Here is a friendly reminder. This Friday at 6PM we will gather at Shomair for an Erev Shabbat (covered dish – please bring something to share) dinner followed by a season of prayer. All are welcome to attend. Then on Saturday, as with every 5th Saturday in a month (one per quarter), we will not have a service.
Rabbi’s Reflections – Friday, March 29, 2024
(Early) Shabbat Shalom,
The Psalms
Psalm 4:3(2) – Part 4
Psalm 4:3(2) O sons of men, how long will you turn my glory into my shame? How long will you love worthlessness and pursue falsehood? Selah
Let’s start today with the end. “Selah” means, “Meditate on this because what was just said is profound. These concepts need to be thought about over time to allow the depth of meaning to go from our heads to our hearts. The result will be a changed life, changed for the better.” God is asking two questions which are really “two sides of the same coin.” The “coin” itself is having a righteous heart toward God’s kingdom.
God is asking you and me (we, both men and women are the “sons [or children] of men”) how long will we take His glory and turn it into our shame (which in turn brings shame back on God)? His glory is His “oneness.” Isaiah 42:8a “I am Adonai—that is My Name! My glory I will not give to another. The greatest commandment declares there is one God and it unites us with Him in love. Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
How then can Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which are three, share in the glory (oneness) of God? It is in fact, three in one, just like you are one person with a body, soul and spirit (made in His image). The Trinity has a unity, each part functioning perfectly. John 5:22 The Father does not judge anyone, but has handed over all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all should honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
And the function of the Holy Spirit? John 14:26 But the Helper, the Ruach ha-Kodesh whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you everything and remind you of everything that I said to you. Now that we’ve solved some of the most challenging theological issues, let’s return to our subject verse.
The first question of Psalm 4:3 presumes we are turning glory into shame. How do we do that? The second question tells us how.… We put our love on what is ultimately worthless and chase after a lie. God expects better from His people. Revelation 18:4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you participate in her sins and receive her plagues! 5 For her sins have piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.
The “her” we are commanded to “come out of” is the harlot mentioned throughout Scripture. It is the allure and temptation of this world (Satan is the prince of this world). The harlot looks like a bride, but is not in a love covenant. She is trading, doing business. 1John 2:16 For everything in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the boasting of life—is not from the Father but from the world.
Finally, we are warned repeatedly not to fall into this trap. Ephesians 5:11 Take no part in the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them— 12 for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that are done by them in secret. That’s only the end of the warning… 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. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. So then, let us love what is worthwhile (of God, Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise—dwell on these things.) and pursue the truth (Yeshua prayed for you and me… John 17:17 Make them holy in the truth. Your word is truth.) Have a blessed Shabbat. Shabbat shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
19 Adar II Friday 29-Mar-24
Leviticus 8:14-21 Isaiah 15-16 Proverbs 2 Acts 19 Revelations 13