Rabbi’s Reflections – Friday, August 9, 2024
(Early) Shabbat Shalom,
Psalms
Psalm 16:5 – Part 5
Psalm 16:5 Adonai is my portion and my cup. You cast my lot.
The concept of “lots” is found throughout the Bible. It’s first use is with regard to the scapegoat of Yom Kippur in Leviticus 16:8-10 where it is mentioned specifically 5 times. Despite the mention of lots, this is not gambling, there is no gambling in the kingdom of God. When Adonai is “throwing the dice,” the result is never in question. He’s God!
This is the point of the first part of our subject verse. The translation leaves a little something out. In the Hebrew, there are two words (connected by a hyphen and) translated as one “portion.” The first is “Manna.” That’s right, like the Manna in the wilderness. It actually means portion. Exodus 16:4 Then Adonai said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. The people will go out and gather a day’s portion every day, so that I can test them to find out whether they will walk according to My Torah or not.
The second word, found in Psalm 16 verse 5, but not really translated here is “Cheliq,” also meaning portion, but with an understanding that this portion is oriented toward inheritance.
Rabbi Trail: “Cheliq” is actually a common Hebrew name in modern Israel. Parents name their children “Cheliq” to indicate how much they value their inheritance in that child. End RT.
From this, we gain the understanding that God is the portion of our inheritance. It is a positive affirmation after the shocking confession of the previous verse that those who run after another god will have their sorrows multiplied. Joshua (along with almost all of the Hebrew prophets) invites the people to make their choice. Today, the choice is yours.
Joshua 24:14a “Now therefore, fear Adonai and worship Him in sincerity and in truth. 15b …choose for yourselves today whom you will serve—… 15d But as for me and my household, we will worship Adonai!”
The portion of your inheritance depends on your choice. Choose wisely, my friends. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson. (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
5 Av Friday 9-Aug-24
Deuteronomy 2:31-3:14 Ezekiel 29 1 Chronicles 3 Luke 23:1-25 1 Thessalonians 4