RR Yeshua Provides a Pattern By David Harwood

Rabbi’s Reflections - Sunday, April 5, 2026
Shavuah Tov {{firstName}},

Day 1 of counting the Omer

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּֽנוּ עַל סְפִירַת הָעֹֽמֶר

Baruch Atah Adonai Elohenu Melech Ha-Olam, Asher Kid’shanu B’mitzvotav, Vitzivanu Al Sefirat Ha-Omer.

Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by his commandments and commanded us about the counting of the Omer.  Today is zero weeks and one day of the counting of the Omer.

Follow up that prayer by remembering a blessing from the Lord and give Him thanks.  1Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Messiah Yeshua.
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Yeshua Provides a Pattern
By David Harwood

Our Messiah was favored. He has been exalted to the right hand of God. He descended, has been lifted up, and is the only human worthy of the position He holds.

Let’s look at two principles describing the process of exaltation. 

First of all, righteousness provides the foundation for exaltation. We read of this in Proverbs 14:34.

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. (Proverbs 14:34)

I think it is safe to say that if this is true about a nation, so also would it be a reliable prophetic pattern with an individual.

The next principle has to do with humility. Humility prepares the way for exaltation. 

This proverb was quoted by James/Jacob and Peter. 

Though He scoffs at the scoffers, He gives grace (chen/charis/favor) to the humble (ʿānî). (Proverbs 3:34) 

Here it is in the Septuagint:

The Lord opposes the arrogant, but he gives the humble grace.

The Hebrew word translated humble, ʿānî, has less to do with an inner attitude (humility) as much as it emphasizes the lack of social status, resources, and the ability to help oneself. The humble (ʿānî) are the helpless who were prone to be oppressed by the powerful. They were not humble by choice. They were humbled by circumstances outside their control.

James/Jacob and Peter were amazing servants of Yeshua. They were indispensable people who helped establish the essential relational and doctrinal foundations of the Jerusalem communities of disciples. When we read what they wrote we are looking into the culture of the most spiritually vibrant group of people ever assembled since the Messiah’s resurrection. 

Jacob/James wrote to those who were scattered, disenfranchised, living amongst the nations, without a home base. They needed God’s favor. Jacob/James instructed them as to how to secure it.

But He gives greater grace (charis/favor). Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace (charis/favor) to the humble.” (James 4:6) 

Peter wrote:

... all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace (charis/favor) to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may lift you up at the appropriate time. (1 Peter 5:5b–6)

Those to whom Peter wrote were a persecuted, suffering, powerless people. Although the word “humble” primarily addressed their external circumstances, there was an inner attitude of dependent humility these disciples were called to embrace. That inner humility, a poverty of spirit, an utter reliance upon God for help, was the guarantee of future exaltation.

Please recall that the Jerusalem communities of disciples lacked material resources. Their leaders met with Barnabus and Paul who were asked to remember the poor. 

Realizing the favor (charis/grace) that had been given to me, Jacob and Peter and John ... asked only that we remember the poor—something I also was eager to do. (Galatians 2:9a,10) 

The poor they were to help were members of the Body in Jerusalem. Perhaps these followers of Yeshua had left their resources behind so they might remain in Jerusalem and partake of the unique discipleship opportunities provided by the Twelve and other apostolic leaders. (Although not one of the Twelve, in 1 Corinthians 15:7, James/Jacob was recognized as an Apostle.) 

The poor lived in humble circumstances. These had no enfranchised cultural clout, no economic influence, and were unable to exalt themselves. The Jerusalem communities of believers, many of whom were poor, looked to the ultimate vindication that would be theirs when Yeshua returned. No wonder the promise of eschatological favor (charis) was proverbial amongst them. Peter assured them that they would be lifted “up at the appropriate time.” 

Every disciple is called to fix their eyes on Yeshua the initiator and finisher of their faith (Hebrews 12:2). As they consider Him one thing they may find is that Yeshua provides the ultimate pattern of exaltation. 

He was righteous and thus qualified for exaltation. Yeshua embraced humility. His helplessness reached its apex at Golgotha where He entrusted Himself to Father. 

For He has not despised or disdained the suffering of the lowly one. Nor has He hidden His face from him, but when he cried to Him, He heard. (Psalm 22:25) 

Yeshua is the supreme pattern of the righteous humble person who warranted exaltation. God favors (charis/graces) the humble, those who rely upon Him.

Day 1 of the Omer
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun5-Apr-2026 18th of Nisan, 5786 Pesach IV 
Ex 13:1-16, Nu 28:19-25Isa 38-39Pr 28Ac 27(Rev 21)