Dust of the Rabbi
The LORD said to Moses, ‘Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the LORD your God.’
-Numbers 15:37-41
Commands of the Lord: Torah, First five books of the Bible.
Torah: Law—better understood as instruction.
Prayer Shawl:
Garments: K-nav (Borders)
Tassels: Tzit-zit, 5 knots on the Tzit-zit.
I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.
-John 10:10
But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
-Malachi 4:2
Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.’
-Matthew 9:20
When you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. 6But you, when you pray, enter your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
-Matthew 6:5-6
Above all, we pride ourselves on the education of our children.
-Josephus
Under the age of six we do not accept a child as a pupil; from six upwards we accept him and stuff him (with Torah) like an ox!
-Talmud B.B. 21a
Stage One: “Bet Sefer”
Bet Sefer: “House of the Book.”
I ate the words and it tasted sweet like honey.
-Ezekiel 3:3
From ages 6-10, children would memorize the Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
- Not just the name of the books!
- The words found within the books!
Stage Two: “Bet Talmud.”
From age 10 to 14
After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
-Luke 2:46-47
Each Rabbi would have a certain way for applying the text to life.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
-Matthew 11:29-30
Stage Three: “Bet Midrash”
At age 14-15
May you be covered in the dust of your Rabbi.
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said.
-Matthew 4:18-22
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
-Matthew 4: 21-22
The Essence of the Gospel:
1 - Yes, we are saved by grace through faith.
2 - Baptism: die to your life and live for Christ.
You are walking in the dust of the Rabbi?
You take his precepts, his meaning, and his application into your life and you perpetuate it.
ONE&ALL Church: God has given us a dream and a vision
I want to raise a generation of young people devoid of conscience -- imperious, relentless, and cruel.
-Hitler
We want to raise a generation of young people who know God, follow His precepts and walk diligently in the dust of the Rabbi!
Our hope is not in who governs us or what laws are passed or what great things we do as a nation. Our hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people. That’s where our hope is in this country. That’s where our hope is in life.
-Charles Colson
What are your main takeaways from this sermon?
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