Friday, August 3, 2018

CHUCK KOLB 08/03/2018

Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Eikev - the Rewards of Faith in Action !!!

Previously posted ...
Crossing the Swamp - Milk and Honey on the Other Side !!! 
http://conpats.blogspot.com/  

Welcome to this week’s Parasha (Torah Portion), which is called Eikev (Because). We hope you enjoy this portion of Scripture that will be read during the morning services this Shabbat (Saturday) in synagogues around the world. Please read along with us; we know you will be blessed! 


Last week, in Parasha Va'etchanan, Moses predicted that the people in future generations would be exiled from the Promised Land and scattered among the nations because they would turn from God and worship idols.  But Moses also foresaw that in the last days they would once again seek Him and obey His commandments. The title of this week’s Parasha, Eikev, means because.  It is used in this Parasha as a conjunction to create a relationship between experiencing God’s blessings and obedience to His Torah. In connection with this, the Haftarah portion this week contains an important prophecy that provides us with added insight into how to walk in the blessings of Adonai — through faith and obedience.

You can view this Parasha on our website complete with embedded links ... 
Parasha Eikev: Turning to the Source of Our Blessings published in 5777 

https://free.messianicbible.com/parasha/parasha-eikev-turning-source-blessings/ 
http://free.messianicbible.com/category/torah 

Jewish holiday calendars & Hebrew date converter 
http://www.chabad.org/calendar/view/month_cdo/jewish/Jewish-Calendar.htm - https://www.hebcal.com 
https://yiddishkeit101.wordpress.com/category/hebrew-word-of-the-day 

Parasha Reading Schedule 5778 
http://free.messianicbible.com/torah-reading-schedule 

Why Are Christians Adopting Jewish Practice of Studying the Weekly Torah Portion?
https://theisraelbible.com/christians-adopting-jewish-practice-studying-weekly-torah-portion/

Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord of Hosts – YHVH Sabaoth 
The name YHVH Sabaoth is used 235 times in the Bible. 
http://free.messianicbible.com/feature/holy-holy-holy-lord-hosts-yhvh-sabaoth/ 

The Prophetic Significance of the Passover Lamb 
http://free.messianicbible.com/holiday/the-prophetic-significance-of-the-passover-lamb/ 

Simchat Torah: Celebrating Yeshua – the Word That Dwells Among Us
http://free.messianicbible.com/holiday/dancing-joy-simchat-torah/ 

Celebrate Yeshua HaMashiach's birthday - The Feast of Tabernacles !!! 
http://conpats.blogspot.com/2017/10/chuck-kolb-10082017.html 

The Daniel Timeline 
http://www.davidjayjordan.com/Danieltimeline.html 

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Parshat Eikev 
https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/3041/jewish/Eikev-in-a-Nutshell.htm 
http://www.chabad.org/parshah/default.asp?tDate=8/4/2018 

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Chaim Richman ... 

Weekly Torah Portion: Eikev

The promised land - the land of Israel - the land where Torah, the covenant between G-d and His people Israel, is fulfilled in the deeds and the hearts of the people, in the soil and the rivers and the mountains and the valleys of the land, the only land where all this is possible, the land G-d chose to place His people to inherit and inhabit forever: Zionism, direct from the Creator of all and the G-d of Israel. 

Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25) Parashat Eikev is read on Shabbat: Av 23, 5778 / August 4, 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_Na0ZozLx8 (15:26
https://www.youtube.com/user/henryporter2/videos 
Published on Aug 1, 2018 - The Temple Institute  
https://www.templeinstitute.org/events.htm 
http://www.templeinstitute.org/ 
Weekly Newsletter - http://is.gd/4BUvi 

Special ... Broadcasting from Jerusalem with Rabbi Chaim Richman, Yitzchak Reuven 
Temple Talk Radio: The Nation-State Law and the Jewish Problem… A Torah Perspective 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vazV9KkLUgo (46:11)  
Published on July 31, 2018 - The Temple Institute 
In Praise of the Land of Israel 
Parashat Eikev: The Inexorable Bond Between the Land of Israel and the Commandments 

This week we read the Torah portion of Eikev, with its beautiful emphasis on the centrality and significance of the performance of the Torah's commandments in the Land of Israel. Indeed this Torah portion is bursting with praise and appreciation for the Land of Israel. This week's dynamic and inspiring installment of Temple Talk focuses on these concepts as Yitzchak Reuven and Rabbi Chaim Richman discuss the amazing confluence of this Torah portion with the hotly contested, newly-framed law passed by Israel's Knesset called the Nation-State Law, which defines and emphasizes the Jewish character of the State of Israel. A very timely episode of Temple Talk, not to be missed!

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The Coming Temple - Full Documentary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKTO8YYs29c (48:17) NuBeat Music 12/21/16 
Filmed in the Old City of Jerusalem, this ground-breaking documentary investigates the research of renowned Biblical archaeologists, Bob Cornuke, David Sielaff and Earnest L. Martin who claim that Solomon and Herod's Temples never stood on the Haram al Sharif, also known as the Temple Mount. If they are right, then there is nothing to stop the Jewish people building their long awaited for Third Jewish Temple in the actual site where the Temples once stood. 

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Naphtali “Tuly” Weisz ...  

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/  https://israel365.com/ 

The Portion of Eikev 
https://theisraelbible.com/reading-plan/book-deuteronomy/portion-eikev/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/weekly-torah-portion/  

The Israel Bible side-by-side English and Hebrew text along with audio being read in Hebrew.
https://theisraelbible.com/bible/genesis/chapter-1#verse-1 
https://theisraelbible.com/hebrew-alphabet-chart/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/proper-noun-directory/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/glossary/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/maps 

Huckabee: “I May Buy House in Efrat”
by Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz 

Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, attended a ceremony on Wednesday in the Gush Etzion community of Efrat in which he helped lay bricks and pour cement for new houses. Huckabee was so overcome with emotion that he said he may one day come to live in the city. “I’m building, because I one day might want to purchase a holiday home here in Efrat,” he told journalists. Speaking in front of a banner that read “Build Israel Great Again,” Huckabee cited President Trump’s background as a real estate developer, saying the president also would have enjoyed the event. “I’m not speaking for my government. I’m speaking for myself and God,” Huckabee said.https://youtu.be/Z9ejYvrHJEY (5:40
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/111711/huckabee-house-efrat/

Israel’s Christian Defender
by Video Manager 

Staunch defender of Israel Pastor John Hagee, speaks about US President Donald Trump’s
decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. 

Michelle Makori Interviews Pastor John Hagee 
https://youtu.be/Wnq_b9E77xs (8:20
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/111351/israel-christian-defender/

2 FREE bumper stickers - I Stand with Israel 
http://www.shilohisraelchildren.org/free-bumper-stickers/ 
Hebrew “Trump 2016” Bumper Sticker 
https://israel365.com/store/i-love-israel/hebrew-trump-2016-bumper-sticker 

Jared and Ivanka Special w Joseph, Arabella and Theodore ... 
Shana Tova u'Metuka! - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZR6YcDFLXt/ 
Joseph and the Sycamore tree - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaSQ1Z7lNVa/ 
Mazel Tov - Jared and Ivanka 8th Anniversary - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BasPPXSFBYP/ 
Family Trip - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb4eb1yFrtS/ 
Theodore Peek-a-boo - 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcVt1CAl311/ 
Happy Chanukah! - 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcnw9Yll2hO/ 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc3WutUlcmf/ 
Joseph's Fish at Mar-a-Lago - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdK8PpxFprP/ 
Jared's 37th Birthday - 5778 w <3 Ivanka 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdyjoD4lk6X/
Ivanka in Pittsburgh - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeG80HZlihT/ 
Joseph Flies Air Force One - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BewO8OVlSQH/ 
Black n White and Arabella - 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf45VDGlBfT/ 
Scientist Ivanka at Waukee APEX, IA - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BghW-Y8Fgdx/ 
Theodore Turns Two - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgwikqalE0L/ 
Airport Diner Fun in Manchester - 5776,78
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhrz5-JlSm1/ 
Theodore Spring Planting - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhu1hIqFCsU/
Instavid French Cuisine - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh-q23qlKm3/  
Arabella #JCC Activities - 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiKVJUHlIL2/ 
Welcome Home Instavid - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bimagj0FNLa/ 
Embassy Dedication - Lyar 29, 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/Biw8rt7Fv79/
Theodore at WH Lunchtime - 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjLI7HMFjdg/ 
Ivanka w Herschel Walker - WH Sports and Fitness Day - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjcTOJIFmGh/ 
Theodore My <3 - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjSXlG1lTuj/ 
Little Ivanka Happy Birthday Dad - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkAQVCWl81i/ 
Fam Photos #FathersDay - We <3 U - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkHuuVul6u9/ 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkIzWo7Fpr_/ 
Instavid Summit of the Americas in Peru - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkbKw79FF4a/ 
Instavid #WorkforceDevelopment - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BldZTnsAV_S/ 

https://www.instagram.com/ivankatrump/ 
https://twitter.com/ivankatrump  
http://ivankatrump.com/ 

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Todah Rabah - beloved Ted Belman writing from Jerusalem, Israel for 16+ years ...  
THERE IS NO DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION 

Majority of Israeli Jews support nation-state law, polls determine.

61% of Israeli Jews do not think the law will impact the Druze community’s commitment to the state of Israel, one poll found.
by Gil Hoffman - JPOST

A small majority of Jewish Israelis believe the Knesset was correct in passing the Jewish Nation-State Law, two polls found Tuesday. A Panels Research poll taken for the Walla! News website found that 58% of Israelis support the new law, 34% oppose it and eight percent had no opinion. The poll found that those defining themselves as right-wing or centrist were more likely to back the bill and self-defined leftists were more likely to oppose it.
https://www.israpundit.org/majority-of-israeli-jews-suppoprt-nation-state-law-polls-determine/ 
https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Majority-of-Jews-support-Nation-State-Law-polls-determine-563840
https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Read-the-full-Jewish-Nation-State-Law-562923 

T. Belman writes, Sherman makes the case why Israel shouldn’t wobble. Why it is entirely proper that we should have this law. What matters is not the wording per se, which Caroline Glick challanged, but the fact that we proclaimed it at all. I note that the Catholic Church, the UN, Erdogan, much of the American Jewish leadership and the PA have all gone on the attack. We must take the heat. It will pass. Under no condition should we amend it to please our minorities, even the ones we like. Do not create a chink in our armour. Our detractors will try to take advantage of it. Bibi was right when he said to the MKs, “don’t apologize”. Everyone, Druze included, must accept that Israel is the nation-state of the Jews.
Israel, stand firm on the nation-state law
by Martin Sherman - ISRAEL HAYOM

A few notable personalities from the Right are joining the wave of condemnation of Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People, namely former Defense Minister Moshe Arens and MK Benny Begin. In doing so, they are legitimizing those who wish us harm and who are using the “racist” nation-state law as proof that the Israeli government seeks to implement “discrimination” and “apartheid.” 
https://www.israpundit.org/israel-stand-firm-on-the-nation-state-law/ 
http://www.israelhayom.com/opinions/arens-youre-wrong-about-the-law/ 

Ted Belman, editor and publisher of Israpundit 
https://youtu.be/2_2jJpjU3zA (5:10) ILTV ISRAEL DAILY 10/9/17 http://www.iltv.tv/ 

Ted Belman - 12/3/17 
https://youtu.be/EO5kIMNtZwA (1:08:08) Alexander Gendler 12/3/17 
The “Jordan-is-Palestine” idea, as the preferred resolution for the Israel-Palestine conflict. The conference was organized together with Mudar Zahran, Secretary-General of the Jordan Opposition Coalition, who lives in England under the protection of that country's police.

3 ways to help Ted Belman ... 
Please send checks payable to Ted Belman, 
Hagdud Haivri #1, Jerusalem, 92344, ISRAEL 
Or go to Israel Institute for Strategic Studies 
and use your credit card and mention "Israpundit" 
Donators will get a US tax deductible receipt. 
http://www.strategic-israel.org/  
http://www.israpundit.org/donate/ 

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Courtesy of Bible Gateway ... 
Free Map! Where are the Lost Tribes of Israel today?

https://www.salemoffers.com/campaign/lost-tribes-map-fall-2017-b/ 
http://jvmi.convio.net/assets/pdfs/lost-tribes-map.pdf (1 page pdf) 
✡ ✡ ✡
Yavoh ~ He is coming ! 
Yahweh - Yeshua -  Ruach Ha-Kodesh 
Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה   
BREAKING NEWS FROM ISRAEL 
Minute by minute updates here ... 
Watching for Yeshua Ha-Mashiach   
http://www.kolbonews.com/ 
https://iomovies.to/ 
http://conpats.blogspot.com/ 
http://free.messianicbible.com/ 
Pray at the Kotel - the Western Wailing Wall 
http://free.messianicbible.com/enter-prayer-wall/ 
Entire Media News on this Planet 
click continue to use PressDisplay.com 

http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/viewer.aspx 


What is Modern Israeli Food?
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/what-is-modern-israeli-food/ 
Joy of Aliyah #10 - The Finale - Living the Dream
https://youtu.be/Mr4ESdV8kmw (9:05) Jamie Geller 9/20/12 

This teeny-tiny ingredient caused a BIG controversy.
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/israeli-couscous-with-roasted-red-pepper/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/colorful-veggie-soup/

An Israeli-Style Shabbat that's ready in 1 hour!
https://www.joyofkosher.com/holidays/1-hour-shabbat-menu-israeli-style/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/israeli-style-chicken-fricassee/

From Israel With Love
All these Shabbos-perfect sides have this in common.
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/sushi-rice-stuffed-grape-leaves-and-soy-tahini-dip/
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/israeli-green-beans-with-matbucha/ 

Make hummus, bread and noodles with this vegetable.
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/pesto-chicken-flatbread-pizza/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/kale-almond-vegan-pesto/

How I made this popular dish gluten-free.
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/gluten-free-peanut-free-sesame-noodles/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/summer-squash-bowtie-pasta/ 

Believe it or not, I can fit a whole meal in this
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/shakshuka-ish/ 

It's your last chance to download my Modern Israeli Summer ebook
Download my FREE Modern Israeli Summer ebook with over 20 fresh & easy recipes. 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/israel/modern-israeli-summer-free-recipe-ebook/

This 7th week’s prize is (drumroll please): Chefman Immersion Blender and Spiralizer
Welcome To The Summer of Giveaways and every week for 12 weeks 
enter to win below and come back every day for more chances. 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/summer-of-giveaways/ 

Finally! A Healthy Meal Plan for the Whole Family: Fresh Families by Jamie 
https://freshfamilies.us/ 
https://freshfamilies.us/register/ 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6lQsuWGrrA (1:01

The Perfect Week for Matzo... As Seen on The Today Show
https://www.joyofkosher.com/2018/03/the-perfect-week-for-matzo-as-seen-on-the-today-show/
w vid Use matzo in 4 different ways for Passover!
https://www.today.com/video/use-matzo-in-4-different-ways-for-passover-1198725699778
https://www.today.com/food/easiest-most-delicious-matzo-ball-recipe-passover-t125845
Matzo Balls by Jamie Geller 
https://www.today.com/recipes/matzo-balls-recipe-t125837 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/best-ever-matzo-ball-soup/ 

Watch Jamie cooking Brisket with Megyn Kelly on The Today Show
by Shifra Klein 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/2018/01/jamie-gellers-brisket-101-as-seen-on-the-today-show/
https://www.today.com/video/make-3-hearty-winter-meals-with-this-delicious-classic-beef-brisket-recipe-1164913219668 
https://www.amazon.com/Jamie-Gellers-Brisket-101-LEFTOVER/dp/1976983851/ 

Camp Zeke is cook'in with kids http://www.campzeke.org 
Free 2017 - 63 page cookbook - recipes by Alexandra Zohn, MA, HHC 
http://www.campzeke.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017-Camp-Zeke-Cookbook.pdf 

The Most Popular Recipe - Year 2017
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/potato-kugel-cups/ 
https://youtu.be/ApKzja2XnWE (6:39
The Most Popular Recipes 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/search?query=Most%20Popular%20Recipes 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - EVOO Colavita recipes
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/white-bean-and-avocado-toast/ 
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/deviled-green-eggs/ 
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/sun-dried-tomato-hummus/ 
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/quinoa-oat-clusters-fruit-nuts/ 

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The answer is, it's made with love from Israel !   
http://joyofkosher.com/joyofisrael 
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Because [eikev] you listen to these rules and keep and do them, the Lord your God will keep with you the covenant and the steadfast love that He swore to your fathers.  He will love you, bless you, and multiply you.
Deuteronomy 7:12–13 



Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Eikev - the Rewards of Faith in Action !!!


 
Shabbat Shalom 
 
Welcome to this week’s Parasha (Torah Portion),
which is called Eikev (Because). 
 
We hope you enjoy this portion of Scripture that will be read during the morning services this Shabbat (Saturday) in synagogues around the world.
 
EIKEV (Because)
Deuteronomy 7:1211:25; Isaiah 49:1451:3; John 14:1–31
 
Because [eikev] you listen to these rules and keep and do them, the Lord your God will keep with you the covenant and the steadfast love that He swore to your fathers.  He will love you, bless you, and multiply you.”  (Deuteronomy 7:12–13)
 

Reading from the Torah scroll
 
Last week, in Parasha Va'etchanan, Moses predicted that the people in future generations would be exiled from the Promised Land and scattered among the nations because they would turn from God and worship idols.  But Moses also foresaw that in the last days they would once again seek Him and obey His commandments.
 
The title of this week’s Parasha, Eikev, means because.  It is used in this Parasha as a conjunction to create a relationship between experiencing God’s blessings and obedience to His Torah.
 
In connection with this, the Haftarah portion this week contains an important prophecy that provides us with added insight into how to walk in the blessings of Adonai — through faith and obedience.
 
These three — faith, obedience, and blessings — are seen operating in our forefather Abraham, who first believed and then out of faith, obeyed God and was circumcised.
 
Abraham exemplified the concept that obedience is more than exercising our will over our own flesh; it is faith in action.  Out of his faith flowed obedience to God.
 
In Genesis 15:6, we see that his faith was counted to him as righteousness, and the ancient Hebrew prophet Yeshayahu (Isaiah) beckons us to look to Abraham, our father of faith.  We are to be like him; putting faith into action.  Then we, too, will experience the blessings that flow from obedience.
 
“Listen to me, you pursuers of justice, you who seek ADONAI: consider the rock from which you were cut, the quarry from which you were dug —consider Abraham your father and Sarah, who gave birth to you …”  (Isaiah 51:1–2)
 

"Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways."  (Proverbs 4:26)

Eikev: The Heel of Messiah  
The word eikev comes from the verb akav, which means to take by the heel.  Similarly, the Hebrew noun akev means heel, as in the heel of a foot.  All of these words share the root letters ayin-kof-vet.
 
Ancient Jewish sages interpreted this dual meaning of ayin-kof-vet to refer to the generation of the “heels of Mashiach (Messiah).”
 
The last generation of the Exile is called Ikvata d’Meshichah or the Heels of Messiah, since that generation is expected to hear the footsteps of the Messiah.
 
The word akev is first used in Genesis in an important prophecy: the seed of Chava (Eve) will eventually crush the head of the serpent.
 
“And I will put enmity between you [the serpent] and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel [akev].”  (Genesis 3:15)
 
This is the first Messianic prophecy in the Bible.
 
From it we understand that the enemy would attempt to strike at the heel of the Messiah; instead however, our Messiah would crush the enemy’s head and destroy the works of the devil.
 
“The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning.  The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.”  (1 John 3:8)
 

Women pray at the Western (Wailing) Wall in Jerusalem.
 
The Promised Land  
In today’s climate of rekindled anti-Semitism, many consider it factually or politically incorrect to refer to Israel as the land promised to the Jewish People.  The Word of God has no such limitation.
 
God is Lord of all the earth, but the Land of Israel is unique among the nations; it is not like any other nation of the earth.  It is a Land that God cares for and watches over continually.
 
“The land you are crossing over to take possession of is a land of hills and valleys, which soaks up water when rain falls from the sky.  It is a land Adonai your God cares for.  The eyes of Adonai your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.”  (Deuteronomy 11:11–12)
 
In Parasha Eikev, Moses is continuing his closing address to the Israelites before they cross the Jordan River (which he began at the beginning of Deuteronomy).  He tells them that if they are obedient to the Torah, they will prosper in the Land they are about to conquer.
 
The people are to possess the Land and not fear the nations living there because God would expel them.
 
“You are to devour all the peoples that Adonai your God hands over to you … nevertheless, you are not to be afraid of them; you are to remember well what Adonai your God did to Pharaoh and all of Egypt…
 
“You are not to be frightened of them, because Adonai your God is there with you, a God great and fearsome.  Adonai your God will expel those nations ahead of you little by little.” 
(Deuteronomy 7:16–22) 
 

A man touches the Western (Wailing) Wall as he prays.
 
Even today, Israel is not to fear the people in the Land, for our God is with us to help us, just as He helped us in ancient times in Egypt and in Israel.
 
Although Hamas and other terrorist organizations have engaged in brutal battles to take the land from the Jewish People, the soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces bravely risk their lives to restore the security of the land given to the Jewish People.
 
While Israel's enemies might vastly outnumber her, the Word of God promises that He will watch over her day and night.
 
“He who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.”  (Psalm 121:4)
 
The plan to destroy Israel is of the enemy, and all those who make themselves God's enemies will find themselves under the feet of Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah).  (Psalm 110:1; Hebrews10:13)
 
There are those who are not prepared to hear the Biblical truth that God has given the Land of Israel to the Jewish People, but those who know their God will stand firmly upon the Rock of God’s Word.
 

An Orthodox Jewish man prays in the men's section at the Western
(Wailing) Wall Plaza in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Turning to the Source of Blessing 
“I raise my eyes to the hills, from where will my help come?  My help comes from Adonai, the maker of heaven and earth.”  (Psalm 121:1–2)
 
In Israel today, the terrible struggle against terrorism has caused many of God’s people to turn their hearts toward Him as they search for help and victory.
 
Throughout the history of Israel, however, we see over and over again that when God blessed the Jewish People, many soon forgot Him as the source of their blessing and turned away from their devotion and obedience to Adonai.
 
God said of Gomer, the unfaithful wife of the prophet Hosea, “She doesn’t know it was I who gave her the grain, the wine and the oil; I who increased her silver and gold, which they used for Ba’al.” (Hosea 2:8)
 

Harvesting barley in Israel (Photo by Luz Prieto)
 
We must always remember that when we prosper in the land that He gives us, it is God who is the source of our every blessing.
 
We should never let pride rise in our hearts and think that our own abilities are the source of all that we have and enjoy.
 
If we understand that what we have has been given to us by God, we are more likely to maintain an attitude of gratitude, and to be good stewards, using our blessings in a way that pleases God.
 
Each of us today should consider Moses' warning to the people of Israel:
 
“You will think to yourself, ‘My own power and the strength of my own hand have gotten me this wealth.’  No, you are to remember Adonai your God, because it is He who is giving you the power to get wealth, in order to confirm His covenant, which He swore to your ancestors, as is happening even today.” 
(Deuteronomy 8:17–18)
 

Fruit stall in the Nachlaot neighborhood of Jerusalem.
 
God gives us the power to get wealth in order to confirm His covenant.  And though it is obedience that releases the blessings of God, He is not so much after our obedience as He is our hearts.
 
True obedience begins with love for God and faith in His character.
 
Therefore, even more than the physical circumcision of covenant, which is of course important, God desires that each one of us be circumcised in our hearts.  We cannot only change outwardly, putting on a show of religion, character, or purity; we must change inwardly, becoming soft, pliable clay in the Potter’s hands.
 
“Circumcise the foreskin of your heart; and don’t be stiff-necked any longer!”  (Deuteronomy 10:16)
 
God promises Israel that the rewards of love and obedience are great.  He will drive the nations out of the Promised Land and give the Israelites success against those who are more powerful than they.
 
If we will love the Lord our God and cling to Him and keep His mitzvot (commandments), then He will faithfully care for us and protect us.  What a wonderful assurance we have of His love.
 
“For if you will take care to obey all these commandments [mitzvot] I am giving you, to do them, to love Adonai your God, to follow all His ways and to cling to Him, then Adonai will expel all these nations ahead of you; and you will dispossess nations bigger and stronger than you are.”  (Deuteronomy 11:2223)
 
 
Today you can make a difference through prayer and by being a good steward of the blessings God has bestowed on you to help bring the Good News of Yeshua to the Holy Land.
 
“‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house.  Test Me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.’”  (Malachi 3:10)

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