Rabbi’s Reflections – Monday, March 18, 2024
Shalom,
Two quick announcements: This message was sent to me (Rabbi) by email… Hey everyone! Unfortunately, Councilwoman Amelia Parker has filled another motion supporting the international court of justice against Israel’s actions. There is another meeting this coming Tuesday. I just want everyone to have ample time to make arrangements. We appreciate all the support. If you know anyone who would like to join us please let them know. Rabbi’s note: I have another commitment that evening, but I hope many of you all will show your support for Israel in agreement with the Jewish community of Knoxville.
City Council, Regular Meeting, 3/19/2024 6:00 PM City County Building: Main Assembly Room, 400 Main St., Knoxville, TN 37902
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Reminder #2: Mar 24, 2024, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Fairview Knoxville Church, 7424 Fairview Rd, Corryton, TN 37721, USA Joshua Aaron worship night with Aaron Shust and Yaron Cherniak. For more details and tickets visit www.JoshuaAaron.TV
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The Psalms
An Introduction, Psalms 1 and 2
Part 16, Psalm 2:9
Psalm 2:9 “You shall break the nations with an iron scepter. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s jar.”
This quote started in verse 6… Psalm 2:6 “I have set up My king upon Zion, My holy mountain.” With every quote, we have to know Who is speaking and who is being addressed. It should be clear that God, the Father, is speaking. In verse 7, the Father speaks to Yeshua in the clearest of terms,… verse 7b “You are My Son—today I have become Your Father.”
The “breaking” and “dashing into pieces” of the nations is prophesied to be done by Yeshua. What’s the point of it all? To bring the nations into right order. Asher Intrater calls it “Alignment” in his book by the same name. There is a kingdom coming to earth, and that kingdom has a king (prophesied in Psalm 2:6 above). Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel trumpeted, and there were loud voices in heaven saying, “The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Anointed One. And He shall reign forever and ever!”
Rabbi Trail: We are so steeped in democracy that it hurts our perception of God’s kingdom, which is not a democracy but a theocracy. In fact, the majority is rarely right. Think of Noah, he was a minority. Caleb and Joshua we a minority among many spies. And especially the crowd shouting for Pilate to release Barabbas was a wrong majority too. End RT.
In God’s kingdom, it’s not majority rules, but God is the One Who will rule and rule He will, with a rod of iron. This is also repeated in several places of Scripture. Here I’ll cite just one… Revelation 19:15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword—so that with it He may strike down the nations—and He shall rule them with an iron rod, and He treads the winepress of the furious wrath of Elohei-Tzva’ot. In case there is any doubt about Who will do the “striking down,” the next verse should clear it up. Revelation 19:16 On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “King of kings, and Lord of lords.”
There is a coming judgment… It is the “sheep and goats” of Matthew 25:31-34. The choice is clear, grace now or judgment later. We are repeatedly warned, “Don’t be deceived.” Repeat after me, “I receive this warning, in the name of Yeshua. Amen.”
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/
8 Adar II Monday 18-Mar-24
Leviticus 1:14-2:6 Isaiah 3-4 Psalm 143 Acts 10 Revelations 4