Holy Chutzpah – The Parable of the Persistent Widow. “… He ignored the pleas of the widow for quite some time, but she kept asking. Eventually, the judge said to himself, ‘This widow keeps annoying me, demanding her rights, and I’m tired of listening to her. Even though I’m not a religious man and don’t …
Holy Chutzpah – David. “… And David stripped down to his skivvies, and then with everybody looking on including his wife Michal, David did a dance. With trumpets blaring and drums beating… how they cut loose together, David and Yahweh, whirling around before the ark in such a passion that they caught fire from each …
Holy Chutzpah – The Parable of the Brazen Manager. “Jesus taught his disciples using this story… ‘I have an idea that will secure my future. It will gain me favor and secure friends who can take care of me and help me when I get fired!’ So the dishonest manager hatched his scheme… Even though …
Holy Chutzpah – Moses. “Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of these people? Did I give them birth like a mother? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like …
Holy Chutzpah – Jesus and the Seven Woes. “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to His disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ throne as the authorized interpreters of the Law. So listen and follow what they teach, but don’t do what they do, for they tell you one thing and do …
Holy Chutzpah – Jacob. “This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a Man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. When the Man saw that He would not win the match, He touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. Then the Man said, ‘Let me go, …
Holy Chutzpah – The Canaanite Woman. “Jesus answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.’ And she said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Dear woman, great …
Holy Chutzpah – Abraham. Then they turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. And Abraham came near and said, ‘Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, …
Holy Chutzpah. “There is a Jewish assumption that an intimate faith in God requires tenacity, and that faith in God can be defined as a bold persistence.” (Brad Young, Jesus, the Jewish Theologian). Chutzpah (hoots-pah) is a Yiddish word that long ago entered English usage. It is from the Hebrew word, “hutspah,” which means insolent or …
Surrounded by Heavenly Fire. “I myself, Yahweh the Lord, will be a wall of fire surrounding Jerusalem, and will be a source of glory within her.” (Zechariah 2:5). The Prophet. Zechariah was a prophet in Jerusalem around 520 BC, after the Jews were allowed to return to their homeland. Back home after 70 years in exile, …
Surrounded by Angels. Yahweh-sabaoth = LORD of Hosts; LORD of the Angel Armies; Commander of Heaven’s Armies; Leader of Angelic Warriors; a host of angelic forces massing together for battle at the command of the LORD. This name of God is the most frequently used compound name for God in the Hebrew Bible. It is used over …
Surrounded by the Righteous. “Free me from my prison, Lord, that I may praise your name. The righteous (tzaddiyq) will surround me, the upright shall gather around me, because of your goodness to me. Because you deal so bountifully with me, your people can form a circle around me and you will bring me showers of blessing.” (Psalm 142:7). …