Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Shalom,
One In Messiah part 14 – Romans, part 125
Romans 9:25 as He says also in Hosea, “I will call those who were not My people, ‘My people,’ and her who was not loved, ‘Beloved.’ 26 And it shall be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ there they shall be called sons of the living God.”
Paul is paraphrasing a section from Hosea, chapters 2 & 3. It is a call to faithfulness. In Hosea’s day, Israel had been “prostituting” herself by serving other gods. The change speaks of a great transformation, from not being loved to being loved as “sons of the living God.”
There is a great difference from being rejected to being accepted. We cannot earn, nor do we deserve God’s acceptance. It is by His divine gift of grace that we are accepted by Him. It is an offer we can’t refuse. Yet, some do refuse it, choosing certain destruction over a loving relationship with the creator of heaven and earth.
Joshua challenged Israel, as did many other prophets. Joshua 24:15b choose for yourselves today whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will worship Adonai!”
Elijah presented the people this choice… 1Kings 18:21a Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If Adonai is God, follow Him; but if Baal is, follow him.”
Even Yeshua also presented a clear choice… Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick by one and look down on the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
None of us starts out life in a right relationship with God. By grace, He offers us His love. We choose to be chosen when we say yes to His call. Thus our prayer is answered… Psalm 51:12 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
The Lord is calling… so here is the question, “Do you receive it?” Say, “Yes and amen.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 For in Him all the promises of God are “Yes.” Therefore also through Him is the “Amen” by us, to the glory of God. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed 12 July 2023 23rd of Tamuz, 5783
Nu 32:20-33:49 Ez 17 Neh 12 Eph 5 (Lk 17)