God's Name In Jerusalem

[Manasseh] built altars in the temple of the Lord of which the Lord had said, "My name will remain in Jerusalem forever." 2 Chronicles 33:4

"I have chosen Jerusalem that my name might dwell there." 2 Chronicles 6:6

Andrea and I arrived today in the place where God decided to put his name forever. No, it's not Hawaii or Brazil or Australia or China. Its Jerusalem the place where all believers will live with God forever! And God literally put his name into the landscape. In the Hebrew alphabet the letter Shin is the first letter in the name of God, Shaddai. Shaddai, meaning "the keeper of the doors of Israel", is inscribed on the mezuzot on all the doorways of the Jews. The "Mezuzah" is a small scroll that is attached to the doorpost of a Jewish home with small cover. The exhibition of the Hebrew letter Shin is prominently displayed on the cover. The sanctity of the home is symbolized by this small scroll and covering. It is a solemn reminder to all who enter and leave the home that the house is Jewish and those who live there are devoted to the ideals of the scripture passages appearing on the scroll. Interestingly each home, so configured with the mezuzot, could be said to have the name of God on it. The map below identifies the geography of ancient Jerusalem during times of the scriptures referenced above. Three valleys surround Jerusalem, the Kidron Valley on the east, The Refaiim Valley, just east of the City of Zion, and the Hinom Valley south and west of the City of Zion. Together with the Temple Mount and Jerusalem in their midst, they form the Hebrew letter Shin (high-lighted in red). Could it be that God constructed the geography of the region to fulfill the verses above and actually, and physically, put His name on Jerusalem? Is the "fingerprint of God on Jerusalem for all to see? Maybe. Just a coincidence, perhaps, perhaps not, but it is something to meditate on.

Jews Worshipping Jesus as Jews- a novel idea?

One of the most overlooked passages in the Bible is Acts 21:18-26.

"When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers received us warmly. The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everybody will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality." The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them."

A rumor had started that Paul was teaching Jewish believers to abandon their Jewish faith, culture and traditions. The other leaders, knowing that this rumor was not true, came up with a plan so that..."everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about Paul, but that Paul himself is living in obedience to the law."

Now here's the interesting part. I have commentaries built into my Bible software. The writer of the Life Application Bible Commentary gets this 100% right. Here's what he says:

"The Jerusalem council (chapter 15) had settled the issue of circumcision of Gentile believers. Evidently, there was a rumor that Paul had gone far beyond the council’s decision, even forbidding Jews to circumcise their children. It was true that Paul was downplaying the importance of circumcision and did not require keeping the Jewish customs, but that was for the Gentiles, not for the Jews. Paul had Timothy circumcised because his mother was Jewish."

Basically, this commentator is saying that keeping the Torah was for Jewish believers, not Gentile believers, which is exactly what the text is saying. The interesting part, however, is why this commentator doesn't go on to ask the obvious next question, "Gee, when and why did things change? When did we start telling Jewish believers they shouldn't be Jewish anymore? When did observance of the Torah (the Law) begin to be viewed as something bad? What followed in Christian history that put a negative spin on anything Jewish?"

Today, most Jewish believers assimilate into Gentile congregations and do not attach any significance to being Jewish. But God's plan is for Jewish believers to live as Jews and Gentile believers to live as gentiles. Somehow, remaining distinct yet united, best paints the picture of the one new man described in Ephesians 2. This is the beautiful picture the world is waiting to see.

More to follow on this subject in future posts...

Rabbi Gene

But mark this, there will be terrible times in the last days...1 Timothy 3:1

Do you know the story about the frog in the kettle. PETA would probably want to ban this illustration. However, no animals will be harmed in any way during this blog post and I do not suggest you attempt to test the veracity of the illustration.

The illustration goes like this. If you drop a frog in a pot of boiling water he will try to jump out immediately. However, if you put him in a pot of room temperature water and slowly turn up the heat until it boils, he will never attempt to jump out because by the time he senses the temperature change it is too late.

God tells us time and time again that evil will increase as we get closer to the end of his story. Jesus says in Matthew 24 that things will get so bad that the love of most will grow cold. Imagine how bad things need to get for that to happen? That day will come.

Evil has always been with us but God's restrictive hand keeps evil in check. As we get close to the end of his story, God withdraws his restrictive hand and allows evil to increase.

The headlines tell us that evil is increasing, however, just like the frog in the kettle, we are having trouble seeing just how much evil has increased.

A couple of weeks ago, 11 bodies were found buried in the home of a serial rapist and the news barely covers the story. 11 bodies!

Last week, a radical islamic with ties to 911 shot and killed 12 US soldiers and wounded over 30 and we are afraid to say the "M" word.

Iran is quickly advancing nuclear capabilities and the world can't see her evil intent. Imagine if Hitler had nuclear capabilities?

Don't get boiled by surprise! Keep your eyes open. Keep pure. Keep your love warm. Keep the faith!

Evil is eventually overcome, but not before she infects this entire planet. The solution we will provide during that time will be invaluable to all those who seek refuge.

Rabbi Gene

Iranian Weapons Seized Bound For Hamas and Hezbollah

A ship sailing in disguise was seized today off the coast of Israel. It was loaded with powerful weapons from Iran bound for Hamas and Hezbollah followers in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.

You can read about it here:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,571548,00.html

Is Iran determined to build a nuclear weapon? Will she use it against Israel to "wipe her off the face of this planet" as the president of Iran has vowed in the past. Let this seizure of weapons reveal the determination of these countries to accomplish what they have tried many times since 1948. Israel's natural ability to defend herself is diminishing day by day as her neighbors acquire advanced weaponry.

The world tried to negotiate with Hitler and look where it got us. Negotiating with Iran will get us to the same place.

How far away are we from Zechariah 12:3, Zechariah chapter 14:1-2 & Psalm 83:1-8? Closer than we were yesterday.

I decided to get the blog up and running again in anticipation of our next trip to Israel in 19 days!

Rabbi Gene

The Perfect Storm?

Remember the movie the perfect storm? Three powerful storms converge together to create a mega-storm that is unsurvivable.

Let me tell you about another perfect storm that is brewing.

America recently voted in a very liberal government.

Israel recently voted in a very conservative government.

Iran now has enough plutonium to make a nuclear bomb.

Russia seems to be siding with Iran and other Arab countries.

The financial crisis continues to deepen with no end in sight.

What does this all mean? Big trouble if and when they all converge together.

Israel will most likely put the brakes on any Palestinian land deal and launch another military offensive to stop the missile launches from Hammas once and for all.

The US will most likely turn their backs on Israel for their unwillingness to solve the Palestinian dilemma and for launching another offensive.

Israel might try to bomb Iran's nuclear sites.

Iran might try to nuke Israel.

Russia will probably get into the mix at some point.

And who knows what will happen in the US and the world when financial panic breaks out.

Pretty gloomy huh? So is the last chapter of God's story....at least until the Messiah returns to establish his eternal kingdom.

I read a good quote today. It said, "a crisis forces us do what we were supposed to be doing all along."

Every generation since Jesus ascended back to heaven is supposed to be living like it is the last generation. This means that we live with an ever-alert sense of urgency and compassion. Only one generation will actually be around to do this in "real-time." Could that generation be us?

The Battle For The Land

The LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates — 19 the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites."
Genesis 15:18-21

Israel held important elections two weeks ago. The battle is really about who will argue for or against giving up land for peace. Today, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, argued that peace will not come unless Israel gives up at least 1/2 of the Biblical land.

Here is the article: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304798677&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShoGive

The argument really boils down to two issues:

1. Who has a right to the land?

2. Will giving up the land really bring peace?

You'll need to read previous posts on my blog to know how I would answer these questions.

At this point, it looks like the more conservative party in Israel will be making that decision, which means that giving up land is not likely to happen any time soon. This decision will really heat things up in the Middle East. Hang on.

The lead article in the Jerusalem Post today revealed a breaking story by the NY Times. The Times broke a story that Iran is definitely pursuing nuclear arms and should have enough plutonium to produce a weapon by the end of this year.

Here is the article:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304767556&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Iran has repeatedly denied that they are pursuing nuclear weapons. Maybe they are also lying about wanting to wipe Israel off the face of the planet. Not!

Who has enough sense to sort out what Iran is really up to? Is our government really that blind and gullible.

God's story continues on. Each headline brings us one step closer to its dramatic conclusion.

This is not a time to get out of your seat to make some popcorn or you just might miss it!