Rabbi’s Reflections – Friday, April 22, 2022
(Early) Shabbat Shalom,
RR – 4/21/22 On Psalm 22, 23, & 24, part 2
There are only two parts to this. It’s not that there isn’t more to write, it’s that we will start the counting of the Omer beginning on Sunday. The fact that I’m a week late in counting puts me at odds with the rest of the Jewish world and the rest of the Messianic world. Sometimes, I’m even at odds with myself, but that’s odd. (Jan will never let me keep this in the RR, but I snuck it by her. She’ll catch it later, then I’ll catch it.)
Next Wednesday, Jan and I are traveling to Israel for two weeks. We’ll return, just in time to welcome Dan and Patty Juster to Knoxville. This is also “odd” because we’ll be seeing them while we’re in Israel. We’re staying in an apartment rental next door to their permanent apartment outside Jerusalem. I guess the world really is smaller than we think.
I’m mentioning our trip to Israel, so you’ll understand if I’m late with a few RR’s during our travels. An average RR takes about 2 hours to write. It also takes about 50% of my daily mental abilities. Well, those are my excuses. Now I’m going to focus on my opportunities. What an exciting time.
Speaking of opportunities, we’re thinking of taking a group to Israel during the end of year school break around the holidays. I don’t have dates or prices, so it’s all very preliminary. Click “reply” if you’re at all interested and we’ll start to pin something down after we get back.
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Yesterday, in part 1, I briefly mentioned a pivot that takes place in Psalm 22:23 I will declare Your Name to my brothers. I will praise You amid the congregation. Up until that point, the Psalm focuses on the pain and suffering of Yeshua’s crucifixion. Yeshua’s first thought, after His sacrificial death, is evangelism to Jewish people. Here’s a clue, I’m still writing about Jewish evangelism (in fact, I’ve never stopped).
While we are focused on Jewish evangelism, we are not unfocused on non-Jewish evangelism. It’s just that wherever I look, Jewish evangelism gets short shrift. As I visit churches, I regularly find the ubiquitous map of the world with a pin that identifies the place where missionaries are supported. When I look at tiny Israel, routinely there is no pin at all. And Jewish evangelism is exactly the next step in the worldwide revival we are all expecting.
Romans 11:15 For if their (Jewish people) rejection leads to the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
Yes, the harvest of Jewish souls will lead to a greater harvest that will extend to the ends of the earth and I expect it will be concurrent with Yeshua’s second coming. Isaiah 56:6 “Also the foreigners who join themselves to Adonai, to minister to Him, and to love the Name of Adonai, and to be His servants— all who keep from profaning Shabbat, and hold fast to My covenant— 7 these I will bring to My holy mountain, and let them rejoice in My House of Prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar. For My House will be called a House of Prayer for all nations.” Yeshua quoted the last part of this verse. (Matthew 21:13)
Psalm 22:27 Let the poor eat and be satisfied. Let them who seek after Him praise Adonai. May your hearts live forever! 28 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to Adonai. All the families of the nations will bow down before You.
That sounds rather inclusive, doesn’t it? We have must for which we can look forward.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri 22-Apr-2022 21st of Nisan, 5782 Pesach VII
Ex 13:17-15:26 Nu 28:19-25 2 Sa 22:1-51 Eph5:25-33
Week 17
Memory Verse: Psalm 23:1 A psalm of David. Adonai is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.
81 4/20 Monday: 2 Samuel 1-2:1-7
82 4/21 Tuesday: 2 Samuel 3:1; 5; Psalm 23
83 4/22 Wednesday: 2 Samuel 6-7
84 4/23 Thursday: Psalm 18; 2 Samuel 9
85 4/24 Friday: 2 Samuel 11-12