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Friend, you were made to treat others with Kingdom mercy!

Matthew 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

This is one of the most memorable statements in the Sermon on the Mount. Although it is often called the Golden Rule, it goes beyond a good moral principle; it is practical Kingdom life, expressing the Father's heart in how we treat the person before us.

Look at how much authority this sentence has in understanding the Tanach (Old Testament). After Yeshua (Jesus) has spoken on judging fairly, caring for what is holy, and trusting the Father who bestows good gifts, Yeshua brings these teachings together in one statement that His disciples can apply to every relationship, conversation, and decision. Treat others as you would like them to treat you. That, He says, is what the Law and the Prophets amount to. He takes all that He has taught and directs it towards external action by saying that, since you know the goodness which the Father has shown you, you should act towards people in light of that goodness.

It is not merely a matter of passive kindness. Instead of simply saying you should not treat others the way you would not want to be treated, Yeshua gives a more positive and active directive: do to others what you would want them to do to you. You are not only to refrain from harming people, but also to show them mercy, patience, honesty, honor, and faithfulness -- qualities which you yourself hope to receive.

We know what kind of treatment we ourselves desire; we want people to be patient with our weaknesses, to believe the best of us before coming to the worst conclusion, to show us mercy when we make a mistake, to be kind to us when we are in pain, and to forgive us when we repent. We want the truth given to us without cruelty and correction without humiliation. Yeshua says that we should take this desire and use it as a standard when dealing with others.

In Hebrew thought, this is closely linked with chesed (חֶסֶד), which is covenant love, loyal kindness, and mercy expressed through faithful action. Chesed is not merely superficial niceness; it is love that takes responsibility for another's well-being, mercy with firmness, and faithfulness put into practice. Yeshua's command to do to others what we would want done to us calls us to enter the everyday, practical life of chesed.

This command also involves tzedakah (צְדָקָה), righteousness expressed in terms of right relationships. In the Scriptures, righteousness was never merely a matter of personal morality; it included the way a person spoke, gave, forgave, judged, and treated people experiencing poverty and the vulnerable. That is why Yeshua could say that this single sentence sums up the Law and the Prophets. He is not saying that he is replacing the Tanach (Old Testament); rather, he is identifying its true purpose. The Torah instructed Israel to love God and their neighbor. The Prophets repeatedly called upon people who worshipped with their lips yet oppressed with their hands, and each time brought Israel back to justice, mercy, humility, and love. Genuine righteousness is always evident in the way we treat others.

At this point, the command takes on real action. Yeshua is shaping us into complete disciples, instructing us to do what is right without holding back simply because others have not treated us well. The Kingdom does not function reactively; it operates through revelation. Our actions are based on who the Father is, not simply on how people act.

Ashrei (אַשְׁרֵי), blessed is the one whose treatment of others has been shaped by the Father’s goodness. Blessed is the one who does not merely avoid evil but actively sows mercy. Blessed is the one who lives with a generous heart, a faithful tongue, a steady hand, and a Kingdom imagination for the good of others. Oh, what a great blessing belongs to the one who treats others through the mercy he has already received from God.

What is involved here goes beyond mere good manners; it is the Law and the Prophets put into practice through the presence of a Kingdom heart.

Friend, you are not meant to live by waiting and seeing how other people treat you before deciding whether to live a righteous life; you belong to the King, and His mercy now determines the course of your life. Let the goodness shown to you by the Father become goodness that flows through you. Address people with the kindness that you hope to receive from them. When you have to correct someone, do so with the humility that you would feel if you were in the wrong. Show mercy when forgiving, since mercy has already been shown towards you. Let chesed arise in your hands, let tzedakah direct your steps, and let ashrei mark out your life, for it is in these things that the Kingdom becomes visible.

Shabbat Shalom! I hope you have a blessed weekend in the Lord. Take some time to slow down, spend time in His presence, and rest in the truth that He has everything in His hands. And if you haven’t picked up a copy of The Eternal Kingdom Revealed yet, this would be a great weekend to begin the journey. We’ll see you first thing Monday!

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George & Baht Rivka

Editor's Note: For the first week, we’re discounting The Eternal Kingdom Revealed to help get the book into as many hands as possible. My hope is that people will begin reading, share their thoughts, and leave honest reviews so others can discover the message of the Kingdom as well. If you’ve been thinking about getting a copy, this is a great time to pick one up. Available now on Amazon at a special first-week price.