Zion's Voice

Haftarah Reflections   14    

Torah portion             Exodus 6 : 2  to 9 : 35  

Haftarah portion     Ezekiel 28 : 25  to  29 : 21  

Listen to the Prophets

The prophet Ezekiel was with the first group of people to be taken captive by the Babylonians, about eleven years before the fall of Jerusalem. He was called by God to the role and ministry as a prophet whilst in captivity.

The parashah today begins with the prophetic promise of return of the scattered Israelites to the Land. A prophecy which was partly fulfilled about 50 years later when Zerubbabel led the captives back to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. A closer look also suggests that the prophecy, not completely fulfilled at that time, would necessitate a further regathering to fulfil the prophecy completely. I believe that regathering is taking place today, before our eyes. Ezekiel has much more to say on this matter later in his prophetic writings. (Ezekiel 34-36).

In our reading today we have yet another occasion where God confirms the covenant promise made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, regarding the provision of a Land wherein they could dwell in prosperous safety. That covenant promise is unconditional. However, the covenant regarding the occupation of the Land, made with Moses hundreds of years later, specified the condition necessary for that occupation, namely, to live in a (Torah obedient) manner, very differently from the behaviour of  Nations around them, in order that they should be a light to those Nations. A covenant which they broke, and suffered the consequential dispersion, which Ezekiel saw at first hand, (which later occasioned the first partial fulfilment of the prophecy) and later yet, following their rejection of the Messiah of God, a much longer exile, which lasted from 135 C.E., following the Bar Kochba uprising against the Romans,, to the late 19th century, with the Theodore Hertzl convened Zionist Council in Basle, Switzerland. (occasioning the present regathering in completion of the prophecy)

Then Ezekiel prophesied coming calamity for Egypt, the well-known enemy of Israel, and a gift for the king of Babylon. At this time however, (believed to have been written about the same time as the fall of Jerusalem,) Egypt was in ascendancy, and Babylon was sparring with Judea.

The prophet Jeremiah (44:30) also has a word for these Nations. He tells us that the Pharaoh of Egypt was Hophra, and that Nebuchadnezzar would be Egypt’s conqueror.  Extra-Biblical records suggest that about 18 years after this prophetic announcement, Egypt was indeed conquered by the Babylonians, and when the Babylonians fell to the Persians about 40 years after that, they then facilitated the return of the captured Egyptians.

It is of some note that Ezekiel is so precise in the timing of God’s revelation to him. He recalls the year, the month and the day that God visited him with the message. It is similar today for those who have experienced the call of God on their lives. The event seems to burn in the memory, so important a visitation from God is for many people.

Whilst God orders Ezekiel to “speak” against Hophra, the Pharaoh of Egypt, it is unlikely that he spoke face to face. To that extent then, there would appear to be significance in the spoken proclamation of the word of the Lord. It is more than just have a ‘feeling’ or even a ‘vision’ of what God expects of us. There was physical expression to be made, and that probably in the presence of others, even though this is not specifically noted in the text.

When we pray, it can be the silent words of our mind. A quiet time before the Lord. But, I believe that an audible expression of our petition before the Lord provides a more meaningful conversation with Him. An open Bible and an open mind also is helpful in ‘hearing’ from God during our times of prayer.

The prophet concludes this reading with a word to Babylon. Look closely at Ezekiel 29:19,20. Do those words seem strange to you? Our Bible tells us that God was displeased with Tyre’s antagonism towards Jerusalem and promised that many nations would come against her. (Ezekiel 26) It was king Nebuchadnezzar who fought long and hard against Tyre, but with little material reward. God arranged that the reward would come in the fall of Egypt. And so it was.

There are many lessons for us today in this most interesting account of these prophetic pronouncements of Ezekiel. God continues to work out His purposes in the acts of men. “The fool has said in his heart ‘there is no God’ (Psalms 14 and 51). And still God uses the haughty, the proud, the boastful, and the disbelieving host, to further His eternal plan for man. But never without warning.

Ezekiel sounded the warning for the people of his day. TWICE, in his writings, Ezekiel told us what our responsibility is as “watchmen” for the Kingdom of God. Read it for yourselves in Ezekiel 3 and 33.

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Haftarah Reflections   13  

Torah portion            Exodus 1 : 1  to 6 : 1  

Haftarah portion     Isaiah 27 : 6  to  28 : 13  and 29 : 22,23

Listen to the Prophets

Isaiah exercised an amazing prophetic ministry of warning, judgement, and promise of salvation to both the Northern and Southern kingdoms of Israel and Judah. He was a Jerusalemite by birth, which makes him a Judean, but our Haftarah parashah today finds him bringing a warning and judgement message to the Israelites of the Northern kingdom.

I am comforted in the knowledge that commentators generally have found difficulty in coming to grips with the language of this parashah. Clearly, Isaiah is burdened with the situation in which he could see the Israelites moving further away from their covenant promises, into idolatry and disregard for the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, even though they paid some kind of lip service to the principle.

To that extent, we might have a lesson for today, as we see a ‘church age’ which embraces popular secular themes in an effort to increase attendance and membership. It has been observed by some, perhaps unfairly, that many churches today are little more than religious social clubs. The concept of adherence to God’s instruction for righteous living is seen as obsolete. Outdated in the world of today. Well, that, in effect, is what Isaiah saw in his day too.

Isaiah lived at a time when he saw the dispersion of the Northern tribes of Israel at the hand of the Assyrians. First, the king Tiglath-Pileser in the 730’s b.c.e., then king Sargon in 722 b.c.e., and finally king Shalamanezer 5th, completed the rout of Israel. An event which is known today as ‘the lost tribes of Israel’, because they have not subsequently been identified as a group.

(An interesting aside here. Look at Isaiah 9:10. Arrogant words spoken by the people of the northern kingdom of Israel when being attacked by the Assyrians. They are exact words used by the President of the U.S. congress at the time of the infamous destruction of the World Trade Centre in New York in 2001. It was this expression that caused Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Kahn to write his epic book “The Harbinger”, which warns America about its clear move away from the intent and purpose of America’s founding fathers when the land was settled in 1620).

There is another most interesting element about this prophecy of Isaiah. It has more than one interpretation. Firstly, of course, it has relevance to the immediacy of the situation facing the Northern kingdom of Israel. But it also has application to other events which took place about 130 years later in regard to Judea, and of even more significance is that the prophecy has relevance to our times today, and onwards into the future. It is, in part, this multi-faceted interpretation of Isaiah’s words that have caused some to have difficulty with it.

From verse 12, we have a descriptive promise of the regathering of Israel, to boundaries which are as yet unaccomplished. But in verse 13, there is the description of both the immediacy of calamity which befell them, and the futuristic events of the time when all Israel will be saved.

The prophetic descriptions in chapter 28 continue in the same vein. The graphic picture painted in the words about the uncleanness of the dining table are symptomatic of the state of unfitness of the Israelites to have fellowship with the Lord because of their wanton disregard of God’s word and His ways.

It is quite unfashionable to see God as harsh, and some might interpret this description as such. But we need always to remember that what some might see as God’s harshness, is in fact the natural result of man’s wanton decision to disregard the many warnings included in the Bible about the very justice of God, who cannot embrace sin. Idolatry is sin against a Holy God and a total disregard of His word.

It seems that towards the end of our parashah in Chapter 28 God is saying that just as their fall was “little by little, precept upon precept and line upon line” so will be their restoration in due time. There are no real words of comfort spoken by the prophet here, which is why, probably, the Rabbi’s included the words from Chapter 29 to conclude the readings. They are the only words of comfort to be found in the long recitation of dire warnings here.

“Therefore thus says the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob; ‘Jacob shall not now be ashamed, nor shall his face now grow pale; but when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, they will hallow My name, and hallow the Holy One of Jacob, and fear the God of Israel.’”

If there are lessons for us today in this passage it is because we worship a God who does not change. The very things which Isaiah condemned in his prophetic utterances to these people, he would condemn in us today. God expects all who are His to walk in His ways. He did then, and He does now.

Shabbat Shalom

RS

​Haftarah Reflections   12       

Torah portion             Genesis 47 : 28  – 50 : 26

Haftarah portion     1 Kings 2 : 1 - 12

Listen to the Prophets

There is always some link between the Torah parashah each week with the corresponding Haftarah parashah, The Torah reading has the account of Jacob’s death, and the promises he extracted from his sons regarding where he should be buried. The Haftarah has the account of the final days of King David’s life, and some instructions he gave to his son Solomon.

David had reigned over Israel (a kingdom united under his leadership) for a period of 40 years. He had dominated his earthly enemies, and the nation knew prosperity and peace as a result. His presumptuous son Adonijah, had been thwarted in his attempt to assume the throne, and Solomon was now the King. David has some very good advice to pass on to the newly crowned King Solomon.

“… be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgements, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Torah of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; that the Lord may fulfil His word which He spoke concerning me…”

I find it very interesting that in almost every ‘reflection’ of both the Torah and the Haftarah, there seems to be an exhortation to be faithful to the covenant God made with Moses. We might say it was easy for King David, who was, after all, described as “a man after God’s own heart” (see 1 Samuel 13:14). David expressed himself in ways many could not, as in Psalm 119, in which he extensively praises the ‘Torah’ of the Lord and his great love for it. In most of our English Bibles, the word used is “law”. We know that very few of us have much love for the “law”, do we? We tolerate the law, and most of the time obey the law, but we don’t generally express love for the law. So evidently, the “law” for which David expressed his love was very different.

Many times we have defined the “law” as God’s instructions for righteous living, but it would also be true to define it simply as “the Word of God”. David’s exhortation to Solomon was to ‘walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgements, and His testimonies’. David clearly saw that as the way of safety, of protection, of success, and of knowing God’s favour, in this fatherly advice.

And yet, we are taught in many of our churches that the Torah of Moses is obsolete, finished, dead, out of date, never to return. How wrong that teaching is! And all because it is referred to as ‘the Old Covenant’. But when we look closely at “the New Covenant”, what do we find? The same Torah, ( instructions, word of God), ‘put in their minds, and inscribed on their hearts’. Yes, the SAME Torah. (if you are not sure about this, read Jeremiah 31: 31 -34, and Hebrews 8: 7 -12).  But this time, a covenant which is unbreakable.

We should now try to see this in a modern context. Think of the people you know, or whom you are acquainted with. People you most admire or respect because of their perceived Godly living. Almost inevitably they will be people who are not only well versed in the Scriptures, but they will be people you consider to be wise, reliable, gracious and trustworthy. They are people you can turn to when difficulties arise, when disputes surface, when grief visits. But they are also pretty thin on the ground aren’t they?

God is constantly seeking a people who will “walk in His ways, keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgements, and His testimonies” even today. But that requires a people who will read His word, who will study the Scriptures, who will talk with Him and who will be obedient to His voice. God is able to use anyone who makes himself/herself available in His service, and who is obedient to the Word.

The advice David gave to Solomon came with a promise. It was a conditional promise, and we all need to take note of the conditions which are discussed above. The promise was “that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; that the Lord may fulfil His word to you”.

The Lord bless you as you read this Haftarah parashah and as you ask Him to reveal His will for you, as He did for Solomon.

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Haftarah Reflections   11

Torah portion            Genesis 44 : 18  – 47 : 27

Haftarah portion     Ezekiel  37 : 15  - 28

Listen to the Prophets

Ezekiel was a member of a priestly family, and as such he was quite familiar with Levitical customs and laws, as well as having an intimate knowledge of Mosaic Law. He was exiled to Babylon in 597 B.C.E., about 11 years prior to Jerusalem falling into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. Of all the writing prophets, Ezekiel is the most precise regarding the timing of his writings. Thirteen times, he gives us date references. His writings cover a period of about 22 years, indicating a very close walk with God.

In our parashah today, we come to a message of encouragement to the exiles, prophesying that the Lord would take them back to the Land of Promise, and moreover, re-unite the Nation again under one king.

Ezekiel 37 is most known for its “valley of dry bones” pronouncement. What we have before us today follows that, and is most exciting because it also relates to events we see happening in our day, as well as events still in the future.

The prophet is instructed to take two sticks, write inscriptions on each, one for Judah (the people in exile in Babylon at that time) and one for Israel (the people of the Northern Kingdom who were taken captive 136 years earlier).  Then he was told to join those sticks and hold them in his hand so that people could see only one stick. The explanation of this is contained in verses 21 and 22. It is a promise of God to these people, that they would return to their own land, be re-united with their ‘cousins’ from the Northern Kingdom, would settle in that land under one king, and never be divided into two kingdoms ever again.

It was 40 years before these people saw the first evidence of fulfilment of this prophecy. And now, about 2,500 years on, we are yet to see its complete fulfilment, but we clearly see it coming as more and more Jewish people are making Aliyah to Israel from every corner of the globe. This is consistent with other prophetic pronouncements made by Ezekiel in chapters 34 and 36.

It is often the case in Biblical prophecy, that there are multiple layers of fulfilment. The first layer was the initial return under the leadership of Zerubbabel, when restoration building work commenced, and the main cause of their exile, the neglect of Torah, was rectified and the people again began to learn and to observe the principles of righteous living together.

But there is much more for us to learn and be excited about in this parashah. It is quite obvious that we are now entering another layer of fulfilment of this prophecy. The people are returning to the land in unprecedented numbers. Over 7 million Jews now live in the territories previously divided as Israel and Judea. Since 1948 there has been only Israel, BUT there is not yet ONE KING over them. Our parashah says that king will be David. However, from other prophetic promises we know that the everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7: 8-16) will be ruled by a successor of the House of David. That will be King Yeshua.

Please read carefully the words in verses 24 to 28. The promises contained here are as yet unfulfilled. There is a strong reference here to the New Covenant which God promised through the prophet Jeremiah. Let’s look closely at the text. (Remember the two sticks made one?)

“They shall walk in My judgements and observe My statutes, and do them. A covenant of peace. An everlasting covenant. My sanctuary set in their midst forevermore. I will be their God. They shall be My people. The nations will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.”   We see this today only in part, and a small part at that.

Let’s now look at the terms of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31: 31 – 34 “Made with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. (two sticks made into one) I will put My Torah in their minds. I will write My Torah on their hearts. I will be their God. They shall be My people. They shall ALL know Me. I will forgive their iniquity. Their sin I will remember no more”.  This is a covenant that is people proof!! It cannot be broken.

Such is the foresight that God gave to Ezekiel. Not only the events which took place in the first return to the land, but those taking place today, and those still to come. What a mighty prophet of God Ezekiel is shown to be. On a very personal note, I have firsthand experience of hearing the direct word of God to me in the reading of Ezekiel. It changed my life. The reading of this prophetic book may be a blessing in your life too.

Shabbat Shalom

RS