Rabbi’s Reflections – Sunday, September 22, 2024
Shavuah Tov,
Psalms
Psalm 18:17,18(16,17) – Part 17
Psalm 18:17 He reached down from on high and took hold of me. He drew me out of mighty waters. 18 He saved me from my powerful enemy, from those who hated me—for they were much stronger than me.
“He reached down… took hold… drew me out… (and) He (God) saved me!!!” Is all of that really in only two verses of the Jewish Bible? Sounds more like the New Testament Scriptures, doesn’t it? The reality is that getting “saved” is very much a Jewish concept that goes back to ancient times.
The Hebrew Shoresh for being saved is “Natzal” (Nun-Tzadi-Lamed). It is used over 200 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, more than 25 times in the Torah itself. In modern Hebrew, it’s various forms have a diversity of meanings, including “to be saved.” (Hutzal – Hey-Tzadi-Lamed) and “saved, rescued” (Nitzol – Nun-Tzadi-Vav-Lamed). It is also the Shoresh of the word “lifeguard” (Matzil – Mem-Tzadi-Yud-Lamed) or strangely “apology” (Hitnatzlut – Hey-Tav-Nun-Tzadi-Lamed-Vav-Tav).
In Psalm 18, King David is focused on being saved from “my powerful enemies.” David is grateful toward God for saving him from a powerful and stronger enemy. Yeshua adds to that the perspective of the eternal spirit life that will survive this temporary physical one. Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
Let’s change gears for a moment. There are some people who don’t believe in Hell. Universalism is the false doctrine (false because it contradicts Scripture, as you will see) that causes many to fall. It is the false idea that “all roads lead to heaven.” The universalists believe everyone will eventually come into faith in Yeshua and there is no such thing (or place) as hell. We studied this next verse is our home group last just night (I’m writing this on Friday morning).
Rev 14:9b “If anyone worships the beast…10b …he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone.… 11b,d forever and ever… (and) have no rest day or night.”
This is alarming. Hell is real. Don’t be fooled. I’m not condemning anyone, but you should know that God will. Let me draw your attention to the last phrase. Rest is a gift from God, frequently associated with Shabbat, the day of rest. It is one of the benefits of being in God’s presence. Outside of God’s presence there is no rest, only torment, 24/7 for all eternity.
Rabbi Trail: I don’t like to preach “fire and brimstone.” I believe more people are saved through a message of love. “Dangling a person over the fire” will scare many people for a while, but I believe love is the lasting motivator, while fear is only temporary. However; Yeshua is coming back as the judge…
Psalm 96:13 …for He is coming! For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.
Isaiah 11:3 His delight will be in the fear of Adonai. He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor decide by what His ears hear. 4 But with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the poor of the land. He will strike the land with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked.
End RT.
I feel like closing today with this… Peter and John were testifying before the High Priest when Peter answered… Acts 4:11 “This Yeshua is ‘the stone—rejected by you, the builders—that has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved!” The High Priest then instructed them to quit saying that, but Peter and John responded. Acts 4:20 “For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” May we also follow their example. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
19 Elul Sunday 22-Sep-24
Deuteronomy 29:10-29[9-28] Micah 1-2 2 Chronicles 12 Acts 5 Hebrews 13