Rabbi’s Reflections – Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Shalom,
David Harwood (who is a guest writer for the RR, writing on Saturdays, and our dear friend) has published a new book (see the image above) I’m sure will all want to add to your godly library. “Growing In Love With God” (And who doesn’t want to grow in love with God?). Here is the link… https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BM3772TG/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i6 All of these devotionals have first appeared previously in RRs, but now they are in book form just in time for Christmas (or Chanukah) gifts.
The Upper Room Discourse (part 73 of ???)
John 17:14 I have given them Your word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world just as I am not of the world. 15 I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.
Yeshua packs five thoughts into these two verses. Let’s deal with them one at a time over the next few days.
First, Yeshua prays to God, speaking only the truth, He has given us God’s word. The only “word” of God Yeshua could give is found in the Hebrew Scriptures. Matthew alone indicates 15 times how Yeshua fulfilled Hebrew Scripture prophesies. Isaiah is most quoted in the New Testament with Jeremiah as a close second. Both contain numerous Messianic prophesies.
Many Jewish apologists want to attribute this to a great conspiracy theory. They believe the New Testament is fiction that was predetermined by the authors to fulfill prophesy. To believe that lie takes more faith than the simple faith required to believe what is clearly written which frequently quotes the Hebrew Scriptures directly.
Why is God’s word foremost in Yeshua’s mind at this moment? He knows He is only hours from the cross. Without God’s Word we stumble about in darkness. Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. How easy it is wax on about the enduring power of His Word.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. Psalm 119:160 Truth is the essence of Your word, and all Your righteous rulings are eternal. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword—piercing right through to a separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Yeshua (our example) used the Word of God to do battle with Satan. Matthew 4:4 But He replied, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” In giving us God’s Word, Yeshua has planted within us seeds of righteousness that will surely reap a harvest according to His will.
Isaiah 55:10 For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without having watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to sow and bread to eat, 11 so My word will be that goes out from My mouth. It will not return to Me in vain, but will accomplish what I intend, and will succeed in what I sent it for.
That’s so good, I want to end right here for today. We will pick this up with Yeshua’s second thought tomorrow, unless the Lord returns first.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue 15-Nov-2022 21st of Cheshvan, 5783
Ge 24:10-26 Jdg 7 Ps 33 Mt 24:1-28 (Ro 4)
Week 47
Memory Verse: Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not from yourselves—it is the gift of God. 9 It is not based on deeds, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship—created in Messiah Yeshua for good deeds, which God prepared beforehand so we might walk in them.
231 11/14 Monday: Colossians 1-2
232 11/15 Tuesday: Colossians 3-4
233 11/16 Wednesday: Ephesians 1-2
234 11/17 Thursday: Ephesians 3-4
235 11/18 Friday: Ephesians 5-6