Instead of soberly acknowledging that our days are numbered in this world, many people deny the reality of death, steadfastly ignoring any idea of judgment to come. Yeshua warned us, however, that “nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light” (Mark 4:22). We should tremble before such words. Each of us will give account for what we have done with the time given us (Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:10; Matt. 12:36). Moses therefore prayed to God: “teach us to number our days,” that is, help us understand how to make our days count for eternity, to have a “weight of glory” (βάρος δόξης) that will shine in the world to come…
“As for man, his days are as grass. . . the wind passes over him and he is gone” (Psalm 103:15-16). Life goes by so quickly, and we never know when our personal “Rosh Hashanah” will come. “No one knows the day or hour…” That’s why it is so vital to be healed and to turn to God while there is still time. So turn to him today and bacharta ba’chayim (בָּחַרְתָּ בַּחַיִּים) – “choose life!” “For this commandment (of turning to God) is not hidden from you, and it is not far away. It is not in heaven… nor across the sea…. Rather, the matter is very near you – in your mouth and your heart – to do it” (Deut. 30:11-14; Rom. 10:8-13).
Think of today, this immediate hour… Now is the time we have to turn to God for life. Do not delay until the next day; do not say, “Tomorrow I will turn…” We only have this day, this hour to make our stand: tomorrow is a different world. As it is said, “For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand, today — if we hear his voice and do not harden our hearts” (Psalm 95:7-9). We are warned not to “harden our hearts,” that is, not to lose sight of real hope by refusing to trust in the promises of God’s love.
Despite the frailty and tenuous brevity of our days, may it please the LORD God to shine the power of His radiance upon us, and to establish our works for His praise. May He help us to “number our days” so that we may obtain levav chokhmah (לְבַב חָכְמָה) – a heart of wisdom to live according to His will (James 1:5). Above all else, may the “God of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, the Father of Glory (אֲבִי הַכָּבוֹד), impart to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him (רוּחַ הַחָכְמָה וְהֶחָזוֹן לָדַעַת אתוֹ), having the “eyes of your hearts” (ὀφθαλμοὺς τῆς καρδίας) enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you” (Eph. 1:17-18). May you be strong, resolute, and fully focused on our LORD, and may God make this real for us: Amen.
Hebrew Lesson:
