Rabbi’s Reflections – Friday, November 13, 2020
(Early) Shabbat Shalom,
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri 13-Nov-2020 26th of Cheshvan, 5781
Ge 25:1-11 Jdg 14-15 Ps 38 Mt 27:1-31 (Ro 9)
With what am I left? I’ve read each of the 5 portions. Maybe it’s just me. I’ve read the portion of Genesis. I didn’t want to write about how it took Isaac and Rebekah 20 years to get pregnant. Nor did I want to write on the prophesies about Jacob and Esau.
Then I read Judges 14 & 15, but I get so angry every time I read about Samson. He made a fool out of himself over women. He wouldn’t be the last man to do that.
I read Psalm 38. It’s like a lot of Psalms. David despises himself for falling into sin and then thanks God for rescuing him from the destruction of his enemies.
Now on to the New Testament. Matthew 27 is the continuation of the story of the betrayal and mock trial of Yeshua. The whole story puts Jewish people in a very bad light. But then again, the entire Old Testament puts Jewish people in a very bad light. By and large it is the story of Jewish people not listening to the Jewish prophets and suffering judgment as a consequence.
That leaves Romans 9, where finally, the story of the Jewish people takes a turn for the better. Some of God’s people have heard the good news and it is precious in His sight. God is taking some from Israel and some from the nations to make for Himself a people who were not a special creation unto Himself but now are. Something new in the earth.
Romans 9:24 Even us He called—not only from the Jewish people, but also from the Gentiles— 25 as He says also in Hosea, “I will call those who were not My people, ‘My people,’ and her who was not loved, ‘Beloved.’
Yes, we were not loved. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But now we are called “Beloved.” Yes, God has provided an atonement for us all in His Son, Yeshua. We, who were not acceptable to God have been made acceptable by His once for all time sacrifice. Jeremiah 31:2b “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love. Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.”
And no one says it better than Hosea. Hosea 2:21 Then I will betroth you to Me forever—yes, I will betroth you to Me with righteousness, justice, covenant loyalty and compassion. 22 I will betroth you to Me with faithfulness, and you will know Adonai. Take the rest of today and be comforted in this promise of betrothal. The marriage supper of the Lamb has come. The Bride must make herself ready.
Revelation 19:9 Then the angel tells me, “Write: How fortunate are those who have been invited to the wedding banquet of the Lamb!” He also tells me, “These are the true words of God.”
Now I repent. God redeemed Jacob from his father-in-law, Laban and reconciled Jacob and Esau. Samson was redeemed in death after much suffering. David taught the world repentance and Yeshua is on his throne to this day and forever. And, of course, God has saved the day of the Lord for us all. The crucifixion is not the end of the story.
Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of time came, God sent out His Son, born of a woman and born under law— 5 to free those under law, so we might receive adoption as sons. 6 Now because you are sons, God sent the Ruach of His Son into our hearts, who cries out, “Abba! Father!”
Week 46
Memory Verse: Acts 20:24 However, I don’t consider my life of any value, except that I might finish my course and the office I received from the Lord Yeshua, to declare the Good News of the grace of God.
226 11/09 Monday: Acts 20-21
227 11/10 Tuesday: Acts 22-23
228 11/11 Wednesday: Acts 24-25
229 11/12 Thursday: Acts 26-27
* 230 11/13 Friday: Acts 28
Question of the day: Hey Rabbi, can you write about hope 3 days in a row?
Answer: Yes. Paul asks for a meeting with the Jewish leaders of Rome. He explains his situation to them and says this to them… Acts 28:20 For this reason, therefore, I have requested to see you and to speak with you—since it is for the hope of Israel that I am bearing this chain.”
Paul never lost sight of his mission; to declare the hope of Israel to the Jew first. Israel’s “Hope” is not a “what.” Israel’s “Hope” is a “Who.”
The Hope of Israel is called the savior by the Jewish prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah 14:8a O hope of Israel, Savior in time of trouble.
Finally, one of the Psalms of Ascent concludes… Psalm 131:3 O Israel, put your hope in Adonai from this time forth and forever.