Rabbi’s Reflections – Friday, October 1, 2021
(Early) Shabbat Shalom,
I watched and tried not to cry but didn’t make it. I hope you enjoy it too.
The Equip – Day 16: https://gatesofzion.net/blog-articles/jb-bernstein/the-equip-series-40-consecutive-days-of-equipping-in-jewish-evangelism/the-equip-series-day-16-who-really-rejected-yeshua/33
Tomorrow (Saturday) I’m speaking the message based on our reading for Thursday, Acts 17 and the first part of Acts 18. This is the story of Paul, who is being persecuted by the Thessalonians for telling the good news of how Yeshua has fulfilled the Scriptures concerning the long expected Jewish Messiah.
Acts 4:4 But when the fullness of time came, God sent out His Son, born of a woman and born under law— 5 to free those under law, so we might receive adoption as sons.
But, exactly what was Paul preaching? He escaped from Thessaloniki and ended up in Corinth where he remained for 18 month. During that time he was teaching about the kingdom of God. What was he teaching? I have about 25 things, themes or subjects. These are ways Yeshua has fulfilled the promises of the Tanakh.
If you can’t be with us in person, then find us online on our YouTube channel. Just search for “Shomair Knoxville.”
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One of my prooftexts tomorrow is the first verse of Isaiah 42. But I want to highlight parts of the entire chapter. You see, there are rabbis out there who make their living by attempting to refute every argument that Yeshua HaMashiach is the promised Messiah of Israel. They point to Isaiah 42 and try to convince their audience that Isaiah was speaking of king Hezekiah. And if that doesn’t work, they will try to impose an understanding that the entire chapter is spoken over (and about) all of Israel. Let me highlight a few verses and see what conclusion we can draw.
Isaiah 42:1 Behold My servant, whom I uphold. My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I have put My Ruach on Him, He will bring justice to the nations.
Right away, Hezekiah is disqualified. Even Israel doesn’t come close to fulfilling just the first verse. Then a few verses later, we find this….
Isaiah 42:6 “I, Adonai, called You in righteousness, I will take hold of Your hand, I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations, 7 by opening blind eyes, bringing prisoners out of the dungeon, and those sitting in darkness out of the prison house.
Again, we have to wonder how Hezekiah or Israel ever did this; but Yeshua did. Finally, there is this verse.
Isaiah 42:21 Adonai was pleased, for the sake of His righteousness, to make Torah great and glorious. I prefer it in the KJV… Isaiah 42:21 The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable.
When did Hezekiah ever do that? For that matter, when did Israel? But Yeshua certainly did. When something is magnified, you can see it in greater detail, up close and personal. One of the complaints of the rabbis is that the true Messiah will lead people into righteousness. But Yeshua did this… Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
So what if some of His followers didn’t get it right. Many false teachers have said, “He fulfilled the law so that I don’t have to.” No, He made the law honorable so that through His Spirit we, Yeshua’s followers, would be the first people (Israel never did) who desire to obey the commandments of God.
Romans 8:3b God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
And none of this is in the message on Shabbat. Consider it an appetizer. Blessings my friends.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri 1 Oct 2021 25th of Tishrei, 5782
Ge 2:20-3:21Jos 3-4Ps 3-4Mt 3(Jas 3)
Week 40
Memory Verse: Acts 17:24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by hands. 25 Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, since He Himself gives to everyone life and breath and all things.
196 9/27 Monday: Acts 15-16
197 9/28 Tuesday: Galatians 1-3
198 9/29 Wednesday: Galatians 4-6
199 9/30 Thursday: Acts 17-18:17
200 10/1 Friday: 1 Thessalonians 1-2