Rabbi’s Reflections – Saturday, October 14, 2023
Shabbat Shalom,
Dear Friends,
For a worthwhile study on God’s love for the Jewish people through a New Testament lens I sincerely commend my book, For the Sake of the Fathers. It’s available via Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1983406651
Meanwhile, here’s a brief encouragement: David
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The Insanity of Rejecting Promises made to Israel,
by David Harwood (2015)
Now if (Israel’s) transgression is riches for the world and (Israel’s) failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will (Israel’s) fulfillment be! But I am speaking to you who are Gentile (Christians). Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen (Israelites) and save some of them. For if (Israel’s) rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will (Israel’s) acceptance be but life from the dead? (Romans 11:12-15)
Imagine…
You’ve arrived at a “charismatic” regional prayer meeting. There are people there you know and many you’ve never met. There is a wonderful heightening of faith and a palpable increase of spiritual sensitivity experienced by all.
Suddenly, one of the conveners, Pastor Smith, comes up with a prayer request concerning Mr. Jones, the richest man in the state. Mr. Jones is worth multiplied billions of dollars. Pastor Smith reports that he has a burden for Mr. Jones’ salvation. He leads in prayer for Mr. Jones. Afterwards the assembly takes a fifteen-minute recess.
During that break you run into a friend who reports that he had a recurring dream about Mr. Jones. In this dream Mr. Jones has gotten saved and dedicated 90% of his inestimable wealth to the churches and ministries of your county. You encourage your friend to share that with Pastor Smith.
Imagine the gathering’s surprise when several well known, and respected prayer “warriors” not only share the identical burden, but several pastors report that there have been prophetic words, angelic visitations, dreams and visions which have the same content: Mr. Jones is going to get saved and will release multiplied millions of dollars into the churches and ministries in your region. Most of the prophetic data links this man’s salvation and largesse with a region-shaking transformation in which hundreds of thousands of people are going to get saved.
Would there be any who hate this word? Who would be so jealous as to reflexively discount its validity? This would not happen.
On the contrary, everyone’s encouraged. Everyone prays. Everyone expects.
Take a look at this transnational exhortation:
For thus says the LORD, “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, And shout among the chief of the nations; Proclaim, give praise and say, ‘O LORD, save Your people, The remnant of Israel.’ (Jeremiah 31:7)
Why?
Now if (Israel’s) transgression is riches for the world and (Israel’s) failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will (Israel’s) fulfillment be! But I am speaking to you who are Gentile (Christians). Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen (Israelites) and save some of them. For if (Israel’s) rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will (Israel’s) acceptance be but life from the dead? (Romans 11:12-15)
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarsson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sat 14 Oct 2023 29th of Tishrei, 5784 Parashat Bereshit Shabbat Machar Chodesh
Ge 5:25-6:8 1 Sa 20:18-42 Rev 21:9-27