Rabbi’s Reflections – Tuesday, November 16, 2021 

Shalom,

Today we examine the meaning of the name of the 5th son born to Jacob (Bilhah #1).  Rachel was greatly disturbed at her inability to bear children for Jacob, so she gave her handmaid, Bilhah, to see if she could become pregnant.  When Bilhah bore Jacob a son (his fifth), Rachel named him Dan.  Genesis 30:6 So Rachel said, “God has judged my cause and also heard my voice—and given me a son.” Therefore she named him Dan.

As we desire to clarify and assign the meaning of each name to the life of every believer, questions arise over this name that have not come to us previously.  The name “Dan” means judge or judgment.  Well, that’s the issue.  Which is it, judge or judgment?  Will we (believers) be judges or have judgment passed upon us?

A “Beit Din” is a “house of judgment.”  We call it a courthouse.  When we come to questions like this, we have to allow the Scriptures themselves to enlighten our understanding.  Believers have passed out of judgment.  John 5:24 “Amen, amen I tell you, whoever hears My word and trusts the One who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed over from death into life.  

This leaves us with the question about believers being judges.  1 Corinthians 6:2 Don’t you know that the kedoshim will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to judge trivial matters? 3 Don’t you know that we will judge angels? How much more the matters of this life!

And there it is… the answer to the question is that we will be judges, but not ourselves come under judgment.  Keep in mind the two types of judgment.  There is the trial (called a judgment) and a verdict (also called a judgment).  We all come under trial.  But it is the verdict where every believer is “passed over;” by the grace of God.  We are guilty, but not judged because of His finished work; rather we are found to be innocent.  The name of the tribe of Dan gives us the assignment to judge righteous judgment.  

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)

Tue 16-Nov-2021 12th of Kislev, 5782

Ge 32:31-33:5 1 Sa 1 Ps 43 Mk 3 (1 Co 3)

Week 47
Memory Verse:  Colossians 2:6 Therefore as you received Messiah Yeshua  as Lord, so continue to walk in Him— 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in your faith just as you were taught, overflowing with thankfulness.

231   11/18    Monday:        Colossians 1-2

232   11/19    Tuesday:       Colossians 3-4 

233   11/20    Wednesday:  Ephesians 1-2

234   11/21    Thursday:      Ephesians 3-4

235   11/22    Friday:           Ephesians 5-6