March 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 6:34 PM Tidbits
Rabbi Don Lansing
According to Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, the word tidbit means “a choice morsel of food.” For believers in Yeshua, it can mean “the spiritual manna that feeds our soul and invigorates spiritual life.”
Recently, a Messianic rabbi sat down to read from a decades-old Haftarah scroll from Morocco. The scroll was written in Sephardic, and the rabbi’s eyes fell on chapter 9 verse 6 of the book of Yesha’yahu (Isaiah). The word that begins this verse is spelled Lamed-Mem Sophit- Reish-Vav-Hay. Artscroll rabbis interpret this to mean “upon the one,” referring to Sennacherib. But Christian commentators, noting the unusual placement of the final Mem in the middle of the word, say it signifies “the opening of the womb,” thus yielding the interpretation “to the increase of.” This greatly supports the belief that the verse is a prophecy about the Messiah and his virgin birth. Hallelujah!
A second tidbit is found in Luke 2:22-24, which concerns a ceremony known as pidyon-haben (redemption of the firstborn son). Though not commanded in the Bible, it is performed in observance of Jewish law 30 days after the son’s birth to remind the Jewish people of their redemption from slavery (Exodus 13:2-16). To us Messianics, it is a reminder of Yeshua’s virgin birth and Messianic lineage (Matthew 1 and Luke 3).
A third tidbit appears where Yeshua appeals to Exodus 3:6 with his answer at Matthew 22:31-32: “As for whether the dead are resurrected, haven’t you read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Avraham, the God of Yitz’chak and the God of Ya’akov’? He is God not of the dead but of the living!” (Complete Jewish Bible). In other words, Yeshua proved that Avraham, Yitz’chak, and Ya’akov not only will be resurrected but also are alive with God in heaven. So why didn’t he quote from Daniel 12:2, Job 19:25-26, or Isaiah 26:19, which clearly predict mankind’s resurrection? He was answering some Tz’dukim (Sadducees), Jewish leaders who denied the resurrection and considered only the Torah canonical.
These tidbits are heavenly morsels that enliven our souls and energize our walk with the Messiah. Praise the Lord!
Scripture Readings
Saturday, March 6, Ki Tisa (“When you elevate [the head]”)
Exodus 30:11—34:35
1 Kings 18:1-39
1 Corinthians 8:4-13
Saturday, March 13, VaYakhel (“And he assembled”)
Exodus 35:1—38:20
1 Kings 7:13-26, 40-50
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Saturday, March 13, P’kudei (“Accountings of”)
Exodus 38:21—40:38
1 Kings 7:51—8:21
2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Saturday, March 20, VaYikra (“And he called”)
Leviticus 1:1—6:7 (5:26)
Isaiah 43:21—44:23
Hebrews 10:1-18
Saturday, March 27, Tsav (“Command”)
Leviticus 6:8 (1)—8:36
Jeremiah 7:21—8:3; 9:22-23
Hebrews 8:1-6
Scripture of the Month
Matthew 23:37 – 39
Prayer Needs
We pray for all who are sick, homebound, or in financial need. Pray for all those traveling this month. Pray for our President, our nation, all fighters of terrorism, and the peace of Jerusalem. Pray for Israel’s new government and the return of the Jewish people to Israel. Also pray for Congregation Beth Shalom.
Definitions
Yarmulke: the Yiddish term for skullcap (the Hebrew term is kippah)
Mentsh: a caring, concerned, decent, principled human being (calling a person a mentsh is the highest possible compliment)
Reader Comments (1)
Great Article!
I liked what you mentioned about the first born. I have often thought that this is exactly what is referred to in Revelation 14:4.
These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, [being] the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
Wouldn't it be just like our Lord to remember and redeem the first born males of all Israel in the last days. I wonder?