Rabbi’s Reflections – Monday, November 15, 2021
Shalom,
The robes of the High Priest are described in great detail beginning in Exodus 28. The robes are made 3 in 1, just like God, Himself. (We are also 3 in 1, made in the image of God.) The names of the 12 Tribes of Israel are inscribed in two places, on the stones of the breastplate, and on the two onyx shoulder stones (one on each shoulder with 6 names on each).
The names on the shoulder stones represent the weight of sin of mankind (black onyx stones), weighing down the shoulders of the man priest. Those same names are written again on individual precious stones (one name per stone) of glory mounted on the breastplate over the heart of the man priest. This is symbolic of the second coming and the radiant life available in the presence of God.
Each name has a meaning. These twelve names that are inscribed on twelve stones are arranged in four rows of three stones each, and their arrangement tells the story of the life of every believer. We’ve been telling this story and have now arrived at the fourth son born to Jacob (Leah #4), whose name is Judah. Genesis 29:35 Then she became pregnant again and gave birth to a son and said, “This time I praise Adonai.” For this reason she named him Judah.
Yehudah, in Hebrew, means exactly that, “praiser of God.” “Hod” (Hey-Vav-Dalet) means “praise” or “give thanks.” It is the basis of “Todah” which means “thank you.” The “H” (Hey) at the end of Yehudah is a shorthand for God’s name which has two of them in the tetragrammaton (Yud-Hey-Vav-Hey). God added a “Hey” to both Abram and Sarai. He changed their names by adding a part of His own name.
Back to our own narrative… the life of the believer is changed when we “See the Son, listen to Him, and become attached to Him.” The next thing that happens to us a believers is we begin to praise Him. Once we begin to comprehend the change in our lives, we respond by praising Him for what He has done for us.
Hebrews 13:15 Through Yeshua then, let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips giving thanks to His name.
The first word of 1 Chronicles 16:34 (a verse that is repeated in several places of Scripture) uses the same Shoresh, “Hod,” as “Yehudah.” 1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to Adonai for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.
And this is the life of every believer, to praise God continually. Sometimes things don’t go well and we don’t feel like praising God. That’s when it is called a sacrifice of praise. Tomorrow is another day and we’ll examine the name of son #5, Dan.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Mon 15-Nov-2021 11th of Kislev, 5782
Ge 32:14-30 Jdg 21 Ps 42 Mk 2 (1 Co 2)
Week 47
Memory Verse: Colossians 2:6 Therefore as you received Messiah Yeshua as Lord, so continue to walk in Him— 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in your faith just as you were taught, overflowing with thankfulness.
231 11/18 Monday: Colossians 1-2
232 11/19 Tuesday: Colossians 3-4
233 11/20 Wednesday: Ephesians 1-2
234 11/21 Thursday: Ephesians 3-4
235 11/22 Friday: Ephesians 5-6