Fulfillment

May 14, 1948 - Israel becomes a nation again.

"Before going into labor, she gave birth;
before her pains came, she delivered a male child.
 Who ever heard of such a thing?
Who has ever seen such things?
Is a country born in one day?
Is a nation brought forth all at once?
For as soon as Tziyon went into labor,
she brought forth her children.
 “Would I let the baby break through
and not be born?” asks Adonai.
“Would I, who cause the birth,
shut the womb?” asks your God."

Isaiah 66:7-9

On Israel Independence Day we, along with other Christians, were invited to attend a "Day to Praise" event hosted by the Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding & Cooperation.  The purpose of the event was to come together as believers in the One True God - the God Of Israel - to praise and worship Him together in thanksgiving for fulfilling the above prophesy on May 14, 1948.  Together, Israel and the Nations were celebrating God's faithfulness to not only the Jewish people, but mankind in reestablishing the modern state of Israel.

We spent the afternoon singing, dancing and reading Psalms 114-118.  

The day was organized and mc'd by our friend, David Nekrutman.  We have known David for several years now, and have been working in cooperation with the center to see Jews and Christians tear down the wall of enmity - to build a spiritual dwelling place for God together. (Ephesians 2)

David Nekrutman

Sharon Sanders, co-founder of Christian Friends of Israel read one of the Psalms.

Sharon Sanders

Here is a short 30 second video of our praise time.

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to be outside praising God in song and dance - Jews and Christians as one.

The highlight for us was Psalm 117:  

"Praise Adonai, all you nations!

Worship him, all you peoples!

 

For his grace has overcome us,

and Adonai’s truth continues forever."

Halleluyah!

David explained to us that through reciting this Psalm, together we would fulfill Zephaniah 3:9:

"For then will I turn to the peoples a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent."

First we read Psalm 117 - all at the same time - in our "mother tongue."  There were several nations present, each speaking in their own language, and it sounded a bit confusing.  But then we read it together in Hebrew.  You could hear the beautiful unity of a people praising God together in one accord.  Our friend Nathalie was asked to read the Psalm in French during the first part, then Hebrew the second time.  She has written a book entitled The Beauty of the Hebrew Language. 

We were so grateful to have recorded this video on our phone.  It was a moment that brought a sensing of God's presence.  David said, "This was a joint sanctification moment."  

We also were blessed to hear from Rabbi Shlomo Riskin - chief rabbi of Efrat.  He is the leader of the center, and helped to re-found the city of Efrat.  God had told him at the beginning of his endeavors, to "be a chapter header - not a footnote."  That was the desire of each of us on this historic day as we all know it is the beginning of something BIG God is doing in Israel bringing our two communities together for the first time in almost 2,000 years.  David said that as we all know, on the Temple Mount will one day be a place of prayer for all nations, but we can start together now.  

"For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

Isaiah 56:7 and Mark 11:17

Rabbi Shlomo Riskin

Here is another video from the event put out by the center.  It's a highlight of the day, featuring the music of the Portnoy Brothers from Jerusalem.

With a grateful heart we then enjoyed a scrumptious BBQ together - as ALL Israelis do on Independence Day!!