The World Was Created for Me

From HaShem's perspective, every single human being is a rare treasure, a completely unique creation, and something to be cherished and admired.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Bamidbar (במדבר | In the wilderness)

Torah: Numbers 1:1-4:20

Haftarah: Hosea 2:1-22

Gospel: Luke 16:1-17:10

PAUL IN THE ROLES OF PROPHET AND SERVANT TO THE NATIONS: MIDRASHIC USES IN GALATIANS OF JER 1:5 and ISA 49:1-6 (part #3)

"But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, ..." (Gal 1:15, 16a NIV).

It may be argued by some that the Isaiah (49:1-6) passage is speaking in context of Israel, YHWH's servant, with ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 52:13-53:12. Therefore the Apostle Paul would not claim himself to be "a light for the Gentiles" (Isa 49:6). They would be right on the first account, ...

PAUL IN THE ROLES OF PROPHET AND SERVANT TO THE NATIONS: MIDRASHIC USES IN GALATIANS OF JER 1:5 and ISA 49:1-6 (part #2)

"But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, ..." (Gal 1:15, 16a NIV).

The contexts of both the Jeremiah (1:5) and Isaiah (49:1-6) passages make clear God's ongoing concern for non-Jews, and Israel's priestly part in providing them with reconciliation to the Almighty. Paul seems to be drawing on this biblical backdrop as he gives his Galatian audience a short autobiography to explain why his gospel differs from that of his circumcising opponents.

"... your own salvation" (τὴν ἑαυτῶν σωτηρίαν)

"... work out your own salvation with *fear and trembling*" (Phi 2:12b).

With "fear and trembling"? Paul had already written in this same letter, "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Phi 1:6). So, was he contradicting himself? Not likely.

Sabbath Rest for the Land

You've heard of the Sabbath day, but have you ever heard of the Sabbath year? It happens once every seven years.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Behar-Bechukotai (בהר/בחקותי | On the mountain/In my statutes)

Torah: Leviticus 25:1-27:34

Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14

Gospel: Luke 13:1-33/John 10:22-42/Luke 14:1-15:32

PAUL IN THE ROLES OF PROPHET AND SERVANT TO THE NATIONS: MIDRASHIC USES IN GALATIANS OF JER 1:5 and ISA 49:1-6 (part1)

"But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, ..." (Gal 1:15, 16a NIV). 

There was a basic foundation built during Paul's rabbinic discipleship under Gamaliel that prepared him in certain practical ways for his Christian ministry to the Gentiles. But none of the things he learned in his B.C. past went far enough to explain why his gospel did not require non-Jews to convert to Judaism in order to be accepted into full "citizenship in Israel" (Eph 2:12). Paul relayed to his Galatian readership what eventually brought forth such a dramatic change in his worldview. 

I Need Atonement

With two handfuls of incense and a shovel full of glowing coals from the altar, the high priest entered into the darkness of God’s throne room to make atonement. What does atonement mean? Atonement does not simply mean “forgiveness for sins.”

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

Acharei Mot/Kedoshim (אחרי מות/קדושים | After the death/Holy)

Torah: Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Haftarah: Ezekiel 22:1-19

Gospel: John 7:1-52/John 7:53-10:21