Rabbi’s Reflections – Friday, February 28, 2025
(Early) Shabbat Shalom,
Psalms
Psalm 25:12 – Part 16
Psalm 25:12 Who is this man who fears Adonai? He will instruct him in the way he should choose.
This verse starts with a question, “Who is this man?” We’ll come back to that question, but first let’s take a short look backward. A moment ago, in the previous Psalm, there was a similar question. Psalm 24:8a “Who is this King of glory?” This is such a good question, that it is repeated in verse 10. There are two answers to the same question, which is asked twice and then answered twice.
Psalm 24:8b Adonai(YHVH) strong and mighty, Adonai mighty in battle!
Psalm 24:10b Adonai(YHVH)-Tzva’ot(of Hosts)—He is the King of glory! Selah
By faith, we know the King of glory is Yeshua. John 10:30 “I and the Father are one.” And we have Yeshua’s answer to Philip… John 14:8 Philip said to Him, “Master, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” (“Dayenu,” from the Seder song.) 9a,b Yeshua said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time, and you haven’t come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father.”
First, we must know Who the “King of Glory” is. Only then we can know, “Who is this man?” He is the one who fears Yehovah(YHVH). Proverbs 9:10a The fear of Adonai is the beginning of wisdom. This is the healthy fear of God which is described by Strong’s Concordance like this… “fearing God,… encompasses both a sense of awe and respect for His majesty and power, as well as a recognition of His authority and holiness.” In English, the same word is used in an unhealthy way to describe a lack of faith.
David made a healthy decision… Psalm 56:4(3) In a day when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. John also made a similar decision to overcome unhealthy fear through love. 1John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear. The Hebrew word for fear, “Yarah,” is first used to describe the result of Abraham passing his test of faith in the “Akedah” (binding of Isaac). Genesis 22:12b “For now I know that you are one who fears God—you did not withhold your son, your only son, from Me.”
The benefit to “this man” who fears the Lord is instruction (in making good choices). The Hebrew word for “instruction” uses the same Shoresh as “Torah.” God’s Word is our instruction so we will pass the test and “hit the mark” with accuracy. Jacob 1:12 Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love Him. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri 28-Feb-2025 30th of Sh’vat, 5785 Rosh Chodesh Adar
Ex 27:1-8 2 Ki 17 Ps 141-142 Jn 14 (Tit 3) Nu 28:11-15