The Hot Winds of the Heights challenge and stress even the toughest plants. Each morning in the early cool, I tend the cloves of garlic planted in the rich volcanic soil about six weeks ago, several weeks into the start of summer in northern Israel. Planting had been delayed about two weeks, so rootlets were appearing, and it wasn't the optimal time of year.
But rarely do we get to control all the circumstances of life, in spite of our best efforts to have things "perfect!" Are you perhaps one of those people who insist on the "perfect" climate---one degree hotter or one degree too cool and you're off to the complaining stump? But even if the garlic was capable of complaining, nothing was to be gained in any case: it was either into the ground or wither, shrivel, and die.
Every blessing and skill of soil, water, fertilizer, protective shade, and constant vigilance for competing weeds---every morning and many evenings---and I watched for the first signs of life.
Results: Some cloves rotted in the moist rich soil...
Some cloves sent a vigorous shoot that got out of the ground an inch or
so, then withered in the searing heat...
Some cloves I uncovered an inch or so relieving the burden of the heavy
soil over-head... they greened up, but couldn't sprout new life...
One clove was planted upside down: couldn't right itself---dead!
One clove tossed on its side when covered valiantly sent a shoot upward
(not sidewards) to the sun, and still survives...
Several cloves have sprouted small tender growing points---still alive...
And then there are the twelve or so plants which are
already a foot to eighteen inches high! They thrive and really will do
even better in the full sun!
So perhaps the parable of the garlic goes like this---
The Heat Reveals All Things about the Garlic!
The Heat Reveals All Things about Us!
The Heat Reveals God and the Gardener!
Shalom from the Heights!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
The Tree of Life
Blessed is the man who shall not walk in the counsel of the wrong, And shall not stand in the path of sinners, And shall not sit in the seat of scoffers, But his delight is in the Torah of YHWH, And he meditates in HIS Torah day and night.
For He shall be as a tree planted by the rivers of water, that yields its fruit in its season, And whose leaf does not wither, And whatever he does prospers...
Psalm 1:1-3 the tree of life is the Torah of YHWH
Jeremiah 36:22 the pages of the Torah scroll are the leaves of the tree
Ezek. 47:1-12 the trees on the banks of the river bear fruit, and their leaves heal
Revelation 22:1-2 the leaves of the tree of life are for the healing of the nations
Jeremiah 30 -31 the Lord will restore and heal the nations when they turn back to Torah
Jeremiah 17:7-8 those who trust in YHWH shall be as the tree of life
The Spirit of the Master YHWH is upon Me, because YHWH has annointed ME to bring good news to the meek. He has sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the acceptable year of YHWH, and the day of vengeance of our Elohim, to comfort all who mourn, to appoint unto those who mourn in Tzion: to give them embelishment for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
And they shall be called trees of righteousness, a planting of YHWH, to be adorned. And they shall rebuild the old ruins, raise up the former wastes. And they shall restore the ruined cities, the wastes of many generations.
And strangers shall stand and feed on your flocks, and the sons of the foreigner be your ploughmen and your vinedressers. But you shall be called, 'Priests of YHWH', 'Servants of our Elohim' shall be said of you. You shall consume the strength of the gentiles, and boast in their esteem. Instead of your shame and reproach, they rejoice a second time in their portion. Therefore they take possession a second time in their land, everlasting joy is theirs.
"For I YHWH, love right-ruling; I hate robbery for burnt offering. And I shall give their reward in truth, and make an everlasting covenant with them. And their seed shall be known among the gentiles, and their offspring in the midst of the peoples. All who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed YHWH has blessed."
I greatly rejoice in YHWH, my being exults in my Elohim. For He has put garments of deliverance on me, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the seed to shoot up, so the Master YHWH causes righteousness and praise to shoot up before all the nations!
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 61
For He shall be as a tree planted by the rivers of water, that yields its fruit in its season, And whose leaf does not wither, And whatever he does prospers...
Psalm 1:1-3 the tree of life is the Torah of YHWH
Jeremiah 36:22 the pages of the Torah scroll are the leaves of the tree
Ezek. 47:1-12 the trees on the banks of the river bear fruit, and their leaves heal
Revelation 22:1-2 the leaves of the tree of life are for the healing of the nations
Jeremiah 30 -31 the Lord will restore and heal the nations when they turn back to Torah
Jeremiah 17:7-8 those who trust in YHWH shall be as the tree of life
The Spirit of the Master YHWH is upon Me, because YHWH has annointed ME to bring good news to the meek. He has sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the acceptable year of YHWH, and the day of vengeance of our Elohim, to comfort all who mourn, to appoint unto those who mourn in Tzion: to give them embelishment for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
And they shall be called trees of righteousness, a planting of YHWH, to be adorned. And they shall rebuild the old ruins, raise up the former wastes. And they shall restore the ruined cities, the wastes of many generations.
And strangers shall stand and feed on your flocks, and the sons of the foreigner be your ploughmen and your vinedressers. But you shall be called, 'Priests of YHWH', 'Servants of our Elohim' shall be said of you. You shall consume the strength of the gentiles, and boast in their esteem. Instead of your shame and reproach, they rejoice a second time in their portion. Therefore they take possession a second time in their land, everlasting joy is theirs.
"For I YHWH, love right-ruling; I hate robbery for burnt offering. And I shall give their reward in truth, and make an everlasting covenant with them. And their seed shall be known among the gentiles, and their offspring in the midst of the peoples. All who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed YHWH has blessed."
I greatly rejoice in YHWH, my being exults in my Elohim. For He has put garments of deliverance on me, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the seed to shoot up, so the Master YHWH causes righteousness and praise to shoot up before all the nations!
Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 61
Friday, June 27, 2008
After Twenty-two Years...
After Twenty-two Years... The Journal is back! Though the venue is different, that is we are on-line, the purpose of Manasseh has not changed. We hope to give you some insight into the life of Israel which will be unique and also galvanizing of your support in the form of "real facts on the ground." We have no interest in endless talk or grand gestures... So greetings and Shabbat Shalom from the Golan Heights of Israel. Check out our postings as we get up to speed!
Sunday, October 7, 2007
In Your Presence, Israel: that's where I belong...
However, the Word comes---in the depths of the night, in the heat of the battle, in the cry of His children---the Answer is always the same, enduring and constant, merciful and fearfully fiery... I AM Israel, and I AM your portion, and I AM your inheritance. That's where I belong...
Monday, August 27, 2007
DEFINING ISRAEL
1. Who Do you say I am? Mark 8:27-30
Only the Spirit of Yahweh will reveal who Yeshua truly is, who Israel truly is. Unless the SPIRIT reveals Israel to the people, all is in vain. Yahweh's Spirit must do HIS work.
2. What does Yahweh require of us? Deut. 10:12-21 Micah 6:6-8
There are three requirements in Micah. These three requirements come directly from Yahweh's Torah in Deuteronomy chapter 10.
" He has declared to thee, O man what is good. And what does Yahweh require of you but to do right, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God."
Micah 6:6-8 three requirements
1. to do right
2. to love kindness
3. to walk humbly with God.
Number 1 is to do right ( or righteousness).
Psalm 119:172, states that " all Thy commandments are righteousness". Again in Psalm 119:75 " Thy judgements are right"
Number 2 of Micahs requirements is to love kindness.
According to Strongs, the definition of kindness is piety, reproof ( correction), favor, good deed, mercy, pity.
Piety is defined as reverence of Yahweh, and love of His character. Put into practice piety is the exercise of these affections in obedience to His will and devotion to His service. We are commanded in Michas to love kindness. Love piety , love correction, love His mercy and favor to us.
The third and final declared requirement in Micah is to walk humbly with your God, Yahweh. We'll discuss walking with God and how does on walk with their God further on.
Micah states that " He has declared to thee O man.."
Where did He declare this and to whom? Who is this man that He's making a declaration to?
It was declared and defined in Deuteronomy ch 10.
Deut. 10:12 " And now Israel, what does Yahweh, your God require of you, but to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all His ways, and to love, Him and serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of Yahweh and His statutes which I command you today for your good?
The man He is speaking to in Micah is the same man in Deuteronomy.
The man here is Israel.
Israel is intructed here in Deuteronomy to :
1. Fear Yahweh your God
2. to walk in His ways and love and serve Him with all your heart and soul
3. to keep the commandments of Yahweh ( His Torah, the instructions he gave for our good, that it might be well with us)
Number 1.We are told to fear Yahweh.
Prov. 1:7 states " the fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge". The proverbs go on in 2 and 3 to define this fear, and describe how it is attained. The sum total of this is the keeping of and heeding to the very words of Yahweh. His Torah, and instruction for our lives. We cannot gain knowledge without the very knowledge of Yahweh. His Torah is the essence of who He is.
Number 2. to walk in His ways and love and serve Him with all your heart and soul.
It is only when the Torah is written upon ones heart, that man can walk in HIS ways with HIM. His ways are ways of pleasantness and all His paths are peace. (see Proverbs 3 it is walking in Torah that brings wisdom and peace to ones soul and a oneness with Yahweh)
Number 3. Keeping the commandments of Yahweh.
Keeping the commandments of Yahweh IS walking humbly with your God! You cannot walk with your God if you are walking contrary to HIS established ways for you.
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God. Heb 10:31
3. What does Israel mean to you? Joshua 21; Exodus 12:26; Ezek 17:12
What does Israel mean to me ? It's almost inconceivable in my minds eye. The depths of meaning can almost not be described. In one word..
Israel means possession!
Possession of land, Possession of Torah, Possessionof my inheritance, Possession of Yeshua, Possession of Life.
Possession of Yahweh in all His fulness!!!!
Possession of Israel is everything. It's HUGE. It's everything. It's having God as your very own. The Levites/ Priests were to have no possession in the land. The Lord said, " For I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel" Num 18:20. He was giving them Himself. " I'm giving you Me" " My Spirit will dwell inside of you"
Psalm 16:5 "Yahweh is the portion of my inheritance."
With Yahweh you get everything. The will of God. the willof God= His inheritance
Israel means Oneness with Yahweh!!!!!!!!!!
4. What do you see? Amos 8:2; Isaiah 21:6; Ezek. 33:7
Declare what you see!!
As a watchman, what do you see?
A watchman sees the very heart of Yahweh. He sees all that Yahweh sees, and feels what Yahweh feels. A watchman sees Israel's heart. A watchman speaks ( warns, rebukes, declares to man) the very words of Yahweh. ( Mark 6:7-13)
5. What does Yahweh speak concerning Israel? Psalm 50:7
I am God. I am merciful, loving and just. I am in control and will bring to pass the Words of My mouth. I am yours and you are Mine. I am Israel and you are Israel. We are one.
6. Who is Israel? Who is the prevailing or ruling Prince?
Yeshua is Israel ( Hosea 11:1; Matt. 2)
Israel is prevailing and ruling. Who is ruling and reigning with Him?
Isaiah 9:6, says that "the government is on His shoulders". The stones in the garment on the shoulders of the High priest had the names of the 12 tribes inscribed thereon. They are the ones ruling and reigning with Him. They are the "government on His shoulders". They are Israel, the overcomers. The name Israel means " to rule with God". That is the definition of Israel. In Genesis 32:28 Jacob was given a new name, the name Israel, because he prevailed, he was an overcomer. The overcomers in Revelation 2:7-ch. 3 are Israel.
The Overcomers recieve 8 things:
1. eat from the tree of life 2:7 ( torah)
2. Hidden manna to eat 2:17 ( Breadof Life Yeshua) ( Hidden things of the Spirit)
3. a white stone with renewed name on it 2:17 ( white stone is an aquittal, or an admission in) ( Life)
4. Authority over the nations 2:26
5. the morning Star 2:28 ( Yeshua the bright and morning Star (Rev. 22:16)
6. Be dressed in white robes and have your name written in the Book of Life and confessed before the Father.
3:5 ( Matt. 10:32)
7. Become a supporting Post in the Dwelling Place of God 3:12
8. A seat on the throne with Yeshua 3:21 ( Ruling and reigning with Him) ( Isaiah 9:6)
When I am in the Spirit of Yahweh , I am an overcomer. I am one with Yeshua the prevailing and ruling Prince.
I am Yisrael!!!
Only the Spirit of Yahweh will reveal who Yeshua truly is, who Israel truly is. Unless the SPIRIT reveals Israel to the people, all is in vain. Yahweh's Spirit must do HIS work.
2. What does Yahweh require of us? Deut. 10:12-21 Micah 6:6-8
There are three requirements in Micah. These three requirements come directly from Yahweh's Torah in Deuteronomy chapter 10.
" He has declared to thee, O man what is good. And what does Yahweh require of you but to do right, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God."
Micah 6:6-8 three requirements
1. to do right
2. to love kindness
3. to walk humbly with God.
Number 1 is to do right ( or righteousness).
Psalm 119:172, states that " all Thy commandments are righteousness". Again in Psalm 119:75 " Thy judgements are right"
Number 2 of Micahs requirements is to love kindness.
According to Strongs, the definition of kindness is piety, reproof ( correction), favor, good deed, mercy, pity.
Piety is defined as reverence of Yahweh, and love of His character. Put into practice piety is the exercise of these affections in obedience to His will and devotion to His service. We are commanded in Michas to love kindness. Love piety , love correction, love His mercy and favor to us.
The third and final declared requirement in Micah is to walk humbly with your God, Yahweh. We'll discuss walking with God and how does on walk with their God further on.
Micah states that " He has declared to thee O man.."
Where did He declare this and to whom? Who is this man that He's making a declaration to?
It was declared and defined in Deuteronomy ch 10.
Deut. 10:12 " And now Israel, what does Yahweh, your God require of you, but to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all His ways, and to love, Him and serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of Yahweh and His statutes which I command you today for your good?
The man He is speaking to in Micah is the same man in Deuteronomy.
The man here is Israel.
Israel is intructed here in Deuteronomy to :
1. Fear Yahweh your God
2. to walk in His ways and love and serve Him with all your heart and soul
3. to keep the commandments of Yahweh ( His Torah, the instructions he gave for our good, that it might be well with us)
Number 1.We are told to fear Yahweh.
Prov. 1:7 states " the fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge". The proverbs go on in 2 and 3 to define this fear, and describe how it is attained. The sum total of this is the keeping of and heeding to the very words of Yahweh. His Torah, and instruction for our lives. We cannot gain knowledge without the very knowledge of Yahweh. His Torah is the essence of who He is.
Number 2. to walk in His ways and love and serve Him with all your heart and soul.
It is only when the Torah is written upon ones heart, that man can walk in HIS ways with HIM. His ways are ways of pleasantness and all His paths are peace. (see Proverbs 3 it is walking in Torah that brings wisdom and peace to ones soul and a oneness with Yahweh)
Number 3. Keeping the commandments of Yahweh.
Keeping the commandments of Yahweh IS walking humbly with your God! You cannot walk with your God if you are walking contrary to HIS established ways for you.
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God. Heb 10:31
3. What does Israel mean to you? Joshua 21; Exodus 12:26; Ezek 17:12
What does Israel mean to me ? It's almost inconceivable in my minds eye. The depths of meaning can almost not be described. In one word..
Israel means possession!
Possession of land, Possession of Torah, Possessionof my inheritance, Possession of Yeshua, Possession of Life.
Possession of Yahweh in all His fulness!!!!
Possession of Israel is everything. It's HUGE. It's everything. It's having God as your very own. The Levites/ Priests were to have no possession in the land. The Lord said, " For I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel" Num 18:20. He was giving them Himself. " I'm giving you Me" " My Spirit will dwell inside of you"
Psalm 16:5 "Yahweh is the portion of my inheritance."
With Yahweh you get everything. The will of God. the willof God= His inheritance
Israel means Oneness with Yahweh!!!!!!!!!!
4. What do you see? Amos 8:2; Isaiah 21:6; Ezek. 33:7
Declare what you see!!
As a watchman, what do you see?
A watchman sees the very heart of Yahweh. He sees all that Yahweh sees, and feels what Yahweh feels. A watchman sees Israel's heart. A watchman speaks ( warns, rebukes, declares to man) the very words of Yahweh. ( Mark 6:7-13)
5. What does Yahweh speak concerning Israel? Psalm 50:7
I am God. I am merciful, loving and just. I am in control and will bring to pass the Words of My mouth. I am yours and you are Mine. I am Israel and you are Israel. We are one.
6. Who is Israel? Who is the prevailing or ruling Prince?
Yeshua is Israel ( Hosea 11:1; Matt. 2)
Israel is prevailing and ruling. Who is ruling and reigning with Him?
Isaiah 9:6, says that "the government is on His shoulders". The stones in the garment on the shoulders of the High priest had the names of the 12 tribes inscribed thereon. They are the ones ruling and reigning with Him. They are the "government on His shoulders". They are Israel, the overcomers. The name Israel means " to rule with God". That is the definition of Israel. In Genesis 32:28 Jacob was given a new name, the name Israel, because he prevailed, he was an overcomer. The overcomers in Revelation 2:7-ch. 3 are Israel.
The Overcomers recieve 8 things:
1. eat from the tree of life 2:7 ( torah)
2. Hidden manna to eat 2:17 ( Breadof Life Yeshua) ( Hidden things of the Spirit)
3. a white stone with renewed name on it 2:17 ( white stone is an aquittal, or an admission in) ( Life)
4. Authority over the nations 2:26
5. the morning Star 2:28 ( Yeshua the bright and morning Star (Rev. 22:16)
6. Be dressed in white robes and have your name written in the Book of Life and confessed before the Father.
3:5 ( Matt. 10:32)
7. Become a supporting Post in the Dwelling Place of God 3:12
8. A seat on the throne with Yeshua 3:21 ( Ruling and reigning with Him) ( Isaiah 9:6)
When I am in the Spirit of Yahweh , I am an overcomer. I am one with Yeshua the prevailing and ruling Prince.
I am Yisrael!!!
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Speak, Do, Be, Reveal...
Speak of The Israel of God: for this I have been given ears to hear. Reveal The Israel of God: for this I have been given eyes to see. Love The Israel of God: for this is the whole Counsel of the Spirit. Walk in The Israel of God: for this is the whole will and purpose of Life.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Israel: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How
............This is a monumental task. I can't do it, but YOU can LORD.
"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" !
Ok, ok, YOU'RE right. You always have the last word. So I was wrong (as usual). I can do this, because YOU dwell in and strengthen me. After all, this is about Israel, and I AM Israel, so why not.
Ok, so now that we've determined that its YOU doing it through me, go ahead. Tell the people what you want them to hear. I am a ready and willing vessel for YOUR words.
"Shema Yisrael, Hear O Israel"
But wait, YOU can direct Israel to hear YOU, but if they don't know that they are Israel, will they listen?
Until one can take ownership of Israel, the land, the people, the Name, the essence, the character, the actual reality of the who, what, where, when, why and how, than it becomes just wonderful stories and references of a time passed by, a people of long ago, a place of the future, or a Name not claimed.
It almost becomes a reality that isn't. It becomes the attitude of " that was then, but this is now". " That may have been profitable, but it isn't fully relevant for us today". " Times have changed". "People have changed". They even go so far as to say " the word of God has changed".
Your people must know that You started with a people and You will end with that same people. They must know that you haven't changed your mind, and replaced anyone, that Your Word is the Rock that we stand on, You are the same as You were in the beginning.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever" Hebrews 13:8
" For I am Yahweh, I change NOT! " Mal. 3:6
They must know that....
"it is unrighteous men who changed the truth of God into a lie" Rom. 1:25
With all that said where are we going with this topic of Israel? We must begin as a people to ask the Lord about Israel. What does He want us to understand about Israel. What did the Lord Jesus himself say about Israel?
"And He answering ( his disciples) said, " I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel". Matt 15:24
Yeshua (Jesus) said that He was only sent to seek out the lost sheep of the house of Israel. They are the ones He came for.
This is a foundational concept in the Bible. One must understand the fullness of this word Israel. The whole bible is about a people called Israel. The bible is called the Book of Life. It is the lambs Book of Life that is spoken of in Revelation ch 21. You are written in the Lambs Book of Life, the Bible. You must know who you are and where are you spoken of in the book. Where are you in the Lambs Book of Life? If someone were to ask you, could you show them the passages that speak of you. Who are you in this book?
The Bible is a book about a people God chose for Himself, a chosen people for God's very own possession.
HE calls them " My people Israel". He said they would be His people forever. Israel has not been replaced with "churchmen". Israel includes churchmen. The covenants that God made with Israel apply to you as a believer in the Messiah ( Jesus). see Ephesians 2:11-13 Hebrews 8:8-9 Jeremiah 31:31-32; Romans 11:17-18; and Ezekiel 47:21-22.
We are not talking about a "spiritual Israel". We are not "spiritual Israel". We are not yet spiritual! We are flesh and blood, we have a soul, and we have a spirit, that has been made alive in Christ Jesus. We are completely Israel, not just spiritual Israel. He told us in Galatians ch. 3:29..
"And if you are in Christ (which we are), then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise"
We became Israel when we accepted Yeshua Ha Mashiach ( Jesus Christ) as our Savior. When we did this we became partakers of the inheritance. That is what an heir is!!! Paul gives us the list of things belonging to Israel. It is the "will" so to speak. Yeshua died and now the inheritance is ours. This is what we gain.
Romans 9:4 lists the things belonging to Israelites.
1. adoption ( John 1;12) " But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of
God, to those believing in His Name."
2. glory
3. covenants ( there are 7 covenants, one of which is the New Covenant ( we call it the NewTestament) we will
discuss the covenants at a later date)
4. giving of the Law ( Law is the word Torah and it means the teaching of God)
5. worship
6. promises
7. the fathers ( from which came Messiah) "The hearts of the fathers will be turned to the children and the hearts of the children will be turned to the fathers before the coming of the great and awesome day of Yahweh" Mal 4:5
Look carefully at the list. These are the things that were given to you upon the death of your Savior. Adoption, glory, covenants, the Law, worship, promises, and the fathers.
If we try to spiritualize our way out of being fully Israel. We miss a great portion of the inheritance. We miss the fullness of what it means to be the people of God. We can not pick and choose those things that are in the inheritance. We receive all or we receive none.
We must begin to recognize our place in the family of God. His family is called Israel. His children are called Israel. Israel is monumental. We must begin to climb the mountains of Israel until we reach the top, the very place of His Glory.
Israel
Who?.........He is Israel, His people are Israel, I am Israel..
What? ....... A Name, A People, A place, A family...
Where?......A land in the east, a people all around me, a place inside me..
When? ......Yesterday, Today, Forever..
Why?........Because He lives, He never forgets, He promises me...
How?........Ask and you Shall receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be open unto you!
"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" !
Ok, ok, YOU'RE right. You always have the last word. So I was wrong (as usual). I can do this, because YOU dwell in and strengthen me. After all, this is about Israel, and I AM Israel, so why not.
Ok, so now that we've determined that its YOU doing it through me, go ahead. Tell the people what you want them to hear. I am a ready and willing vessel for YOUR words.
"Shema Yisrael, Hear O Israel"
But wait, YOU can direct Israel to hear YOU, but if they don't know that they are Israel, will they listen?
Until one can take ownership of Israel, the land, the people, the Name, the essence, the character, the actual reality of the who, what, where, when, why and how, than it becomes just wonderful stories and references of a time passed by, a people of long ago, a place of the future, or a Name not claimed.
It almost becomes a reality that isn't. It becomes the attitude of " that was then, but this is now". " That may have been profitable, but it isn't fully relevant for us today". " Times have changed". "People have changed". They even go so far as to say " the word of God has changed".
Your people must know that You started with a people and You will end with that same people. They must know that you haven't changed your mind, and replaced anyone, that Your Word is the Rock that we stand on, You are the same as You were in the beginning.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever" Hebrews 13:8
" For I am Yahweh, I change NOT! " Mal. 3:6
They must know that....
"it is unrighteous men who changed the truth of God into a lie" Rom. 1:25
With all that said where are we going with this topic of Israel? We must begin as a people to ask the Lord about Israel. What does He want us to understand about Israel. What did the Lord Jesus himself say about Israel?
"And He answering ( his disciples) said, " I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel". Matt 15:24
Yeshua (Jesus) said that He was only sent to seek out the lost sheep of the house of Israel. They are the ones He came for.
This is a foundational concept in the Bible. One must understand the fullness of this word Israel. The whole bible is about a people called Israel. The bible is called the Book of Life. It is the lambs Book of Life that is spoken of in Revelation ch 21. You are written in the Lambs Book of Life, the Bible. You must know who you are and where are you spoken of in the book. Where are you in the Lambs Book of Life? If someone were to ask you, could you show them the passages that speak of you. Who are you in this book?
The Bible is a book about a people God chose for Himself, a chosen people for God's very own possession.
HE calls them " My people Israel". He said they would be His people forever. Israel has not been replaced with "churchmen". Israel includes churchmen. The covenants that God made with Israel apply to you as a believer in the Messiah ( Jesus). see Ephesians 2:11-13 Hebrews 8:8-9 Jeremiah 31:31-32; Romans 11:17-18; and Ezekiel 47:21-22.
We are not talking about a "spiritual Israel". We are not "spiritual Israel". We are not yet spiritual! We are flesh and blood, we have a soul, and we have a spirit, that has been made alive in Christ Jesus. We are completely Israel, not just spiritual Israel. He told us in Galatians ch. 3:29..
"And if you are in Christ (which we are), then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise"
We became Israel when we accepted Yeshua Ha Mashiach ( Jesus Christ) as our Savior. When we did this we became partakers of the inheritance. That is what an heir is!!! Paul gives us the list of things belonging to Israel. It is the "will" so to speak. Yeshua died and now the inheritance is ours. This is what we gain.
Romans 9:4 lists the things belonging to Israelites.
1. adoption ( John 1;12) " But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of
God, to those believing in His Name."
2. glory
3. covenants ( there are 7 covenants, one of which is the New Covenant ( we call it the NewTestament) we will
discuss the covenants at a later date)
4. giving of the Law ( Law is the word Torah and it means the teaching of God)
5. worship
6. promises
7. the fathers ( from which came Messiah) "The hearts of the fathers will be turned to the children and the hearts of the children will be turned to the fathers before the coming of the great and awesome day of Yahweh" Mal 4:5
Look carefully at the list. These are the things that were given to you upon the death of your Savior. Adoption, glory, covenants, the Law, worship, promises, and the fathers.
If we try to spiritualize our way out of being fully Israel. We miss a great portion of the inheritance. We miss the fullness of what it means to be the people of God. We can not pick and choose those things that are in the inheritance. We receive all or we receive none.
We must begin to recognize our place in the family of God. His family is called Israel. His children are called Israel. Israel is monumental. We must begin to climb the mountains of Israel until we reach the top, the very place of His Glory.
Israel
Who?.........He is Israel, His people are Israel, I am Israel..
What? ....... A Name, A People, A place, A family...
Where?......A land in the east, a people all around me, a place inside me..
When? ......Yesterday, Today, Forever..
Why?........Because He lives, He never forgets, He promises me...
How?........Ask and you Shall receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be open unto you!
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