This week in Israel:
1. A SABBATH AGAINST ABORTION
This coming Saturday, local rabbis in Israel are being encouraged to devote their Sabbath sermons to strongly emphasizing to their flocks that abortion "delays redemption", goes counter to religious Jewish law, and should be abstained from. This comes from the Chief Rabbis of Israel, Yona Metzger and Shlomo Amar, who early last week announced they were taking new steps to reducing abortion. A catalyst for this action comes from this present week's Torah Portion (see below), in which it is related (Exodus 1:15-21) how the courageous Hebrew mid-wives Pu'ah and Shifra feared God and refused to listen to Pharaoh's order to kill all the male Hebrew babies.
Abortion is a severe issue in Israel. Although official records show a decrease by 10% of abortions in Israel between 2000 and 2008, this figure is based on "legal" abortions, of which there were reportedly 19,594 last year. An article from this morning's HaAretz.com, mentions past estimates of "between 4,000 and 6,000 illegal abortions" taking place annually in Israel ("Israel abortion rate fell 10% from 2000 59 2008" by Dan Even, Haaretz.com, Jan 4, 2010). However, an astonishingly different estimate from two years ago was printed in the Dec. 29th Jerusalem Post: Online Edition, placing the annual figure at nearer to 30,000 ("Abortion will delay the redemption": Jerusalem Post: Online Edition, Dec 29, 2009). Within the 'legal' category, women serving in the Israeli armed forces are granted up to two free abortions. Statistics of Be'ad Haim, a Messianic pro-life organization in Israel, show that 2.4% of women soldiers will become pregnant during their two-year term of service in the Israeli Army. Of these, 75% will choose to abort their child. Although Israeli law requires that all women seeking abortions get approval from hospital panels, reportedly 98 percent of all requests reviewed in 2008 were approved.
PLEASE PRAY:
*That grace would attend the reading of the Torah in synagogues this weekend, and the Holy
Spirit would release conviction of "sin, righteousness and judgment".revelation that killing unwanted unborn infants is no less unrighteous than killing unwanted baby boys in the days of the Pharaoh.
*A reawakening of conscience in young Israelis-that they be convicted that not only is abortion sin, but fornication-sexual activity between couples outside of the covenant of marriage-is also sin, and as such will never lead to the loving trust-proven relationship which God intended for man and woman to enjoy before Him.
*For Be'ad Haim (Pro-Life), a non-profit Messianic organization dedicated to the protection of the unborn child and its mother. Pray for strength, courage and fortitude in these workers. Pray for qualified personnel, necessary funding, and especially that the loving power of the Holy Spirit be released through their work of life, rescue, and restoration.
2. NECESSARY TOOLS (IN HEBREW) FOR 'RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH'
A visit to the Religions section of most U.S. bookstore chains will reveal row upon row of English-language reference Bibles in a large variety of translations. By "reference" we mean Bibles containing notes in the margins linking words, thoughts, and ideas of one passage with related ones in other parts of the New and Old Testaments, as well as alternate translations or readings of specific words or expressions.
This wonderful accessory to Biblical studies, so taken for granted by those growing up with the Scriptures in English-speaking countries, is virtually unavailable to the awakening Hebrew-speaking Messianic Body of Messiah in Israel. Bear in mind-Hebrew as a spoken modern language is only something over 100 years old. Israel has only been a nation a little over 60 of those years-and there has only been a sizeable number of Israelis who have come into community as believers in Yeshua as Messiah and Savior for less than 40 years. In 1976 a translation of the New Testament into Modern Hebrew was made, and in the early '90s, a very useful referenced edition was published by The Bible Society in Israel. This contains references from both the New and Old Testaments with notes. However, there are still no complete Hebrew Bibles for Israeli Believers with reference notes throughout the Tanach (Old Testament), relating to other passages both within that Testament and the New. In addition, the Tanach uses an antiquated form of Hebrew (rather like using King James English or even older, as compared to modern English). While it is not likely that a "modernized" O.T. text will become accepted for standard use, some marginal notes clarifying archaic expressions would be of enormous help to modern users, especially Jews with a secular background and little exposure to Biblical Hebrew.
When questioning those in a position to contribute to compilation and publication of a complete Hebrew reference Bible containing both Testaments, the primary response is that there simply aren't funds available to cover such an undertaking. After all, it's only market will be the fledgling Messianic Body within Israel. But that "Body" is awakening and growing-and as it is grows, not to mention when it begins to explode, there is a strong and serious need that it possess at least the bare essentials of such tools as will aid it in growth and maturing in the Word.
PLEASE PRAY:
*That God would raise up competent believing Messianic Biblical scholars with the charge and resolve to produce a complete Hebrew reference study Bible for the awakening Jewish Body of Messiah in Israel.
*That God would move on men and women of financial means around the world to contribute substantially for the raising up and completion of such a project.
*For godly oversight of this venture in wisdom, integrity and the fear of the Lord
*For love, unity, integrity, graciousness and humility in the Body, in the Nations as well as Israel, in releasing available resources and materials already compiled for the production of such a priceless tool for the building up of the congregation of Israel.
This week's Torah Portion:
From ancient times there has been a weekly portion from the five books of Moses (The Torah) and from the prophets (Haftarah-final reading) read on the Sabbath in synagogues around the world. This portion is given a Hebrew name taken from the opening words of the passage. An illustration of this practice appears to have been recorded in Luke 4:16 where Yeshua (Jesus) arrived in the synagogue in Nazareth and was asked to read the Haftarah portion (Isaiah 61) from the Prophets. We have found that in perusing these weekly readings, not only are we provided opportunity to identify in the context of God's Word with millions of Jewish people around the world, but very often the Holy Spirit will illumine specific passages pertinent that week in our intercession for the Land and people of Israel. While it is not within the scope of this Prayer Update to supply a "commentary" on these readings, we will here and there draw attention to certain points which may prove helpful in informing our intercession. All texts are those of English translations of the Scriptures.
The readings for January 3-9, 2010 are called Sh'mot ("Now these are the names of the children of Israel who came out of Israel"), and include:
TORAH: Exodus 1:1-6:1
HAFTARAH: Isaiah 27:6-28:13; 29:22-23
*Exodus 2:2. "So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months." The Hebrew word for "beautiful" and "hid" are the same as the words for "goodness" and "stored up" in Psalm 31:19 (NIV)-"How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which You bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you." Through the agency of a godly mother and then God-fearing midwives who had assisted her, this little "goodness" was hidden away-in fact, would be stored away for the next 80 years until being brought forth as leader on behalf of a mighty people who under his leadership would learn to fear and take refuge in their God. PLEASE PRAY: For protection of those "goodnesses" of God which are presently hidden away for a time of future release to the Body of Messiah in Israel. Pray for grace to trust that God is storing up goodness on our behalf as we love, fear and trust Him. Pray for courage and Heavenly guidance for believing families in Israel in storing away their children as much as possible in godly home environments before they are released into the near-paganism of secular Israeli schools.
HOLY VISITATIONS
*Exodus 3:2-3. "And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush.Then Moses said, 'I will turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.'" We have written earlier in these Updates of how, with the new Hebrew year of 5770, we entered a decade last Fall where "seeing" is of paramount importance ("70" in Hebrew letter/numbers is the letter "ayin"-a letter related both etymologically and by its pronunciation to the "eye". It is a season for seeing, for looking, for pausing to turn aside to "look again"; for God will be revealing His presence, a special visitation of His holiness, and the activity of His angels in unusual and unexpected places. "Who makes His angels winds, His ministers a flame of fire" (Psalm 104:4).
*Exodus 3:5. "Then He said, 'Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.'" The other place in Scripture where we find this expression "holy ground/-earth/-land" (Hebrew: adamat hakodesh) is Zechariah 2:12-13: "And the LORD will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem. Hush! all flesh, before the LORD, for He is aroused from His holy habitation." PLEASE PRAY: for an awakened sense of the "Holy" in Israel-that we will abstain from "drawing near" carelessly and in the flesh-that we will be sensitive to the sanctity of the very EARTH where holy activity has taken place in the past, and which the Lord is repossessing for His glory today!
*Exodus 3:16b; 4:31(NKJV). ".I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt."."So the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped." Today the Hebrew verb liphkod usually means "to command". However, in Biblical times, it could mean "to attend to/to care for" and often "to visit." Thus, in Genesis 50:24,25 (NKJV), Joseph promises that God "will surely visit" his brothers' descendants in Egypt and bring them out of that land. Here, in Egypt 400 years later, we are told that the time of that "sure visitation" has come. In Psalm 8:4 (NKJV) David expresses awe at the amazing privilege of God visiting us, "What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?" This visitation is life, salvation and blessing for those who love Him and are waiting for it. Job voiced this, even in the midst of painful affliction, "You have granted me life and favor, and Your visitation has guarded my spirit" (Job 10:12). Yet God's visitation does not come as a joy to those who are in rebellion against Him. In fact, in Isaiah 10:3 and many places in Jeremiah (8:12, 10:15, 11:23, etc.) this same word "visitation" is in the NKJV translated day of "punishment." Luke 19:44 shows Yeshua weeping over Jerusalem. God had sent "all the things which were needed for her peace"-but they were "hidden from her eyes." Consequently, warfare and destruction were coming "because she did not know the time of her visitation."
PLEASE PRAY: For a powerful visitation of God in Jerusalem and throughout Israel. Pray for the Body of Messiah here to prepare and long for that visitation. The Apostle Peter left us important instructions regarding this day: "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation" (I Peter 2:12).
*Exodus 4:2; 19b. "So the LORD said to him (Moses), 'What is that in your hand?' He said, 'A rod."."And Moses took the rod of God in his hand." God begins with us where we are and with what we have. When Moses in obedience yielded to God what he had, the simple rod became transformed into "The Rod of God"!
*Exodus 3:14, 15. "And God said to Moses, 'I AM THAT I AM.'.Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'YHVH, God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.' English translations which read "The LORD God." are misleading. The point was that this god had a NAME, one by which He had been known to their fathers 400 years before. That name was YHVH (Yod-Heh-Vav-Heh in the Hebrew). It was a personal name given to His people. It would become one of their most precious possessions, and countless psalms spoke of its beauty. But because of Israel's sin, sometime after the Glory of God's presence departed from the Temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 10:1-11:23), the pronunciation of the beloved Name was also lost. Today it is not attempted to be spoken in Israel; Adonai (a Hebrew name related to the word for "master") is used in its place, or the words Ha Shem-"the Name" (Words such as Yeho'vah, Jehovah, or Yaweh, sometimes utilized in the West, are at best educated guesses). In Matthew 23:39, Yeshua applied Psalm 118:26 to Himself, telling Jerusalem that she would not see Him until she said, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of YHVH. Yet the One who came in that Name, actually bore it within His own! The name Yeshua (Jesus) is a contracted form of the names YHVH and the Hebrew word for "salvation"-"And she shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Yeshua-for He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). PLEASE PRAY: For a spirit of grace and supplication to be poured out on the House of David and pm Jerusalem-grace to look on the One who was pierced (Zech 12:10-14)-to realize that His holy name YESHUA bears within it the Name and Salvation of the God of their Fathers-that "All who call on the Name of the LORD shall be saved!"
[The Torah and Haftarah portions for next week (10-16 Jan, "Va'Erah") will be: Exodus 6:2-9:35; Ezekiel 28:25-29:21]
