7-24-10 Parasha: D’varim 3:23-7:11 V'et-chanan (and I pleaded)
Sermon by Rabbi Ken Alpren
both summarized by Val Waters, scribe
In D’varim 3:23 Moshe seems to be negotiating, even trying to manipulate the LORD, begging Him to change His mind and let Moshe go into the promised land across the Jordan. We know that he wasn’t allowed to go because he struck the rock rather than obeying the LORD and simply speaking to the rock. However, in verse 26, Moshe even seems to be blaming the children of Israel for the LORD’s anger at Moshe! He told Moshe, “Enough! Speak no more to me of this matter”!
Do we, when we are disappointed by circumstances, shift blame, or even recriminate others?
Or do we blame ourselves, and get depressed, even despair?
The LORD told Moshe to lift UP his eyes to the west, the north, the south and the east; and to behold with his eyes the promised land. He was told again that he would not be crossing over the Jordan. And immediately the LORD tells Moshe what he is supposed to focus on in v28: ‘But charge Joshua and encourage him and strengthen him, for he shall go across at the head of this people, and he will give them as an inheritance the land which you will see.’
Moshe was to put his focus and efforts on preparing Joshua to lead the children of Israel into the land of their inheritance!
He was to be saying to Joshua:
"here’s what you are to do" / command (tzvah)
"I’ll help (train) you" / strengthen (chazak)
"you CAN do it!" / embolden (amatz)
We need to get our eyes off of our own responses to circumstances and off of ourselves!
Remember, is something cannot be changed, it’s time to move past the disappointment and onward to fulfilling
God’s perfect plan!
Rabbi Ken shared a story of a man in prison who refused to work of the Lord’s day. He was beaten until he was paralyzed and could only move his neck. He couldn’t even feed himself. The prison conditions were desperate, and the prisoners would often sit near him because he was serene and joyful. He would tell them if the outlook is bad, try the “up look”! He reminded them of Stephen’s stoning in Acts 7. Everyone one had abandoned Stephen, but he looked up and was blessed to see Yeshua in heaven!
We need to focus on encouraging and helping others to inherit the promises!
-------------
Val Waters, scribe
Monday, July 26, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
G-d’s Temple: Tisha B'Av
Rabbi Ken Alpren
Summary by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
July 17, 2010
Deuteronomy 1:2, “It is eleven days' journey from Horev to Kadesh-Barnea by way of Mount Se'ir” and Deuteronomy 2:14, “The time between our leaving Kadesh-Barnea and our crossing Vadi Zered was thirty-eight years - until the whole generation of men capable of bearing arms had been eliminated from the camp, as ADONAI had sworn they would be.”
The journey of eleven days took the Israelites 38 years to complete. Deuteronomy 1:26, “"But you would not go up. Instead you rebelled against the order of ADONAI your God.” This verse points to the reason for their delay. When we rebel we open ourselves up to the demonic realm and come outside of G-d’s protection and authority. However, when we humble ourselves, we are under His protection and covering.
1 Peter 5:5
The Israelites weren’t thinking clearly and actually thought that the reason they were brought out of Egypt was because G-d hated them! Clearly, the opposite was true! He is a father to them, a warrior for them, but they did not trust Him (Deuteronomy 1:26-30).
Isn’t G-d for them and isn’t He for us? Romans 8:31, “What, then, are we to say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Nothing is too hard for Him! Jeremiah 32:17, 26. How quickly we forget who He is! Galatians 1:6-9
The Israelites rebelled, didn’t trust or believe Him and the Decree was given that they would not enter the Promised Land as recorded in Deuteronomy 1:34-40. This Decree was given on Tisha B’Av.
Tisha B’Av is day of mourning for events that led to the loss of Jewish independence with the destruction of holy Temples; both destroyed on Tisha B’Av.
Isaiah 66:1-2, “"Heaven is my throne," says ADONAI, "and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house could you build for me? What sort of place could you devise for my rest? 2 Didn't I myself make all these things? This is how they all came to be," says ADONAI. "The kind of person on whom I look with favor is one with a poor and humble spirit, who trembles at my word.”
Isaiah 57:15, “For thus says the High, Exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy: "I live in the high and holy place but also with the broken and humble, in order to revive the spirit of the humble and revive the hearts of the broken ones.”
We are G-d’s Temple! He wants to dwell in people! In 2 Samuel 7:11-16, G-d told David through Natan that He would build a house for David; that the house and kingdom would be set up forever.
Ephesians 2:21-22, “In union with him the whole building is held together, and it is growing into a holy temple in union with the Lord. 22 Yes, in union with him, you yourselves are being built together into a spiritual dwelling-place for God.”
Not only are we G-d Temple but we are His Temple in UNION with others. This is key. Yeshua prayed that we would be one with Him, “that they may all be one. Just as you, Father, are united with me and I with you, I pray that they may be united with us, so that the world may believe that you sent me.” John 17:21. This is the greatest testimony of G-d’s love in us that we are in unity and love with other believers.
When the Tabernacle and the Temples were in place, there was a feeling of unity among Jews and Gentiles who worshipped there. It was a dominant, central feature of Jewish life. Imagine how grand the Temple would be were it built today as compared to the remnant as it exists today at the Western Wall.
It was heartbreaking for the people that the Temple in its physical state was and remains destroyed. So, then, we must ask ourselves the question; how do we respond to a disaster, a catastrophe, a trial or when something we don’t expect happens? Do we panic, blame, complain, become angry, get depressed, fall into despair? It has been said that we shouldn’t have remorse for the past or fear of the future but that we should live in the present. But the Word of G-d says, none of that! It says we should live in the eternal
G-d!
Deuteronomy 33:27, “The God of old is a dwelling-place, with everlasting arms beneath. He expelled the enemy before you and he said, 'Destroy!”
Psalm 90:1, “A prayer of Moshe the man of God: Adonai, you have been our dwelling place in every generation.”
Should we not ask Who instead of why?
2 Timothy 1:11-12, “It was for this Good News that I was appointed a proclaimer, emissary and teacher of the Goyim; 12 and this is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, because I know him in whom I have put my trust, and I am persuaded that he can keep safe until that Day what he has entrusted to me.”
Turn to Him in prayer, turn to Him in repentance, turn to Him without condemnation and turn to Him for conviction! Turn to Him for hope and promises! There is no condemnation in Him, rather He provides a way or a door out. In conviction, He provides atonement and a way out through redemption and produces victory from it.
So, be united in love with one another because G-d’s dwelling in us depends upon our unity and our unity depends upon our humility! Philippians 2:1-5
Further Reading: Deuteronomy 1:1-3, 22, 26-36, Psalm 27:4, Psalm 132:1-5, 7, 8, Isaiah 64:11 and 66:1-2, John 17:23, 2Cor 6:16, Ephesians 2:20-22, 1Cor 10, Romans 8:31, Psalm 115:3, Isaiah 40, Jeremiah 32:17,26, 1Peter 2:5, 2Cor 6, Psalm 132, Psalm 27:4, Isaiah 64:11, Colossians 3:1-3, Joshua 7, Joel 2:25, Psalm 133, Romans 6:4,5, John 14:23
Summary by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
July 17, 2010
Deuteronomy 1:2, “It is eleven days' journey from Horev to Kadesh-Barnea by way of Mount Se'ir” and Deuteronomy 2:14, “The time between our leaving Kadesh-Barnea and our crossing Vadi Zered was thirty-eight years - until the whole generation of men capable of bearing arms had been eliminated from the camp, as ADONAI had sworn they would be.”
The journey of eleven days took the Israelites 38 years to complete. Deuteronomy 1:26, “"But you would not go up. Instead you rebelled against the order of ADONAI your God.” This verse points to the reason for their delay. When we rebel we open ourselves up to the demonic realm and come outside of G-d’s protection and authority. However, when we humble ourselves, we are under His protection and covering.
1 Peter 5:5
The Israelites weren’t thinking clearly and actually thought that the reason they were brought out of Egypt was because G-d hated them! Clearly, the opposite was true! He is a father to them, a warrior for them, but they did not trust Him (Deuteronomy 1:26-30).
Isn’t G-d for them and isn’t He for us? Romans 8:31, “What, then, are we to say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Nothing is too hard for Him! Jeremiah 32:17, 26. How quickly we forget who He is! Galatians 1:6-9
The Israelites rebelled, didn’t trust or believe Him and the Decree was given that they would not enter the Promised Land as recorded in Deuteronomy 1:34-40. This Decree was given on Tisha B’Av.
Tisha B’Av is day of mourning for events that led to the loss of Jewish independence with the destruction of holy Temples; both destroyed on Tisha B’Av.
Isaiah 66:1-2, “"Heaven is my throne," says ADONAI, "and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house could you build for me? What sort of place could you devise for my rest? 2 Didn't I myself make all these things? This is how they all came to be," says ADONAI. "The kind of person on whom I look with favor is one with a poor and humble spirit, who trembles at my word.”
Isaiah 57:15, “For thus says the High, Exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy: "I live in the high and holy place but also with the broken and humble, in order to revive the spirit of the humble and revive the hearts of the broken ones.”
We are G-d’s Temple! He wants to dwell in people! In 2 Samuel 7:11-16, G-d told David through Natan that He would build a house for David; that the house and kingdom would be set up forever.
Ephesians 2:21-22, “In union with him the whole building is held together, and it is growing into a holy temple in union with the Lord. 22 Yes, in union with him, you yourselves are being built together into a spiritual dwelling-place for God.”
Not only are we G-d Temple but we are His Temple in UNION with others. This is key. Yeshua prayed that we would be one with Him, “that they may all be one. Just as you, Father, are united with me and I with you, I pray that they may be united with us, so that the world may believe that you sent me.” John 17:21. This is the greatest testimony of G-d’s love in us that we are in unity and love with other believers.
When the Tabernacle and the Temples were in place, there was a feeling of unity among Jews and Gentiles who worshipped there. It was a dominant, central feature of Jewish life. Imagine how grand the Temple would be were it built today as compared to the remnant as it exists today at the Western Wall.
It was heartbreaking for the people that the Temple in its physical state was and remains destroyed. So, then, we must ask ourselves the question; how do we respond to a disaster, a catastrophe, a trial or when something we don’t expect happens? Do we panic, blame, complain, become angry, get depressed, fall into despair? It has been said that we shouldn’t have remorse for the past or fear of the future but that we should live in the present. But the Word of G-d says, none of that! It says we should live in the eternal
G-d!
Deuteronomy 33:27, “The God of old is a dwelling-place, with everlasting arms beneath. He expelled the enemy before you and he said, 'Destroy!”
Psalm 90:1, “A prayer of Moshe the man of God: Adonai, you have been our dwelling place in every generation.”
Should we not ask Who instead of why?
2 Timothy 1:11-12, “It was for this Good News that I was appointed a proclaimer, emissary and teacher of the Goyim; 12 and this is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, because I know him in whom I have put my trust, and I am persuaded that he can keep safe until that Day what he has entrusted to me.”
Turn to Him in prayer, turn to Him in repentance, turn to Him without condemnation and turn to Him for conviction! Turn to Him for hope and promises! There is no condemnation in Him, rather He provides a way or a door out. In conviction, He provides atonement and a way out through redemption and produces victory from it.
So, be united in love with one another because G-d’s dwelling in us depends upon our unity and our unity depends upon our humility! Philippians 2:1-5
Further Reading: Deuteronomy 1:1-3, 22, 26-36, Psalm 27:4, Psalm 132:1-5, 7, 8, Isaiah 64:11 and 66:1-2, John 17:23, 2Cor 6:16, Ephesians 2:20-22, 1Cor 10, Romans 8:31, Psalm 115:3, Isaiah 40, Jeremiah 32:17,26, 1Peter 2:5, 2Cor 6, Psalm 132, Psalm 27:4, Isaiah 64:11, Colossians 3:1-3, Joshua 7, Joel 2:25, Psalm 133, Romans 6:4,5, John 14:23
Monday, July 12, 2010
Voice of Precise Silence
Rabbi Ken Alpren
Summary by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
July 10, 2010 Sermon
Numbers 32:1-7, The Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were suitable for livestock. 2 So they came to Moses and Eleazar the priest and to the leaders of the community, and said, 3 "Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo and Beon-- 4 the land the LORD subdued before the people of Israel--are suitable for livestock, and your servants have livestock. 5 If we have found favor in your eyes," they said, "let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan." 6 Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, "Shall your countrymen go to war while you sit here? 7 Why do you discourage the Israelites from going over into the land the LORD has given them?
The descendants of Gad and Reuben requested to live on the east side of the Jordan. Their decision led to the loss of their inheritance and they were the first to be carried away as captives. See 1 Chronicles 5:26. Deborah sang about the indifference their separation caused in Judges 5:16-17. It was the appearance of the land and the appeal of it’s greenery that enticed them to settle there. Had they consulted and heard from the L-rd or where they going after their own desires? Messiah warned us not to judge by appearances; “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment." John 7:24; see Is. 11:3.
Judging by appearances instead of seeking G-d’s direction will more times than not lead to wrong conclusions. And judging brings judgement upon ourselves “Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, passing judgment; for when you judge someone else, you are passing judgment against yourself; since you who are judging do the same things he does” Romans 2:1.
Did you know that G-d keeps a journal of the choices we make? We will stumble, but, thank goodness for His ongoing grace that when we do sin we have an advocate. Ps. 37:23-24 and 1John 2:1.
How are we to be discerning and make decisions in accordance with His will? Take a look at how the L-rd spoke to Eliyahu in 1 Kings 19. He said, "Go outside, and stand on the mountain before ADONAI"; and right then and there, ADONAI went past. A mighty blast of wind tore the mountains apart and broke the rocks in pieces before ADONAI, but ADONAI was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake, but ADONAI was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake, fire broke out; but ADONAI was not in the fire. And after the fire came a quiet, subdued voice.”
The Hebrew words for “quiet, subdued voice” are “demamah, daq kol” which can also be translated as “voice of precise silence”. It is in this quiet place that we can discern His voice like deep calling to deep, Psalm 42:7. His voice causes us to look within and evaluate ourselves and others and then look to Him for answers and direction. Hebrews 4:12, “See, the Word of God is alive! It is at work and is sharper than any double-edged sword - it cuts right through to where soul meets spirit and joints meet marrow, and it is quick to judge the inner reflections and attitudes of the heart.”
Isaiah 26:3, "A person whose desire rests on you you preserve in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.”
Seek Him in silence; it is where we will precisely discern His voice.
Further reading: Ezekiel 13:1-3, 6-8, 2 Cor 11:1-4, 2 Tim 4:1-8, Isaiah 11:3, 2Cor 5:7, Matt 7:1-5, 2Pet 3:18, 2Cor 5:18-21, Matt 9:12-13, Ps 119:133, Ps 139:3, Job 31:4, Prov 16:9, Ps 37:23, 1Jn 2:1, 2 Cor 11:1-3, Jn 15:3, 2Tim 4:1-4, Eph 3:11, Rom 11:1-4, Ps 42:7, Ps 23:2, Ps 119:11, Isaiah 30:15, Ps 46:10, Gen 3:8,9, Deut 4:12,33, Isaiah 6:8
Summary by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
July 10, 2010 Sermon
Numbers 32:1-7, The Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were suitable for livestock. 2 So they came to Moses and Eleazar the priest and to the leaders of the community, and said, 3 "Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo and Beon-- 4 the land the LORD subdued before the people of Israel--are suitable for livestock, and your servants have livestock. 5 If we have found favor in your eyes," they said, "let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan." 6 Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, "Shall your countrymen go to war while you sit here? 7 Why do you discourage the Israelites from going over into the land the LORD has given them?
The descendants of Gad and Reuben requested to live on the east side of the Jordan. Their decision led to the loss of their inheritance and they were the first to be carried away as captives. See 1 Chronicles 5:26. Deborah sang about the indifference their separation caused in Judges 5:16-17. It was the appearance of the land and the appeal of it’s greenery that enticed them to settle there. Had they consulted and heard from the L-rd or where they going after their own desires? Messiah warned us not to judge by appearances; “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment." John 7:24; see Is. 11:3.
Judging by appearances instead of seeking G-d’s direction will more times than not lead to wrong conclusions. And judging brings judgement upon ourselves “Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, passing judgment; for when you judge someone else, you are passing judgment against yourself; since you who are judging do the same things he does” Romans 2:1.
Did you know that G-d keeps a journal of the choices we make? We will stumble, but, thank goodness for His ongoing grace that when we do sin we have an advocate. Ps. 37:23-24 and 1John 2:1.
How are we to be discerning and make decisions in accordance with His will? Take a look at how the L-rd spoke to Eliyahu in 1 Kings 19. He said, "Go outside, and stand on the mountain before ADONAI"; and right then and there, ADONAI went past. A mighty blast of wind tore the mountains apart and broke the rocks in pieces before ADONAI, but ADONAI was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake, but ADONAI was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake, fire broke out; but ADONAI was not in the fire. And after the fire came a quiet, subdued voice.”
The Hebrew words for “quiet, subdued voice” are “demamah, daq kol” which can also be translated as “voice of precise silence”. It is in this quiet place that we can discern His voice like deep calling to deep, Psalm 42:7. His voice causes us to look within and evaluate ourselves and others and then look to Him for answers and direction. Hebrews 4:12, “See, the Word of God is alive! It is at work and is sharper than any double-edged sword - it cuts right through to where soul meets spirit and joints meet marrow, and it is quick to judge the inner reflections and attitudes of the heart.”
Isaiah 26:3, "A person whose desire rests on you you preserve in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.”
Seek Him in silence; it is where we will precisely discern His voice.
Further reading: Ezekiel 13:1-3, 6-8, 2 Cor 11:1-4, 2 Tim 4:1-8, Isaiah 11:3, 2Cor 5:7, Matt 7:1-5, 2Pet 3:18, 2Cor 5:18-21, Matt 9:12-13, Ps 119:133, Ps 139:3, Job 31:4, Prov 16:9, Ps 37:23, 1Jn 2:1, 2 Cor 11:1-3, Jn 15:3, 2Tim 4:1-4, Eph 3:11, Rom 11:1-4, Ps 42:7, Ps 23:2, Ps 119:11, Isaiah 30:15, Ps 46:10, Gen 3:8,9, Deut 4:12,33, Isaiah 6:8
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)