RR Psalm 31:5 Part 4
Rabbi’s Reflections - Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Shalom,
Psalms
Psalm 31:5(4) – Part 4
Psalm 31:5 Free me from the net they hid for me, for You are my refuge.
Rabbi Trail: I met Rabbi Joseph (see yesterday’s RT) for the first time in Dean Milkus’ office which was on the upper level inside a huge grain silo in downtown Corsicana, Navarro County, TX (so named for https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/José_Antonio_Navarro). A hundred years ago, there were enough Jewish people in that small Texas town (population 20,000) to have two synagogues. https://www.cityofcorsicana.com/996/Temple-Beth-El Dean was the President of the (then combined into one) synagogue. My friend, Rob Glass (a follower of Yeshua and faithful RR reader, whose father was Jewish), had arranged the meeting to introduce his new friend (me), who had just returned from living in Israel.
At that first meeting, I asked the synagogue president and the rabbi if I could be Messianic and a part of their traditional synagogue community. They asked Rob and me to leave the room while they conferred. Then they invited us back in to hear their verdict. Dean spoke, “You’re welcome to join us. What you believe is your business. As far as we’re concerned, when you’re with us, you’re Jewish.” I spent a remarkable two years with them before moving on to Knoxville in early 1995. End RT.
The English translation says “free me.” The Hebrew is “Ho’tzi’ay’ni,” meaning “bring me forth.” In other words, as is indicated, “set me free.” That’s the first word. The last Hebrew word of the verse is “Ma’uzi,” meaning “my strength.” The lesson being communicated by this verse is that if we expect to be set free from the traps set by our enemies (If we trust in Yeshua, His enemies are our enemies.) we must learn to rely on His strength.
2Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Messiah may dwell in me.
In this verse, grace is the equivalent of power and the counterweight to weakness. This connects “Grace” to “Strength.”
Rabbi Trail: Forty years ago (before I moved to Israel and before I lived in Corsicana) I woke from a dream still hearing the angels sing two Hebrew words repeatedly. They were singing, “HaRachamon Gibor.” I didn’t know the meaning at the time, so I had to inquire. The Merciful One (or Gracious One) is mighty. (I still remember the tune, and I’ll sing it on the Podcast of this RR.)
God has ordained these days to be intentionally difficult for everyone. Matthew 24:21 For then there will be great trouble, such as has not happened since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 22 And unless those days were cut short, no one would be delivered. But for the sake of the chosen, those days will be cut short.
None of us has mastered the quality of reliance upon God at all times for all things. However; we should be improving. Isaiah 26:3 You keep in perfect peace one whose mind is staid on You, because he trusts in You. 4 Trust in Adonai forever, for the LORD Adonai is a Rock of ages. In God we trust! The reward is perfect peace. The sons of Korach also understood this… Psalm 46:2(1b) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed11-June-2025 15th of Sivan, 5785
Nu 9:15-10:10Jer 26Dan 31 Co 9 (Mk 10:32-52)
Shalom,
Psalms
Psalm 31:5(4) – Part 4
Psalm 31:5 Free me from the net they hid for me, for You are my refuge.
Rabbi Trail: I met Rabbi Joseph (see yesterday’s RT) for the first time in Dean Milkus’ office which was on the upper level inside a huge grain silo in downtown Corsicana, Navarro County, TX (so named for https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/José_Antonio_Navarro). A hundred years ago, there were enough Jewish people in that small Texas town (population 20,000) to have two synagogues. https://www.cityofcorsicana.com/996/Temple-Beth-El Dean was the President of the (then combined into one) synagogue. My friend, Rob Glass (a follower of Yeshua and faithful RR reader, whose father was Jewish), had arranged the meeting to introduce his new friend (me), who had just returned from living in Israel.
At that first meeting, I asked the synagogue president and the rabbi if I could be Messianic and a part of their traditional synagogue community. They asked Rob and me to leave the room while they conferred. Then they invited us back in to hear their verdict. Dean spoke, “You’re welcome to join us. What you believe is your business. As far as we’re concerned, when you’re with us, you’re Jewish.” I spent a remarkable two years with them before moving on to Knoxville in early 1995. End RT.
The English translation says “free me.” The Hebrew is “Ho’tzi’ay’ni,” meaning “bring me forth.” In other words, as is indicated, “set me free.” That’s the first word. The last Hebrew word of the verse is “Ma’uzi,” meaning “my strength.” The lesson being communicated by this verse is that if we expect to be set free from the traps set by our enemies (If we trust in Yeshua, His enemies are our enemies.) we must learn to rely on His strength.
2Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Messiah may dwell in me.
In this verse, grace is the equivalent of power and the counterweight to weakness. This connects “Grace” to “Strength.”
Rabbi Trail: Forty years ago (before I moved to Israel and before I lived in Corsicana) I woke from a dream still hearing the angels sing two Hebrew words repeatedly. They were singing, “HaRachamon Gibor.” I didn’t know the meaning at the time, so I had to inquire. The Merciful One (or Gracious One) is mighty. (I still remember the tune, and I’ll sing it on the Podcast of this RR.)
God has ordained these days to be intentionally difficult for everyone. Matthew 24:21 For then there will be great trouble, such as has not happened since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 22 And unless those days were cut short, no one would be delivered. But for the sake of the chosen, those days will be cut short.
None of us has mastered the quality of reliance upon God at all times for all things. However; we should be improving. Isaiah 26:3 You keep in perfect peace one whose mind is staid on You, because he trusts in You. 4 Trust in Adonai forever, for the LORD Adonai is a Rock of ages. In God we trust! The reward is perfect peace. The sons of Korach also understood this… Psalm 46:2(1b) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed11-June-2025 15th of Sivan, 5785
Nu 9:15-10:10Jer 26Dan 31 Co 9 (Mk 10:32-52)
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