Rabbi’s Reflections – Monday, August 31, 2020
Shalom,
We are continuing our series on the Song of Songs. Today I want to write about one Hebrew word. It is found as the last Hebrew word of Song of Songs 1:9. This verse is spoken by the Beloved to the Shulamite woman. Song of Song 1:9 I compare you, my darling, to my mare among Pharaoh’s chariots. In it He calls her “my darling.” The last Hebrew word is “Ra’yati” (Shoresh “Resh-Ayin-Hey”) meaning “my darling.” The “ti” (Tav-Yud) at the end makes it possessive or “mine.”
For the rest of this part of the RR today I want to write about what it means to be called “darling” in this way. There are plenty of other words which could have been used, but God is the ultimate wordsmith. This word stands alone in describing the Shulamite woman, whose destiny is to stand as a faithful and eternal companion to the Son of God, Himself.
The word is related etymologically to many other Hebrew words. For instance, the word for Shepherd, “Ro’i” uses the same Shoresh. When God called to Peter, John 21:17b Yeshua said to him, “Feed My sheep!”, Yeshua was inviting Peter to be His “darling.” Even the word for “pasture” in 1 Kings 4:23 is the same Shoresh.
The word could be properly translated as “companion.” In this way the connotation is of a friend who will be special and remain faithful, even in time of trouble. As such, it is connected to the name “Ruth” (which also uses the same Shoresh) who is a faithful companion.
One more word that is related etymologically is the Hebrew word “Ra’ayon,” meaning “thought or idea.” This connotes “like-mindedness.” The Beloved and the Shulamite are so close that He calls her like-minded, close companion who is capable of ministering along side Him in His calling to feed His sheep, His darling. That is a high calling in Messiah Yeshua. Let’s step into it.
Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the reward of the upward calling of God in Messiah Yeshua. 15 Therefore let all who are mature have this attitude; and if you have a different attitude in anything, this also God will reveal to you. 16 Nevertheless, let us live up to the same standard we have attained.
Week 36
Memory Verse: Luke 23:34 But Yeshua was saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Then they cast lots, dividing up His clothing.
* 176 8/31 Monday: Matthew 24:32-51
177 9/01 Tuesday: John 17
178 9/02 Wednesday: Matthew 26:47-27:31
179 9/03 Thursday: Matthew 27:32-66; Luke 23:26-56
180 9/04 Friday: John 19
Question of the day: What is it that the Father alone knows?
Answer: Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven nor the Son, except the Father alone. This verse is the source of the question, but again, “What is it that the Father alone knows?”
Yeshua is speaking about knowing times and seasons. This is all a metaphor about the time when a wedding will take place. The wedding is between a bride (those with faith in Yeshua) and a groom (Yeshua Himself). In ancient Jewish custom, after a betrothal, the groom would go back to his own village to prepare a home for His new bride-to-be.
John 14:2 In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, so that where I am you may also be.
The groom would not know when his father would tell him to go back to get his bride. The father would give his ascent only when both the physical arrangements were complete and when the young man and young woman were spiritually ready for the responsibilities of marriage.
Last Shabbat, Lars Enarson ministered at Shomair. At the end of his message, Lars gave us 8 ways to make ourselves ready for Yeshua’s return. It seems to fit with our question of the day. In fact, one of his scriptural references is from our reading today.
Wait 1 Thes 1:9-10
Long 2 Tim 4:8
Pray Rev 22:20
Expect Rev 19:7
Watch Matt 24:33 (from today’s reading)
Study 2 Pet 1:19-21
Prepare Mark 1:3
Hasten 2 Pet 3:12
Matthew 25:6 But in the middle of the night there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
Lord, make us ready. Matthew 25:13 Therefore stay alert, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”