Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Shalom
Love Each Other / Glorify God part 13 – Romans, part 238
Romans 15:14 Now I myself am convinced about you, my brothers and sisters, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and also able to counsel one another.
Please read that again. I read it a few times. Paul is making a positive confession to let us know his belief that we can help advise one another in the things of God (“all knowledge”).
Rabbi Trail: I wish I shared Paul’s optimism. There are several headlines today that are causing me discomfort. They relate to things I don’t want to deal with specifically right now. However; I will say they all relate to the attack on gender. Boys are boys and girls are girls. Anything more than that is from the evil one.
In the world today there is great confusion over gender. Begs the question, “Who is the author of confusion?” Answer: 1Corinthians 14:33a for God is not a God of confusion. Now that we know who it isn’t, we are left with only two possible answers, self and satan. When we agree with satan, it’s us and him, when we agree with God, it is satan by himself.
God is not gender confused (or in any other way confused); He is specific…. Genesis 5:2a Male and female He created them. Mathew 5:37 But let your word ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’—anything more than this is from the evil one.” So the “attack” is not really against gender, it is against God, Who created gender. How like the enemy to use sweet kind language like “gender affirming care” to speak of wrecking the God-given identity of children. Children, (who are not mature in any way and are the least able to defend themselves) are encouraged to scar their bodies and more for the rest of their lives. Surely, God will hold us to account for this.
The point I’ve been trying to make (but keep side-tracking myself, this is a Rabbi Trail) is that all of this is an attack on God, Who is the creator. God doesn’t make mistakes. All this “gender affirming care” is based on the lie that God does make mistakes. I’m sure this Rabbi Trail will qualify to be labeled hate speech by those who are opposed to God. So will much of the Bible.
These are difficult times. Lines are being drawn. In which camp will you plant your feet? The cost of making the righteous decision is rising. 1Peter 4:12 Loved ones, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal taking place among you to test you—as though something strange were happening to you. Peter goes on to encourage us… 1Peter 4:16 But if anyone suffers for following Messiah, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name. We must answer with the words of Joshua. Joshua 24:15b “But as for me and my household, we will worship Adonai!” End RT.
Here is a short comment on our subject verse before we wrap up this devotional. In order to be “able to counsel one another,” we’ve got to be in trusting relationships with one another. Here’s a word of advice, don’t let just anybody speak into your life. When someone tries to speak God’s will to you, measure it against Scripture and check yourself against deception.
One of my life verses is a perfect fit to end this RR. Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will give counsel—My eye is on you. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed 20-Dec-2023 8th of Tevet, 5784
Ge 45:19-27 1 Sa 25 Ps 65 Mk 16 (2 Co 6)