Rabbi’s Reflections – Friday, March 6, 2020
(Early) Shabbat Shalom *|FNAME|*,
Pillar Ten: The Kingdom will be Expressed in the Coming Fullness – part 1
Another way to express “the coming fullness” is “restoration” and another way to express “restoration” (in Hebrew) is “Tikkun.” This is the name given to the oversight ministry to which Shomair Yisrael is submitted. (https://tikkun.tv/)
Rabbi Trail: Usually the Hebrew term is “Tikkun Olam,” or “restoration of the world.” While “Tikkun” in Hebrew means “restoration,” it can also be translated as “repair.” For that reason, if we talk about “Tikkun” (without the “Olam”) in Israel, someone unfamiliar might ask why we are talking about a garage (where we get our car repaired). End RT.
All this talk about restoration is fine, but “what” is being restored and “to what” is it being restored? This question goes to the heart of God’s master plan. The world changed when Adam and Eve brought rebellion to humanity by taking the bait of Satan. Satan’s proposition to Eve was, (I’m paraphrasing here) “Disobey God (by eating what was forbidden) and become your own god, thus becoming equal to God.”
Only a sucker would fall for that proposition, but sadly, even to this day, much of humanity is still believing that lie. I love the way the Bible puts it…. Numbers 15:39b you will remember all the mitzvot (commandments) of Adonai and do them and not go spying out after your own hearts and your own eyes, prostituting yourselves.
Yes, it goes back to yesterday’s lesson on the spies. God’s master plan is restore the relationship Adam and Eve had with God in the garden before the rebellion. When we follow the way of Yeshua by faith, we are participating in God’s master plan of restoration, whether we know it or not.
Week 10
Memory Verse: Leviticus 26:13 I am Adonai your God, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, so that you would not be their slaves, and I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk upright.
46 3/2 Monday: Leviticus 23
47 3/3 Tuesday: Leviticus 26
48 3/4 Wednesday: Numbers 11-12
49 3/5 Thursday: Numbers 13-14
* 50 3/6 Friday: Numbers 16-17
Question of the day: Speaking of rebellion, what was Moses’ response to the rebellion of Korah?
Answer: Numbers 16:4 When Moses heard this, he fell on his face.
That’s right, Moses didn’t fight or rail against the rebellion, he fell on his face. Moses knew that God is able to defend His own name. Moses only had to pass his own test by submitting. (Falling on his face was an act of submission.)
This is a lesson for each of us. What will be my next temptation? Will I be misunderstood? Will I be hated? Will I be falsely accused (of anything)? All of us will be tempted in some way (probably sooner than later) to rise up in righteousness and come to our own defense or the defense of God. When that happens, the instructions are always the same… Exodus 14:13a But Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid! Stand still, and see the salvation of Adonai, which He will perform for you today.
Aaron got the same lesson when his beloved sons were killed by God for offering strange fire before the Lord. Strange fire is authorized fire. Aaron was authorized. He sons thought they had been trained and didn’t need dad’s authorization. Leviticus 10:1 Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu each took his own censer, put fire in it, laid incense over it, and offered unauthorized fire before Adonai—which He had not commanded them. 2 So fire came out from the presence of Adonai and consumed them. So they died before Adonai. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what Adonai spoke of, saying: To those who are near Me I will show myself holy. Upon the faces of all the people I will be glorified.” Then Aaron kept silent.
“Then Aaron kept silent.” So should we, every time we are tempted to speak out in righteous indignation. This is wisdom. This is a mark of spiritual growth. The only way to “graduate” is to “pass the test.” We “pass the test” when we wait upon God. Mute is beautiful. Shabbat Shalom.