Man’s Praise Can Lead to Poor Choices
Have you ever wondered why Yeshua was so aggressive and matter of fact concerning the ‘spiritual leaders’ and their approach to HELPING, GUIDING, and lovingly SUPPORTING His people (their people) and moreover, His creation?
1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The SCRIBES and the PHARISEES have seated themselves in the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore, whatever they tell you, do and comply with it all, but do not do as they do; for they say things and do not do them. 4 And they tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as their finger. 5 And they do all their deeds to be noticed by other people; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. 6 And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the seats of honor in the synagogues, 7 and personal greetings in the marketplaces, and being called Rabbi by the people. 8 But as for you, do not be called rabbi; for only One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters. 9 And do not call anyone on earth your father <let the reader understand>; for only One is your Father, He who is in heaven, 10 and do not be called leaders; for only One is your Leader, that is, Christ.” Matthew 23:1-10
8 “…but as for you, do not be called rabbi [my master/my teacher] - One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi—known as semikha—following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form of the rabbi developed in the Pharisaic (167 BCE–73 CE) and Talmudic (70–640 CE); for only One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters. 9 And do not call anyone on earth your father [ab: spiritual chief patriarch]; spiritual head; for only One is your Father, He who is in heaven, 10 and do not be called leaders [nagid: ruler, price; absolute one and/or sar: prince, ruler, leader, chief, captain or official]; for only One is your Leader, that is, Christ.” Matthew 23:8-10
NOTE 1: Scribe (sofer) is a “teacher” whose office was to interpret the Law to the people, their organization beginning with Ezra, who was their chief, and terminating with Simeon the just. The original meaning of the Hebrew word "soferim" was "people who know how to write"; and therefore, the royal officials who were occupied in recording in the archives the proceedings of each day were called scribes. However, as the art of writing was known only to the intelligent, the term "scribe" became synonymous with "wise man" (I Chron. xxvii. 32). Later, in the time of Ezra, the designation was applied to the body of ‘teachers’ who, as stated above, interpreted the Law to the people.
NOTE 2: Pharisee was a representative who had the religious views, practices, and hopes of the Jewish people in the time of the Second Temple and in opposition to the priestly Sadducees. They were accordingly scrupulous observers of the Law as interpreted by the Soferim (Scribes), in accordance with tradition. "Perisha" (the singular of "Perishaya") denotes "one who separates himself," or keeps away from persons or things impure, in order to attain the degree of holiness and righteousness required in those who would commune with GOD.
NOTE 1: Semikha is the traditional term for rabbinic ordination in Judaism. It refers to the process where a student is formally recognized as a rabbi or teacher. The term comes from the Hebrew word "l'smoch," meaning "to lean on".
NOTE 2: The word l'smoch (to lean on) appears in Joshua's succession as leader of the Children of Israel after the death of Moses. The word is also used in slang expressions to convey trust or reliance.
In concept, semikhah represents a "bond" dating back to the time of Moses and Joshua. It is thought and whispered that GOD taught the Torah (foundational Word) to Moses on Mount Sinai and since that time, the knowledge of the Torah has been passed from generation to generation by the conferment of semikhah, rabbinic ordination, or the unbroken transmission of authority dating back to that time – and continues to this day.
The ancient formula for semikhah was "Yoreh Yoreh. Yadin Yadin". ("May he decide? He may decide! May he judge? He may judge!"); and in the early days of rabbinical Judaism any ordained ‘teacher’ could ordain his students.
Traditional semikhah was granted by a court of three judges and it later required the participation of at least one who had attained this status himself. According to Maimonides the other two need not be semukhim.
NOTE 1: TODAY, semikha is generally through an institution, a yeshiva or specialized kollel, but is often granted by an individual.
NOTE 2: There is not much difference in today’s ordinations. It is all “man”- driven. ‘Scholars’ and ‘seminary’ are and have been all-the-rave. I am ALL FOR order (led) by the Spirit of GOD through man. I am not for the autonomy heaped (by self or by others) upon man. This type of power and authority can and will eventually become dangerous to that person and the people who follow. It will take some time and “testing and confirming by the Spirit of Truth”, but Father (Suzerain King) will let us know who He wants to have in place to govern His sheep (people), by His Word and Spirit. All the while, that person is continually giving honor and place to the (Vassal King), GOD’s Son.
There is no doubt that the sin “I” have done has caused me some struggles over the years; and some of them undoubtedly distanced me from the Holy One!
Should we all look around, we can see what self-appointment can cause. However, on the flip-side, we can also tell when that person has been appointed and set there by the LORD. Humility will lead Him. Sin will “crouch at his door”, as it is destined to do. However, that covenant leader (see parity ‘brother to brother’ covenant) will stay vigilant and keep himself aligned with the Truth of the Scriptures, the Spirit of YHVH and open to instruction and correction.
REMINDER: In Matthew 23:8, Yeshua reminds us that they (we) are all “brothers and sisters”. Using the parity term, “we are equal”, and we need to lead well and treat each other well.
If you are reading this, and you are wondering if you are being yelled at, or being sternly corrected by Jesus’ Words, you are not alone.
We ALL have some “splanin’ to do”.