Rabbi’s Reflections – Thursday, September 19, 2024
Shalom,
Psalms
Psalm 18:14,15(13,14) – Part 15
Psalm 18:14 Adonai also thundered in the heavens, and Elyon gave forth His voice, hail and fiery coals. 15 He shot His arrows and scattered them, hurled lightning bolts and routed them.
The description of the wrath of God continues. In these two verses, the evidence of God’s anger is both heard and seen. We hear thunder and see lightning. The TLV (Tree of Life Version) specifically mentions the voice of God, and the Hebrew does as well. For the remainder of this RR, I want to focus on hearing God’s voice in the last days.
First, in ancient times, Moses heard the voice of God in the wilderness. Exodus 3:4 When Adonai saw that he turned to look, He called to him out of the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” So he answered, “Hineni.” The lesson for us here is that Moses had to look before he heard. Likewise, we also must to “turn aside” (change direction) and put our attention on God if we really want to hear His voice. This is what happened to Elijah.
1Kings 19:11 Then He said, “Come out and stand on the mount before Adonai.” Behold, Adonai was passing by—a great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and shattering cliffs before Adonai. But Adonai was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but Adonai was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake a fire, but Adonai was not in the fire. After the fire there was a soft whisper of a voice. 13 As soon as Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle, went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then all of a sudden, a voice addressed him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
All of the children of Israel who were delivered out of slavery in Egypt heard God’s voice at the foot of Mount Sinai. However; their hearing began with what they saw. Exodus 20:18 All the people witnessed the thundering and the lightning, and the sound of the shofar, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled and stood far off.
What the people saw, made them afraid, so they ran away from God’s presence. Exodus 20:19 So they said to Moses, “You, speak to us, and we will listen, but do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” Every time God speaks, it is to test us… Exodus 20:20 So Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, for God has come to test you, so that His fear may be in you, so that you do not sin.” 21 The people stood far off, (ran away) while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
In these last days, we ourselves, are also being tested. God is seeking to raise up a people who will not run away from His voice, but instead, who are they, who will run to Him? In which direction will you run? John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life! They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
Watch the signs of the times. (Read Matthew 24 and 2 Timothy 3) God is calling out His people. Revelation 18:4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you participate in her sins and receive her plagues! 5 For her sins have piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. The warning could not be clearer, both watch and listen for revelation. Revelation 18:8 For this reason her plagues will arrive in a single day—death and grief and famine—and she shall be burned down with fire. For mighty is Adonai Elohim who judges her!” Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
16 Elul Thursday 19-Sep-24
Deuteronomy 27:11-28:6 Amos 8-9 2 Chronicles 10 Acts 3 Hebrews 12:1-14