Rabbi’s Reflections – Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Shalom,
Salutations and Summary, part 10 – Romans, part 260
Romans 16:27 to the only wise God, through Yeshua the Messiah, to Him be the glory forever. Amen.
This is the conclusion of what was Paul’s letter to the Romans and is now the book of Romans, having been canonized into the New Testament. These last 3 verses form what is called the Doxology.
Rabbi Trail: The word “Doxology” is from Greek origins meaning “the good and acceptable spoken word.” It has its place in Christian liturgy similar to the Kaddish in Jewish liturgy. Both give adoration to God in a summary form. End RT.
Although I dealt with these verses somewhat independently, they must be studied together as they are interdependent on one another. Let’s take a minute to appreciate such high praise.
Romans 16:25 Now to the One who is able to strengthen you… (what follows are three qualifying “according to” statements.)
- according to my Good News and the proclamation of Yeshua the Messiah,
- according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages
Romans 16:26 but now is revealed (no longer a mystery kept secret) and through the Writings of the Prophets has been made known to all the nations, (“made known” means no longer a secret mystery because the prophets have proclaimed the truth)
3. according to the commandment of the eternal God to bring about obedience of faith—
These three statements testify to the truth of “the One.” The gospel (good news), the revelation of the prophets, and finally, God’s commandment (the full gospel) itself. The purpose of all three is to bring us to “obedience of faith.” Now we’re ready to study our subject verse.
Romans 16:27 to the only wise God, through Yeshua the Messiah, to Him be the glory forever. Amen.
There is a reason this verse (as the last part of the Doxology) has been repeated to conclude many hymns throughout church history. In it, we see and hear the message of the entire Bible. From beginning to end, the Bible is the story of the only wise God, Who through His Son, Yeshua the Messiah, is to receive glory forever.
The big unknown in this verse is “glory.” What is glory, after all? No one has ever gone to the store for a pound of glory. There is no known price (except to give glory to God will cost us everything) if we could buy it. Let me propose a thought, which may turn out to be simplistic, that God’s glory is His oneness.
Isaiah 42:8 “I am Adonai—that is My Name! My glory I will not give to another, Or My praise to graven images.
If God did share His glory (oneness), it would no longer be glory, it would be something else (twoness). And nothing but His glory (oneness) can exist in His presence. In all things, He must be obeyed immediately and without question. Have you seen what happened to satan when he and his minions rebelled against God?
Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was thrown down—the ancient serpent, called the devil and satan, who deceives the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
Begs one last question… In whose camp do you want to spend “forever?” The choice is clear, God’s heaven or satan’s hell. Any wise person would choose wisely, yet the seduction of the world and the lies of satan have desired to sow confusion into our minds and hearts. Pray that you and I will see clearly to choose the way of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call the heavens and the earth to witness about you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore choose life so that you and your descendants may live.
The life is in the blood of Yeshua. Hebrews 9:14 how much more will the blood of Messiah—who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God—cleanse our conscience from dead works to serve the living God? We love you, Lord. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
6 Sh’vat Tuesday 16-Jan-24
Exodus 10:24-11:3 2 Samuel 21 Psalm 88 Luke 13 Philippians 2:14-30