Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Shalom,
Reprinted with permission from Wednesday, November 8, 2017, with minor edits to improve it.…
The enemy has a Hebrew name, “HaSatan,” (all 3 “a’s” are identical short “a” sounds ) meaning the adversary, (“Ha’ means “the” and “Satan” is the “accuser”) one who obstructs or opposes. Ordinarily I don’t give him much place. That means I don’t talk about him much, and I especially don’t give him more credit than he deserves (which is none).
His job one is to do exactly what his name suggests, obstruct and oppose. In his previous assignment (before being removed for insubordination) he was known as the archangel, Lucifer, who was the archangel in charge of worship.
Rabbi Trail: That last statement is not well defined in Scripture. It is supposed that Lucifer was in charge of worship. No wonder he is the one who fell. Worship is close to God and very seductive. Anything can take the place of God in our lives. It’s always tempting for those who lead worship to allow worship to take the place of God, which is sin. End RT.
His error was to receive the adoration of worship for himself. We must always remember, our assignment from God is to point people to Yeshua and then step out of the way. We now have Satan’s old job as worship leader. This is one reason that he is so against us. But the main reason is that God loves us and has delight in us. Satan hates anything God loves.
Another way to describe Satan’s current assignment is to steal your shalom. This verse is descriptive of who he is and how he operates toward us. 1 Peter 8 Stay alert! Watch out! Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, searching for someone to devour. 9 Stand up against him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being laid upon your brothers and sisters throughout the world.
“Stand up against him” is not a command to attack, but a warning not to fall for his lies. Eph 6:10 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you are able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Armor is for protection. It defends us against harm at the time of attack. The only offensive weapon we have is the sword of the spirit, aka the Word of God. To use God’s word, we must first be submitted to it. Our authority comes from obedience (submission to God’s authority). Satan, himself, knows the Scripture. His problem is that he is not submitted to it.
We come under the blood… Rom 8:4 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.
In conclusion, my friends, read this verse which is sung in synagogue liturgy as the Torah is paraded around the congregation. Let’s offer it now as our own prayer unto the Lord. 1 Chronicles 29:11 Yours, Adonai, is the greatness, the power and the splendor, and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything in heaven and earth. Yours is the kingdom, Adonai and You are exalted above all.
Does that leave Satan anything to offer? Nope! All he can do is lie. He’ll promise the world and deliver nothing. Let’s not sucker for that.
Week 42
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has taken hold of you except what is common to mankind. But God is faithful—He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can handle. But with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so you will be able to endure it.
206 10/12 Monday: 1 Corinthians 5-6
207 10/13 Tuesday: 1 Corinthians 7-8
* 208 10/14 Wednesday: 1 Corinthians 9-10
209 10/15 Thursday: 1 Corinthians 10-12
210 10/16 Friday: 1 Corinthians 13-14
Reprinted from Wednesday, October 17, 2018… Question of the day: Does Paul need counseling?
Answer: Additionally, Paul seems to have fear (which operates to exclude faith). 1 Corinthians 9:27 “Rather, I punish my body and bring it into submission, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” Paul is expressing a fear of being disqualified. Probably because he never learned once saved, always saved.
Please forgive me that last comment, I just couldn’t resist. Paul does not need counseling (and to suggest that he does was caddy of me). Paul is acknowledging the truth that whoever we are, we must maintain an attitude represented by the phrase “there but by the grace of God go I.” In other words, “Without God’s grace, I, myself, would be lost.”