In Defense of Israel … Revised or More of the Same? (A Review)

The January 2008 edition of Tzedakah Times devoted itself to a review of John Hagee’s In Defense of Israel:  The Bible’s Mandate for Supporting the Jewish State.  The review, by the way, was not kind.  For example, allow me to highlight some of the most scathing observations:

• Stating that he doubts Jewish people will ever become Christians (p. 148)
• Separation of Romans 9-11 from the rest of the epistle (pp. 50-51)
• Referring to Samaritans as Gentiles (p. 116)
• Advocating a position held by the liberal theologian James Parkes (p. 125)
• Exhibiting weak research by only using a single source in his response to Replacement Theology (p. 132, 147, 158).  BTW, his source was Bishop Earl Paulk who was never known as a great source of theological insight.
• However, the most dangerous teaching of In Defense of Israel are his contrived statements that Jesus never claimed to be Messiah (p. 140, 132-145, 148)

“The Jews were not rejecting Jesus as Messiah; it was Jesus who was refusing to be the Messiah to the Jews.” (p. 140)

“It is time for Christians everywhere to recognize that the nation of Israel will never convert to Christianity and join the Baptist church in their town…. But the idea that the Jews of the world are going to convert and storm the doors of Christian churches is a myth.  After two thousand years of a loveless, godless, anti-Semitic Christianity that has saturated the soil of the earth with their blood in the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the Holocuast, they are not about to convert.” (p. 148)

“The message of the gospel was from Israel, not to Israel.” (p. 134)

“Jesus refused to produce a sign for the national leadership of Israel in an attempt to prove he was the Messiah because it was not the Father’s will, nor his, to be Messiah.  Jesus’s repeated response to the Jewish people who urged him to be their Messiah was, ‘My kingdom is not of this world’ (John 18:36).” (p. 138)

“The people wanted him to be their Messiah, but he absolutely refused.” (p. 139)

“The Jews were not rejecting Jesus as Messiah; it was Jesus who was refusing to be the Messiah to the Jews.” (p. 140)

“He refused to be their Messiah, choosing instead to be the Savior of the world.” (p. 143)

As you might expect, John Hagee received a lot of “flak” (i.e., trashing) for his book.  I suspect that he did not anticipate the response and had to write a revised edition to soothe, placate, and explain his positions regarding Messiah Jesus, the salvation of the Jewish people, and Israel.  In fact, he even wrote a letter explaining the reason behind and the rationale for the revised edition.

So is this 2009 edition of In Defense of  Israel really revised or more of the same?  Let’s find out …

Chapters 1-9, 11-12 exhibit a virtually word for word repeat from the 2007 edition.  The problems that existed in the first edition for these chapters still exist today:

1. Personal claim that he represents all Evangelical Christians (p. 2)
2. Historical weaknesses similar to those found in Jerusalem Countdown but exhibiting an event more simplistic understanding of history
3. Usage of source material that does not agree with his own position
4. Use of hyperbolic and simplistic statements which exhibit a lack of historical depth — pp. 17, 19, 25, 27, 33, 61, 74, 92-94, 105-106)

So really this review should examine whether or not the changes he made to Chapter 10 really answer the concerns over his doctrine and understanding of the salvific nature of Messiah Jesus.

To give credit where credit is due, Hagee did remove the most blatant of statements that were noted above.  He also sought to provide a more religiously intellectual position for his argument.  And finally, there is more consideration of the words chosen so as to explain and not simply shock.  He should receive credit for this revision of chapter 10.

However … he still exhibits a lack of theological-historical understanding of what Replacement Theology is and is not.  Replacement Theology (aka supersessionism) is an incorrect doctrine that needs to be challenged and negated (see here and here for examples from this blog).  Hagee, however, confronts a very real theological error and chooses to make a hyperbolic statement that draws the attention away from the real theological issue.

“Replacement theology is the underpinning of most of the atrocities committed in the name of Christianity against the Jewish people over the past nineteen hundred years.” (p. 126)

Hagee also chooses to focus in on Romans 9:4-5 and ignore the heartbreaking lament of Paul for the salvation of the Jewish people (pp. 145-152).  And almost humorously, Hagee chooses to interpret Romans 1:16 (“to the Jew first”) as a replacement theologian would interpret it.  In other words, Hagee exhibits a lack of discernment and forethought in the most basic of exegetical exercises (pp. 154-156).

Hagee continues to use Parkes as a source (pp. 159), be ill-instructed on the meaning of the four cups of the Passover table (p. 173), and incorrectly refer to the Samaritan Woman as non-Jewish (p. 176). 

So ultimately has John Hagee reversed course and now understands the importance of Jewish missions/evangelism?  No.  For while he has taken out the offensive sections and passages from the first edition, he still seeks to avoid the very real issue of Jewish evangelism.  And sometimes this reality is found in two areas:  (1) what he does not say; and (2) who he uses for his reference sources.

As noted above, he again refers to the liberal theologian Parkes as a proof-texter for his argument.  In addition, his reference point for his revised argument against replacement theology (which is a lot more constructed than the first edition) is a man by the name of Clarence Wagner. 

Now you probably don’t know much about Clarence Wagner and I personally think that Hagee is counting on this lack of awareness.  Clarence Wagner was formerly the international director for Bridges for Peace – an organization dedicated to showing Christian love to the nation of Israel through humanitarian efforts.  Personally, I applaud the humanitarian work of Bridges for Peace but just wish that they would also focus on the spiritual needs of the Jewish people in Israel.

However, Clarence Wagner is no longer with Bridges for Peace and one of the reasons why could possible be found in his argument regarding “The Error of Replacement Theology” which, by the way, is the source from which Hagee secured most of his information about rebutting replacement theology.

Clarence Wagner, “The Error of Replacement Theology,” http://ldolphin.org/replacement/ (accessed November 18, 2009)

What is the Role of the Church?

3) To the world, the Church is called to preach the Gospel to all nations and make disciples (Matt. 28:19-20); to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength; and to love our neighbour as ourselves (Mk. 12:30-31).

4) To the Jewish people, we are called to show God’s love “for the sake of the Patriarchs” (Rom. 11:28), for without them we would not have had God’s Word or our Saviour who was a Jew from Israel. We are to show God’s mercy (Rom. 11:31). We are to give our material gifts to help them (Rom. 15:27). We are to pray for them and for Israel (Ps. 122:6). We are to be watchman on the walls to protect them (Isa. 62:6,7). We are to help with the aliyah (immigration) to Israel and the building up of Zion (Isa. 60:9-11; Jer. 16:14-16; Isa. 49:22-23).

5) According to Romans 11, we are two distinct groups, both grafted into the same tree, which are the covenants and promises given to Israel; grounded in the same root, the Messiah; drinking of the same sap, God’s Holy Spirit. We do not hold up the tree, but the tree us, and we are forbidden from boasting against or being arrogant to God’s covenant people the Jews (Rom. 11:17-18).

So has Hagee really changed his views on the need to share the Gospel message with the Jewish people?  Or has he simply repackaged, more artfully and more tactfully, the same mantra found in the first edition of In Defense of Israel?  I suppose I should say, “You decide,” but I think the answer is fairly obvious.

On page 142 of the revised edition, Hagee writes, “It is my hope that by explaining the two roles of Jesus as the Suffering Servant and future Reigning King we can shift from condemning the Jews for what they missed to thanking them for what they gave.” 

My question to John Hagee and any others who either ignore Jewish evangelism or abdicate responsibility for Romans 1:16 is simple — “But what about giving it back?”

Trinity … Stumblingblock or Misunderstanding?

The Trinity. 

Just the word itself creates controversy … dating back to the Council of Nicaea (AD 325).  Just the word itself creates a stumblingblock in the work of Jewish evangelism … is Christianity really guilty of polytheism or is just a big misunderstanding? 

I believe it is important to state categorically that God is God, Jesus is God, and the Holy Spirit is God.  It is one God existing as three unique and distinct persons (is manifestations an acceptable word?).  For all three members of the Godhead have different functions, different roles, different obligations.  However, this does create difficulty for many Jewish people whose first memorized piece of Scripture was the Shema of Deut. 6:4 — “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.”  Is there a way to not only reconcile but to show that 3 really does equal 1?  Perhaps we can using the passages of the Tenakh (aka Old Testament) (aka Hebrew Scriptures).

Genesis 1:1-2 – 

Gen 1:1-2 — In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Here we have the word Elohim translated as God.  Elohim is the plural form of the word El (God).  And in these two verses we see God the Creator and God the Spirit at work in creation.

Genesis 1:26-27 – Then God said,”Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Here we see God discussing the creation in the plural form (the argument from assumption that God must have been talking to the angelic court falls apart in verse 27) but that creating Adam in the singular pronoun.  God is in a way talking to Himself but He is also talking to the other members of the Godhead as will be pointed out later.

Exodus 3:14 — And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel,’I AM has sent me to you.’”

 This is the personal, intimate name of God that was given to Moses.  This is the name for God that is our provider, our banner, our shield.  And Jesus himself proclaimed this as his name in John 8:58 when he proclaimed “Before Abraham was, I am.”  Here we see an example of God the Father’s name being uttered and 1500 years later God the Son proclaiming it as His name as well.  (BTW — I could also show this if more time was available through the “I Am” statements of John).

Deuteronomy 6:4 – Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!

The Shema is the most important prayer for a Jewish man or woman (except obviously for the prayer of salvation).  And here is where many people try to stop the argument with one (echad).  However, it should be noted that echad should and can be translated as a plural unity (i.e., I am one but I exist in the roles of sister, aunt, and daughter).  In other words when Jesus stated in John 10:30 that “I am and my Father are One” He was proclaiming not only His Messiahship but also His deity as God the Son.

Psalm 51:10-13 – 

Ps 51:10-13  Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.  Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.

The prayer of David after his sins against Uriah and Bathsheba.  In this passage, David cannot use the Yahweh (I am) word for God as his relationship has been fractured but must use the proper name Elohim.  However, David does beg for the Holy Spirit to come to him.  These words should not be read as adjectives for God but for a unique person(al) request of God.  David appears to understand that there is God (Yahweh) and God the Holy Spirit in his prayer of forgiveness.  See also Psalm 104:30 – You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth.

Isaiah 61:1-3 – ”The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,
Because the LORD has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

There are a couple of exceptionally important items to note in this passage.  First, Jesus read these words when he returned to Nazareth (Luke 4:16-21).  He stated that those promises had now been fulfilled!  He was taking His place as the revealed God (see also John 14:9) and Messiah.

The Trinity is not an easy concept.  I even once heard a seminary president state that we will never understand it and he is correct to a point.  However, we must recognize the concept of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit for it proclaimed our salvation, sacrificed for our salvation, and indwells us today to ensure our salvation.  What an awesome God we serve!

TZEDAKAH MINISTRIES’ STATEMENT OF FAITH

We believe in one God existing in three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (also known as the Trinity).  Each member of the Godhead is Himself both distinct and equal to all other members of Trinity.  Each person – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is perfect in that He not only possesses the characteristics of deity but He himself is the reality of deity. (Genesis 1:26-27; 11:4; Exodus 3:14; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 110:1; Matthew 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 1:1-3; 14:6-13; 15:26; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:1-4)

We believe God the Father is author of creation.  He spoke the worlds and the heavens into existence by the simple act of His will and declaration.  He is timeless and eternal as He is the creator of time (past, present, and future).  God the Father is sovereign and can be understood as omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent.  He also is intimately involved in the lives of His creation and is approachable as Father but must be recognized as the God of the Universe. (Genesis 1-2; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; 15:11; Leviticus 19:2; Deuteronomy 32:26-29; Job 38:1-40:2; Psalm 19:1-4; 90:1-5; 104; Isaiah 6:1-3; 37:6; 40:28-31; 42:5-9; Jeremiah 10:11-12; 27:5; Matthew 16:16; Luke 22:70; John 1:1-12; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 8:6; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 4:6; 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 1:1-3; 11:3; 9:12-15; 1 Peter 1:21-25)

We believe Jesus the Son was eternally pre-existent with the Father.  He is not a creation of the Father God but is himself God.  We also believe that Jesus through the Incarnate act of the Virginal Conception became a man so that He could become the ultimate Passover Lamb and Yom Kippur sacrifice.  Jesus is the answer to man’s desperate need for salvation and the only possible means for a personal relationship with God the Father. (Genesis 1:26-27; 11:4; Psalm 110; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 52:11-53:12; Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 26:63-65; John 1:1-12; 8:58; 10:30-31; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-20; 2:9; Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:14-18; 4:15)

We also believe Jesus lived a sinless, perfect life who rejected the temptations of sin and became the atonement for the sins of the world through the shedding of His blood on the cross and His victorious resurrection from the grave.  All who believe that Messiah Jesus died for their sins, repent of their sins, and confess that Jesus is the Lord will be saved. (Isaiah 52:11-53:12; Matthew 28:1-10; Luke 24:6, 7, 24-26; 24:46; John 11:25-27; 20:1-31; Acts 2:22-24; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-10; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:15; 7:1-3; 7:25-26; 1 Peter 1:21-25; 1 John 2:2; 4:14-15; Revelation 1:5)

We further believe that Jesus after His ascension to Heaven is presently serving in His role as intercessor for those who receive the gift of salvation.  And while Jesus came in His first coming as the Passover Lamb and Yom Kippur sacrifice, we affirm that His second coming will be one of power and glory to reward those who received the gift  of salvation and to judge those who rejected His atoning and gracious sacrifice. (Psalm 2:7-9; Mark 16:19; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 1:9-11; 2:30-36; Romans 8:34; 2 Corinthians 5:10-21; Ephesians 1:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 6:19-20; 7:25-26; 9:24-28; 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 5:9-14; 19:11-16)

We believe the Holy Spirit has been and is eternally present with the Father and Son.  He was active with God the Father in the creation of the world, serves in the role of convicting people of their sins, indwells those souls who receive the salvation of Jesus the Son, and equips believers in their daily lives to exemplify a life of holiness through evangelism and service. (Genesis 1:2; 1:26-27; Psalm 51:10-13; 104:30; 139:7-12; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 3:16; 28:19; Luke 4:18-19; 24:49; John 3:3-5; 14:15-21; 15:26; 16:7-15; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, 38; 5:32; Romans 8:9-11, 26-27; 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; 6:11; 6:19; 12:1-31; 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18-21; 2 Timothy 1:14; Titus 3:5; 1 John 5:6-7)

Solomon Ginsburg … “and also to the Greek”

Many of you know of Tzedakah Ministries’ heart and burden for the salvation of Brazilian Jews (click here and here).  In doing some additional research on the history of missions in Brazil, I was finally able to uncover the name which had eluded me for so long … Solomon Ginsburg.  And thanks to the biographical information I found at Worldwide Missions, I am now able to share with you his story as well.

For what is truly remarkable about the lack of evangelistic work towards Brazilian Jews is the fact that one of the first Southern Baptist Brazilian missionaries, Solomon Ginsburg, was himself a Jewish believer in Jesus.

Ginbsurb was born in Poland as the son of a rabbi in 1867.  Running from an arranged marriage (he was 15!), he found himself living with relatives in England and being exposed to the Gospel through the Mildmay Mission to the Jews.  Through this exposure, Ginsburg found his Messiah but lost his family as he was cast out from those in Poland and England.

Orphaned spiritually but with a new Father spiritually, Ginsburg began to develop a burden for the salvation need for Portuguese and Brazilian Catholics (“and also to the Greek”).  After a few years in Brazil, he was mentored and baptized by two renowned SBC missionaries — Z. C. Taylor and W. B. Bagby.

Solomon Ginsburg’s gravestone can be found today in the Protestant cemetery in Sao Paolo, Brazil.  He left his life as a rabbi’s son, lost his first wife to illness and is known today in heaven for the salvation testimonies of untold thousands of Brazilians.  However, today there is no directed, church-organized outreach in Brazil to his own Jewish people.  Why?

Lemba People … Are They One of the Lost Tribes of Israel?

I know the next statement will shock you [insert sarcastic grin here] … “I was reading a book yesterday.”  Seriously, I was engaged in some fascinating reading by a geneticist named David B. Goldstein entitled Jacob’s Legacy:  A Genetic View of Jewish History.  In this work, Dr. Goldstein in truly laymen’s terms attempts to lay out the science and rationale for tracing the genetic history of the Jewish people.

The first chapter was fascinating as it showed how it is entirely possible to trace Jewish men who believe they are from not only the tribe of Levi but also a part of the Cohanim (priestly class) through DNA evidence back to at least Solomon’s time.  Wow!

However, the chapter that most fascinated me (and what drove me to the internet on a hunt) regards the Lemba people of Southern Africa (specifically a region of South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, etc.).  The Lemba people believe that they are descendants of one of the 10 Lost Tribes of Israel dating back to the destruction of the Northern Kingdom in 712 BC by the Assyrians.

And while the circumstantial evidence is fascinating — keeping kosher, keeping the Sabbath, no intermarriage, etc. — what was fascinating to Goldstein and to myself is that these people share many of the same genetic markers/identifiers as people with the last name of Cohn, Cohen, and Kahn.

As you might expect, Tzedakah Ministries will examine these people more in-depthly as it relates to their need of the salvation reality of Messiah Jesus.  There are 70,000 members of the Lemba tribe and they need Jesus … regardless of whether the legend is true or not.  And if they are from one of the lost tribes, they need Jesus in the reality of Romans 1:16 as much as a Sabra (native born Israeli).

However, and almost resignedly, I also discovered that the mission organizations for Africa do not have a mission outreach to the Lemba people.  Hopefully, that will change!  It must change.

So as you pray for the Jewish people tonight and in the future, remember the Lemba people as well for they very well might be members of the tribe for whom Jesus first (in time and priority) came.  Shalom!

Threats … Visible and Invisible

Tzedakah Ministries occasionally receives threats from various fronts and sources (see the third comment in the Genesis 12:1-3 post).  Often their intention is to frighten and intimidate; however, I personally am just saddened by the spiritual lostness of the individual writing the words.

What firghtens me most are the threats to the salvation of the Jewish people that seemingly come from the most unlikely of sources … “Christians” and “churches”.  A threat to my person if realized will harm me for a moment but will allow me to “rush” my homegoing.  Threats such as apathy, Christian utilitarianism, and dual covenantalism threatens the eternal state of God’s Chosen Ones.  That is the far greater threat and the one that causes me the most fear.

When will the greater threat dissolve itself in light of the command for a Romans 1:16 Response Team?  Prayerfully today.  Hopefully tomorrow.  But when?

Emails that Frustrate …

Threatening emails are one thing (which this ministry has received).  However, the most frustrating email or contact is one that results in an apathetic attitude by Christians and churches towards Jewish evangelism/missions. 

I never imagined back in 1999 that the concept of Jewish evangelism would be met with such resistance and unconcern.  It might never be a crowd pleaser but it does meet the approval of God himself.

Yes, an email was received just hours after the previous entry about allowing God to have control of the plans.  It was a test and I am not sure how I am doing on this assignment.

What does Romans 1:16 and Romans 11:11 mean anyway?

Brazil … A Forgotten Jewish Mission Field

A little over a year ago, this blog posted about the urgency of reaching the 150,000+ Brazilian Jewish people with the Gospel.  I prayed that God would allow Tzedakah Ministries to partner with another mission agency (one who specializes in church planting) in equipping Christians and churches to know how and why to reach Brazilian Jews with the Gospel.

It is now over a year later and Tzedakah Ministries, and regardless of whether they realize it not so are the Brazilian Jewish people, is still waiting.  I had high hopes and lofty dreams that mission agencies would line up to partner with Tzedakah Ministries to reach Brazilian’s unreached people group … especially since they are among the Chosen People of God.  However, that dream has yet to be realized … yet.

Today I heard a sermon at Parkway Hills Baptist in Plano (was visiting with dear friends who are also Jewish believers in Jesus) from Phil. 1:3-6 about “holding out hope to others”.  Pastor Dennis touched my heart because he also reminded the crowd that all things must come under God’s timetable and plan and not our own. 

So I confess that my burden for the Brazilian Jewish people has suffered because I tried to force the issue instead of allowing God to lead the charge.  I confess my sins and ask God to forgive me for my desire to be in charge of reaching the Brazilian Jews instead of allowing Him to lead the way.

Please don’t get me wrong.  Tzedakah Ministries will continue to seek our mission agencies who could be the conduit into Brazil.  However, this ministry will do two things better this time — (1) pray even more diligently about which mission agencies to approach … because it would be a waste God’s time on ones to approach who don’t care and (2) realize that those who do say no are not saying no to Tzedakah Ministries but no to God and His Chosen Ones living in Brazil.

Please pray for the Brazilian Jewish people.  The clock on this world is ticking and midnight is fast encroaching on humanity.  Shalom.  God bless.

United States: We Must Remember Genesis 12:1-3

In light of this article (http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3787724,00.html)and promises from Israel, I do pray that the United States remembers the promise as well as the warning of Genesis 12:1-3.

For while we all pray for shalom (peace), we know that it is only possible through Messiah Jesus!  So while we remember Genesis 12:1-3, let us also remember Romans 1:16 and 11:11!

And as always, this blog will always support Israel.  No questions.  No doubts.

Reflections on the Kaparot Prayer/Sacrifice

I have waited until after the High Holy Days are concluded before writing about Kaparot.  I have waited for a couple of different reasons  — (1) Yom Kippur is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar and Jesus as a Jewish man observed the day … even while knowing He was going to be the ultimate atoning sacrifice and (2) many will not understand or intentionally misunderstand the point of this post so it is better to wait until Yom Kippur to discuss it.

Kaparot is the tradition of swinging a chicken over one’s head and “imbuing” our sins upon the chicken before it is sacrificed.  Today only the most Orthodox of Jewish people still observe the tradition, and even then some will substitute money (i.e., putting our sins onto money!) for the chicken and then giving the money to charity.  Yes, I know the irony is resplendent!

The Kaparot prayer/sacrifice has a long history, (see here for more information) even though no one is quite sure how old the custom might be.  The most that can be gathered from the research I have done is that it dates back to at least AD 900 or about 800+ years after the destruction of the Temple. 

Those who observed it in the past and those who observe it today do so because of a recognition that blood is necessary for true atonement to occur.  The verses in Leviticus 17:11 talk of the necessity of life being in blood which is further fleshed out in Hebrews 9:22.  Therefore, it is safe to assume that those who still observe the ritual of Kaparot do so because they understand that atonement from sins is not possible without the shedding of blood.  Hmm…

So why don’t we share the truth of Messiah Jesus and the fact that His death serves as the ultimate and final atonement sacrifice.  He is our Yom Kippur?  Just a question to ask yourself as we prepare for Sukkot.

The link provided will take someone to a paper chicken that can be used instead of a live chicken for Kaparot.  Seriously!http://www.ou.org/chagim/yomkippur/chicken1.htm

Journal Entry for September 28, 2009 … Thoughts on 2 Timothy 4:2

Just hours after I posted the journal entry for September 23, 2009, I was awakened at 3:30 a.m. by the most terrible pain of my life.  By 12:30 p.m. on September 24, I was in emergency surgery to have my gall bladder removed.  There were some complications during and after surgery that while a little scary ultimately resulted in only a delay of departing from the hospital until Saturday afternoon. 

Unfortunately, I could not attend my home church on Sunday (Heritage Baptist in Waxahachie) but instead spent Sunday morning in Bible study and reflection.  I spent a lot of time in my Bible going from Esther and Mordechai’s exchange in chapter 4, to Psalm 37, to Isaiah 9 to 2 Timothy 4. I was drawn to 2 Timothy 4 because of my week and also because I am exhausted spiritually.

For Tzedakah Ministries face daily rejections from pastor’s and others who seem to care little about God’s Chosen Ones. It is tiring and all though I wish I could be more like John’s good characteristics, I find more similiarities to Paul’s faults in my own life. Therefore, 2 Timothy 4 is a chapter I sometimes turn to when I am down because Paul was down when writing these words to his protégé. However, this morning I was struck by verse 2 in a completely new way then ever before. I have seen the words of admonition about being ready in and out of season; however, I was struck by them as if for the first time. The idea of being ready in and out of season can also be understood as BE PERSISTENT regardless of whether it is easy, convenient or received.

So I promise that once I am back on my feet, Tzedakah Ministries will BE PERSISTENT whether “Christians” and “churches” are ready for it or not. We don’t have time for anything less.