RR Psalm 34:22 Part 16

Shalom {{firstName}},

Psalm 34:22(21) Evil kills the wicked—those who hate the righteous will be held guilty.

As we bring this Psalm to a close, there are three Hebrew words in this verse to which we must bear witness.  The object of all this “evil, wicked, and hate” is the righteous (One).  When we belong to Him, that same adversity is directed toward us.  However; 1John 4:4 You are from God, children, and you have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.  We, who belong to Yeshua, will not be ashamed.  Romans 10:11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever trusts in Him will not be put to shame.”

The word for “wicked” (Rasha, the wicked) is first used in Scripture by Abraham, as he bargained with God to spare Sodom.  Genesis 18:23 Abraham drew near and said, “Will you really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?  Like with our subject verse, the righteous (Tzadik) is contrasted with the wicked (Rasha).  And yes, both verses affirm that the result is the death of the wicked.  Romans 6:23 For sin’s payment is death, but God’s gracious gift is eternal life in Messiah Yeshua our Lord.

“Ra’ah” is Hebrew for evil.  And it is their own evil (Ra’ah) that will put the “wicked ones” (Rasha) do “death” (T’mo’tayt).  In the kingdom of God, there is death and then there is death, first death and second death.  Hebrews 9:27 And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this judgment….  The result of that judgment is second death.  Revelation 20:14 Then death and Sheol were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

This leaves “hate” (Saneh) which is getting a lot of use (and abuse) in our society lately.  It seems everything is being labeled as a “hate crime.”  Even the term “Zionist” is labeled as synonymous with hate.  What can I say about that?  The perversion of thinking require the perversion of words.  They call white black and dark light until we begin to believe it is true.  

My Topical Lexicon describes “Saneh” as “…depicts personal hostility, aversion, or rejection, but it may also convey covenantal disfavor or preference.”  So when God says, Malachi 1:2b …it is the declaration of Adonai—“Yet I loved Jacob 3a and Esau I hated, what does this mean?  What is loved is preeminent, in first place.  Everything else that is not in first  place is considered as hated, but not consistent with our modern understanding of the word.

Remember, our subject verse is speaking of the “Righteous One,” who is Yeshua.  Whoever does not put Him in first place (the equivalent of hating the righteous) will be found guilty.  Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Messiah Yeshua.  Love Yeshua and receive your blessing.  Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To the one who overcomes I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I myself overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Mon25-Aug 20251st of Elul, 5785Rosh Chodesh Elul Day 2
De 17:14-20, Nu 28:11-15   Hos 9-102 Ch 2Heb 1 (Jn 17)

Rabbi H Michael Weiner

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