Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, January 1, 2019
Happy New Year,
In Israel, New Years Eve is called Sylvester, following the European tradition. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Sylvester%27s_Day. And, in case you’re wondering, the rabbis don’t like it. In fact, I can’t think of any non-biblical secular holidays they do like.
Rabbi Trail: When I refer to “the rabbis,” I’m talking about the ultra-orthodox, black hat rabbis. They are also known in Israel at “Datim.” They lead a movement that calls itself the “Haredi” community. I’m not sure of the origin of “Datim,” but I do know “Haredi” comes from the root “yud-resh-dalet” meaning “to fear.” They think of themselves as God fearers. End RT.
All that to say, “Happy New Year” my friends.
Let’s begin the year with a short discussion of the Spirit of God known as the Spirit of Counsel, “Aytzah” (Ayin-Tzadi-Hay). It made me think of Elijah, who heard the still small voice of the counsel of God. It starts with God asking Elijah a question… 1 Kings 19:9b “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
We also should be listening for the questions God is asking us. We also must remember, God isn’t asking because He wants to know. God already knows everything. God asks so we will hear ourselves answer. And how does the great prophet answer? By whining. 1 Kings 19:10 “I have been very zealous for Adonai-Tzva’ot,” he said, “for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and slain Your prophets with the sword—and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it!”
God heard Elijah’s answer and immediately began to minister to his hurts. Elijah witnessed great manifestations of God.
Rabbi Trail: Earth, Wind, and Fire for you rock and roll buffs. They are described online as “EWF… an American band that has spanned the musical genres of R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, rock, dance, Latin, and Afro pop. End RT.
But he wasn’t satisfied with that. Elijah wanted more. He wanted God. 1 Kings 19:11 Then He said, “Come out and stand on the mount before Adonai.” Behold, Adonai was passing by—a great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and shattering cliffs before Adonai. But Adonai was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but Adonai was not in the earthquake. 12a After the earthquake a fire, but Adonai was not in the fire.
Finally, Elijah experiences the essence of God. 1 Kings 19:12b After the fire there was a soft whisper of a voice. The Bible never tells us what Elijah heard, but “Elijah heard it.” What is “it” for you?
Rabbi Trail: David Finkelstein called it “Beyond Words,” the title of his only musical album. https://smile.amazon.com/Beyond-Words-David-Finkelstein/dp/B008PC8U4S/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=david+finkelstein+music+beyond+words&qid=1577790003&sr=8-1
1 Kings 19:13 As soon as Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle, went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. (Elijah sees earthquake, wind and fire and ends up right back where he started with the same question. Then all of a sudden, a voice addressed him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
And Elijah gives the same exact whining answer. 1 Kings 19:14 “I have been very zealous for Adonai Tzva’ot,” he said, “for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and slain Your prophets with the sword—and I alone am left, and they are seeking to take my life!”
But this time, God gives Elijah further revelation. Elijah receives the call to anoint Elisha as his successor. Then at last, Elijah is given the complete revelation… 1 Kings 19:18 “Yet I have preserved seven thousand in Israel whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouth has not kissed him.”
May we also be counted among those who have not bowed to or kissed a false god. Soli Deo gloria. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soli_Deo_gloria
Week 1
Memory Verse: Genesis 1:27 God created humankind in His image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them.
1 12/30 Monday: Genesis 1-2
2 12/31 Tuesday: Genesis 3-4
* 3 1/1 Wednesday: Genesis 6-7
4 1/2 Thursday: Genesis 8-9
5 1/3 Friday: Job 1-2
Question of the day: If it is true, that Yeshua is the reality of all things, then how is Yeshua the reality of Noah’s Ark?
Answer: Are you kidding me? That’s your question of the day?
Rabbi Trail: Since I write the questions and the answers, I occasionally find myself at odds with myself (which might be a good definition of schizophrenia), but I assure you, I’m not nuts. End RT.
Noah’s Ark is the perfect picture of Yeshua’s reality. All of surviving humanity is preserved by taking refuge in the Ark (a type of savior). Unless a person got into it (the Ark) a symbol of Him (Yeshua) they perished in the destruction that came upon the earth.
We must never forget that a day is coming when everything will burn.
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the elements will melt and disintegrate, and the earth and everything done on it shall be exposed. 11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what kind of people should you be? Live your lives in holiness and godliness,12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God. In that day the heavens will be dissolved by fire, and the elements will melt in the intense heat. 13 But in keeping with His promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
And on that happy note, I say again, “Happy New Year.” While the secular world is ringing in the new year, let’s be listening in the new year for the still small voice of God who will whisper… Isaiah 30:21a Your ears will hear a word behind you saying: “This is the way, walk in it.”