October 22, 1999
As you know, from one of our most recent letters, on Elon Moreh, our connection and involvement with the settlements in the heart of Samaria has been growing. But the most amazing part of this adventure, beyond involvement with the heart of our land, is the insight into the heart of the Orthodox Jewish Zionist settlers. In coming to know them and their way of life, I believe I have seen the faith of Abraham manifested on a level quite different from what I had observed in other circles of the faith community. In these settlers I detect what may be defined as the Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego type of faith. We must remember that the faith of Abraham is still apparent in his progeny. YHVH blinded the eyes of the members of the House of Judah to the Gospel's message, for the sake of the other House of faith (Joseph's). But that does not mean that their faith and trust in Elohim is not genuine.
Let us pause, and recall the story of Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego. They were Jews living in Babylon during the days of Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar. These three were not willing to compromise Torah, nor to bow down to foreign gods. Their faith life style was not just based on tradition but rather on a genuine walk, in obedience to the Word of Elohim. They trusted in the Elohim of Israel, the Elohim of their forefathers and in His Torah. But what was remarkable about their faith, is that they seemed to know the sovereignty of their Elohim and the limit of man's authority and control. Listen to their straight forward conversation with the king of Babylon: "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my Elohims or worship the gold image which I have set up? Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the Elohim who will deliver you from my hands?"
"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our Elohim whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your Elohims, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.'" (Dan. 3:14-18).
The three Hebrews did not deliver to the king a theological treatise, or charged him with injustice; neither did they make claims to human rights, and nor did they try and finagle their way out by calling on some religious or political leader. Their unequivocal answer was simple and direct: "We have no need to answer you in this matter, our Elohim is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and from your hand. But…" please note this next statement, "But if not…" Many would say, 'well that’s not faith! They have to keep that positive confession that Elohim will deliver, and thus armed with that confession, that is what He will do.' However, as far as they were concerned that little "but if not", was a recognition in Elohim's absolute sovereignty in all of life's circumstances. They were safeguarding their faith, regardless of the outcome. This rendered them confident and able to address the king with the boldness of a faith that entrusted their lives to the unseen Elohim of Israel. "Let it be known to you, O king that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." In other words, "you may put us into the furnace".
Now back to the settlers. The other day I was given a map of the latest partitioning of the land, following the Sharm el Sheik agreements. What I saw was shocking, to say the least; what is left of the heart of our country are but a few trails to three or four settlements, Elon Moreh being one of them. I spoke over the phone with a couple from one of the settlements, and I asked them a straight forward question about the decisions that were being made by our political leaders, along with the United States and the United Nations. Their answer astounded me: "Have you not read the word of Elohim? We see our lives here in accordance with Elohim's covenant! This land is ours and we do not recognize any other plan. We must trust, even with our lives, the Elohim of Israel." I began to realize that this is not just a "mere" Zionistic ideal. These people are genuinely living out of their sustaining faith, even to the point of entrusting the sovereign unseen Elohim of Israel with their lives and the lives of their children.
This past week's Torah portion was the story of Noah, who was also a man of faith. He did not have to walk through fire, but through water. Later YHVH would comfort Zion by assuring her that just as He swore to Noah, that He would not flood the earth again, so would He not remove His loving kindness from her (Zion), nor would His covenant of peace be shaken, or His compassion. (see Isa. 54) He did not say it would be easy for her; nevertheless, His faithfulness to His bride would be unchangeable. The Haftarah reading from Isaiah 54 spoke volumes about the Holy One of Israel; as a husband, Redeemer, and Maker of Israel (Zion). Let us keep in mind this concluding verse, as we walk ("Lech Lechah") with our Father Abraham to Elon Moreh (Shechem) in the land that was given for our inheritance. "No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants (Israel) of YHVH" (Is. 54:17). May those who are out in the Golah (diaspora) begin to return to the inheritance, not just by lip service, but by seeking YHVH on how we (especially the Ephraimites) can walk with our brother Judah in the land. For YHVH said in Ezekiel 37 that He would make us ONE IN THE LAND. In conjunction with the Torah portion Lech-Lechah, there will be a prayer rally weekend in Elon Moreh. It will begin at the tomb and property that Jacob bought Joseph. I will be going on Friday to walk and be with them on this special Shabbat. Please join us in prayer, as a prophetic statement of the faithfulness of our covenant-keeping Elohim.
Ephraim
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unit." "But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, `You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your Elohim. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand" (Ps. 133:1; Isa.40:8-10).
As you know, from one of our most recent letters, on Elon Moreh, our connection and involvement with the settlements in the heart of Samaria has been growing. But the most amazing part of this adventure, beyond involvement with the heart of our land, is the insight into the heart of the Orthodox Jewish Zionist settlers. In coming to know them and their way of life, I believe I have seen the faith of Abraham manifested on a level quite different from what I had observed in other circles of the faith community. In these settlers I detect what may be defined as the Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego type of faith. We must remember that the faith of Abraham is still apparent in his progeny. YHVH blinded the eyes of the members of the House of Judah to the Gospel's message, for the sake of the other House of faith (Joseph's). But that does not mean that their faith and trust in Elohim is not genuine.
Let us pause, and recall the story of Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego. They were Jews living in Babylon during the days of Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar. These three were not willing to compromise Torah, nor to bow down to foreign gods. Their faith life style was not just based on tradition but rather on a genuine walk, in obedience to the Word of Elohim. They trusted in the Elohim of Israel, the Elohim of their forefathers and in His Torah. But what was remarkable about their faith, is that they seemed to know the sovereignty of their Elohim and the limit of man's authority and control. Listen to their straight forward conversation with the king of Babylon: "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my Elohims or worship the gold image which I have set up? Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the Elohim who will deliver you from my hands?"
"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our Elohim whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your Elohims, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.'" (Dan. 3:14-18).
The three Hebrews did not deliver to the king a theological treatise, or charged him with injustice; neither did they make claims to human rights, and nor did they try and finagle their way out by calling on some religious or political leader. Their unequivocal answer was simple and direct: "We have no need to answer you in this matter, our Elohim is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and from your hand. But…" please note this next statement, "But if not…" Many would say, 'well that’s not faith! They have to keep that positive confession that Elohim will deliver, and thus armed with that confession, that is what He will do.' However, as far as they were concerned that little "but if not", was a recognition in Elohim's absolute sovereignty in all of life's circumstances. They were safeguarding their faith, regardless of the outcome. This rendered them confident and able to address the king with the boldness of a faith that entrusted their lives to the unseen Elohim of Israel. "Let it be known to you, O king that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." In other words, "you may put us into the furnace".
Now back to the settlers. The other day I was given a map of the latest partitioning of the land, following the Sharm el Sheik agreements. What I saw was shocking, to say the least; what is left of the heart of our country are but a few trails to three or four settlements, Elon Moreh being one of them. I spoke over the phone with a couple from one of the settlements, and I asked them a straight forward question about the decisions that were being made by our political leaders, along with the United States and the United Nations. Their answer astounded me: "Have you not read the word of Elohim? We see our lives here in accordance with Elohim's covenant! This land is ours and we do not recognize any other plan. We must trust, even with our lives, the Elohim of Israel." I began to realize that this is not just a "mere" Zionistic ideal. These people are genuinely living out of their sustaining faith, even to the point of entrusting the sovereign unseen Elohim of Israel with their lives and the lives of their children.
This past week's Torah portion was the story of Noah, who was also a man of faith. He did not have to walk through fire, but through water. Later YHVH would comfort Zion by assuring her that just as He swore to Noah, that He would not flood the earth again, so would He not remove His loving kindness from her (Zion), nor would His covenant of peace be shaken, or His compassion. (see Isa. 54) He did not say it would be easy for her; nevertheless, His faithfulness to His bride would be unchangeable. The Haftarah reading from Isaiah 54 spoke volumes about the Holy One of Israel; as a husband, Redeemer, and Maker of Israel (Zion). Let us keep in mind this concluding verse, as we walk ("Lech Lechah") with our Father Abraham to Elon Moreh (Shechem) in the land that was given for our inheritance. "No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants (Israel) of YHVH" (Is. 54:17). May those who are out in the Golah (diaspora) begin to return to the inheritance, not just by lip service, but by seeking YHVH on how we (especially the Ephraimites) can walk with our brother Judah in the land. For YHVH said in Ezekiel 37 that He would make us ONE IN THE LAND. In conjunction with the Torah portion Lech-Lechah, there will be a prayer rally weekend in Elon Moreh. It will begin at the tomb and property that Jacob bought Joseph. I will be going on Friday to walk and be with them on this special Shabbat. Please join us in prayer, as a prophetic statement of the faithfulness of our covenant-keeping Elohim.
Ephraim
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unit." "But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, `You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your Elohim. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand" (Ps. 133:1; Isa.40:8-10).
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