Zion's Voice

Torah Portion for 25th October - 31st October

Torah portion                Genesis 18 : 1  to  22 : 24

Haftarah portion         2 Kings 4 : 1- 37

“He appeared”

Our trustworthy God

We have read, in Genesis 15, the detail of the unconditional covenant which God cut with Abram. In Genesis 17 we read about Abram’s name change. He is now Abraham “father of many nations”, and God re-states the scope of that covenant and announces the sign for those who voluntarily join themselves to that covenant. It is a personal sign between God and man.

Abraham, and all the male members of his family entered into that covenant in a place called Mamre (modern day Kiryat Arba, just a few kilometres from Hebron). Abraham was resting in the door of his tent during the heat of the day, I presume recovering from his recent surgery, when the Lord appeared to him.

There was another occasion, in Genesis 12 when the Lord appeared to Abram, at the teberinth trees of Moreh (today’s Elon Moreh high above Nablus (biblical Shechem)). On that occasion God had shown Abram the land that was to be given to his descendants. That was an amazing, almost unthinkable promise for Abram to be given. It is also a fact that like many other faithful servants of God, Abram never actually saw that promise fulfilled. Read Hebrews 11 : 13.

Now, in our Torah portion today, God’s emissaries announced to the 100 year old Abraham. “Your 90 year old wife is going to have a baby !!!!). Sarah overheard that conversation and could not contain herself from laughing. Read the story. About 25 years earlier it was Abram’s faith that God would fulfil this promise in him that was “counted for righteousness” to him. (Genesis 15:6)

What an example of living faith Abraham is. Some of us are just awestruck at the faith exhibited by these early Patriarchs. But do you know what, our God has not changed. The same God who made those seemingly unlikely promises to Abram, is the God who provided the means of our salvation in Yeshua.

Encourage yourself today by reading Paul’s prayer for the church at Ephesus. (Ephesians 1 : 1-15)  Ask the Lord to give you that “spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him” and you WILL be blessed.  I am sure that it was this “spirit” that dwelt in ‘Our Father Abraham’

We are left wondering how and why Abraham recognized that the three men who visited him at his tent were from the Lord. But he did. It then becomes evident from the conversation which ensued that these men were there to proclaim the fulfilment of the promise God made to Abram about all those years earlier.

Following this discourse, the three men leave to go about more of the Lord’s business in Sodom, the city where Abraham’s nephew Lot lived. Abraham walked with the men as they left, then Abraham discovered why they were travelling to Sodom. God had decided to destroy the city because of the rampant wickedness there.

(I never read this story without wondering how much longer the Lord will stay His mighty hand of judgment against the rampant wickedness and overt Godlessness we see in this world today).

Then follows one of the most amazing conversations recorded in the Scriptures. Almighty God, in love and grace, enters into a discussion with this faithful man Abraham, (obviously concerned for the safety of his nephew Lot), as he intercedes on behalf of any righteous men who may be found living in Sodom.

The ‘negotiations’ ended at ‘ten righteous men’. It is this passage of scripture which caused the Rabbi’s to eventually decide that this would be the minimum number of men, forming a ‘minyan’ of members, which are required to form a synagogue congregation.

If anyone doubts the power of the prayerful intercession of a righteous man before our trustworthy God, this Torah portion this week must provide substantial encouragement.

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Torah Portion for 18th October - 24th October

Torah portion            Genesis 12 : 1  to  17 : 27

Haftarah portion     Isaiah 40 : 27 – 41 : 16

“Get yourself out”

God’s faithful promises

The first eleven chapters of Genesis have occupied a time frame from antiquity to approx. 4,000 years ago. We have seen glimpses of the preparation God had made for what, in theatrical terms, would be called “The Main Event”.

In all the world, God chose a man called ABRAM, first born son of Terah, who lived in Ur of the Chaldeans (in modern day southern Iraq) to be the father of His chosen people. We do not know too much about Abram’s past, except that he ordered his life in a way that pleased God. The indications from Joshua 24:2  are that Abram’s father, Terah, not only worshipped “other gods” but may also have been an “idol maker”.

(There is a legend told about a time when Abram was left in charge of the shop whilst his father was away on some business. Abram smashed all the idols in the shop except the largest of them, in whose hand he placed a big stick. When Terah returned he was very angry at the scene before him. Abram explained that the largest idol had smashed the others with the stick that was in his hand. Terah exploded. “That’s nonsense” he said, “ you know it is impossible for that clay idol to do anything”. Yes, I do, said Abram, that’s why I am not having anything more to do with them !!)

    That story is just illustrative of the fact that Abram was not an idolator. Terah had already taken his family, Abram, Sarah and his grandson Lot on a journey to Haran (in present day Syria). Now, after Terah had died, God tells Abram that He has further plans for him.

Just recalling that well known story tells us that with God, nothing is left to chance. Every step was carefully arranged, so that Abram, having left Ur of the Chaldeans with his Dad, was now able to take on another challenge of relocating yet again, but this time without the covering of his own father .God had already shown him that it could be done.

It is in these early verses of Genesis 12 that God reveals the extent of His plan to Abram. The true scope of Abram’s faith is illustrated in the fact that God did not tell Abram where He was taking him, just that He would show him the way. We have the advantage of seeing the elements of blessing which came Abram’s way as a result of his obedience. Abram himself did not have that luxury. God said “trust Me”, and Abram did.

It is worth pondering the thought of how we might react today to such an invitation from God. It is a monumental act of faith. We can look at Abram with some degree of detachment can’t we?  We can view the situation hypothetically, from a distance, and make all sorts of “high moral ground” decisions about how we would have done the same. I am amazed at the faith of this man. But God knew him … just as He knows us.

It is not widely known that there are TWO different Hebrew words, which are both translated into English as “curse” in our Bibles in Genesis 12:3. The first ‘curse’ is “a’rar”, which means ‘bitterly curse’. The second ‘curse’ is “qalal”, which means ‘to treat lightly’ or ‘treat with contempt’.  The difference is substantial.

I am in amazement that there are many Christian churches today, who have placed themselves in a position of being ‘bitterly cursed’ by God Himself because of their open contempt for Israel, that ‘ great nation’ promised by God to flow from Abram.

It is noteworthy, that Great Britain, probably the world’s leading Nation in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, has declined in world influence and global importance since 1948. The record is there for all to see. 1948 was the year that Great Britain openly treated Israel with contempt. The European Union is as anti-Israel as it is possible to be. It is having enormous economic issues and appears to be crumbling before our very eyes.  America has been a champion of Israel for many years. Under the present administration, America is openly showing contempt for Israel. Watch this space!!   “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”

In Deuteronomy 11 : 12 we read of Israel:-

“ …..  a land for which the LORD your God cares; the eyes of the LORD your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.”

God is faithful and true to the promises He gave to Abram. 

The promise God gave in Genesis 12 :3, whilst given specifically to  Abram, is  effective and applicable to all who read it.

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Torah Portion for 11th October - 17th October

Torah portion           Genesis 6 : 9  to  11 : 32

Haftarah portion     Isaiah 54 : 1 – 55 : 5

“Noah”

God’s timing is not our timing

Our parashah this week starts off with a bang. We are first of all introduced to Noah. He was a just man, AND in the mould of Enoch last week, he “walked with God”. I am reminded of that rhetorical answer given by the prophet Micah years later when pondering the issue of “What does the Lord require of you?  Noah seems to have provided the model for that answer. “To do justly and to walk humbly before your God”.  It is worthy of our notice that Noah’s walk with God was in a world, which, verse 11 tells us “was corrupt and filled with violence”.   How up to date is that?

Those of us who keep an eye on the news from around the world at this time can identify many similarities between the world of Noah and our world today, can’t we?  Jonathan Cahn, in his excellent book “The Harbinger”, has identified several prophetic warning signs which he believes God to be giving to America in particular at this time of violence and Godlessness there.

Noah, in his close walk with God became privy to God’s counsel, in that God explains to Noah what is about to happen in the world. No-one knows how long Noah spent actually building the Ark, but some have surmised that the reference to 120 years in verse 3 indicates that God provided plenty of warning time. We also know that Noah is introduced to us as a 500 year old, and that he entered the Ark when he was 600 years old. Now what that says to me is that Noah was a very faithful servant of Almighty God.

It also says something else to me. God’s timing is very different to man’s timing. Just think how often we utter some words of prayer, or make a request, or intercede on some issue before Almighty God, and then expect to find the answer we have pre-determined that we want, that very afternoon!!!  Surely we need to remind ourselves that God’s timing is perfect. His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts. Our Haftarah portion this week ends at Isaiah 55;5. If we go a little bit further into Isaiah 55 we will get Scriptural confirmation of that.

In Genesis 7 : 2 we find  a most interesting reference to “clean animals” This is the first time we meet this phrase in the Scriptures. Commentators agree that the purpose of this instruction was to ensure that there would be a plentiful supply of good breeding stock of animals which are acceptable for both eating (the world was vegetarian prior to the flood) and for sacrificial needs.

Genesis 9 contains the detail of God’s unconditional covenant with Noah and the perpetual sign of that covenant. The rainbow in the sky. We are also informed of the circumstances which led to God pronouncing a curse on Canaan. It was for this reason that much later, Moses instructed the Children of Israel not to enter into any agreement with the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 7). We begin to see the very foundational elements of God’s preparation for His grand plan for Israel .. hundreds of years before there is any mention of Israel … but coming from, not His original created beings, but from that faithful man Noah, who in a world full of violence and wickedness, walked with God.

For those interested in seeing the establishment of “Nations” after the flood, Chapters 10 and 11 provide fertile ground for study and investigation. However, there is too much ground to cover in a short ‘reflection’ such as this.

Notwithstanding that, it worthy of note that the first 11 chapters of our Scriptures cover a time period from antiquity up to 4,000 years ago. That is most interesting because, whilst those first 11 chapters are informative and foundational, the real essence of God’s plan for His relationship with humanity is contained in the remaining 39 chapters of Genesis and the other 38 books of the Hebrew Scriptures.

God’s timing is not our timing

Next week we will come face to face with “Our Father Abraham”.

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Torah Portion for 3rd October - 10th October

Torah portion            Genesis 1: 1 – 6: 8

Haftarah portion     Isaiah 42 : 5 – 43 : 10

“in the beginning”

Setting the pattern   

“In the beginning God ......”.  We are not told when the beginning was, but we are told that God was there. More than that, In John 1:1 we discover that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”  and in John 1: 14 “the Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us”

Deuteronomy 29:29 tells us that there are secret things that belong to God, and there are other things which are made known to us, our children and our children’s children.

Long ago I ceased arguing about the date of the beginning, but there is  no discussion on the fact that God was there. And the same person who carried a Roman cross up the hill at Calvary about 2,000 years ago was also there. We stand squarely on the declared truth of Scripture for that verification.

In verse 14 of Genesis 1, most English translations have the words “times  and seasons” Less well known is that the Hebrew word translated “seasons” is “mo’edim” (plural). So an accurate translation would be “for times and appointed times”. We are familiar with the word “mo’ed” from our reading of Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16. These are times when God said “These are MY weekly (Shabbat) and annual (Festivals)  ‘appointed times’ to meet with you.”. So right here in Genesis, God is laying the very foundations of His plan, later to be revealed by Moses for His relationship with His people. He set the Sun, the Moon and the Stars in place to be pointers and reminders to the people of the times, long into the future, when He would require them to gather to Praise and Worship Him in exactly the manner He would later describe.

In more recent times of course, much has been written and prophesied about the “lights in the firmament” and their particular significance today (2015). I refer to the phenomenon of the ‘tetrad of blood moons’ which we have observed in the skies over the past two years, which have coincided with the timing of the “appointed times’ of the Lord.

The narrative of the early chapters of Genesis is ‘bread and butter’ teaching for children in Sunday Schools. It is very familiar to most people with elementary Christian teaching. That is not to diminish its value, but it does make it difficult to glean new insights from these stories.

Chapter 4 contains the account of God’s relationship with the brothers Cain (the crop farmer) and Abel (the herdsman). Many commentators and Bible teachers have speculated about the reasons for God’s acceptance of Abel’s offering and the ‘disrespect’ shown for Cain’s offering. I note in verse 7 of this chapter God gives Cain a piece of advice (which he ignores with disastrous consequences). If I may paraphrase this advice it is “Get over it, get on top of it and do better next time”.

This might provide a lesson for us. We are usually aware when we have done something, or said something, or been ‘something’, that we know would disappoint God. We know it because we are disappointed in ourselves, just as Cain was disappointed in himself. In His infinite love, mercy and grace, God says “Don’t give in, don’t ‘spit the dummy’,  try again, but this time take account of the things I have taught you”.

There is a most interesting encounter described in Genesis 4 : 8.  Adam and Eve had been disobedient.. and they knew it. Then we are told they HEARD God in the garden, so they hid from His presence. There are notable occasions when God ‘appeared’ to people in the Scriptures, but most often He is a Voice that is heard. Adam and Eve were quite deliberate in their attempt to hide from God.

Does it occur to you that we can get “hidden” from God in other ways too. Our actions, our friendships, our conversation, our TV viewing habits, all provide means by which we may become ‘hidden’  from God 

But more importantly, how do we find God’s presence. Firstly, by taking heed to His word. By engaging Him in conversation (it’s called prayer), by keeping company with those who are like minded in desire to know God better.

 James 4:8, contains a wonderful; promise of the Lord.   “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you….”  So that His Voice may be heard.   It could be called setting the pattern.

The question posed by God to Adam and Eve is a good one. It’s a question He asks of each one of us.  Where are you?

Shabbat Shalom  

RS

Torah Portion for 27th September - 3rd October

Torah portion             Deuteronomy 33: 1 – 34: 12

Haftarah portion      Joshua 1 : 1 – 18

“and this is the blessing”

Let us share the blessing

We have reached the end of the Torah reading cycle for the year. It is appropriate that it ends with Moses declaring a series of blessings on ELEVEN of the tribes which are about to go in to possess the Land. Moses did not mention the tribe of SIMEON in his blessings, and we are left to our own searches to find out why. It appears significant, but it may NOT be.

(Jacob enjoined Simeon and Levi together in his blessing to the boys in Genesis 49. They were sons of Leah, and acted together with great treachery towards the Shechemites in taking revenge on account of their sister Dinah. Jacob proclaimed that they would be divided and scattered in Israel. The Levites, of course, had no Land possession, and the  Simeonites, being the smallest and weakest of the tribes, was apportioned land, near Beersheva, within the boundaries of the larger territory allotted to Judah. There is also evidence (2 Chronicles 15:9) that they wandered about, as Jacob had prophesied, and at least some of them moved up to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the reign of Asa and Josiah).

This week I spent a long time looking at the blessings of both Jacob (to his sons) in Genesis 49 and Moses (to the families of those sons) in our parashah this week.  Interesting as that all was to me, I found myself captivated by the lesson for us today which can be drawn from the verses which conclude the reading portion, chapter 34:10-12.

“But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, in all the signs and wonders which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel”.

God had entrusted Moses with the task of documenting and teaching Torah. Torah is “the teaching, the instruction” as to how to live in harmony with each other and with a Holy God. How did Moses know that “teaching”?  God told him, and that “face to face”. In all the Hebrew Scriptures, we do not find another writing prophet like Moses. Without exception, they were all tasked with the job of drawing the attention of the people to “the Torah of Moses”. Warning the people of the error of being forgetful and downright disobedient. They were messengers of admonition and encouragement. They were ‘watchmen’. None of them witnessed the promised “prophet like Moses”. It is universally accepted that Yeshua was the One who fulfilled the promise of God made in Deuteronomy 18.

In my ‘reflection’ on parashah Shofitim some weeks ago I invited you to conduct for yourselves the exercise of comparing the attributes common to both Moses and Yeshua. I also suggested a less obvious comparison for your consideration.

Yeshua proclaimed a prophetic ministry during His sojourn on this earth. Clearly, from His discourse in both Matthew 10 and Matthew 15 we see that His mission was to the ‘lost sheep of the House of Israel’. Just like all the other writing prophets before Him. His burden was to draw the people back to observance of the “Torah of Moses” instead of the “traditions of men” (legalistic Pharasaic Judaism).

It is a strange, sad, fact, that today in our churches we seem to interpret Yeshua’s mission, and we teach, that Yeshua came to supersede the Torah of Moses. (and that in spite of His forthright declaration in Matthew 5:19 to the contrary). Our excuse for so doing is found in the translation of the Greek word “pleroo” (as ‘fulfil’) at the very end of that verse. That same Greek word “pleroo” is found in Philippians 2:2, Colossians 1:15, Colossians 4:17 and 1 Thessalonians 1:11. I invite you to look at the context of these texts and see how translating “pleroo” as ‘bring to a close’ or ‘ending’ is completely to misunderstand the word.

IF Yeshua is truly ‘the prophet like Moses’, as I believe He is, then the overwhelming sadness of this mistaken interpretation is that we have dressed up Messiah Yeshua in such a way as to make Him completely unrecognizable to Jews. How can they possibly worship ‘this prophet like Moses’, whose sole task, we tell them, is to take them away from “the Torah of Moses”?

The Apostle Paul expected that Gentile believers would “provoke (the Jews) to jealousy” (Romans 11:11). I respectfully suggest that in order to do that, Gentile believers would need to embrace the Torah of Moses, not teach against it.  That is how I believe we could truly ‘provoke them to jealousy’ and share the blessing which we have received by faith.

Shabbat Shalom

RS