Rabbi’s Reflections – Monday, October 17, 2022
Shalom *|FNAME|*,

Kenya update:  We arrived late Saturday morning as scheduled after a 13 hour direct flight from New York.  We then boarded a van for a 6 hour ride through the Rift Valley https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Rift_Valley,_Kenya .  While on the road, we saw some wildlife (zebras, water buffaloes, and much more, along with several families of baboons along the roadside.  I am amazed at the appearance of widespread poverty.  I don’t know why, I’ve heard about it all my life, but there is something different about actually seeing the magnitude of it all.

Rabbi Trail: Several times we were paused by cattle crossing the roadway, mostly unsupervised.  There were many flocks of sheep and goats grazing alongside the roadway, but we never had to stop for them.  They had shepherds who must have taught them the dangers of wandering in front of a car traveling at 100 kph on the wrong side of the road.  Maybe my assumption is incorrect.  Could it be that experience itself taught those sheep and goats the dangers of playing in traffic?  We also saw people riding 3 on a small motorcycle who don’t have as much sense.  End RT.

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A note about Shemini Atzeret: Today is the commanded eighth day celebration, Shemini Atzeret.  Leviticus 23:39 “So on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruits of the land, you are to keep the Feast of Adonai for seven days. The first day is to be a Shabbat rest, and the eighth day will also be a Shabbat rest.”

This was after previously commanding the 7 day Feast of Booths (Sukkot).  Then (apparently out of nowhere, we just read it) there is an eighth day added.  Eight is always God’s number of new beginnings.  Every week has seven days, so every eighth day is actually the first day of a new week.

The eighth day is set aside for circumcision.  I haven’t gone into he details to support my belief in quite some time, but I believe Yeshua was actually born on the first day of Sukkot.  That makes today the anniversary of His circumcision, a day worth celebrating.  To be perfect (not using quotes, because Yeshua IS perfect), Yeshua had to be circumcised on the 8th day.  That’s worth celebrating.

Lastly, when God commands a celebration, we don’t ask why, we simply comply.  Happy Shemini Atzeret.  End note.

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The Upper Room Discourse (part 53 of ???)

John 16:23 “In that day, you will ask Me nothing. Amen, amen I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. 24 Up to now, you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be full.”

No, this is not a typo.  I didn’t “forget” that I wrote on these same verses last Friday (which seems forever ago).  They are so profound, that I can’t resist saying more about them today.  Whatever I have to say further about these verses, must include Yeshua’s purpose for saying them, “That your joy may be full.”

My youngest daughter, Jacquelyne, used to say, “Wanting isn’t getting.”  Yeshua’s promise to answer prayer must include this wisdom.  With all due respect, God knows what we want and He knows what we need and they’re not necessarily the same thing.  Psalm 23 specifically states, Psalm 23:1 A psalm of David. Adonai is my shepherd, I shall not want. This thought is confirmed throughout the Scriptures.

Psalm 34:10 Fear Adonai, His kedoshim, For those who fear Him lack nothing. 11 Young lions may lack, and go hungry, but those who seek Adonai want for no good thing.

We usually translate Jehovah Jirah (Yehovah Yireh in Hebrew) as “God is my provider,” but the more accurate translation into English would be “God will see to it.”  I have good news… God has promised to shepherd His flock.

Isaiah 40:11 Like a shepherd, He tends His flock. He gathers the lambs in His arms, carries them in his bosom, and gently guides nursing ewes.

The word “husband” means “to care for in a loving manner.”  God has always wanted to be our husband.  Isaiah 54:5 For your Maker is your husband —Adonai-Tzva’ot is His Name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer. He will be called God of all the earth.  It is we who have been unwilling.  (See Matthew 23:37)  God sent His Son to heal that wound once and for all time.

Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall again into fear; rather, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Ruach Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

God answers prayer!  (True statement)  His answers may not come as we expect.  Our part, pray and seek His perspective as we trust The Good Shepherd.  Joy is being satisfied in Him.  Fullness of joy is the “Shalom” He alone promises in every situation of life.

More coming as time allows.  Shalom and blessings from Bomet, Kenya.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Mon 17-Oct-2022 22nd of Tishrei, 5783 Shmini Atzeret
De 14:22-16:17 Nu 29:35-30:1 1 Ki 8:54-9:1[8:66]   Jn 7:53-8:11

Week 43
Memory Verse: Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the Good News, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who trusts—to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 In it the righteousness of God is revealed, from trust to trust. As it is written, “But the righteous shall live by emunah.”

211 10/17    Monday:         1 Corinthians 15-16
212 10/18    Tuesday:        2 Corinthians 1-2
213 10/19    Wednesday:   2 Corinthians 3-4
214 10/20    Thursday:       2 Corinthians 5-6
215 10/21    Friday:            2 Corinthians 7-8