Israel - where History meets Prophesy
“Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature.... For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
A new opportunity has started in Jerusalem for Christians to learn Biblical history in a whole new way. Our friend, David Nekrutman's organization - Center for Jewish Christian Understanding and Cooperation (CJCUC) - has launched a weekly Bible study for Christians, both those living in the Land and those just visiting, at the Bible Lands Museum. Who better to teach Biblical history than Jewish scholars who study the text in the original language and share our love for this Holy Word? Their understanding can only broaden our perspective. What we learn from them helps and confirms our faith in Yeshua (Jesus).
Not only that, but the studies are being held in a museum where we can not only study the text, but also SEE with our own eyes artifacts from the time period we are discussing. It's a dream come true, and almost too much to contain. What an honor and a privilege to attend these meetings each week and learn things we have never considered before. If these teachings become available, we will let you know how to receive them. And if you ever want to STAND where the Bible events took place....come visit Israel!!
Here are a few quotes from our first three studies:
"Learning God's Word is the highest form of worship."
"We pray for God to give us an addiction - a sweet tooth - for His Word."
In these studies we are going to "understand the Word of God from when the Words were actually introduced."
Being able to study at the museum and see the actual artifacts causes "the sense of proximity to an event to shrink" and we are in effect "closing the gap of history."
"The Bible is the manual for living on the planet and building His Kingdom." On earth as it is in Heaven... "Our mission is to bring the Kingdom of Heaven down."
Our second study was on David & Goliath (1 Samuel 17). The Bible Lands Museum is getting ready to open a new exhibit in September with artifacts from an archeological sight in the valley where this battle took place, and dated from this time period. We're talking 3,000 year old artifacts, pre - First Temple!
Here are just a few tidbits from our study with Rabbi Wolicki:
The detail of the location provided in the text is not common. Therefore, consider the geographical area of Israel (both now and during that time period) - the Elah Valley was a very strategic place (tan) for a battle - Philistines were on the coast (green) and the Israelites were in the central mountains (brown). See the green/tan/brown map below.
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| Map of where the battle took place - Khirbet Qeiyafa. |
Also, having so many details of both Goliath's and Saul's attire is not common. Most descriptions in other Biblical events are not that detailed.
Consider that this event took place after David was anointed to be the future king of Israel, but Saul doesn't know that. The interaction between them reveals a lot about their character.
While Jonathan would have been the heir to the throne after his father, he loved David and put his cloak on him.
From the Bible Lands Museum website:
New Exhibition: In the Valley of David and Goliath
Have we found evidence of King David's footprints in the Elah Valley?
Tuesday | September 6,2016
In the Elah Valley, between Azekah and Sokho - the setting of the famous biblical battle between David and
Goliath – laid the ruins of mysterious ancient city on a hilltop known today as Khirbet Qeiyafa.
Who lived in this anonymous city when it was first built, during the time of King David? Could we have found
the biblical Sha'araim – literally the city of two gates, mentioned in the Bible in the description of the flight of the
Philistines following the battle between David and Goliath?
You will see the original finds from the city's ruins, its structures, gates, dwellings and many other remarkable
artifacts. Join us for an archeological adventure, where the fascinating finds that made international headline
news will be on display for the first time.
Please enjoy the pictures we took at the museum of the new exhibit that will open next month. It was an honor to be given a private tour by the president of the museum and Rabbi Wolicki. How can one fathom looking at pieces of pottery that are from a time period so long ago (3,000 years!) it almost feels like a fairy tale?? It truly does help "close the gap of history", bring it to life and cause you to learn the Bible in a new way.
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| Replica of the archeological site where the artifacts were found. We hope to visit this site, and will post pictures when we do. |
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| Can you even believe this?? |
What's another way of closing the gap of history? Watching God fulfill His prophesy - and participating in it!
Then the Lord shall set His hand again the second time
To recover the remnant of His people who are left....
He will set up a banner for the nations, And will assemble the outcasts of Israel, And gather together the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth."
Isaiah 11:11,12
"I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them,
and bring them back to their fold; and they shall be fruitful and increase."
Jeremiah 23:3
Christian Friends of Israel has a Distribution Center for new immigrants who have come "back to their fold" - the "outcasts of Israel" - the "dispersed of Judah." One of the items our CFI DC provides new immigrants is "like new" clothing that we receive from both the United States and the United Kingdom.
Last week we received a very large shipment from the US on a Friday morning. The staff rose extra early that morning to arrive at 7 am to help unload the truck that arrived from the port bringing clothes donated to bless the new Israeli immigrants. We prepared ourselves to unload 1,400 (mostly heavy) boxes.
The truck had the challenge of backing into our tiny little street off the main road.
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| Ready to cut the band that was put on in the US. |
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| OH MY GOODNESS!! That was everyone's reaction when we saw just how full this truck was!! |
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| Our truck driver - he's a regular in bringing us our shipment. |
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| Ok! Let's get started!! |
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| We stack the boxes in groups of mens, womens, childrens, etc As you maybe could guess, the womens group is by FAR the largest! |
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| Praise the Lord!! We are done!! |
However - we are not REALLY done. We now need to bring all these boxes inside the building! Our first goal is to get them off the truck, as we are charged by how long the driver stays there.
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| Some cars are blocked in... |
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| And a motor bike is blocked in as well.... |
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| All those boxes must come through this gate. |
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| Many of the boxes were already taken in when we took this photo. |
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| Trying to make room for as many as we can. |
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| Pack them high to the ceiling! |
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| Hangers waiting for the new clothes. |
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| No - this is NOT our storage room. That room is FULL!! This is the RECEPTION area of the distribution center - and it is now full of boxes too. We will receive another shipment at the end of August, beginning of September.... |
4 1/2 hours later....we were done!!
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| This shipment had boxes of stuffed animals for children. |
We give thanks to the Lord for He is good. And we are grateful to be included in His plans and purposes for His people Israel. Israel is not just a "land far away" of fairy tales from days gone by. It is a Land and people that are "fruitful" and "increasing" just as God said they would. And the "days gone by" are literally being unearthed and rebuilt.
"And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations,
And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations."
Isaiah 61:4
As we read our Bibles, may we read it with new eyes - seeing the timeline of the Jewish people as continual, not ancient history. God's not finished with this place or His chosen people, He's just getting started, and we are a privileged generation to watch the prophesies come to life before our very eyes. The first pastor we ever had, 25 years ago in Michigan, made a statement that was ingrained in us deeply. Keep your eyes on Israel....
"Has God rejected His people? By no means!...As regards election they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable." Romans 11:1,28,29
God is closing the gap of history - His story.
In all His promises to the Jewish people, God spoke these Words:
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,
says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil,
to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11
