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Tammuz 2

No Shame

“Such hope NEVER disappoints or deludes or shames us …” (Rom 5:5 AMPC, emphasis mine)

The entire Bible was written of a people, and to a people, whose entire culture and society was based upon the principles of honor and shame.  Throughout all of the words we read, we are called to honor our Elohim (Ex 5:1; Ps 96:6; 1Tim 1:7), honor our parents (Ex 20:12), honor those who are above us in Elohim (1Tim 5:17), and honor our neighbor, in that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves (Lev 19:18; Rom 12:10).

The concept of shame, as being the opposite of honor, is especially abhorrent and damning.  It is derogatory to publicly bring shame on another believer, for in doing so it makes a mockery of the one who is created in the image of Elohim.  Even our Messiah Yeshua gave specific instructions on how we are to privately communicate with our brother/sister concerning any problems between us (see Mat 5:22-24); it is only after all attempts at restitution and reconciliation have been exhausted that we bring this matter into the public forum, to the elders of our assembly.

Our opening verse confirms to us that our hopes and expectations, when they are firmly focused on our Creator and His Word, will never bring us shame, or disappoint us.  We can have the confidence and surety that what He has promised to those of us who strive to walk according to His Torah, will bear fruit and come to pass.

And I believe that is something we can ‘take to the bank’ …

“Moreover, it is God who sets both us and you in firm union with the Messiah; he has anointed us, put his seal on us, and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee for the future.” (2Cor 1:21-22 CJB)

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