Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Shalom,
Psalms
Psalm 25:21 – Part 25
Psalm 25:21 May integrity and uprightness protect me—for I wait for You.
The Hebrew word for integrity is “Tom,” (Tav-Mem). It means a fullness or depth of integrity. It indicates a moral completeness that is undivided. This is much more than the outward (observable) adherence to obey commandments, but an inner resolve to partake of the heartfelt intent of spiritual wholeness and shalom that is God.
Philippians 4:7 And the shalom of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Messiah Yeshua.
Shalom that “surpasses all understanding” is based in the heart. The head is where our understanding resides. Only the heart can surpass understanding and take us into God’s presence. This level of heartfelt integrity exceeds the mind motivation of decision making. It leads us to the heart’s desire in pursuit of godliness. Psalm 42:2 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God. This describes an integrity for godliness such that nothing else will do.
Let’s change subjects. What’s this at the end of the verse, “I wait for You?” The Hebrew word is “Qiviticha.” It means more than “wait.” This is a waiting with hope and expectation. Miqveh (a ritual cleansing bath similar to baptism) comes from this same Shoresh.
Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried together with Him through immersion into death—in order that just as Messiah was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become joined together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also will be joined together in His resurrection.
This is our hope. The Hebrew word for “the hope” is “Hatiqvah.” It also comes from the same Shoresh as Miqveh. Hatiqvah is the name of the Israeli national anthem. For two thousand years (now that’s waiting) Jewish people prayed to return to the promised land. Since 1948, what we hoped for has become our reality.
Yeshua is (historically, now and forever) the reality of all things. Therefore; He alone is the reality of all of Israel’s expectations. He is our hope. He came and He is coming back again. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,… 13 We wait for the blessed hope and appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua.
So, for now we wait for the return of Yeshua. As Rudyard Kipling wrote in his poem, “If”… “If you can wait and not be tired of waiting.” His conclusion is “You’ll be a man, my son.” The key is to wait with expectation. Psalm 62:6 My soul, wait in stillness, only for God—for from Him comes my expectation. 7 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my strong tower—I will not be moved. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed 12-Mar-2025 12th of Adar, 5785
Ex 33:17-23 Isa 3-4 Pr 3 Ac 3 (Heb 9)