Rabbi’s Reflections – Monday, December 26, 2022
Shalom,
In the RR for last Friday, I left off with this thought… “There was much good that came out of Luther’s reformation. However; in some ways it went too far and in other ways not far enough.” The over-arching thought there is that Luther properly enhanced the concept that believers need personal holiness in their walk with God. Where he fell short is that he didn’t include Jews (and godly, biblical Jewish practices) into the family of God’s people. Reference: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/luthers-jewish-problem/
Luther actually loved Jewish people (generally) in his early years, but his attitude changed when his initial overtures of conversion fell on mostly deaf ears. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_and_antisemitism Many believe (this is confirmed if you read the links cited above) that Luther (by way of his writings and teachings) was the inspiration for Hitler’s “Final Solution” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Solution
Not to contradict what I just wrote, Luther and his views are not the real issue. Let’s put God and His views up front where they belong. Does God love Jewish people? How would we know? Romans 11:1a I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! The entirety of Scripture is the story of God raising up and preserving a people unto Himself, the Children of Israel, the Jewish people.
Paul begins both Romans 9 and 10 with a prayer for Israel’s salvation. Romans 9:3 For I would pray that I myself were cursed, banished from Messiah for the sake of my people—my own flesh and blood, Romans 10:1 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for Israel is for their salvation. Let’s join Paul in that prayer for the salvation of Israel.
Lord, when we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, (Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem— “May those who love you be at peace!”) we are praying for the salvation of all Israel, according to Your promise. Romans 11:11 I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their false step salvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke Israel to jealousy. 12 Now if their transgression leads to riches for the world, and their loss riches for the Gentiles, then how much more their fullness!
Lord, bring revival to the world through the salvation of Your people, Israel. In Yeshua’s name we pray. Amen.
I’ll write more about this tomorrow.
Special note: The “Daily Bread” reading plan by Lars Enarson is featured every day in our RR. For those wishing to journal along with the readings, Lars has published men’s and women’s versions of a matching journal. They can be purchased here. https://arielmedia.shop/products/dailybread2023 It looks like the women’s Messianic edition is sold out. Other editions are available.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Mon 26-Dec-2022 2nd of Tevet, 5783 Chanukah Day 8
Ge 44:31-45:7 2 Sa 6-7 Ps 79-80 Lk 6:1-26 (2 Co 4)
Nu 7:54-8:4 1 Macc ch. 15-16
Another special note: This is our first day without the F260, daily Bible reading plan. For the last 5 years we have read through the Bible with chronological selections 5 days a week. (That’s 52 weeks x 5 days a week = 260 readings. The “F” is for “foundations.” If you wish to continue in it, here is the link. https://replicate.org/book/foundations-old-testament/ It is also available for teens and children. (They call them “kids,” but I think “kids” are baby goats.)