Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Shalom,
Announcement: Shalom my friends… These days in which we are living are a lot like Purim all over again. There is an enemy planning our destruction with lots of public and international support and no apparent solution. This is going to take a miracle from God, so let’s pray for one. So I’m sharing this link… https://www.tikkunglobal.org/esthersfast . There are similar calls for prayer and fasting from the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC.ORG) and even the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, is asking everyone to recite the Shema as part of the Esther Fast on Thursday at 10:30AM EDT. Please set your alarm in agreement. Thank you and God bless. End Announcement.
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The Psalms
An Introduction, Psalms 1 and 2
Part 18, Psalm 2:12
Today we conclude Psalm 2 and the introduction to all the rest of the Psalms. First, in Psalm 1, we were introduced to the Kingdom of God, which includes a clear separation between the way of the righteous and the way of sinners. (As always, the choice is yours.) Then in Psalm 2 we are introduced to the King of God’s Kingdom, the Son of God. Let’s jump into today’s verse, the last verse of Psalm 2.
Psalm 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest He become angry, and you perish along your way—since His wrath may flare up suddenly. Happy is everyone taking refuge in Him!
In Hebrew we ask, “Ma Zeh?” (Meaning, “What is this?”) “Kiss the Son!” Does the Jewish Bible really say that? What “hoops” do we have to jump through to ignore the obvious? The commandment is to kiss the Son! Oh, wait a minute… I get it… the Hebrew word for “kiss” has two completely different meanings. Maybe we should apply the other meaning to this verse.
The other meaning of the Hebrew root “Nashaq” (nun-shin-quf) is “N’shiqa” (in the feminine form) meaning “kiss” and “Nesheq” meaning “weapon.” We know that language communicates culture. Sometimes a word for word translation is not possible. Apparently in the Jewish mindset a kiss can be a weapon. Let’s see how they go together and lead us to the last part of the verse that commands us to be happy. “Ashre!” Means “shout for joy as you are blessed.”
We know from our study of Song of Songs that a kiss is a show of desire for revelation. Song 1:2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine. As we draw close to the Beloved (Son), the revelation we receive effectually weaponizes us against darkness. We are transformed from glory to glory into His image. Who can stand in the presence of the all powerful LORD?
Matthew 4:4 But He (Yeshua) replied, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (kiss) that comes from the mouth of God.’” When we kiss the Torah, as it processes through the congregation on Shabbat morning, we are asking God to open our understanding of His word and weaponize us to stand firm. It is an obvious sign of longing for the presence of the Son, and a fitting command as we end this introduction to all 150 Psalms.
What is the attraction of the Son? Hebrews 1:3a This Son is the radiance of His glory and the imprint of His being, upholding all things by His powerful word. May He open the eyes of our understanding to the wonders of His kingdom and courageously empower us to do His will, both now and forever. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
10 Adar II Wednesday 20-Mar-24
Leviticus 3:1-17 Isaiah 6-7 Psalm 145 Acts 12 Revelations 6