The moving nights seem to be part of my new phase of life. For the second time this night I’m sitting at the computer. The first time before midnight to complete my entry on Sunday. The second time now at a quarter past two. Since God neither slumbers nor sleeps, He apparently does a lot for me.
On my knees before God, the word “root” comes to my mind. The root bears me, not I the root. Could that mean I have to go the opposite way apostle Peter had to go? In a vision, God put unclean seafood for him to eat and apostle Peter was horrified. I feel something similar now, just the other way around. Do I have to learn to differentiate between impure and pure? The Parashah (weekly reading from the Torah) of the next Shabat deals with this. The priests had to follow strict rules. Descendants of Aron with physical ailments were not allowed to participate in the service. Only flawless animals were allowed to be sacrificed. Do I first have to pour water over my hands after getting up in the morning? Wash my hands ritually before eating? I dont know. What I have noticed so far is that God leads me graciously and does not overwhelm me. I want to pay close attention to his instructions.
Later in the morning I try to answer my own questions. It is clear to me that the words handed down by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, have central authority for me. When asked why his disciples did not wash his hands before eating, he replied that not what goes into people contaminates them, but what comes from his heart. (Matthew 15: 16-20) Nevertheless, in the future I want to ritually wash my hands in the dining room before eating so that I am not a cause for offense to my Jewish brothers and sisters.
The motto (lot) of the Moravia Church (Herrnhut) in Isaiah 40:10 belongs to today:
“Behold, the Lord, the Eternal, mighty come, and His arm rules for Him. See His (God’s) reward is with him (with His arm) and His (God’s) doing before Him (before His arm) ”. <Own translation; the words in parentheses come from me and are interpretations. The second part of the daily slogan (lot) does not belong to this after the solution book *>
I mention this motto (lot) because I heard a thunder rumble when it was recorded and translated. This is very special in that a strong desert wind is blowing today (Chamsin). The chamsin is dry and the temperatures climbed above 30°; so no reason for a thunderstorm. For me, this rumble of thunder is “God’s voice”. In retrospect, this makes me very awesome when it comes to editing (it is now 5 minutes before midnight). Could it be that God wants to use me as his “arm”?
* I recently had an email exchange with the editors of the Slogan Book of the Moravia Church (Herrnhut). I had asked why if the word Israel appears in the text, it will be left out. Whether the so-called “replacement theology” might be involved. Here is the answer:
“You ask about“ omissions ”when Old Testament texts in the slogan (lot) quoted. The slogans want to be daily slogans that accompany the day. They can only do that if they are short. That is why we occasionally intervene in the wording and leave out parts.
However, this only happens where the content of the texts is not changed. As for the name of God, the reference to the God of Israel remains if the verse contains a statement that means, first or only, God’s chosen people. However, if the statement is universal, that is, it also applies to Christians, then the reference can be omitted, we mean.
I don’t understand what you mean by ”
“. Of course, our respect goes to the God-chosen people of Israel, because God stands by his election and loves his people as ever. Salvation is among the members of his people. Therefore, there is no need to think about a mission.
As Christians we believe – since Jesus Christ – belong to God’s people. We also read the Old Testament as Holy Scripture. With this we take nothing away from the believing Jews.
There is an excellent text on “replacement theology” from a free church in Pirmasens. I found this font on the Internet and sent it to the editors. What does replacement theology teach?