August 2019
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 48
Hebraic understanding of the Apostolic letters
Peter needs little introduction! A giant of the faith. Bold, flawed, loyal, boisterous, impetuous, enthusiastic, spokesman, obedient to his calling. He was a leader to be admired and a study of his life is rewarding. A fervent Torah observant Jewish believer who met face to face with the resurrected Messiah, with a strong desire to see followers of Yeshua live lives worthy of their calling. This letter was probably written from Rome in the mid 60’s C.E. and it remains something of a mystery that Peter does not mention the Apostle Paul in his letters, other than to comment on the difficulty in understanding his letters! (2 Peter 3:15, 16)
In my Bible today’s reading begins with the word “therefore”. That means it has relevance to what has immediately gone before it. So it would be wise to check that out. The key is in 1 Peter 1:16 and 23. “Be holy, for I am holy” and “having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible through the word of God.” “Therefore”, Peter said, “desire the pure milk of the word that you may grow thereby.” Now let’s get some perspective here. This letter is written to the Jewish communities in the ‘diaspora’ (the dispersion). Specifically, Peter writes to believers, messianic Jews. What was the “word” that was to ‘be desired’ for their spiritual growth? The only “word” they had of course. The Hebrew Scriptures. Certainly they might also have read Paul’s encouraging teaching letters (which Peter thought were difficult to understand!) but they were not ‘the Scriptures’ of that time.
Peter’s expectation was that as these believing Jews, being chosen by God and precious, grew in the ‘pure milk of the word’ and then became as living stones, a holy priesthood, used in building a ‘spiritual house’ where spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Yeshua, were offered. It is difficult for gentile believers today to grasp that concept, but Jews have no difficulty with it. Offering prayers and thanks to God three times every day is still the common practise of orthodox Jews. If nothing else, it is the sacrifice of ones time to spend with God, but it is much more than that. The references in Isaiah and Psalms about ‘the chief cornerstone’, the foundation of this ‘spiritual house’, is obvious to believers today, as indeed it was to the diaspora believers. Paul wrote in Romans 11:25 about the ‘blindness in part’ of the Jew, which we believe prevents them today from understanding that Yeshua is that ‘chief cornerstone’. But I am concerned for the part we might play in obscuring His identity too! It is very well to talk about Him as the Messiah of God, but when He is presented to them as one who abolished the Torah, the very word which Peter proclaims to be the ‘pure milk of the word’, I think we are treading on extremely ‘thin ice’. And finally Peter charges them with the fact that the point at which change occurs, when ‘stumbling’ (unbelief, walking in darkness, disobedience to the word) ceases, is the point at which they become ‘the people of God’. It is absolutely no different for us. The point at which our ‘stumbling’ (unbelief, walking in darkness, disobedience to the word) ceases, we become “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.”
Peter took time to spell out the way such persons should behave in the society in which they lived. He progressed from the exhortation to live as examples, with a good reputation among our fellow citizens, to the need (in chapter 3) for exemplary conduct in our homes. The relationship between husband and wife is personal. Many husbands enthusiastically embrace Peter’s exhortation as he addressed wives. “do not let your adornment be merely outward – rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” but are less enthusiastic when he addressed the husband’s responsibility. (on a personal note, I pay tribute to my own wife, who was no ‘shrinking violet’! but through a very long marriage exhibited such love and wisdom in her conduct in our home, drawing great love and respect to herself from my whole family in return) It is all brought together when Peter said “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tender-hearted, be courteous, etc.”
One of the most quotable verses of Scripture came from the pen of Peter in this letter. “Sanctify Messiah as Lord (Nestle-Aland Greek text) in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear (reverence).” The word ‘sanctify’ means consecrate, set apart for worship, treat with great care, value immensely. And just before this Peter quoted from the Psalms, with which I close this ‘refection’. Could it be that a person who really does “Sanctify Messiah as Lord” would not need words of his own to convey the message of salvation because his life would be living testimony of the ‘hope that is in him’? The Psalmist needs no comment from me.
“He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous. And His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 47
Hebraic understanding of the Apostolic letters
Peter needs little introduction! A giant of the faith. Bold, flawed, loyal, boisterous, impetuous, enthusiastic, spokesman, obedient to his calling. He was a leader to be admired and a study of his life is rewarding. A fervent Torah observant Jewish believer who met face to face with the resurrected Messiah, with a strong desire to see followers of Yeshua live lives worthy of their calling. This letter was probably written from Rome in the mid 60’s C.E. and it remains something of a mystery that Peter does not mention the Apostle Paul in his letters, other than to comment on the difficulty in understanding his letters! (2 Peter 3:15, 16)
Peter addressed this pastoral letter to the diaspora communities of Jewish believers in “Asia Minor”. A region we broadly identify as central Turkey today. The writing Apostles had spent about three years of their life under the close tutelage of Yeshua. Uneducated men with no religious baggage, Yeshua chose these men carefully to spread the good news of the gospel after His death and resurrection. Gentile believers today constitute a quite significant part of the fruit of their obedience to the commission with which they were charged. All of us who are “born of the Spirit” owe a great debt of gratitude to these faithful Jewish Apostles. But few of us seem to vocalize recognition of that heritage!
This letter was intended to be read by a number of “ekklesia” in the region. Very early, Peter refers to ‘various trials’ being encountered by these “ekklesia”, infering that such ‘trials’ were part and parcel of common experience. Most would understand those ‘trials’ to mean difficulties, persecutions, harassment and even personal abuse. And those ‘trials’ would be emanating both from the local populace and from unbelieving Orthodox Jewish members (also known as Judaizers). Now, to get a grip on the situation, it is helpful if we can, in some measure, personalize this experience and relate it to our situation today. Otherwise, relating to the pastoral nature of Peter’s counsel becomes difficult to comprehend. And the miracle of the Scriptures is the way they are able to span all ages and generations.
It is made more difficult today because, whereas Peter warns that these ‘trials’ are the expected ‘norm’ for believers, there are many “Apostles” (self-appointed) today deceptively proclaiming the ‘prosperity teaching’ for all believers. It is popular because it is attractive and self-serving. But it’s not in the Bible! And my dear friends, since we are told that we are not ‘of this world’, if we do not have opposition (we are told that the world is at enmity with God) we should perhaps question the nature and quality of the witness we present to those around us.
However, Peter’s message is not all gloom and doom. Quite the opposite. “you have been grieved by various trials” he said, “that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory , receiving the end of your faith .. the salvation of your souls.” Does the genuineness of my faith and witness pass this test? Does yours?
He continued in the manner of both a challenge and an exhortation. With reference to their life before faith “conforming to your former lusts, as in your ignorance.” And quoting from the Torah with which the Jews would be familiar, he said “as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written ‘Be holy for I am holy’.” (Leviticus 11) The question for us to address is ‘How much of that exhortation applies today?” That God is holy is beyond question. That we were conforming to our former lusts is also unquestioned, even though, arguably, the degree may be different for each individual. (it is appropriate to remember the Hebrew word “chata” (sin), which is an archery term meaning to miss the mark. Whether by one millimetre or one metre is not specified.) Missing the mark is ‘missing the mark!’ No one is exempt. So how to judge ‘holiness’ by God’s standard is the issue. The Torah is the written account of God’s instruction for righteous (holy, set apart) living. Nowhere in the Scriptures will you find that Torah has been made obsolete, and certainly not for Jews. (Did you realize that the New Covenant sign is the Torah written on our hearts and put in our minds by God Himself so that it can no longer be taught!) I would think too that those who have been ‘grafted into the natural Olive Tree’ (which is Israel according to Paul) are also privileged to benefit from such instruction. If that is the case then today we too are to “Be holy for I am holy”.
“All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away. But the word of the Lord endures forever.” (Isaiah 40:8) Peter reminded his readers. “And this is the word, which by the gospel is preached to you.” And guess what! The ‘word’ to which Peter referred was what we call “The Old Testament”, more appropriately being The Hebrew Scriptures.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 46
Hebraic understanding of the Apostolic letters
The first observation we make is that the name ‘James’ is the anglicized version of ‘Ya’akov’, the Hebrew name of this Apostle. There are three James’ who ‘might’ be the author of this letter. One was brother of John and son of Zebedee and Salome. He is thought to have visited Spain and Portugal to encourage and preach to Jews of the diaspora there, but little else is known about him. Another is the half-brother of Yeshua, and the third was a son of Alpheus. No one knows. There is circumstantial evidence that it was one of the first two mentioned, but that matters little. It is the content which is important. The letter is written to the ‘scattered’ tribes of Israel, with a major focus being to exhort the recipients to exercise and exhibit their faith by their actions, not only with their words. For that reason, his observation of double-mindedness in those of the faith is also a theme of the letter.
It is often the case that the very convenient chapter and verse divisions in our Bible causes us to miss some of the flow of the text. It is the case here. “Come now you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you. …. Indeed the wages of the labourers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of YHWH Elohim.” It is a readily identified sin to defraud anyone, isn’t it? But this is written to believers!! So if we ignore the chapter division here it follows on immediately from James’ definition of sin with which we ended our ‘reflection’ last week. “To him that knows to do good, and does not do it, to him it is sin.” It is a ‘compound sin’ if such a thing exists! Knowing what is right and not doing it, and then compounding it with fraud. One clear example of the double-mindedness, which James addresses in this letter to believers in the diaspora “ekklesia”.
The “high minded” would quickly exclaim that they would never do such a thing. But there are scores of instances, every day, when we profess one thing regarding our relationship with God and act as though God were just a remote dis-interested onlooker from outer space. That is plain double-mindedness. God has clearly spelled out His instruction for righteous living, and from that there was NO compromise then and there is NO compromise now. It’s in the BOOK!!
James uses the Prophets, men who heard the word of the Lord and spoke it without fear or favour, as examples of the sometime hardship of being faithful to ones calling. Job was another who endured severe deprivation for his faith. “Let your “yes” be yes, and let your “no” be no” James said. No prevarication, no compromise, no faltering, no deviation from the path of your life of faith. Why? Because “the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” And that is where we put our faith and trust. But James is also a realist. He knows that our humanity sometimes gets in the way of our faith. So he continued.
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing Psalms. Is anyone of you sick? (Greek “astheneo”) Let him call for the elders of the “ekklesia” etc.” Has James just introduced a new subject about physical healing here? Just out of the blue? Has he finished with double-mindedness? NO HE HASN’T. How often have we heard this passage of Scripture used as an introduction to join a line for physical healing? That is exactly what I was taught, and I expect you were too. Now this is extremely important. There is NO change of subject matter as we proceed in this letter. The theme of double-mindedness continues. And it is necessary to see why. The key is in understanding the Greek “astheneo”. And at the same time to ask yourself why did James follow this apparent interjection about “healing” by reminding these Jews in the diaspora about Elijah on Mount Carmel? It all fits together. And for me it answers a most perplexing question of why so many are not healed of sickness and ill-health by such sincere prayer by elders in our churches.
Here’s how. The word “astheneo”, translated in James 5:14 as ‘sick’, occurs 11 times in Paul’s letters. 5 times in Romans once in 1 Corinthians and 5 times in 2 Corinthians. In each case that word is correctly translated as “weak” (in faith). Additionally, in the very next verse, James 5:15 the word which is translated as “sick” is the Greek “kamno”, much better translated “faint” or “wearied”. Elijah’s encounter with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel was a battle of “double minded-ness”. “How long will you falter between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21)
So, “rightly dividing the word of truth”, there remains a consistency about James appeal to the diaspora Jews. He recognized that some would grow “weary” in the faith. He recognized the frailty of ones humanity. He knew that some would need local help and assistance to continue. So he gave them wise counsel. It is counsel that is equally applicable today. When doubt, confusion, concern, or challenging situations occur, James said “Let him call the elders of (his) “ekklesia”, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” Then James gave them this promise, recognizing that such action would be the beginning of loving concern and support for the person presenting themselves to them for such prayer. “And the prayer of faith WILL save the “weary one”, and the Lord WILL raise him up.” Be blessed as you study the word of God.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 45
Hebraic understanding of the Apostolic letters
The first observation we make is that the name ‘James’ is the anglicized version of ‘Ya’akov’, the Hebrew name of this Apostle. There are three James’ who ‘might’ be the author of this letter. One was brother of John and son of Zebedee and Salome. He is thought to have visited Spain and Portugal to encourage and preach to Jews of the diaspora there, but little else is known about him. Another is the half-brother of Yeshua, and the third was a son of Alpheus. No one knows. There is circumstantial evidence that it was one of the first two mentioned, but that matters little. It is the content which is important. The letter is written to the ‘scattered’ tribes of Israel, with a major focus being to exhort the recipients to exercise and exhibit their faith by their actions, not only with their words. For that reason, his observation of double-mindedness in those of the faith is also a theme of the letter.
A little known statement opens our reading today, which has profound implications for many people, myself included! “Let not many of you become teachers (of the Scriptures) knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgement.” For the last few years I have been ‘reflecting’ (and thus teaching) on the Hebraic understanding of the Scriptures. I have done so in full knowledge of the fact that I will receive stricter judgement, both from the readers of these ‘reflections’, and more importantly from YHWH Elohim. Teachers have a huge responsibility to “rightly divide the word of truth”. I confess to having little patience with those who, through lack of diligence, or for personal gain, mislead others about what the Scriptures ACTUALLY say. And regrettably there are many who, to their great shame, “peddle” the word of God in such a manner. (2 Corinthians 2:17)
To emphasize his point, James uses some everyday examples to illustrate the huge consequences of such mis-use of that small ‘member’ of our body, the tongue! He likens it to a small fire that can set a whole forest ablaze. To a tiny rudder which is able to control the direction of a huge ship. The tongue, he said, is untameable, “full of deadly poison”. That’s an awful yet accurate description of its powerful potential to do immeasurable harm and create dissent. At the same time, correctly ‘tamed’, our tongue may be used to bring blessing, comfort, encouragement and joy. A timely lesson for today. James is quick to point out the responsibility of every believer to ensure that our heart is right before our holy God so that our tongue is used to bring glory to God and news of good things, of which it is capable.
Discernment of truth is paramount. James writes to encourage those who are ‘of the faith’. He goes to some length to emphasize the characteristic which should be the evidence of that faith. “Good works” he said “is the tangible evidence of that faith.” By faith comes repentance. One needs faith to know that repentance has been accepted. (When our children were young, we required them to express sorrow for mis-deeds or poor behaviour. ‘What does “sorry” mean?’ We would ask, and then provide an answer. It means ‘I won’t do it again!’). Where is the evidence that repentance has occurred in a person? And of what has one repented? Scripture teaches that we need to repent of ‘sin’, (‘chata’ in Hebrew, an archery term, which means ‘missing the mark’), but we need to understand what that means. On this point some are confused, but the Bible is quite clear. In contradistinction to “chata” (missing the mark) is “Torah” (derived from the Hebrew word “yarah”, another archery term, meaning ‘hitting the mark’.) So clearly, the Biblical definition of ‘sin’ (from which we are to repent) is “missing the mark” and by our repentance (turning around) we “hit the mark”. By taking heed to God’s instruction (Torah) for righteous living. The evidence? A lifestyle which is different! By inference, James is teaching “No evidence, no repentance!” And my dear friends, on the authority of Scripture if there is no repentance there is no salvation! “Repentance from sin” is a bedrock, principal, teaching of John the Baptizer, Yeshua Ha’Mashiach and Rabbi Sha’ul. And to come ‘full circle’, the evidence is there for all to see, and it is manifest, not in what we say, but in the “works” we do, that is, how we live our lives.
James embarks on a kind of checklist of questions for our discernment about where we stand. “Where do wars and fights come from among you?” “Do you know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?” “Do you think that the Scripture says in vain ‘The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? Then he quotes from Proverbs “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Then the practical advice of a wise counsellor. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands you sinners; and purify your hearts you double-minded.” Did you know that one of the purposes of the ancient sacrificial system was so that the penitent person would literally “draw near to God”? Sacrifices were made at the Tabernacle or Temple. The very place of God’s habitation among the people. And when the penitent ‘drew near to God’ God drew near to him. Burden lifted. Peace of mind.
Finally, in this very practical letter of encouragement to believers, James provides a concise definition of sin. It is well worth pondering. “To him that knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” Just notice one more time believing friend. It’s not what you say, it’s what you do!
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 44
Hebraic understanding of the Apostolic letters
The first observation we make is that the name ‘James’ is the anglicized version of ‘Ya’akov’, the Hebrew name of this Apostle. There are three James’ who ‘might’ be the author of this letter. One was brother of John and son of Zebedee and Salome. He is thought to have visited Spain and Portugal to encourage and preach to Jews of the diaspora there, but little else is known about him. Another is the half-brother of Yeshua, and the third was a son of Alpheus. No one knows. There is circumstantial evidence that it was one of the first two mentioned, but that matters little. It is the content which is important. The letter is written to the ‘scattered’ tribes of Israel, with a major focus being to exhort the recipients to exercise and exhibit their faith by their actions, not only with their words. For that reason, his observation of double-mindedness in those of the faith is also a theme of the letter.
The letter lacks the personal associations which are a hallmark of Paul’s writings, but James is well aware of the trials and difficulties being faced by his fellow Jews in their diaspora “ekklesia” and gets directly into the purpose of the letter. “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials” he said. There was no IF involved, it was WHEN. Living a life of faith will always attract the attention of others, and they are not all sympathetic. There will be trials. James said that this amounted to a test of faith, which teaches patience, which in turn strengthens that faith as one leans more and more on the Lord for comfort and support. I paraphrase here, as James said “If you are not sure how to proceed, ask God, he will provide the strength and wisdom you need to continue, but be sure to ask without doubting, because if you are unsure of God you will be like a ship in a raging sea, tossed about all over the place. Be single minded in your asking and trust God for his leading. If you are double-minded you will be confused in discernment whether or not it is God who is speaking to you!”
Everyone experiences temptation, and it comes in many different forms. Do not be fooled into thinking that temptation is from God. It is not. And because this letter of James has some focus on double-mindedness, a mixture of sorts, I think he might consider that temptation, which has its root in one’s own desires, is because the outcome of temptation springs from the fact that issues of relationship with a holy God have not been fully settled. To put it more positively, the single minded person, having settled the issue of a relationship with God, has little difficulty in deciding the course to take when temptation arises. Right and wrong are more easily distinguished. Resistance to temptation more readily dealt with. Why? Well the Apostle Paul put it well. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will with that temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) One’s reliance on God provides the strength to overcome.
James exhibits “Solomonesque” wisdom in this letter. It is jam packed full of good advice. “Be doers of the word and not hearers only.” Yeshua did not have much time for the Pharisees on this account. He once told his Jewish audience (Matthew 23:3) to DO what the Pharisees say you should do (because they said all the right things) but DON’T do what they do! Could that be said of us? Most of us are good hearers, but are we DOERS of the word? Accept the challenge and ponder the thought.
Chapter 2 deals with the issue of ‘partiality’. Treating people differently because of their wealth or standing in the community. It is still a big issue for some synagogues who actually sell tickets for the best seats and duties in the (mo’edim) holiday festivals. There is always a ‘rational’ explanation, but never a good reason! That is why James deals with it head on. He heads straight for the Torah, and again he ends up making comparison between what one says one believes, and how one acts. It is easy to point a finger at the recipients of this letter and nod the head approvingly, but what does the letter say to ME, today. It’s practical. It’s relevant. It’s challenging. Or it should be!
Here is one JUST for me! “If a brother or a sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them ‘be warmed and filled’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit (them)?” In that context, James says your faith is dead. Your faith takes on life when it is accompanied by action. A good deed. “Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” Talk is cheap dear friends, getting one’s hands dirty is a bit different.
So to Abraham. James reminded his audience that “Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness” How did that work? Well God called Abraham to leave his country and go to another. Abraham obeyed God, not only then but other times too. He acted. He was a DOER. And he was a DOER out of pure trust in what God called him to do. No-one has any doubt of Abraham’s standing before God.
And that sums up the lessons contained in our reading today. Faith is important, without faith we cannot please God, I tread on thin ice with some here, BUT there is more. Faith that stands still doesn’t get one anywhere. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” We are called by God for a purpose. That purpose can only be fulfilled as we respond, take up the challenge and DO what we have been called to do.
Shabbat Shalom
RS