Rabbi’s Reflections – Monday, November 27, 2023
Shalom,
Rabbi Trail: In case you missed the “Daily Bread” yesterday (I think it got left out by mistake), here it is today…
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarsson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun 26-Nov-2023 13th of Kislev, 5784
Ge 32:3-12[4-13] 1 Sa 2 Ps 44 Mk 4:1-20 (1 Co 4)
Life In The Body part 44 – Romans, part 219
Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking, but righteousness and shalom and joy in the Ruach ha-Kodesh.
First, “the kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking.” We’ll get to what it IS about in just a minute, but first, let’s see what it is NOT about. The immediate question is, does this change the laws of kashrut we have already studies from Leviticus 11? Some people try to use it to excuse their eating preferences. Hear Yeshua’s words…
Mat 5:17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Torah or the Prophets! I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.
Rabbi Trail: How many times have I heard that “Yeshua fulfilled the law so that we would not have to?” The key here is to substitute the term “God’s righteous principles” in place of “law.” Did Yeshua fulfill God’s righteous principles so that we would not have to? Now way! We quoted this verse yesterday… Hebrews 12:14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Now, let’s answer the question: How many times? More than I can count. The correct understanding is that Yeshua fulfilled the law, so that we would understand the call to righteousness. There is so much more to His once-for-all-time sacrifice. Through His perfection, Yeshua reconciled the world back to God, showing us the way of righteousness. But, in this short RR devotional, I’ll have to stop there. End RT.
According to the following verses, nothing changes until… Matthew 5:18b “until all things come to pass.” Makes me want to ask, “Have all things come to pass yet?” Have I missed something? Must be another level of understanding to this passage. What is the practical application of “eating and drinking” that is not what the kingdom of God is about?
First, “eating and drinking” (“Brosis” and “Posis” in Greek) are the same words Yeshua used in Matthew 6:55 For My flesh (Brosis) is real food and My blood is real drink (Posis). This is not about ordinary food we eat every day, but about sacrificial food. Paul’s statement, therefore; takes the kingdom of God to a higher level, a spiritual level that goes beyond the partaking of a sacrifice.
Romans 14:17b …but righteousness and shalom and joy in the Ruach ha-Kodesh.
Let’s deal with these three individually. The reality of the fullness in the kingdom of God is found in righteousness. First, Yeshua’s words on “righteousness.” Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. The Paul adds this… 2Corinthians 5:21 He made the One who knew no sin to become a sin offering on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
This leads us to Shalom. Shalom is being satisfied from the inside out by the very presence of God in our lives. Isaiah (9:6) calls Yeshua, “Sar Shalom” the (Prince of Peace). And this Prince of Peace lives in you. Galatians 2:19b I have been crucified with Messiah; 20a and it is no longer I who live, but Messiah lives in me.
That leaves “joy.” We look forward to eternity in the presence of God, that is biblical joy. Don’t believe me, read this verse. Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life. Abundance of joys are in Your presence, eternal pleasures at Your right hand. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Mon 27-Nov-2023 14th of Kislev, 5784
Ge 32:13-29[14-30] 1 Sa 3 Ps 45 Mk 4:21-41 (1 Co 5)