The Apple of His Eye

Today's post will be different from most.  We could update on the onslaught of terror attacks that still continue daily in Israel with stabbings, car rammings, shootings and riots - where people are dying, being injured and lives are forever changed.  Even today there has already been two separate stabbing attacks in Jerusalem - one at the Old City and one on a bus.   We hope to do a post soon about more appointed visits we've had with Israel's Defense Forces.  However, we want to address something even bigger.

We already know in advance that due to people's busy schedules, and information overload, most won't even read this post - but for those who do, even if it's only one, this is for you.  We share with you our heart, and what we also believe is God's own heart.  Some may say that "Israel & the Jewish people" are important to us - Jim & Linda, and others like us - because it's where God has placed us as individuals to serve.  He gives others different nations, people groups, and neighborhoods to serve. We would like to say, though, that anyone who reads the Bible knows that Israel and the Jewish people are important to God, and they are on HIS heart - that alone should make them important to us all.

* If you haven't listened to the song in the email yet, please listen to it before you continue reading. Sorry we couldn't figure out how to post an mp3 in the blog.

And so, we wanted to share some of the things we personally have been considering and contemplating lately.  There are acts of terror popping up all over the world, but in this post, we want to focus on Israel, and after you read, we hope you will see why.

There is so much going on in the world against Israel right now - beginning with our neighbors within Israel wanting to take the Land, neighbors in the Middle East wanting to erase Israel, and also the Nations blaming Israel and putting pressure on Her.

What we see in the natural - or political - is really the Spiritual being played out before our eyes.  The world doesn’t see this, and sadly, much of the Church doesn’t either.  While we know it will only be a remnant that stands with Israel, this is very troubling. 

 
We can see all around the world that people are being put in a position of having to make the choice of where do you stand when it comes to Israel?  The anti-Semitism against the “Jews” of the past, has changed its face to being “anti-Israel”.  This is more palatable to people because it’s being masked as political and not racial, and certainly not anything having to do with God.  In this, many Christians and Churches are being deceived into standing against Israel, not realizing the consequence of their actions.

As we watch what is happening - the European Union labeling products from the "West Bank", blaming of Israel or “the Jews” for almost anything bad that happens in the world (even the attack in Paris!), and physical and verbal attacks of Jews worldwide, we can certainly see glimpses of what occurred not so long ago right before the Holocaust took place. For many of us, that was "before our time",  but really, it wasn't that long ago, and it appears that history may be repeating itself in our generation.

We talk about “BDS” against Israel, but we decided to look each word up in the dictionary, and what we found is a little startling when you define it instead of just saying “BDS”.

Boycott

verb (used with object)

* to combine in abstaining from, or preventing dealings with, as a means of intimidation or coercion

* to abstain from buying or using

Divest

verb (used with object)

* to strip of clothing, ornament, etc

* to strip or deprive (someone or something), especially of property or rights; dispossess.

* to rid of or free from

* Law:

 to take away or alienate (property, rights, etc.).

* Commerce:

to sell off

to rid of through sale

Sanction

noun

* Law:

a provision of a law enacting a penalty for disobedience.

the penalty.

* International Law. action by one or more states toward another state calculated to force it to comply with legal obligations.

verb (used with object)

* to impose a sanction on; penalize, especially by way of discipline.


So, by definition, the world is trying to intimidate Israel, to strip and deprive Her of property and rights.  Trying to dispossess Her, to be rid of and free from Her.  They want to alienate Israel, and "sell her off."  To the world, doing so is a penalty for Israel's disobedience, and they will force Her to comply with their obligations - their goal is to discipline Israel.  First, no one wanted Jews in their country. Now that they have their own country, the world says Israel is an occupier and they want to take the Land away.  It seems to us that BDS and anti-Semitism is a strange way to provoke a Jew to jealousy. Romans11:11

While none of us would participate or condone any of this -   we do think, however, that we should each ask ourselves (as we have been) how far our loyalties lie when it comes to standing with Israel.  We all, of course say “never again” and condemn the inaction of “The Church” before and during the Holocaust.  We lift up on a pedestal (and rightly so) those who saved and defended the Jews during that time period - the Oscar Schindlers, the Anne Franks and the Corrie Ten Booms.  They "walked the talk."

But we need to ask ourselves, if we were in a position that it would affect our finances, our family, possible imprisonment, or even our life – would we go the distance with our solidarity?  If it was dangerous (for whatever reason) to wear a Star of David necklace, would we?  If we would be a target for flying an Israeli flag, would we?  We certainly understand the difference in taking a stand, and using wisdom with this.  We do this ourselves when traveling.  We just have to wonder, while right now many of us are so strongly vocal with our support and our actions, if things got really difficult, are we so steadfast in our solidarity that we would “ride it through to the end” no matter the cost?  Could we be like Oscar, Anne, Corrie and many others who risked everything?  As we see the Nations raging around us, we ask ourselves these questions. 

When we moved to Israel, we made a commitment to the Lord, knowing it was His will for us:  even if we never went back to America, even if we never saw our friends & family again, even our daughter - we would come.  It’s this same solid commitment we'd like to know we can continue to walk - no matter the cost.  It’s something we each need to consider and ask ourselves.  Will we defend God's people? Or will be be silent to defend ourselves? Are we willing to lay down our lives for a friend? John 15:13  It's not a flippant question, and deserves deep consideration. 

The Bible says the Nations are going to be held accountable for their actions towards Israel.

Joel 4 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

1“For then, at that time, when I restore
the fortunes of Y’hudah and Yerushalayim,
² I will gather all nations and bring them down
to the Valley of Y’hoshafat [Adonai judges].
I will enter into judgment there
for my people, my heritage Isra’el,
whom they scattered among the nations;
then they divided my land."


And for those who choose to stand with Her....

We want to play a music video of a song we’ve posted before.  On YouTube, with the video, this is written:

"I Believe" is a song that crushes the barriers of ideological differences. The foundation of an eternal righteous plan for the redemption of the whole earth begins with a special covenant to a specific people in a specific land. In the millenniums following this promise men have sought to alter, to distort, and even undo God's beautiful plan.

This song challenges us to make a stand with the Word of God:

He remembers His covenant forever...the word He commanded for a thousand generations...the covenant He made with Abraham...the oath He swore to Isaac. He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:

Psalm 105:8-11 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

⁸ He remembers his covenant forever,
the word he commanded to a thousand generations,
⁹ the covenant he made with Avraham,
the oath he swore to Yitz’chak,
¹⁰ and established as a law for Ya‘akov,
for Isra’el as an everlasting covenant:
¹¹ “To you I will give the land of Kena‘an
as your allotted heritage.”

Many of the Jewish people obviously understand this eternal promise. We see it in their actions. They have come back to the land the prophets foretold they would return to - again, the evidence of the existence of our Creator and the truth of His Word.

At this moment in history, when the nations unite to discuss the future of the Promised Land, every person is called to make a righteous choice. Today, as we watch and listen to this song ......as we sing it ....as we witness the prophetic word confirmed ....may this be your declaration of faith in an eternal God and an eternal promise. May this song unite the hearts of every Bible believing person -- both Jew and Non-Jew - all those longing for the Redemption in Jerusalem.

An amazing documentary has been recently released.  It is part one of a new series called Covenant and Controversy.  It is 1 hour 39 minutes, but we highly recommend - even beg - each of you to watch this compelling production that clearly explains all we have longed to be able to put in words - to explain the challenges we face in creating relationships with the Jewish people.  Please, please set a time in your busy schedules to watch this.  Whether you have a love for the Jewish people and Israel, or you really don't understand what it's all about, this is for you.  We cannot emphasize how important this information is.  These are God's chosen people.  It is important to Him how they are treated. 

Or here is the link to the above movie:

https://youtu.be/B0iTHHKqFRs

Everyone reading this can acknowledge that things are changing in our world at a dramatic rate, and not for good.  It's important how we choose to move forward.  Thank you for considering the Jewish people and how Israel affects you personally.