Tikkun Olam
“In that day shall Israel be … a blessing in the midst of the land” (Isaiah 19:24).
In 2013, a video was released entitled “Israel Inside.” The video describes various groups of Israelis who have a special passion of doing good for others. These groups include engineers, doctors, nurses, farmers, entrepreneurs, inventors, and many others. One of their central concepts is a philosophy called Tikkun Olam (pronounced teekoon o-lahm). This Hebrew phrase means “to repair or perfect the world.”
One of the stories discussed in the video was the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010. What country responded the fastest with the most people? Israel. The volunteers went because they believed in their God-given responsibility to help others.
The video also described the humanitarian efforts on the part of medical personnel who provide free medical treatment to Palestinian children with life-threatening health issues.
Another story spoke of an Israeli agricultural engineer who happened to notice a singular location where the vegetation was lush, while areas around it were dry and lifeless. Upon investigation, he discovered that a water pipe passing under the green area had a slow leak, only drops of water coming from it. The volume of water was so small that it was not noticed. Yet, this minor watering was producing spectacular results. From this discovery came the super-efficient Israeli drip irrigation technology used all over the world. This technology uses a tiny amount of water to provide just what is required by the plants while conserving millions of gallons throughout the earth.
A multitude of examples were presented in the video. The prevailing theme was the Israeli drive to help others in this world, or Tikkun Olam.
These Israelis believe that God has blessed them so they can bless others. Consecrated Christians should be thrilled with this attitude on the part of many of Abraham’s natural seed. To be sure, not all Jews agree with this philosophy. Some religious Jews reject the idea entirely, but the concept beautifully fits the Divine Purpose of God.
THE IDEA OF REPAIRING THE WORLD IS SCRIPTURAL
In Genesis 22:17,18 we read, “that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”
This text has several powerful points:
- All nations will be blessed.
- The blessing will come through Abraham’s seed.
- The seed has two components: a spiritual seed, “the stars,” and a fleshly seed, “the sand.”
We may describe the blessing of all nations as repairing the damage done by sin. This philosophy of Tikkun Olam reflects the spirit of the Abrahamic Promise already working in some members of Israeli society. It is a preparatory work occurring before the completion of the church. This should be the Christian’s attitude as well. It is the same philosophy behind the church’s share in the sin- offering. The work of removing sin is essentially repairing and perfecting the fallen race. It is fixing the world!
FIXING THINGS — HELPING OTHERS
We find in the book of Joshua a beautiful picture of our future responsibility toward the world. When the time came for Israel to cease wandering in the wilderness, they were directed to conquer the Promised Land. There is an interesting situation concerning 2½ tribes of Israel:
“To the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying, Remember the word which Moses the servant of Jehovah commanded you, saying, Jehovah your God giveth you rest, and will give you this land. Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall abide in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan; but ye shall pass over before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valor, and shall help them; until Jehovah have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which Jehovah your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and possess it, which Moses the servant of Jehovah gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrising. And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou hast commanded us we will do … as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only Jehovah thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. Whosoever he be that shall rebel against thy command … he shall be put to death: only be strong and of good courage” (Joshua 1:12-18).
Reuben, Gad, Manasseh
It is interesting to note that 2½ tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh) received their land inheritance on the east side of Jordan, before the land west of Jordan was conquered. These 2½ tribes entered into their rest before the other tribes.
But, as Joshua pointed out, entering into their rest did not relieve them of their responsibility to help their brethren who had the work of conquering the land still before them. Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh had a sacred responsibility to help them possess their land inheritance. This forms a most beautiful picture.
These 2½ tribes represent classes who receive their reward and enter their rest before the mass of mankind. The picture is as follows:
- Reuben (firstborn of Jacob) = The Little Flock
- Gad (meaning “a troop”) = The Great Company
- Half Tribe of Manasseh (firstborn of Joseph) = The Ancient Worthies
These three classes will receive their reward before the world. The Little Flock and Great Company enter the spiritual realms before the general resurrection, while the Ancient Worthies will be resurrected to human perfection – a “better resurrection” than the world (Hebrews 11:35).
While these three classes will have entered into their reward, their rest, they are not relieved of responsibility to help others. The others in this case make up the world of mankind. These special classes will all assist mankind in “conquering the land,” an apt illustration of mankind’s journey up “the Highway of Holiness,” the road to human perfection (Isaiah 35:8). Put another way, they must work to “repair” the world during the kingdom. One of the primary tasks associated with that repair is reconciliation.
MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION
“All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
Though the Apostle Paul is primarily speaking of the church’s present role in bringing others to Christ, we are also being prepared to share in the work of reconciling the world to God. “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven” (Colossians 1:20).
Man has been separated from God because of sin. Reconciliation is the process that repairs that bond and restores man to the loving relationship possessed by Adam in Eden. We will have the knowledge and power necessary to perform this ministry in the kingdom. What a delightful task that will be!
But to receive that ministry in the future requires that we learn it now. If we are to “fix” the world, we have to develop an attitude of reconciliation in this life. What perspectives do we need to prepare us for that future work?
First, we need to love this world. This may sound contradictory to the words of the Apostle John, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).
Being admonished to not love earthly ambitions or even good things the world has to offer, we are also not to love the evil ways of the world. Our love should be for things of God and for humanity, in distinction from this wicked system (Strong’s G2889, kosmos). Jehovah Himself sets the example of this type of love. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Godly love is most interested in the well-being of others. How then can we love the world that is inherently sinful? Here are some suggestions:
SEE THOSE IN THE WORLD AS YOUR CHILDREN
- Since Jesus will be the “Everlasting Father,” the life-giver of mankind (Isaiah 9:6), his bride will be the nurturing and caring mother. This, then, will make mankind our children. It is naturally easier to love our own children, to be more forgiving and to let their immature insults and offenses go unnoticed.
- As uninformed children, they do not know what is actually happening around them! We, on the other hand, understand the great wisdom behind God’s permission of evil. We can comfort them with this understanding.
- Like children, most worldly people are of immature character. This will change one day. For now, we can look at others for the potential they possess when rightly educated in the kingdom.
- Remember that we are dying for them!
DO GOOD
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).
Our fellow body-members in Christ should be our first priority, but not exclusively
- Talk to people.
- Express appreciation to waiters and waitresses.
- Be kind to checkout people at stores.
- Notice ones who are looked down upon or seem emotionally injured.
- Be willing to listen.
- If a situation permits, offer to help. Remember the parable of the Good Samaritan.
The Apostle James provides a very sobering text about doing good: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).
Jesus gave similar instructions to us: “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil” (Luke 6:35).
BE A PEACEMAKER
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Jesus is clear that this is a necessary characteristic of those who will be “children of God.” But it requires discernment and wisdom. Perhaps we might find ourselves in a tense situation or as witnesses to one. What can we do? One approach may be to try and defuse the tension with a kind word or some wise humor.
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit” (Proverbs 15:1, 2, 4).
If we are not peacemakers, then are we blessed?
Peacemaking involves showing compassion and understanding. That is just what people are often looking for.
The beautiful Israeli concept of Tikkun Olam — to repair the world — is at the root of God’s Divine Plan of the Ages. Consecrated believers are running for the prize to do this very thing. But we can practice it now, in everyday life. Let us never let an opportunity pass us by to be like our Heavenly Father and “so love the world” with acts of kindness and understanding. Repairing the world in small ways today manifests our desire and worthiness to do so in the kingdom on a much grander scale.
“Delight thyself also in Jehovah; and He will give thee the desires of thy heart. Commit thy way unto Jehovah; trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:4,5).
— Bro. David Stein