taken from sermon by Rabbi Ken Alpren
Summary by: Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
August 21, 2010
D’varim Deuteronomy 24:1-4
"Suppose a man marries a woman and consummates the marriage but later finds her displeasing, because he has found her offensive in some respect. He writes her a divorce document, gives it to her and sends her away from his house. 2 She leaves his house, goes and becomes another man's wife; 3 but the second husband dislikes her and writes her a get, gives it to her and sends her away from his house; or the second husband whom she married dies. 4 In such a case her first husband, who sent her away, may not take her again as his wife, because she is now defiled. It would be detestable to ADONAI, and you are not to bring about sin in the land ADONAI your God is giving you as your inheritance.”
G-d’s purpose in marriage was defined with the original marriage of Adam and Eve as described in Genesis 2:18, “ADONAI, G-d, said, "It isn't good that the person should be alone. I will make for him a companion suitable for helping him." and Genesis 2:24, “This is why a man is to leave his father and mother and stick with his wife, and they are to be one flesh.”
It is G-d’s divine plan for us to have a companion and to procreate.
These principles can be applied to His marriage to Israel and to His Bride through Messiah. We are to know Him intimately as first mentioned in Genesis 4:1 “The man had sexual relations with Havah his wife; she conceived, gave birth to Kayin [acquisition] and said, "I have acquired a man from ADONAI." The Hebrew word used in this passage is ‘yada’ which means to know Him. This principle is also revealed in 1Corinthians 6:15-17, “Don't you know that your bodies are parts of the Messiah? So, am I to take parts of the Messiah and make them parts of a prostitute? Heaven forbid! 16 Don't you know that a man who joins himself to a prostitute becomes physically one with her? For the Tanakh says, "The two will become one flesh"; 17 but the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit.” In this way, we are part of Him and He is part of us.
Secondly, we are to procreate. That is, bring others to know Him. See Proverbs 11:30 and Daniel 12:3. G-d wants us to participate with Him to draw others to Himself which mirrors procreation.
We see in Deuteronomy 24:1, that a wife who displeases her husband is issued a get, or Bill of Divorcement. There is controversy at to the grounds for divorce allowed by Scripture. When is it permissible? We know that G-d hates divorce; it is not what He intended. But there are times when it is permitted due to human circumstances. Messiah answered this directly as recorded in Matthew 19:3-9, “Some P'rushim came and tried to trap him by asking, "Is it permitted for a man to divorce his wife on any ground whatever?" 4 He replied, "Haven't you read that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, 5 and that he said, `For this reason a man should leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two are to become one flesh'? 6 Thus they are no longer two, but one. So then, no one should split apart what God has joined together." 7 They said to him, "Then why did Moshe give the commandment that a man should hand his wife a get and divorce her?" 8 He answered, "Moshe allowed you to divorce your wives because your hearts are so hardened. But this is not how it was at the beginning. 9 Now what I say to you is that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery!" Additionally, Scripture cites abandonment in 1Corinthians 7:15. And although not specifically cited in Scripture, abuse, especially when one’s life is in danger, would be obvious grounds for divorce.
It is also obvious from Scripture that divorce is not an option due to incompatibility or if one is attracted to someone else.
Since there are cases when G-d permits divorce, we should be cautiously aware of self-righteousness and choose grace rather than judgement. In the same way, we should be cautious not to advocate it either, but to always encourage reconciliation.
Hosea waited years before Gomer, his wife was restored to him. See Hosea 2:19-20. G-d loves the divorcee. So should we.
Has G-d divorced Israel or has He remarried her?
Clearly, Deuteronomy 24 does not advocate divorce followed by remarriage. So, either G-d has divorced Israel or He never did. We believe Scripture makes it clear that G-d never divorced Israel. He has never left her nor will He ever leave us. See Isaiah 50:1ADONAI says: "Where is your mother's divorce document which I gave her when I divorced her? Or: to which of my creditors did I sell you? You were sold because of your sins; because of your crimes was your mother divorced.” It is understood in this passage that by the L-rd asking the question, He is saying that a divorce document would not be found because He hasn’t divorced Israel. And Jeremiah 3:8, “I saw that even though backsliding Isra'el had committed adultery, so that I had sent her away and given her a divorce document, unfaithful Y'hudah her sister was not moved to fear - instead she too went and prostituted herself.” These passages indicate a temporary divorce; what we would refer to today as a separation.
G-d’s heart was broken for Israel; and He hasn’t given up on her. His heart is for her return. Jeremiah 3:14, "Return, backsliding children," says ADONAI; "for I am your master. I will take you, one from a city, two from a family, and bring you to Tziyon.”
Experientially, the relationship is as if it were dead, but G-d is wooing her back to Him. We believe this is indicative of where Israel and G-d are now. See Hosea 2:14-20. He is wooing her back because He is betrothed to her forever.
Hosea 2:20, “I will betroth you to me forever; yes, I will betroth you to me in righteousness, in justice, in grace and in compassion; 20 I will betroth you to me in faithfulness, and you will know ADONAI.”
We see clearly that G-d is married to Israel, has pleaded with her not to go away but she does. He disciplines her through a temporary divorce and is wooing her back and will rededicate the marriage with her.
His judgement is not final but He judges in order to bring a restoration of the covenant relationship. He deals with the Bride of Messiah likewise. We are joined with Him in Messiah, we are disciplined because we are sons and daughters and because we are His, He woos us back and the fruit of the discipline is righteousness. See Hebrews 12:6-11, Proverbs 12:1, 1 Corinthians 11:32 and 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Further Reading: Romans 8:35, 38-39, Romans 11:1-2, 5
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
CALLED OR COMPELLED? G-D IS NOT DESPERATE
D’varim 20:1-9; Read T’hillim (Psalm) 3
“When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses, and chariots, and troops who outnumber you, do not be afraid of them, for the L-RD your God is with you . . . As you draw near to the battle, the kohen shall approach and speak to the soldiers, and say . . . ‘Hear O Israel . . . do not let your hearts faint, do not fear, and do not tremble, nor be terrified . . . for the L-RD your God is He who goes with you to fight for you . . . to deliver you. . . . Who has built a new house and not dedicated it? Let him go and return . . . Who has planted a vineyard? . . . go and return . . . Who has become engaged . . . go and return . . .Who is fearful and fainthearted? . . . go and return.’”
It would seem that in going up against a formidable enemy, one would be eager to recruit the largest number of soldiers possible. Not so with G-d. G-d is not desperate. He is neither desperate for quantity of people, nor for resources. He is content to allow seemingly “needed” people to go home instead of remaining to fight. This would not appear the case with some Ministry organizations, where desperate, guilt-inducing appeals are used to recruit resources of people and finances. Indeed we would learn this principle: urgency is not necessarily spirituality. It can be, but it also often is not. Hasty decisions fostered out of fear or guilt -- prompted through pressure from frantic persons - are usually followed by regret. “He that believes shall not make haste” - Is. 28:16.
God knows that winning requires total focus and devotion. He would rather work with the few who are devoted, then the many who are distracted.
“And Asa cried to the LORD his God, and said, ‘LORD, it is nothing with You to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude.’” 2 Chron. 14:11.
“Then said David to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’” - I Sam. 17:45.
“Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles.” - 2 Chr. 32:7-8.
“Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. . .” - Ps. 27:3.
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” - Rom. 8:31.
One cannot compete well if divided in commitment. This is why the L-rd tells many to go home - but without condemnation - for G-d is not desperate. We do not serve the L-rd in our humanity’s capacity because we are compelled out of obligation. We serve Him because we are called through His Word of grace which imparts Divine capacity (Acts 20:32). The kohen (priest) spoke G-d’s Word to the people, the officers echoed it, and the people were empowered and released from fear. As the Kohen Gadol (Great Priest) speaks to me, I am strengthened and can do all things through Him (Dan. 10:19; Phil. 4:13). For freedom, Messiah has set us free . . . that we might attend upon the Lord without distraction (Gal. 5:1; I Cor. 7:35).
Spiritual authority is empowering, not demolishing. It does not feel the need to contain and control, but is anointed to release, to energize, to mobilize (2 Cor. 1:24; 10:8). God does not corral us out of desperate urgency, but He calls us and furnishes us through grace - for He knows both who will win, and how to win.
Rabbi Ken Alpren
“When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses, and chariots, and troops who outnumber you, do not be afraid of them, for the L-RD your God is with you . . . As you draw near to the battle, the kohen shall approach and speak to the soldiers, and say . . . ‘Hear O Israel . . . do not let your hearts faint, do not fear, and do not tremble, nor be terrified . . . for the L-RD your God is He who goes with you to fight for you . . . to deliver you. . . . Who has built a new house and not dedicated it? Let him go and return . . . Who has planted a vineyard? . . . go and return . . . Who has become engaged . . . go and return . . .Who is fearful and fainthearted? . . . go and return.’”
It would seem that in going up against a formidable enemy, one would be eager to recruit the largest number of soldiers possible. Not so with G-d. G-d is not desperate. He is neither desperate for quantity of people, nor for resources. He is content to allow seemingly “needed” people to go home instead of remaining to fight. This would not appear the case with some Ministry organizations, where desperate, guilt-inducing appeals are used to recruit resources of people and finances. Indeed we would learn this principle: urgency is not necessarily spirituality. It can be, but it also often is not. Hasty decisions fostered out of fear or guilt -- prompted through pressure from frantic persons - are usually followed by regret. “He that believes shall not make haste” - Is. 28:16.
God knows that winning requires total focus and devotion. He would rather work with the few who are devoted, then the many who are distracted.
“And Asa cried to the LORD his God, and said, ‘LORD, it is nothing with You to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power; help us, O LORD our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude.’” 2 Chron. 14:11.
“Then said David to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’” - I Sam. 17:45.
“Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles.” - 2 Chr. 32:7-8.
“Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. . .” - Ps. 27:3.
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” - Rom. 8:31.
One cannot compete well if divided in commitment. This is why the L-rd tells many to go home - but without condemnation - for G-d is not desperate. We do not serve the L-rd in our humanity’s capacity because we are compelled out of obligation. We serve Him because we are called through His Word of grace which imparts Divine capacity (Acts 20:32). The kohen (priest) spoke G-d’s Word to the people, the officers echoed it, and the people were empowered and released from fear. As the Kohen Gadol (Great Priest) speaks to me, I am strengthened and can do all things through Him (Dan. 10:19; Phil. 4:13). For freedom, Messiah has set us free . . . that we might attend upon the Lord without distraction (Gal. 5:1; I Cor. 7:35).
Spiritual authority is empowering, not demolishing. It does not feel the need to contain and control, but is anointed to release, to energize, to mobilize (2 Cor. 1:24; 10:8). God does not corral us out of desperate urgency, but He calls us and furnishes us through grace - for He knows both who will win, and how to win.
Rabbi Ken Alpren
Monday, August 2, 2010
G-d’s Purpose to make us like Messiah
Rabbi Ken Alpren
Summary by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
July 31, 2010
Deuteronomy 8: 17, “you will think to yourself, 'My own power and the strength of my own hand have gotten me this wealth.'”
Deuteronomy 9:4-6 "Don't think to yourself, after your God has pushed them out ahead of you, 'It is to reward my righteousness that ADONAI has brought me in to take possession of this land.' No, it is because these nations have been so wicked that ADONAI is driving them out ahead of you. 5 It is not because of your righteousness, or because your heart is so upright, that you go in to take possession of their land; but to punish the wickedness of these nations that ADONAI your God is driving them out ahead of you, and also to confirm the word which ADONAI swore to your ancestors, Avraham, Yitz'chak and Ya'akov. 6 Therefore, understand that it is not for your righteousness that ADONAI your God is giving you this good land to possess. "For you are a stiffnecked people!”
The Israelites were about to take possession of the land. It was his provision for them given by grace. They didn’t deserve the land nor had they earned it. However, his warning to them is interesting because he tells them ahead of time that they will think it was based upon their own merit that they were given the land or because of their own righteousness. He knew they would be inclined to forget him and the gift he had given.
We also need to be careful and listen to these warnings and remember what G-d has given us is by grace as well. If we think we accomplished something on our own or that we deserve something we are indicating that our hearts are going away from G-d and trusting in ourselves just as the Israelites would have done after G-d gave them the land.
How can we avoid this inclination and be aware of our own spiritual health? When we are spiritually healthy we will be hungry for G-d and hungry for his word as well as being willing to serve others. We cannot separate our love of G-d from the Word of G-d. Deuteronomy 8:3 tells us we live by everything that comes from the mouth of G-d. Also, in Colossians 3:16, “let the Word of the Messiah, in all its richness, live in you, as you teach and counsel each other in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude to God in your hearts.” Our hunger for G-d and G-d’s Word will also be demonstrated by our meditating upon it as we think about it and talk about it. Receiving G-d’s word in our minds and hearts is like eating and drinking and serving others is like exercising. We will be healthy spiritually practicing these two basic principles.
Likewise, it is important to balance our spiritual and physical wants and needs. Deuteronomy 8:3, “He humbled you, allowing you to become hungry, and then fed you with man, which neither you nor your ancestors had ever known, to make you understand that a person does not live on food alone but on everything that comes from the mouth of ADONAI.” There is no condemnation in wealth, only becoming a slave to wealth. Only living for G-d will satisfy and we live for G-d by receiving what he has for us through circumstance and through his word as well as giving. The danger comes when we begin to think we accomplish things in our own strength.
In the passages of Deuteronomy 8, G-d is testing and humbling. Two tests were delineated; adversity and prosperity.
Looking at adversity testing, we can rebel or submit, despise G-d or seek G-d, have illusions of abandonment or trust G-d, and become negative or bitter or become more Messiah-like. And looking at prosperity testing, we can forget G-d or remember G-d, have illusions of security or thank G-d for what he has provided, become lukewarm or become more Messiah-like.
Why does G-d test and humble us?
Psalm 119:67, “Before I was humbled, I used to go astray; but now I observe your word.” and Psalm 119:71, “It is for my good that I have been humbled; it was so that I would learn your laws.” Our testing focuses us on spiritual and eternal values. Testing and humbling us shows us he truly loves us and we are his. Hebrews 12:5-6, “Also you have forgotten the counsel which speaks with you as sons: "My son, don't despise the discipline of ADONAI or become despondent when he corrects you. 6 For ADONAI disciplines those he loves and whips everyone he accepts as a son." He tests and humbles us to do us good in the end to make us Messiah-like and to ultimately give us rewards at the Bema.
Know this - our testing and humbling is purposeful and G-d’s provision is to bring us good in the end. Deuteronomy 8:16, “who fed you in the desert with man, unknown to your ancestors; all the while humbling and testing you in order to do you good in the end.” The meaning of good in the end here is in the intensive form which means he really means to do us good. G-d wants to do good for us in the end and make us Messiah-like. 2 Corinthians 2:15, “For to God we are the aroma of the Messiah, both among those being saved and among those being lost.”
DISAPPOINTMENT
"Disappointment--His appointment,"
Change one letter then I see
That the thwarting of my purpose
Is God's better choice for me.
His appointment must be blessing,
Though it may come in disguise
For the end, from the beginning,
Open to His vision lies.
"Disappointment--His appointment,"
Whose? The Lord's who loves me best,
Understands and knows me fully,
Who my faith and love would test;
For, the loving, earthly parents,
He rejoices when He knows
That His child accepts unquestioned
All that from His wisdom flows.
"Disappointment--His appointment,"
"No good things will He withhold."
From denials oft we gather
Treasurers of His love untold.
Well He knows each broken purpose
Leads to fuller, deeper trust;
And the end of all His dealings
Proves our God is wise and just.
---Edith L. Young
Further Reading: Deuteronomy 8:15-19, Psam 66:10-12, Job 5:17-21, Hebrews 12:5-11, 1Peter 2:2, James 1:21, 2 Timothy 4:3, 1 Timothy 5:17, 2 Timothy 2:19, 2 Corinthians 4:15-16, Proverbs 3:11-12, Romans 8:28-29, 1 Peter 1:6-9, 1 Corinthians 3:13-15, James 5:11, Job 23:10, Psalm 18:35, Philippians 1:6, 1 John 3:2, James 5:11, Job 42:10, Job 8:7, Psalm 138:8, Proverbs 24:16
Summary by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
July 31, 2010
Deuteronomy 8: 17, “you will think to yourself, 'My own power and the strength of my own hand have gotten me this wealth.'”
Deuteronomy 9:4-6 "Don't think to yourself, after your God has pushed them out ahead of you, 'It is to reward my righteousness that ADONAI has brought me in to take possession of this land.' No, it is because these nations have been so wicked that ADONAI is driving them out ahead of you. 5 It is not because of your righteousness, or because your heart is so upright, that you go in to take possession of their land; but to punish the wickedness of these nations that ADONAI your God is driving them out ahead of you, and also to confirm the word which ADONAI swore to your ancestors, Avraham, Yitz'chak and Ya'akov. 6 Therefore, understand that it is not for your righteousness that ADONAI your God is giving you this good land to possess. "For you are a stiffnecked people!”
The Israelites were about to take possession of the land. It was his provision for them given by grace. They didn’t deserve the land nor had they earned it. However, his warning to them is interesting because he tells them ahead of time that they will think it was based upon their own merit that they were given the land or because of their own righteousness. He knew they would be inclined to forget him and the gift he had given.
We also need to be careful and listen to these warnings and remember what G-d has given us is by grace as well. If we think we accomplished something on our own or that we deserve something we are indicating that our hearts are going away from G-d and trusting in ourselves just as the Israelites would have done after G-d gave them the land.
How can we avoid this inclination and be aware of our own spiritual health? When we are spiritually healthy we will be hungry for G-d and hungry for his word as well as being willing to serve others. We cannot separate our love of G-d from the Word of G-d. Deuteronomy 8:3 tells us we live by everything that comes from the mouth of G-d. Also, in Colossians 3:16, “let the Word of the Messiah, in all its richness, live in you, as you teach and counsel each other in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude to God in your hearts.” Our hunger for G-d and G-d’s Word will also be demonstrated by our meditating upon it as we think about it and talk about it. Receiving G-d’s word in our minds and hearts is like eating and drinking and serving others is like exercising. We will be healthy spiritually practicing these two basic principles.
Likewise, it is important to balance our spiritual and physical wants and needs. Deuteronomy 8:3, “He humbled you, allowing you to become hungry, and then fed you with man, which neither you nor your ancestors had ever known, to make you understand that a person does not live on food alone but on everything that comes from the mouth of ADONAI.” There is no condemnation in wealth, only becoming a slave to wealth. Only living for G-d will satisfy and we live for G-d by receiving what he has for us through circumstance and through his word as well as giving. The danger comes when we begin to think we accomplish things in our own strength.
In the passages of Deuteronomy 8, G-d is testing and humbling. Two tests were delineated; adversity and prosperity.
Looking at adversity testing, we can rebel or submit, despise G-d or seek G-d, have illusions of abandonment or trust G-d, and become negative or bitter or become more Messiah-like. And looking at prosperity testing, we can forget G-d or remember G-d, have illusions of security or thank G-d for what he has provided, become lukewarm or become more Messiah-like.
Why does G-d test and humble us?
Psalm 119:67, “Before I was humbled, I used to go astray; but now I observe your word.” and Psalm 119:71, “It is for my good that I have been humbled; it was so that I would learn your laws.” Our testing focuses us on spiritual and eternal values. Testing and humbling us shows us he truly loves us and we are his. Hebrews 12:5-6, “Also you have forgotten the counsel which speaks with you as sons: "My son, don't despise the discipline of ADONAI or become despondent when he corrects you. 6 For ADONAI disciplines those he loves and whips everyone he accepts as a son." He tests and humbles us to do us good in the end to make us Messiah-like and to ultimately give us rewards at the Bema.
Know this - our testing and humbling is purposeful and G-d’s provision is to bring us good in the end. Deuteronomy 8:16, “who fed you in the desert with man, unknown to your ancestors; all the while humbling and testing you in order to do you good in the end.” The meaning of good in the end here is in the intensive form which means he really means to do us good. G-d wants to do good for us in the end and make us Messiah-like. 2 Corinthians 2:15, “For to God we are the aroma of the Messiah, both among those being saved and among those being lost.”
DISAPPOINTMENT
"Disappointment--His appointment,"
Change one letter then I see
That the thwarting of my purpose
Is God's better choice for me.
His appointment must be blessing,
Though it may come in disguise
For the end, from the beginning,
Open to His vision lies.
"Disappointment--His appointment,"
Whose? The Lord's who loves me best,
Understands and knows me fully,
Who my faith and love would test;
For, the loving, earthly parents,
He rejoices when He knows
That His child accepts unquestioned
All that from His wisdom flows.
"Disappointment--His appointment,"
"No good things will He withhold."
From denials oft we gather
Treasurers of His love untold.
Well He knows each broken purpose
Leads to fuller, deeper trust;
And the end of all His dealings
Proves our God is wise and just.
---Edith L. Young
Further Reading: Deuteronomy 8:15-19, Psam 66:10-12, Job 5:17-21, Hebrews 12:5-11, 1Peter 2:2, James 1:21, 2 Timothy 4:3, 1 Timothy 5:17, 2 Timothy 2:19, 2 Corinthians 4:15-16, Proverbs 3:11-12, Romans 8:28-29, 1 Peter 1:6-9, 1 Corinthians 3:13-15, James 5:11, Job 23:10, Psalm 18:35, Philippians 1:6, 1 John 3:2, James 5:11, Job 42:10, Job 8:7, Psalm 138:8, Proverbs 24:16
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