Jacob And Esau

Two weeks ago we brought a message of why the Jews are God's Chosen People. This week we will continue this message but with a different approach and one which some do not associate with God's Chosen People or even misunderstand the meaning of the story. I refer to the story of Jacob and Esau.

The story is an illustration of God's unconditional love for Israel and the Jewish people. According to Jewish tradition, Esau as the firstborn was entitled to Isaac's birthright and should have received preferential treatment. He also was a hunter and a hard worker while Jacob was a schemer.

However, God chose Jacob! Even before they were born, our Lord God said to Rebekah, "The older will serve the younger." Genesis 25:23. God did not choose Jacob because he deserved it and our Lord God even said, "I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated."

Now, wait a minute! God loves all people, why would He say He hated Esau? I have learned that God did not really hate Esau. This statement is actually an exaggeration to make the point that God in His Sovereignty preferred Jacob over Esau.

Romans 9:11-16 addresses the story of Jacob and Esau and raises the question, is God unjust? It then responds to this question with God responding, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." God choosing the Jewish people as His Chosen People is an example of His acting in His sovereignty!

There is much we can learn from the story of Jacob and Esau. I believe the most important lesson learned is even if we find it difficult to understand the ways of our Lord God, we should always realize that, "In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28. Additionally, Romans 11:34 says, "For who has known the mind of The Lord? Or who has become His counselor?" Bless His Holy Name!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank 

  

Anti - Semitism, Past And Present

During last week's message, we learned why the Jewish people are referred to as God's Chosen People. We also learned that our Lord God established a covenant relationship with them resulting in their being "A Light To The World." This week we will look at the continuous plan by Satan to destroy God's Chosen People known as Anti - Semitism.

Sadly, Anti - Semitism came forth initially through the early European Christian Church. Early church theology stated that God had forsaken the Jews because of their sins and replaced them with the church. The Catholic Church promoted this  doctrine known as Replacement Theology as well as the newly formed Protestant Churches. Jews were harassed and even murdered in "Christian Europe." It is interesting to note that the Christian church today in Europe is almost non-existent.

Today, in churches throughout the world Anti - Semitism is still active. This is especially true in Great Britain and other European countries. America has been relatively free from Anti - Semitism. A recent poll indicated that nine percent of Americans are prejudiced against Jews while this same poll showed twenty four percent in Europe. A recent survey revealed the Jews are the most positively viewed religious group in America.

Currently, the largest form of Anti - Semitism world wide is in the form of devout Muslims. The 1.6 billion Muslims throughout the world are born and raised to hate the Jews and Israel. They study the Koran and follow Sharia Law and are taught to destroy the Jews and Israel. In the United States, Muslims who are promoters for Islam and its war against Israel, have become professors, judges and community leaders. Surprisingly, most American Jews are not aware of Anti - Semitism as being part of mainstream Islam.

In reality, hatred against Jews is actually hatred against the God of Israel! So, what can we do and what can be our part in this ongoing battle? Born again Christians and Messianic Jews are the most powerful force that can defeat Anti - Semitism through individual prayer and large prayer gatherings. We must stand firm against Anti - Semitism in whatever form it surfaces. AMEN And AMEN!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank       

God's Chosen People

This week is known as Holy Week for Christians as they respectfully remember the death and resurrection of their Savior Jesus Christ. This week also is important for the Jewish people, God's Chosen People. For ten days they celebrate the Feast of Passover remembering how God delivered them from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. Notice their dedication to this Feast as it is a ten day celebration.

Why are the Jews called "God's Chosen People?" In the third month after leaving Egypt, they came to Mount Sinai. As God called Moses up on the mountain, He said, "Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel. Then all the people answered together and said, 'All that The Lord has spoken we will do.'" Exodus 19:5,6,8.

Well, how have God's chosen people lived up to this very special calling of God? First of all, we know there is an obedient dedication to studying and memorizing the Word of God. Observant Jewish parents begin teaching their children to read Hebrew at the age of three. At age six, children begin daily study in Synagogue schools. By the time of their Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah they are expected to understand and have memorized the entire Torah. As a result, they have better knowledge of Scripture than many seminary graduates.

Additionally, as a priestly nation, God's Chosen People are trained to communicate the Truth of God and to serve as a light to the nations. God has shaped their lives and given them wisdom for success. Romans 9:4-5 illustrates all that God gave to the Jews initially, "Who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came?" Praise The Lord, now, through the shed blood of Jesus, we as Christians have also received all these blessings of our Lord God.

This Holy Week, let us thank our Lord God for His plan of salvation but also offer thanks for God's Chosen People and their dedication to the Word of God. Also pray especially this week that many of them will recognize Jesus as their Messiah. 

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank 

City Of God - Psalm 87:3

How important is Jerusalem to our Lord God? When we search scriptures we find that Jerusalem is described by 70 different names and everyone illustrates Jerusalem as God's city and how much He loves Jerusalem. Let me share a few names to illustrate this point:  City of God - Psalm 87:3, City of The Living God - Hebrews 12:22, Mountain of The Lord - Isaiah 2:3, My City - Isaiah 45:13, My Holy Hill - Psalm 2:6 and The Throne of The Lord - Jeremiah 3:17.

Another extraordinary example of God's love for Jerusalem and Israel happened 50 years ago in June of 1967. This event can only be described as a miracle of God, one of many He has performed for Israel. At the time, East Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria were under Jordanian control. This meant that the Jewish people in Jerusalem could not go to their Holy Sites in East Jerusalem or pray at the Western Wall. The event we are about to describe is referred to as the Six Day War of 1967.

Arab countries had surrounded the Jewish State with the intent of destroying Israel. Realizing the situation, Israel attempted a peaceful negotiation. However, the Arab forces led by the Egyptian President Nasser, still were determined to attack Israel. The odds of victory for Israel were limited since their forces were outnumbered and the enemy had three times the tanks and four times as many aircraft. 

In a bold and surprise move, the Israeli Air Force launched a strike on the Egyptian Air Force. This maneuver resulted in one of the most brilliant and surprise attacks in the history of warfare. As a result, on June 7, 1967 a brigade of Israeli paratroopers broke through the Old City walls and in victory marched to the Western Wall. The result was the sound of shofars blowing, the sound of voices singing at the Western Wall and Rabbi Goren declaring, "Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, Who comforts Zion and builds Jerusalem."

A week later the world was stunned. Military experts could not explain such a surprise victory. Moshe Dayan, commander of the Israeli forces, recognized the result as a miracle of God. He later said, "This was the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." We need to pray for our Lord God's miracle working power of protection for Israel each day. He Is Still A Miracle Working God !

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank