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Parashat Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashana
by Rabbi Jack "Yaacov" Farber
The Scripture readings for the Shabbat of September 7/1 Tishrei are: Bereshit/Genesis 21:1-34; Bamidbar/Numbers 29:1-6; I Sh'muel/Samuel 1:1-2:10; I Tesolonikim/Thess 4:13-18. This week we have a special reading for Yom Teruah, Bereshit chapter 21. Why is this chapter read on this particular holiday? A simple reading of this week's portion gives you the answer. Chapter 21 of Bereshit is all about the birth of Yitzchak (Isaac). His of course was a miraculous birth and it ushered in the beginning of the Hebrew nation. It could be said that the nation of Israel was born with Yitzchak. In addition to this, rabbis believe that the earth was created on Rosh Hashanah, for this reason it has become known and celebrated as the New Year. This Rosh Hashanah is 5763. Although the accuracy of this date is questionable it is a date which is universally accepted by Jews. There is another reason this passage is read on Rosh Hashanah, and it is perhaps the most compelling for Messianic believers. Many believing theologians have calculated that Yeshua was born on this feast day. Although their calculations too can be inaccurate, many believers swear by this date. The possibility of this birth date being accurate does of course have merit biblically when we consider why this portion is read this week. The similarities between Yitzchak's and Yeshua's lives are nothing short of divine. Yitzchak's birth and Yeshua's birth were both miraculous. Yitzchak was considered by G-d as Avraham's only son, Yeshua is know as G-d's only son. (Mishle/Proverb 30:4; Mattityahu/Mathew 3:17) Yitzchak was bound to be offered as a sacrifice, until G-d's intervention, a type of resurrection; Yeshua (G-d in the flesh), came to offer himself as the final kaporah (sacrifice) for the sin of the world, He died and was resurrected. The birth of Yitzack ushered in the birth of a nation, the birth of Yeshua ushered in the rebirth of that nation. But the most compelling reason for this reading is that Yom Teruah is also known as the Day of Judgment, the day when G-d checks to see if your name is written in the Book of Life. Scripture clearly tells us that when Yeshua returns, He will be returning not as Mashiach ben Yosef, the suffering servant, as He left, but as Mashiach ben David, the warrior, in judgment. Rosh Hashanah, I believe, is a picture of the return of Yeshua in the clouds. Will He find your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life? I felt I needed to speak about the significance of this week's Torah reading, however I still want to comment on one of the passages contained in chapter 21. Bereshit {21:1} HaSHEM visited Sarah as He had said, and HaSHEM did to Sarah as He had spoken. {21:2} Sarah conceived, and bore Avraham (Abraham) a son in his old age, at the set time of which G-D had spoken to him. {21:3} Avraham called his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bare to him, Yitzchak. Some translations render the beginning of this verse as "G-d remembered Sarah..." However whether G-d visited Sarah or remembered Sarah is not the point here. The point is ten years and much water had passed under the bridge between the time G-d made his promise of an heir to Avraham and the time Yitzchak was born. What I see in this Scripture is something that is very relevant for us today. G-d works on His own timetable! The time between His promises and the realization of those promises may be more then just a few days, a few weeks or a few months, it may possible be years and as it was in Sarah's case, ten years. Many people have told me of promises they have received from G-d, some are distressed because they are still awaiting their fulfillment years later. The consolation I offer them and the answer this Scripture confirms is that G-d does not work on our timetable. The time between promises made and promises fulfilled does not happen when we want it to, nor in most cases when we expect it to. Every believer in Messiah Yeshua has at one time or another received a promise or two from G-d. Let therefore this Scripture be a lesson to you, the time between promise and fulfillment is up to G-d. Sarah got impatient with G-d so she ended up taking matters into her own hands, which proved disastrous and has political implications to this very day. If you have ever receive a promise from G-d wait upon the L-rd, do not to try to manipulate circumstances, do not try to self-fulfill your promise, it will turn out to be just as disastrous for you as it was for Sarah. My concluding remark to those who have received a promise from G-d is; faithfully and patiently wait upon Him and in the fullness of His perfect timing it will come to pass, if it is truly from Him.Rabbi Jack "Yaacov" Farber is the spiritual leader of Congregation Melech Yisrael in Toronto, Canada. Copyright 2002
- Romans 1:16, NIV |