Chosen, Persecuted, A Blessing

Genesis 12:2-3 "I will bless you. . .and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Possibly you find the title for this week's message interesting and curious. At the same time I am sure you know who these above descriptive words are describing - the Jewish people. The above referenced verses of God's Word clearly points out that Abraham and his descendants through Isaac and Jacob will be blessed but also will be a blessing to the world. They are "Chosen of God."

However, along with being "Chosen" has come a lifetime of persecution. Their history reveals 400 years of bondage in Egypt; 70 similar years in Babylon; Pogroms in Russia and Spain; the Holocaust; tyrannical powers controlling their land; and currently continual attacks by surrounding enemy countries.

The news reports this week reveal the possibility of Peace Talks starting again. Is this another form of persecution? I believe so! There have been many other peace talks that have taken place over the years with such titles as Madrid, Oslo, Camp David, The Road Map but nothing changes. What is the problem? In 2003, Zola Levitt stated "The answer to peace in Israel is simply for the Palestinians to stop killing Israelis. That is all that is needed. If tomorrow morning there were no Palestinians trying to kill Israelis, Israel would have no need to retaliate or arrest anyone." This is the Truth!

How have the Jewish people responded to being chosen, persecuted, and called to be a blessing? The Jewish people are a blessing beyond proportion relative to how few their people are in number. For example, although only 0.2% of the world's population, between 1901 and 2010 Jews won 27% of Nobel Prizes for Medicine, 25% for Physics and 42% for Economics.

God's Chosen People are an example of through much persecution they have learned to Trust In The Lord. We should pray daily for them as it appears new persecutions could be starting.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day And Each Day,

Frank    

A History Lesson

I would think that all those who have an interest in the events of the Middle East would agree their ultimate goal is for peace. United States Secretary of State John Kerry has been working towards establishing new peace talks without success. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is ready to participate immediately but without pre-conditions to the peace talks from the Palestinians.

As a result, there are barriers preventing even talking about peace but even bigger barriers to actually establishing peace. Many Israelis question whether their enemies have moved past their desire to eliminate the Jews and Israel. An Arab produced film currently in production will commemorate the extinction of an entire Jewish community, Khaibar. Chants of "Remember Khaibar" is chanted by Arabs across the Middle East. This does not sound like an attitude of working toward peace.

Also, a history lesson seems very appropriate for those chanting and others like them. Ezekiel 35 is titled "The Judgement of Edom." Approximately 2,500 years ago Edom housed millions of people located just southeast of the Dead Sea. Today, only a few people live there and it is totally desolate. What happened? Ezekiel 35:5,7,9 illustrates the following: "Because you had an ancient hatred and have shed the blood of the children of Israel by the power of the sword. . .thus I will make Mt. Seir {Edom} most desolate . . .I will make you perpetually desolate and your cities shall be uninhabited; then you shall know that I am The Lord." 

The story of the Edomites illustrates the truth and the power of the Word of God! Let us pray continually for God's Will and Purposes according to His Word will control events in the Middle East.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day And Each Day,

Frank

Egypt "In That Day"

News headlines during the last week have informed us that the Muslim Brotherhood government in Egypt headed by Prime Minister Morsi has been overthrown by the Egyptian Army. A large portion of the citizens of Egypt through a poll taken indicated that 73% believed that the Morsi government was not capable of improving a very weak economy. Additionally, 22 million of these same citizens signed a petition to remove the Morsi government. An interim Prime Minister has been put in place who has promised a democratic election for a new government within six months.

How do these events in Egypt line up prophetically with the Word of God? Isaiah 19:18-25 address the spiritual condition of Egypt "In That Day" which most Bible scholars believe is when Jesus physically comes back to earth. Notice what is happening in Egypt "In That Day" in Isaiah 19:

"In That Day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear by the Lord of Hosts." vs. 18

"In That Day there will be an altar to The Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt." vs. 19

"In That Day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria." vs. 23

"In That Day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land, whom The Lord of Host shall bless." vs. 24 & 25

Could these events this past week in Egypt bring us closer to the return of Jesus to earth when Egypt will be worshipping The Lord our God with Israel and Assyria? Obviously, Israel is observing these events in Egypt very carefully especially in regard to the nomenclature of the next government since they still are observing a peace treaty with Egypt. We who love and support Israel need to pray earnstly concerning all these events.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day And Each Day,

Frank  

Celebration

Today is Independence Day when the citizens of the United States celebrate the anniversary of the founding of our nation with fireworks and gatherings of friends and family. Hopefully, some are giving thanks for our founding fathers who with the help of our Heavenly Father birthed this nation on Judeo-Christian values.

However, as we reflect on the current spiritual and moral climate of our country we find a far different picture than of the original founding principles. Abortions are being performed each and every day, fifty percent of marriages fail, our government is deeply in debt and even the Biblical definition of marriage is under attack. We are in great need of a Spiritual Revival!

Our Heavenly Father gives us clear instructions in IIChronicles 7:14 about our part before "He will heal our land." We are to "Humble ourselves, pray and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways." Additionally, our Lord desires for us to bless Israel and then He will bless us and our nation. Genesis 12:3 says "I will bless those who bless you."

The last significant wave of salvation and faith expansion took place in the United States in the late 1960's and early 1970's. This movement of God was called "The Jesus Movement" and thousands of young adults and hippies became believers in Jesus. No doubt this movement of God was birthed on large numbers of people adhering to IIChronicles 7:14 and on blessing Israel.

I truly believe prayers for Israel were an important part of this movement of God because at the same time Israel was fighting the Six Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973. Believers and agnostics have testified to the awesome presence of angelic hosts during these conflicts. God's mercy caused Israel's triumphs.

Would we who love our country and Israel recommit ourselves this special day of remembrance to be in a spirit of humility and repentance for our country and pray continually and boldly for a spiritual revival movement of our God for the United States and Israel?

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Each Day,

Frank