RR In Praise of Milk By David Harwood
Shabbat Shalom,
From David Harwood: For a musician, it is a gratifying thing to have others listen to their work. I’d love it if you would listen to mine. Here are the links to two songs we’ve recently released: Draw Near, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmO9JUzh3Oc) and On the Hill (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwY-qWltun4). If the songs find favor with you, please share them with others. – thanks, DH.
_________
Sometimes, in the Scriptures, the same word may have different connotations. A common example of this is, “lion.” The psalmist likened his enemies to lions. Peter described the devil as a lion. The Messiah is the lion who is from the tribe of Judah.
Milk is another such word.
Milk is for the spiritually immature, for worldly, jealous and fractious disciples.
I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready. Indeed, even now you are not yet ready, for you are still worldly. (1 Corinthians 3:3)
Or milk can refer to financial remuneration for ministry work:
... who tends a flock and does not drink its milk? (1 Corinthians 9:7b)
Milk may convey remedial instruction for those unskilled in the message of righteousness who can barely discern between good and evil.
For anyone living on milk is inexperienced with the teaching about righteousness—he is an infant. (Hebrews 5:13)
Peter wrote about milk to those who were suffering. He exhorted resolute disciples:
As newborn babes, long for pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow toward salvation— now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Peter 2:2–3)
Scholars differ about whether to translate this as “milk of the Word”, or “spiritual milk.” However, the point I’m emphasizing is that Peter exhorted them to earnestly desire this milk. It would help “the sojourners of the Diaspora (1 Peter 1:1)” grow during Nero’s insane reign.
The Apostle told them to humbly see themselves as spiritual babes and to, without shame, long for that which would nourish their relationships with God and one another. Here’s how I understand this exhortation: “Like babies be dependent, cry, be comforted, nourished and loved. Know that you are loved and favored. Read the Scriptures like that. Look for the spiritual milk of the Word.”
A baby receives nourishment in his/her mother’s embrace. Her milk changes to meet the growing child’s nutritional needs. It is a perfect food for the nursing infant, ingested within the warm comfort of a mother’s love. Also, to an infant the milk tastes good.
What does the spiritual milk of the Word taste like? It tastes like the Lord’s chrēstos. The TLV translates chrēstos as “good.”
As newborn babes, long for pure spiritual milk, ... now that you have tasted that the Lord is good (chrēstos). (1 Peter 2:2a,3)
Others translate chrēstos as “kind”. Because of how chrēstos is used in other places, especially in Matthew 11, I prefer “kind”. Read it for yourself:
Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and ‘you will find rest for your souls.’ For My yoke is easy (chrēstos/kind) and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)
Peter was not just instructing spiritual babies. His letter’s recipients included the most mature of the Messiah’s followers.
Therefore I appeal to the elders among you—as a fellow elder (1 Peter 5:1a)
He included himself in their company. So, not only newborns, but responsible, godly shepherds are instructed to humble themselves, become infant-like, and long for tasty, pure, spiritual milk.
Can you think of something more spiritually nourishing than God’s love for you revealed as favor/charis? It is the spiritual milk of the Scriptures that will help you grow.
Paul exhorted the godly elders of Ephesus:
Now I commit you to God and the word of His grace (charis/favor), which is strong to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who have been made holy. (Acts 20:32)
Long for the word of His favor. Long for an ongoing revelation of that favor. Find it in the Word, by the Spirit. Long for the milk of the Word. It will be good for you.
Adonai favors you.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat3-Jan-202614th of Tevet, 5786 Parashat Vayechi
Ge 50:21-261 Ki 2:1-12Rev 7:1-8
From David Harwood: For a musician, it is a gratifying thing to have others listen to their work. I’d love it if you would listen to mine. Here are the links to two songs we’ve recently released: Draw Near, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmO9JUzh3Oc) and On the Hill (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwY-qWltun4). If the songs find favor with you, please share them with others. – thanks, DH.
_________
Sometimes, in the Scriptures, the same word may have different connotations. A common example of this is, “lion.” The psalmist likened his enemies to lions. Peter described the devil as a lion. The Messiah is the lion who is from the tribe of Judah.
Milk is another such word.
Milk is for the spiritually immature, for worldly, jealous and fractious disciples.
I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready. Indeed, even now you are not yet ready, for you are still worldly. (1 Corinthians 3:3)
Or milk can refer to financial remuneration for ministry work:
... who tends a flock and does not drink its milk? (1 Corinthians 9:7b)
Milk may convey remedial instruction for those unskilled in the message of righteousness who can barely discern between good and evil.
For anyone living on milk is inexperienced with the teaching about righteousness—he is an infant. (Hebrews 5:13)
Peter wrote about milk to those who were suffering. He exhorted resolute disciples:
As newborn babes, long for pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow toward salvation— now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Peter 2:2–3)
Scholars differ about whether to translate this as “milk of the Word”, or “spiritual milk.” However, the point I’m emphasizing is that Peter exhorted them to earnestly desire this milk. It would help “the sojourners of the Diaspora (1 Peter 1:1)” grow during Nero’s insane reign.
The Apostle told them to humbly see themselves as spiritual babes and to, without shame, long for that which would nourish their relationships with God and one another. Here’s how I understand this exhortation: “Like babies be dependent, cry, be comforted, nourished and loved. Know that you are loved and favored. Read the Scriptures like that. Look for the spiritual milk of the Word.”
A baby receives nourishment in his/her mother’s embrace. Her milk changes to meet the growing child’s nutritional needs. It is a perfect food for the nursing infant, ingested within the warm comfort of a mother’s love. Also, to an infant the milk tastes good.
What does the spiritual milk of the Word taste like? It tastes like the Lord’s chrēstos. The TLV translates chrēstos as “good.”
As newborn babes, long for pure spiritual milk, ... now that you have tasted that the Lord is good (chrēstos). (1 Peter 2:2a,3)
Others translate chrēstos as “kind”. Because of how chrēstos is used in other places, especially in Matthew 11, I prefer “kind”. Read it for yourself:
Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and ‘you will find rest for your souls.’ For My yoke is easy (chrēstos/kind) and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)
Peter was not just instructing spiritual babies. His letter’s recipients included the most mature of the Messiah’s followers.
Therefore I appeal to the elders among you—as a fellow elder (1 Peter 5:1a)
He included himself in their company. So, not only newborns, but responsible, godly shepherds are instructed to humble themselves, become infant-like, and long for tasty, pure, spiritual milk.
Can you think of something more spiritually nourishing than God’s love for you revealed as favor/charis? It is the spiritual milk of the Scriptures that will help you grow.
Paul exhorted the godly elders of Ephesus:
Now I commit you to God and the word of His grace (charis/favor), which is strong to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who have been made holy. (Acts 20:32)
Long for the word of His favor. Long for an ongoing revelation of that favor. Find it in the Word, by the Spirit. Long for the milk of the Word. It will be good for you.
Adonai favors you.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat3-Jan-202614th of Tevet, 5786 Parashat Vayechi
Ge 50:21-261 Ki 2:1-12Rev 7:1-8
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RR Psalm 28:5 Part 5RR Psalm 28:6 Part 6RR Psalm 28:7a Part 7RR Psalm 28:7b Part 8RR Psalm 28:7c Part 9RR Psalm 28:7d Part 10RR Psalm 28:8 Part 11Rabbi’s Reflections - Saturday, May 10, 2025 by David HarwoodRR Psalm 28:9 Part 12RR Psalm 28:9 Part 13RR Psalm 28:9 Part 14RR Psalm 28:9 Part 15RR Psalm 29:1 Part 1RR Psalm 29:2 Part 2Favor From a Fooled Philistine By David HarwoodRR Psalm 29:3 Part 3RR Psalm 29:4 Part 4RR Psalm 29:5 Part 5RR Psalm 29:6 Part 6RR Psalm 29:7 Part 7Favor/Grace in 2 Samuel and 1 Kings By David HarwoodRR Psalm 29:7 Part 7RR Psalm 29:8 Part 8RR Psalm 29:9 Part 9RR Psalm 29:10 Part 10RR Psalm 29:11 Paert 11RR Psalm 30:1,2 Part 1RR Psalms 30:3 Part 2Favor (Chen/Charis) in the Psalms By David HarwoodRR Psalm 30:4 Part 3RR Psalm 30:5 Part 4
June
RR Psalm 30:6 Part 5RR Psalm 30:7 Part 6RR Psalm 30:8 Part 7RR Psalm 30:12,13 Part 9RR - Psalm 30:9-11 Part 8RR Favor (Chen/Charis) in Proverbs By David HarwoodRR Psalm 31:4 Part 3RR Psalm 31:1,2 Part 1RR Psalm 31:3 Part 2RR Psalm 31:5 Part 4RR Psalm 31:6 Part 5RR Psalm 31:7 Part 6RR Kohelet By David HarwoodRR “Taking Our Thoughts Captive – Part 2” By Jerry MillerRR Psalm 31:8 Part 7RR Psalm 31:8 Part 8RR Psalm 31:9 Part 9RR - Psalm 31:10 Part 10RR Psalm 31:11 Part 11Zechariah and Favor By David HarwoodRR - Psalm 31:12-14 Part 12RR Shalom SpecialRR Psalm 31:15 Part 13RR Psalm 31:16,17 Part 14RR Psalm 31:18 Part 15RR Adonai-Tzva’ot and End-Time Favor By David HarwoodRR Psalm 31:19,20 Part 16RR Psalm 31:21 Part 17RR Psalm 31:22 Part 18RR Psalm 31:23 Part 19
July
RR Psalm 31:24 Part 20RR Psalm 31:25 Part 21RR Psalm 32:1 Part 1Rabbi’s Reflections - Favor and Luke By David HarwoodRR Taking Thoughts Captive Part 3 by Jerry MillerRR Psalm 32:2 Part 2RR Psalm 32:5 Part 4RR Psalm 32:3,4 Part 3RR Psalm 32:5 Part 5RR Psalm 32:6 Part 6Some Nuances of Charis By David HarwoodRR Psalm 32:7 Part 7RR Psalm 32:8 Part 8RR Psalm 32:9 Part 10RR Psalm 32:8 Part 9RR Psalm 32:10 Part 11RR Psalm 32:11 Part 12RR Psalm 33:1 Part 1RR Psalm 33:2,3 Part 2RR Psalm 33:4,5 Part 3RR Psalm 33:6,7 Part 4Favor In Acts 1 by David HarwoodRR Psalm 33:8,9,10 Part 5RR Psalm 33:13,14 Part 7RR Psalm 33:11,12 Part 6RR Psalm 33:15,16 Part 8RR Psalm 33:17,18,19 Part 9RR Psalm 33:20,21 Part 10RR Psalm 33:22 Part 11RR “Endurance for the Race” by Jerry MillerRR Favor in Acts 2: Stephen by David Harwood