Rabbi’s Reflections – Sunday, February 25, 2024
Shavuah Tov,
Why have we studied (and prayed our way through) this twelve part series? Hopefully, it has helped us come to an understanding (from God’s perspective) of current events worldwide. Then, with this in mind, we will know how to comport ourselves and how to partner with God in prayer. Even the casual observer can see the centrality of Israel and the Jewish people as history (His story) is being written (as today turns into yesterday).
Many people are reading some version of the Chronological Bible. First, let me say that is a good thing. We at Shomair took five years, as we followed the F260 Bible Reading Plan called Replicate. (https://replicate.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/F260-Reading-Plan-2018.pdf) Five times in five years we read the Bible chronologically from cover to cover.
However; that plan (and many others like it) only includes about 42% of the Bible. More than half of the Bible is instructions and wisdom that is not chronological. Truth is truth in any age, but that truth is left out of many chronological reading plans. In this next season in the RRs, I feel the Lord leading me to write a series on God’s truth as revealed in the Psalms. This could take a while. We start tomorrow.
A Prayer For Today
Part 12
(the final part)
Zechariah 2:12 “For thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, He has sent me after glory to the nations that plundered you—because whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye—
Zechariah 3:7 ‘Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “If you will walk in My ways and keep My charge, then you will judge My House and watch over My courts and I will give you a place to walk among these standing here.”
Can the people of Judah be the Lord’s portion in the holy land if those people don’t even know His name? Isaiah 9:5(6) For to us a child is born, a son will be given to us, and the government will be upon His shoulder. His Name will be called Wonderful Counselor (Pele Yo’atz), Mighty God (El Gibor) My Father of Eternity (Aviad), Prince of Peace (Sar-Shalom).
The language of Zechariah 2:12 is similar to the language of Exodus 14:18 when the destruction of Pharaoh and his army is described as the glory of God. Exodus 14:18 Then the Egyptians will know that I am Adonai, when I have been glorified over Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.” So too, the destruction of the nations (Goyim) who plundered “the apple of His eye.”
Right now, Jewish people (by and large) are on the receiving end of the wrath of the world without the benefit of knowing Messiah. But that will change, and that’s what we’re praying into. Listen to the promise given to Miriam… Luke 1:32 He will be great and will be called Ben-Elyon. Adonai Elohim will give Him the throne of David, His father. 33 He shall reign over the house of Jacob for all eternity, and His kingdom will be without end.”
The fulfillment is not yet. It is also true that the promise is in the light of partial blindness, but only for a season. What is the fullness of what is happening in these last two verses of John 8? John 8:58 Yeshua answered, “Amen, amen I tell you, before Abraham was, I am!” 59 Then they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Yeshua hid Himself and went out from the Temple. What triggered such a violent reaction? I believe the answer is nuanced in the translation. When Yeshua said, “I am,” He was saying it in a way, or using certain words, (There is more than one way to say “I am” in Hebrew. I can think of three off-hand and I’m not fully fluent in Hebrew.) to make Himself equal with God.
John 5:18 So for this reason the Judean leaders kept trying even harder to kill Him—because He was not only breaking Shabbat, but also calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
Rabbi Trail: An interesting use of words here. Yeshua was calling God, “His own Father.” The most common phrase in liturgical prayer (all synagogue prayer is liturgical) is “Avinu Malkeinu,” meaning “our Father, our King.” So apparently, collective pronouns are “kosher,” but personal pronouns got Yeshua into trouble. It wouldn’t be the last time. End RT.
Trouble doesn’t phase Yeshua, and it should not phase us. We are children of the King, so we must stand firm in faith. Philippians 2:5 Have this attitude in yourselves, which also was in Messiah Yeshua,… 7a But He emptied Himself— 8a He humbled Himself— 9 For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name. Our destiny is to be with Him for eternity as we enjoy His blessings.
Let us pray… Father in heaven, once again, we approach Your throne of grace on behalf of Your plans for the entirety of the people of Israel. Eighty years ago you used the horrors of the Holocaust for Your glory and the eventual establishment of the State of Israel. Now Lord, we call upon You to finish that which you began… breathe life into your people through faith in Savior of the world, Who is the King of Israel. For the sake of Yeshua’s name we pray. Amen.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
16 Adar I Sunday 25-Feb-24
Exodus 30:11-31:17 2 Kings 9 Psalm 119:97-120 John 13 Hebrews 4