Rabbi’s Reflections – Friday, March 15, 2024
(Early) Shabbat Shalom,
The Psalms
An Introduction, Psalms 1 and 2
Part 15, Psalm 2:8
Psalm 2:8 Ask Me, and I will give the nations as Your inheritance, and the far reaches of the earth as Your possession.
The Hebrew word for “nations” is “Goyim.” God is saying to His Son, Yeshua (see the previous verse), “Whatever you ask of Me, ‘I will give,’ even all the nations of the earth.” Yeshua would receive a similar offer from Satan at the third (and final) temptation. Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil takes Him to a very high mountain and shows Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” But Yeshua would not be seduced. Matthew 4:10 Then Yeshua says to him, “Go away, satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship Adonai your God, and Him only shall you serve.’”
In case you’re thinking this applies to Yeshua and not to you, think again. Jacob(James) 4:7 Therefore submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you. Satan is a “deal maker.” He offers to trade something for something, but his offers are full of lies and he wants your soul. Don’t do “business” with a liar. John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks lies he is just being himself—for he is a liar and the father of lies.
The Scriptures go on to warn us… 1Peter 5:8 Stay alert! Watch out! Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, searching for someone to devour. 9a Stand up against him, firm in your faith. And as we stand up against the devil, we stand at the foot of the cross. We stand guilty, but declared innocent (Which is better than “not guilty.”)
We call on the Lord to find us innocent and draw us into fellowship with Him. Psalm 43:1 Vindicate me, O God, and champion my cause against an ungodly nation. From a deceitful and unjust man, deliver me!… 4 Then I will come to the altar of God (the Cross), to the God of my exceeding joy, and praise You upon the harp—O God, my God. Our inheritance is in Messiah Yeshua. Rejoice! Shabbat shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
5 Adar II Friday 15-Mar-24
Exodus 40:17-27 Isaiah 1 Psalm 141 Acts 8 Revelations 2:12-29