midst, as in the original Tabernacle. She is then called upon to sing aloud and rejoice. These prophecies anticipate the period of the “return to Zion”, the restoration of the Whole House of Israel, when Ephraim (the Daughter) and Judah (her mother) are restored and dwell together.
The prophecies of comfort and return are found in the Book of Isaiah, chapters 40-66. In these chapters, Isaiah describes a time when God will comfort his people and restore them to their land. He will also dwell in their midst, and they will be able to sing and rejoice.
The prophecies of the return to Zion are found in the Book of Ezekiel, chapters 36-37. In these chapters, Ezekiel describes a time when God will gather his people from all over the world and bring them back to their land. He will also restore them to their former glory, and they will be able to dwell in peace and security.
The prophecies of the restoration of the Whole House of Israel are found in the Book of Jeremiah, chapters 30-31. In these chapters, Jeremiah describes a time when God will restore the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) and the southern kingdom of Judah. He will also bring them back to their land and dwell in their midst.
These prophecies are all hopeful and offer a message of comfort and restoration to God's people. They remind us that God is faithful and that he will never abandon us.
Micah 4:2 Then many nations will go and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of Adonai, to the House of the God of Jacob! Then He will direct us in His ways, and we will walk in His paths.” For Torah will go forth from Zion, and the word of Adonai from Jerusalem.
The story in Mark 5, consisting of 22 verses, is a narrative about family restoration. According to my understanding, and with the guidance of the Ruach Hakodesh, the woman with the 12-year-long hemorrhage is the mother of the 12-year-old girl. The mother represents Jerusalem, and the daughter represents Zion. The mother represents the House of Judah, and the daughter represents the House of Ephraim. The mother represents the Jews, and the daughter represents Christianity.
The story is about how Yeshua restores the family unit. He heals the woman of her hemorrhage, which has caused her to be ostracized from her community. He also raises the girl from her sleep/death (not walking in Torah), reuniting her with her family (mother and father). The story is a powerful reminder of God's love and power to restore families and the Whole House of Israel. The mother’s blood represents the Life of Israel [Torah], which is losing its impact on the people of Israel because of the false teachings of the Pharisees and Scribes. These teachers are leading all of Israel astray by enforcing traditions over the Torah of YHWH. If the people of Israel would just press through the crowd of haters and false teachings, and accept Yeshua and touch His commandments and His testimony, they would be healed and made whole and complete. The 12 year old girl is the Nations, the House of Ephraim, or western Christianity who seems dead but is just sleeping. She just needs to receive the Spirit of Torah and Yeshua and be fed by the leaders (parents), the teaching and instructions [Torah] of YHWH to walk correctly.