Rabbi’s Reflections – Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Shalom *|FNAME|*,

I’ve been eagerly waiting to write the answer to this question concerning the Red Heifer… “Why is cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet wool burned with the Red Heifer?”  Unfortunately, I’m pressed for time today and tomorrow and perhaps even another day, I don’t know yet.  All that to say the RR may be a bit spotty over the rest of this week.  Please bring your understanding to bear and offer your forgiving heart.  Thank you.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)

Tue 29 Jun 2021 19th of Tamuz, 5781

Nu 26:52-27:5Ez 12Neh 8(Lk 14)Eph 1

Week 27
Memory Verse: 1 Peter 3:15 Instead sanctify Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,

131   7/1   Monday:        Zechariah 1:1-6; 2; 12

*132  7/2   Tuesday:       Ezra 7-8 

133   7/3   Wednesday:  Ezra 9-10

134   7/4   Thursday:      Esther 1-2

135   7/5   Friday:           Esther 3-4

This is from 2 years ago…

Question of the Day:  What was it that led to such favor on Ezra? 

Answer:  In Ezra chapters 7 and 8 we see a remarkable story describing how great favor was granted to Ezra for his return to Israel. We are told in 7:6 that he was “granted all he requested because the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.” The King even gives him great quantities of silver and gold and requests that he offer sacrifices. Finally, the King gives Ezra a “blank check” from the treasury to meet additional needs for the house of God.

The full answer to our question is given in 7:9-10. Here we see that the “good hand of his God was upon him” because he “set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.” 

It is obvious that Ezra’s whole hearted response to the calling of God in his life was the key. His willingness to not only study the ways of God, but also to practice them opened up great favor in his life—for him as well as for the entire nation of Israel.  One man of faith makes a great difference in the kingdom of God.