Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Shalom,
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed 30-Dec-2020 15th of Tevet, 5781
Ge 49:1-18 2 Sa 19 Ps 91 Lk 12:1-34 (Gal 1)
There are only 18 verses in this, the 4th Aliyah, yet there is enough material here to make a book full of explanation. Very near the end of his life, Jacob is prophesying over his 12 sons. In these 18 verses, we have the first 7 prophesies (and they’re not all complimentary). Today I want to address just two of these Scriptures.
Genesis 49:10 The scepter will not pass from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs will come. To him will be the obedience of the peoples.
How could I let this one pass? This great prophesy is mentioned throughout history as evidence that the Messiah will come out of Judah. One of Yeshua’s names is “the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.” (See Revelation 5:5) And notice His coming leads to “the obedience of the peoples.”
The rabbis hold this up as evidence that Yeshua is NOT the Messiah. They say to look around. How easy (they say) is it to see that the people of the world are not obeying God. They (the rabbis) have misunderstood the concept of Mashiach Ben Joseph and Mashiach Ben David. Rather than believing in the first and second coming, the rabbis believe there are two Messiahs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_messiahs The whole earth will come into obedience to the will of God, just not yet.
The second verse I want to highlight today is the last verse of today’s reading from the prophesy over Dan. Genesis 49:18 For your salvation I wait, Adonai! This speaks to my previous point. Dan means judgment. Psalm 96:13b He is coming! For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness. Yeshua came to earth 2,000 years ago as the suffering servant (Son of Joseph), but He will be coming soon as the reigning King (Son of David). Until then, we wait for Yeshua (salvation).
Week 1
Memory Verse: Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, when warned about events not yet seen, in holy fear prepared an ark for the safety of his household. Through faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
1 12/28 Monday: Genesis 1-2
2 12/29 Tuesday: Genesis 3-4
* 3 12/30 Wednesday: Genesis 6-7
4 12/31 Thursday: Genesis 8-9
5 1/1 Friday: Job 1-2
What Time Is It? Part 1 section C by Dr. Raymond Finney
● Warning for Yeshua’s return: It has been said, “The Tanakh is Yeshua prophesied; the B’rit Chadashah is Yeshua revealed.” The Messiah was prophesied repeatedly throughout the Tanakh; the Messiah was revealed throughout the B’rit Chadashah– and this Messiah has the name of Yeshua. A bedrock of our faith is: Yeshua died for our sins, left Earth for a time, but will return in the future to call His followers to rule and reign with Him in the kingdom of God, for a 1,000 years (millennial reign)… and then into eternity.
● Personal rewards (and warnings): The Book of Revelation is one of the great prophetic books of the Bible. In this book, Yeshua speaks directly to us through the Apostle John. You are promised a blessing, if you read the prophecies of the book (Revelation 1:3). But, Yeshua is the author of this book, not you, and you are, therefore, forbidden to change (add or take away) any words of the prophecy (Revelation 22:18-19).
● Spread the Gospel to warn others, as opportunities may soon end: You are commanded to spread the Good News (the Gospel) of salvation because of God’s grace and Yeshua’s sacrifice throughout the world (Matthew 28:19-20). You are told to warn others of coming danger (eternal death, without salvation), just as watchmen were stationed on walls in ancient Israel to watch for the danger of invading armies (Ezekiel 33:1-6). If you understand through prophecy that Yeshua may return at any moment followed by judgment, the urgency of salvation (which is, the eternal loss of Heaven, without salvation), spreading the Gospel to others should be be a priority! Serve as a “watchman on the wall” (Ezekiel passage) to warn others.
SIDELIGHT: A B’rit Chadashah Greek word, as usually translated, may cause many to discount the life of Yeshua and prophecy. Revelation 22:20b, as commonly translated, reads: [Yeshua said] “… Yes! I am coming soon!….” Bible critics mock Yeshua’s promise. Nearly two-thousand years have passed since His crucifixion, and He has not returned “soon” (quickly), which is not soon by anyone’s standards. The Greek word, here translated “soon,” is tachu (tachy). Tachu can be translated either “soon” (without delay), or it can be– and more commonly is– translated “suddenly” (without warning).
Yeshua has not returned “speedily,” but He will return “suddenly.” Whether you are caught up in the Rapture or you die by accident or illness, you will meet Yeshua suddenly. You are just one heartbeat away from Judgment.
Peter anticipated that people would doubt the authenticity of Scriptures because of the delayed return of Yeshua. In his teaching about God and man having different perspectives of time, Peter wrote (2 Peter 3:3-4, 9-10, 14): First of all, understand that in the last days, scoffers will come scoffing, following after their own desires and saying, “Where is this promise of His coming? Ever since the fathers died, everything goes on just as it has from the beginning of creation.” |…| The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some consider slowness. Rather, He is being patient toward you– not wanting anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the elements will melt and disintegrate, and the earth and everything done on it shall be exposed. |…| Therefore, loved ones, while you are looking for these things, make every effort to be found in shalom, spotless and blameless before Him.
When God the Father is ready, which obviously has not been “soon” after Yeshua’s resurrection, Yeshua the Son will return, which will be “suddenly.” END sidelight.
● Earn rewards: There are special rewards (“crowns”) mentioned in the Bible for those who devote special service to God. Some of these crowns may be earned by faithful study of the Bible and prophecy, including: the Crown of Rejoicing for Soul Winners (read 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20); the Crown of Righteousness for Those Who Love His Return (read Timothy 4:8); and the Crown of Joy for Converts (read Philippians 4:1). Faithfully serve God through study (read 2 Timothy 2:15) and spread to others the Good News of His love.
These crowns will (or will not) be awarded at the Bema Judgment (Judgment Seat of HaMashiach). Since I wrote RRs on judgments a short time ago, I will not repeat myself. You can earn these crowns only while you live (Revelation 22:12b): [Yeshua said] “… My reward [for you] is with Me [when I come], to pay back each one according to his deeds.” And, (John 9:4): [Yeshua said] “We must do the work of the One who sent Me, so long as it is day! Night is coming when no one can work.” Yeshua taught parables about good and faithful servants, who did the work of their Master, while the Master was away and were rewarded, contrasting these servants with lazy, unproductive servants, who received neither praise nor rewards. (In these parables, you and I are the “servants,” whether profitable or lazy; “away” is Yeshua’s presence in Heaven, or absence from Earth; and “the Master” is Yeshua.)
GOD’S PROMISE: God has promised that He has known all things from the moment of creation until the end of our age:
● (Isaiah 42:9): [Adonai said] Behold, the former things have come to pass. Now I declare new things. Before they spring forth, I announce them to you.”
● (Isaiah 46:9-10): [God said] “Remember the former things of old: for I am God– there is no other. I am God, and there is none like Me– declaring the end from the beginning, from ancient time, what is yet to come, saying, “My purpose will stand, and I will accomplish all that I please.”
● (Ecclesiastes 1:9): What has been is what will be, and what has been done will be done again. There is nothing new under the sun.
God has known and loved you and all others before birth. God has plans for your much-valued life. Examples of persons whom God knew, loved, and planned a life of service include:
● Jeremiah (see Jeremiah 1:4-5; 29:11),
● David (see Psalm 139:15-16),
● Yeshua (see multiple Scriptures), and
● All of us (see Ephesians 1:4-5; 2:10).
From the moment of creation, God has always known and loved you, and He has plans for your life!
TO BE CONTINUED: I will continue discussing the greatest question that ever may be asked: “What time is it?” Until then, Shalom and Maranatha.