Rosh Hashana

At sundown this Sunday and for 24 hours the Jewish people throughout the world will take part in the Fall Festival known as Rosh Hashana. This Festival is the Jewish New Year and the beginning of their civil cycle.

There are two portions of scriptures read during Rosh Hashana in the synagogues. The first portion details the birth of Isaac and the second portion is called the "Akedah" which means binding. The readings are from Genesis 22 and records the long journey of Abraham and Isaac ending in the binding of Isaac for the requested sacrifice from God.

God's revealed name in this story of Abraham is Adonai - Yireh which means "God Will Provide." Abraham worshiped God even knowing what was required from him. He also bowed low before The Lord in submission. Bowing is considered a posture of deepest worship and total submission to God. Abraham responded in this manner knowing he would lose his only son putting in jeopardy God's promise to bless the people of the earth through him and his son.

As the Jewish people look again at this very important story in God's word, we as Gentile Christians can also learn a great deal from reviewing this story. Abraham's response to God's requirement revealed how to hear the voice of God, how to respond to the voice of God and how to worship when all within us would want to turn the other way and not obey.

As we approach this weekend and the whole month of September and beyond, we all face some unsettling and possibly difficult times. The question is - how are we going to respond?  During the days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur many prayers are said in synagogues.

The following is one example, "And therefore, Lord our God, cause all that you created to remember fully all that you have done; cause all Your creatures to revere Your doings and to tremble in Your presence; cause them all to act as one to do Your will wholeheartedly. For we know Lord our God, that the strength of Your hand, the power of Your right arm and the awesomeness of Your name rule over all creation. And therefore, Lord give honor to Your people, praise to those who revere You, hope to those who seek You, confidence to those who await You, joy to Your land and gladness to Your city, triumph to the horn of David Your servant and light to the lamp of Messiah. And therefore, the righteous will see and be glad, the upright will rejoice and the faithfully loving celebrate in song while evil is silenced and all wickedness vanishes like smoke - for you will erase the tyranny of arrogance from the earth." 

Prayers like this accomplish much in expanding the Kingdom of God, let us all be about praying similar prayers in the days ahead.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Each Day,

Frank