deuteronomy 16:18 to 21:9.....isaiah 51:12-52:12

15-September-2017

Shoftim

Haftarah reflections   47

Torah portion                    Deuteronomy 16:18 to 21:9

Haftarah portion             Isaiah 51:12 – 52:12

                

Listen to the Prophets

The first ‘consolation’ prophecy in this series opened with the words “Comfort, yes comfort My people”. In the fourth of these seven words of ‘consolation’ brought by Isaiah, which is our parashah study this week, the Lord plainly declares that it is He Himself who is the ‘Comforter’.

In the midst of all their desolation and harassment, God says “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die, and the son of a man who will be made like grass”.

This is a ‘comfort’ for all who believe. Isaiah is making a prophetic announcement which is still to come. It is a prophecy about the Messianic Kingdom. Regardless of the circumstance we may see in the world of today, widespread apathy, Islam in rampant militancy and murderous hatred, erosion of morality both in the populace and globally in the political class. We are being reminded here that these matters are in the hands of mere men. Men will die. Sons of men will fade like grass fades. Our God is in control, nothing is out of His control, and He will bring the change that is necessary, but in His own perfect timing.

But the prophet reminds us too that the calamitous situation which Jerusalem then experienced, (and which we see happening in our fallen world today) was because of their disregard of God’s instructions. “You have drunk of the cup of trembling” he says “and drained it out”. In paraphrase, he goes on to tell them that they have lost direction, they have no-one to guide them. He asks the questions “Who will be sorry for you?” and “By whom will I comfort you?” They are hard questions, because the prophet was perfectly aware of the plight they were in, and that their plight would continue.

The questions are the same for us today. The arrogant disregard shown by the vast majority of nations and individuals to the commands of a Holy God is appalling. Even nations which are basically, but nominally, Christian, show scant regard for the authority of the Scriptures which is the ‘guide book’ of Christian living. The boundaries of secularism are extending beyond belief. God is treated like some fairy tale Santa Claus who is there to do our bidding. And to be blamed for every catastrophe that man is powerless to prevent.

But there is good news.

There will be change. Jerusalem will be a praise in the world again. “Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city!”  In paraphrase again, the Lord says that when He allowed them to experience the calamity of dispersion, He did not sell them. They were not traded off for anything or anyone else. So He does not have to buy them back, they are His to restore at any time of His choosing. And when He does, they will again be free to worship Him as he has instructed them. “For the uncircumcised and the unclean shall no longer come to you”, He says.

This raises a question about Gentiles, doesn’t it?  Lamentations 1:10 tells us “For she has seen the nations enter the sanctuary. Those whom You commanded not to enter Your assembly”. And Ezekiel 44:9, speaking about the Temple in the Messianic Age says “No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart or uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter My sanctuary”. Well, the Apostle Paul comes to the rescue here. He teaches in Colossians 2:11 that Gentile believers are circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands. And in Romans 2:26 that the uncircumcised man who keeps the requirements of Torah, then his uncircumcision will be regarded as circumcision. In Revelation 21 and 22 we read of the salvation of those whose names are written in the Book of Life. That includes many Gentile believers of course. It is the time when Jew and Gentile will be One New Man before the Lord. The One New Man who will worship before the Throne in the Messianic Kingdom to come. Hallelujah!

“For the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all he ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God”

What greater ‘comfort’ could there be than that. Blessed be His name.

Shabbat Shalom

RS