\u201cThese are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water\u2026\u201d\u00a0Jude 1:12<\/p>\n
Good Monday Morning to this week 39\/2018<\/p>\n
Clouds without water<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s take the metaphor \u201cclouds without water.\u201d\u00a0A cloud in Scripture is often a\u00a0symbol of divine presence. A pillar of cloud led the Israelites out of Egypt to the Promised Land.<\/p>\n
And the LORD came down in a cloud\u2026<\/p>\n
Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain…<\/p>\n
And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.<\/p>\n
Yeshua ascended to heaven in a cloud.<\/p>\n
Thirsty for TORAH by Rabbi Ismar Schorsch<\/p>\n
They traveled three days in the wilderness and found no water\u201d, some mystically inclined Rabbis opined: \u201cWater actually stands for Torah, as it is said (by Isaiah, 55:1), \u00a0All who are thirsty, come for water.\u2019<\/p>\n
Having gone for three days without Torah, the prophets among them stepped forth and legislated that the Torah should be read on the second and fifth days of the week as well as on Shabbat so that they would\u00a0not let three days pass without Torah\u201d .
\nNow let\u2019s take this one step further. Let\u2019s look at the root word for TORAH,\u00a0yara. The verb\u00a0yara\u00a0means to throw cast or shoot, but is also connected to the act of\u00a0raining.<\/p>\n
Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain. My speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: (Deuteronomy 32:1-2)<\/p>\n
What is the message transmitted through this comparison, comparing the Torah to rain and dew?<\/p>\n
What is the difference between rain and dew?<\/p>\n
Although the earth needs rain in order to sustain life, rain is not always appreciated. Rain can cause inconvenience. The traveler does not wish to battle inclement weather. A farmer whose harvested crops are still in the field is not pleased with a summer storm.<\/p>\n
Dew does not have the life-sustaining power of rain. However, it is more appreciated. Dew provides moisture, without inconvenience.<\/p>\n
Rain represents an activity with a long-term sustaining effect. Dew, in contrast, symbolizes activity providing immediate joy and benefit. He explains that the Torah combines the benefits of rain and dew. Like rain, Torah sustains life.<\/p>\n
Through observance and study of the Torah we can achieve eternal life in\u00a0the world to come. The Torah also has the quality represented by dew \u2013 immediate gain. We are not required to sacrifice happiness in this life. Instead, the Torah enhances our temporal existence in the material world.\u201d<\/p>\n
So what does this metaphor of clouds without rain mean?<\/p>\n
Clouds without rain are those who have the appearance of God\u2019s presence, His anointing (a cloud), but without having rain (TORAH)!<\/p>\n
The Jewish philosopher Philo also expressed, the goal of any kind of\u00a0instruction given by God is to be salvation, especially as human beings understand their limitations in light of His eternal holiness and perfection. And while it is most imperative for us to obey the Lord, \u00a0it drives us to the cross of Yeshua in confession and repentance,\u00a0\u00a0seeing the Holy Spirit take up residence within us and transform us to be more like Him.<\/p>\n
Therefore the Law (Torah) has become our tutor\u00a0to lead us\u00a0to Messiah, so that we may be justified by faith.\u201d Therefore we stay i need for the (Torah).<\/p>\n
We seek the dew and the rain for the days to come.<\/p>\n
Wishing you a week filled with clouds with rain and accompanied with His dew.<\/p>\n
Philemon<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cThese are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water\u2026\u201d\u00a0Jude 1:12 Good Monday Morning to this week 39\/2018 Clouds without water Let\u2019s take the metaphor \u201cclouds without water.\u201d\u00a0A cloud in Scripture is often a\u00a0symbol of divine presence. A pillar of cloud led the … <\/p>\n