Rabbi’s Reflections – Thursday, September 7, 2023
Shalom,
One In Messiah part 55 – Romans, part 166
Rom 11:26 and in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer shall come out of Zion. He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.”
Five words that inspire hope… “all Israel will be saved.” We should just accept the promises of Scripture without trying to “overthink” things. “Thinking” is fine as we search for truth, but “overthinking” usually leads to error. Let’s examine questions like, “What does it mean, ‘saved?’” or, “Who is ‘Israel?’” Paul wrote a letter to the Romans, and his writing was adopted into the Canon of Scripture. We have faith in the promises of God, and these five words are one of His promises. Now, let’s dig a little deeper.
Our subject verse starts with the word “and.” This connect these thoughts to those in the previous verse. “Partial hardening… until…” is connected to the salvation of Israel. So, let’s pause here to consider (without overthinking) how this verse ties Israel’s salvation to the “Deliverer… shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.” (Remember, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel.)
Much of modern theology makes the salvation experience a destination. Once you’re saved, you’ve arrived and think you can tell God, “Keep the change.” But God is telling us that to become His disciple requires a change of heart resulting in a change of lifestyle. Israel will be saved, AND Jacob will become godly.
Romans 8:3 For what was impossible for the Torah—since it was weakened on account of the flesh—God has done. Sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as a sin offering, He condemned sin in the flesh— (and here’s the “punch line”) 4 so that the requirement of the Torah might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Ruach.
The Torah is not done away or changed, it is our approach to the Torah that changes. Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Torah or the Prophets! I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.” To “fulfill” means to fill up and make completely full. Isaiah 42:21 Adonai was pleased, for the sake of His righteousness, to make Torah great and glorious.
Yeshua pleases the Lord by making the Torah “great and glorious.” It is “great and glorious” when it is obeyed and the people who obey it are blessed and happy. Proverbs 3:17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all of her paths are shalom. 18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and blessed (happy) will be all who hold firmly to her.
God made a covenant with the children of Israel. It was originally made by God with Father Abraham (and reconfirmed with Isaac and Jacob), and extends to their descendants to this day. This covenant was made by grace and in the power of His Holy Spirit, God tells us that His commitments to the children of Israel will be fulfilled. In a few verses, Paul will call it an irrevocable gift and calling. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Thu 7 Sep 2023 21st of Elul, 5783
De 31:7-13 Mic 6 2 Ch 17 Rev 2:18-29 (Ac 11)