Israel's Borders?

"Rabbi, what are Israel's actual borders?" This was a question from a student during a class about The Old Testament. In many ways this is a difficult question to answer.

The United States Ambassador to Israel said "Some will say it is the Jordan River, some will say it is the Armistice Line of 1949." Today, Israel controls from the Mediterranean Sea to Jerusalem but there is a large dispute as to who controls the West Bank which in reality is Judea and Samaria. Jesus performed the majority of His miracles in Judea and Samaria.

However, the Word of God clearly answers this question. Jehovah God speaking to Abraham and his descendants {The Jews} said in Genesis 15:18, "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates." This includes a major portion of the Middle East. The day is coming when Israel will occupy all of this land!

We Who Love And Support Israel

Should Proclaim Psalm 105:1-11

Vs. 1 - "Oh, give thanks to The Lord! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples."

Vs. 2 - "Sing to Him sing Psalms to Him; talk of all His wonderous works."

Vs. 3 - "Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek The Lord."

Vs. 4 - "Seek The Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore."

Vs. 5 - "Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders and the judgements of His mouth."

Vs. 6 - "O seed of Abraham His servant, you children of Jacob, His chosen ones!

Vs. 7 - "He is The Lord our God; His judgements are in all the earth."

Vs. 8 - "He has remembered His covenants forever, the word which He commanded, for a thousand generations."

Vs. 9 - "The covenant which He made with Abraham and His oath to Isaac."

Vs. 10 - "And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute to Israel for an everlasting covenant."

Vs. 11 - "SAYING, 'TO YOU I WILL GIVE THE LAND OF CANAAN.'"

Blessings,

Frank

Democracy In Israel

Jehovah God warned Israel right from the beginning that trying to be like other nations would lead to division. He even discouraged them from wanting a king - He was their King! Almost every king of Israel were not good kings and most worshiped the false god Baal. Even David and Soloman had their faults.

In countries that functioned as Democracies, the Bible is overtaken by the democracy that becomes the ideal way of functioning. Even Israel today fits into this scenario. The divisions we see in Israel today are no different than its past.

During the time of the Tabernacles and the Temples, there were 12 Tribes and during the second Temple timeframe, there were Pharisees and Sadducees. Today, in Israel, there are Liberal and Secular Jews. However, Jehovah God can bring unity to Israel. Psalm 133:1 says, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

Because We Love Israel Please Join Me

In Praying Psalm 24

Vs. 1 - The earth is the Lord's and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.

Vs. 2 - For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.

Vs. 3 - Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His Holy Place?

Vs. 4 - He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.

Vs. 5 - He shall receive blessing from The Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Vs, 6 - This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face.

Vs. 7 - Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of Glory shall come in.

Vs. 8 - Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

Vs. 9 - Lift up your heads, O you gates! And lift them up, you everlasting doors! And the King of Glory shall come in.

Vs. 10 - Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of Glory.

Blessings,

Frank 

Judea And Samaria?

Palestinian Terrorists fire rockets into Israel on a regular basis from Gaza. Now, with help from Iran they are trying to do the same thing from Judea and Samaria. The United States Government recently gave Iran ten billion dollars as part of a Prisoner Exchange Deal. Iran used part of this money to fund the Terror Group Hamas located in Judea and Samaria. In the past three months we know Hamas has fired at least six rockets into Israeli communities from Northern Judea and Samaria.

These types of reports are very disturbing for many reasons. Judea and Samaria are part of the land God gave to His Chosen People in Genesis 15:18. They are part of Israel! Now, Israeli communities are firing rockets upon each other with terror groups causing all the commotion.

We Need To Solicit Our Loving But Powerful God

To Eliminate Israel's Enemies

Please Join Us In Praying Psalm 18

Vs. 1 - I will love You, O Lord, my strength.

Vs. 2 - The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust.

Vs. 3 - I will call upon The Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.

Vs. 4 - The pangs of death encompassed me and the floods of ungodliness made me afraid.

Vs. 5 - The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of death confronted me.

Vs, 6 - In my distress I called upon The Lord and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.

Vs. 17 - He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me.

Blessings,

Frank           

Psalm 122:6

The Title Verse says "Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem." We at For Zion's Sake Ministry have adopted this verse as the theme verse for our Ministry. What exactly does it mean to "Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem?"

We first need to define the "Peace Of Jerusalem." Most commonly people define Peace as the lack of war. However, the Hebrew definition means a comfortable atmosphere in all areas of a person's life knowing that Jehovah God is in control of that particular life. As a result, when we pray for The Peace Of Jerusalem we are presenting to Jehovah God all areas of unrest in Israel.

The following is a brief description of current situations in Israel that need our prayers for peace:

The leaders of Lebanon are allowing penetrations into Israel to make Israel appear weak.

Iran is supplying Lebanon, Syria and Gaza with rockets to attack Israel.

Palestinians are claiming Samaria as their state.

Judges in Israel have the authority to affect Knesset decisions.

Let Us Close Our Time Together By Praying Psalm 121

Vs. 1 - "I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help."

Vs. 2 - "My help comes from The Lord, Who made heaven and earth."

Vs. 3 - "He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber."

Vs. 4 - "Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."

Blessings,

Frank

Danger For Israel

America and Iran have denied that there are negotiations happening between the two countries concerning a temporary Nuclear Agreement. Jerusalem refuses to accept these denials and are concerned about Israel's inability to influence the Biden Administration and Congress regarding Iran becoming a nuclear threat.

A Nuclear Agreement between Iran and other world powers would be a concern for Israel for the following reasons:

It would probably lift Sanctions against Iran.

Iran would bury its Nuclear Facilities under ground.

The United States might provide Iran with billions of dollars.

Israel will probably be the number one target of a nuclear Iran.

This Scenario Needs Our Fervent Prayers

Please Pray With Us Psalm 20

Vs. 1 - May The Lord answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of The God of Jacob defend you.

Vs. 2 - May He send you help from the sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion.

Vs. 4 - May He grant you according to your heart's desire and fulfill all your purpose.

Vs. 6 - Now I know that The Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.

Vs. 7 - Some trust in chariots and some in horses; but we will remember the name of The Lord our God.

Vs. 8 - They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright.

Vs. 9 - Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we call.

Blessings,

Frank  

   

Time For Responsibility And Restraint

Israeli President Herzog called for calm and political co-operation over Judicial Reforms. This request came on the eve of the Tisha B'Av Fast in memory of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans 2,000 years ago. 

Religious Jews around the world observed a 24 Hour Fast between Wednesday night and Thursday night last week which was the anniversary of when in the year AD 70 the Temple was destroyed by Romans. This happened after much infighting among Jewish groups.

Currently in Israel, there are large demonstrations after the Knesset passed a portion of Judicial Reform. Segments of the Knesset has felt that the Supreme Court has had too much of an influence with the decisions made in the Knesset. This has resulted in the large demonstrations because some people feel the vote in the Knesset could result in ending the Supreme Court or at least limiting their influence.

Together, We Who Love Israel Need To

Pray Psalm 141 For Israel's Protection And Unity

Vs. 1 - Lord, I cry out to you; make haste to me! Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You.

Vs. 2 - Let my prayer be set before You as incense.

Vs. 3 - Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.

Vs. 4 - Do not incline my heart to any evil thing.

Vs. 8 - But my eyes are upon You, O God The Lord.

Vs. 9 - Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me and from the traps of the workers of iniquity.

Vs. 10 - Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I escape safely.

Blessings,

Frank

   

Mixed Messages

United States President Biden has sent mixed messages concerning the relationship between Israel and the United States. According to the New York Times Newspaper Biden said the United States and Israel relationship is in jeopardy but Israeli officials say this is fake news.

Last week Biden met with Israeli President Herzog and reports said the meeting was warm indicating strong bonds between Israel and the United States. Biden said, "This is a friendship that I believe is unbreakable." Also, Herzog addressed the United States Congress and was very well received.

Where did the mixed messages come from? A reporter for the New York Times claimed Biden told him opposite information due to Israel's proposed Judicial Reforms. Who do we believe? Looking at Herzog's positive trip to the United States, we believe the relationship between Israel and the United States is as strong as ever. Praise God!

We Can Keep This Relationship Strong

By Praying Psalm 122 Everyday!

Vs. 1 - "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go into the house of The Lord.'"

Vs. 2 - "Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!"

Vs. 3 - "Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together."

Vs. 4 - "Where the tribes go up, the tribes of The Lord, to the testimony of Israel, to give thanks to the name of The Lord."

Vs. 5 - "For thrones are set there for judgement, the thrones of the house of David."

Vs. 6 - "Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem; may they prosper who love you."

Vs. 7 - "Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces."

Vs. 8 - "For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, 'Peace be within you.'"

Vs. 9 - "Because of the house of The Lord our God, I will seek your good."

Blessings,

Frank