©June 9, 2010 Asher Intrater
We Messianics have given thousands of teachings on Jewish roots, particularly from Romans 11. In that chapter Saul (Paul) is addressing a group of Italian Christians about the importance of their covenantal and spiritual connection with the Jewish people. Amen.
Recently I was meditating on the reverse implications of this passage; what would it mean if Saul were to address us. As he challenges the international Church to be connected to Israel through the Messianic remnant, the responsibility then falls on the Messianic remnant to be connected to the Church.
Romans 11:18 – You do not support the root, but the root supports you.
Often we have taught Romans 11 in a manipulative way in order to garner prayer support, financial support, and volunteer support from churches. But we are called to be supportive of them. This will demand a massive change of paradigm for the Messianic community. Let us garner our faith to support the international community of faith in prayer, in giving, and in encouragement.
Romans 11:17 – You were grafted in among them and became partakers of the root and fatness of the olive tree.
According to this verse, we Messianic Jews should be supplying spiritual life, vision, faith, love, revelation, covenant, prophecy, and kingdom truths to the greater body of believers around the world. We must have an attitude of giving, not taking. We must be filled with the fullness of the Holy Spirit in order to be a source to others. We should be supplying spiritual life, not being parasites.
Romans 11:16 – If the root is holy, so are the branches.
The Messianic Jewish movement is called to be a source of holiness, purity, integrity, faithfulness, dedication, humility, and honesty to the international Church. Instead we have too often just given excuses for being carnal; we have let our traditions cover up for a lack of holiness. Let us take up our mantle to restore moral values and purity of motives to the greater community of faith, instead of peddling the ministry. Let us become a sanctifying influence to the Church.
Our very calling from the beginning of Abraham's covenant with God was to be a blessing to the nations (Genesis 12:3). We want to bless not only from the Aaronic benediction from Numbers 6, but also the High Priestly prayer of Yeshua in John 17. The great commission of world evangelism was the motivation of the first century Messianic community. That should be our goal as well today, not only doing it ourselves, but motivating believers every where to do the same.
Being the chosen people has responsibilities toward the nations and the international church, not just privileges to be taken from them. Let us be the blessing God intended us to be.
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Why the Blockade?
There is only ONE reason for Israel's blockade of Gaza. It is to stop weapons smuggling into the hands of Hamas.
The claim to break the blockade for humanitarian aid is illogical. Aid and supplies both from this shipment and from trucks which bring in tons of supplies daily into Gaza are openly allowed by the Israeli government.
There is only ONE reason for the current flotilla to "free Gaza." It is to break the blockade in order to allow for weapons to be smuggled in.
It is worth recalling that Hamas is in a permanent state of war against Israel, calling for her total destruction. Since Hamas is the elected governing body of Gaza, Israel has no choice but to stop weapons shipment into Gaza until a peace agreement or security arrangement is established.
It is further absurd to call a movement "Free Gaza" when Israel pulled all Jewish settlers and settlements out of Gaza in 2005.
The flotilla confrontation last week was not an attack by Israel; quite the contrary. It was a planned invasion by the Turkish government, Jihad organizations, and leftist extremists.
It is a miracle that the young Israeli soldiers (boys in their late teens and early twenties, who landed on the boat with paintball guns!) were not murdered by the lynch attempt upon them.
Some Flotilla Web Responses and Resources:
The StandWithUs organization has set up a web site compiling relevant facts and media resources concerning the recent incident. I particularly suggest the y-tube recording of Netanyahu's response. Click at: www.flotillafacts.com
Here is a funny yet sarcastic musical parody of the cooperation between the leftist activists and the Islamic Jihadists who were aboard the flotilla ships. It is short (4:57) yet insightful. It's called "We Con the People" from Latma TV. (Click on English subtitles). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ66qEl-fqo&feature=channel
Here is an interview from the Jerusalem Post with the squad leader of the Israeli Navy team that boarded the ship and was involved in the lynch attempt and shooting. It is a first hand report and worth reading. http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=177445
Here is a video of Hillel Neuyer's insightful presentation at the U.N. Human Rights committee (4:57). Watch the amazing reaction of the chairman of the committee at the end of the presentation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obUhOcTSD1I
Here is an article from veteran Washington Post commentator Charles Krauthammer concerning the legality of the blockade and the purpose behind trying to destroy it. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/03/AR2010060304287.html
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