Messianic Pastor: Israel Not Perfect, but Still the Chosen People

Thursday, February 12, 2015 |  Israel Today Staff

In the March issue of Israel Today Magazine we explored the mounting wave of corruption plaguing Israel at this time, what Israelis think about it, and what can and should be done.

We also provided examples of how while this corruption is a stain on the Jewish state, it is also an opportunity for Israel to fulfill its role as a light to the nations, all of which likewise suffer from corruption, and how that opportunity is being seized with greater frequency.

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As part of our investigation into this issue, Israel Today spoke with a Jerusalem-based Messianic pastor, who asked that we not use his name in publication. While there was not room for all his remarks in the magazine article, they are important as the pastor spoke strongly regarding those who would use the imperfect nature of nation of Israel to argue against the modern rebirth of the State of Israel.

His argument is as follows:

The problem of corruption is ever present in the Bible. Despite being a chosen people, the people of Israel experienced corruption.

The nation of Israel today, just as in the past, is not perfect, and does not live according to the Word of God. Nevertheless, the nation of Israel remains the chosen people and the beneficiaries of an unbreakable covenant with God and many accompanying promises. However, Israel can not fully enjoy these blessings until it stands before God clean of sin.

God returned the People of Israel to the Land of Israel not because of our purity, but rather despite our impurity and lack of repentance. (Ezekiel 36:16–32)

There are critics who say that as the chosen people, the nation of Israel must live according to the Word of God in order to enjoy His blessings. These critics insist that so long as Israel is not practicing biblical morality, they can not be the chosen people and certainly can not enjoy the blessings of God, including possession of the Land of Israel.

These arguments have a certain legitimacy. But if we use the same argument in looking at all the nations that claim to be Christian, or all the Christian Churches and Evangelical communities, we suddenly realize that God chose to dwell in and work through imperfect human vessels. If God were to wait for people perfect and without sin, then the Kingdom of Heaven would be empty.

He who would argue against Israel for failing to practice biblical morality must judge all nations by the same standard. Every person, of every nationality, race and sex is called to live according to God’s moral code, and every person has fallen short and is in need of redemption and forgiveness.

God has a plan of redemption for all mankind, [and] in this plan there is a place for the salvation of Israel as the chosen people, and for all other nations. God is implementing this plan now in Israel and the surrounding nations.

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Messianic Pastor: How to Pray for Israel in This Dark Hour

Sunday, July 06, 2014 |  David Lazarus

The following is a timely article by David Lazarus, a regular contributor to Israel Today and pastor of the Messianic congregation Beit Immanuel in Tel Aviv.

This has been another hard week for Israel. With barely time to mourn the loss of our 3 murdered teenagers, war drums are pounding again – both within and beyond our tiny borders.

How should we pray for Jerusalem in this terrible hour? One of Judaism's oldest prayers, recited more than any other blessing, gives us guidance to face the unique challenges of these difficult times.

The Aaronic Blessing is packed with beauty and meaning for such a time as this.

The first section - "May the Lord bless you and Keep you" asks G-d to prosper us with material and physical well-being. Here we are commanded to recall that He is our ultimate protection, and not only our own efforts.

May we turn our faces to the Lord in this difficult hour to the "Keeper of Israel and the Shield of Abraham."

Let us not allow the stones thrown at us become a stumbling block, but may they become footsteps drawing us closer to Him.

The second section – "The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you" asks the Almighty to grant us wisdom ("Ya'er" is related to the word "Or" – light, a metaphor for wisdom). We cannot live by gut reactions alone. When in trouble, it is time to fall on our faces G-d and allow His face to shine on us. It is in the midst of uncertainly and danger that we must pray, "Your will be done, and not mine…"

This is also a plea that we should find favor (gracious in the Hebrew) with G-d so that others should be built up with our teachings. His wisdom does not make us so arrogant that people resent us. This is especially true when we are angry and hurt and want to lash out at others, and our nation is seething right now. Let us ask the Lord to be gracious to Israel so that we might find favor with Him especially as we face of such turmoil.

The third section - "The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace" calls us to look at our Lord right in the eye. When a person does not conduct himself properly and knows that he is wrong, even in the face of danger, he cannot face his Lord, nor can he face others with integrity. But when we do the right thing, we can lift up our heads in the sight of G-d, and this, in turn, evokes a similar response from the Lord.

When our gaze meets our Maker, we are at Peace, and there is no greater strength than to walk in the light and be in fellowship with the will of G-d.

These are the blessings we should have in mind as we pray for Israel. Security, wisdom, humility, favor with G-d and the peace that comes from knowing that we are doing the right thing. When we live like this "in the image of G-d," we will bring Shalom not only to ourselves, but to the entire world.

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