Post by Mark on Dec 10, 2007 8:03:55 GMT -8
One of the things that I'm working on in our community is trying to help those coming from the gentile Church see the beauty and value of the Messianic Liturgy, as taken out of the Jewish Synagogue. I've been writing a paper each week on different prayers and thought some of you might be interested in what I've shared thus far. I'll start posting them in this area, as I go along, hoping that these generate some response of praise to Adonai our God, or stimulate questions on the Judaic perspective of our faith.
The Barchoo…the Blessing
Blessed is the Blessed One for all eternity.
The Barchoo carries the idea of bowing down before, paying tribute or homage to Him who is greater than we. Blessed is the Blessed One. He is bowed before, He is the only One who is truly blessed and supremely worthy of all our blessing. When we bow to anyone as a sign of respect of dignitary, it is only secondarily bowing to the Blessed One who is worthy of all our respect and allegiance.
The Barchoo is a call to worship: to stand and respectively bow to the Blessed One. This is singularly the purpose for our meeting on the Shabbat: to bless the Blessed One. The congregation responds that this is our intent. "We are here to reverence the Blessed One, the One who is of all eternity."
The Barchoo stems from 1st Chronicles 16, specifically verse 36, after King David has successfully brought the Ark of God into Jerusalem. Verse 36 is the end of extensive prayer declaring God’s greatness and His goodness to His people. It is an appeal to the nations to recognize who is the God of Israel and to give due blessing unto Him. When we respond to this benediction, we are giving our "A-men".
Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations; Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac; And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance; When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it. And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people; He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; show forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works among all nations. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. Glory and honor are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth. Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever. And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel forever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.
(1Ch 16:8-36 KJV)
The Barchoo…the Blessing
Blessed is the Blessed One for all eternity.
The Barchoo carries the idea of bowing down before, paying tribute or homage to Him who is greater than we. Blessed is the Blessed One. He is bowed before, He is the only One who is truly blessed and supremely worthy of all our blessing. When we bow to anyone as a sign of respect of dignitary, it is only secondarily bowing to the Blessed One who is worthy of all our respect and allegiance.
The Barchoo is a call to worship: to stand and respectively bow to the Blessed One. This is singularly the purpose for our meeting on the Shabbat: to bless the Blessed One. The congregation responds that this is our intent. "We are here to reverence the Blessed One, the One who is of all eternity."
The Barchoo stems from 1st Chronicles 16, specifically verse 36, after King David has successfully brought the Ark of God into Jerusalem. Verse 36 is the end of extensive prayer declaring God’s greatness and His goodness to His people. It is an appeal to the nations to recognize who is the God of Israel and to give due blessing unto Him. When we respond to this benediction, we are giving our "A-men".
Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. Remember his marvelous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations; Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac; And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance; When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it. And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people; He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; show forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works among all nations. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. Glory and honor are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth. Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD, because he cometh to judge the earth. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever. And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel forever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.
(1Ch 16:8-36 KJV)