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Post by alon on Nov 2, 2017 2:03:57 GMT -8
From Mark:Next week’s reading schedule: Date of reading: 11 November 2017/22 Chesvan 5778 Name of Par’shah: Chayei Sarah Par’shah: Genesis 23:1 – 25:18 Haftara: 1 Kings 1:1-31 Brit Chadashah: Matthew 8:19-22, 27:3-10: Luke 9:57-62 This week’s readings: Date of reading: 4 November 2017/15 Chesvan 5778 Name of Par’shah: Vayera (He appeared) Par’shah: Genesis 18:1 – 22:24 Haftara: 2 Kings 4: 1-37 Brit Chadashah: Luke 17:26-37; Romans 9:6-9, Galatians 4:21-31; Messianic Jews (Hebrews) 6: 13-20, 11:13-19; Ya’akov (James) 2:4-24, 2 Kefa(Peter) 2:4-10 D’rash: In this par’shah, the we see that the principles of Adonai’s judgement from the flood during Noach’s time are applied on a much smaller scale with Sodom and Gemorrah: rampant wickedness with very few righteous persons where Adonai takes the time to remove those righteous ones to safety before executing judgement. From the text we see that homosexuality and gang rape was one of the grievous sins mentioned and Ezekiel 16:48-50 adds the additional sins of pride, gluttony, carelessness, complacency, ignoring the poor and needy, arrogance, along with committing disgusting acts. The NKJV translates part of this list as “fullness of food” and “abundance of idleness.” Apparently there was a fair amount of wealth and prosperity, and though these are not sinful in and of themselves there is a danger that they can lead some into destructive choices. Deuteronomy 8:11-18 warns that the increase in wealth can lead to forgetting Adonai and His mitzvot and make one overconfident in one’s abilities. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 says that the desire to be rich can trap those into many foolish and hurtful ambitions that can plunge them into ruin and destruction. But wealth in the hands of those with discipline and compassion make it a blessing when used in the service of Adonai; Job is a good example of this. The question is---if we should be blessed with wealth, how would it affect our relationship with G-d? There are also some lessons to be learned from Lot along these same lines. When he and Avraham separated because there was not enough pastures to maintain their large herds of livestock, Lot chose the well-watered plains of the Jordan River and lived in the cities of the plain, setting up his tent near Sodom (Genesis 13:10-13). This was a first step in close associations with the wicked. Later on, he moved into the city itself (Genesis 19:6-8). There is a saying that rings true: Stand near a fire long enough and it will leave the smell of smoke on you. Even though one cannot avoid evil associations in this world entirely as emissary Sha’ul states in 1 Corinthians 5:9-10, we can control the depth of our personal relationships with them. There are numerous scriptures that make it very clear that we are to set ourselves apart from close evil associations: Exodus 34:12-16---“Be careful not to make a covenant with the people living in the land where you are going, so that they won’t become a snare within your own borders. Rather, you are to demolish their altars, smash their standing-stones and cut down their sacred poles; because you are not to bow down to any other god; since Adonai – whose very name is Jealous – is a jealous God. Do not make a covenant with the people living in the land. It will cause you to go astray after their gods and sacrifice to their gods. Then they will invite you to join them in eating their sacrifices, and you will take their daughters as wives for your sons. Their daughters will prostitute themselves to their own gods and make your sons do the same!” Proverbs 22:24-25--"Don’t associate with an angry man; make no hot-tempered man your companion. If you do, you may learn his ways and find yourself caught in a trap.” 1 Corinthians 15:33—“Don’t be fooled. ‘Bad company ruins good character.’” 2 Corinthians 6:14-15—“Do not yoke yourselves together in a team of unbelievers. For how can righteousness and lawlessness be partners? What fellowship does light have with darkness? What harmony can there be between the Messiah and B’liya’al? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?” Now the scriptures in 2 Kefa 2:7-8 does say that Lot was a righteous man, his heart being tormented by the wickedness he saw around him every day and did show godly hospitality to the messengers. After he and his family were led out of the city and the city then completely destroyed, we can observe what occurred afterwards: his wife looked back and became a pillar of salt, his two daughters out of fear of their father having no descendants committed incest with him, and Lot himself, likely out of grief from losing his wife and all of his possessions, succumbed to their plans. What we can learn here and consider in our own lives is, how established were they in Adonai and His righteousness? As clay mixed with iron greatly compromises its strength, did Lot’s association with evil have an effect on his family in a similar way? Could their lives have had a different outcome had they dwelt elsewhere away from evil influences? Part of scripture’s function is to learn from others’ mistakes (1 Corinthians 10:6, 11). On a personal level, how strong are we in our faith? Much of the time the answer lies in times of crises and trials. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above everything else, guard your heart; for it is the source of life’s consequences.” Yeshua teaches in Matthew 7:24-27 to build your house on the rock and not the sand. Some “sandy” foundations could include associating with persons of questionable character on a more personal level than it should be. Some young people may learn the hard way what the legal term “guilt by association” actually means. How much questionable content do we watch on television? Some of the internet’s shady websites become an addiction for many. Instead, let’s do our best to build our foundation on the rock with the fear of the L-rd, personal reading, study, and meditation of scripture, godly fellowship, and obedience to  . Then Moshe’s words in Deuteronomy 32:47 become our own: For this is not a trivial matter for you; on the contrary, it is your life! MRD
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Post by alon on Nov 2, 2017 21:23:52 GMT -8
There are some interesting notes in my JPS Study TNK concerning ch. 22 in our par’shah this week. Interesting to me as a Meshichi, since they so evidently point to this as a Messianic prophecy even in a Jewish context, yet these scholars and all Judaism deny this. It is said “to occupy a central role in rabbinic theology and eventually to be incorporated into the daily liturgy.” In Judaism it is known as “The Akedah.”
Genesis 22:1 (ESV) After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
“Here I am,” Hebrew hineni, denotes “readiness, alertness, attentiveness, receptivity, and responsiveness to instructions."
While this is said of Avraham, the father, and not Yitzack the son and intended sacrifice; yet it could be said that this characterized the later life of Yeshua. And if as we believe He and the Father are One it stands to reason these are qualities of Abishter Himself. But who would He be attentive to; and who would give Avinu Our Father (Isaiah 64:8) instructions? Well, we just read how He was attentive and receptive to the entreaties of Avraham concerning for who He would spare Sodom.
Genesis 22:2 (ESV) He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
The notes suggest an increasing tension here that I would attribute to the increasing tension in all Biblical history up to the point of the sacrificial act of Yeshua on Mount Moriah; actually the mountain range on which Yerushalayem is built.
Genesis 22:6 (ESV) And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.
“The immage of Isaac’s carrying the wood on which he is to be burned adds enormous power to the story. A midrash relates this to a Roman (not Jewish) method of execution that was sometimes used on Jewish martyrs: “It is like a person who carries his cross on his own shoulder” (Gen. Rab. 56.3).”
Now, even though it is stressed that this was not a Jewish form of execution, still it paints a very clear picture of the self sacrifice of Yeshua as He willingly went to his execution. Yitzach himself was a young man at the time and could have easily escaped his fate. But he was obedient unto death, just as Yeshua later would be. The notes commend Yitzach as “the prototype of the Jewish martyr.” Perhaps. But we also must conclude he is a type of the ultimate martyr, “Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Mat. 1:1b)
Genesis 22:8 (ESV) Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.
“The verse ends with the same words with which v. 6 ends. Even after their exchange, father and son still have a single resolve: “the one to bind, the one to be bound; the one to sacrifice, the one to be sacrificed” (Gen. Rab. 56.3).
To bind here is literal, obviously. But it can also mean to make a ruling, to instruct. To be bound can also mean to comply. These are the terms used when giving smicha (ordination) to a shaliach (apostle, or to a rabbi). They have the authority to make halacha, the minutia of how we keep the mitzvoth. So again we see how the “Father’s” will and that of the “Son” are one, even to willingly giving up their lives in the cases of Yitzach and Yeshua.
Genesis 22:12 (ESV) He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”
“… the “fear of God” denotes an active obedience to the divine will.” Both Avraham and Yitzach did as they were instructed; as they were “bound” to do. And as later Yeshua would do. HaShem would not require of Avraham what He would Himself endure centuries later- the sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son (1 John 4:9). Human sacrifice was against HaShem’s own Law as later codified by Moshe. However self sacrifice, which is what is pictured here as much as anything is nowhere prohibited.
Genesis 22:13 (ESV) And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
“The substitution of a male sheep for the firstborn son has parallels in the ancient Near East and foreshadows the story of the paschal lamb (Exod. 12:1-42).”
We as Meshiachim see both these events as prophetic types of Yeshua. The parallels are too obvious to miss.
Dan C
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Post by Elizabeth on Nov 4, 2017 9:53:43 GMT -8
I have been struggling with what it means to be a "servant of G-d". This is why.
G-d is so giving that He "serves" us. I hate to even say it that way. Yet Yeshua indeed served us and He said to Peter, "unless I wash you, you have no part with Me". (John 13:8) So we have to allow G-d to give to us to even get to be with Him. How do we grapple with Him giving so much and keeping our hearts humble in a right relationship of servitude? We just have to keep handing it back to G-d; the promises, the gifts, and unfortunately the consequences of wrong choices and paths. It's easy to logically think about, but the emotional and spiritual dynamics are much more tricky. He does everything, and we bring nothing, He gives us so much, and He is the only one Who can give, but then we are His servants who have nothing to give. It isn't so easy to be a truly humble servant of G-d considering the giving and compassionate nature of the G-d we serve.
So how do we keep our hearts right as servants of the Living G-d when just by serving Him we are so tenderly served and abundantly blessed?
We are blessed abundantly just to be with Him. What do we do with all of that, especially those of us who have no congregation to praise Him with? I am seriously asking a question to hear thoughts. I have no one who cares to hear what I have to say about My G-d. My prayers are being constantly interrupted by satan who is distracting my focus and energy. Up until this time, I tried to put all of that gratitude and blessing into prayers to keep me humble and in my place, but now I am battling to serve G-d even in that way.
I can come to logical conclusions as repeatedly in scripture we see the servants of G-d leaving all to follow Him, but what does that look like for me? Though Abraham didn't offer His life in the same way Isaac did, he most certainly gave His life to G-d. He picked up and left with no where to technically go, and He gave His only son over to death. I think every true servant we see in scripture has some kind of "Lech Lecha" moment like Abraham. Yeshua tells us that no one who loves father or mother more than Him is worthy of Him (Matthew 10:37) and to leave all to follow Him (Matthew 19:21). For some who serve G-d it comes down to literally leaving their physical life. For us, in the least, it is to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:20). Leave all to go. Leave your life ambitions, your reputation, your self-sufficiency, and so on. So let's say we all achieve this level of humility and obedience, read on in the verse, " and behold I am with you always, even to the end of the age." We will see and do great things and walk with G-d.
That brings me to my original question and a personal struggle. How do we keep a servants heart knowing how much we gain in obedience and how do we move beyond a logical understanding? Maybe that's why it has to get to that "Lech Lecha" point for His true servants and it is just a life-long process that is simple in theory, but spiritually and emotionally very difficult. Maybe for some of us, like me, it is letting go of the mistakes and wrong choices we made so that we can move ahead in obedience and hope, leaving the past and future to Him in gratitude. So it isn't just walking away from sin and all we knew, but walking away form excuses and regret and the if only or what if that plague us in our current circumstances. It may be leaving the consequences of our choices to G-d in gratitude He can handle them and know if we continue to serve, seek and love Him we can bless later generations. In that way we can lay down our life, and just give it back to G-d. It's not how I would choose to glorify Him given what I know now, but nevertheless He will be glorified.
Regardless, Abraham and Isaac and the servants in the scriptures gave all of themselves to G-d on some level. I think that's where all true servants have to get to and one way we can look at dying to the flesh and our old self. I can put all sorts of words around it, but it is really hard to come to terms with what it ultimately means to be a servant of G-d because the blessing He gives is so enormous and whatever we serve Him with is from Him. We see Abraham and Isaac simply give it back to Him, but because of Who He is we can have the reassurance that in doing so we will still be blessed by Him, and blessed abundantly.
It is not easy to truly serve G-d with all our hearts, mind and soul. So He tells us to love Him. As I read through this I realized how precious His faithfulness is and that it is loving G-d that protects us from abusing it. We know G-d blesses obedience, but to truly obey Him, He has made it to where we have to trust Him. I think that can only come from a relationship built and grown in love. So then it becomes about Him and Who He is rather than just what He can do. Maybe that is why His servants can do great things through Him while remaining humble in heart. They just truly love Him. They don't want G-d just because of what He can do for them. It does kind of scare me though to think about how much He can and will do, and how we will handle it. It reminds me of something I have been neglecting. G-d reminded me to consider this an obligation and a commandment so I will share with you, we need to be praying for more laborers earnestly.
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Post by Elizabeth on Nov 4, 2017 11:38:03 GMT -8
"Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me."
Matthew 10:37
I was considering this verse in the "Lech Lecha" context further, and it hit me how much this verse must speak to Jewish people who choose to follow Yeshua. It's like immediately they have to pick up and leave everything like Abraham did. I just wanted to share because I think those of us raised to know Yeshua don't really think about what He is actually asking us to do. In turn we are not at all aware of what it is we are asking Jewish people to do. I don't know. I just feel we need to put more thought into what we are really asking of people.
G-d has lately reminded me how careful we need to be with each other. He knows what we simply can't know. We better not rely so much on knowing what we are doing but more on knowing He has equipped us and readied us to do it for His sake. Just to do what He says in love and humility. Don't add to it or take away from it. The fear of G-d has kind of hit me because He takes His people very seriously. He first started showing me this regarding someone I sinned against, then my children, and so-on, now it kind of hit me with this. I don't offer Him anything, and the truth is I don't offer anyone else very much, and He is showing me this lately. I am having a hard time finding my place with Him. I just keep feeling like I need to find a way to get out of His way.
"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for My names' sake will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life."
Matthew 19:29
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Post by alon on Nov 4, 2017 11:50:23 GMT -8
I have been struggling with what it means to be a "servant of G-d". This is why. G-d is so giving that He "serves" us. I hate to even say it that way. Yet Yeshua indeed served us and He said to Peter, "unless I wash you, you have no part with Me". (John 13:8) So we have to allow G-d to give to us to even get to be with Him. One of the hardest things for most people to learn is not to give, but to thankfully receive help with a humble heart. We don't "want to be beholden" to anyone. But help given in Godly love does not run a tab. It's only in our minds we are beholden to others. With our Elohim of course it is different. We owe Him our very lives and souls, because He not only made us, He sustains us in so many ways; and He again purchased us at such a high cost. The only tab I am aware of Him keeping is to repay the truly repentant who serve Him for the good we do. He, like Yitzach was obedient unto death. We too need to be like Avraham and Yitzach. Live or die, we need to be willing to sacrifice what we love for Abishter. And sometimes the hardest thing to endure is a kind of living death. You are continually in my prayers because I know some of what you endure. The being the only one, and the constant battle within your own home to do what is right in the eyes of God. I can tell you what I have found, is we tend to be too hard on ourselves. We feel bad because we cannot keep the mitzvoth as we should. And there is even the constant struggle for Gentiles coming into full Messianic belief as to the small things about which we constantly must ask "is this ok"?" It wears on a person. My advice is to give yourself some slack. You may have to break Shabbat for some reason. But you have a family, and obligations there you cannot walk away from. So if you really must break Shabbat, remember there is a hierarchy in Judaism concerning the mitzvoth. If you are doing your best, El-Roiy- The God Who Sees Me (Genesis 16:13) knows. Ask forgiveness for both your sins and transgressions. Transgressions are when we knowingly disobey, and these require teshuva, repentence as well as asking forgiveness. Sins are those things we do not know we've done, and in our case may not have been sure if they were right or wrong. And just know He is El HaNe’eman, The Faithful God (Deu 7:9) who has promised to forgive. We're of course not talking about a license to sin, just the assurance that when we mess it all up (as you and I are bound to do) He will forgive when we ask. He asks for obedience. Sometimes we look at our situation and think we could be doing so much more. But we are where He has put us, and we can never know what good we may be doing. Your children have you as an example; and you and I are both here. It's a small forum, but we never know who is lurking, reading what we write. And you have insights and a perspective I could never have. And if the Lord brings just one person who reads one post that you or I wrote and it touches their heart, then it is worth all the effort both of us combined have put in here. I have to believe He brings the right people at the right time to see what we do here. By being humble and obedient, even dieing to self and doing what we must as well as what we can right where He puts us. Then keep praying. I have the same problem, so it stands to reason others do as well. The question is not why this is happening to us, but will ha'satan win? And I think this may be a product of the turmoil we feel in our minds over what we can and/or should be doing; as well as the constant struggle being alone in this. I at least have a place to go and fellowship with one other person plus the Rabbi once a week. But I had to do this on my own for a while, and I remember what that was like. It's one reason I stay here. It gives me a chance to talk with sometimes only one other like minded person. It also helps anyone who wants to stay with the forum and who may not have a place to go or anyone to talk to. Sometimes the call is not to go, but to stay and take care of things where we are. And when we have children and later grandchildren those are obligations we cannot ignore. We also have an obligation to our respective spouses. He may indeed call us out at some time. But that is up to Him and not us. That verse is so often misapplied due to our Christian training. Think who Yeshua was talking to when He said that? He was giving smicha to His talmedim, making them shaliachim. He was making Disciples into Apostles. Not everyone is called to go out and do what those men were being told to do. Not all of us are called to be Rabonim. And certainly not all of us are called or even qualified to have discipes (students) of our own. If I were to convince someone here to become Messianic, I would point them in the direction of my own Rabbi. That is not to say we cannot form study groups where we are if there is an interest. But we all need a place to go and bounce some ideas off of others who've been doing this a while. And again, this forum is a good place for that. If you don't believe me go look at my "I Found Out I Was Wrong" thread. I've been corrected here before, and am the richer for it. We were raised in churches and schools which follow the Greek logical method. But one way to get where you are asking and answering that question is to always look for the Hebrew perspective in what we read in scripture. And don't look at the mitzvoth as a set of inviolable laws which must be obeyed to the letter. Learn to ask "which is the higher mitzvah" in all the situations you find yourself in. That alone is very liberating; and very Jewish. And here's that little bit of advice we all give and none of us seem to be able to do: don't dwell on past mistakes. Learn from them, but repent of them and believe that you WILL be forgiven. Now, aren't you glad you asked about past mistakes?  But from the paragraph that followed this question (not copied here) I think you have a handle on that. It seems you were just working it out in your own mind and using us as a sounding board. And that is more than ok! In fact, you seem to have a good grasp on all this. And I appreciate your thoughts, because believe me, I and probably all of us have the same struggles. Omein, and omein! Dan C edit: Ah, ya gotta love it! Only an hour after posting this and I forgot something- just a small thing, but wrong not to do it nonetheless. Even as I was asking forgiveness, I was starting to beat myself up; and this thread came to mind ... I had to heed my own advice, repent of that as well, AND thank El HaNe’eman, The Faithful God (Deu 7:9) for the reminder you and He just gave me! I suppose I should thank you too. But the lesson I just learned (again) is there can be joy in the small victories. Looking at it this way is another way to turn around the depression ha'satan imposes on us due to our isolation. Mess it up, then repent, and be thankful we serve a forgiving God; and be joyful for every small victory! Almost makes me long for the next time ... but experience has shown me that won't take too long regardless. So maybe I'll look forward to being less a screwup instead, and be happy that day is coming ... sometime, I am sure! |
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Post by Elizabeth on Nov 13, 2017 12:21:14 GMT -8
Your post did really help Alon, but G-d further gave this passage regarding my question about being a servant of G-d but having nothing really to give.
Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Yeshua's feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Yeshua answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42
Bless Martha, I couldn't help but feel empathy for her because G-d was speaking to me through her. I know how it feels to try so hard and to worry over things to the point you forget what it was all about to begin with and kind of get lost in the what can I do and how will this work out scenario. She got upset, but let's not forgot she invited and welcomed Him and is only human. Misplaced priorities probably cause more tension then I realize in my life. This is where I have gotten to on this passage so far.
Regardless, Martha wanted to do for Him, but all she could really do that mattered is to need Him. That is where I struggle. Anyway, what do you guys think? This is what He handed me regarding this topic so I wanted to shard and see if any of you have further feedback or feel led to share more with me.
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Post by alon on Nov 13, 2017 13:45:14 GMT -8
On the one hand, Martha as host had obligations to see to her guests needs. And it can be frustrating when you are working so hard and someone else who you think should be helping is sitting at the Master's feet, listening, getting the benefits of His wisdom. I guess I always identified with Martha in this story. But perhaps Yeshua was talking about something Mary needed to hear. Or perhaps too her heart was just seeking Yeshua. Martha wasn't wrong in being a servant, a good hostess. But Mary sought the higher calling. But honestly, when I was a kid I thought "Jesus blew this one, big time!" The arrogance of youth ...  Dan C |
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Post by Elizabeth on Nov 13, 2017 15:14:04 GMT -8
Ha, well He spoke to me through her quite directly. I blushed a bit at being found out somehow, but G-d is truly gentle to us. I love Martha, and we know the L-rd only chastises those He loves so He does and did too. ..You know what just went through my mind, Alon? In the earlier post you discussed choosing the higher of the mitzvot......you and G-d have teamed up on my a bit in a good way. I think that's at least one way we can look at this passage perhaps. So, if we can, what would be the higher of the mitzvot then? I guess being really aware in a moment what is the biggest opportunity and/or priority is another way we could consider this. Also, Mary does seem to come across as a bit inconsiderate and perhaps if she would have complained about her sister Yeshua would have spoken to that. Regardless, after I thought this through, I have more admiration for Mary. Maybe when He told Martha that she came to see something wise and admirable in her sister and it helped them become closer. Does it come across like Martha spoke behind her back maybe? Perhaps she was also questioning Yeshua's wisdom by suggesting He wasn't doing what He should (sound of clearing throat in conjunction with the name Alon . ) |
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. Then Moshe’s words in Deuteronomy 32:47 become our own: For this is not a trivial matter for you; on the contrary, it is your life!
But from the paragraph that followed this question (not copied here) I think you have a handle on that. It seems you were just working it out in your own mind and using us as a sounding board. And that is more than ok!
