Rabbi’s Reflections – Tuesday, March 23, 2021
Shalom,
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue 23 Mar-2021 10th of Nisan, 5781
Le 7:11-38 Isa 33 Pr 24 Ac 23 (Rev 17)
Today is the 10th of Nisan (as you can see). At the Seder we ask, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” But I want to ask, “Why is the 10th of Nisan different from all other days?” Let’s get the answer from Scripture. The Lord spoke to Moses… Exodus 12:3 Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month, each man is to take a lamb for his family one lamb for the household.
On this day, the lamb was chosen and made part of the family. I want to make three points relative to this special day.
- The 10th day of Nisan (which is the first month) corresponds perfectly to the 10th day of the 7th month – they are exactly half a year apart. The 10th day of the 7th month, Tishre, is Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement, aka “Judgment Day”). On that day, the final shofar will be sounded. Today is the day to choose the Lamb so we can be saved by His blood. Exactly a half year from today, those who do not choose Yeshua will be judged. My advice, choose to be chosen.
- In the year of the crucifixion, the 10th of Nisan was a Sunday. We know it as Palm Sunday. It is the day Yeshua entered Jerusalem , matching the exact day on the calendar that the lamb entered the homes in ancient Egypt. Four days later, the crucifixion and three days after that (making seven days total), the resurrection. Yeshua was enthusiastically welcomed… Matthew 21:9 The crowds going before Him and those following kept shouting, saying, “Hoshia-na to Ben-David! Baruch ha-ba b’shem Adonai! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hoshia-na in the highest!”
- There is another major biblical connection to this day. This is the day Ezekiel had a vision. Ezekiel 40:1 In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month… the hand of Adonai was on me, and He brought me there. 2 In visions God brought me to the land of Israel and set me down upon a very high mountain. Then Yeshua, Himself, appeared to Ezekiel. And what did Yeshua show Ezekiel (through vision) on this exact date? For the next 4 chapters, God gives an exact description and measurement of the Temple for the purpose of a deeper revelation. Ezekiel 43:4 Then the glory of Adonai came into the House by way of the gate facing the east. 5 The Ruach took me up and brought me into the inner court. Then behold, the glory of Adonai filled the House.
May the glory of Adonai fill each of our houses on during this Passover season.
Week 13
Memory Verse: Judges 2:12 They abandoned Adonai, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples around them, and bowed down to them. So they provoked the anger of Adonai.
61 3/25 Monday: Joshua 5:10-15, 6
* 62 3/26 Tuesday: Joshua 7-8
63 3/27 Wednesday: Joshua 23,24
64. 3/28 Thursday: Judges 2-3
65 3/29 Friday: Judges 4
Question of the day: What is behind the message… Joshua 8:1 Then Adonai said to Joshua: “Do not be afraid or dismayed.”… and what is the “take-away” for us?
Answer: This is actually the fourth time the Lord has spoken these same exact words in Hebrew. He spoke them in the Torah, through Moses, twice, Deuteronomy 1:21 “See, Adonai your God has set the land before you—go up, take possession, as Adonai God of your fathers has promised you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” And again as Moses gave his charge to Joshua in Deuteronomy 31:8 “Adonai—He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you. Do not fear or be discouraged.”
Then we read as Joshua gives this charge to the people… “Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Chazak! Be strong! Do not be terrified or dismayed, for Adonai your God is with you wherever you go.”
Each time we are reminded that God is with us (Emanuel), the accompanying thought is to be courageous. God is telling us to be people of faith. When we face enemies, we rely on the strength of God to give us the victory. God knows Who He is. He’s not encouraging Himself here, He’s encouraging us. Clearly, the Scriptures teach us that God’s desire is to move through people of faith. Show yourself strong and walk in this blessed assurance.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Surely I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. 11 Behold, all who were angry at you will be ashamed and disgraced. Those who quarrel with you will be as nothing and perish. 12 Though you will look for those who contended with you, you will not find them. Those who warred against you will be as nothing at all. 13 For I am Adonai your God who upholds your right hand, who says to you, “Fear not, I will help you.”