Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Shalom,
Here’s an important announcement: Click the link below for details. Our worship night with Joshua Aaron and company is just a month away. “Al Tish’k’khu” (don’t forget) to get your tickets.
A Prayer For Today
Part 9
Zechariah 2:16(12) Adonai will inherit Judah as His portion in the holy land and will once again choose Jerusalem.
Was this original to Zechariah, or was he quoting (in agreement with) the Torah and the Psalms? Deuteronomy 32:9 But Adonai’s portion is His people—Jacob is the share of His inheritance. Psalm 135:4 For Adonai has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel as His treasured possession. Perhaps he was affirming “once again choose Jerusalem,” or in agreement with Jeremiah who lived about 100 years before Zechariah. Twice Jeremiah calls Israel the “rod (tribe) of His (the Lord’s) inheritance” [see Jeremiah 10:16 and 51:19].
Zechariah 2:17 Be silent before Adonai, all flesh, for He has aroused Himself from His holy dwelling.”
Right now, before our eyes, God is proving His love for Judah, His people Israel and Jerusalem.
Rabbi Trail: That’s three names for the same thing. I know there is a difference between Israel and Judah, but God promises to reunite them in the last days. Jeremiah 30:3 For behold, the days are coming,” declares Adonai, “when I will return My people Israel and Judah from exile,” declares Adonai. “I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they will possess it.”
Jerusalem is a city, but it is regularly used as a reference to the people who live there. In Revelation 21, Jerusalem which is from above is described as the Bride of Messiah. Rabbi’s note: The “Bride” is a people. Jerusalem is both a place and a people. End RT.
This short series of RRs contains teaching and prayers designed to help us make sense out of the chaos going on in the world today, along with some prayers on how to call forth the kingdom of God on the earth. Today, we are reminded of God’s desire to have Judah/Jerusalem close to Himself.
Why should this cause us all to rejoice? Because if God can love and be faithful to the people who have been given every blessing, but not walked in their calling, then how much hope is there for the rest of us? Psalm 9:2 I will praise Adonai with my whole heart. I will tell about all Your wonders.
Let us pray… Dear Father in heaven…, we delight in Your goodness toward us through the giving of Your Son. It is our desire to bless you always, but we are commanded here to also keep silent. With reverence we stand in awe, as we are smitten at your amazing love for us. We give You our hearts as a sign of our covenant commitment to love You and sing Your praises for all eternity. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)’
12 Adar I Wednesday 21-Feb-24
Exodus 29:1-18 2 Kings 6 Psalm 119:25-48 John 11:28-57 Hebrews 1