Rabbi’s Reflections – Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Shalom,
Psalms
Psalm 22:28 – Part 24
Psalm 22:28 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to Adonai. All the families of the nations will bow down before You.
At the beginning of Psalm 22, we have the story of Yeshua’s affliction. But now, at the end of the Psalm, the story transitions into the story of the blessing and benefit to the world of His healing, restoration and resurrection.
Isaiah 53:5 But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities. The chastisement for our shalom was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
The Hebrew word for “remember” is “Yizkor.” Our tendency is to “remember” by “not forgetting.” In the Hebrew mindset it is much more than that. “Yizkor” is a remembrance or a memorial, a mile-marker, or even an alter (a place of sacrifice and worship). In our subject verse, “Yizkor” (a memorial to His sacrifice) will result in our “turn” to Adonai.
In Hebrew, “Yashuvu,” (as it is used here) is translated as “turn.” It is also translated “repentance” quite often. Isn’t that what repentance is, making a turn in life? We were walking away from God. However; upon repenting, we turn, change direction, and begin to walk in a direction that takes us closer to God.
2Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some consider slowness. Rather, He is being patient toward you—not wanting anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance.
The mindset of the western Christian Church is oriented around individual repentance (personal salvation, I am the man/woman of God). No so in the eastern (middle eastern or Jewish) mindset. Here, we are the people of God, the people of the book. Our destiny is a shared communal destiny. And that is exactly how our subject verse ends.
Psalm 22:28b All the families of the nations will bow down before You.
This is confirmation of the promise originally made to our father, Abraham, (Galatians 3:29 And if you belong to Messiah, then you are Abraham’s seed—heirs according to the promise.) when he was 75 years old. Genesis 12:3 My desire is to bless those who bless you, but whoever curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” That’s right! We’re all heading for worldwide revival.
Let’s pray… Thank You, Lord, that we are part of Your family. We gladly bow down and worship before You. In Yeshua’s name. Amen. Shalom shalom everybody.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue 07-Jan-2025 7th of Tevet, 5785
Ge 48:17-22 2 Sa 13 Ps 85 Lk 8:26-56 (2 Co 8)