8/29/2025
"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting
the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making
wise the simple;..."
Psalm 19:7
According to the Jewish calendar we are now in the month of Elul which is a time of reflection and repentance (Teshuvah) in preparation for the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets announcing the Jewish New Year beginning in the month of Tishrei) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). The Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Feast of Booths, follows, and it is a time of dwelling in tents or sukkahs - temporary dwellings, to remember when the children of Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years after their exodus from Egypt. This is a time when many Jews and followers of Christ flock to Jerusalem to participate in festivities and to show solidarity and support with the people of Israel. I have never attend the feast in person, but I do participate online. The International Christian Embassy commemorates these days with feasting, fellowship, speakers, music, and so much more. There is hands on experience in reaching out to the people, especially during a time of war.
Historically, Elul it is also a time when the king would go into the field to make himself available to the people. It is believed today that it is a time when God is more available for the people to meet Him more directly to seek favor and answer to prayer. But, as believers in Christ, we have Holy Spirit living within us all the time. Only one per cent of the people in Israel today believe in Jesus as Messiah, leaving 99% who are either Orthodox Jews or secular or non-believers. Since the release of some of the hostages from the 2023 massacre, many of these survivors have returned to synagogue, reading Torah and studying the Tanakh. Sapir Cohen was one who led the way to this revival of God's Word, as she testified of remembering how she had memorized Psalm 27, so she recited it daily, bringing her peace and favor with her enemies. Psalms 27 is being read during this time of repentance by all Jews in the synagogue and the Messianic Jewish community.
The Torah contains the first five books of the Hebrew Bible including Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. The Tanakh contains the Torah or teachings of Moses as noted above; the Nevi'im or Prophetic books; and Ketuvim or the other writings of the Old Testament, including the Psalms, Proverbs, Job; Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, Ruth, Esther, and the books of Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles. Seems exhaustive, but sadly, the New Testament is not studied in the Orthodox religion. It is surprising to me that all of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation speak of Jesus, yet the Jewish people do not see or understand today, as they did not in the days of Jesus. When Jesus came from heaven to dwell among us, even the disciples thought He would come as a warrior King who would deliver them from Roman domination, and they missed the part about His suffering as foretold in the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms. When Jesus ascended to Heaven after His death and resurrection, the disciples did not have scriptures other than the Old Testament, and yet they had "face to face" proof, and after the first time Peter spoke, 3,000 were added to the church. Our testimonies cannot be refuted. When people are seeking the truth, hungry and thirsty for righteousness, they are open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ that brings peace - God's shalom which is complete and transcends all understanding. I cannot wait until the scales fall from the eyes of unbelievers, haters of God, and they embrace the cross.
The word of God says that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but although this may be spoken or read in churches today, the understanding of the meaning plus the lack of putting it into practice, dominates. God is a holy God, and as much as people hate Israel and the Jewish people, God has chosen them as His Chosen People, a holy nation, a peculiar people. As believers in Christ we have been grafted into this vine with the chosen of God, but we must be very careful to understand that we are there only because God in His mercy is using us to provoke His people to jealousy through our faith in Jesus as Messiah. When we embrace the truth of God's word and receive Jesus as our Savior for the forgiveness of our sins, knowing that He alone is the Sinless Lamb who came to redeem us, we are in God's family. We also know that He is coming back as the Warrior, as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, wielding the sword, the Word of God, coming to bring judgment on the earth. At this time the scales will drop from the eyes of the Jewish people, and they will bring salvation to the world. The scriptures are very clear. This is why we are told to love Israel and to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. It is a dangerous thing to stand against God's chosen people, because in Genesis 12:3 God clearly says He will bless those who bless Israel, and He will curse those who curse her. God is not a liar. He is true to His word.
So many people are listening to the lies of the media with regard to the humanitarian aid and assistance to Gaza. Please beware, do not take the word of the media or of anyone who openly opposes Israel, her government, and our government for the support of Israel. Much aid has been going in, and if people would just research the matter for themselves, they would find out that they have so much flour they are throwing it on the ground. Much of this is because Hamas has threatened to kill the people for taking the food. Photos and reports have shown how Hamas has been stockpiling the food sent in and either keeping it for themselves or selling it to their own people at a much higher price. Why is it that we are so quick to listen to anyone who appears the least bit sympathetic towards someone, yet all the while are only trying to boost support for their own sick agendas? Violence against any people is wrong, and both the Israeli and American governments have spoken against it. Yet violence is being seen all over the world, in our streets, instigated by those who want to rise in their own power. It is evil, and I pray that America wakes up, the world wakes up, and mostly the Church of the Living God wakes up, speaks out, and stands up. Not in violence, but in peace and love, but in truth, no longer denying Christ. When we are silent, we deny Christ.
I am writing, posting comments, speaking out wherever and to whomever will listen. I am not controversial, it comes naturally in conversation by simply listening to someone say something. Then taking that opportunity to enlighten that person to the word of God and the truth of the situation, inviting that one to search out the matter. I have testified of how my son had been fed lies that led to outright anger, and he knew better. Satan is devious, and he uses even those who say they believe the word of God, but who are not walking in it. It cannot be in part, it must be followed in whole. Yesterday, I was reading prayer requests on my Harvest Ministries discipleship page, and someone had made an uninformed request for prayer for assistance for Gaza, saying that Prime Minister Netanyahu was holding aid back. That is so untrue, and probably based on one incident where the safety of the American workers taking the aid in were at risk. It's kind of difficult to provide aid when your citizens, and I might add, American citizens are being shot at by Hamas, and even taken hostage. He acted correctly. He, like any other leader, any other person, is not perfect, but he is anointed by God for this time, as is President Trump and others whom people spew hatred and vitriol against. These are our leaders, and regardless of whether we agree with everything they are doing, we are commanded by God to pray for our leaders and those in authority (2 Timothy 2:1-2). If we lived and walked as the Bible said , what a different world we would have. One where children would not fear and who could play side to side, Arabs and Jews, as they once did before this atrocity on October 7, 2023.
