Parashat Vayeshev 5766/2005
EJD
The weekly reading for the week of 23 Kislev, 5766 - December 24, 2005 Parashah: Vayeshev Genesis 37:1 to 40:23; Haftarah: Amos 2:6 to 3:8; Mei Kituvim: Job 23:1-17; Brit Chadashah: Acts 22:1-29
Parashah Lite Edition (Focuses on one verse or idea anywhere in the readings.)
The Bagel: Lion-like testimony.
"The lion has roared-- so who isn't frightened? The Sovereign LORD has spoken-- so who can refuse to proclaim his message" (Amos 3:8 NLT)?
When the lion roars, you better take heed. When you see an injustice pointed out by G-d, you better roar like a lion!
Roar at injustice: You must make sure that the perceived injustice is really injustice and not a mere appearance. The Air Marshall had to make a quick decision: one life or many? Bullets flying around in an aircraft are highly dangerous to passengers and possibly to the structural integrity of the plane. He had one bullet. It appeared that his judgment call may have been unjust. But beware of roaring at an appearance.
You must determine that an event of injustice is a violation of a Biblical principle. It must be an injustice in the eyes of G-d. He has revealed His truth. We can know right from wrong with clear assurance. The roar must articulate the breaking of G-d's Law and then include the Biblical remedy. G-d's desire is deliverance not judgment. Even Joseph's brothers, who treated Joseph unjustly, were not condemned in the end by Joseph. He saw G-d's purpose in allowing his personal suffering.
Roar the Good News: The greatest characteristic of G-d is His Chesed. He is the Loving, Delivering, and Forgiving G-d. That is good news in a world of injustice. It is not enough to point out the evils and infringements of life. This needs the remedy of G-d's grace. The ultimate need of humanity is for a cure of the injustice which derives from the soul's mistreatment of the Holy G-d as well as other human beings. Our sin is our greatest liability. There is only one remedy for this. It required the one-time sacrifice of Yeshua to die on the cross to make a permanent atonement for our sin. He came alive from the dead, ascended to heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
This is the ultimate good news: sinners can be justified and cleansed through faith in Yeshua. This is the roar that needs to be heard around the world. Your testimony, when you are filled with the Holy Spirt and your words are in line with Biblical principles, can be the roar of G-d as The Lion. So roar that good news! And yes, those who hear will be initially afraid of the Lion, but then there is the opportunity to turn around (repent-Teshuvah) and see that the Lion is Good. Chesed follows.
Cream Cheese: When you meet the Lion, then you'll stop your lyin'!
Unless noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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