Rabbi’s Reflections – Thursday, June 29, 2023
Shalom,
One In Messiah part 5 – Romans, part 116
Romans 9:3b —my own flesh and blood, 4 who are Israelites. To them belong the adoption and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Torah and the Temple service and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs—and from them, according to the flesh, the Messiah, who is over all, God, blessed forever. Amen.
In these two verses of Scripture, Paul has made a significant list of reasons why his “own flesh and blood,” namely Israelites, are a natural fit in the kingdom of God under the supreme authority of Yeshua HaMashiach. Each of his points is like a button on a shirt. Notice Yeshua is the “top button” (we’ll get to Him tomorrow).
The rest of the “buttons” won’t function as intended if the top button is not correctly in place. Could there be 4,000 years of Jewish history (only 2,000 years when Paul was writing) in which Jewish people have a covenant relationship with the one true and living God, with a bad ending? May it never be. Romans 11:15 For if their rejection leads to the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? The salvation of Israel leads to the end time revival. I’m getting way ahead of myself. However; it is great to see where this is going, but we’re not there yet.
TEMPLE SERVICE: Since Yeshua is the reality of all things, of course He is the reality of the “Temple Service.” From the altar of burnt offering in the outer court, which represents the cross (place of sacrifice), to the Holy of Holies (Holiest of all) with the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat, everything points to Yeshua.
Once a year (on Yom Kippur afternoon) only one man (the high priest) would enter in (to one place) and sprinkle the blood of bulls and goats. But there is a greater reality in Heaven. Galatians 4:26 But the Jerusalem above is free—she is our mother. In that ultimate Temple from above it is not the blood of bulls and goats that purifies, but Yeshua’s own blood, and not every year, but once and for all time, His blood sanctifies.
So in Him it is no longer one time, one man, one place, but by Him all of us are granted access at all times, wherever we are. Romans 5:2 Through Him we also have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand and boast in the hope of God’s glory. Ephesians makes it clear that this is not just for Jewish people.
Ephesians 2:17 And He came and proclaimed shalom to you who were far away and shalom to those who were near— 18 for through Him we both have access to the Father by the same Ruach. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.
In Romans, Paul is making the case for the inclusion of Jewish people into the family of God. In Ephesians he is making the case for the inclusion of non-Jewish people into the family of God. This is the fruit of Yeshua’s sacrifice, and the fullness of the reality of the Temple service.
PROMISES: God tells the truth. Satan is a liar. Sin started with a lie. Genesis 3:4 The serpent said to the woman, “You most assuredly won’t die! Then God made a promise to Satan… Genesis 3:15 “I will put animosity between you and the woman—between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will crush his heel.”
HaSatan (the adversary) has the stated objective to make us believe God is a liar. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some consider slowness. Rather, He is being patient toward you—not wanting anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance. When we read “all,” that means the whole world.
God promises to bring in the fullness of the Gentiles and then to remove the blindness from Israel. Paul even calls this a mystery, meaning it is hidden from plain sight. Romans 11:25 For I do not want you, brothers and sisters, to be ignorant of this mystery—lest you be wise in your own eyes—that a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. But, we’re not there yet either.
It’s easy to see how our patience is being tested through this teaching on Romans. Stay faithful. 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, “Things no eye has seen and no ear has heard, that have not entered the heart of mankind—these things God has prepared for those who love Him.” When someone asks you, “What do you believe?” Give them a clear answer… “I believe the promises of God.”
Tomorrow (God willing) we will complete the list of reasons Paul wants to see Israel included in the family of God. His point is that they have so much, even the promise of the Messiah. The calling on Israel is to be a light to the nations. Yeshua is the light. To be the light, Israel must have the light. He is the reality of light too! John 1:9 The true light, coming into the world, gives light to every man.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Thu 29 Jun 2023 10th of Tamuz, 5783
Nu 22:13-38 Jer 52 Neh 1 2 Co 13 (Lk 9:1-26)