Hosea 3:4-5 For the children of Israel shall abide many
days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and
without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: Afterward
shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David
their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter
days.
A prayer frequently heard at the conclusion of Orthodox
Jewish services is "Ani Ma'amin" translated, "I believe." The full prayer
is. "I believe with perfect faith in the coming of the Mashiach; and even
though he may tarry, nevertheless, I wait each day for his coming."
We know that Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) did not meet the expectations
of the Pharisees at His first coming because they were jealous of Him and
focused on a victorious king, "Mashiach ben David", one who would rule on
the throne of David, bring judgment to the wicked and restore the Temple
and the Kingdom to Israel. So, to this day, Orthodox Jews anxiously await
Messiah's arrival, believing he could come at any time.
Now this important prophecy in Hosea, often overlooked, speaks of a
period of time for many days when Israel would be without a King, or
Prince, or a sacrifice, or other religious articles -- but that in the
latter days (the Hebrew literally means "the End of Days") the nation will
return, and seek the Lord and the Messiah -- specifically "Mashiach ben
David" -- the Messiah Son of David. This time period began with the
destruction of the Temple in 70 AD and continues to the present.
But even having missed the first coming of the true Messiah, still
the Jewish people nourish a continuing hope and expectation for His coming,
which is included regularly in their liturgy. Enduring exile and
persecution over many generations they have continued in the unwavering
hope of his coming.
In light of this example of persevering
hope among the Jewish people, how much more expectant and hopeful ought we
to be who already truly know Him who is coming again for us...and for them?
He who was resurrected from the dead -- Yeshua, the "hope of glory"! As the
earth continues to groan, and so do we, let's keep our focus where it
really belongs. He is coming soon. Even so, Come Lord Jesus! (George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah)
Laudetur Jesus Christus! From Jarrow's Tower: "Glorious St Bede Pray That We May Praise God For All Eternity" For God Our Lady And Saint Bede! A Voice And Springboard For Promoting Catholic Orthodoxy, Tradition, Truth And Christian Principles In South Tyneside! That The Voice Of Peter In The Person Of The Supreme Sovereign Roman Pontiff May Be Heard In These Uncertain Times: Tu Es Petrus!
4 September 2012
Afternoon Thoughts-Be filled with the Hope of His Return!:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment