Daily Topic for December 04, 2007
Nehemiah realized that the construction of Jerusalem’s walls had to be accompanied by a revival of holiness if Jerusalem were to fulfill her mandate of blessing. While we are to love the peoples of the earth, appreciating the rich cultural traditions they represent, we are to abhor that which competes with loyalty and faithfulness to the holy God. God calls His people to be in but not of the world, to be distinct and holy as they serve as salt and light.
Lord Jesus, make us pure, and make us a blessing to the nations.
All of you have read the Torah, the “five books of Moses” that make up the first five books of the Bible, right? Have you also read the Talmud, the legal interpretation of the Old Testament? The latter is favored over the Torah by many key Jewish religious experts. Rabbi Adin, an Orthodox scholar in Israel said, “If the Bible [Old Testament] is the cornerstone of Judaism, then the Talmud is the central pillar…. No other work has had a comparable influence on the theory and practice of Jewish life, shaping spiritual content and serving as a guide to conduct.”
Those Jews who have put their faith in Jesus are usually at a disadvantage when they talk with Orthodox Jewish people because they base what they say on the Bible, not the Talmud. Believers may emphasize the Old Testament, while most Jews are less familiar with it, but know the Talmud much better.
Learn more at joshuaproject.netPray that God will raise up believers who understand the Talmud to reach out to Orthodox Jewish people. Pray that God will draw Ultra-Orthodox Jews to understand that the Hebrew Old Testament is more important than the Talmud. May there be much study and many discussions that will bring them to know their Messiah.- PD
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