Showing posts with label brothers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label brothers. Show all posts

Monday, August 24, 2015

COMMENTARY: Are We Witnessing the Conclusion to Story of the Prodigal Son?

COMMENTARY: Are We Witnessing the Conclusion to Story of the Prodigal Son?

Sunday, August 23, 2015 |  Brian Hennessy  ISRAEL TODAY




If you recall, when Yeshua (Jesus) ended his famous parable (Luke 15), the older brother was still having a hissy-fit. And the father, who had organized a wonderful homecoming celebration for his younger brother “who was lost and has been found,” was desperately trying to talk him into joining the party. But the older boy was having none of it. He couldn’t understand how his father could have a party for that worthless, no-good brother of his when he had served so faithfully and nobody had ever thrown him a party.
And that’s where Yeshua left us. Wondering if the older son would ever understand and receive his father’s unconditional love. Or if the two brothers would ever reconcile.

Well, after 2000 years, we may be watching the conclusion to this parable unfold before our eyes. And it seems headed for a happy ending. Of course, what happened to the angry older brother in the interim, sad to say, was pretty devastating. In fact, he ended up in the same pitiful homeless situation his younger brother had experienced. I know that because the parable was clearly a prophecy about to be fulfilled. And hindsight tells the tale.

The older brother surely represents the Jews. And Yeshua was revealing how his own brethren would react when Father God began to bring Gentiles (the Prodigal) into the house. They’d go ballistic. Why? Because the Jews, who had been dutifully following God’s commandments, believed righteousness was the reward for their diligence. Seeing un-kosher Gentiles, who didn’t know Moses from Adam, claiming they’d been forgiven and declared righteous through faith in Yeshua pushed them right over the edge.

History records how the older brother’s hardened heart soon drove him from the Father’s estate. And how the brothers’ relationship went from bad to worse. In fact, there was a complete role reversal. The Prodigal (now called “Christian”) began to consider himself the favorite son and persecuted his older brother, driving him further away from knowing his Father’s love.

Centuries passed. Then two miracles occurred.

First, the older brother was allowed to return home from his bitter exile. Secondly, the younger brother came to his senses again and remembered the unconditional love and mercy he had been shown. Yes, suddenly, we saw how poorly we’d been treating our older brother. And we wept bitter tears. And began to love again.

So here we are today. Two brothers, separated for centuries by jealousy and persecution, trying to trust one another again. Still not on the same page, but letting the mutual worship of our Father in Heaven and desire to see Israel restored heal our self-inflicted wounds. The story is almost complete.

In Yeshua’s parable, we know the father wanted to celebrate with both sons. But only the forgiven son had reason to rejoice. That tells me this unconditional love we have been given for our embattled brother is a preparation for him to enter God’s “covenant of peace.”

Which means Abba is about to throw a huge party – this time for the two of us!

“How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity” (Ps. 133:1).


Want more news from Israel?
Click Here to sign up for our FREE daily email updates from ISRAEL TODAY.

Sunday, June 7, 2015

"For Brothers to Dwell Together" ✡ Hebrew Meaning of "Unity"

A song of ascents of David. Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together!

PSALMS (133:1)
 

שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת לְדָוִד הִנֵּה מַה טּוֹב וּמַה נָּעִים שֶׁבֶת אַחִים גַּם יָחַד

תהילים קלג:א

sheer ha-ma-lot l'-da-vid hi-nay ma tov u-ma na-eem she-vet a-kheem gam ya-khad

Today's Israel Inspiration

The Psalmist teaches us in today's verse about the extraordinary value of "achdut" - אחדות - unity, which comes from the Hebrew word for "one" - אחד - echad. God's blessings flow down into this world when we dwell in unity with one another, as brothers. Israel's national blood bank benefits Christians, Jews and everyone living in the Holy Land. Make a virtual blood donation today to save a life.
 

"I Believe"

Enjoy this great music video called "I Believe," by a young Christian musician who stands strong in his support of Israel.

Don't Label Israeli Products

Facing a tough onslaught of boycotts coming from Europe, Israel is pleading for Germany to stop singling out products from Judea and Samaria.

Word By Word Bible Study Tool

Word by Word teaches the meaning and pronunciation of every Hebrew word in the five books of Moses. It is an essential Bible Study tool, that will help you develop Bible Study skills that will last a lifetime.

Today's Israel Photo

Elad Matityahu's stunning photo of sunset over Har Adar, a town just outside of Jerusalem.

Thank You

Please help us continue to spread the beauty and significance of the Land of Israel!
 

“Appreciate You Sharing the REAL News from Israel”

It’s great to hear from so many of you - stay in touch and let us know where in the world you are enjoying Israel365!
 
My name is Gertraud Jannke and I live in Australia. Just recently your postings somehow got into my mail box, and I am very glad. My heart cries out for Israel... My prayers are for your land and your people... Blessings upon you and all that you do to further your country.

Rabbi, I appreciate you sharing the REAL news from Israel with people. I live in Tennessee, & the majority of people here are strongly in support of Israel... I pray for the peace of Jerusalem, & Israel. God bless, & keep you strong. Sharon Jeanguenat
Shalom,
Rabbi Tuly Weisz
RabbiTuly@Israel365.com
Copyright © 2015 Israel365, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up for daily Israel Scenes and Inspiration on our website,www.israel365.com.

Our mailing address is:
Israel365
34 Nahal Ein Gedi Apt #17
Beit Shemesh 9909875
Israel

Monday, December 15, 2014

Netanyahu Applauds Christian IDF Soldiers; 'We Are Brothers!'

Netanyahu Applauds Christian IDF Soldiers; 'We Are Brothers!'

Monday, December 15, 2014 |  Ryan Jones  ISRAEL TODAY
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday told a pre-Christmas gathering of Christians in Nazareth that they and the Jews are brothers, and that Israel will never cease to defend Christians against the forces that seek to harm and destroy them.
The gathering was organized by the Israeli Christian Recruitment Forum, whose spiritual leader, Father Gabriel Naddaf, was singled out repeatedly by Netanyahu for his untiring efforts to encourage young Christians to join the Israeli army and fully integrate with Israeli society.
“On the first of December, I took my own son, Avner, to the recruitment center in Jerusalem. He volunteered to become a combat soldier in the Israel Defense Forces. The next day…Father Naddaf took his son, Jubran, to the recruitment enter in Tiberias. He volunteered to become a combat soldier in the Israel Defense Forces,” Netanyahu recounted to strong applause.
“We are brothers!” the prime minister exclaimed. “We are partners! Christians and Jews and Druze and Muslims who together defend the State of Israel.”
Turning to a group of Christian soldiers attending the event, Netanyahu stated, “We are brothers in arms. I commend you on the will to be full partners in contributing to and defending this nation.”
Netanyahu noted that it was not always easy for Arabic-speaking Christians to so fully join themselves to Israel, but vowed that “we will firmly support you against all that would harass you.”
Echoing what Father Naddaf has been busy instilling both in local Christians and Western leaders, Netanyahu pointed out that Israel is the only place in the region where Christians find safe haven.
“Christians are suffering in the Middle East,” said the Israeli leader, recalling the recent “shrinkage and disappearance of entire Christian communities, communities that were there thousands of years, since the birth of Christianity, entire communities that are erased in one fell swoop, brutally, savagely.”
Netanyahu insisted that all who would criticize Israel and work toward the birth of a Palestinian state that would most likely fall to Hamas must “compare this [regional situation] to Israel, the only nation in the region where the Christian population is growing.”
Want more news from Israel?
Click Here to sign up for our FREE daily email updates from ISRAEL TODAY

Thursday, October 17, 2013

The Amazing Rabbis Singing Simon and Garfunkel!

Brothers Aryeh and Gil Gat - Jerusalem
"Rising Star" TV show in Israel






Published on Oct 9, 2013

Taken from the Israeli TV show "Rising Star".
Aryeh and Gil Gat are two brothers from Jerusalem.
In this video they're singing "The Sound of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkel.



Love it!

Steve Martin
Love For His People, Inc.