Rabbi’s Reflections – Thursday, March 20, 2025
Shalom,
Psalms
Psalm 26:2 – Part 6
Psalm 26:2 Probe me, Adonai, and test me, refine (purify) my mind and my heart.
The Hebrew word translated as “refine” is “Tzar’pah.” The Shoresh is “Tzaraf,” (Tzadi-Resh-Peh) meaning to refine or purify as is done with precious metals. This theme of “refiner’s fire” is well rehearsed throughout Scripture.
Rabbi Trail: This brings to mind a harsh prophecy by Zechariah. Near the end of his book of prophecy (which bears his name in Scripture), Zechariah is speaking prophetically on behalf of the Lord, when he prophesies the death of Yeshua, Who is our Shepherd. Zechariah 13:7 Awake, O sword, against My shepherd, against the man who is My companion! It is a declaration of Adonai-Tzva’ot. Strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered! I will turn My hand against the little ones. He then declares that two-thirds of the children of Israel will die. Zechariah 13:8 Then it will happen—it is a declaration of Adonai—that in the entire land two-thirds will be cut off and die, but a third will be left in it.
In the very next verse, Zechariah prophesies over the remaining one-third, he says… Zechariah 13:9 This third I will bring through the fire. I will refine them as silver is refined, and will test them as gold is tested. They will call on My Name and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will answer, ‘Adonai is my God.’
How is gold tested? To determine if a substance is gold at all, it is tested with a touchstone and acid. To test if a substance is pure gold, it can also be subjected to a flame and watched. Impurities will “flame up,” while pure gold only melts. What does Scripture say about this testing? 1Peter 1:6 You rejoice in this greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials. 7 These trials are so that the true metal of your faith (far more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire) may come to light in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Messiah Yeshua. End RT.
God wants to purify His people to make us holy, and form us into the image of His Son, Yeshua. Romans 8:29 For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
This purification makes us new, and at the same time, worthy to be His bride. Revelation 19:7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready, 8 She was given fine linen to wear, bright and clean! For the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the kedoshim.”
Paul (Rav Shaul) also understood this… 2Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I betrothed you to one husband, to present you to Messiah as a pure virgin. What follows immediately is a warning against deception. (The Bible is full of such warnings.) 2Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds might be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion and purity to the Messiah.
I am not afraid, but I do have a concern. There is a spirit (or perhaps several) that is seducing God’s people to believe what is good is really evil and what is evil is really good. Consider this a warning against such deception. Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s judgment comes on the children of disobedience.
We must survive the Refiner’s fire. Isaiah 48:10 Behold, I have refined you, though not as much as silver. I tested you in the furnace of affliction. 12 Listen to Me, Jacob, Israel whom I called: I am He; I am the first; I am also the last. (Only a few verses later is the only verse of the Hebrew Scriptures in which I can find the Holy Trinity mentioned all together.)
Isaiah 48:16 Draw near to Me, hear this: Since the beginning, I have not spoken in secret. From the time it existed, I was there. So now Adonai Elohim has sent Me, and His Ruach.” The Lord God has sent Me (Yeshua is speaking through Isaiah) and His Ruach (Spirit) to help guide us through the Refiner’s fire. Blessings, Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Thu 20-Mar-2025 20th of Adar, 5785
Ex 36:20-37:16 Isa 11-12 Pr 9 Ac 8 (Rev 2)