Rabbi’s Reflections – Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Shalom *|FNAME|*,
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue 2-Feb-2021 20th of Sh’vat, 5781
Ex 18:24-27 2 Ki 5 Ps 126-127 Jn 7:25-53 (1 Ti 3)
Wow! Only 4 verses in the 3rd Aliyah of Yitro. That must be the shortest reading all year. Well, at least it ends the chapter. Like all good company, Moses’ father-in-law knew when to go home.
Then we read 2 Kings 5. The story of Naaman and Elisha (oh, and Gehazi get’s written about at the end of the chapter). I’m impressed with Naaman, who listens to his servants and receives a blessing for being obedient. But I want to focus for a moment on Gehazi. Actually, I want to share a word with him; you can listen while I shout at Gehazi. “Hey Gehazi, when you work for a prophet, don’t try to get away with anything.”
Were you listening while I shouted at Gehazi? Well, guess what! That was for you too. We are all one with Yeshua. Is there anyone more prophetic than He? Let’s face it, none of us are going to “get away” with anything. The best option we have is to repent and change our evil ways.
Week 6
Memory Verse: Hebrews 11:24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 Instead he chose to suffer mistreatment along with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the disgrace of Messiah as greater riches than the treasures of Egypt—because he was looking ahead to the reward.
26 2/01 Monday: Genesis 48-49
*27 2/02 Tuesday: Genesis 50-Exodus 1
28 2/03 Wednesday: Exodus 2-3
29 2/04 Thursday: Exodus 4-5
30 2/05 Friday: Exodus 6-7
Question of the day: Genesis ends with Joseph making his relatives promise… Genesis 50:25 Then Joseph made Israel’s sons swear an oath saying, “When God takes notice of you, you will bring my bones up from here.” Did they do it?
Answer: Exodus 13:19 Moses also took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made Bnei-Yisrael swear an oath saying, “God will surely remember you, and then you are to carry my bones away with you.” Why is this so significant?
The answer is in Joseph’s own words. (This is also noted in the “faith chapter” of Hebrews 11 – verse 22.) Joseph talks about a future visitation. Joseph knew about it and talked about it. He did not want to be left behind. That “future visitation” in Hebrew is called by Joseph, “Pakod-Yif’kod” meaning literally, “an official appointment – He will (make an) official appointment.”
Each of us will be living through yet another (one last) Pakod-Yif’kod. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself shall come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the blast of God’s shofar, and the dead in Messiah shall rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left behind, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air—and so we shall always be with the Lord. We want to be included too. Joseph had to make his relatives promise not to forget about him when their visitation came. We only need to pray that Yeshua will remember us when the next visitation comes.
It took 400 years and 13 chapters of Exodus before we get to the fulfillment of that promise (along with another 40 years in the desert) before Joseph’s request was honored. So, we too wait for the fullness of His coming, while His bride makes herself ready. And so, the Bible emphasizes the need for preparation and patience. Galatians 6:9 So let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we don’t give up. For now, we are left with these marching orders… Ephesians 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist when the times are evil, and after you have done everything, to stand firm. 14a Stand firm then!