1 KINGS 3:15-4:1
In this scripture portion, we see Solomon lifting up “burnt-offerings” and “peace offerings” after also having “dreams.” In his dream, YHVH asked him what he wished for, “For wisdom, an understanding heart to judge this people” and YHVH thus granted him what he wished for.
We can note the unself desire of Solomon to be a wise ruler and the request of wisdom and understanding was granted, just like the spirit of wisdom and understanding was given to Yosef to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh. In each situation in the kingdom, there was always a solution. Both Solomon and Yosef found solutions. The problem in Egypt was the drought and starvation, the solution was in the plan of Yosef to save grain and put it in storage to that it was available in the years of drought. Solomon must have faced other kinds of problems in his kingdom, and YHVH had already given him the understanding and wisdom to resolve said problems and/or situations
This should be a guide for us when we wish for things. I think the best wish would be knowledge of the Torah and wisdom to put into action what we learn from God's Holy Writ. As we see. God gave Solomon that and more.
” Burnt offerings” symbolize our sinful nature, and the “peace offerings” speak of our happiness and joy because of our salvation experience. Today these offerings are “offered up” in “prayer and thanksgiving” the prayers of confession of sin are always heard, and so are the prayers of praise and thanksgiving, because we know we have been forgiven.
MATT 16: 1-17:27
The “leaven” of the Pharisees is non-the less “unbelief” as Yeshua said, this reminds us of when He was visiting the temple during this same time of Hanukkah, and the Jews came around him and said; “tell us plainly if you are the Messiah or not!” yet He rebukes them saying “I have already told you and you do not believe!” He had already given signs through his miracles of healing, and raising of the dead, how much more proof did they need? What does “leaven” do in bread? It “puffs up the bread” and that is what pride does, it “puffs up” and person, and sometimes, stubborn pride brings on unbelief.
Kefa exhibits his faith when he said; “You are Messiah, the Living God” Faith is “believing what we cannot see” yet Kefa sees Yeshua and sees the miracles, and so he believes, yet Yeshua says later on after the resurrection, “You have believed because you see, blessed are those who do not see yet BELIEVE!
1 CORINTHIANS 2:1-5
Rav Shaul (The Apostle Paul) is speaking to the local believers of Corinth. This was one of the churches that this Rav started. I was in Corinth in 1999. He is stating very simply that he witnessed Yeshua very plainly, without fancy words, without an intense religious vocabulary, just simply, “Yeshua died on the cross, was crucified for our transgressions, for our sins He gave up his life.”
When we are given the opportunity to tell others about Yeshua, not by force but by invitation. Not in a condemning way, not using scare “fires of hell” tactics, just a message of love and sacrifice. Thus we can allow the Spirit of God to work on the person, It is the Holy Spirit who opens the hearts of unbelievers so that they may become believers. Not our work, but HIS work.
We must always ask for opportunities to share the Word of God plainly with those who inquire and have an open heart to hear and listen to what we have to say. May our words be HIS words through us.
Ben Avraham
with friends in Israel, Nice memories (Tiberias mountain park)
In this scripture portion, we see Solomon lifting up “burnt-offerings” and “peace offerings” after also having “dreams.” In his dream, YHVH asked him what he wished for, “For wisdom, an understanding heart to judge this people” and YHVH thus granted him what he wished for.
We can note the unself desire of Solomon to be a wise ruler and the request of wisdom and understanding was granted, just like the spirit of wisdom and understanding was given to Yosef to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh. In each situation in the kingdom, there was always a solution. Both Solomon and Yosef found solutions. The problem in Egypt was the drought and starvation, the solution was in the plan of Yosef to save grain and put it in storage to that it was available in the years of drought. Solomon must have faced other kinds of problems in his kingdom, and YHVH had already given him the understanding and wisdom to resolve said problems and/or situations
This should be a guide for us when we wish for things. I think the best wish would be knowledge of the Torah and wisdom to put into action what we learn from God's Holy Writ. As we see. God gave Solomon that and more.
” Burnt offerings” symbolize our sinful nature, and the “peace offerings” speak of our happiness and joy because of our salvation experience. Today these offerings are “offered up” in “prayer and thanksgiving” the prayers of confession of sin are always heard, and so are the prayers of praise and thanksgiving, because we know we have been forgiven.
MATT 16: 1-17:27
The “leaven” of the Pharisees is non-the less “unbelief” as Yeshua said, this reminds us of when He was visiting the temple during this same time of Hanukkah, and the Jews came around him and said; “tell us plainly if you are the Messiah or not!” yet He rebukes them saying “I have already told you and you do not believe!” He had already given signs through his miracles of healing, and raising of the dead, how much more proof did they need? What does “leaven” do in bread? It “puffs up the bread” and that is what pride does, it “puffs up” and person, and sometimes, stubborn pride brings on unbelief.
Kefa exhibits his faith when he said; “You are Messiah, the Living God” Faith is “believing what we cannot see” yet Kefa sees Yeshua and sees the miracles, and so he believes, yet Yeshua says later on after the resurrection, “You have believed because you see, blessed are those who do not see yet BELIEVE!
1 CORINTHIANS 2:1-5
Rav Shaul (The Apostle Paul) is speaking to the local believers of Corinth. This was one of the churches that this Rav started. I was in Corinth in 1999. He is stating very simply that he witnessed Yeshua very plainly, without fancy words, without an intense religious vocabulary, just simply, “Yeshua died on the cross, was crucified for our transgressions, for our sins He gave up his life.”
When we are given the opportunity to tell others about Yeshua, not by force but by invitation. Not in a condemning way, not using scare “fires of hell” tactics, just a message of love and sacrifice. Thus we can allow the Spirit of God to work on the person, It is the Holy Spirit who opens the hearts of unbelievers so that they may become believers. Not our work, but HIS work.
We must always ask for opportunities to share the Word of God plainly with those who inquire and have an open heart to hear and listen to what we have to say. May our words be HIS words through us.
Ben Avraham
with friends in Israel, Nice memories (Tiberias mountain park)
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