The image above is a not so subtle reminder that our community Seder will be held on the first night of Passover, Monday night, April 22nd. To reserve your seat(s) go to www.syknox.org and click on “Current Events” from the home page. That’s where you’ll find the details.
Rabbi’s Reflections – Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Shalom,
The Psalms
Psalm 4:2(1b) – Part 1
Psalm 4:2 Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness! You set me free when I am in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.
David knows that God cannot be passive in hearing. For God, to hear is to respond. God is addressed in Hebrew as “Elohei Tzid’qi,” meaning “God (of) my righteousness.” But wait, I thought we have no righteousness that is fit to be called righteousness.… Isaiah 64:5a For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteousness is like a filthy garment. Exactly! That’s why David specifically calls God the “God of my righteousness.” Without God being the Lord of our righteousness, we have none. Only in Him to we have hope. Romans 3:10 As it is written, “There is no one righteous—no, not one. (Here Paul quotes Ecclesiastes 7:20)
As our subject verse text begins, David (who wrote this Psalm) is calling upon God to provide an answer. There is also an expectation, seems like a demand, that God will respond when David calls. This is consistent with other writings of David. Psalm 28:1 Of David. To You, Adonai, I call—my Rock, do not be deaf to me. If You were silent to me, I would become like those going down to the Pit.
David calls upon God to “Shema T’philati,” meaning “hear my prayer.” And what prayer is that? David is calling upon God in a prayer for what is called in Hebrew, “Rachav.” It means to be enlarged, set free, or opened wide. David has an expectation of deliverance (being set free) from confinement, a narrow space or tight spot (called “distress” in the text). “Rachav” (set free) is the first Hebrew word in the following verse…
Isaiah 54:2 “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch out your tabernacle curtains. Do not hold back—lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.”
This is what happens when the enemy hears the name of Yeshua. The children of Israel had just been delivered through the Red Sea when they sang this song… Exodus 15:6 Your right hand, Adonai, is glorious in power. Your right hand, Adonai, dashes the enemy to pieces. Be affirmed in the promises of God. Psalm 34:5 I sought Adonai, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. People are a lot like flowers. Given the right ingredients… (for flowers it is light, water and nutrients, for people it is love, encouragement and a hope) and they will flourish. May that be you. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
16 Adar II Tuesday 26-Mar-24
Leviticus 6:19[12]-7:10 Isaiah 11-12 Psalm 149 Acts 16 Revelations 10