Rabbi’s Reflections – Monday, June 3, 2024
Shalom,
Day 37 of counting the Omer
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּֽנוּ עַל סְפִירַת הָעֹֽמֶר
Baruch Atah Adonai Elohenu Melech Ha-Olam, Asher Kid’shanu B’mitzvotav, Vitzivanu Al Sefirat Ha-Omer.
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by his commandments and commanded us about the counting of the Omer. Today is five weeks and two days of the counting of the Omer.
Follow up that prayer by remembering a blessing from the Lord and give Him thanks. Ruth 2:12 “May Adonai repay you for what you have done, and may you be fully rewarded by Adonai, God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
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Psalms
Psalm 9:10(9) – Part 7
Psalm 9:10(9) Adonai is a stronghold for the oppressed, a high tower in times of trouble.
Remember, we are reading a Psalm of David. King David is consumed with praise for God. First, just for Who God is, then for how He deals with His enemies. Back and forth it goes, all in praise of the One true and living God. Here, in verse 10(9), David is once again praising God for Who He is, a stronghold (Misgav) for the oppressed (LaDach), and a high tower (Misgav – same word) in times of the trouble (BaTzarah).
Was there ever a time when we expected God to insulate us from oppression and trouble? The promise of God is not avoidance of oppression and trouble, but to deliver us out of or through oppression and trouble. The children of Israel cried out to God FROM their position as slaves, under harsh taskmasters.
This was Paul’s experience… 2Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Messiah may dwell in me.
Psalm 34:16 The eyes of Adonai are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry…. 18 The righteous cry out and Adonai hears, and delivers them from all their troubles.
When we read “all” in Scripture, we have faith that “all” means “all.” Be advised, there are times of trouble prophesied. Jacob 5:1 Come now, you rich, weep and wail over the miseries that are coming upon you. Read the rest of the chapter. It is an invitation to pray, which is exactly what we should do. Jacob 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.
Finally, as we said together last Shabbat when we finished reading Leviticus, “Chazak, Chazak, V’Nit’chazek,” meaning, “Be strong, be strong, and strengthen one another.” Jacob 1:12 Happy (Blessed) is the one who endures testing, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love Him. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/
26 Iyar Monday 3-Jun-24 37th day of the Omer
Numbers 1:20-54 Jeremiah 12 Job 22 Mark 3 1 Corinthians 3