{"id":113,"date":"2021-12-03T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-03T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/upcrl.org\/refreshment\/?p=113"},"modified":"2021-12-04T21:13:45","modified_gmt":"2021-12-04T13:13:45","slug":"hope-in-the-lord","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/upcrl.org\/refreshment\/pastor-ernest\/hope-in-the-lord\/","title":{"rendered":"Hope in the Lord"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9\u05b5 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e4\u05d5\u05bc \u05db\u05b9\u05d7\u05b7, \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b5\u05d1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05db\u05b7\u05bc\u05e0\u05b0\u05bc\u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd; \u05d9\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05e6\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d9\u05d2\u05b8\u05e2\u05d5\u05bc, \u05d9\u05b5\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d9\u05e2\u05b8\u05e4\u05d5\u05bc<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But those who hope in YHWH shall renew their strength; they shall ascend on wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.<\/p>Isaiah<\/em> 40:31<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Last Sunday, we lighted the Hope Candle. This is also known as the Candle of Prophecy, and the foremost prophet is Isaiah. The usual passage in Isaiah studied to read about the coming of the Messiah, the Christ, is in Isaiah 11. For this study, however, let us focus instead on Jeremiah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let us read Jeremiah 33:14-18<\/a>. Jeremiah is one of the Major Prophets, along with Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. He experienced a lot of hardships and persecutions, earning him the title, \u201cThe Weeping Prophet.\u201d He is credited with the authorship of the books Jeremiah, Lamentations, and Kings. He prophesied against Jerusalem and lived to see its fulfillment. He prophesied for about 40 years, seeing the reign of five kings and believed to have died in Egypt, though there are no records to be certain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Michaelangelo\u2019s painting of Jeremiah at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Our passage comes from the prophecy of the restored nation and restored Jerusalem, which Jeremiah did not see in his lifetime. It can be argued that indeed it has not yet come even in our lifetimes, and the prophecy is for a FUTURE HOPE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lord\u2019s Grace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Look at the first verse of our passage. It says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14 <\/sup><\/strong>\u2018Behold, the days are coming,\u2019 says the Lord, \u2018that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah:<\/p>Jeremiah 33:14<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

This verse is talking about the time of the New Covenant. We have already seen how the Old Covenant of the Law keeps on demanding, \u201cYou shall not….\u201d The New Covenant of Grace keeps on supplying, \u201cI will…\u201d \u201cI shall…\u201d as the verse above says, \u201cI will perform that good thing….\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lot of prophets, and even Jeremiah himself at times, call on the people to repent and change their ways. This passage however is talking about the Grace of the Lord. It is a promise that the Lord himself will fulfill. Notice that there are no conditions of it happening. It is just a promise of something that the Lord will do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And we are part of the fulfillment of this. In Jewish rabbinic literature, Jeremiah is presented to be a prophet like Moses as they see many parallels between Moses and Jeremiah. They see Moses\u2019 prophesy in Deuteronomy 18:18<\/p>\n\n\n\n

18 <\/sup><\/strong>I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.<\/p>Deuteronomy 18:18<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

As Moses was a prophet for forty years, so was Jeremiah; as Moses prophesied concerning Judah and Benjamin, so did Jeremiah; as Moses’ own tribe [the Levites under Korah] rose up against him, so did Jeremiah’s tribe revolt against him; Moses was cast into the water, Jeremiah into a pit; as Moses was saved by a slave (the slave of Pharaoh’s daughter); so, Jeremiah was rescued by a slave (Ebed-melech); Moses reprimanded the people in discourses; so did Jeremiah.<\/p>Pesikta de-Rab Kahana, ed. Solomon Buber, xiii. 112a<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Peter, speaking at the Temple in Jerusalem, quoted the words in Deuteronomy 18:15 applied the same words to Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20 <\/sup><\/strong>and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 <\/sup><\/strong>whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. 22 <\/sup><\/strong>For Moses truly said to the fathers, \u2018The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.<\/p>Acts 3:20-22<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The Advent is therefore a time to look forward to the HOPE of the Lord\u2019s salvation, made real to us in our Lord Jesus, that in Him we find the fulfillment of the words of the prophets. And we know that the prophets prophesied of the coming of our Lord Jesus as John said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

17 <\/sup><\/strong>For the law was given through Moses, but<\/em> grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.<\/p>John 1:17<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The Gift of Righteousness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

15 <\/sup><\/strong>\u2018In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David a Branch of righteousness; He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. 16 <\/sup><\/strong>In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell safely. And this is the name<\/em> by which she will be called: \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e6\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05e7\u05b5\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc YHWH Tsidkenu<\/em> (Yahweh Our Righteousness).\u2019<\/p>Jeremiah 33:15-16<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The prophecy is of a Branch of David, who is himself a Branch of righteousness. He will dwell in Jerusalem, and the city will be called by the Name of the Lord: Yahweh Tsidkenu, The Lord Our Righteousness. Notice how it will be called righteousness. It does not say that the city will become righteous, nor does it say that the people will do righteous acts and deeds. It just becomes righteous on the account of the Lord putting His righteousness on it. And we know by what name He has given the gift of righteousness\u2014Jesus!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

30 <\/sup><\/strong>But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God\u2014and righteousness and sanctification and redemption\u2014 31 <\/sup><\/strong>that, as it is written, \u201cHe who glories, let him glory in the Lord.\u201d <\/p>1 Corinthians 1:30-31<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

21 <\/sup><\/strong>For He made Him who knew no sin to be<\/em> sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.<\/p>2 Corinthians 5:21<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Righteousness is a standard that was unattainable so the Lord gave it as a gift instead, and it is in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. The Law demanded righteousness from people. They needed to act righteously, do righteous deeds, and they failed. Grace supplied righteousness as a gift. It is not about us doing righteous deeds, acting righteously. It is about accepting that Jesus has already done it for us. Everything that he did was righteous. And when we have Christ, the Lord does not see our unrighteousness. Rather, He sees the righteousness of Christ in us. Therefore we can say, based on 2 Corinthians 5:21:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Messiah<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

17\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>\u201cFor thus says the Lord: \u2018David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel;<\/p>Jeremiah 33:17<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The king who will sit on David\u2019s throne is known as the Messiah. At the time of Jeremiah, Israel was the northern kingdom and Judah was the kingdom ruled by the descendants of David. What is interesting is that the prophecy was for the throne of the house of Israel (not Judah). Jeremiah must be looking at a future restoration when there would be a united nation and it shall be called Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke had this to say about Jesus, recording the Angel Gabriel announcing to Mary:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

32\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. <\/p>Luke 1:32<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

He even goes on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

67<\/sup> Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 68<\/sup> \u201cBlessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, 69<\/sup> And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David,<\/p>Luke 1:67-69<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Indeed Jesus taught his disciples to pray<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9<\/sup>\u00a0In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10<\/sup>\u00a0Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.<\/p>Matthew 6:9-10<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The Lord Jesus will rule physically as king when he comes again in glory at the end of the age. In preparation of that, his rule is established in the spiritual Israel, the Church. As we let the kingship of Christ reign in our hearts, we usher in the fulfillment of the prophecy of his coming in glory and majesty as the king of the Millennial Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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David\u2019s Throne in Jerusalem<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Royal Priesthood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

And as the king is the head of his kingdom, Christ is the head of the church. Let us continue the verse:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

18\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>nor shall the priests, the Levites, lack a man to offer burnt offerings before Me, kindle grain offerings, and to sacrifice continually.\u2019 \u201d<\/p>Jeremiah 33:18<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It is interesting that the re-established kingdom is one of king and priests. The fulfillment of this in the church is very nicely put by Peter:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>But you are<\/em> a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>who once were<\/em> not a people but are<\/em> now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.<\/p>1 Peter 2:9-10<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It was what the Lord intended all along. Talking to Moses, the Lord said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>\u2018You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how<\/em> I bore you on eagles\u2019 wings and brought you to Myself. 5\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is<\/em> Mine. 6\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.\u2019 These are<\/em> the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.\u201d<\/p>Exodus 19:4-6<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A priest continually lays down offerings before the altar of the Lord. And as Christians, our bodies are our offerings. And the fruits of our lips, giving thanks, are also our offerings. It is the kind of offering we give our Lord. And it is not a Levitical priesthood that we have. It is a priesthood based on our High Priest being in the order of Melchizedek, a priesthood that is not based on the Law, but based on Grace. It is a priesthood that gives and does not ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Melchizedek met Abram, he did not ask for anything from Abram. Instead, he blessed him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

18\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was<\/em> the priest of God Most High. 19\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>And he blessed him and said:<\/p>

\u201cBlessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
20\u00a0<\/sup><\/strong>And blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.\u201d<\/p>

And he [Abram] gave him [Melchizedek] a tithe of all.<\/p>Genesis 14:18-20<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The book of Hebrews goes into detail about the royal priesthood of Jesus Christ, according to the Order of Melchizedek. It was a priesthood that does not demand, does not ask, does not require, but rather it is a priesthood that gives and blesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are we are part of this royal priesthood?<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have we accepted the Lordship of Jesus our Messiah?<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are we the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus?<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have we accepted that although the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth came to us by Jesus Christ?<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Source: KaLisa Veer @kalisaveer at unsplash.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

[ Ernest Serote | Church of the Risen Lord | 3 December 2021 ]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u05d5\u05b0\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9\u05b5 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e4\u05d5\u05bc \u05db\u05b9\u05d7\u05b7, \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b5\u05d1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05db\u05b7\u05bc\u05e0\u05b0\u05bc\u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd; \u05d9\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05e6\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d9\u05d2\u05b8\u05e2\u05d5\u05bc, \u05d9\u05b5\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d9\u05e2\u05b8\u05e4\u05d5\u05bc But those who hope in YHWH shall renew their strength; they shall ascend on wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 Last Sunday, we lighted the Hope Candle. This is also…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[32,30,31,6,7,33,34,29,18,9,8,5],"class_list":["post-113","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pastor-ernest","tag-advent-candle","tag-candle","tag-candle-of-prophecy","tag-church-of-the-risen-lord","tag-crl","tag-hope","tag-hope-candle","tag-jeremiah","tag-jesus","tag-spiritual-refreshment-of-the-day","tag-upcemi","tag-upcrl"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/upcrl.org\/refreshment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/upcrl.org\/refreshment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/upcrl.org\/refreshment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upcrl.org\/refreshment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upcrl.org\/refreshment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=113"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/upcrl.org\/refreshment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":126,"href":"https:\/\/upcrl.org\/refreshment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113\/revisions\/126"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/upcrl.org\/refreshment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=113"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upcrl.org\/refreshment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=113"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/upcrl.org\/refreshment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=113"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}