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October 2018
Simchat Torah
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Simchat Torah by Sam Nadler
Simchat Torah (pronounced Sim-cot Toe-rah; Hebrew for “Rejoicing in the Teaching [or Law] of God”) is a traditional Jewish Fall holiday at the end of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). It is a wonderful opportunity to rejoice in God’s Word with teaching on the Bible’s authority and promises. Let’s take a look!In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, it says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
How do believers grow as Messiah’s disciples to become mature leaders, able to do all that God calls them to do? Please note the “that” at the beginning of 3:17. This gives the expected result of 3:16: In order that the man (person) of God may be complete (well-fitted, qualified to perform some function) and able to do. How does someone become complete and fitted to the life God called that person to live? By application of verse 16!
The Perfect Source for Discipleship: The Inspired Scripture
What does “inspired” mean? It literally means, “God Breathed”; it is the life-giving breath of God in written format (1 Peter 1:23). “Scripture” literally means “the writings.” It is vital to realize that “inspiration” applies only to the written word of God; therefore, the written word alone is authoritative (Isaiah 8:20). How much is the Bible inspired and “how inspired” is it? Fully, in all its parts: “all Scripture is inspired.” What about the Scriptures you may not understand very well? They are just as inspired, but it may take a little more work (as a “workman that need not be ashamed” 2 Timothy 2:15) to understand how they apply to your life. Notice the relationship between “All Scripture” and “every good work;” “all” and “every” are the same word in the original language. To the degree you accept the inspiration of Scripture, to that degree you will find God’s authoritative and life-giving help in every ‘good work’.
The Perfect System for Discipleship: Profitable Scripture
“Profitable” is a word that refers to beneficial, useful and practical (as in 1 Timothy 2:8, “bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things”). Just how “profitable” or useful are the Scriptures? Fully and completely in every part. Please note that the words “All Scripture” modify both words “inspired” and “profitable.” In other words, the Scripture is as profitable as it is inspired. If you’re not applying it, benefiting and using it, you may say that you think it’s inspired, but do you really? If you think a chair is reliable, would you hesitate to sit on it? If you think Scripture is true, your trust should be seen in your reliance upon it as well! Please note four aspects of its profitability. These are the four steps to gain the benefit from the word of God – “for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.”
Teaching
It is profitable for learning how to live life victoriously (Romans 15:4), as well as for more formal teaching or doctrine so we can know perfectly God’s character and salvation. Do you want to know about prayer and how to pray? The Bible is fully profitable for instruction in that area. Do you want to know how to be a good dad or mom? The Bible is perfectly profitable for parenting as well.
Reproof
It warns and rebukes us when we’re not doing or living as is best. For example, making a living is very important, as the Scripture teaches: ‘He who will not work, neither let him eat’ (2 Thessalonians 3:10), but also, ‘he who seeks to get rich will have many problems, for the love of money is the root of all evil’ (2 Timothy 4:9-10). Scripture reveals God’s deep concern for us in every area of our lives.
Correction
After the Bible warns us when we’re wrong, it corrects, amends and helps us to do right. It helps us to improve and grow. At work, it teaches that though you shouldn’t be motivated by greed or the love of money, it does teach that we are to be hard-working and honest servants to the glory of God (Colossians 3:22-25).
Training in Righteousness
In football, they have the “two minute drill” that they practice regularly. Why? Because at the end of the game the players are so exhausted that they can’t think straight, but if they’re trained well enough, they can run the plays automatically and win. So also, believers are going to need to love when they’re tired and irritated. How? By being “trained by reason of use” (Hebrews 5:14). You can pray? Fine; now do it a hundred times so you’ll pray automatically (not “vain repetitions” though, Matthew 6:7) even when you’re under stress (see Nehemiah 2:4 and 6:9for examples). Therefore, at work when the pressure is on to cheat and lie (‘everybody else does it’), you will be trained and disciplined to honor God in all your ways and for every good work.
The Perfect Success of Discipleship: Furnished Leaders
This results in producing people that are “complete” and “perfectly furnished” to do all that God has called them to do. Let us fulfill the command to “make disciples,” who might also one day hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Invite a friend to join you as you celebrate Simchat Torah October 1st and 2nd. Shalom!READ MORE
The Peace of Jerusalem
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The Peace of Jerusalem by Sam Nadler
Count it up and you have twelve words in the English translation. In the more compact language of Hebrew, it’s only five: Sha’alu Shalom Yerushalayim yishlayu ohavaich.We will see below that each of these words gives an important truth.
For many people, God may be a last resort, not their first resource. Most people pray because they’re in a catastrophe, rather than out of conviction. It’s like the congregational leader who overheard a young boy praying, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, O Jerusalem!”
“You’re certainly concerned about Jerusalem young man,” the pastor replied.
“Yes sir,” replied the boy, “I just took my geography test and was praying that God would make Jerusalem the capital of France!”
Similarly, some of us pray only when there’s a reality test that we are flunking! So, why should we pray for the Peace of Jerusalem?
We Are Commanded by God’s Precept
The word “Pray” (sha’alu) in Psalm 122:6 is in the imperative; in other words, it is a command. God’s commands demonstrate His values for His people, who are to share in those values. The commands of the Holy One (haKadosh) are the convictions of His saints (or holy ones, kedoshim). We are a people of conviction and character because we have God’s priorities and values as the basis for our lives, and we are people of integrity as we live out the truth of His word and “observe all that He commanded” (Mathew 28:20). Our prayer life evidences our shared values and priorities with God, so that we obey the command, we identify with His priorities. To not pray for the Peace of Jerusalem is disobedience and a lack of identification with the Lord’s priorities. No prayer, no priorities.
We Are Concerned about God’s People
We should share God’s concern for the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6). This concern of God is seen in two of the words used in Psalm 122:6. The Hebrew word sha’alu is actually not normally translated as “pray” but means “to ask for, to inquire of, to seek after.” We inquire about those things that concern us. When your child is sick, how often do you ask the doctor about his condition? Often. God wants you to share in His concern for His spiritually sick child – Jerusalem. Notice the parallel thoughts in that one verse: “Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem” parallels “may they prosper who love you (ohavayich)” Those that love, pray. While away from home, as a father with two young sons, I would pray for them. Why? Because I loved them. We pray because we share God’s loving concern for the lost. No prayer, no passion.
We Are Committed to God’s Program
Isn’t it interesting that in this verse, God doesn’t command prayer for Rome, Athens, Nineveh, or Babylon. Why? Not because He lacks concern for other cities. Rather, God’s redemptive strategy is anchored in Jerusalem (John 4:22, “for salvation is of the Jews”). God’s New Covenant redemption was to have its “beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47) and its closure upon Messiah’s return to Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:4). Messiah states that the return of Messiah is dependent upon the repentance of Israel: “For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 23:39). Therefore, we pray because we share God’s perspective on the future. No prayer, no perspective.
We Are Completed in God’s Peace
The Hebrew word for “peace” is shalom which means not merely “peace”, but also “completeness, safety, contentment, friendship with God”. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Prayer is the overflow of God’s life in us (Philippians 4:7-8). But man does not have this peace; 92% of man’s recorded history is war. The thousands of peace treaties man has made last an average of only two years!
God’s eternal peace is accomplished through the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Faith in Yeshua brings a peace with God (forgiveness), others (fellowship), and yourself (fulfillment). Where the Lord reigns, there is rest. This is the peace and rest God accomplished in Messiah’s sacrifice. Today, Israel may be so desperate to have peace that they are willing to trade away their land, but true peace comes by faith in Yeshua. No prayer, no peace.
We Are Confident in God’s Promises
In Psalm 122:6, God states, “May they prosper who love you.” In Hebrew, the word translated “may they prosper” is yishlayu, from the verb sha’lah which means “to be quiet, at ease.” In Job’s despair, he complains that “the tents of the destroyers prosper” (yishlayu, Job 12:6). But God says otherwise. The idea is not financial prosperity, but the true fulfillment that comes from confidence in God’s promises. We possess spiritual prosperity and contentment when we love as He loves. Our prayer life reflects God’s life living through us. Therefore, as we pray according to His Will, we will know the real prosperity our hearts desire. No prayer, no prosperity.
Out of obedience to the Lord’s commands, concern for His people, a strategic commitment to His program, completion in His peace, and confidence in His promises, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Are you aligned with God in your prayer ministry?
A few helpful Scriptures to study regarding Israel and prayer are: Jer. 31:31-34, Zech. 12:2-3, Romans 10:1.
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Upcoming Events
Join Hope of Israel for Erev Simchat Torah!
Monday, Oct. 1, 2018 @ 7:00 PM
Bring your friends and family to the "Rejoicing of the Torah" Celebration! A Jewish holiday that celebrates and marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, and the beginning of a new cycle.
Sam Nadler
Sam's/WMM's Speaking Events:Sept. 23, 6:00 pm, Lower Crk. Baptist Ch., Lenoir, NC
Sept. 30, 11:00 am, Gospel Lighthouse Ch., China Gr., NC
Oct. 1, 7:00 pm, Hope of Israel, Charlotte, NC
Oct. 7-8, DHMC Conference, HOI, Charlotte, NC
Oct. 21, 10:00 am, Calvary Chapel, Richmond, VA
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