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Tuesday, 26 April 2022
Jewish Evangelism - Isaiah 53 - Part 7

Isaiah 53:10b If He makes His soul a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the will of Adonai will succeed by His hand.

So many great Hebrew words in this last part of Isaiah 53:10. Just consider "if" (Im, aleph-mem-sofit). Is there really an "if" here? What "if" Yeshua did not make His soul a sin offering? When Isaiah wrote this prophesy, Yeshua's work was not finished. He wasn't even born yet. Is it possible Yeshua could have failed? Perhaps He might sin in some way, or succumb to Satan's temptations? Certainly, Isaiah put "if" in this verse for a reason.

And consider the Hebrew word for "guilt offering," ... Asham. But before we do, I'm going to go down a "Rabbi Trail."

Rabbi Trail: I believe some of our English words are tied etymologically to (are derived from) the older Hebrew language, not many, but some. Take the English word "ravenous" for example. It means extremely hungry. The Hebrew word, Ra'ev means "I am hungry." As you will see, our subject word is tied similarly to an English word with the same sound. End RT.

As we said above, Asham is the Hebrew words for "guilt offering." It sounds remarkably similar to the English word "ashamed." What is shame, but distress caused by an awareness of wrong or bad behavior. I am about to touch on a critical subject when it comes to evangelism.

When talking with a "not yet believer" about the things of God, I like to ask this question. "How do you know the difference between right and wrong?" Most people will give me a subjective answer like, "Whatever I like or makes me feel good is right and what makes me feel bad or guilty is wrong." But feelings change. So by that standard, what is good, right, or even holy must also change.

We have to have an objective standard of righteousness. It can't be what we feel good about at any particular time. I propose that God's instructions to us in the Bible are exactly that objective standard of righteousness. The rabbis have always known and taught that to offend in any point is to fail in every point. If we sin at all, it makes us unclean before a holy and righteous God in every way. We become separate from God in Adam.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

The problem we all face is that by trying hard, we will always fail in some point. There are many broad categories of possible failure. For some it is money (stealing from people or stealing from God). For others it is lust (any ungodly desire is lust). For still others, their failure is in disobedience to a specific command (such as Shabbat or Kashrut). The point is that we all need a remedy and mankind has none. For this, God sent His Son.

Romans 3:21-22 But now God's righteousness apart from the Torah has been revealed, to which the Torah and the Prophets bear witness - namely, the righteousness of God through putting trust in Messiah Yeshua, to all who keep on trusting.

And there is the answer we all seek. Put your trust in the Son of God.

Psalm 146:3 Do not put your trust in princes - in man, in whom there is no salvation.

Hebrews 2:11-13 For both He who sanctifies and those being sanctified are all from one - so He is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, "I will proclaim Your name to My brothers and sisters. In the midst of the congregation I will sing praise to You." (Quoting Psalm 22:23) And again, "I will put My trust in Him." And again, "Here am I and the children God has given Me." (Quoting Isaiah 8:18)

Yeshua didn't fail. Put your trust in Him. Psalm 28:7-9 Adonai is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in Him, and I was helped. Therefore my heart leaps for joy, and I will praise Him with my song. Adonai is their strength - a stronghold of salvation for His anointed (Messiah). Save Your people, bless Your inheritance, shepherd them and carry them forever.

Posted By Rabbi Michael Weiner, 10:14am Comment Comments: 0