Rabbi’s Reflections – Thursday, March 9, 2023
Shalom,
Walk In The Light – Romans, part 42
We left off yesterday in the middle of Romans 4:9 with a discussion of the inclusion of non-Jews (the uncircumcised) into the promises of God. However; to be included in the promises, non-Jews must walk in the faith of Abraham. Romans 4:11b so he (Abraham) might be the father of all who are trusting while uncircumcised—that righteousness might be credited to them as well.
The “other side of the coin” would be, how does God deal with Jewish people (the circumcised). Is there a different path to being justified for Jews?
Rabbi Trail: Some have said as much. Please receive this warning, as it is from my heart. This error is called “dual covenant.” This error promotes that Jewish people have another path to salvation by being Jewish. Here is a link to Dr. Michael Brown’s thoughts on the subject. He is scheduled to visit Shomair later this year on Shabbat morning, September 9th. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaX4cUdpApI . End RT.
Paul does address the justification of Jewish people in the very next verse. Romans 4:12 Also he is the father of the circumcised, to those not only circumcised but also walking in the footsteps of the trust of our father Abraham before his circumcision. According to this, there is no difference at all in the path to justification.
But wait, you’re reading the RR to get my thoughts on the subject. My thinking concerning the justification of Jewish people is in line with Romans 4:12 (good thing, huh?), which is identically the same as for the uncircumcised. We see through these verses of Romans 4 that both the circumcised and the uncircumcised must “walk in the footsteps of the trust of our father Abraham, before his circumcision.”
One people, one God. Ephesians 4:4 There is one body and one Ruach, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one immersion; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Rabbi Trail: To get this right, we have to see that the covenant of Moses is connected to (and not separate from) the covenant of Abraham. There is also a connection to the other two covenants, the first and second comings of Yeshua. All four are interconnected. End RT.
Moses gave us the Torah of commandments so that we would know God’s righteous standard. But we cannot perform our way to justification. Justification is by faith alone. It’s one of the five “Sola’s” of the Reformation. https://www.concordia.edu/blog/five-solas-of-the-protestant-reformation.html To be clear, eternal justification is through faith in Yeshua.
Rabbi Trail: I want to keep myself out of (more) trouble here. Different commandments apply to different people differently. There are priestly commands that only apply to the High Priest that don’t apply to other priests nor non-priests. Commands for men that don’t apply to women and the opposite is also true. And there are commands that apply to Jewish people that don’t apply to non-Jewish people. Which ones is a matter of great debate, and I’m not going to enter that debate here. I will say this… If the Holy Spirit is leading you in a matter of obedience, please hear and obey without regard to who your parents were. End RT.
John 12:44 Yeshua cried out, “Whoever puts trust in Me believes not in Me but in the One who sent Me! 45 And whoever beholds Me beholds the One who sent Me. 46 As light I have come into the world, so that everyone who trusts in Me should not remain in darkness.
And here is the last word for today… 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10 Once you were “not a people,” but now you are “God’s people.” You were shown “no mercy,” but now you have been shown “mercy.”
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Thu 9 Mar-2023 16th of Adar, 5783
Ex 33:17-23 Isa 8 Pr 6 Ac 6 (Heb 12)