Reflections
Va’era
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
Shemot
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
Vayechi
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
Vayigash
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
Miketz
Haftarah Reflections 10
Torah portion Genesis 41 : 1 – 44 : 17
Haftarah portion Zechariah 2: 10 to 4: 7
*This Haftarah parashah replaces the usual reading (1 Kings 3:15 to 4:1) because it is Shabbat of Hannukah this year (2024)
Listen to the Prophets
"Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst," says the LORD. “Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. And the LORD will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem.”
So begins our Haftarah parashah for today. A resounding statement of encouragement. And that is what the prophecy of Zechariah is about. Some 50,000 Israelites had returned from Babylon under the leadership of Zerubbabel. They had commenced rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and restoring what they could of Solomon’s Temple. But there was opposition and the work had been delayed. So the Lord raised up Haggai, Zechariah and Ezekiel at that time, all with prophecies of encouragement, with the message that the work of rebuilding the Temple was important because it had a future as the centre of worship of the Messiah.
But there is more than that, because Zechariah had a vision that took him beyond the work of Zerubbabel, and into a time still future to us today. In fact, Zechariah prophesies into the future global battle for Jerusalem and the return of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach to the Mount of Olives.
However, in our parashah this week, the prophetic words of Zechariah came to him by means of a vision. In that vision he saw a man, Joshua the High Priest, whom, it was thought was probably one of the 4,300 or so priests who had returned from Babylon. The prophet Malachi throws some light onto this scene (Malachi 2:1-9). Whether his garments were literally ‘filthy’, or metaphorically ‘filthy’ is not at issue. We know the difference. But what is important is that the Lord brought about a miraculous change in his appearance and in his condition. Isaiah tells us that “we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags”
But the Priests were in a special position. They were responsible for teaching the people regarding the Torah. The Apostle Ya’akov (James) had a word about the responsibility of “teachers” didn’t he? He said “Let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment”. But in Zechariah’s vision he was able to see that the love and mercy of Almighty God was able to remove all the guilty stains and reclothe them, even the Priests, in garments white as snow. Then this amazing promise “If you will walk in My ways, and if you will keep My command, then you shall also judge My house”.
Remember, the people were already engaged in building “the House”. And “the House” could not function without the Priests, and the Priests could not function in “the House” unless they were ‘clean’. It is true that the ‘cleanness’ here was ritual cleanness, but inner cleanness comes from living righteously in accord with God’s commands. As God says many times “Be ye holy as I am holy”, set apart, different, living My way. That is inner cleanness.
Then, in Zechariah’s vision, he hears the Lord telling Joshua the High Priest about the coming Messiah, “My servant the BRANCH”. And the prophecy that “will remove the iniquity of that land in one day”. I believe the Apostle Paul makes reference to this day in Romans 11:26 in which he says “all Israel will be saved”. It is also a direct reference to the coming “New Covenant” to be made with ‘the house of Israel and the house of Judah” see Jeremiah 31:34. A covenant sealed with the precious blood of Yeshua.
What power is there that can bring this about?. Israel in Yeshua’s day, the same as today, was and is, looking for a man who will come and deliver them from their enemies. A human being saviour. A strong deliverer. But what the Lord showed Zechariah was quite different. He saw two olive trees standing by the lampstand of solid gold. Zechariah 4:14 tells us who these olive trees are. They provide the oil to keep the lamp alight. And they are two anointed ones, standing beside the Lord of the whole earth. Who do you think they could be?
And what or who is going to make this happen? “Not by might (human endeavour) nor by power (strong men), but by My Spirit says the LORD of Hosts”
“O LORD, our LORD, how excellent is Your Name in all the earth.” Ps 8:1
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Vayeshev
Haftarah Reflections 9
Torah portion Genesis 37 : 1 – 40 : 23
Haftarah portion Amos 2 : 2 – 3 : 8
Listen to the Prophets
The Lord called Amos, a sheep herder and a tender of sycamores, from Tekoa, a small village just south west of Bethlehem, to take a strong message of warning to the people of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Specifically to a ‘high place’ of worship at Bethel, where King Jereboam 1 had set up one of the golden calves (the other in Dan), so that the people no longer went up to Jerusalem for the mo’edim of the Lord.
This prophet of the Lord had “a way with words”. He was a skilful and persuasive orator. At this time, King Jereboam 2 was leading the nation. Assyria had subdued their closest enemy Syria, which resulted in a time of unusual peacefulness for them, with resultant prosperity. Life seemed good, and it was, BUT the people were far from God and immersed in syncretism and idolatry. Hence the call of God upon Amos.
It was a time of one of the festivals which they kept, because there was a large crowd gathered at the worship centre in Bethel. As Amos stood to speak, he did so with authority. Six times, the persuasive Amos reminded the people of the hostile neighbours who surrounded them, and the judgement which God had in store because of their various transgressions. One can imagine the enthusiastic agreement of the crowd as Amos spoke of God’s displeasure with these hostile neighbours. Aram, Philistia, Edom, Phoenicia, Ammon and Moab. Each one in turn. His rhetoric was the same for all. “Thus says the Lord, for three transgressions of ‘xxxx’ and for four, I will not revoke its punishment”. Can you hear their cheers? Then the stunned silence.
His seventh proclamation was against Judah, the Southern Kingdom. The eighth against themselves. For each of the proclamations against their hostile neighbours, Amos managed one or two ‘transgressions’. Against Judah the transgression was just one (but a very big one!) Then when he turned his words against Israel, there were SEVEN transgressions listed in detail. (See verses 6 to 8). Each of these transgressions were indicative of an uncaring and avaricious society. They are details of specific violation of God’s instruction for righteous living (Torah).
A casual read of this parashah may be a bit ‘ho hum’. We might ask the question here “So what is the big deal here?”(so to speak). The lesson for us, dear friends, is in the detail.
We have the benefit of hindsight here. The prophecy against Judah was that “they have despised the Torah of the Lord, and have not kept His commandments”. The judgement was “I will send a fire upon Judah, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem”. And that is precisely what occurred about 136 years later. Precisely, exactly, to the letter.
The prophecy against Israel was spelled out in more detail. The prophet spoke (see Amos 3:1–8) in clear language, using every day metaphors, about God’s intent for this nation. He ended by saying “Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?” The judgement of the Lord on this Nation of Israel came less than 30 years later. They were taken Captive by the Assyrians, and are now, even today, often referred to as “The Ten Lost Tribes”.
And that is the lesson for us today.
God has spoken through His prophets. The language is clear, the message is unambiguous. Let us hear from the greatest prophet we know, Yeshua Ha’Mashiach. Prophet during His time on earth, now the Great High Priest before His father in Heaven, soon to be King of Kings. See John 14:6. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love,” John 15:10
The proclamation of Amos against both Judah and Israel was that they did not “keep My commandments”, none of which have ever been cancelled or nullified !!!!
I respectfully suggest that as we review and ‘reflect’ upon this prophecy of Amos, we might consider what the Lord our God is saying to us in these words. Do we really “love Him?” are we “abiding in His love?” The Lord will bless you as you give heed to His word. It is often quite personal.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Vayishlach
Haftarah Reflections 8
Torah portion Genesis 32 : 4 – 36 : 43
Haftarah portion Obadiah 1 : 1 - 21
Listen to the Prophets
Somewhere in our past, Biblical Prophets were designated the description of Major and Minor. That seems a quite arrogant way of classification to me, because a prophet of God is, well, a prophet of God. His message is God given, important, and without classification except in respect of the people to whom the prophecy is directed. In every case however, we can find a message for today in each prophetic book in our Bibles. It is particularly true of our haftarah parashah today.
Obadiah (Servant of God) is something of a ‘mystery man’. The Bible tells us nothing about his person, or even when his prophecy was written, but there are some clues available in the text. It is most commonly thought that Obadiah wrote, in condemnation of Edom, at the time of the Babylonian exile, about the year 586 B.C.E.. It is very likely, however that the Edomites never got to read the prophecy, in which case it was written more as an encouragement to the Israelites.
The Edomites were first cousins of the Israelites. A relationship stemming from the twin brothers born to Isaac and Rebecca. The animosity between the brothers, Jacob and Esau is well known. (We are told in Genesis 36 : 8 that “Esau dwelt in Mount Seir. Esau is Edom”.) That animosity persisted for many centuries. It persists today.
The history is not difficult to trace, but it came to something of a head when the Edomites denied Moses passage though their territory during the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites. And evidently, it was rampant again, almost 1000 years later, during the exilic dispersion under the cruel hand of King Nebuchadnezzar.
Extra-biblical writings of people like Josephus Flavius confirm the hateful relationship of the Edomites towards the Israelites.
Obadiah commences by describing the lofty abode of the people of Edom. They evidently lived well and were well fortified against aggressors, partly because they lived above the plains, and probably considered themselves safe and impregnable. He continues by describing the ways in which the Israelites, in their great persecution and distress, were further harassed and abused by the Edomites, who, because of their close kinship with them, should have provided comfort and support.
It is at this point that we should consider the lessons of this prophecy which apply to us today.
We are all aware of the increasing levels of abuse, violation and hatred being aimed at ISRAEL today. In spite of this, or perhaps because of it, God is using the circumstances to return the Jewish people back to their Land of Promise.
Is it too hard that I suggest that today’s “Edomites” are alive and well in the world, and are seeking to heap more pain on Israel than they already bear. Sadly, many of those “Edomites” (cousins in the faith so to speak) are in positions of influence in our churches. Because they are ‘believers’, they consider themselves ‘safe and impregnable’ from the wrath of God.
Take VERY careful note of the word of the Lord spoken by the Prophet to the Edomites :-
“You should not have stood at the crossroads to cut off those among them who escaped; nor should you have delivered up those among them who remained in the day of distress. For the day of the LORD upon all the nations is near; as you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your own head. For as you drank on My holy mountain, so shall all the nations drink continually; yes, they shall drink, and swallow, and they shall be as though they had never been.”
Our Bibles are stacked with descriptions of God’s covenantal and unconditional, enduring love for Israel. There are several warnings about the judgment which awaits those who “qalal” (treat with contempt) Genesis 12 : 3 Israel. It could NOT be any clearer in the Scriptures. AND STILL, we have churches today that completely disregard the place Israel holds in the heart of our God.
The message of Obadiah is so relevant for us today. We dare not ignore it. Read it. Discuss it with your friends. Teach it to your children. Edom (and Edomites by definition) is destined for utter, complete destruction in the Messianic Age to come. Don’t be a part of it.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Vayetze
Haftarah Reflections 7
Torah portion Genesis 28 : 10 – 32 : 3
Haftarah portion Hosea 12 : 13 – 14 : 10
Listen to the Prophets
Firstly Amos, then Hosea, were God’s appointed messengers to the territory occupied by the ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, the strongest of which was the tribe of Ephraim. For that reason, the whole territory is sometimes, as in our parashah today, referred to as Ephraim. (There is no tribe of Joseph. His sons Ephraim and Manasseh became the tribal leaders of their territory which, presumably, would have otherwise been allotted to Joseph).
After King Solomon died, he was followed by Reheboam, as King of Judea in the South, and Jereboam, as King of Israel in the North. Jereboam made two golden calves, installed one at Bethel in the south of the territory, and the other in Dan in the north. He instructed the people that they no longer needed to worship YHWH in the appointed place, Jerusalem, because it was too far to travel. They could worship either at Bethel or Dan for their convenience. That was the beginning of their courtship with idolatry, but there was worse to follow as we shall see.
Hosea’s prophecy covers the late years of the existence of the Northern Kingdom before they were invaded and taken captive by the Assyrians under King Shalamanezer V in the year 722 B.C.E.
So that, briefly is the history. Now let us look closely at the lessons which are to be learned from this parashah.
It begins by reminding us of the way they had been led, many years earlier, out of the bondage of Egypt. Then, Ephraim spoke as a leader to them, trembling. But soon, he exalted himself before the people, led them in worship of Ba’al, died spiritually, and things progressed down the slippery slope of idol worship. The sins of the people were multiplied, and they apparently revelled in their idolatry. Now hear the Word of the Lord to them, "Yet I am the LORD your God ever since the land of Egypt, and you shall know no God but Me; for there is no saviour besides Me. I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. When they had pasture, they were filled; they were filled and their heart was exalted; therefore they forgot Me.”
What a sad commentary that is on a people, saved by grace, prospered in God’s love for them, got wealthy (by this world’s standards) and …. “Therefor they forgot Me”.
It is not too difficult a stretch to see life today in this description is it? Leaders who exalt themselves in the eyes of their ‘flock’. Men and women who, by persuasive language and skilful manipulation take positions of influence. Idolatry begins there. There follows a less than honest teaching of the Word of God. An unbalanced, incomplete, downright heretical, or perhaps just a ‘popular gospel message’ in an attempt to attract a larger audience. (“metaphorically teaching that one does not need to worship in Jerusalem, as God commanded, do it this way .. it is much more convenient !!). Individuals who are saved by grace, progress in life, become successful in business. Maybe inheriting wealth, and finding that they do not need to meet with God as often. Self-sufficiency becomes a by-word. Idolatry takes a hold.
The result is exactly the same today as it was for those people being addressed by Hosea all those years ago. “Therefor they forgot Me”.
The analogy of childbirth (v 13) is graphic. A child, remaining in the very place of birth would surely suffocate and die. Ephraim is likened so. With the means and power to move on, Ephraim remained in idolatry. It was a comfortable and seemingly safe place (v 15) but soon judgement was to come with devastating result.
Then in chapter 14 of our reading, the prophet again turns to pleading and the message of comfort. Take a moment to read it. What a beautiful picture of the joy available to those who repent and turn back to the Lord. As I ‘reflect’ on these words, I see a picture of the Messianic Kingdom to come. But they represent much more than that. Almost at the ‘eleventh hour’ it seems, the prophet was showing the people what was available to them NOW.
“Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.”
It was good counsel then, and it is good counsel NOW.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Toldot
Haftarah Reflections 6
Torah portion Genesis 25 : 19 – 28 : 9
Haftarah portion Malachi 1 : 1 – 2 : 7
Listen to the Prophets
If you have ever heard a sermon from the writings of this prophet, the chances are that the text was Malachi 3:10!! In ‘charismatic’ churches especially, this is the favourite. It is used to pressure people into giving to “my church”. Tithing is a most caring, inclusive, command of God given for a specific purpose. However, the original purpose of the ‘tithe’ commandment is usually completely ignored. But that is another story!
Malachi was a prophet in the days of Nehemiah. Probably the last of the ‘writing’ prophets before the 400 years of Biblical silence prior to the arrival on this earth of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach. A lot happened in those 400 years, and much is written about them ... but not in our Bible.
The burden of the prophet was to counter the incidences within the community regarding corrupt priests, wicked practices, and the false sense of security under which the people lived. Hypocrisy, infidelity, mixed marriages, divorce, false worship and arrogance abounded. The covenant made in the days of Moses was disregarded and made of no reputation.
“Malachi” means “My messenger” which is likely short for “Messenger of YHWH”. He uses a series of rhetorical questions and responses to get the message across. Right upfront we have the unusual statement regarding God’s view of Jacob and Esau. Commentators try to explain this seemingly harsh statement about Esau. But the similarly harsh reality is that Esau is “Edom”. Edom is one of two places in Scripture which are destined to suffer total desolation by destruction, in the Messianic age to come. The other place is Babylon.
The list of offences spoken by the Lord through Malachi in this parashah is worthy of careful attention. There is a salutary lesson for us today as we read the nature of the offences of these Israelites.
“Where is My honour? … Where is My reverence?” asks the Lord. The feelings of deep disappointment in those questions is palpable. We should perhaps consider those questions as being put directly to ourselves. They are questions which require a response.
Then the priests ask “In what way have we despised Your Name?” You bring your ‘second best’ or even that which has no value to you, is God’s response. If we are to learn something from this passage of Scripture we need to see this exchange in ‘today’ terms. That which we present to our God should be the very best we have to offer. You may have heard it said “How would one behave if the Queen were to visit? How would one dress? What food would one prepare? How would one speak? God asks a similar question through the prophet. “Offer to your Governor what you offer to me. Would he be pleased with you?”
In prophetic response to that question, God declares “From the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My Name shall be great among the Gentiles”. We, dear gentile friends, are the beneficiaries of that. The question now is how we respond to that today. The amazing wonder of Scripture is its timelessness. What the Lord declared then is no different to what He declares today. PLEASE read this parashah. Ask the Lord to show you that which he wants you to know. You will receive both a blessing, and a challenge.
At that time it was as though God had had enough, and then He remained silent. He was silent for 400 years. His silence is devastating. You really do not want to experience it.
In the Israelites experience, in the period of that silence, their land was invaded by Greece, and later by Romans. They suffered great indignity and shame. Their Temple was taken from them and defiled. They were forbidden, by the invaders to have and to even read the Scriptures. They were effective outcasts in their own land.
But God is faithful. He remembered the covenant He had made with the sons of Aaron (Numbers 25:10-13). So our parashah ends with the recollection of that covenant (Malachi 2:4-7). It comprises yet another plea from God that the people would seek the counsel of a faithful priest. One who could, and would, speak truth from God’s word, and encourage the people to again ‘walk in God’s ways’.
It was good advice then, and it is good advice today. We have Yeshua, The Great High Priest, as our advocate before our heavenly Father.
That seems like a good note on which to end our reflection doesn’t it?
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Chayei Sarah
Haftarah Reflections 5
Torah portion Genesis 23 : 1 – 25 : 18
Haftarah portion 1 Kings 1 : 1 – 31
Listen to the Prophets
The connection between this week’s Torah portion and the Haftarah, seems to be about “age”, because the Torah portion makes reference to the elderly Abraham (Genesis 24), and the Haftarah begins with reference to the elderly King David. Superficially, there does not seem to be much other connection in the comparison of their respective lives, except that they were both pivotal to God’s grand plan for mankind.
I was also quite surprised to note, during this study, that whilst Abraham lived 175 years, King David was ‘only’ about 70 years old at the time of this story, which describes him as ‘in advanced years’.
We have a relatively short Haftarah reading this week. It starts with the “very old” King David, seemingly losing his grip on his kingly role. The much respected King David had formerly been a pillar of strength in the Nation, having brought the various tribes to unite under his leadership. They enjoyed peace and prosperity in the land, and had much for which to thank David. BUT, he was not without fault.
There appears to be a sub-plot running in the parashah. King David lived in Hebron for the first 7 years or so of his reign. During that time, he took a number of wives, the fourth being a lady called Haggith. The fourth child she bore David was called Adonijah, and according to our text, a very good looking young man. However, it is quite significant to me that we are told that David “had never rebuked him at any time”.
Was he such a good boy that he did not need correction? Was he so clever that he managed to ‘stay under the radar’ when David was around?
Was David such a poor father that he did not spend time with the boy? Of course we do not know. But what we can deduce is that he was perhaps a bit of a “spoilt brat”. (with apologies if I have got that bit wrong!!) What we do know, on the authority of Scripture, that just like the Fatherly example given by God Himself “whom He loves, He chastens”, and this boy had never been chastened by his father.
In any event, the ‘proverbial chickens’ come home to roost when Adonijah sees his sick, elderly, disinterested father, David, confined to his bed. To top that off, he noticed that David was attended by a very attractive nurse. So he plotted to become King in David’s place, thinking that he would not be opposed, certainly not by his father. Then he would get all the benefits of kingship, including the attention of the pretty nurse!! (We know this from events later in the story, because he asked his mother, Haggith, to approach the Queen Mother, Bathsheba, to get King Solomon’s permission for him to marry the girl. A request which resulted in his eventual assassination.) We can only wonder what sort of a person Adonijah might have been with a loving father’s correction from time to time. Perhaps this is an up to date lesson for fathers to learn about bringing up children, from the example in this ancient story. (see Proverbs 22;15)
In any event, the presumptuous Adonijah proclaimed himself King with much feasting and merriment. But of course, it did not last.
King David’s faithful friends found the way to ensure that the frail King David got to know about the matter. (I am reminded here of words often spoken to me by my gracious mother. ‘“be sure your sins will find you out”’, and more often than not, they did!!). Nathan, the prophet, devised the tactics, which took account of the fact that King David MIGHT have authorized the succession plan. (Which, of course, he had not).
The end of the story, which does not form part of our Haftarah reading, is that Solomon is installed as King of Israel, the last King of the united Kingdom.
Some years ago, on a visit to Israel, I was taken by some friends to, what was then, a large cave in the valley below the old City of David, which encompassed the Gihon Spring. We had a very youthful guide, speaking only Hebrew, and he jumped around that cave, exclaiming excitedly, “I don’t know if it was here (then big jump to another part of the cave) or if it was here (another jump) or here (another jump), BUT IT WAS HERE (enthusiastically motioning with his arms the whole area of the cave) THAT SOLOMON WAS MADE KING OF ISRAEL. For me an unforgettable experience of joy of being in a place where an event in Biblical history ACTUALLY occurred.
And that is just part of what our Mighty God ordained and planned to accomplish His purposes.
Shabbat Shalom
RS