Rabbi’s Reflections – Friday, November 17, 2023
(Early) Shabbat Shalom,
Life In The Body part 38 – Romans, part 213
Romans 14:11 For it is written, “As I live, says Adonai, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.”
Where is it written? Paul is quoting Isaiah 45. As we turn to study the original prophesy from Isaiah, let’s be sure to include the context. God is calling everyone on earth to turn to Him, make a declaration of faith and be saved. In the original context (see the 4 verses below) the tetragrammaton (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetragrammaton) is mentioned twice.
Rabbi Trail: It has to be one of the most evil works of Satan that God’s name is so abused. God’s people should know God’s name. I could write a book on this (and many others have). There are four letters (Yud-Hey-Vav-Hey). The first letter, (Yud) stands for “He will be” (Yiyeh). The second letter, Hey, stands for “He is” (Hoveh). The third letter (Vav) means “and.” The fourth letter, Hey, (again) stands for “He was” (Haya).
Together, God’s name speaks of His eternal nature (future, present, and past). For anyone who knows Hebrew, there is only one way to say this name. There are no vowels, but if you know Hebrew they are not needed. It is three syllables pronounced “Ye-Ho-VaH.” Out of reverence for the name, Jewish tradition holds that it should only be spoken by the High Priest, once a year from within the Holy of Holies. A number of substitutes are used in Judaism, most commonly, “Adonai,” but only when actually praying. End RT.
Asher Intrater makes a compelling case in his book “Who Ate Lunch With Abraham?” that every use of the tetragrammaton is a reference to Yeshua, Who is Lord of all. This is evident as we study the context of the original prophesy of Isaiah.
Isa 45:22 Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God—there is no other. 23 By Myself I have sworn—the word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness, and is irrevocable: that to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear. 24 They will say of Me, ‘Only in Adonai is righteousness and strength.’ All who have raged against Him will come to Him and be put to shame. 25 In Adonai all the seed of Israel will be justified and give praise.”
We see that the tetragrammaton is used twice in the Hebrew and both times it is translated, “Adonai,” in the TLV. What happens if we use “Yeshua” instead? “Only in Yeshua is righteousness and strength.” And then… “In Yeshua all the seed of Israel will be justified and give praise.” Both quotes fit perfectly with the rest of Scripture. Prepare, the Messiah is coming. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri 17-Nov-2023 4th of Kislev, 5784
Ge 27:28-28:4 Jdg 16 Ps 37 Mt 27:1-31 (Ro 13)