Post by Mark on May 22, 2007 4:20:22 GMT -8
To have the opportunity to study 
is an amazing luxury that we often take for granted. To have the opportunity to share one’s thoughts on : to express personal significance and presume to add reason to the very Word of God is an awesome responsibility! I sit here this morning- literally awe struck by these two facets of our relationship to Adonai via His Holy Writ. I am nearly incapacitated.
Yet our Parashah this week speaks on three levels of us as we handle the Scriptures: as the spouse, as the citizen and as the priest.
Are we faithful to Adonai as a faithful wife? To we give room for a spirit of jealousy against the things of this world as we strive to walk in the ways of Adonai? The words of Hosea are haunting to me as I realize, yes, I have other lovers that I long for from time to time. I have passions that I crane my neck for seeking things that were once destined to destroy me. Adonai knows, yet He is the faithful husband. He continues to wait for me and is prepared to continually purchase me back again. How many children have I cost Him by drinking the bitter water as the unfaithful wife?
Are we the committed Nazir? One who is set to the task does not allow himself to be encumbered by the pleasures of this world. This is not to say that we are not to find pleasure in things that are given in this life as God’s blessing. It means that we are not to be encumbered by the things of this world. We are under a vow. We shave our heads- rejecting personal vanity. We let our locks grow, redeeming the time, committing ourselves to more valuable things than hair-cuts. We abstain from wine to keep our minds clear and our bodies ready for service to Him. Paul speaks of this to the Epheisians in this way:
Eph 5:14-21 KJV Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. (15) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (17) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (18) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (19) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (20) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (21) Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Are we the priest who is blessing His people with the blessing of God and thus receiving the peace and protection of Adonai Nissi ourselves? I don’t think it insignificant that these three elements of relationship are grouped together in this text. This not a laundry list but a paroramic mosaic. These are who the Messiah is in His relationship to us. These are who we are as we represent the Father to a world who does not know Him. This is our walk. It'’ easy for us to say, I am not the jealous husband or the Temple offering is not for today, or, the Nazir is not applicable to our culture, or, I am not a Kohen nor am I in the Land. Yet, all of is speaking of our relationship to Adonai through the Messiah (John 5:39). It is important we take a moment to see the forst in the trees.
is an amazing luxury that we often take for granted. To have the opportunity to share one’s thoughts on : to express personal significance and presume to add reason to the very Word of God is an awesome responsibility! I sit here this morning- literally awe struck by these two facets of our relationship to Adonai via His Holy Writ. I am nearly incapacitated.Yet our Parashah this week speaks on three levels of us as we handle the Scriptures: as the spouse, as the citizen and as the priest.
Are we faithful to Adonai as a faithful wife? To we give room for a spirit of jealousy against the things of this world as we strive to walk in the ways of Adonai? The words of Hosea are haunting to me as I realize, yes, I have other lovers that I long for from time to time. I have passions that I crane my neck for seeking things that were once destined to destroy me. Adonai knows, yet He is the faithful husband. He continues to wait for me and is prepared to continually purchase me back again. How many children have I cost Him by drinking the bitter water as the unfaithful wife?
Are we the committed Nazir? One who is set to the task does not allow himself to be encumbered by the pleasures of this world. This is not to say that we are not to find pleasure in things that are given in this life as God’s blessing. It means that we are not to be encumbered by the things of this world. We are under a vow. We shave our heads- rejecting personal vanity. We let our locks grow, redeeming the time, committing ourselves to more valuable things than hair-cuts. We abstain from wine to keep our minds clear and our bodies ready for service to Him. Paul speaks of this to the Epheisians in this way:
Eph 5:14-21 KJV Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. (15) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (17) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (18) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (19) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (20) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (21) Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Are we the priest who is blessing His people with the blessing of God and thus receiving the peace and protection of Adonai Nissi ourselves? I don’t think it insignificant that these three elements of relationship are grouped together in this text. This not a laundry list but a paroramic mosaic. These are who the Messiah is in His relationship to us. These are who we are as we represent the Father to a world who does not know Him. This is our walk. It'’ easy for us to say, I am not the jealous husband or the Temple offering is not for today, or, the Nazir is not applicable to our culture, or, I am not a Kohen nor am I in the Land. Yet, all of
is speaking of our relationship to Adonai through the Messiah (John 5:39). It is important we take a moment to see the forst in the trees.
