Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, July 13, 2022
Shalom,
This is from Rick Ridings in Israel. I had to modify it because I got it late. He is asking intercessors worldwide to fast at least one meal (do this on Wednesday, July 13th), and to take at least 12 minutes at 12 noon to praise the Lord, and to proclaim division upon the Lord’s enemies and a thwarting of their plans during the Biden visit to Israel, Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), and finally Saudi Arabia. Thank you.
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What important announcements are there today? I’m glad you asked. There are two. First, this week the elders of Shomair are each launching home groups this week. See the details below. Secondly, Cantor Moishe Bear is returning to Shomair (for the 3rd time) this Shabbat. Those are the headlines, now the news.
Home Groups Launch This Week
All are invited to attend any of the three home groups as follows.
Henschens – Monday 6PM (Powell) 865-257-2998
Weiners – Wednesday 6PM (West Knoxville) 865-414-4527
Kimballs – Thursday 7PM (North Knoxville) 865-696-2638
The Henschens already launched last Monday with 10 adults and 14 children attending. Keith reports that it was a good time of fellowship, testimony, study and prayer. Please call each leader for the address so that we will know you are coming.
Cantor Bear Returns to Shomair
I’ve known Moishe Bear since we were best friends at the age of 10. There are very few non-believers who have ministered at Shomair. Over the last 25 years, Moishe is one of only 3 (the other 2 were General Tzvi Givati and Rabbi David Rubin) to do so.
For the “message” this Saturday morning, Cantor Bear and I are planning a discussion (his request). He will explain why he doesn’t believe in Yeshua, and I will explain why I do. I’ve been writing this series on Yeshua’s success in preparation for that discussion.
After the service, there will be a short break for a “brown bag” lunch (so bring yourself a nosh), followed by a “Shabbaton” (extra teaching time on Shabbat) during which Cantor Bear will explain the meaning and history of the Torah cantillation. All are welcome to stay for this additional teaching time.
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Was Yeshua Successful? Part 8 of ???
Today we will illuminate the 3rd stated (by me previously) purpose of Yeshua’s coming. But first, let’s review. Jewish people are usually averse to receiving Yeshua as Messiah, mostly because the rabbis of His day (2,000 years ago) rejected His claim of deity. Yeshua said of Himself… John 10:30 “I and the Father are one.”
When He spoke those words, His hearers knew exactly what He meant. He was making Himself the “Echad” (One) of Deuteronomy 6:4. But, rather than receive the good news, those leaders rebelled against such a claim. John 10:31 Again the Judean leaders picked up stones to stone Him…. 33b The Judean leaders answered, “Though You are a man, You make Yourself God!”
And so today, we have a strange situation. Millions of Jewish people have allowed the ancient rabbis to make a critical (life changing) decision for them, without investigating for themselves. Please join me in prayer. Oh Lord, open the eyes, ears, hearts, and minds of Your people, Israel. Bring them (especially their leaders) into your family. Graft in the natural branches and make your family whole. In Yeshua’s name. Amen.
3. He came to provide the perfect atonement. His once-for-all-time sacrifice is the perfect life (sinless without spot or wrinkle, which goes back to the Exodus 12:5 Passover lamb) which was freely given for the perfect life lost (in Adam). This is the only way justice could be achieved (a life for a life).
Was Yeshua successful in bringing justice to the world? Yeshua stated His purpose for coming to earth as a man. Matthew 18:11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. (This verse is only found in some manuscripts.) Let me ask you a question. What was lost? God spoke it in Genesis 2:17 But of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil you must not eat. For when you eat from it, you most assuredly will die!
But Adam (and Eve) did eat! What died was the intimate, connected relationship they had with Father God. Adam and Eve (and consequently all their offspring, including you and me) became like cut flowers. We look pretty and smell good, but we are dead, rotting and eventually worthless without any connection to the nourishment of the vine.
Yeshua had to come, to pay with His own perfect life (to make up for – or atone for – the perfect life lost in Adam) so that we all could live. 1 Corinthians 15:21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also has come through a Man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Messiah will all be made alive.
That is the justice Yeshua achieved through His once-for-all-time sacrifice. The perfect life for the perfect life. We had a sin problem, and you can’t fix a sin problem with a life of sin. Only the Tzadik, Yeshua, could do that.
Rabbi Trail: A Tzadik is one who lives a sinless life, even able to control every thought. No man is a Tzadik. Only God, Himself, could achieve that level of perfection. Many orthodox Jews believe the Lubavitcher Rebbe is that Tzadik. As Messianic Jews, we don’t.
Matthew 24:4 Yeshua answered them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray! 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will lead many astray. End RT.
The enemy thought, if he could just kill the Messiah, that would defeat God’s purposes. But Yeshua rose from the dead in victory over death, a victory that we who believe are still enjoying today. Let’s give Peter the last word. 1 Peter 4:12 Loved ones, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal taking place among you to test you—as though something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, rejoice insofar as you share in the sufferings of Messiah, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be glad.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed 13-Jul-2022 14th of Tamuz, 5782
Nu 22:39-23:12 Eze 13 Ne 1 (Lk 11:1-28) Eph 5:18-33
Week 29
Memory Verse: Nehemiah 6:9 For they were all trying to intimidate us, thinking, “Their hands will become weak from the work and it will not be done.” So now, strengthen my hands!
141 7/11 Monday: Nehemiah 7-8
142 7/12 Tuesday: Nehemiah 9
143 7/13 Wednesday: Nehemiah 10
144 7/14 Thursday: Nehemiah 11
145 7/15 Friday: Nehemiah 12