Rabbi’s Reflections – Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Shalom,
Psalms
Psalm 18:3(2) – Part 8
Psalm 18:3 Adonai is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in Him I take refuge, my shield, (and) my horn of salvation, my stronghold.
Only two left! Today we study the phrase, “And my horn of salvation.” In transliterated Hebrew, “V’Qeren Yishi.” Yeshua’s name is here made into a personal possessive form, “my salvation.” Like John 3, verse 16 has global implications. John 3:16a “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…. However; the second part of the verse is personal and individually targeted. John 3:16b …that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Nothing is more personal with God than the salvation experience. Sure, God sent His Son for the benefit of the entire world. And He also sent His Son because He loves you individually, as if you were the only person on earth. God is always love motivated. 1John 4:9 The love of God was revealed among us by this—that God sent His one and only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. With God, love is very personal.
Rabbi Trail: “Qeren” (Quf-Resh-Nun) does mean horn. (The Hebrew name for a rhinoceros comes from this Shoresh.) In this case, the horn of my salvation is like a “horn of plenty.” Yet, at the same time, the same Shoresh has a number of additional meanings. For instance, in modern Hebrew, it can be a fund or even a corner. Strangely, the same Shoresh is also used for radiation or even a radiator. End RT.
Back to the intended meaning of our subject verse… let’s take a moment, as we bring this devotional to a close, to appreciate the love of God in providing an abundance (horn of plenty full) of salvation for both you and me. This is our great blessing, today and every day. 1Corinthians 6:17 But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him…. 20 For you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.
The salvation of God changes everything. It is the gift of God that is new every morning… Lamentations 3:21 This I recall to my heart—therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the mercies of Adonai we will not be consumed, for His compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning! Great is Your faithfulness…. 26 It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of Adonai.
Therefore; let us use His gift of new life in us to bless Him back. 1Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of the many-sided grace of God. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
7 Elul Tuesday 10-Sep-24
Deuteronomy 22:8-23:6[7] Hosea 13-14 2 Chronicles 1 John 16 Hebrews 7:15-29