Rabbi’s Reflections – Friday, January 12, 2024
(Early) Shabbat Shalom,
Can you believe it’s been a whole year? On January 10, 2023 I wrote part 1 of Romans. I didn’t even call it part one, I was still praying about writing the series. The next day, I called it “Part 2.” (World War 1 was called “The Great War” until there was World War 2 – I’m not sure about the analogy.) If you’re doing the math, and it doesn’t add up (52 weeks times 5 RRs per week = 260, not 254) there were some diversions, sometimes called “Rabbi Trails.” Also, some “parts” had more than one part. That’s it! I’m done.
Salutations and Summary, part 7 – Romans, part 257
Rom 16:24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. KJV
The above verse does not appear in some of the oldest manuscripts, so it did not make “the cut” and does not appear in the TLV.
Romans 16:25a Now to the One who is able to strengthen you according to my Good News and the proclamation of Yeshua the Messiah.
Good news is good news. Paul calls it “my” good news. Most of the rest of us call it “the” good news, aka “the gospel.” You might have been taught (as was I) that this is the “good news”…. 1Corinthians 15:1a Now I make known to you, brothers and sisters, the Good News which I proclaimed to you.… 3 For I also passed on to you first of all what I also received—that Messiah died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
Well, let me share with you the real good news. Isaiah 9:6 Of the increase of His government and shalom there will be no end—on the throne of David and over His kingdom—to establish it and uphold it through justice and righteousness from now until forevermore. The zeal of Adonai-Tzva’ot will accomplish this. The “good news” will always point us to Yeshua, Who is the Messiah.
It is Peter’s answer to Yeshua’s question… Matthew 16:15 He said, “But who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” May the Lord fill each of our hearts similarly, with the truth of the gospel on our lips as we rightly declare Yeshua is Lord, to the glory of God our Father.
Philippians 2:8 He humbled Himself—becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow, in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue profess that Yeshua the Messiah is Lord—to the glory of God the Father.
Which is the “proclamation” of our subject verse. Shabbat shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Friday 12-Jan-24
Exodus 8:23[19]-9:16 2 Samuel 18 Psalm 85 Luke 11:29-54 Ephesians 6