Rabbi’s Reflections – Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Shalom,
Are you enjoying this series on the Red Heifer? I am. Today’s question is, “Why is the Red Heifer given to Eliezer?” Oh my. So many reasons come to mind.
First, Eliezer was not the high priest at the time, he was the son of the high priest. The analogy is not perfect (no analogy or symbol is the perfect representation – with the exception of Yeshua, Himself). The Red Heifer is symbolic of the Bride of Messiah. Naturally, the Bride is given to Yeshua. Yeshua is the Son of the Father. Eliezer is the son of his father, Aaron, who was the high priest.
Secondly, the name “Eliezer” is meaningful. Eliezer means “God is my helper.” The Red Heifer (Bride of Messiah) is handed over into the care of Eliezer (God is my helper). Then, Eliezer (with the help of God) will hand her over for sacrifice. Here is where we stop for today. We’ll discuss the sacrifice itself tomorrow.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue 22 Jun 2021 12th of Tamuz, 5781
Nu 22:21-38 Ez 1Neh 2(Lk 10)Gal 1
From Nehemiah, chapter 2… Nehemiah is sad before the king, which attracts the attention of the king, who asks him, “Why are you so sad when you’re not sick?” Nehemiah knew why he was so sad. He was mourning the loss of Jerusalem. Even so, Nehemiah answered the king directly, explaining that his sadness is over the destruction of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 2:4a The king asked me, “What is your request?” I’m impressed that Nehemiah didn’t answer that question immediately, but prayed first. Nehemiah 2:4b Then I prayed to the God of heaven,
How about us? Should we pray before answering? Of course. And consider the result. Nehemiah’s answer persuaded the king to send him with resources to rebuild the holy city. May God hear our heart’s cry. May our petitions be received in His presence with favor. And may the God Who created heaven and earth provide resources in abundance to fulfill every desire we share with Him. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.
Week 26
Memory Verse: Daniel 9:19 Lord, hear! Lord, forgive! Lord, listen and act! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay! For Your city and Your people are called by Your name.’
126 6/24 Monday: Daniel 5-6
*127 6/25 Tuesday: Daniel 9-10; 12
128 6/26 Wednesday: Ezra 1-2
129 6/27 Thursday: Ezra 3-4
130 6/28 Friday: Ezra 5-6
Question of the day: What is the significance of our “Memory Verse” for this week?
Answer: This is the last sentence in Daniel’s prayer before he is visited by Gabriel, the archangel. It starts with 4 things Daniel is asking of God: (1) hear, (2) forgive, (3) listen, (4) act. This is actually two couplets. Hear and listen are coupled together, while forgive and act are also coupled. The Hebrew for “hear” is “Shema” (or a form of it), which is coupled with “pay attention” or “Qashav.” The other pair is similar, “forgive” is “Salach” (as in “S’li’cha” or “excuse me”). This is coupled with “Achar” which means after, afterward, or late. The way it is used it means “don’t be late.”
The rest of the prayerful sentence is about God’s city and people. Daniel doesn’t mind reminding God that it is for God’s own reputation that Daniel is praying. For Your city and Your people who are called by Your name. Daniel is saying, do this for Your sake, so that Your name will be exalted.
Why would Daniel pray such a prayer? Doesn’t God know all of this without being reminded by Daniel? God is moved by the prayers of the saints. Daniel’s prayer brought the archangel Gabriel with a message. Gabriel is the archangel in charge of communication.
We also keep this command in mind… Isaiah 62:6 On your walls, Jerusalem, I have set watchmen. All day and all night, they will never hold their peace. “You who remind Adonai, take no rest for yourselves, 7 And give Him no rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
Those “watchmen” are “Shomrim” which is the name of our congregation. As “Shomrim” you have an official appointment (or assignment) to be on the wall not holding your peace day or night. Let’s take that assignment seriously. Aren’t you glad Daniel did?