Rabbi’s Reflections – Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Shalom,
Psalms
Psalm 25:2 – Part 2
Psalm 25:2 O my God, in You I trust, so I will not be ashamed, and my enemies will not gloat over me.
“Betach!” is the consistent answer to every question in Israel, no matter who you ask or what you’re asking. Translation: “Of course, you can count on it!” Is that product warrantied? “Betach!” Does the bus stop here? “Betach!” Let me offer you some sage advice. If a man (without regard to any nationality) tells you “Count on it!”, make sure you check on it. If God tells you “Count on it!”, then you can take Him at His word.
Here, David is telling God, “B’cha Batachti!” Meaning, “In You I have trusted.” What follows are two stated benefits (for having trusted in God). First, I will not be ashamed, and similarly, my enemies will not rejoice or triumph over me. Jeremiah used the same word “Boosh,” which is translated “ashamed.” For context, this is the result when leaders do not repent.
Jeremiah 8:8 How can you say, ‘We are wise! The Torah of Adonai is with us’? In fact, it is the lying pen of the scribes that have made it a lie. 9 The wise men will be put to shame—shattered, trapped. Look! They have rejected Adonai’s word, so what wisdom do they have?
We must trust God unconditionally. Jeremiah saw that there are blessings and there are curses, and they depend on our choices. The blessings will follow our faithfulness and truth. Paul offered this warning to those who chose poorly. Romans 1:22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools…. 25 They traded the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26a For this reason God gave them up to shameful passions.
This theme of David, to trust in God, which leads to victorious blessings is found in abundance throughout the Scriptures. Here are two good examples.
Psalm 86:5(4) For You, my Lord, are good, and ready to forgive and full of mercy to all who call upon You…. 7(6) In the day of my trouble I call upon You, for You will answer me.
Psalm 143:8 Make me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You I trust. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. 9 Deliver me from my enemies, Adonai. I hide myself in You.
Rabbi Trail: I can’t tell if King David is intentionally building (from Psalm to Psalm) the case for our relationship with God or it just happened that way. I tend to believe this is intentional. End RT.
In Psalm 24 (which we just concluded last week) we found out who can stand in God’s presence. Psalm 24:4 One with clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully. 5a He will receive a blessing from Adonai. Today we see that “blessing” is further defined… Psalm 25:2b …so I will not be ashamed, and my enemies will not gloat over me. Worship the King and enjoy the promised victory. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue 11-Feb-2025 13th of Sh’vat, 5785
Ex 18:24-27 1 Ki 21 Ps 119:121-144 Jn 4:31-54 (1 Th 5)