Musing – Who Should Be Serving Whom?

Hebraic Musing – Who Should Be Serving Whom?

In Genesis 41 we read that “Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows,…”  NIV   We might easily picture Pharaoh simply standing on the bank of the River Nile and receiving visions that were to be translated into seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine.  But Jewish Rabbis think the Hebrew word for “by” should be translated as “Over.” (1)   Thus they point out that the Egyptian Pharaoh views the River Nile as their God and thus he was “over” his god; furthermore, the purpose of their god, the river, was to serve the needs of the Egyptians.  The thinking of the Egyptians is somewhat understandable since they are extremely dependent on the river Nile as their critical source of life-giving water.  So they feel their god serves them.

By contrast, what does our God, the God of the Israelites expect?  Deut. 10:12  “And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,” NIV   Another perspective – when Jacob was traveling to Haran in Gen.28:10-13 he laid down on a stone to sleep and “He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.  There above it stood the Lord... the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac.” Gen 28:12-13 

See the contrast?  The Egyptians think their god is to serve their needs; whereas we are taught that we are to serve our Judeo/Christian God who is above us.  This caused me to reflect on a suggested outline we are taught to use when praying to Almighty God:

1.      Give thanks                 - for everything

2.      Surrender                    - yield to Him as your LORD

3.      Ask forgiveness          - as we forgive others

4.      Talk about needs         - and wants and desires - conversationally     -

5.      Worship                       - ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; his holiness…

As we look at that outline, I’m wondering whether my prayers, my conversations, with Almighty God are balanced, or am I overly focused on #4?  Am I thinking too much like the Pharaoh thinks?

For years, our favorite family verse on our answering machine and on plaques around the house recite Joshua 24:15  “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, … But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

I have known to comment sarcastically that we sing Isaiah 40:31 ♫ “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…”; but we pray like we are expecting the Lord to wait on or serve us.

Points to ponder

Do we serve Him or do we expect Him to serve us?

When we pray, are we asking God how we can serve Him?
Or, are we begging for Him to take care of (serve) our needs, wants and desires?

How should I be serving Him?  What should I be doing for Him?

“Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling.” Psalm 2:11

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                   January 3, 2017

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage” “Musings - A Victorious Life”  “Musings - The Torah and New Testament”
Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      www.InsightsByYosef.com

(1)  Strong’s definition - OT:5921  lu   (al); properly, the same as OT:5920 (Above or aloft) used as a preposition …;above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect)

Musing – What do you want to Accomplish in 2017?

Hebraic Musing – What do you want to Accomplish in 2017?

What do you want to accomplish in life?  Since the journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, let’s start January 1^st?   However, a worthwhile journey has to start with a Critical Departure.  A cross-country trip for example involves leaving the comforts and familiarity of home in order to embark on a venture to a destination with many unfamiliar things to deal with on the way.

The day we were born was a very Critical Departure from the comfort of mother’s womb. Leaving home for college or whatever… required a Critical Departure because we had to leave that which is familiar and comfortable and come out into a place where the ordinary schedules and routines of life have to be abandoned in order to deal with a new set of physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges.   Yet the act of leaving will deter many because it is usually accompanied by a range of emotions - from apprehension to terror.

A Critical Departure does involve significant risk and requires major adjustments to the way one looks at, thinks about, and engages with the world.  It means leaving something behind - at least temporarily - to go where He has called us to go.  We are led on this journey by an invisible, Divine Hand.  If we settle for where we are when God would have us go somewhere else, we deprive our lives of meaning.  We would not be following His perfect will. 

Was that a Critical Departure when you accepted Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, as your Lord and Savior?

So let’s start with this statement "Every meaningful journey in life begins with a Critical Departure.”  What can we learn from some examples of Critical Departures in the Bible?

Abraham had to leave his family to go…    Gen 12:1-2  The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.  I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;… “ NIV

Moses had at least four Critical Departures.  First was being left in a basket in the Nile river; then had to leave Egypt suddenly; then he was called by God to return with a message “Let my people go”; and then the Exodus adventure.  In fact, all the Israelites experienced a Critical Departure in Chapter 14.

Jacob had to leave home because of animosity with Esau. “Jacob left Beersheba….to Haran” Gen 28:10   But he had a new name when he returned to the Promised Land as Israel.

Joshua rose early in the morning; and he and all the sons of Israel set out …”   to leave the desert and cross the Jordan miraculously in order to conquer the Promised Land. Joshua 3:1-17  

Ruth, a Moabite, was living in Moab when she made a Critical Departure to go with her Step-mother Naomi to Bethlehem.  As a result, she becomes listed in the lineage of David and Our Lord

Jesus made a Critical Departure from heaven for us.  John said  “The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.”  John 1:9    What did Jesus give up in order to come to us in the flesh?

The day will come when each of us passes in a Critical Departure.  Are you ready?

Points to ponder

Are we caring too much about what we leave behind?
Or are we focused on what lies ahead?

What Critical Departure is God calling you to make?

Are we called to a Critical Departure by the word “Go” in Mark 16:15?

HAPPY CHANUKAH

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                       December 27, 2016

Musing – Biblical example of “How to Get Married” Part 2 of 2

Hebraic Musing – Biblical example of “How to Get Married” Part 2 of 2

The story of Abraham & his Servant & Isaac & Rebekah continues.  How many present day customs are described in this marriage story of Isaac and Rebekah in Genesis 24:1-56?   Comments in bold parenthesis are added to illustrate customs and biblical principles to consider.  Last week we explored courting; now let’s look at – The Proposal, Betrothal and Wedding.

Propose because she’s the one:  When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels.  [engagement or friendship ring]. Then he asked, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” [asking permission from Dad to spend the night; or for hand in marriage?]. She answered him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milcah bore to Nahor.” … Then the man … worshiped the LORD, saying, “The Lord … has led me … to the house of my master’s relatives.”   NIV. 

She passes the “good family test” and the family approves:  “Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so I may know which way to turn”

Asking permission from bride’s father/family:  Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the LORD; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. Here is Rebekah; take her and go [giving away the bride], and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the LORD has directed” [Recognizing God as the arranger]. When Abraham’s servant heard what they said, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD [thankfulness].

The engagement ring or symbol:  Then the servant brought out gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother [dowry?].   Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night there. [Engagement party?]  …

The bride still has to say “Yes” to the proposal:  Then they said, “Let’s call the girl and ask her about it.” … “Will you go with this man?” “I will go,” she said. [bride has to say “Yes”]. So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way [to the groom’s family] …

A blessing from the family:  And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the gates of their enemies” [family said good-bye and blessed her, prophetically!] … So the servant took Rebekah and left.

The bride goes [Down the aisle] to the waiting groom:  Now Isaac … went out to the field … as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. Rebekah also looked up and saw Isaac. She … asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?” “He is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself [not to see each other before the wedding]. Then the servant told Isaac all he had done. [The Holy Spirit tells the Father He found a bride for the Son!]

The wedding:  Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah [Simply by consummating the marriage and living together in the Father’s house]. So she became his wife, and he loved her…. [Notice there is not a rabbi, priest or minister there to “officiate”?]

Points to ponder

How many customs did you identify?

Why do we cry at weddings?

“Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”   Rev 19:9

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                   December 20, 2016

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage” “Musings - A Victorious Life”  “Musings - The Torah and New Testament”
Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      www.InsightsByYosef.com

Sources – “Hebraic Insights” by Yosef, p.190; and “Biblical Marriage” by Yosef, p.30.

Musing – Biblical example of “How to Get Married”

Hebraic Musing – Biblical example of “How to Get Married”

or   The Story of Abraham & his Servant & Isaac & Rebekah.    Part 1 of 2

How many customs were described in the courting and marriage story of Isaac and Rebekah in Genesis 24:1-56?   Comments in parenthesis are added to illustrate customs and biblical principles to consider.  Also, how many present day customs can you identify?

The groom goes to the bride’s house:  Abraham … said to the chief servant in his household [Holy Spirit?], “I want you to swear by the LORD … that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living [don’t be unequally yoked], but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac” [an arranged marriage] … NIV. 

The selection criteria:  Then the servant took ten of his master's camels and left, taking with him all kinds of good things from his master [gifts for her]. He set out for … the town of Nahor. He had the camels kneel down near the well outside the town; it was toward evening, the time the women go out to draw water [courting by looking for a woman at the “watering hole” sounds worldly familiar!]. Then he prayed, [prayer for wisdom before meeting a potential wife] “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a girl, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I'll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.” [establishing attitude and character test criteria].

The answer to prayer:  Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor. The girl was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever lain with her. [a critical criteria in Hebrew/biblical culture and in God’s plan]. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again. The servant hurried to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water from your jar.” “Drink, my lord,” she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink. After she had given him a drink, she said, “I'll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking” [answered prayer and confirmation]. So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels. [she’s hospitable, and a good, strong worker too!  Those wells are deep!] …

This was the “Courting” phase.  Next week let’s explore the proposal and wedding phases - part 2 of 2.

Points to ponder

How many customs did you identify?

How did the Holy Spirit manage to find an equally-yoked bride?

Who did the pursuing?   Will this be an “arranged marriage”?

“Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together.”  Deut. 22:10  

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”    2 Cor. 6:14-15

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                       December 13, 2016

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage” “Musings - A Victorious Life”  “Musings - The Torah and New Testament”
Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      www.InsightsByYosef.com

Sources – “Hebraic Insights” by Yosef, p.190; and “Biblical Marriage”  by Yosef, p.30.