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HAFTARAH VAYISHELACH    וישלח   "Until I Come Unto Seir!"

11/16/2021

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וירשׁו הנגב את־הר עשׂו 

Those in the Negev will repossess the mountain of `Esav...
(Obadiah 1:19 CJB)
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​UNTIL PARASHA VAYISHELACH...
Jacob's return to the Land is met with countless opposition:
  1. Laban tries to find fault with Jacob. Jacob convicts Laban of wrong.
  2. Jacob has to wrestle with an angelic being that leaves him crippled in his thigh.
  3. Esau comes toward Jacob with a 400-man armed to the teeth. Jacob wins Esau's heart with gifts and humility, prostrating himself begging for forgiveness.
The conversation goes this way:

Then he [Jacob) himself passed on ahead of them and prostrated himself on the ground seven times before approaching his brother. `Esav ran to meet him, hugged him, threw his arms around his neck and kissed him; and they wept. Esav looked up; on seeing the women and children, he asked, "Who are these with you?" Ya`akov answered, "The children God has graciously given to your servant." Then the slave-girls approached with their children, and they prostrated themselves; Le'ah too and her children approached and prostrated themselves; and last came Yosef and Rachel; and they prostrated themselves. `Esav asked, "What was the meaning of this procession of droves I encountered?" and he answered, "It was to win my lord's favor." `Esav replied, "I have plenty already; my brother, keep your possessions for yourself." Ya`akov said, "No, please! If now I have won your favor, then accept my gift. Just seeing your face has been like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me. So please accept the gift I have brought you, for God has dealt kindly with me and I have enough." Thus he urged him, until he accepted it.

Esau then extends an invitation:

`Esav said, "Let's break camp and get going. I'll go first." Ya`akov said to him, "My lord knows that the children are small, and the sheep and cattle suckling their young concern me, because if they overdrive them even one day, all the flocks will die. Instead, please, let my lord go on ahead of his servant. I will travel more slowly, at the pace of the cattle ahead of me and at the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Se`ir." 
(Gen 33:3-14 CJB)

Later, we are told:

Ya`akov went on to Sukkot, where he built himself a house and put up shelters for his cattle. This is why the place is called Sukkot [shelters]. (Gen 33:17 CJB)

Jacob never intended to go live with Esau in Edom, Mt Seir. Did Jacob lie? The Haftara this week may give us an answer.

The Haftara this week is the whole book of Obadiah. One chapter, 21 verses. The prophecy of Obadiah could be summed up as: What goes around, comes around.

"WE HEARD A MESSAGE..."?

This is the vision of `Ovadyah. Here is what Adonai Elohim says about Edom. As a messenger was being sent among the nations saying, "Come on, let's attack her," we heard a message from Adonai: (Oba 1:1 CJB)

Who is "we?" Nine different prophets spoke of the destruction of Edom. (Click HERE for more info) Balaam, Isaiah, Joel, Amos, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Malachi, and David in the Psalms. Ezekiel, Daniel, and Jeremiah were contemporary to Amos.
Obadiah draws from the prophecies of his contemporaries, especially from Jeremiah. I will put some examples here. Though the English doesn't compare, the original Hebrew text from the bold font are the same.

Both Obadiah and Jeremiah mention about Edom's conceited vision of herself and how HaShem will make them small among the nations. Any nation with that kind of pride is doomed to destruction.

This is the vision of `Ovadyah. Here is what Adonai Elohim says about Edom. As a messenger was being sent among the nations saying, "Come on, let's attack her," we heard a message from Adonai: ומו ונקומה עליה למלחמה  (Oba 1:1 CJB)

I have heard a message from Adonai: "A messenger is sent among the nations, saying: 'Gather together, and march against her! Prepare for battle!'  וקומו למלחמה  (Jer 49:14 CJB)

"I am making you the least of all nations, you will be beneath contempt.  קטן נתתיך בגוים  (Oba 1:2 CJB)

Here! I will make you least among nations, the most despised of people. 
קטן נתתיך בגוים  (Jer 49:15 CJB)

Your proud heart has deceived you, you whose homes are caves in the cliffs [Allusion to Petra), who live on the heights and say to yourselves, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?' If you make your nest as high as an eagle's, even if you place it among the stars, I will bring you down from there." says Adonai. 
(Oba 1:3-4 CJB)

Here! I will make you least among nations, the most despised of people. Your capacity to terrorize has deceived you and made you arrogant. You make your home in the rocky crags and seize the top of the mountain (Allusion to Petra); but even if you build your nest high as an eagle's, from there I will drag you down," says Adonai. 
(Jer 49:15-16 CJB)

HASHEM USES OTHER NATIONS TO MAKE WARS AGAINST EDOM. Even former allies turn against Edom!

Again, we see the common thread between Jeremiah and Obadiah:

If thieves were to come to you, or if robbers by night (Oh, how destroyed you are!), wouldn't they stop when they'd stolen enough? If grape-pickers came to you (see Jer 49:9), Wouldn't they leave some grapes for gleaning? But see how `Esav has been looted, their secret treasures searched out! Your allies went with you only to the border, those at peace with you deceived and defeated you, those who ate your food set a trap for you, and you couldn't discern it. (Oba 1:5-7 CJB)

EDOM ONCE PROTECTED
In the past, HaShem had ordered Israel against the destruction of Edom. Edom was protected because he is from the seed of Abraham.

(23:8) "But you are not to detest an Edomi, because he is your brother; and you are not to detest an Egyptian, because you lived as a foreigner in his land. (23:9) The third generation of children born to them may enter the assembly of Adonai. (Deut 23:7-8 CJB)

But now, the destruction of Edom is pronounced:

"When that Day comes," says Adonai, "won't I destroy all the wise men of Edom and leave no discernment on Mount `Esav? Your warriors, Teman, will be so distraught that everyone on Mount `Esav will be slaughtered. (Oba 1:8-9 CJB)


EDOM LOOSE ITS DIVINE PROTECTION...WHY?
Nations made war against Israel but if Edom made war against Israel, he was doubly guilty because they were brothers and brothers are supposed to "keep" each other, not join enemies against each other.

For the violence done to your kinsman Ya`akov, shame will cover you; and you will be forever cut off. (Oba 1:10 CJB)

When Babylon came to burn Jerusalem and its Temple, when they brought the captives of Judah away, Edom had a drinking party on the Temple Mount, they drank a toast to the destruction of Jerusalem.

On that day you stood aside, while strangers carried off his treasure, and foreigners entered his gates to cast lots for Yerushalayim -- you were no different from them.
(Oba 1:11 CJB)

Gloating over the demise of your enemy is forbidden in the Torah (Prov 24:15).

You shouldn't have gloated over your kinsman on their day of disaster or rejoiced over the people of Y'hudah on their day of destruction. You shouldn't have spoken arrogantly on a day of trouble (Oba 1:12 CJB)

Edom shouldn't have joined in the looting of Jerusalem.

...Or entered the gate of my people on their day of calamity -- no, you shouldn't have gloated over their suffering on their day of calamity or laid hands on their treasure on their day of calamity. (Oba 1:13 CJB)

Like Amalek when Israel came out of Egypt, they preyed on the weak fugitives.

You shouldn't have stood at the crossroads to cut down their fugitives or handed over their survivors on a day of trouble." (Oba 1:14 CJB)

Because of all these things, divine protection is gone. Edom will be punished even heavier than all the other nations that came against Israel.

What goes around, comes around!

For the Day of Adonai is near for all nations; as you did, it will be done to you; your dealings will come back on your own head. For just as you have drunk on my holy mountain, so will all the nations drink in turn; yes, they will drink and gulp it down and be as if they had never existed. (Oba 1: 15-16 CJB)

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS?
This teaches us some very important lessons.

Edom was supposed to see itself at least as a brother to Israel. Instead of that, it turned against Israel, joining the enemies of his brother. In the same manner, those who had made peace treaties with Edom now turn against him.

While we may have disputes with family members, we should always remember that they are family members, whether biological or spiritual! HaShem expects us to act as such and when we don't, He visits us!

Also, we can learn that what goes around, comes around!
Sometime we may wonder why what happens to us does happen to us.

Sometimes we may wonder why people treat us a certain way.

Sometimes we may wonder why people are selfish or indifferent to us.

Maybe we are reaping what we have sown.

Maybe it is the bread that we have cast upon the waters that is returning to us.

Maybe we need to start looking at how we have treated others.

Just a lesson from Edom to think about!

THE END OF THE STORY
A remnant escapes.

But on Mount Tziyon there will be a holy remnant who will escape, and the house of Ya`akov will repossess their rightful inheritance. (Oba 1:17 CJB)

Reversal of fortunes. This time, Jacob will be the fire and Edom will be like hay and stubble. The house of Esau will eventually disappear.

The house of Ya`akov will be a fire and the house of Yosef a flame, setting aflame and consuming the stubble which is the house of `Esav. None of the house of `Esav will remain, for Adonai has spoken. (Oba 1:18 CJB)

JACOB GOES TO MT. SEIR, AS HE SAID HE WILL IN THE PARASHA, IN GENESIS 33:14
At the end of times, exiles as far as France and Spain will return and take possession of the cities of the Negev. These people living in the Negev will take possession of the Mountain of Esau.

Those in the Negev will repossess the mountain of `Esav, and those in the Sh'felah the land of the P'lishtim; they will repossess the field of Efrayim and the field of Shomron, and Binyamin will occupy Gil`ad. Those from this army of the people of Isra'el exiled among the Kena`anim as far away as Tzarfat, and the exiles from Yerushalayim in S'farad, will repossess the cities in the Negev. (Oba 1:19-20 CJB)

Even today, there are Sephardic Jews dwelling in the Negev communities. Eventually, Mount Zion rules over Mount Esau.

Then the victorious will ascend Mount Tziyon to rule over Mount `Esav, but the kingship will belong to Adonai. (Oba 1:21 CJB)


TALMUDIC NOTE:
Jewish midrash and eschatology always associates Edom with Rome as well as the embodiment of any enemy of Israel. This last verse of Obadiah therefore is often interpreted as the coming of Messiah.
       ​MAY IT BE SOON, EVEN IN OUR DAYS!S\
HABBAT SHALOM
R' GABRIEL LUMBROSO
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November 15th, 2021

11/15/2021

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Every verse has two references. The first one is the reference according to Tanach, the second one according to the CJB.

PARASHA CONNECTION IN GENESIS 29

(12:13) Ya`akov fled to the land of Aram. There Isra'el slaved to win a wife; for a wife he tended sheep. (Hos 12:12 CJB)

CONTEXT FOR HOSEA'S PROPHECY
HaShem recalls His goodness as he rescues Israel from Egypt through Moshe's hand.

(12:14) By a prophet Adonai brought Isra'el up from Egypt, and by a prophet he was protected. (Hos 12:13 CJB)

The word "Israel" carries many imageries that Hosea plays on.
Throughout the biblical text, it may mean:
  1. Jacob as a person whose name was changed to Israel.
  2. The nation of Israel as the descendants of Jacob through his sons (and grandsons Ephrayim and Manasseh).
  3. The Northern Kingdom after the secession of the the country in the time of Jeroboam the 1st.


At the time of Hosea, the meaning was of the northern kingdom, which was also called "Ephrayim" after the name of the most populous and southernest state of the northern kingdom.
At that time, in order to keep the loyalty and financial offerings of the ten northern tribes, Jeroboam created a tweaked form of Judaism. Instead of giving their tithes and offerings in the southern kingdom of Jerusalem as HaShem had commanded, Jeroboam created two new altars in the north. He also changed the dates of the fall festivals from the seventh month to the eight month (1 Kings 12:25-33).
The northern kingdom also allied itself with Syria in a war against Jerusalem, the southern kingdom.
All this was done in direct disobedience and defiance of HaShem's order. Hosea exposes this hypocrisy. (I use the word "hypocrisy" because though it appeared to be an attempt at obedience, it actually defied HaShem's commandments as it tried to adapt them to the politics of the day.)

HASHEM'S WORDS TOWARDS EPHRAYIM/NORTHERN KINGDOM THROUGH HOSEA

(12:15) Efrayim has given bitter provocation, so the penalty for his bloodshed will be thrown down on him, and his Lord will repay him for his insult. (Hos 12:14 CJB)

In previous times, the tribe of Ephrayim was very powerful

"When Efrayim spoke, there was trembling; he was a power in Isra'el. But when he incurred guilt through Ba`al, he died. (Hos 13:1 CJB)

But their disobedience caused by a politic of division and hate towards their brothers of the southern kingdom caused them to fall into idolatry/the works of their own hands:

So now they keep adding sin to sin, casting images from their silver; idols they invent for themselves, all of them the work of craftsmen. 'Sacrifice to them,' they say. Men give kisses to calves! (Hos 13:2 CJB)

Hosea prophecies of HaShem's punishment on the lands of the northern kingdom.

Therefore they will be like a morning cloud, like the dew that disappears early, like chaff blown by wind from the threshing-floor, or like smoke that goes out the window. (Hos 13:3 CJB)

HaShem's tells Ephrayim to remember their first love; to remember all HaShem has done for them as he carried them in His arms when he brought them out of Egypt.

Still, I am Adonai your God, from the land of Egypt; and you don't know any God but me or, other than me, any Savior. I knew you in the desert, in a land of terrible drought. When they were fed, they were satisfied; when satisfied, they became proud. Therefore they forgot me. (Hos 13:4-6 CJB)

PUNISHMENT THROUGHOUT THE CENTURIES
HaShem announces His punishment, a punishment that will be recorded in the prophecies of Daniel as well as in history books.

So now I have become like a lion to them; like a leopard I will lurk by the road; (Hos 13:7 CJB)

I will meet them like a bear whose cubs have been taken away. I will tear their hearts from their bodies. I will devour them there like a lion, like a wild animal ripping them up. (Hos 13:8 CJB)

This part of Hosea's prophecy is explained to us in the prophecies of Daniel 2, 7, and 8, which describes the four empires that will invade Israel.
  1. LION: Babylon
  2. BEAR: Medo-Persia
  3. LEOPARD: Greece
  4. LION LIKE A WILD ANIMAL: Rome


(Click HERE for a video link to the Daniel 2 prophecy)

The following texts tell us more about the punishment Israel/the Northern Kingdom incurs for its defiant disobedience.

It is your destruction, Isra'el, although your help is in me. So now, where is your king, to save you in all your cities? Where are your judges, of whom you said, 'Give me a king and leaders'? I gave you a king in my anger; and in my fury I took him away. "Efrayim's guilt has been wrapped up, his sin is stored away. The pain of being born will come to him; but he is an unwise son. The time has come; and he shouldn't delay, there at the mouth of the womb. (Hos 13:9-13 CJB)

REDEMPTION?
HaShem considers mercy through a ransoming, redeeming option. A ransoming, redemptive option speaks of Messiah!

Should I ransom them from the power of Sh'ol?
Should I redeem them from death?
Where are your plagues, death;
where is your destruction, Sh'ol?
My eyes are closed to compassion.

(Hos 13:14 CJB)

Israel has to bear its guilt. As Paul reminds us in Romans 6:23, sin carries a price! How can HaShem be said to be a just God if the price for justice is not met?

For though he flourishes among the reeds, an east wind will come, a wind from Adonai, blowing up from the desert. Then his water source will dry up, then his spring will fail -- it will plunder his treasury, removing every precious thing."
Shomron will bear her guilt, for she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword, their little ones will be dashed to pieces and their pregnant women ripped open. (Hos 13: 15-16 CJB)

REDEMPTION CAN BE APPLIED BUT NOT WITHOUT REPENTANCE
HaShem pleads with His people:

(14:2) Return, Isra'el, to Adonai your God, for your guilt has made you stumble. (Hos 14:1 CJB)


Sincere repenting words would suffice to move HaShem's heart:

(14:3) Take words with you, and return to Adonai; say to him, "Forgive all guilt, and accept what is good; we will pay instead of bulls [the offerings of] our lips. (Hos 14:2 CJB)

Israel has to see that even all the gods of Assyria with whom it previously allied could not save her. Israel has to repent from the "works of its hands", of its own political maneuvering on which it leaned for protection.

(14:4) Ashur will not save us, we will not ride on horses, and we will no longer call what we made with our hands our gods. For it is only in you that the fatherless can find mercy." (Hos 14:3 CJB)

PROPHECY OF REDEMPTION
HaShem promises a redemption of His own doing:

(14:5) "I will heal their disloyalty, I will love them freely; for my anger has turned from him. I will be like dew to Isra'el; he will blossom like a lily and strike roots like the L'vanon. His branches will spread out, his beauty be like an olive tree and his fragrance like the L'vanon. Again they will live in his shade and raise grain; they will blossom like a vine, and its aroma will be like the wine of the L'vanon. Efrayim [will say], 'What have I to do any more with idols?' And I, I answer and affirm him; I am like a fresh, green cypress tree; your fruitfulness comes from me." (Hos 14:4-8 CJB)


​A CONCLUSION AND LESSON FOR US ALL ... TODAY!!!!

Let the wise understand these things,
and let the discerning know them.
For the ways of Adonai are straight,
And the righteous walk in them,
but in them sinners stumble.

(Hosea 14:9 CJB)
R' GABRIEL LUMBROSO
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HAFTARA TOLDOT  "Yet, I Have Loved Ya'akov!"

11/15/2021

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THE RATIONALE BEHIND HASHEM'S LOVE FOR US​
HaShem has a few things to talk with Israel about, but first he reminds them that His love for them was never because they were the most beautiful, most numerous, or most obedient. They ask for a rationale ofHis love for them and HaShem gives it to them. It is the same rationale for us today!

"I love you," says Adonai. But you ask, "How do you show us your love?" Adonai answers, " `Esav was Ya`akov's brother. Yet I loved Ya`akov but hated `Esav.(Mal 1:2-3 CJB)

HaShem shows His love by loving us just because, as is His uncontestable prerogative as God of the universe, as he also said through Moshe:

"I will cause all my goodness to pass before you, and in your presence I will pronounce the name of Adonai. Moreover, I show favor to whomever I will, and I display mercy to whomever I will.
(Exo 33:19 CJB)

Adonai didn't set his heart on you or choose you because you numbered more than any other people - on the contrary, you were the fewest of all peoples. Rather, it was because Adonai loved you, and because he wanted to keep the oath which he had sworn to your ancestors, that Adonai brought you out with a strong hand and redeemed you from a life of slavery under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. (Deu 7:7-8 CJB)

"WHERE IS THE HONOR DUE TO ME?"
In prayers, HaShem is often called, "Avinu; Our Father." He is wondering where is the honor due to that name:

"A son honors his father and a servant his master. But if I'm a father, where is the honor due me? and if I'm a master, where is the respect due me? -- says Adonai-Tzva'ot to you cohanim who despise my name. (Mal 1:6 CJB)

This sounds like an earlier version of Yeshua's words:

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, only those who do what my Father in heaven wants. On that Day, many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord! Didn't we prophesy in your name? Didn't we expel demons in your name? Didn't we perform many miracles in your name?' Then I will tell them to their faces, 'I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!'  (Mat 7:21-23 CJB)

In judicial style, HaShem exposes the issue, asks the questions, and gives the answer.

Where is the respect due me? -- says Adonai-Tzva'ot to you cohanim who despise my name. You ask, 'How are we despising your name?' (Mal 1:6 CJB)

WAYS THAT ISRAEL DESPISED THE NAME OF HASHEM

You ask, 'How are we despising your name?' Mal 1:6 CJB)

HaShem answers the question he wishes Israel would ask:

By offering polluted food on my altar! (Mal 1:7 CJB)

It is important here to understand that although HaShem has issues with Israel despising His Name, Israel has no clue about what they are doing wrong. They apparently go through the motions of what they think is right and proper, but which is an abomination to HaShem.
It is similar to a child or a teenager showing disrespect to his parents and then wondering why they are upset at his or her behavior. As we read this text, we need to ask ourselves, "Am I really pleasing HaShem? Do I need to reevaluate what I think is right in His eyes?" Because Israel cannot ask itself that question, HaShem asks it for them in the mouth of the prophet who says through HaShem's Spirit:

'How are we polluting you?' By saying that the table of Adonai doesn't deserve respect; (Mal 1:7 CJB)

HaShem is hinting at the offerings being brought to the altar.
Israel keeps religious services and probably feels very good about themselves but with one little compromise at a time, the quality of service offered to HaShem has been devalued to a point that it means nothing. Again, we also need to reevaluate our service and offerings. HaShem gives us the details:

...so that there's nothing wrong with offering a blind animal as a sacrifice, nothing wrong with offering an animal that's lame or sick. Try offering such an animal to your governor, and see if he will be pleased with you! Would he even receive you?" asks Adonai-Tzva'ot. (Mal 1:8 CJB)

OFFERINGS THAT HASHEM REFUSES
In this passage, HaShem chides Israel for bring to the altar the animals that are lame and sick; the animals that are not worth very much, thus doing the opposite of what David said:

"I refuse to offer to Adonai my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." (2Sa 24:24 CJB)

I heard it said one time, "Giving doesn't count till it hurts."

Yeshua reminds us of this principle concerning giving in the following records from Mark:

Then Yeshua sat down opposite the Temple treasury and watched the crowd as they put money into the offering-boxes. Many rich people put in large sums, but a poor widow came and put in two small coins. He called his talmidim to him and said to them, "Yes! I tell you, this poor widow has put more in the offering-box than all the others making donations. For all of them, out of their wealth, have contributed money they can easily spare; but she, out of her poverty, has given everything she had to live on."  (Mar 12:41-44 CJB)

Offerings refused by HaShem:
  • HaShem refused Cain's offering. We are not told why, but it seems that it insincere and even begrudging. (Gen 4:5)
  • Through Samuel, HaShem refused Saul's offering because it was done out of disobedience, pride, and dishonest gain. (1 Sam 13)
  • Yeshua tells us that our offerings are not acceptable unless we first make peace with our brother who has an issue with us. (Mat 5:23-24)

There is probably more, but these are some examples.

WAYS WE CAN DESPISE HASHEM'S NAME
Today, of course, we do not go to an altar to offer an animal to HaShem. We do our service in the form of teaching, leading, and serving people, dedicating daily time for devotion and study. How does this apply, then?
  • When we serve, do we do it cheerfully as he serves us?
  • When we teach, do we do it patiently as he teaches us?
  • Do we give HaShem the prime of our time, or the leftovers, if we have any?
  • Do we begrudge the menial forms of service, wishing we didn't have to do it, or do we find glory in knowing that we serve the Kingdom of God?
  • Do we go above and beyond, or do we just do the minimum?


We serve HaShem as we serve His people:
  • Are we proud with people or meek like the Master?
  • Are we willing to take the lower seat so that they will feel elevated, just like Yeshua did ... and does with us?
  • Are we willing to take the blame in order to preserve a relationship or to save the pride of another, just as Yeshua did and does with us?


These are hard things to do, but they are the gold within our soul, a gold that we put on the altar for Him.

HOW HASHEM LOOKS AT OUR UNWORTHY OFFERINGS

So if you pray now that God will show us favor, what your actions have accomplished is that Adonai-Tzva'ot asks, "Will he receive any of you? Why doesn't even one of you shut the doors and thus stop this useless lighting of fires on my altar? I take no pleasure in you," says Adonai-Tzva'ot, "and I will not receive an offering from you. (Mal 1:9-10 CJB)

Then, like Yeshua does in the parable of the Good Samaritan, HaShem tells Israel that His name is more honored by the gentiles by than by His own people.

For from farthest east to farthest west my name is great among the nations. Offerings are presented to my name everywhere, pure gifts; for my name is great among the nations," says Adonai-Tzva'ot. "But you profane it by saying that the table of Adonai is polluted, so that the fruit and food offered deserve contempt. (Mal 1:11-12 CJB)

HaShem accuses Israel of begrudgingly serving, feeling like , "Oh, it's too much work!"

You also say, 'It's all so tiresome!' and sniff scornfully at it," says Adonai-Tzva'ot. "Then you bring animals that were taken by violence, or they are lame or sick. This is the sort of offering you bring. Am I supposed to accept this from you?" asks Adonai. (Mal 1:13 CJB)

HaShem then pronounces a curse on those who minimize service to HaShem so it doesn't "cost" so much.

"Moreover, cursed is the deceiver who has a male animal in his flock that is damaged, but vows and sacrifices to Adonai anyway. For I am a great king," says Adonai-Tzva'ot, "and my name is respected among the nations. (Mal 1:14 CJB)

THE BOOK OF MALACHI
The whole Book of Malachi is a list of corrections. Could some of those be applied to us today?
  • The priests who had been ordained by HaShem to lead the people in righteousness were responsible for the spiritual decay of the country. They had become debased mercenaries to such a level that the word "priest" was a contempt among the people. (Mal 2:5-7)
  • Divorces were rampant because the people of Judah wanted to marry idol worshipping foreigners. (Mal 2:10-16)
  • Looking at the seeming material success of idolaters and feeling there is no use in serving HaShem. (Mat 2:17)
  • Israel practiced sorcery, perjury, and idolatry. (Mal 3:5)
  • Israel had no regard for the plight of the poor to whom it lended money for interest, a despicable practice in the sight of God (Ps 15:5) (Mal 3:5).
  • Israel robbed God as it was dishonest with its tithes. (Mal 3:8)​


COULD IT BE SAID TODAY, AS IT WAS OF ISRAEL OF THE PAST, THAT UNBELIEVERS, THOSE OF THE "NATIONS" HAVE MORE INTEGRITY, TRUTH, MERCY, AND A SENSE OF JUSTICE FOR THE FOREIGNER AND THE POOR THAN US?

MAY THESE WORDS HELP US EXAMINE OUR HEARTS.

R' GABRIEL LUMBROSO
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