Rabbi’s Reflections – Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Shalom,
Hebrews 13:12 Therefore, to make the people holy through His own blood, Yeshua also suffered outside the gate. 13 So let us go to Him outside the camp, bearing His disgrace.
So much is running through my head on these two verses. How can we (through faith) be made holy “through His own blood?”
Rabbi Trail: This is one instance when it is better not to pay your own way. God has made provision to bring us back from a death sentence (and grant us an eternal life sentence) through His only begotten Son’s sacrificial death. This is a gift from God we must each receive individually. A word to the wise… don’t get caught telling God, “No thanks, I’m doing pretty good.” End RT.
Yeshua is the only sin offering that ever went willingly. His once-for-all-time sacrifice is the ultimate act of submission. As I have heard David Chansky teach many times… we all want His blessing, but we are not so eager to bear His disgrace (reproach).
Rabbi Trail: I mention where I learned this (through David Chansky) so you won’t think I just came up with my understanding on my own. I’ve had some very good teachers. Let me ask you this… how much is really original anyway? Most people are just packaging and repackaging someone else’s (or God’s) thoughts. Worst case, they are passing them off as original.
My classic example is Stephen R. Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” Every one of those habits is in the Bible as either a recommendation or a commandment of God. Think about it. It’s really not so difficult to write the RR (most of the time). God has given us the best of His thoughts, and even inspired men to write them down for our benefit. We are just grateful recipients who are privileged to read them, learn them, and quote them any time we like. End RT.
Concerning “bearing His reproach…” 1 Peter 4:12 Loved ones, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal taking place among you to test you—as though something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, rejoice insofar as you share in the sufferings of Messiah, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be glad. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Messiah, you are fortunate, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.… 19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will—let them trust their souls to a faithful Creator while continuing to do good.
And lastly this… John 15:18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. But you are not of the world, since I have chosen you out of the world; therefore the world hates you.
On that happy note… have a great week.
Week 3
Memory Verse: Romans 4:20 Yet he did not waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God. Rather, he was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that what God has promised, He also is able to do. 22 That is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”
11 1/13 Monday: Genesis 18-19
* 12 1/14 Tuesday: Genesis 20-21
13 1/15 Wednesday: Genesis 22
14 1/16 Thursday: Genesis 24
15 1/17 Friday: Genesis 25:19-34; 26
Question of the day: What is so bizarre about the story in Genesis 20?
Answer: It’s very strange. Sarah is apparently just shy of 90 years old when Genesis 20 takes place. Now the story (as written in Genesis 20) says that King Abimelech (meaning “my father is king”) was the most powerful king in Canaan. If he would say the word, he could have any woman in the land. But whom did he pick to be his wife? That’s right, 90 year old Sarah. Now, I’m not passing judgement, but Sarah must have been one good-looking 90 year old.
Then, our father, Abraham, tries to pull a fast one on Abimelech, but God intervenes. Abraham has to add, “But she really is my sister. We have the same father, but not the same mother.” Is this what you want to do, Abraham, play semantics with a powerful king?
Abraham’s fear almost cost him everything. Abraham was afraid they would kill him to have his 90 year old wife. I know, I can’t seem to get over that. God had to intervene with a dream to save the day.
This goes to the heart of the matter. Why are there Jews in the world today? Because God has to fulfill His promises to His people, Israel. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah before they could destroy “Father Abraham.” No Father Abraham, no Jewish people. And He would have destroyed Abimelech.
Satan knows God needs Jewish people to finish His plan for mankind. Why does the world hate Jews? There is no other explanation. What other people are so lied about? “But God…” How plainly we see it in Genesis 20? Then, in chapter 21 Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah. See, God fulfilled His promise. And today, the promise is still being fulfilled… a people too numerous to count.