viernes, 14 de junio de 2019

psma 2

Weekly Letter

Shalom Valentin

Pondering Psalm 2

¹ Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? ² The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, ³ “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”

⁴ He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. ⁵ Then He will speak to them in His wrath, and terrify them in His fury, saying, ⁶ “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”

⁷ I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to Me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. ⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. ⁹ You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”

¹⁰ Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. ¹¹ Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. ¹² Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.

Psalm 2 reads like a play with four scenes.
Scene 1: on the earth, verses 1-3, the nations speak and form a conspiracy
Scene 2: in the heavens, verses 4-6, the LORD speaks and declares His response.
Scene 3: on the earth, verses 7-9, The LORD’s promise to His Son the Messiah the King.
Scene 4: in the heavens, verses 10-12, the LORD counsels submission to His Son.

In this “second psalm” (Acts 13:33), one of the most frequently quoted in the New Testament, the LORD through David (Acts 4:25) exhorted the nations (heathens) to forsake their efforts in opposing the Lord and His Anointed king. And He urges them to submit to the authority of the Son whom God has ordained to rule them. This is based on the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7).

Scene 1: on the earth, Psalm 2:1-3, the nations speak and form a conspiracy.
David speaking as a prophet expressed amazement that the Gentile nations would try to overthrow the Lord and the king He had placed on the throne.

The nations; KJV the heathen or the Gentiles, the Hebrew: "גוים" - "Goyim"), usually this word denotes the non-Jewish nation sometimes in antagonism to the LORD himself or his people. As is the case here; they are in opposition to the LORD and His Anointed, so these are the heathens.)

These nations “meditate a vain thing” more literally they murmur an empty or a worthless thing. The contrast to Psalm 1 should not be missed. For the Happy Men and these kings and rulers stand in sharp opposition to each other. The godly meditate on God’s words (Psalm 1:1), but these wicked rulers meditated on rebellion (Psalm 2:1).

2:2 The nations opposed God and His Anointed (the term “Anointed” is “מַשִׁיחַ” “Messiah”). There have been many anointed ones (prophets, priests and kings), but in this Psalm, we are talking not about AN Anointed one, but The Anointed One. He is declared to be the Son of the LORD, we know this is none other than Yeshua the Messiah. (see Luke 2:26 & 3:22; Matthew 3:17, Acts 13:33…).

2:3 The nations, the people and kings of the earth, say with one voice, we do not want to submit to the rule of God’s Anointed. And want to remove themselves from the “bonds” and “cords”. This is language that indicates the nations want to break the laws, ordinances of God and cast of God’s truth.

Scene: 2 in the heavens, Psalm 2:4-6, the LORD speaks and declares His response.
2:4 David envisioned the LORD as King over all the Earth, sitting on His royal throne in the heavens. He is not worried about the plan of the nations but is laughing at their futility. He then has them in derision, i.e. He is mocking them.

2:5 But the scene continues and after this God speaks to the nations in anger because they refuse to submit to the authority of His king. Finally, He becomes vexed with them in His sore displeasure. Note the progression: 1) He smiles (laughs), 2) He Mocks, 3) Anger and finally 4) the LORD is vexed. Indicating that He trembles with rage, the word vex can mean shake, and indeed He will shake the heavens and earth (Haggai 2:6).

2:6 The LORD declares what He has done, namely He installed His king (past tense) on the throne in Zion. Many kings were anointed in and around Jerusalem but No king was ever anointed on mount Zion the Holy Hill. This is where according to Psalm 9:11 the LORD Himself sat enthroned. How can an earthly king be sitting in the place of God? Because this Anointed One is the Lord of lords and King of Kings (Revelation 17:14).

Scene 3: on the earth, Psalm 2:7-9, The LORD’s Promise to His Son the Messianic King.
2:7 The LORD talks about the decree, this is a reference to the Covenant with David (2 Samuel 7 & Palm. 89:34-37), in which the LORD promised that a son of David would reign forever, and David makes a reference to his greater son, the Anointed one would be both the Son of God (Matthew 26:63-64; 27:43; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; John 1:49; Acts 9:20, etc.).
and the Son of David (Matthew 1:1; 9:27; 20:30; 21:9 etc.)!

2:8 God the Father requested from His Son that He asks for His inheritance. The gift is all the nations of the earth. This was not promised to David or Solomon, but David’s Son will someday reign over all the earth (Zechariah 14:9).

2:9 And when He reigns, He will putt down the nations that will still rebel against Him even though as the Good Shepherd he will extend His “rod” and the “sceptre of uprightness” (Psalm 45:6) overall humankind. Wanting them to be the sheep of His pastures walking in His ways.

The final scene 4: in heavens, Psalm 2:10-12, the LORD counsels submission to His Son.
2:10 In my view this is where we hear the voice of the Holy Spirit calling for the nations to submit before they anger the great King. He tells them to make an intelligent decision “be wise” and bow in submission to Yeshua the Anointed King.

2:11 The Holy Spirit calls the nations to walk in His ways with reverential fear of Him, not just because of His coming judgment, but because the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, (Proverbs 1:7). They are to serve Him, this word can be taken as worship (Psalm 97:7) and how do we worship the LORD by both rejoicing, and trembling before Him.

2:12 This is the most controversial verse in this Psalm “Kiss the son” is an act of submissive homage to the king (1 Kings 19:20; Hosea 13:2). Just as human submitted to kings so God asks the kings of the earth to submit to the Son. It is only by taking refuge in His anointed, rather than rebelling against him, that they could avoid the wrath of God.

“Kiss the Son” could also be translated as “Do homage in purity”, this very different translation is based on one word (בּר - bar) which means in Aramaic Son and in Hebrew Purity. Perhaps rather than one or the other we ought to see it as both. We need to do homage in purity and Kiss the Son, i.e. submitting to Him in Holiness. So that we can say “Happy are all they that take refuge in Him”.

What did we learn from Psalm 2

Messiah is the Son of God.
Messiah will be crowed King on Zion the Holy Hill.
Messiah will rule over all the earth.

Shalom in Messiah

Paul & Sue Cohen

psalm 1

Pondering Psalm 1

The Psalms give us a unique understanding of the ministry of the Messiah, we can see this as both Yeshua and the disciples used them extensively. Luke 24:44 tells us of Yeshua saying to his disciples after the resurrection:
“This is what I told you when I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
Yeshua knew what was in them about him and the ministry he did, is doing and will be doing, for within them we have the complete ministry of Messiah; Prophet, Priest and King.

Like many other cultures, Israel had a vibrant singing culture; in the Bible alone there are 185 songs, most of these are found in the five books of Psalms, though we must remember that the book of Psalms is more than a songbook. We might recall two other Biblical songbooks; Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon) the love song between Solomon and Shulamite and the almost directly opposite literature the Book of Lamentations with its five dirges (mournful / funeral songs), which we will read in August on Tisha B’av. Some of the songs scattered throughout the Bible are very short and some are very long, ranging from 5 to 7 words in Hebrew slightly longer in English, in (2 Chronicles 5:13 & 20:21). As compared to the very verbose 947 words in Hebrew (or some 2,400 words in English) in Psalm 119.

Like me, you may be surprised to learn how great a number of the Psalms are quoted and alluded to in the New Testament. It seems that over 100 separate passages from at least 60 different Psalms are referenced in the New Covenant. And in many of these the subject deals with the sufferings, resurrection, and the ascension of Messiah. Others are about the priesthood and future kingship of Messiah.

The Hebrew word for “psalms”, is תְּהִלִּים (Tehillim), at times translated as “hymns” or “songs of praise”. However, the Psalms are much more than this, for they contain prayers and songs, prophecies and warnings. They form the basis of much of the liturgy and worship for 1000’s of years and we too should sing these more often, they are after all God’s inspired songbook.

According to Jewish tradition (Bavli Berachot, 9b) Psalm 1 and 2 are one Psalm attributed to David, who is described as the Prophet and King. Indeed many of the psalms were written by David, who according to tradition wrote 73 in total, but others are by Asaph, Korah, Solomon, Moses and others.

This Psalm is one of the more well-known ones. It summarizes the two paths of life open to people, first the portrait of the righteous (Psalm 1:1-3), second the ruin of the wicked (Psalm 1:4-6).

The same warning is found in Jeremiah 17:5-7 “Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. (6) He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. (7) “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.” (see also Deuteronomy 30:11-20).

Some commentators have seen all of history built around this concept of the ‘two ways’.

For the Two ways are the two destinies.

We too must, therefore, make a choice, are we in the first Adam and in the Last Adam (Romans 5; 1 Corinthians 15:45)?
Are we walking in the way of Cain or Abel? (Genesis 4)
Do we follow ungodly or Godly advice like Ishmael or Isaac? (Genesis 16-28)
Do we despise our birthright and the covenant like Esau (Genesis 25:32; Hebrews 12:16) or pursue it like Jacob? (Genesis 25:32).
Do we build our own kingdom like Saul (1 Samuel 13:11-16) or are we men and women after God’s heart, building the Kingdom of the LORD? (1 Kings 8:17).
Do we walk like Orpah or Ruth, wanting to be part of the covenant people despite the hardship or do we turn back to comfortable surroundings?

More examples are in scripture, and so it makes me wonder what about us; do we walk in the Light of the Word of the Lord or sit with the scoffers?

Finally, there is an interesting phrase in verse two, his meditation this is curious as the Hebrew has יֶהְגֶּ֗ה (yeh’geh) which is something a bird does ‘coo’ or a lion ‘growl’, as such perhaps an alternative translation might read “to murmur” or to “mumble” as if to “speak to oneself” this is not a negative as in English but indicating that His word is on our lips continually, i.e. repeating the words softly to ourselves, so that we might think about the words and study and review them throughout the day and night as it is written in Psalm 4:4 “ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah”.

Friends over the next months I hope to ponder some of the Psalms with you.

For now let me leave you with the Robert Alter a fresh translation of Psalm 1
1 Happy the man who has not walked in the wicked’s council,
nor in the way of offenders has stood,
nor in the session of scoffers has sat.
2 But the LORD’s teaching is his desire,
and His teaching he murmurs day and night
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by streams of water,
that bears its fruit in its season
and its leaf does not wither-
and in all that he does he prospers.
4 Not so the wicked,
but like chaff that the wind drives away,
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand up in judgement,
nor offenders in the band of the righteous,
6 For the LORD embraces the way of the righteous,
and the way of the wicked is lost.

© The Book of Psalms by Robert Alter

May we be murmuring what the Lord has said and what He has done in our lives day and night.
Shalom in Messiah

Paul & Sue Cohen

spams 34

Shalom Valentin

I love Psalm 34:14 “seek shalom and pursue it” This word Shalom, it is such a wonderful word, it is significantly bigger meaning than it first appears as the ‘absence of war’ or when we think in modern Israeli terms of ‘hello’ & ‘goodbye.

For Shalom is something we need to pursue, not just standing back and letting it happen, but chasing it. Yeshua said “Blessed are the Shalom makers, for they shall be called the children of God” Matthew 5:9. It is then that we are His sons and daughters.

Scripture, I perceive connects four thoughts with Shalom: trust, righteousness, justice and wisdom, for each one is connected to Shalom:

1. Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You; because he trusted in You.” The Hebrew behind “perfect peace” is “Shalom Shalom”. To obtain God’s full and perfect Shalom, we ought to remain waiting and meditating on what He has declared in His Word, who He is and what He is doing. This will quieten our minds from the busyness of life and the troubles we have in it. By submitting our minds to trust in what God is doing even in our day and in our lives.

2. Isaiah 32:17 “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.” The words: work and effect are synonyms meaning that shalom is the result of righteousness, as are an enduring rest and confidence, because of the Lord’s doing. And as the next verse teaches, this brings shalom at home.

3. Isaiah 59:8 “The way of peace they know not; and there is no justice in their goings: they have made them crooked paths; whosoever goes therein does not know peace.” Here the prophet connects peace and justice, not just for us but also for leaders; both Israel’s and ours we all need the conviction that peace and justice go hand in hand.

4. James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.” James seems to summarise how to obtain that kind of Shalom: we must trust in God, seek His wisdom, and do what is right in pursuit of justice, and obtain & apply the truth in Mercy.

By trusting in God, walking in the Spirit we will as the apostle Paul declared in Galatians 5:22, we will obtain “… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, shalom, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness”. This will be manifested in our lives when we seek & pursue it.

Then we can have that Shalom of and with God, because we did our bit, and we can be confident that He will do His bit, or give us that understanding, that we need to know that His thoughts are higher than ours. Therefore we “are anxious in nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the shalom of God, which passes all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Messiah Yeshua.” Philippians 4:6-7

So we get this Shalom from God because we allowing our mind to stay on Him, through prayer and supplication, and with thanksgiving, as an act of worship, by meditating on His Word. Not man’s peace (the absence of war) but the shalom that shall surpass all understanding. As such this shall protect your hearts and minds. This is the strength we have in God. Not our own strength and ability. It is given to those that are in Messiah Yeshua.

That promise of Shalom as a gift to us was given by Messiah Yeshua in John 14:27 “Shalom I leave with you; My Shalom I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.” This is the true Shalom that we should pursue; the Shalom from God through and in Yeshua, and not just for us, we need to pass this on to all we come in contact with.

This Peace is brought to us, whether we are Jews or Gentiles through faith in Yeshua. I do not need to remind you of one of the titles of Messiah, namely “Prince of Peace” – “Sar Shalom” Isaiah 9:6. How did He bring us this shalom? “The chastisement of our peace was upon him.” Isaiah 53:5, Friends, we can walk in this peace if we know Him!

Finally can I spur us on to pray for Israel, that despite the obstacles they face, that they may find True Shalom in Messiah by trusting in Him, by walking in righteousness, by pursuing justice and obtaining the wisdom that comes from God above.

Shalom in Messiah

Paul & Sue Cohen

Ps. Chosen People Ministries created the I Found Shalom website (https://www.ifoundshalom.com) with wonderful testimonies, perhaps share your favourite one with a friend who is still looking for the Peace of God.

Photos of our wonderful Passover are online
https://www.britchadasha.com.au/passover-celebrations-2019-sydney/
Thank you Swee and Justin for fantastic photos.

Our next meeting is this Friday the 10th of May at 7:30 pm at 32 Horace Street St Ives. Paul Cohen will be teaching on the following Torah portion.

Kedoshim
קְדֹשִׁים

Holy ones
Leviticus 19:1 – 20:27

Ashkenazi Amos 9:7–15
Sephardi: Ezekiel 20:2–20
Matthew 12:28-34

May 11, 2019

Wednesday May 8 is Yom HaZikaron

Israel’s day of Remembrance

Thursday May 9 is Yom HaAtzma’ut.

Israel’s Independence Day

If at all possible could you kindly bring something, cheese, fruit etc. to nibble on for after the meeting.

Please also check-out your Passover photo's on our web page www.bcsydney.com and or our Facebook page! www.facebook.com/BritChadashah.Sydney/

We are looking for storage space, a few boxes, of Celebrate Messiah's bottles and paraphernalia. If you can assist it will be much appreciated. Please contact Paul and or myself.

jueves, 2 de mayo de 2019

shakom shalom

Weekly Letter

Shalom Valentin

I love Psalm 34:14 “seek shalom and pursue it” This word Shalom, it is such a wonderful word, it is significantly bigger meaning than it first appears as the ‘absence of war’ or when we think in modern Israeli terms of ‘hello’ & ‘goodbye.

Scripture, I perceive connects four thoughts with Shalom: trust, righteousness, justice and wisdom, for each one is connected to Shalom:

Shalom in Messiah

Paul Cohen