Rabbi’s Reflections – Thursday, August 3, 2023
Shalom,
One In Messiah part 30 – Romans, part 141
Romans 10:15 And how shall they proclaim unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim good news of good things!”
Paul is quoting two scriptures, Isaiah 52:7 and Nahum 2:1(1:15). Actually, Isaiah uses similar phraseology in Isaiah 40:9.
Isaiah 40:9 Get yourself up on a high mountain, you who bring good news to Zion! Lift up your voice with strength, you who bring good news to Jerusalem! Lift it up! Do not fear! Say to the cities of Judah: “Behold your God!”
Nahum also uses this idea, but he connects it to celebrating the Feasts of the Lord, especially Yom Kippur. Nahum 2:1 Behold, upon the mountains are the feet of him bringing good news, proclaiming shalom. O Judah, celebrate your festivals! Fulfill your vows!
“Behold your God!” “Celebrate your festivals!” “Fulfill your vows!” It seems like there is more going on here than the “business as usual” of sharing the good news. “They are sent” to invite people to have a personal encounter with the living God.
And, what about those beautiful feet? They are mentioned as taking part in the “whole armor of God.” Ephesians 6:15 Strap up your feet in readiness with the Good News of shalom. Be ready to march forth with the “Good News of Shalom.” Do we really know what the “Good News of Shalom” is? It is the answer to the question Yeshua asked the Disciples.
Question: Matthew 16:15 He said, “But who do you say I am?”
Peter Answered: Matthew 16:16b “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Why is that the “Good News of Shalom?” Shalom, in this sense, means complete wholeness, lacking nothing, total satisfaction. When we know Who Yeshua is, and put Him on the throne of our hearts, He is in us and we have the power to overcome the enemy.
Matthew 16:18b …and the gates of Sheol will not overpower it. 19a I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
These “keys” have the ability to lock and unlock, to bind what is not of God and to loose that which is. Who wouldn’t want that? This isn’t about getting someone “saved.” It is about helping someone establish a relationship with the living God, and in the process, receive His help in every situation of this life and beyond. So many scriptures come to mind as we bring this to a close. I’ll give you my top 3 before we end this for today.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Surely I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Hebrews 4:16 Therefore let us draw near to the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help in time of need.
Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation! I will trust and will not be afraid. For the Lord Adonai is my strength and my song. He also has become my salvation.” 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4 In that day you will say: “Give thanks to Adonai. Proclaim His Name! Declare His works to the peoples, so they remember His exalted Name.
Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Thu 3 Aug 2023 16th of Av, 5783
De 10:12-11:9 Ez 38 1 Ch 17 1 Ti 1 (Jn 6:37-71)