Rabbi’s Reflections – Monday, March 16, 2020 

Shalom,

Pillar Eleven: The Kingdom is Expressed in Every Life Sphere – part 5

Oh my!!!  I’m still impressed with the all encompassing love of God.  The Scriptures are clear!  Is there any area of life in which God excludes himself?  In other words, is there anything “off limits” to God?

Mathew 28:18 And Yeshua came up to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.”

Matthew 22:44 For he says, ‘Adonai said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, until I put Your enemies under Your feet.”’ 

“All authority” means that all authority is delegated to us by God.  Placing God’s enemies under His feet means defeating all His emenies.  

Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.    

Is there any sphere of life that is off limits to God?  What would we withhold from the King of kings and Lord of lords?  When can we just tell God, “You don’t understand, I’ve got to do this my way and not Your way because ___Fill in the blank____.”  

We say, (And I’ve taught you before – I have to say that so you won’t think I’m getting senile.) “Death to dualism.”  When I say “dualism,” I mean being the person of God at times, but at times acting like the rest of the world’s inhabitants.  It’s the difference between being led by the Spirit and being led by the flesh.  

Lord, be the God of my employment or business life (however I make a living).  Lord, be the God of my family life and friendships (all interpersonal relationships).  Lord, be the God of my recreational life.  And (of course) Lord, be the God of my faith community life.  What’s the point?  We dare not hold any area of life back from God.  

He is only Lord of everything when “everything” is submitted to His authority.  Truly, the kingdom of God is expressed in every sphere of life only when we obey God in all things.  Here is one last word.  Submission to God is obedience to God.  Everything else is rebellion at some level.    

Week 12
Memory Verse: Joshua 1:8 This book of the Torah should not depart from your mouth—you are to meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will make your ways prosperous and then you will be successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Chazak! Be strong! Do not be terrified or dismayed, for Adonai your God is with you wherever you go.”

* 56  3/16      Monday:         Deuteronomy 8-9

57    3/17      Tuesday:        Deuteronomy 30-31  

58    3/18      Wednesday:   Deuteronomy 32:48-52; 34

59    3/19      Thursday:      Joshua 1-2 

60    3/20      Friday:           Joshua 3-4

Question of the day:  Who are your “Anakim?”

Answer:  The “Anakim” are giants.  Deuteronomy 9:2 The people are great and tall, sons of the Anakim. You know them, and you yourselves have heard, “Who can stand before the sons of Anak?”  

With all of Scripture, we must ask the Lord, “What are you saying to me through this verse?”  So, let’s put this in context.  All the children of Israel are on the eastern shore of the Jordan River, preparing to go in to possess the land.  This is analogous to us preparing to enter in to our destiny with God.

Although we have blessed assurance from God that we will attain our destiny, there are still giants that must be defeated before we can live in peace.  Mica 4:4 But each man will sit under his vine and under his fig tree, with no one causing terror, for the mouth of Adonai-Tzva’ot has spoken.  

God will fight for you, but He still wants you in the battle.  So, we must receive the message Moses gave to the children of Israel on this occasion.  Deuteronomy 31:6 Chazak! Be courageous! Do not be afraid or tremble before them. For Adonai your God—He is the One who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.”

Own it!  Shalom.