Rabbi’s Reflections – Monday, September 30, 2024
Shalom,
Psalms
Psalm 18:21,22(20,21) – Part 23
Psalm 18:21(20) Adonai rewarded me for my righteousness. For the cleanness of my hands He repaid me. 22(21) For I kept the ways of Adonai, and did not turn wickedly from my God.
Now for the last piece of this three piece puzzle. Note: You can see the first two pieces where they are archived as parts 21 & 22 (along with more than 2,000 other RRs) at www.syknox.org/blog . Let’s unpack this phrase… Psalm 18:21b … For the cleanness of my hands He repaid me.
We already know this… Sin has a payday. Romans 6:23 For sin’s payment is death, but God’s gracious gift is eternal life in Messiah Yeshua our Lord. Righteousness does not have a “payday,” per se. There is a day appointed in which the righteous will receive their reward, but that’s not a “payday.” 2Timothy 4:8 In the future there is reserved for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not to me only, but also to everyone who has longed for His appearing.
We are not laborers, waiting on a “payday,” but covenant people waiting for the marriage supper of the Lamb. Isaiah 61:10 I will rejoice greatly in Adonai. My soul will be joyful in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me in a robe of righteousness—like a bridegroom wearing a priestly turban, like a bride adorning herself with her jewels. Isaiah is not writing about wages, but of a wedding yet to happen fully in reality.
Which Hebrew word has been translated as “repaid?” The word is “Yashuv,” from the Shoresh “Shuv” (Shin-Vav-Bet). It means to “change direction” or “turn back.” In other word, “return” or “repent.” Through our righteousness and clean hands, the Lord has granted us repentance.
Rabbi Trail: We have been trained to have an aversion to the phrase “my righteousness.” Don’t be fooled, God is not against righteousness. Quite the opposite, He is for it. God is against self-righteousness. But, when we make His righteousness our own righteousness, we are being conformed into His image, and God loves that.
Psalm 33:4 For the word of Adonai is upright and all His work is done in faithfulness. 5 He loves righteousness and justice. The earth is full of the love of Adonai.
When all is said and done, “It’s a heart thang!” Or, maybe “It’s a CLEAN heart thang!” Psalm 51:12(10) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Maybe we should say, “It’s a NEW heart thang!” Ezekiel 36:26 Moreover I will give you a new heart. I will put a new spirit within you. I will remove the stony heart from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Ruach within you. Then I will cause you to walk in My laws, so you will keep My rulings and do them. 28 Then you will live in the land that I gave to your fathers. You will be My people and I will be your God. 29 So I will save you from all your uncleanness.
None of this can happen without THE Savior. We need Yeshua, and we need Him now. Titus 2:13 We wait for the blessed hope and appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua. 14 He gave Himself for us so that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and so that He might purify for Himself a chosen people, zealous for good deeds. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/
27 Elul Monday 30-Sep-24
Deuteronomy 32:7-12 Habakkuk 1 2 Chronicles 19 Acts 12 Revelations 6