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Commentary - Year 3 Sabbath 22

Numbers 345:9 - 36:13   -   Joshua 20:1-9   -   Psalm 119b   -   John 4:1-45

 

Elul 2, 5763 / August 30, 2003 

Elul 2, 5766 / August 26, 2006

Elul 2, 5769 / August 22, 2009

Av 30, 5772 / August 18, 2012

Av 30, 5775 / August 15, 2015

Av 30, 5778 / August 11, 2018

 

Ki Atem Ovrim et haYarden / When You Cross the Jordan   SCRIPTURES should be read first

 

There are four distinct circumstances. (a) If a killing was clearly accidental, without carelessness, then the court would absolve the killer. (b) If a killing was accidental, but there was defined carelessness, then the killer would be exiled to the nearest city of refuge until the death of the High Priest. (c) If the killing was unintentional but there was a high degree of negligence, or if it was intentional but the circumstances prevented the court from carrying out the death sentence, the sin would be too serious for exile protection from the avenger. (d) If the killing was intentional and witnessed, the court would sentence him to execution. In any case, the killer could flee from the avenger to a city of refuge until the court decided his fate.

 

Even though there was less population on the east side of the Jordan, the land area was as great, and therefore three cities of refuge were designated for each side.

 

Psalm 119

 

The first eight verses each begin with the letter aleph. The next eight verses each begin with the letter bet. The next eight verses each begin wit the letter gimel. And so on throughout the twenty-two letters of the alephbet. This Psalm is called the repetition of eight (Talmud: Berachot 4b).

 

While seven is the number of the days of creation, the number eight symbolizes the release from the desires of this mundane world. In this Psalm, David charts the stages of growth toward spiritual maturity.

 

This Psalm specifically promotes all three categories of Torah mitzvot / commandments: mishpatim / judgments (moral laws), edot / ordinances (rituals portraying spiritual truths), and hukim / statutes (commandments bonding God and man, without obvious reason). These four terms will be used consistently here – unlike most English translations.

 

Remember that the apostle Paul taught believers in Yeshua to admonish one another with these Psalms (Colosians 3:16).

 

Verses 89-176 (last half – Lamed-Tav)

 

Half way through our spiritual journey, we have learned the significance of Torah. Each of the eight verses start with the letter lamed, which stands for lamor – Torah study.

89  (LeOlam – forever) Study Torah, because it is established for eternity.

90 (Ledor – remains) Study Torah, because by it the earth was created, and remains standing.

91  (Lemishpatecha – fulfills Your judgments) Study Torah, because all things serve its ordinances.

92  (Luley – if not) Study Torah: if it had not been my delight, I would have perished.

93  (LeOlam-lo – forever-not) Study Torah: I will never forget it, because it revived me.

94  (Lecha – yours) Study Torah: through it I am Yours – save me!

95  (Liy-qivu – to lie in wait) Study Torah diligently, because its enemies lie in wait to shake us from it.

96  (Lechal – boundless) Study Torah, because it only is boundless in riches.

 

Having learned its significance, we love God’s Word above all: so we pronounce our love. Mem stands for Mamar – pronouncements.

97 (Ma ahavta) O how I love – Your Torah! It is my meditation all the day.

98 (Meoyvay) My enemies – it makes me wiser than them.

99 (Michal-melamday) From all my teachers – I grew wise.

100 (Mizqenim) From elders – I gain understanding.

101 (Michal) From every evil path – I restrained my feet, so that I might keep Your Word.

102 (Mimishpatecha) From Your judgments (mishpatim – moral laws) – I did not depart.

103 (Mah nitletzu) How sweet – to my taste is Your Word, sweeter than honey.

104 (Mipiqudecha) Through Your precepts – I acquire understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

 

Having learned the significance of God’s Word, and gained a love for it, we become what Nun stands for: Ne’eman – a loyal person.

105 (Ner) A lamp – is Your Word to my feet, and a light to my path.

106 (Nishbatiy) I have sworn – and I will confirm it, that I will keep Your righteous judgments (mishpatim).

107 (Naanitiy) I am afflicted – exceedingly; Revive me, O Yahweh, according to Your Word.

108 (Nidvot) Offerings – of my mouth accept, O Yahweh, And teach me Your judgments (mishpatim).

109 (Naphshiy) My life – is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your Torah.

110 (Natnu) They laid – a snare for me, the wicked, Yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts.

111 (Nachaltiy) I have inherited – Your ordinances (edut) forever, For they are the joy of my heart.

112 (Natiytiy) I have inclined – my heart to perform Your statutes (hukim) forever, even to the end.

 

God’s Word will sustain us: Samech means support.

113 (Seaphiym) Double-minded ones – I hate, But I love Your Torah.

114 (Sitriy) My hiding place – You are, and my shield; I wait for Your Word.

115 (Suru) Depart – from me, evildoers, that I may observe the commandments of my God.

116 (Samkiniy) Sustain me – according to Your Word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.

117 (S’areniy) Uphold me – that I may be safe, that I may have regard for Your statutes (hukim) continually.

118 (Saliyta) You have rejected – all those who wander from Your statutes, For their deceitfulness is useless.

119 (Siniym) You have removed – all the wicked of the earth like dross; Therefore I love Your ordinances (edot).

120 (Samar) Trembling – is my flesh for fear of You, And I am in awe of Your judgments (mishpatim).

 

Ayin means pauper. Here we see humble requests.

121  (Asiytiy) I have done – justice and righteousness; Do not leave me to my oppressors.

122 (Arov) Be surety – for Your servant for good; Do not let the arrogant oppress me.

123 (Aeyney) My eyes – fail with longing for Your salvation And for Your righteous Word.

124 (Aseh) Deal – with Your servant according to Your lovingkindness, and teach me Your statutes (hukim).

125 (Avracha) Your servant – I am; give me understanding, that I may know Your ordinances (edot).

126 (Ach) Time – It is time for Yahweh to act, For they have broken Your Torah.

127 (Al-ken) Therefore – I love Your commandments (mitzvot) Above gold, yes, above fine gold.

128 (Al-ken) Therefore – I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything, I hate every false way.

Tzadi represents tzaddiq – righteous: God’s Words are righteous.

137 (Tzaddiq) Righteous – are You, O Yahweh, and upright are Your judgments (mishpatim).

138 (Tzviyta) You have commanded – Your ordinances (edot) in righteousness and exceeding faithfulness.

139 (Tzimtachniy) Consumed me – has my zeal, Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words.

140 (Tz’rufah) Very pure – is Your Word, Therefore Your servant loves it.

141 (Tzaaeyr) I am small – and despised, Yet I do not forget Your precepts.

142 (Tzidqatcha) Your righteousness – is an everlasting righteousness, and Your Torah is truth.

143 (Tzir) Trouble – and anguish have come upon me, Yet Your commandments (mitzvot) are my delight.

144 (Tzedeq) Righteous – forever are Your ordinances (edot); give me understanding that I may live.

 

Qof stands for Qedushah – sanctity. Here we see sanctification relating to all three categories of commandments.

145 (Qaratiy) I cried – with all my heart; answer me, O Yahweh! I will observe Your statutes (huqim – commandments without obvious reason).

146 (Qaratiyka) I cried to You – save me And I shall keep Your ordinances (edot– festivals and symbolic deeds).

147 (Qidamtiy) I rise – before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your Words.

148 (Qidmu) I anticipate – with my eyes the night watches, That I may meditate on Your Word.

149 (Qoliy) Revive me – O Yahweh, according to Your judgments (mishpatim – moral laws).

150 (Qarvu) Those who follow – after wickedness . . . are far from Your Torah.

151 (Qarov) You are near – O Yahweh, and all Your commandments (mitzvot – all three categories) are truth.

152 (Qedem) Of old – I have known from Your ordinances (edot – festivals and symbolic deeds), that You have founded them forever.

 

Resh represents rasha – the wicked, who are far from Yeshua.

153 (R’eh) Look upon – my affliction and rescue me, For I do not forget Your Torah.

154 (Riyvah) Plead my cause – and redeem me; Revive me according to Your Word.

155 (Rachoq) Far – from Yeshua / salvation is the wicked, for they do not seek Your statutes (hukim).

156 (Rachmeycha) Your mercies – are great, O Yahweh; Revive me according to Your judgments (mishpatim).

157 (Rabiym) Great – in number are my persecutors and my adversaries, yet I do not turn aside from Your ordinances (edot).  

158 (Raiytiy) I behold – the treacherous and loathe them, because they do not keep Your Word.

159 (R’ah) Consider – how I love Your precepts; Revive me, O Yahweh, according to Your lovingkindness.

160 (Rosh-d’varcha) The sum of Your Word – is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances (edot) is everlasting.

 

Shin/Sin stands for sheqer – falsehood.

161 (Sharim) Princes persecute me without cause (for falsehood), but my heart stands in awe of Your Words.

162 (Sas) I rejoice – at Your Word, As one who finds great spoil.

163 (Sheqer) Falsehood – I hate and despise, but Your Torah I love.

164 (Shavaa) Seven times – a day I praise You, Because of Your righteous judgments (mishpatim).

165 (Shalom) Peace – great have those who love Your Torah, and nothing (no falsehood) causes them to stumble.

Here is the person who is becoming spiritually mature.

166 (Shibartiy) I hope – for Your salvation, O Yahweh, And do Your commandments (mitzvot).

167 (Shamrah) My soul keeps – Your ordinances (edot), And I love them exceedingly.

168 (Shamartiy) I keep – Your precepts and Your ordinances (edot), For all my ways are before You.

 

Tav (emet – truth). The Talmud (Shabbat 104a) teaches that tav represents truth, because it is the final letter of that word, and truth is the ultimate purpose.

169 (Tiqrav – approach) Let my cry come before You, O Yahweh; give me understanding according to Your Word.

170 (Tavo) Let it come before You – my supplication; Deliver me according to Your Word.

171 (Tabanah - flow) Let my lips flow with praise, for You teach me Your statutes (hukim – that are not obvious).

172 (Ta’an – proclaim) Let my tongue proclaim / sing of Your Word, for all Your commandments (mitzvot) are righteousness.

173 (T’hiy) Let Your – hand be ready to help me, For I have chosen Your precepts.

174 (Taavtiy) I long – for Your salvation, O Yahweh, And Your Torah is my delight.

175 (Techiy) – Let live – my soul,  that it may praise You, and let Your judgments (mishpatim – moral laws) help me.

And the final verse:

176 (Ta’iytiy) I have gone astray – like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments (mitzvot).

 

John 4

 

(V.25-26) The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” Yeshua said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” He is the one called the alef and tav (Revelation 22:11). He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

 

(V.34) Yeshua said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work.” He is the one who perfectly fulfilled Torah – and that does not mean that He abolished it (Matthew 5:17).

Readings:

 

"Blessed are You, Yahweh our God, King of the Universe,

Who chose us from among all peoples by giving us Your Torah.

Blessed are You, Yahweh, giver of the Torah."

 

Numbers 35:

Reader 1* Amen 9 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 10 "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 11 then you shall select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge, that the manslayer who has killed any person unintentionally may flee there. 12 'The cities shall be to you as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands before the congregation for trial. 13 'The cities which you are to give shall be your six cities of refuge. 14 'You shall give three cities across the Jordan and three cities in the land of Canaan; they are to be cities of refuge.

Reader 2* Amen 15 'These six cities shall be for refuge for the sons of Israel, and for the alien and for the sojourner among them; that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there. 16 'But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 17 'If he struck him down with a stone in the hand, by which he will die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 18 'Or if he struck him with a wooden object in the hand, by which he might die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 19 'The blood avenger himself shall put the murderer to death; he shall put him to death when he meets him.

Reader 3* Amen 20 'If he pushed him of hatred, or threw something at him lying in wait and as a result he died, 21 or if he struck him down with his hand in enmity, and as a result he died, the one who struck him shall surely be put to death, he is a murderer; the blood avenger shall put the murderer to death when he meets him. 22 'But if he pushed him suddenly without enmity, or threw something at him without lying in wait, 23 or with any deadly object of stone, and without seeing it dropped on him so that he died, while he was not his enemy nor seeking his injury, 24 then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the blood avenger according to these ordinances. 25 'The congregation shall deliver the manslayer from the hand of the blood avenger, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge to which he fled; and he shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil.

Reader 4* Amen 26 'But if the manslayer at any time goes beyond the border of his city of refuge to which he may flee, 27 and the blood avenger finds him outside the border of his city of refuge, and the blood avenger kills the manslayer, he will not be guilty of blood 28 because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the manslayer shall return to the land of his possession. 29 'These things shall be for a statutory ordinance to you throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 30 'If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death at the evidence of witnesses, but no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness.

Reader 5* Amen 31 'Moreover, you shall not take ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall surely be put to death. 32 'You shall not take ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may return to live in the land before the death of the priest. 33 'So you shall not pollute the land in which you are; for blood pollutes the land and no expiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it. 34 'You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell; for I Yahweh am dwelling in the midst of the sons of Israel.'"

Reader 6* Amen 36:1 And the heads of the fathers' households of the family of the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near and spoke before Moses and before the leaders, the heads of the fathers' households of the sons of Israel, 2 and they said, "Yahweh commanded my lord to give the land by lot to the sons of Israel as an inheritance, and my lord was commanded by Yahweh to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters. 3 "But if they marry one of the sons of the other tribes of the sons of Israel, their inheritance will be withdrawn from the inheritance of our fathers and will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they belong; thus it will be withdrawn from our allotted inheritance. 4 "When the jubilee of the sons of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they belong; so their inheritance will be withdrawn from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers." 5 Then Moses commanded the sons of Israel according to the word of Yahweh, saying, "The tribe of the sons of Joseph are right in their statements.

Reader 7* Amen 6 "This is what Yahweh has commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, 'Let them marry whom they wish; only they must marry within the family of the tribe of their father.' 7 "Thus no inheritance of the sons of Israel shall be transferred from tribe to tribe, for the sons of Israel shall each hold to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. 8 "Every daughter who comes into possession of an inheritance of any tribe of the sons of Israel shall be wife to one of the family of the tribe of her father, so that the sons of Israel each may possess the inheritance of his fathers. 9 "Thus no inheritance shall be transferred from one tribe to another tribe, for the tribes of the sons of Israel shall each hold to his own inheritance." 10 Just as Yahweh had commanded Moses, so the daughters of Zelophehad did: 11 Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad married their uncles' sons. 12 They married those from the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained with the tribe of the family of their father. 13 These are the commandments and the ordinances which Yahweh commanded to the sons of Israel through Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho.

  

"Blessed are You, Yahweh our God, King of the Universe,

Who in giving us Yeshua, the Living Torah, has planted everlasting life in our midst.

Blessed are You, Yahweh, giver of the Torah."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Blessed are You, Yahweh our God, King of the Universe,

Who selected good prophets, delighting in their words which were spoken truthfully.

Blessed are You, Yahweh, Who chose the Torah, Your servant Moses, Your people Israel,

and the prophets of truth and righteousness."

 

Joshua 20

 

Then Yahweh spoke to Joshua, saying, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘Designate the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, 3 that the manslayer who kills any person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there, and they shall become your refuge from the avenger of blood. 4 He shall flee to one of these cities, and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and state his case in the hearing of the elders of that city; and they shall take him into the city to them and give him a place, so that he may dwell among them. 5 Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, then they shall not deliver the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor without premeditation and did not hate him beforehand. 6 He shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then the manslayer shall return to his own city and to his own house, to the city from which he fled.’” 7 So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali and Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah. 8 Beyond the Jordan east of Jericho, they designated Bezer in the wilderness on the plain from the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan from the tribe of Manasseh. 9 These were the appointed cities for all the sons of Israel and for the stranger who sojourns among them, that whoever kills any person unintentionally may flee there, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood until he stands before the congregation.

 

 

Psalm 119:89-176 (last half – Lamed – Tav)

 

Lamed. 

 89  Forever, O Yahweh, Your word is settled in heaven.

 90  Your faithfulness continues toward all generations; You established the earth, and it stands.

 91  They stand this day according to Your judgments, For all things are Your servants.

 92 If Your Torah had not been my delight, Then I would have perished in my affliction.

 93 I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have revived me.

 94 I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your precepts.

 95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me; I shall diligently consider Your testimonies.

 96 I have seen a limit to everything else; but Your commandment is boundless in riches.

 

Mem.

 97 O how I love Your Torah! It is my meditation all the day.

 98  Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine.

 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.

 100 I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts.

 101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word.

 102 I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, For You Yourself have taught me.

 103 How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

 104 From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.

 

Nun.

 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

 106 I have sworn and I will confirm it, That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.

 107 I am exceedingly afflicted; Revive me, O Yahweh, according to Your word.

 108 O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Yahweh, And teach me Your ordinances.

 109 My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law.

 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts.

 111 I have inherited Your testimonies forever, For they are the joy of my heart.

 112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, even to the end.

 

Samekh.

 113 I hate those who are double-minded, But I love Your law.

 114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word.

 115 Depart from me, evildoers, That I may observe the commandments of my God.

 116 Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.

 117 Uphold me that I may be safe, That I may have regard for Your statutes continually.

 118 You have rejected all those who wander from Your statutes, For their deceitfulness is useless.

 119 You have removed all the wicked of the earth like dross; Therefore I love Your testimonies.

 120 My flesh trembles for fear of You, And I am afraid of Your judgments.

 

Ayin.

 121 I have done justice and righteousness; Do not leave me to my oppressors.

 122 Be surety for Your servant for good; Do not let the arrogant oppress me.

 123 My eyes fail with longing for Your salvation And for Your righteous word.

 124 Deal with Your servant according to Your lovingkindness And teach me Your statutes.

 125 I am Your servant; give me understanding, That I may know Your testimonies.

 126 It is time for Yahweh to act, For they have broken Your law.

 127 Therefore I love Your commandments Above gold, yes, above fine gold.

 128 Therefore I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything, I hate every false way.

 

Peh.

 129 Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul observes them.

 130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.

 131 I opened my mouth wide and panted, For I longed for Your commandments.

 132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, After Your manner with those who love Your name.

 133 Establish my footsteps in Your word, And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.

 134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, That I may keep Your precepts.

 135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes.

 136 My eyes shed streams of water, Because they do not keep Your law.

 

Tzadhe.

 137 Righteous are You, O Yahweh, And upright are Your judgments.

 138 You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness And exceeding faithfulness.

 139 My zeal has consumed me, Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words.

 140 Your word is very pure, Therefore Your servant loves it.

 141 I am small and despised, Yet I do not forget Your precepts.

 142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth.

 143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me, Yet Your commandments are my delight.

 144 Your testimonies are righteous forever; Give me understanding that I may live.

 

Qoph.

 145 I cried with all my heart; answer me, O Yahweh! I will observe Your statutes.

 146 I cried to You; save me And I shall keep Your testimonies.

 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words.

 148 My eyes anticipate the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word.

 149 Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; Revive me, O Yahweh, according to Your ordinances.

 150 Those who follow after wickedness draw near; They are far from Your law.

 151 You are near, O Yahweh, And all Your commandments are truth.

 152 Of old I have known from Your testimonies That You have founded them forever.

 

Resh.

 153 Look upon my affliction and rescue me, For I do not forget Your Torah.

 154 Plead my cause and redeem me; Revive me according to Your word.

 155 Salvation is far from the wicked, For they do not seek Your statutes.

 156 Great are Your mercies, O Yahweh; Revive me according to Your ordinances.

 157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, Yet I do not turn aside from Your testimonies.

 158 I behold the treacherous and loathe them, Because they do not keep Your word.

 159 Consider how I love Your precepts; Revive me, O Yahweh, according to Your lovingkindness.

 160 The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.

 

Shin.

 161 Princes persecute me without cause, But my heart stands in awe of Your words.

 162 I rejoice at Your word, As one who finds great spoil.

 163 I hate and despise falsehood, But I love Your Torah.

 164 Seven times a day I praise You, Because of Your righteous ordinances.

 165 Those who love Your Torah have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble.

 166 I hope for Your salvation, O Yahweh, And do Your commandments.

 167 My soul keeps Your testimonies, And I love them exceedingly.

 168 I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, For all my ways are before You.

 

Tav.

 169 Let my cry come before You, O Yahweh; Give me understanding according to Your word.

 170 Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word.

 171 Let my lips utter praise, For You teach me Your statutes.

 172 Let my tongue sing of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.

 173 Let Your hand be ready to help me, For I have chosen Your precepts.

 174 I long for Your salvation, O Yahweh, And Your Torah is my delight.

 175 Let my soul live that it may praise You, And let Your ordinances help me.

 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments.

 

John 4:1-45

 

1 Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Yeshua was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Yeshua Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), 3 He left Judea and went away again into Galilee. 4 And He had to pass through Samaria.

 5 So He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; 6 and Jacob's well was there. So Yeshua, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Yeshua said to her, "Give Me a drink." 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Yeshua answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." 11 She said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? 12 "You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?" 13 Yeshua answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." 15 The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw." 16 He said to her, "Go, call your husband and come here." 17 The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Yeshua said to her, "You have correctly said, 'I have no husband'; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly."

 19 The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 "Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." 21 Yeshua said to her, "Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 "You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." 25 The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us." 26 Yeshua said to her, "I who speak to you am He."

 27 At this point His disciples came, and they were amazed that He had been speaking with a woman, yet no one said, "What do You seek?" or, "Why do You speak with her?" 28 So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city and said to the men, 29 "Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Messiah, is it?" 30 They went out of the city, and were coming to Him.

 31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." 32 But He said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." 33 So the disciples were saying to one another, "No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?" 34 Yeshua said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. 35 "Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest '? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. 36 "Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 "For in this case the saying is true, 'One sows and another reaps.' 38 "I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor."

 39 From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me all the things that I have done." 40 So when the Samaritans came to Yeshua, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 Many more believed because of His word; 42 and they were saying to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world."

 43 After the two days He went forth from there into Galilee. 44 For Yeshua Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. 45 So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things that He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves also went to the feast.

 

"Blessed are You, Yahweh our God, King of the Universe,

Rock of Ages, righteous throughout all generations.

You are the faithful God, promising and then performing, speaking and then fulfilling,

for all Your words are true and righteous.

Faithful are You, Yahweh our God, and faithful are Your words,

for no word of Yours shall remain unfulfilled;

You are a faithful and merciful God and King.

Blessed are You, Yahweh our God, Who are faithful in fulfilling all Your words.