Ben Avraham
Member
- Apr 25, 2021
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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 these people” and YHVH thus granted him what he hoped for.
We have "knowledge" "understanding" and "wisdom" to take advantage of. We should seek all three. This should be a guide for us when we wish for things. The best wish would be knowledge of the Torah and wisdom to implement what we learn from God's Holy Writ. As we see. God gave Solomon that and more.
We are living in a very materialistic world, a world that revolves around "things." Yes, things can bring temporary happiness, but nothing eternal, nothing internal either. This world and the things of this world will pass away. Things of this world will get "broken" or "stolen." While some things are important to us in this life, we need to get prepared for the Life and World to Come.
Knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of God's WORD, will get us prepared for both worlds. If we want eternal treasures, put God's Word into action, and ask for understanding and wisdom to internalize what God wants us to know. Soloman wished for the good thing. Let us all wish also for this "good thing."
” 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 “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 (Peter) exhibits his faith when he says; “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 he started. I was in Corinth in 1999. He is stating very simply that he witnessed about 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 allowed 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.
Shalom and Happy 2025.
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 these people” and YHVH thus granted him what he hoped for.
We have "knowledge" "understanding" and "wisdom" to take advantage of. We should seek all three. This should be a guide for us when we wish for things. The best wish would be knowledge of the Torah and wisdom to implement what we learn from God's Holy Writ. As we see. God gave Solomon that and more.
We are living in a very materialistic world, a world that revolves around "things." Yes, things can bring temporary happiness, but nothing eternal, nothing internal either. This world and the things of this world will pass away. Things of this world will get "broken" or "stolen." While some things are important to us in this life, we need to get prepared for the Life and World to Come.
Knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of God's WORD, will get us prepared for both worlds. If we want eternal treasures, put God's Word into action, and ask for understanding and wisdom to internalize what God wants us to know. Soloman wished for the good thing. Let us all wish also for this "good thing."
” 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 “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 (Peter) exhibits his faith when he says; “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 he started. I was in Corinth in 1999. He is stating very simply that he witnessed about 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 allowed 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.
Shalom and Happy 2025.