Y Not I

He hath not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

Psalm 103:10 gives a wonderful promise. The other day I heard it read on a Christian radio station in the area. It is a wonderful promise. I think many believers take this in and definitely want it as their own promise from G-d. It got me thinking though that so often I hear that something that is from the Tanakh or maybe something Yeshua said to fellow Jews of His day was for those Jews and does not apply today, because basically we are now on the other side of the cross (basically meaning after the work of Yeshua is completed). That is supposed to change everything. While that was a central point of history, I do not see it as changing the nature of G-d, nor of His promises.

I do, however, find it odd that in this type of theology, it changes only the curses and restrictions, since they all apply only to Israel, but it does not apply to the promises G-d made, like the ones in Psalm 103. It seems that based upon some theologies that the people Psalm 103 was written to, namely Israel, that G-d did deal with them according to their sins and because of their sins, in contrast to the verse. Is it that He has removed all the promises from Israel and given them to “the Church?”

Is not Psalm written by King David? Would it not be directed to Israel and the Jews just as much as any verse about tithing or food restrictions, etc.? Verse 7 says:, “He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel.” So Israel, the Israel of the Old Testament must be at least included in the audience for these words. As a matter of fact a number of verses speak of remembering and doing the commandments of G-d, and this is something more often associated with Jews than Christians.

My point is to those who want to look at Scriptural promises as for them, but then seem to divide up commandments, requirements and curses so as to exclude themselves and their behavior, well that seems a bit too convenient. If the promises are for me today (and I think they are), then maybe the other parts of Scripture from before the resurrection are also pertinent to my life today. Maybe there is something I can do with each command, for if I want the promises (I do, I do!), then maybe, just maybe it is sensible to take the whole package and not just pick and choose. That is how I see it.

This week I wanted to highlight one of my favorite songs. I love the lyrics which speak of when our overzealousness to serve G-d can end up backfiring on us and actually end up being bad, like accidentally setting off a wildfire. I also love the tune, especially the drums as it has this kind of interesting delayed beat thing going on during the chorus. Just a great rock song. The Swirling Eddies are basically the same as Daniel Amos, just a way that they record what seems to me to be their lighter, more wackier material. This song is from the album “Zoom Daddy.”

I relate very well to the lyrics. I always want to make my Heavenly Father proud, and I know far too often I make mistakes and let him down, in essence putting tacks in the cushion of his mercy chair (being judgmental). The image of summing up a thundercloud, trying to use the great power G-d puts in my hands and find that maybe I am not yet ready to handle that level of power. I also try to remember the idea of of being humble and not thinking it is all about me. The line about not wanting to be a wallflower comes to mind especially as I am doing things in service to G-d while at the front of the congregation and I try to keep my role in context. Anyway, enjoy the song…

And the lyrics:
i never meant to trip the minefield hidden here in paradise
(put stink weed in the bouquet)
i never meant to fire a lethal weapon or to terrorize
(put poison in the buffet)

(if) i played my roll as dipolomat
you knew it wasn’t just an act
i couldn’t stand to stand in back
a faded little wallflower
i’ve maybe taken too much on
naiveté and youth is gone
but at least the juice is still turned on
i’m dancing on a live wire
i’ve summoned up a thunder cloud
but i always meant to do you proud
still certain things are not allowed
like setting off a wildfire
wildfire

yeah yeah yeah yeah … uh huh …

i never meant to cut my tender fingers on your angel hair
(put the sawdust in the gas tank)
i never meant to hide tacks in the cushion of your mercy chair
(make a brother walk the gangplank)

(if) i played my roll as diplomat
you knew it wasn’t just an act
i couldn’t stand to stand in back
a faded little wallflower
i’ve maybe taken too much on
naiveté and youth is gone
but at least the juice is still turned on
i’m dancing on a live wire
i’ve summoned up a thunder cloud
but i always meant to do you proud
still certain things are not allowed
like setting off a wildfire
wildfire

i never meant to do you wrong
(i never meant to trip the minefield hidden here in paradise)
i never meant to cause anybody’s harm
(i never meant to fire a lethal weapon or to terrorize)
i never meant to cause you any pain
(i never meant to cut my tender fingers on your angel hair)
i never meant to bring you any shame
(i never meant to hide tacks in the cushion of your mercy chair)

(if) i played my roll as diplomat
you knew it wasn’t just an act
i couldn’t stand to stand in back
a faded little wallflower
i’ve maybe taken too much on
naiveté and youth is gone
but at least the juice is still turned on
i’m dancing on a live wire
i’ve summoned up a thunder cloud
but i always meant to do you proud
still certain things are not allowed
like setting off a wildfire
wildfire…

Have a great weekend.

B”H

Purim is starting and this weekend the Rabbi’s message included a section from the book of Esther. The message was about what to do when your moment of time comes, and it was an excellent message. One other part of one of the verses from Esther got me thinking about a concept that I focus on often - that being how choosing G-d’s ways are actually the best choice we could make and to choose another path, even if it seemingly seems safer, will in the end be more treacherous.

The verse is Esther 4:14 and Mordecai basically tells Esther if she is concerned about saving her life, that G-d will bring deliverance from someplace else, and that in the end ruin will come to her and her family anyway. It seems somewhat similar to Matthew 16.24-26 and once again the implication is that G-d knows best what is truly best for us. I also think Matthew 6:26-34 speaks to this idea.

Of course it is easier said than done and I am living testimony to that. However, I do find that when faced with a tough choice, with perhaps leaving a comfortable situation for a not so comfortable situation, or even just being in a tough situation, that I can lay hold to these truths and know that if what I am doing seems to be what G-d is asking of me, then no matter how hard it seem, it is actually the best path I could possibly be on.

It is kind of like a sunny smooth path down one road and the other looking stormy and bumpy. Yet after a few miles the sunny path can turn cloudy and get quite bumpy, while the other path might clear up. Our vision is just not as far seeing as that of HaShem and thus it seems to me to make sense to just trust in His vision at these times.

Once again, I usually turn to what we say each week after the Torah service, which basically comes from Proverbs 3, especially Proverbs 3:17. G-d ways are ways of pleasantness and paths of peace, so those are the paths I want to be on. Maybe this sounds selfish of me, as I am being practical in wanting the best, but I do see these as promises of Scripture and I do think G-d does want what is truly the best (not just what seems best to our flesh). If something is tough, but I know that it is of G-d, then I know that it is ultimately a path of peace and a way of pleasantness and that make is easier to weather the storm.

I guess this gets down to what Philippians 4:6 speaks of in being anxious about nothing. Once again if I know what I am going through is something that is of G-d’s direction then I can rest in that. Boy that can be helpful and I think is an exercise in faith as it means putting a great trust in HaShem.

Chag Purim Sameach

B”H