Rabbi Ken Alpren
Sermon Notes: Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
January 29, 2011
Exodus 24:8-11, “Moshe took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, "This is the blood of the covenant which ADONAI has made with you in accordance with all these words." 9 Moshe, Aharon, Nadav, Avihu and seventy of the leaders went up; 10 and they saw the God of Isra'el. Under his feet was something like a sapphire stone pavement as clear as the sky itself. 11 He did not reach out his hand against these notables of Isra'el; on the contrary, they saw God, even as they were eating and drinking.”
Who sees and who doesn’t see a vision of the L-rd? How do we see the L-rd? We pray that He pour out a fresh vision of who He is on us today!
In this passage 74 people saw Him together; collectively they had a vision of the L-rd. Sometimes, we can’t see Him unless we are gathered together. There is a collective blessing as we gather together and that extends to our family even when they aren’t present.
We experience the fullness and dimension of G-d when we gather together as reflected in Ephesians 1:22-23, “Also, he has put all things under his feet and made him head over everything for the Messianic Community, 23 which is his body, the full expression of him who fills all creation.” Praying alone or at home is not a substitute for coming together; there is a special blessing when we are together where the anointing comes down (Psalm 133).
In the Exodus passage, they SAW the G-d of Israel! The Hebrew word used is ra’ah means to see, to discern the G-d Elohey Israel! Then in verse 11, the passage says they GAZED at Him. The word here is chazah which is like gazing at someone you love or have a longing for, to gaze at with beloved. It also means a revelatory vision of G-d just like when we will see Him face to face. This word is also used in two other passages:
Psalm 63:2, “I used to contemplate (ra’ah) you in the sanctuary, seeing (chazah) your power and glory.” and Psalm 27:4, “Just one thing have I asked of ADONAI; only this will I seek: to live in the house of ADONAI all the days of my life, to see (chazah) the beauty of ADONAI and visit in his temple.”
We see G-d in the Face of Messiah! The Talmidim asked Yeshua to see the Father. Yeshua answered as recorded in John 14:9, “Philip said to him, "Have I been with you so long without your knowing me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”
Now we don’t yet see Him, we believe and trust. We haven’t seen Him yet, but we are going to see Him. We rejoice now without seeing His Face. We see Him now in His Body, in His Actions and His Word!
1 Peter 1:8, “Without having seen him, you love him. Without seeing him now, but trusting in him, you continue to be full of joy that is glorious beyond words.”
When John saw the Messiah in Revelation, he appeared in His glorified state as Cohen Hagadol! John knew him prior to His crucifixion as the Lamb but this time he saw Him as the Lion! He is in place of judgement now!
In Exodus they saw Him by looking upward toward the base of the Throne. When John saw Him, he fell at His feet as if dead and when Isaiah saw Him he was struck with his sinfulness. When we draw near to Him we will be impacted!
There are many passages where it is described that G-d is seen and others where we can’t see or hear His voice. Which is it?
We see G-d in a unique way now through the love we have for one another. 1John 4:12, “No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God remains united with us, and our love for him has been brought to its goal in us.”
Now look closely at what happened in Exodus 8. The covenant was ratified through the shedding of blood and the blood was sprinkled upon the people. They saw from below the Throne of G-d and they knew they were His! They ate and drank at peace under this vision.
Similarly, under the New Covenant, with Messiah’s blood sprinkled upon us, cleansing us from our sin, washing away our past and we are now His!
Have you had an explosion in your heart knowing that He loves you, removed your past and that you can trust Him? Do you know you are His? That is a true revelation or vision of Who He Is!
When John wrote of his vision of Messiah in Revelation, his goal was showing that we might see how Yeshua HaMachiach will reign on His Throne! There was a time in John’s life when he laid his head on Yeshua’s shoulder but now he fell at his feet as dead! We must know Him as Savior but He is also King!
Ephesians 1:17-18, “the God of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, the glorious Father, to give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you will have full knowledge of him. 18 I pray that he will give light to the eyes of your hearts, so that you will understand the hope to which he has called you, what rich glories there are in the inheritance he has promised his people.”
So how do we see the L-rd? In humility as John did while on the Island of Patmos, by participating in the Body of Messiah realizing the fulness of being together and suffer with each other, and by enduring in tribulation because sometimes in the worst conditions G-d reveals Himself to us and to others.
When John saw Messiah as High Priest He was walking among the Menorahs inspecting them to see which lamps are burning brightly or not. Menorahs require oil to burn continuously never burning out. Yeshua himself was trimming the lamps so they would burn more brightly. If my light grows dim, my light can be replaced and we can become complacent indicated by making excuses and justifying myself. Here are questions to determine if I’m staying close to Him. How is my prayer time with Him? Am I hungry to study His Word? Am I witnessing and do I care about the lost? Do I want to be among His People? Do I want more of Him?
Further Reading:
Exodus 24:8-11, Ezekiel 1:26-28, Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, Ephesians 1:15,17, Revelation 1:9-18, Galatians 4:6, Hebrews 10:25, Psalm 27:4, Ephesians 1:23, Psalm 133, John 17:3, Psalm 17:15, Job 19:26-27, Isaiah 33:17, 2Corinthians 4:6, 1Peter 1:8, 2Corinthians 5:16, Judges 6:22, Isaiah 6:5, Genesis 32:30, Deuteronomy 4:12, Exodus 33:20, John 1:18, 1 Timothy 6:16, Exodus 33:23, Job 42:5, Matthew 5:8, John 5:37, John 6:46, Judges 13:22, Revelation 1:17, Hebrews 10:19, Hebrews 8:6, Hebrews 4:16, John 19:30,
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Mahn from Heaven
Rabbi Ken Alpren
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
January 15, 2011
Exodus 16:1-4, “They traveled on from Eilim, and the whole community of the people of Isra'el arrived at the Seen Desert, between Eilim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after leaving the land of Egypt. 2 There in the desert the whole community of the people of Isra'el grumbled against Moshe and Aharon. 3 The people of Isra'el said to them, "We wish ADONAI had used his own hand to kill us off in Egypt! There we used to sit around the pots with the meat boiling, and we had as much food as we wanted. But you have taken us out into this desert to let this whole assembly starve to death!" 4 ADONAI said to Moshe, "Here, I will cause bread to rain down from heaven for you. The people are to go out and gather a day's ration every day. By this I will test whether they will observe my Torah or not.”
The Israelites arrived at the Seen Desert hungry and began to grumble. It was just three days after they had experienced the astounding and sensational miracle of the parting of the Sea. But they forgot and now they were hungry. It is said that the flashy and sensational miracles don’t change us or make for a solid foundation of faith. What changes us is the normal patient and seemingly ordinary work G-d does inside of us; that is what lasts.
Mahn (also known as Manna) rained down from heaven for forty years or approximately 12,520 days! This Mahn from heaven fed 2,000,000 people daily! Yeshua said for us to pray “give us this day our daily bread”. On Shabbat we have Lechem Mishnei which is a double loaf harkening back to the Mahn when a double portion was provided so they didn’t need to gather it on the sabbath. We get our bread now from the earth but it is still from G-d.
Proverbs 30:8-9, “provide just the food I need today; 9 for if I have too much, I might deny you and say, "Who is ADONAI?"And if I am poor, I might steal and thus profane the name of my God.”
Realize that He provides all our needs and we don’t truly “have” anything. Everything is the L-rd’s. When we realize this we know that we can’t loose anything. Interestingly, the word “have” does not exist in the Hebrew language.
“Mahn it is.” The Israelites had no idea what it was and Moshe said, “It is the bread the L-rd gives to you as food.” G-d was faithful to provide!
What are the lessons for us through the Mahn from Heaven?
Dependence - G-d graciously provides and this provision teaches us to depend upon Him and that He is the source of our provision and we are not provided for through our own efforts.
Obedience - be grateful in obedience and gather the Mahn just as G-d said according to need. This principle can be applied in how we each are given different gifts. Use what we are given now. If the Mahn wasn’t used it would rot or spoil. And if we wait to use what we are given we can loose it. (James 4:14) We all have been given different gifts as it pleases Him (1 Corinthians 12). Notably, this double provision of Mahn was before the Law was given; before Shabbat was commanded. The principle is to stop and rest and renew in Him and recognize He is our L-rd and Creator.
Messiah is our Lechem Hachaim or Bread of Life. Daily “bread” meets our needs. He provides for us daily through His Word and provision. To combat daily challenges and needs He provides Himself and His Word daily. We need to “eat” the bread of the Bible daily!
Further Reading: Exodus 16:1-36, Psalm 78:12-25, Matthew 25:14-29, John 6:30-35, Phil 4:19, Psalm 23:1, 1Peter 4:10, Psalm 68:19, Psalm 56:1, Psalm 52:10, Psalm 12:2, Numbers 11:7-8
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
January 15, 2011
Exodus 16:1-4, “They traveled on from Eilim, and the whole community of the people of Isra'el arrived at the Seen Desert, between Eilim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after leaving the land of Egypt. 2 There in the desert the whole community of the people of Isra'el grumbled against Moshe and Aharon. 3 The people of Isra'el said to them, "We wish ADONAI had used his own hand to kill us off in Egypt! There we used to sit around the pots with the meat boiling, and we had as much food as we wanted. But you have taken us out into this desert to let this whole assembly starve to death!" 4 ADONAI said to Moshe, "Here, I will cause bread to rain down from heaven for you. The people are to go out and gather a day's ration every day. By this I will test whether they will observe my Torah or not.”
The Israelites arrived at the Seen Desert hungry and began to grumble. It was just three days after they had experienced the astounding and sensational miracle of the parting of the Sea. But they forgot and now they were hungry. It is said that the flashy and sensational miracles don’t change us or make for a solid foundation of faith. What changes us is the normal patient and seemingly ordinary work G-d does inside of us; that is what lasts.
Mahn (also known as Manna) rained down from heaven for forty years or approximately 12,520 days! This Mahn from heaven fed 2,000,000 people daily! Yeshua said for us to pray “give us this day our daily bread”. On Shabbat we have Lechem Mishnei which is a double loaf harkening back to the Mahn when a double portion was provided so they didn’t need to gather it on the sabbath. We get our bread now from the earth but it is still from G-d.
Proverbs 30:8-9, “provide just the food I need today; 9 for if I have too much, I might deny you and say, "Who is ADONAI?"And if I am poor, I might steal and thus profane the name of my God.”
Realize that He provides all our needs and we don’t truly “have” anything. Everything is the L-rd’s. When we realize this we know that we can’t loose anything. Interestingly, the word “have” does not exist in the Hebrew language.
“Mahn it is.” The Israelites had no idea what it was and Moshe said, “It is the bread the L-rd gives to you as food.” G-d was faithful to provide!
What are the lessons for us through the Mahn from Heaven?
Dependence - G-d graciously provides and this provision teaches us to depend upon Him and that He is the source of our provision and we are not provided for through our own efforts.
Obedience - be grateful in obedience and gather the Mahn just as G-d said according to need. This principle can be applied in how we each are given different gifts. Use what we are given now. If the Mahn wasn’t used it would rot or spoil. And if we wait to use what we are given we can loose it. (James 4:14) We all have been given different gifts as it pleases Him (1 Corinthians 12). Notably, this double provision of Mahn was before the Law was given; before Shabbat was commanded. The principle is to stop and rest and renew in Him and recognize He is our L-rd and Creator.
Messiah is our Lechem Hachaim or Bread of Life. Daily “bread” meets our needs. He provides for us daily through His Word and provision. To combat daily challenges and needs He provides Himself and His Word daily. We need to “eat” the bread of the Bible daily!
Further Reading: Exodus 16:1-36, Psalm 78:12-25, Matthew 25:14-29, John 6:30-35, Phil 4:19, Psalm 23:1, 1Peter 4:10, Psalm 68:19, Psalm 56:1, Psalm 52:10, Psalm 12:2, Numbers 11:7-8
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Living Testimony
Rabbi Ken Alpren
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
Exodus 10:21-23, “ADONAI said to Moshe, "Reach out your hand toward the sky, and there will be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness so thick it can be felt!" 22 Moshe reached out his hand toward the sky, and there was a thick darkness in the entire land of Egypt for three days. 23 People couldn't see each other, and no one went anywhere for three days. But all the people of Isra'el had light in their homes.”
Note during the plagues in Egypt that some were experienced by Israel as well as the Egyptians and some were only experienced by the Egyptians. Scripture reveals that at the very least, the first three plagues were experienced by both the Israelites and Egyptians.
As believers we are trusted with difficulties, but unlike those who don’t believe, our trials serve as a living testimony of what G-d is doing in our lives.
2 Corinthians 3:2-3, “You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 You make it clear that you are a letter from the Messiah placed in our care, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on stone tablets but on human hearts.”
We are living letters or testimonies and there is purpose in our trials. One purpose is to minister comfort to others and draw others to Messiah through our afflictions.
2 Corinthians 1:3-6, “Praised be God, Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, compassionate Father, God of all encouragement and comfort; 4 who encourages us in all our trials, so that we can encourage others in whatever trials they may be undergoing with the encouragement we ourselves have received from God. 5 For just as the Messiah's sufferings overflow into us, so through the Messiah our encouragement also overflows. 6 So if we undergo trials, it is for your encouragement and deliverance; and if we are encouraged, that should encourage you when you have to endure sufferings like those we are experiencing.”
What other purpose may our afflictions produce?
Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, self control. Nothing in the Torah stands against such things.”
G-d uses us to a greater degree out of our brokenness. Paul suffered many afflictions and look how G-d used and is continuing to use his life!
2 Corinthians 11:23-27, “I've worked much harder, been imprisoned more often, suffered more beatings, been near death over and over. 24 Five times I received "forty lashes less one" from the Jews. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. 26 In my many travels I have been exposed to danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the desert, danger at sea, danger from false brothers. 27 I have toiled and endured hardship, often not had enough sleep, been hungry and thirsty, frequently gone without food, been cold and naked.”
However, through all these trials G-d delivered! G-d is always good. What does it mean for G-d to be good? It is not what we think. Divine good works to glorify Him ultimately and create in us a testimony for Him. Trials take us out of our self-orientation and give us a G-dly vantage point. We see things from a heavenly perspective rather than from an earthly perspective. We are being conformed to Messiah and being prepared for eternity (Romans 8:29).
Meditate on Psalm 73. The psalmist begins with an earthly perspective and laments about how easy the ungodly have it and how he, on the other hand, is plagued every morning. He is troubled and jealous of others without pain (in the Hebrew the word amal is used) until he goes into G-d’s Sanctuary and it is there his perspective changes and he perceives their destiny. And there is all the difference. Once his perspective changes into G-d’s perspective he understands that G-d will never leave him but hold him by his hand. He will guide him now and even more, will receive him with honor. He realizes that G-d is for him!
Psalm 73:25, “Whom do I have in heaven but you?” This phrase can also be translated, “Who is for me in the heavens?”
We know Who is for us in the heavens. It is our L-rd and Messiah! He is interceding for us; guiding us and literally holding our hand as we are being conformed and bringing Him glory. May He help us trust Him, yield to Him and be a Living Testimony for His Glory!
Further Reading: Exodus 10:21-23, Exodus 11:4-7, Jeremiah 46:27-28, 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, Hebrews 12:1-6, 11-13
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
Exodus 10:21-23, “ADONAI said to Moshe, "Reach out your hand toward the sky, and there will be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness so thick it can be felt!" 22 Moshe reached out his hand toward the sky, and there was a thick darkness in the entire land of Egypt for three days. 23 People couldn't see each other, and no one went anywhere for three days. But all the people of Isra'el had light in their homes.”
Note during the plagues in Egypt that some were experienced by Israel as well as the Egyptians and some were only experienced by the Egyptians. Scripture reveals that at the very least, the first three plagues were experienced by both the Israelites and Egyptians.
As believers we are trusted with difficulties, but unlike those who don’t believe, our trials serve as a living testimony of what G-d is doing in our lives.
2 Corinthians 3:2-3, “You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 You make it clear that you are a letter from the Messiah placed in our care, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on stone tablets but on human hearts.”
We are living letters or testimonies and there is purpose in our trials. One purpose is to minister comfort to others and draw others to Messiah through our afflictions.
2 Corinthians 1:3-6, “Praised be God, Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, compassionate Father, God of all encouragement and comfort; 4 who encourages us in all our trials, so that we can encourage others in whatever trials they may be undergoing with the encouragement we ourselves have received from God. 5 For just as the Messiah's sufferings overflow into us, so through the Messiah our encouragement also overflows. 6 So if we undergo trials, it is for your encouragement and deliverance; and if we are encouraged, that should encourage you when you have to endure sufferings like those we are experiencing.”
What other purpose may our afflictions produce?
Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, self control. Nothing in the Torah stands against such things.”
G-d uses us to a greater degree out of our brokenness. Paul suffered many afflictions and look how G-d used and is continuing to use his life!
2 Corinthians 11:23-27, “I've worked much harder, been imprisoned more often, suffered more beatings, been near death over and over. 24 Five times I received "forty lashes less one" from the Jews. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. 26 In my many travels I have been exposed to danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the desert, danger at sea, danger from false brothers. 27 I have toiled and endured hardship, often not had enough sleep, been hungry and thirsty, frequently gone without food, been cold and naked.”
However, through all these trials G-d delivered! G-d is always good. What does it mean for G-d to be good? It is not what we think. Divine good works to glorify Him ultimately and create in us a testimony for Him. Trials take us out of our self-orientation and give us a G-dly vantage point. We see things from a heavenly perspective rather than from an earthly perspective. We are being conformed to Messiah and being prepared for eternity (Romans 8:29).
Meditate on Psalm 73. The psalmist begins with an earthly perspective and laments about how easy the ungodly have it and how he, on the other hand, is plagued every morning. He is troubled and jealous of others without pain (in the Hebrew the word amal is used) until he goes into G-d’s Sanctuary and it is there his perspective changes and he perceives their destiny. And there is all the difference. Once his perspective changes into G-d’s perspective he understands that G-d will never leave him but hold him by his hand. He will guide him now and even more, will receive him with honor. He realizes that G-d is for him!
Psalm 73:25, “Whom do I have in heaven but you?” This phrase can also be translated, “Who is for me in the heavens?”
We know Who is for us in the heavens. It is our L-rd and Messiah! He is interceding for us; guiding us and literally holding our hand as we are being conformed and bringing Him glory. May He help us trust Him, yield to Him and be a Living Testimony for His Glory!
Further Reading: Exodus 10:21-23, Exodus 11:4-7, Jeremiah 46:27-28, 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, Hebrews 12:1-6, 11-13
Friday, January 7, 2011
The Way of Obedience
by Rabbi Ken Alpren
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
Exodus 6:11-13, "Go in; and tell Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to let the people of Isra'el leave his land." 12 Moshe said to ADONAI, "Look, the people of Isra'el haven't listened to me; so how will Pharaoh listen to me, poor speaker that I am?" 13 But ADONAI spoke to Moshe and Aharon and gave them orders concerning both the people of Isra'el and Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to bring the people of Isra'el out of the land of Egypt.”
Moshe wanted to disobey the L-rd because he wasn’t confident in his ability to speak to Pharoah or in his ability to lead Isra’el knowing they would not listen to him. Moshe was relying on his own ability missing initially that G-d had no intention for him to rely on his own ability but to rely on Him!
2 Corinthians 1:9, “In our hearts we felt we were under sentence of death. However, this was to get us to rely not on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead!”
Do not purpose in our flesh, but put our trust in G-d whose Word and Spirit will empower us to obey whatever He calls us to do.
G-d chooses those who are unable!
1 Corinthians 1:26-29, “Just look at yourselves, brothers - look at those whom God has called! Not many of you are wise by the world's standards, not many wield power or boast noble birth. 27 But God chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise; God chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the strong; 28 and God chose what the world looks down on as common or regards as nothing in order to bring to nothing what the world considers important; 29 so that no one should boast before God.”
G-d ignored Moshe’s excuses. How do I feel when G-d ignores my excuses?
1 Corinthians 15:58, “So, my dear brothers, stand firm and immovable, always doing the Lord's work as vigorously as you can, knowing that united with the Lord your efforts are not in vain.”
Our obedience will not be in vain, but beware that our assignments may no always be outwardly successful.
Colossians 4:17, “And tell Archippus, "See that you complete the task you were given in the Lord."
The most important issue is not outward success but that we please G-d through our obedience!
You may be familiar with a poem by Robert Frost entitled The Road Not Taken. But the road we must be determined to take is the Way of Obedience! This Way will not be without peril nor will it be the Way of least resistance. In fact, we should expect peril and persecution. See 2 Timothy 3:12, Philippians 1:29, and Philippians 3:10
Additional Reading: Exodus 6:6-13, Ezekiel 3:1-9, John 15:18-20, Romans 13:11-14, 2 Corinthians 3:4-5, Colossians 4:17, Psalm 31:15, Philippians 3:8, Ephesians 3:18
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
Exodus 6:11-13, "Go in; and tell Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to let the people of Isra'el leave his land." 12 Moshe said to ADONAI, "Look, the people of Isra'el haven't listened to me; so how will Pharaoh listen to me, poor speaker that I am?" 13 But ADONAI spoke to Moshe and Aharon and gave them orders concerning both the people of Isra'el and Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to bring the people of Isra'el out of the land of Egypt.”
Moshe wanted to disobey the L-rd because he wasn’t confident in his ability to speak to Pharoah or in his ability to lead Isra’el knowing they would not listen to him. Moshe was relying on his own ability missing initially that G-d had no intention for him to rely on his own ability but to rely on Him!
2 Corinthians 1:9, “In our hearts we felt we were under sentence of death. However, this was to get us to rely not on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead!”
Do not purpose in our flesh, but put our trust in G-d whose Word and Spirit will empower us to obey whatever He calls us to do.
G-d chooses those who are unable!
1 Corinthians 1:26-29, “Just look at yourselves, brothers - look at those whom God has called! Not many of you are wise by the world's standards, not many wield power or boast noble birth. 27 But God chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise; God chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the strong; 28 and God chose what the world looks down on as common or regards as nothing in order to bring to nothing what the world considers important; 29 so that no one should boast before God.”
G-d ignored Moshe’s excuses. How do I feel when G-d ignores my excuses?
1 Corinthians 15:58, “So, my dear brothers, stand firm and immovable, always doing the Lord's work as vigorously as you can, knowing that united with the Lord your efforts are not in vain.”
Our obedience will not be in vain, but beware that our assignments may no always be outwardly successful.
Colossians 4:17, “And tell Archippus, "See that you complete the task you were given in the Lord."
The most important issue is not outward success but that we please G-d through our obedience!
You may be familiar with a poem by Robert Frost entitled The Road Not Taken. But the road we must be determined to take is the Way of Obedience! This Way will not be without peril nor will it be the Way of least resistance. In fact, we should expect peril and persecution. See 2 Timothy 3:12, Philippians 1:29, and Philippians 3:10
Additional Reading: Exodus 6:6-13, Ezekiel 3:1-9, John 15:18-20, Romans 13:11-14, 2 Corinthians 3:4-5, Colossians 4:17, Psalm 31:15, Philippians 3:8, Ephesians 3:18
Monday, December 20, 2010
Sovereign Providence
Rabbi Ken Alpren
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
The story of Yosef displays many principles of G-d’s sovereignty and provision including forgiveness and reconciliation. After twenty-two years of history, the eyes of Yosef’s brothers were opened not only to who Yosef was but how G-d provided for their people through him.
Genesis 50:15-21, “Realizing that their father was dead, Yosef's brothers said, "Yosef may hate us now and pay us back in full for all the suffering we caused him." 16 So they sent a message to Yosef which said, "Your father gave this order before he died: 17 'Say to Yosef, "I beg you now, please forgive your brothers' crime and wickedness in doing you harm."' So now, we beg of you, forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father."Yosef wept when they spoke to him; 18 and his brothers too came, prostrated themselves before him and said, "Here, we are your slaves." 19 But Yosef said to them, "Don't be afraid! Am I in the place of God? 20 You meant to do me harm, but God meant it for good -so that it would come about as it is today, with many people's lives being saved. 21 So don't be afraid -I will provide for you and your little ones." In this way he comforted them, speaking kindly to them.”
Yosef lived through so much and completely understood what it meant to be delivered from evil and experience how G-d used circumstances for good. He lived it after his brothers sold him into slavery and G-d elevated him. His elevation to second in Egypt was not just for Yosef’s own good but for the good of Israel through the provision of their lives through the famine.
Genesis 45:5, “But don't be sad that you sold me into slavery here or angry at yourselves, because it was God who sent me ahead of you to preserve life.”
When Ya’akov died, Yosef’s brothers feared retribution and resorted to scheming and lying out of fear. But Yosef saw through their pitiful lack of trusting the L-rd.
Who do I fear more, G-d or man?
Isaiah 51:12-13, “"I, yes I, am the one who comforts you! Why are you afraid of a man, who must die; of a human being, who will wither like grass? 13 You have forgotten ADONAI, your maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. Instead, you are in constant fear all day because of the oppressor's rage, as he prepares to destroy! But where is the oppressor's rage?”
Why would we be afraid of men? Might we have forgotten G-d? We are wasting emotional energy imagining and fearing events that either don’t come to pass or aren’t even close to reality.
Yosef knew that when his brothers intended to harm him, G-d intended to use him!
This principle will change our lives if we really believe that G-d intends to use us rather than harm us.
G-d is Sovereign!
Many Scriptures illustrate His unaltered character in this regard. Here are just a few: Psalm 115:3, Proverbs 16:9, 2Kings 19:28, Proverbs 21:1, Ephesians 1:11,12 and Revelation 17:17.
Most notably, G-d presided over every aspect of the precarious life of Yeshua. Think of how He intervened in the details of bringing the Messiah safely to birth. How Miriam was called and how she was spared not only by the grace of her parents but provided for through her cousin Elizabeth. She could have been easily quietly divorced by Yosef, her betrothed, but again spared because of G-d’s intervention. At every turn and at every trial, G-d presided over Yeshua; and most especially in His death and in His resurrection.
G-d is always bigger than people!
Yosef said, “It is clear as this day (Gen. 50:17)!” He saw the bigger picture of God’s providential plan.
G-d’s love and grace goes beyond forgiveness to reconciliation. No matter how much I sense my need to be forgiven, He so much more wants to forgive me!
2Cor 5:18, “And it is all from God, who through the Messiah has reconciled us to himself and has given us the work of that reconciliation.” and Col 3:12-15, “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with feelings of compassion and with kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with one another; if anyone has a complaint against someone else, forgive him. Indeed, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. 14 Above all these, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together perfectly; 15 and let the shalom which comes from the Messiah be your heart's decision-maker, for this is why you were called to be part of a single Body. And be thankful.”
G-d is Messiah reconciling the world to Himself. Yosef as a type of Messiah illustrated this principle perfectly to his brothers. May we also do so through Messiah’s Grace.
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
The story of Yosef displays many principles of G-d’s sovereignty and provision including forgiveness and reconciliation. After twenty-two years of history, the eyes of Yosef’s brothers were opened not only to who Yosef was but how G-d provided for their people through him.
Genesis 50:15-21, “Realizing that their father was dead, Yosef's brothers said, "Yosef may hate us now and pay us back in full for all the suffering we caused him." 16 So they sent a message to Yosef which said, "Your father gave this order before he died: 17 'Say to Yosef, "I beg you now, please forgive your brothers' crime and wickedness in doing you harm."' So now, we beg of you, forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father."Yosef wept when they spoke to him; 18 and his brothers too came, prostrated themselves before him and said, "Here, we are your slaves." 19 But Yosef said to them, "Don't be afraid! Am I in the place of God? 20 You meant to do me harm, but God meant it for good -so that it would come about as it is today, with many people's lives being saved. 21 So don't be afraid -I will provide for you and your little ones." In this way he comforted them, speaking kindly to them.”
Yosef lived through so much and completely understood what it meant to be delivered from evil and experience how G-d used circumstances for good. He lived it after his brothers sold him into slavery and G-d elevated him. His elevation to second in Egypt was not just for Yosef’s own good but for the good of Israel through the provision of their lives through the famine.
Genesis 45:5, “But don't be sad that you sold me into slavery here or angry at yourselves, because it was God who sent me ahead of you to preserve life.”
When Ya’akov died, Yosef’s brothers feared retribution and resorted to scheming and lying out of fear. But Yosef saw through their pitiful lack of trusting the L-rd.
Who do I fear more, G-d or man?
Isaiah 51:12-13, “"I, yes I, am the one who comforts you! Why are you afraid of a man, who must die; of a human being, who will wither like grass? 13 You have forgotten ADONAI, your maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. Instead, you are in constant fear all day because of the oppressor's rage, as he prepares to destroy! But where is the oppressor's rage?”
Why would we be afraid of men? Might we have forgotten G-d? We are wasting emotional energy imagining and fearing events that either don’t come to pass or aren’t even close to reality.
Yosef knew that when his brothers intended to harm him, G-d intended to use him!
This principle will change our lives if we really believe that G-d intends to use us rather than harm us.
G-d is Sovereign!
Many Scriptures illustrate His unaltered character in this regard. Here are just a few: Psalm 115:3, Proverbs 16:9, 2Kings 19:28, Proverbs 21:1, Ephesians 1:11,12 and Revelation 17:17.
Most notably, G-d presided over every aspect of the precarious life of Yeshua. Think of how He intervened in the details of bringing the Messiah safely to birth. How Miriam was called and how she was spared not only by the grace of her parents but provided for through her cousin Elizabeth. She could have been easily quietly divorced by Yosef, her betrothed, but again spared because of G-d’s intervention. At every turn and at every trial, G-d presided over Yeshua; and most especially in His death and in His resurrection.
G-d is always bigger than people!
Yosef said, “It is clear as this day (Gen. 50:17)!” He saw the bigger picture of God’s providential plan.
G-d’s love and grace goes beyond forgiveness to reconciliation. No matter how much I sense my need to be forgiven, He so much more wants to forgive me!
2Cor 5:18, “And it is all from God, who through the Messiah has reconciled us to himself and has given us the work of that reconciliation.” and Col 3:12-15, “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with feelings of compassion and with kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with one another; if anyone has a complaint against someone else, forgive him. Indeed, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. 14 Above all these, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together perfectly; 15 and let the shalom which comes from the Messiah be your heart's decision-maker, for this is why you were called to be part of a single Body. And be thankful.”
G-d is Messiah reconciling the world to Himself. Yosef as a type of Messiah illustrated this principle perfectly to his brothers. May we also do so through Messiah’s Grace.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Dysfunctional Families
Rabbi Ken Alpren
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
November 6, 2010
Genesis 25:21, “Yitz'chak prayed to ADONAI on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. ADONAI heeded his prayer, and Rivkah became pregnant.”
G-d has a purpose in all that happens to us; our difficulties are for a reason. G-d intervened through Yitz’chak’s prayer. What Rivkah and Yitz’chak could not do naturally, through prayer, G-d did supernaturally.
When Yitz’chak and Rivkah were married, Yitz’chak was 40 years old. He was 60 years old when the twins were born. He prayed for 20 years!
The Hebrew word for prayer in this passage is ‘athar’ which means to pray, entreat, supplicate, urge, plead. We are to pray without giving up knowing that G-d’s promises allow for difficulties so we will turn to Him in prayer.
We are all dysfunctional. Right? Things don’t always go according to our plans and our timing!
David was even tempted to believe that others who didn’t even have the L-rd have it all too easy. In Psalm 73, he recounts thinking that the wicked are free of misfortune and keep increasing their wealth. David realized his thinking was wrong when he came into G-d’s presence and was given a heavenly perspective regarding their end and realized it was his poor attitude that predisposed him to envy.
Psalm 73:21-23, “When I had a sour attitude and felt stung by pained emotions, 22 I was too stupid to understand; I was like a brute beast with you. 23 Nevertheless, I am always with you; you hold my right hand.”
David was temporarily short sighted. He needed to see from G-d’s vantage point. Although there was dysfunction with the twins, even from the beginning, G-d’s purpose was being worked out.
Genesis 25:22-26, “The children fought with each other inside her so much that she said, "If it's going to be like this, why go on living?" So she went to inquire of ADONAI, 23 who answered her, "There are two nations in your womb. From birth they will be two rival peoples. One of these peoples will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." 24 When the time for her delivery came, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first to come out was reddish and covered all over with hair, like a coat; so they named him 'Esav [completely formed, that is, having hair already]. 26 Then his brother emerged, with his hand holding 'Esav's heel, so he was called Ya'akov [he catches by the heel, he supplants].”
Notice even from birth the twins were so different. They were different in appearance and vocation. ‘Esav was a hunter and Ya’akov lived peacefully in tents.
Each of us are uniquely different; we are fearfully and wonderfully made as described in Psalm 139. Do we wish we were different from how we are? Maybe we want to be taller, smarter, thinner, stronger or have different features? If we were to be thankful for how G-d made us, perhaps we wouldn’t envy each other and allow for a root of bitterness to grow as with ‘Esav and Ya’akov.
Perhaps if we were thankful for who G-d made us to be we could allow Him to use us the way He intended; in ways we could only imagine.
We are beautiful as He made us; Jew and Gentile grafted into the Olive Tree as described in Romans 11. There is no need to try to be like others; we need to be who G-d made us to be!
‘Esav and Ya’akov were both oriented on the flesh instead of the spiritual; but with different modes of behavior and focus. ‘Esav was careless with his birthright, he lacked control and was easily persuaded to sell his birthright for a bowl of stew because he was hungry and exhausted, and he didn’t seem to care about G-d. Ya’akov was calculating and planned the method by which he would barter for the birthright and steal the blessing. He was controlling as well and used G-d and godly matters to manipulate for his own desires and purposes.
Watch G-d’s grace in retrospect toward these twins!
Hebrews 11:20, “By trusting, Yitz'chak in his blessings over Ya'akov and Esav made reference to events yet to come.”
In spite of their behavior, Yitz’chak still blessed both of them!
Even so, we must be careful to fulfill G-d’s calling on our lives and our unique purposes He has for us. He has made us each who He wants us to be; uniquely designed and chosen. We should decide to follow Him wholeheartedly to be more like Him rather than measuring ourselves to each other.
Further Reading:
1Kings 18:17-21, Isaiah 45:9-10, Romans 8:4-6, Ephesians 1:4-6, 1Corinthians 5:6, Hebrews 12:15-16, Revelation 1:6, 1Peter 2:9, Galatians 5:6, Hebrews 12:15, 1Samuel 20:18, Deuteronomy 30:4, Song of Songs 4:7, 2Corinthians 10:10-12
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
November 6, 2010
Genesis 25:21, “Yitz'chak prayed to ADONAI on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. ADONAI heeded his prayer, and Rivkah became pregnant.”
G-d has a purpose in all that happens to us; our difficulties are for a reason. G-d intervened through Yitz’chak’s prayer. What Rivkah and Yitz’chak could not do naturally, through prayer, G-d did supernaturally.
When Yitz’chak and Rivkah were married, Yitz’chak was 40 years old. He was 60 years old when the twins were born. He prayed for 20 years!
The Hebrew word for prayer in this passage is ‘athar’ which means to pray, entreat, supplicate, urge, plead. We are to pray without giving up knowing that G-d’s promises allow for difficulties so we will turn to Him in prayer.
We are all dysfunctional. Right? Things don’t always go according to our plans and our timing!
David was even tempted to believe that others who didn’t even have the L-rd have it all too easy. In Psalm 73, he recounts thinking that the wicked are free of misfortune and keep increasing their wealth. David realized his thinking was wrong when he came into G-d’s presence and was given a heavenly perspective regarding their end and realized it was his poor attitude that predisposed him to envy.
Psalm 73:21-23, “When I had a sour attitude and felt stung by pained emotions, 22 I was too stupid to understand; I was like a brute beast with you. 23 Nevertheless, I am always with you; you hold my right hand.”
David was temporarily short sighted. He needed to see from G-d’s vantage point. Although there was dysfunction with the twins, even from the beginning, G-d’s purpose was being worked out.
Genesis 25:22-26, “The children fought with each other inside her so much that she said, "If it's going to be like this, why go on living?" So she went to inquire of ADONAI, 23 who answered her, "There are two nations in your womb. From birth they will be two rival peoples. One of these peoples will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." 24 When the time for her delivery came, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first to come out was reddish and covered all over with hair, like a coat; so they named him 'Esav [completely formed, that is, having hair already]. 26 Then his brother emerged, with his hand holding 'Esav's heel, so he was called Ya'akov [he catches by the heel, he supplants].”
Notice even from birth the twins were so different. They were different in appearance and vocation. ‘Esav was a hunter and Ya’akov lived peacefully in tents.
Each of us are uniquely different; we are fearfully and wonderfully made as described in Psalm 139. Do we wish we were different from how we are? Maybe we want to be taller, smarter, thinner, stronger or have different features? If we were to be thankful for how G-d made us, perhaps we wouldn’t envy each other and allow for a root of bitterness to grow as with ‘Esav and Ya’akov.
Perhaps if we were thankful for who G-d made us to be we could allow Him to use us the way He intended; in ways we could only imagine.
We are beautiful as He made us; Jew and Gentile grafted into the Olive Tree as described in Romans 11. There is no need to try to be like others; we need to be who G-d made us to be!
‘Esav and Ya’akov were both oriented on the flesh instead of the spiritual; but with different modes of behavior and focus. ‘Esav was careless with his birthright, he lacked control and was easily persuaded to sell his birthright for a bowl of stew because he was hungry and exhausted, and he didn’t seem to care about G-d. Ya’akov was calculating and planned the method by which he would barter for the birthright and steal the blessing. He was controlling as well and used G-d and godly matters to manipulate for his own desires and purposes.
Watch G-d’s grace in retrospect toward these twins!
Hebrews 11:20, “By trusting, Yitz'chak in his blessings over Ya'akov and Esav made reference to events yet to come.”
In spite of their behavior, Yitz’chak still blessed both of them!
Even so, we must be careful to fulfill G-d’s calling on our lives and our unique purposes He has for us. He has made us each who He wants us to be; uniquely designed and chosen. We should decide to follow Him wholeheartedly to be more like Him rather than measuring ourselves to each other.
Further Reading:
1Kings 18:17-21, Isaiah 45:9-10, Romans 8:4-6, Ephesians 1:4-6, 1Corinthians 5:6, Hebrews 12:15-16, Revelation 1:6, 1Peter 2:9, Galatians 5:6, Hebrews 12:15, 1Samuel 20:18, Deuteronomy 30:4, Song of Songs 4:7, 2Corinthians 10:10-12
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Two Remarkable Characters of Character
Rabbi Ken Alpren
Summary by: Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
October 30, 2010
Genesis 24:1-4, By now Avraham was old, advanced in years; and ADONAI had blessed Avraham in everything. 2 Avraham said to the servant who had served him the longest, who was in charge of all he owned, "Put your hand under my thigh; 3 because I want you to swear by ADONAI, God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not choose a wife for my son from among the women of the Kena'ani, among whom I am living; 4 but that you will go to my homeland, to my kinsmen, to choose a wife for my son Yitz'chak."
We are introduced to Avraham’s servant; a nameless man who Avraham sent on a mission to find a wife for Yitz’chak from among Avraham’s kinsmen after the death of Sarah. Throughout this portion of Scripture, the Servant proves himself a man of G-d; faithful, humble and reliant of the L-rd’s direction.
When Avraham sent him on the mission, he encouraged the Servant to rely on the L-rd and to believe that direction would be given.
Genesis 24:7, “ADONAI, the God of heaven - who took me away from my father's house and away from the land I was born in, who spoke to me and swore to me, 'I will give this land to your descendants'- he will send his angel ahead of you; and you are to bring a wife for my son from there.”
With a positive attitude and expectation the Servant proceeded into homeland of Avraham’s kinsmen. He was determined to stick to the plan laid out for him to find a wife for Yitz’chak. And as he was seeking the L-rd for direction, something amazing happened. The L-rd answered his prayer even before he was finished praying!
Genesis 24:12-15, He said, "ADONAI, God of my master Avraham, please let me succeed today; and show your grace to my master Avraham. 13 Here I am, standing by the spring, as the daughters of the townsfolk come out to draw water. 14 I will say to one of the girls, 'Please lower your jug, so that I can drink.' If she answers, 'Yes, drink; and I will water your camels as well,' then let her be the one you intend for your servant Yitz'chak. This is how I will know that you have shown grace to my master." 15 Before he had finished speaking, Rivkah the daughter of B'tu'el son of Milkah the wife of Nachor Avraham's brother, came out with her jug on her shoulder.
Amazing! Has the L-rd ever answered your prayer even before you were finished praying? Have we noticed that He may be working toward the answer even before we can ask?
Isaiah 65:24, Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Avraham’s servant watched Rivkah’s response to his request for water. Would she follow her provision of water for him with an offer to water the camels as well?
Genesis 24:19-21, When she was through letting him drink, she said, "I will also draw water for your camels until they have drunk their fill." 20 She quickly emptied her jug into the trough, then ran again to the well to draw water, and kept on drawing water for all his camels. 21 The man gazed at her in silence, waiting to find out whether ADONAI had made his trip successful or not.
Yes! She offered to provide water for the camels as well! Not only did she offer she ran to the well and quickly provided the water for all ten camels! Notice her character. She was not sluggish in her response, but quickly provided water even running to and from the well. What was it about his beautiful young woman that would give her the incentive to respond to generously and considerately? Had the L-rd been preparing her to be the wife of His Yitz’chak for her whole life?
Notice the Servant’s response to answered prayer.
Genesis 24:26-27, The man bowed his head and prostrated himself before ADONAI. 27 Then he said, "Blessed be ADONAI, God of my master Avraham, who has not abandoned his faithful love for my master; because ADONAI has guided me to the house of my master's kinsmen."
He worshipped and blessed the L-rd!
Rivkah was included in the decision to become Yitz’chak’s wife. When her family attempted to delay the process, she was given the opportunity to choose for herself and she chose to follow the L-rd and go with the Servant. Perhaps she had confirmation from the L-rd in her heart and had taken note of the Servant’s character so as to feel confident in her choice.
Genesis 24:62-67, Meanwhile, Yitz'chak, one evening after coming along the road from Be'er-Lachai-Ro'i - he was living in the Negev - 63 went out walking in the field; and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. 64 Rivkah too looked up; and when she saw Yitz'chak, she quickly dismounted the camel. 65 She said to the servant,"Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?"When the servant replied, "It's my master," she took her veil and covered herself. 66 The servant told Yitz'chak everything he had done. 67 Then Yitz'chak brought her into his mother Sarah's tent and took Rivkah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. Thus was Yitz'chak comforted for the loss of his mother.
A successful journey and answered prayer provided a wife for Yitz’chak. Rivkah and Yitz’chak were married and Yitz’chak was comforted after his mother’s death. Rivkah and Yitz’chak didn’t know one another at first but grew in their love. Their marriage was successful because of the L-rd’s provision and their dedication to Him and to each other.
Summary by: Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
October 30, 2010
Genesis 24:1-4, By now Avraham was old, advanced in years; and ADONAI had blessed Avraham in everything. 2 Avraham said to the servant who had served him the longest, who was in charge of all he owned, "Put your hand under my thigh; 3 because I want you to swear by ADONAI, God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not choose a wife for my son from among the women of the Kena'ani, among whom I am living; 4 but that you will go to my homeland, to my kinsmen, to choose a wife for my son Yitz'chak."
We are introduced to Avraham’s servant; a nameless man who Avraham sent on a mission to find a wife for Yitz’chak from among Avraham’s kinsmen after the death of Sarah. Throughout this portion of Scripture, the Servant proves himself a man of G-d; faithful, humble and reliant of the L-rd’s direction.
When Avraham sent him on the mission, he encouraged the Servant to rely on the L-rd and to believe that direction would be given.
Genesis 24:7, “ADONAI, the God of heaven - who took me away from my father's house and away from the land I was born in, who spoke to me and swore to me, 'I will give this land to your descendants'- he will send his angel ahead of you; and you are to bring a wife for my son from there.”
With a positive attitude and expectation the Servant proceeded into homeland of Avraham’s kinsmen. He was determined to stick to the plan laid out for him to find a wife for Yitz’chak. And as he was seeking the L-rd for direction, something amazing happened. The L-rd answered his prayer even before he was finished praying!
Genesis 24:12-15, He said, "ADONAI, God of my master Avraham, please let me succeed today; and show your grace to my master Avraham. 13 Here I am, standing by the spring, as the daughters of the townsfolk come out to draw water. 14 I will say to one of the girls, 'Please lower your jug, so that I can drink.' If she answers, 'Yes, drink; and I will water your camels as well,' then let her be the one you intend for your servant Yitz'chak. This is how I will know that you have shown grace to my master." 15 Before he had finished speaking, Rivkah the daughter of B'tu'el son of Milkah the wife of Nachor Avraham's brother, came out with her jug on her shoulder.
Amazing! Has the L-rd ever answered your prayer even before you were finished praying? Have we noticed that He may be working toward the answer even before we can ask?
Isaiah 65:24, Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Avraham’s servant watched Rivkah’s response to his request for water. Would she follow her provision of water for him with an offer to water the camels as well?
Genesis 24:19-21, When she was through letting him drink, she said, "I will also draw water for your camels until they have drunk their fill." 20 She quickly emptied her jug into the trough, then ran again to the well to draw water, and kept on drawing water for all his camels. 21 The man gazed at her in silence, waiting to find out whether ADONAI had made his trip successful or not.
Yes! She offered to provide water for the camels as well! Not only did she offer she ran to the well and quickly provided the water for all ten camels! Notice her character. She was not sluggish in her response, but quickly provided water even running to and from the well. What was it about his beautiful young woman that would give her the incentive to respond to generously and considerately? Had the L-rd been preparing her to be the wife of His Yitz’chak for her whole life?
Notice the Servant’s response to answered prayer.
Genesis 24:26-27, The man bowed his head and prostrated himself before ADONAI. 27 Then he said, "Blessed be ADONAI, God of my master Avraham, who has not abandoned his faithful love for my master; because ADONAI has guided me to the house of my master's kinsmen."
He worshipped and blessed the L-rd!
Rivkah was included in the decision to become Yitz’chak’s wife. When her family attempted to delay the process, she was given the opportunity to choose for herself and she chose to follow the L-rd and go with the Servant. Perhaps she had confirmation from the L-rd in her heart and had taken note of the Servant’s character so as to feel confident in her choice.
Genesis 24:62-67, Meanwhile, Yitz'chak, one evening after coming along the road from Be'er-Lachai-Ro'i - he was living in the Negev - 63 went out walking in the field; and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. 64 Rivkah too looked up; and when she saw Yitz'chak, she quickly dismounted the camel. 65 She said to the servant,"Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?"When the servant replied, "It's my master," she took her veil and covered herself. 66 The servant told Yitz'chak everything he had done. 67 Then Yitz'chak brought her into his mother Sarah's tent and took Rivkah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. Thus was Yitz'chak comforted for the loss of his mother.
A successful journey and answered prayer provided a wife for Yitz’chak. Rivkah and Yitz’chak were married and Yitz’chak was comforted after his mother’s death. Rivkah and Yitz’chak didn’t know one another at first but grew in their love. Their marriage was successful because of the L-rd’s provision and their dedication to Him and to each other.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)