We truly hope that the thoughts and perspectives following will be helpful in aligning our minds and hearts such that at the end of the appointed 21 days, something new will arise and continue to the full dawning of the glory of God.
When asking Gentile brethren why they love Israel, the answer most often given is, “Because God loves Israel.” When asking, “Why does God love Israel?”, the most common answer is “Because He chose them.” To the question of why He chose them, some will say that it all began with Abraham and end there. In our experience, not many seem to realize there is quite a bit more to the story. Though Abraham’s love and obedience was the cornerstone element in God’s choosing, what would then unfold over the three ensuing millennia explains the depth of passion God carries for this people. Seeing the fullness of this picture from God’s perspective produces in us a degree of commitment like the determination Jacob expressed when wrestling with the Lord. Laying hold of this dimension will do much to keep us engaged when our emotions naturally fluctuate. We have distilled the fullness of what we have seen and heard into a 10-session discussion course which can be found at www.Israelrevealed.org.
A well-known verse central to the moment is Psalm 122:6. It translates to read, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” However, the Hebrew word translated as “pray” means “ask” or “inquire.” The common understanding, being rather general, leaves us without clear direction. But following the actual meaning would in fact lead us to something specific, timely and relevant. God directs us to ask about the peace of Jerusalem. What is the necessary process of events to bring forth the desired end? Where are we in the process? What is next on the list? How right, how logical, that we would know His thoughts and strategies before we begin to pray. His promises and declarations concerning Israel each have their appointed time. They are generally contingent on the nature of Israel’s relationship with God. Everything God has spoken, every word written in Scripture will come to pass. We just need to hear from God as to how we are to engage with what He has spoken. Do we really think He needs to be reminded about what He has spoken? Does He really need for us to ask Him to complete what He has set out to do? Perhaps the purpose of our praying is more to get us in line with Father’s heart and mind, even for the sake of our relationship with Him. The matter of Israel is central in His heart. If we don’t get it, if we don’t see, if we are not moved as He is, how close can we actually be with Him? How intimate can we really be? It will be interesting to see what remains and continues after the designated 21 days are completed. Beloved, God’s promises to Abraham and His descendants are an unconditional eternal covenant. Consider Isaiah 59:16, “He saw that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man and wondered that there was no intercessor; therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; and His own righteousness, it sustained Him.”
Romans 11:11 is a striking
revelation. It reveals to the Gentile world a primary purpose in making them
the stewards of the revelation of salvation for the last 2000 years. Paul
writes, “To provoke them to jealously, salvation has come to the Gentiles.” The
ramifications of ignoring this fact would seem to be along the same line as not
ministering to Yeshua’s brethren (the Jews) as laid out in the end of Matthew
25. The consequences are eternal.
Romans 11:25 adds another important piece to
the puzzle, “…blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of
the Gentiles has come in. and so all Israel will be saved, as it is written.” How fervent are the prayers for God to
open Israel’s eyes and remove the veil! In so praying, are the Gentiles in
effect waiting for God while He is actually waiting for them? Oy. That could be
a long wait. According to the original Greek, the reference to fullness here is
qualitative, not quantitative. It’s not a number. It’s something of the heart.
The dynamics and conditions here hearken back to what God told Abram in Genesis
15:16, “But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the
iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” Now, as then, the manifestation
of God’s plan for Israel is connected to the state and actions of the Gentiles.
Most know Psalm 22:3 as “God inhabits the praises of His people.” However it actually says, “You are holy, You who are enthroned on the praises of Israel.” As God has placed His name in Israel alone and chosen Zion as His dwelling place, if there is no praise in Israel, where on earth would God dwell? What if there was a dwelling place for God in Israel? What would do more to open the eyes of Israel than that? And so we come to Romans 11:15 which tells us that what happens to and in Israel affects the whole world. The acceptance of Yeshua by Israel will be life from the dead for the world. In light of this revelation, it follows that that the believers in the nations would do well to see that there was continual praise in Israel. The only people that can offer praise to God by the Spirit are the believers. Let the Aarons and Hurs arise to help “Moses” keep His hands lifted to the Lord.
The great divisions currently showing
up in the streets all over Israel did not just happen overnight. They reflect
the true inner state of the nation that is only now being made visible by
various critical situations. Beloved, we are not okay. Spiritually, on a
national level, we have not changed since the day the elders gathered (1Sam.8:4-7)
to tell God they did not want Him as their king. We didn’t care about God then
and as a nation we don’t now, or we would not have returned the Temple Mount to
our enemies in 1967.
There is much to know about the state of our nation and the
Israeli Body of Messiah. Knowing where we are is helpful only if we also know
how we got here and how to go forward. Beyond
quoting God’s eternal promises, the true current reality will mostly be heard only
from local Messianic believers. A Gentile saying such things would likely be
labeled as anti-Semitic. Thirty years ago, when we saw the essence of the
current prayer emphasis, we along with many others gave up our lives and
immigrated to Israel. It’s been said and we agree that to live here is 24/7
intercession.
Many brethren in the land are sharing good clear perspectives on
how to pray in these days. Donna Diorio puts out a weekly compilation of
thoughts, insights, testimonies and needs of believing congregations and
ministries from all over the Land. We know of no other such source where so
much information can be accessed. You can subscribe at: ArrowsFromZion@israelprayer.com.
One other important point of
perspective is Israel’s experience after leaving Egypt. God promised Abraham
that He would give the Land to His descendants, and they would be His people. As
a people they made it to the Land of Canaan, but not before God caused a whole
generation to be lost in the wilderness.
So then, as we declare Romans
11:26 that “All Israel will be saved,” let us not miss the next four
words…”as it is written” and consider what else is written. In Romans 9:6
it is written, “For they are not all Israel who are of Israel.” vs.8 “…those
who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the
children of the promise are counted as the seed.” Romans 2:28-29, For
he is not a Jew. who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is
outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is
that of the heart....”
In closing, as we pray, let us take to heart the subtle essence of Romans 11:17, “And you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree.” As the Gentiles have been called to be among them, and with them partake of the blessings and calling of the Israel of God, those being prayed for are no longer them but are now us…one Body…One New Man.
May we truly live all our days on earth…
For the Glory of His Name,
Arni and Yonit Klein
EMMAUS
WAY IS ABOUT LIVING IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
OUR
GOAL IS TO GIVE HIM A PLACE ON EARTH…
WHILE
ON THE WAY TO BE WITH HIM IN HEAVEN
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