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Post by R' Y'hoshua Moshe on Jun 5, 2004 10:46:29 GMT -8
"Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion. For lo, I come, and I will dwell in your midst, says YHVH.
And many nations shall be joined to Jehovah in that day, and shall be My people; and I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that YHVH of Hosts has sent me to you.
And YHVH shall possess Judah, His portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.
Be silent, all flesh, before YHVH; for He has risen out of His holy dwelling place." - Zechariah 2:10-13 I look forward to the day when many nations are joined to YHVH, and when He will again choose Jerusalem again as His resting place! In this day we will see this prophecy fully come to pass... "And many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek YHVH of Hosts in Jerusalem and to seek the favor of the face of YHVH.
So says YHVH of Hosts: In those days ten men, out of all languages of the nations, shall take hold, and will seize the skirt of a man, a Jew, saying, We will go with you, for we have heard that G'd is with you." - Zechariah 8:22-23 And, His  will truly flourish... "And it shall be, in the last days the mountain of YHVH's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow into it.
And many people shall go and say, Come, and let us go to the mountain of YHVH, to the house of the G'd of Jacob. And He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go out the /Law, and the Word of YHVH from Jerusalem." - Isaiah 2:2-3 When we continue to read this reading in Zechariah we see that it is connection with the coming of Messiah... "For, behold, I will bring forth My Servant, the BRANCH. For behold, the stone which I have given before Joshua, on the one stone are seven eyes. I will engrave its engraving, says YHVH of Hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day." - Zechariah 3:9 Baruch haba B'Shem Adonai!...Maranatha!! B'Shem Yeshua, Reuel
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Post by alon on Dec 10, 2015 4:30:28 GMT -8
Zecheriah 2:10-4:7 (2:14-4:7 in Jewish TNK)
It should be noted that the Hebrew TNK here numbers the chapters and verses radically different from our Bibles. This passage actually starts with Zech 2:10 in the Christian Bible, but in verse 14 in the Jewish TNK.
Zecheriah 2:14- 17 (10-13) deals with the establishment of ideal Tzion and an ideal future. The meaning seems to be a double one, speaking both of the return of the nation after the Babylonian captivity and more importantly of a Messianic age.
Zechariah 2:10-11 (NASB) Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” declares the Lord. “Many nations will join themselves to the Lord in that day and will become My people. Then I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you.
Salvation has always been offered through the Jews. Even today we serve a Jewish Messiah and are ourselves grafted into Israel (Rom 11). However it is in the Olam Haba that entire nations will be joined to the nation of Israel and serve God.
Zechariah 3:1-2 (NASB) Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan [the Adversary or Accuser] standing at his right hand to accuse him. The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”
The Hebrew term is ha’satan, which the JPS accurately translates as the accuser. “Satan” is a poor translation, giving a proper name where none was intended. Ha’satan accuses us out of hatred, but we have an advocate in Yeshua, and the enemy cannot condemn us (Rom 8:31-39).
Zechariah 3:3-5 (NASB) Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.” Then I said [gave the order], “Let them put a clean turban [JPS says diadem] on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the Lord was standing by.
The filthy garments are symbolic of both our individual sinfulness and the iniquity of the nation(s) as a whole. However because of the sacrifice of HaMoshiach, we are newly clothed and our sins removed. Ha’satan always finds our weaknesses, and his dagger thrusts are accurate to destroy us. However the Ruach pulls us, scarred as from the fire, to keep us for His purposes. “All the past is an argument for faith.” EB Meyer.
Zechariah 3:8 (NASB) Now listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you—indeed they are men who are a symbol, for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch [lit sprout].
This is understood to be a clear Messianic prophecy based on other similar prophecies (G'zerah Shavah- Equivalence of expresions):
Jeremiah 33:15-16 (NASB) In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell in safety; and this is the name by which she will be called: the Lord is our righteousness.’
Isaiah 11:1 (NASB) Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, And a branch from his roots will bear fruit.
Zechariah 4:2-3 (NASB) He said to me, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand [Heb menorah] all of gold with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps on it with seven spouts belonging to each of the lamps which are on the top of it; also two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left side.”
Pure olive oil is symbolic of the Ruach haChodesh. Elohim alone, working through His Spirit, gives us the power to complete our task here on earth.
Ephesians 3:20-21 (NASB) Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Zechariah 4:6-7 (NASB) Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’”
Unbelief can make mountains out of molehills; however trust can literally move mountains!
These verses are a tremendous source of strength and hope to the Jews, who for centuries have felt alone, powerless and often overwhelmed by the nations in which they are dispersed. Even today, as Israel stands alone in the world, surrounded by hordes of savage nations bent on her absolute destruction, they can say “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” And the mere existence of Israel is testament to the power of Elohim Tze’va’ot. We to can look to Israel and trust in the Elohim who sustains her in a hostile world.
Dan C
Sources: JPS Study TNK, W. Wiersby, EB Meyer, John Eldrige, my father and others.
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Post by alon on Jun 16, 2016 17:29:47 GMT -8
Zechariah 2:14-4:7 (2:10-4:7 in Christian Bibles)
To fully appreciate this reading, we must understand the times and circumstances when it was written. It was primarily to give encouragement and comfort to the priest Yeshua (Yoshua) and the leader Zerubbabel as well as to the people as they worked to complete the neglected construction of the Second Temple. The focus of the book is Yerushalayim, and the key phrase of the entire text is:
Zechariah 1:14b (ESV) …, ‘Cry out, Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion.’
The people had lost heart and seemed to have forsaken their Elohim. However Elohe Yisro’el remembered. He signified this in the name of His prophet, Zechariyah, which means “Elohim Remembers.” Zecharyah was also a priest (or at least a Levite):
Zechariah 1:1 (ESV) In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, saying,
Nehemiah 12:1-4, 16 (ESV) Priests and Levites These are the priests and the Levites who came up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, 2 Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, 3 Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, 4 Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah, … of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;
In 539 BCE Cyrus fulfilled the prophecies of Yeshayahu and Yir’meyah when he allowed the Jews in exile to return to Yerushalayim and rebuild their Temple.
Isaiah 44:28 (ESV) who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose'; saying of Jerusalem, 'She shall be built,' and of the temple, 'Your foundation shall be laid.'"
Jeremiah 29:10 (ESV) "For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.
Ezra 1:2-3 (ESV) "Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem.
The entire number of those who originally went up to Yerushalayim is given:
Ezra 2:64 (ESV) The whole assembly together was 42,360,
These included members of all twelve of the tribes of Yisroel, as can be inferred by the fact sacrifices were made by all the tribes after the alter was rebuilt:
Ezra 6:17 (ESV) They offered at the dedication of this house of God 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel 12 male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
Ezra 8:35 (ESV) At that time those who had come from captivity, the returned exiles, offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel, twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and as a sin offering twelve male goats. All this was a burnt offering to the LORD.
As an aside, this repudiates the “twelve lost tribes” nonsense which is so prevalent with many calling themselves Messianic today.
The rebuilding of the alter was the first step in rebuilding the Temple:
Ezr 3:1-2 (ESV) When the seventh month came, and the children of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem. Then arose Jeshua the son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel with his kinsmen, and they built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God.
After this the commanded observances were reinstituted:
Ezr 3:4-5 (ESV) And they kept the Feast of Booths, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number according to the rule, as each day required, and after that the regular burnt offerings, the offerings at the new moon and at all the appointed feasts of the LORD, and the offerings of everyone who made a freewill offering to the LORD.
Zerubbabel was himself grandson of Melech Yehoachim:
1 Chronicles 3:17-19a (ESV) and the sons of Jeconiah, the captive: Shealtiel his son, Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama and Nedabiah; and the sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel and Shimei;
Jeshua (pronounced Yeshua, but to distinguish him from Yeshua HaMoshiach here we’ll use the Anglicized "Jeshua") was a priest, the son of the Cohen Hagadol:
Haggai 1:1 (ESV) In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest:
The enemy from the start of the endeavor tried to sabotage the rebuilding of the Temple. First the Samaritans came to the Jews:
Ezra 4:2 (ESV) they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers' houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.”
This was a trap laid by the enemy, because it would have bound the reconstruction of the Temple of El Emunah- The Faithful God to the semi-idolatrous Samaritans. And there were constant, more overt attacks by politicians such as Tattenai, a Persian governor, and Shethar Boznei a Persian officer. Then there was the natural inclination of people to grow weary in service, whether it be in our commanded obligations or in voluntary efforts such as rebuilding the Temple. Adding to their discouragement, most of the nation of Yisroel who should have went with them to undertake this monumental task had chosen to remain in comfort where they were. Just as today many choose to stay with the comfort and false security of the church when they should be joining us to rebuild what was lost to the church centuries ago- to wit, the truth!
2 Corinthians 6:14-17 (KJV) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
It was in this climate of discouragement and apathy that both Chaggai and Zecharyah prophesied. Chaggai was concerned more with the present, while Zecharyah’s focus was mostly on the future. Both types of prophetic encouragement were needed. At the time of our haftarah the work of rebuilding was once again started after a fifteen-year hiatus, and resolve to complete the work was flagging.
Zechariah 2:10-13 (ESV) Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord. And many nations shall join themselves to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. And the Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.” Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.
This passage is emphasized by a change from Zechariyah’s perspective to divine speech. “I come and I will dwell in your midst, … and shall be my people” in the Hebrew is “and become My people and I will dwell in your midst.” This is an end times prophecy which clearly declares that many from the nations (Goyim/Gentiles) will become the people of Elohe Yeshuathi- the God of My Salvation.
Sighing will be turned to singing:
Yeshayahu 30:29 (KJV) Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel.
YHVH Goelech- The Lord Thy Redeemer will claim His inheritance:
Exodus 19:5 (KJV) Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
He will fulfill the covenant made with Avraham as both Jews and those of the nations come to the Lord:
Genesis 12:2-3 (KJV) And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Zechariah 3:1 (ESV) Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan [Hebrew the Accuser or the Adversary] standing at his right hand to accuse him.
We now switch back to Zechariyah’s perspective as he sees ha’satan (not a proper name but a descriptive appellative) there to accuse the Cohen Hagadol, apparently by this time Jeshua, as we’ll soon see. This in itself seems prophetic, and is about as close as the TNK gets to naming HaMoshiach. This is especially poignant since the eighth cen. BCE prophet Yeshayahu predicted Cyrus, who came to power in the mid sixth cen. BCE by name, and his dynasty which did not even exist at the time:
Isaiah 21:9 (KJV) And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.
Yeshayahu wrote his prophecies of Babylon in the prophetic perfect, a style which writes of future events as though they had already happened. This writing technique stressed the certainty of the fulfillment of the words of El Hay- The Living God. Yeshayahu goes on to name Cyrus almost 150 years before his birth:
Isaiah 44:28 (KJV) That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
So not only did Yeshayahu predict a man named Cyrus would overthrow Babylon, but he also wrote that Cyrus, serving as the “anointed” and “shepherd” appointed of HaMelech YHVH- The Lord the King would release the Jews from captivity, assisting them in returning to Yerushalayim to rebuild the temple. Again, prophetic of Yeshua as well as Cyrus and Jeshua. Now Yeshua as HaMoshiach never sinned, so as we see Jeshua later clothed in filthy garments this analogy to sin would not apply. However Yeshua was “made lower than the angels” (Ps 8:5, Heb 2:9).
Note that ha’satan accuses, but Yeshua Himself defends us:
Romans 8:33 (KJV) Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
It is extremely important that we learn to distinguish between these two voices!
Zechariah 3:2-4 (ESV) And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand [burning stick] plucked from the fire?” Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.”
Malachi 1 & 2 tell of how the priesthood had been profaned and their regulations slackened and violated before the Judeans were dispersed. The spiritual life of the Levites must have at this time been at a very low place. Ha’satan always looks for and finds these weaknesses. His thrusts at us are like spear thrusts which very accurately find their mark; and he attacks primarily at our calling and our joy in service. We as Meshiachim in our own kind of diaspora need to take heed of this. It is difficult, but do not let go the promises of HaMoshiach’s return, when we will see Him reign from His own Temple in Yerushalayim in power and glory. We may flag in our faith from time to time, and ha’satan will surely and cruelly accuse us. But it is Yeshua Himself who pleads our case. To quote Meyer:
“We are as brands scorched and charred with the burning. But we have been plucked out of the consuming flame. Surely then we are being kept for some high and useful purpose. All the past is an argument for faith. That God has done so much is a pledge that he will perfect that which concerneth us, because his mercy endureth forever.”
Those dirty garments are symbolic of sin and iniquity. However because of Yeshua’s self-sacrificial death, taking upon Himself our sins and paying the price for our redemption; and because of His victorious resurrection, we are able to stand before a Holy God, Elohim Kedoshim, our iniquity removed and clothed in righteousness.
Zechariah 3:5 (ESV) And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord was standing by.
The Hebrew reads “Then I gave the order.”
This angel of the Lord must refer to Yeshua, speaking of Jeshua. Again tying this prophecy and the name Yeshua to the time of HaMoshiach. It has also switched back to divine speech, where verses 2-4 were what the prophet saw and heard. “The Lord said to [ha’satan], “The Lord rebuke you"” in those verses further hints this is Yeshua Himself speaking. Interestingly, both times the term “The Lord” is translated from the name YHVH, which is indicative of the absolute deity of Yeshua.
Zechariah 3:6-8 (ESV) And the angel of the Lord solemnly assured Joshua, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch.
The purpose of ministry is restoration; whether of the Temple or of the people. Jeshua was sent back to the people to tell them of the prophecy of the coming of the Branch. This term “the Branch” is clearly understood in Messianic terms:
Jeremiah 23:5-6 (ESV) “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’
Isaiah 11:1 (ESV) There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
And later in Zechariyah it is prophesied that just as Jeshua here is responsible for the completion of the Temple, HaMoshiach will also perform this task:
Zechariah 6:12-13 (ESV) And say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord. It is he who shall build the temple of the Lord and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on his throne. And there shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”’
However at that time the Branch will assume majesty, ruling from His throne there.
Zechariah 3:9-10 (ESV) For behold, on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven eyes, [facets] I will engrave its inscription, declares the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day. In that day, declares the Lord of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree.”
The stone here alludes to the cornerstone, probably solemnly laid before Jeshua as construction is started. The seven eyes seem to refer to the eyes of El Rai- God Who Sees Me as He looks in all directions simultaneously: the four cardinal directions of the sides, then both upwards and downwards as the top and bottom of the cube. But there is also a seventh direction which completes the vision of Elohim- He sees inwardly also.
Yeshua is that cornerstone, figuratively and prophetically laid at the feet of Jeshua:
Isaiah 28:16 (KJV) Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
1 Peter 2:4 (KJV) To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
Psalm 118:22 (KJV) The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
Ephesians 2:20 (KJV) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
In that day, we will all invite our neighbors to come and sit under the shade of His truth.
Psalm 25:5 (KJV) Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Psalm 25:10 (KJV) All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
Psalm 40:11 (KJV) Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
Zechariah 4:1-4 (ESV) And the angel who talked with me came again and woke me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep. And he said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand [Heb menorah] all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” 4 And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.”
This is an intriguing vision of a golden menorah which appears to be fed by two olive trees. It certainly roused the curiosity of Zecharayah.
Zechariah 4:6-7 (ESV) Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”
This haftarah ends with one of the most significant statements in all of Judaism; a comfort for a people who have always felt small and powerless among the nations. It summarizes their dependence and absolute reliance on El Shaddai- Almighty God. It is an encouragement especially meant for Zerubbabel who had faltered as he led the people in the reconstruction effort. He might be weak, but it was not him that mattered, but Elohe Mauzi- God of My Strength working through him who would insure the completion of his lifework.
The JPS translation of verse seven says “For he shall produce that excellent stone; it shall be greeted with shouts of “Beautiful! Beautiful!”” This refers both to the completion of the Temple by Zerubbabel; and also possibly to the coming of HaMoshiach.
Isaiah 52:7 (ESV) How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
May we and many more, Jew and Gentile, cry “Beautiful!” at His coming.
Dan C
There is more of my own interpretation in this one than there usually is. So read with discernment. However as always I want to at least give passing reference to my resource material: JPS Study TNK, W Wiersby, FB Meyer, MF Unger, Pastor Ed Cole, J Elrige, Rav S, my father and many others- including a few internet searches.
It's also a good thing I didn't see where I had already done a shorter piece on this haftarah, or I might not have bothered. It's been a rough week, and truthfully I like Jeshua and Zerubbabel was flagging. However as (almost) always, when I got started I got into it and enjoyed the process as well as the revelations. Baruch Hashem!
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Post by alon on Dec 29, 2016 13:19:39 GMT -8
This week's haftara is timely, and must be a particular comfort to Israel. After an exceedingly brutal year of terrorism and the recent latest betrayal by the Obama administration (the Obama engineered UN resolution against Israel and Sec. of State Kerry's deplorable speach), the Jewish nation must be feeling particularly alone. Abandoned by the country who has been her closest ally and supporter and beset by extremist Muslim rebels on all sides, she must be feeling very vulnerable right now. So in these last days of the most evil administration in US history, we see just how mercurial Gentile support for the Jews can be.
1 Samuel 2:9-10(NASB)
“He keeps the feet of His godly ones,
But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness;
For not by might shall a man prevail.
“Those who contend with the Lord will be shattered;
Against them He will thunder in the heavens,
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
And He will give strength to His king,
And will exalt the horn [strength] of His anointed.”
In this there is a promise to Israel and all who trust the Lord. But there is also a warning to those who attack His people. We need to work diligently to change the heart of our respective nations, lest we be judged.
Dan C
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." - Psalms 119:18
