Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Shalom,
One In Messiah part 64 – Romans, part 175
Romans 11:36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.
So ends Paul’s treatise on Messianic Judaism found in these three chapters, Romans 9, 10, and 11. The end really started three verses earlier with this phrase.… “O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” Romans 11:33a. So, let’s ask the question, “How deep are God’s riches?” Deep enough to include you, me and all His followers in His family, that’s how deep. Once we come to realize that God sent His only begotten Son to suffer, so that you and I could be included in His family (with all the blessings pertaining thereto), we can’t help but give Him glory forever.
There is a common misconception connected to this verse and I would like to try to clear it up before we move on tomorrow with the start of chapter 12. Paul is correct, “from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.” However; many people make the inappropriate leap to believe that therefore, evil comes through Him.
They ask, “If all things come through Him, why does God permit evil?” In answering that question, it is important to consider Yeshua’s temptation. Was it real? Was it possible for Yeshua to sin? Of course, for without real temptation, there is no real victory. We become overcomers by overcoming temptation. Romans 8:37 But in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
God wants us to be strong (and to be strong, we must be strengthened). Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you are able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Notice that all armor is defensive. It is designed for protection. That’s true of all the armor mentioned in Ephesians 6, notwithstanding the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God. It is the only offensive weapon we have.
So then, let’s exercise mature discernment, to know right from wrong, not like babies on a diet of pablum. Let us be like those who properly use the meat of the word, Hebrews 5:14b …who through practice have their senses trained to discern both good and evil.
Stand firm in righteousness. Ephesians 4:14 As a result, we are no longer to be like children, tossed around by the waves and blown all over by every wind of teaching, by the trickery of men with cunning in deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all ways into Messiah, who is the Head. Romans 11:36b To Him be the glory forever! Amen. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed 20 Sep 2023 5th of Tishrei, 5784
De 32:13-18 Zec 2-3 2 Ch 26 Rev 11 (Ac 19:1-20)