IN TOUCH No.164 October - November 2010

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Prophecy, the Land & Christian Zionism: P.4

Appointment With God Yom Kippur: Pages 6–7

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Hebrew WordStudy Part 2: Page 8

Refuting Every TongueThat Accuses: Page 2

“With trumpets and the sound of the shofar make a joyful noise...”

Psalm 98:6

“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord. (Isaiah 54:17)

At a recent local prayer gathering, called together in response to the worrying escalation of Iran’s nuclear programme and how Israel might be compelled to

respond, the above scripture from Isaiah was brought to us.

In many respects at times it seems there is little that we can practically do about Iran’s nuclear programme except support and encourage our Government in implementing its policy of sanctions. Its commitment to this is open to question, when we see the go-ahead for Russia to supply the reactors. However we are able to pray to our Heavenly Father, as indeed we were, and we must not under emphasise the effect of bringing our petitions before His throne of grace.

Iran and others are manufacturing – forging – weapons and according to its rhetoric, these weapons are in effect manufactured against the afflicted city (Isaiah 54:11). This is the physical manifestation, but there is an indication of a spiritual element, perhaps even concerning the future city, where the peace of its future inhabitants is also under assault.

However, there is also a more subtle battle going on in our day against both cities, which is illustrated in the next phrase of the text before us. This is the ‘tongue that accuses’. Today this is most widely expressed in the modern media and how it appears to influence, if only subliminally, many bystanders to the events. In this battle, as opposed to the military weapons battle, I believe we are able and right to have some practical involvement, in addition to the most important involvement in prayer.

In July as director of CFI-UK, I was invited to respond on behalf of CFI on Premier Radio to the Methodist Conference endorsement of its report supporting boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel. Then, the following month, I was invited to provide a response on behalf of CFI by a national Sunday Newspaper to Shimon Peres’ recent interview where he comments on British anti-Semitism both historically and to the present day. Naturally I chose my words carefully and for the most part my response was reported well, if in a rather selective manner. However, by the time it found its way into a different Daily Newspaper my response had been changed to suit the somewhat stereo-typical portrayal desired by the correspondent.

In both the above occasions CFI was, in answer to prayer and by God’s grace, able to assist in refuting the “every tongue” that accuses. This is the battle of words.

Clearly the inspirer of Isaiah realises that there are two aspects to battle: weaponry and words. In this respect I am reminded of the task of rebuilding the walls of the city in the book of Nehemiah. The workers received a barrage of verbal assaults where they were ridiculed (Nehemiah 4:1-2) and also, later in the project, where, wise to the scheming and despite repeated requests designed to distract, the following response was provided in the words of Nehemiah: ‘I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head”’ (Nehemiah 6:8).

Are there not echoes of such sentiment when we read or see some of what is reported in today’s media? The attempt was being made to frighten the workers, to which prayer was the answer (Nehemiah 6:9); as it was to those trying to intimidate (Nehemiah 6:14).

In Touchis the newsletter of

Christian Friends of Israel UK

CFI-UK seeks to bless Israel by means of practical and

moral support, and to serve the Church in teaching about

God’s purposes for Israeland the Hebraic roots

of our faith.CFI also produces a monthly

News Report, a monthly Prayer Letter and a Middle East Update tape/CD/MP3.Please send for full details

of the practical projects and also of the many teaching

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we carry a variety ofresources relevant to our

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Refuting Every Tongue

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So, an important element of CFI’s work in the UK, as one of the nations, is to ensure we provide accurate, reliable and timely information to both our Christian constituency and also in the local and national public arena and by so doing to help counteract media negativity.

In order to do this effectively we rely on our CFI family and the support and stability it brings. As full-time in the work of representing CFI whether at the recent Christian festivals, denominational conferences or in the wider media we are unable to provide from our activities much in the way of financial wherewithal. All these activities require staffing and incur travel and entrance costs particularly for the festivals. The level of our involvement and hence expenditure so far this year has significantly outstripped our income received from regular giving. Clearly we want to do our work responsibly and as we contemplate our activities and budget for next year not only do we need to recover the position for this year but judge whether we might have to curtail some of our involvement in providing stands at some of the Christian festivals and our other activities.

We have great opportunity for involvement in the war of words and trust that together with your support we can continue to do this effectively and in a financially responsible manner. What we do know is that God’s work and purposes are what will prevail and our prayer and desire is that we can continue to be faithfully about our Heavenly Father’s work to which we are called. With your ongoing prayerful help and support we are able to do so.

Jacob VinceDirector, CFI-UK [Reproduced from Watchman’s Prayer Letter (UK Edition) September 2010]

That Accuses

This year was the most successful time CFI-UK has ever had at the New Wine summer conferences near Shepton Mallet.

Over the last 3 years of representing CFI and Isrelate.com, we have built up good friendships with people on other stands. One person who represented a charity which would normally support the Palestinian people said to us that her eyes had been opened to the ‘other side’.

We were able to resource hundreds of people with free DVDs and literature. We also sold more Kesher Courses and books than ever before!

We would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to all those who came to the stand to encourage us. Almost everybody we met was incredibly positive about what CFI-UK and Isrelate are doing, and it was great to meet people involved in other Israel ministries as well.

This year’s New Wine included an entire seminar dedicated to the subject of ‘Jews And The Land’. Although some people were not happy with the content, we were pleased the issue is at least being discussed and thought about.

We continue to be the only specifically ‘Israel’ stand at New Wine and are grateful for the opportunity to go back year after year. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. We can’t wait to go back next year and do it all again!

Sam (on behalf of the Hailes family)

Throughout Week 2, Shirley Needham (our Area Rep who lives in Dorchester) and I had good conversations with many people from different walks of life. One or two people came up to us and said how good it was to see CFI-UK there as an organisation...this is always encouraging.

Some had heard of us and already supported us, but to the majority, we were new. We were able to talk about the work of CFI with many people at our stand. We promoted the Kesher Course, giving out Kesher Taster DVDs, as well as another DVD documentary, showing interviews with many leaders of fellowships in Israel, highlighting their desire to partner with Believers in other countries for mutual prayer support.

I was grateful for the opportunity to share about CFI on the New Wine Radio station, which goes out to the whole site and the local area. As a result, several people came to the stand and asked about the Kesher Course. One day a young man came up to the stand and told us that he worked in a prison and could we provide him with some resources to take back, so we filled a plastic bag with CFI resources – please pray for their impact within the prison!

Please pray with us that all the CFI resources that went out to people during both weeks at New Wine, will bear much fruit in their lives.

Ruth Henderson

CFI...Out And About Summer 2010

In Touch 164 Christian Friends of Israel Y October/November 2010 Y 3

In the last edition of In Touch we carried an extensive report by a previous CFI-UK Director, Roy Thurley, on the recent San Remo 90th Anniversary Conference. This prompted some very positive feedback from supporters. It also prompted CFI-UK’s Founder and first Director, Derek White, to write the thought-provoking article reproduced below. We realise that some of our readers may not agree with the views expressed, but we felt the content worth circulating.

Christian Zionism is a multifaceted ideology, the subject of many books both for and against, and often – as sometimes defined – a stumbling block to many Christians in the Land. An example would be that of a visitor to Christ Church in Jerusalem speaking to me about 3 years ago who defined it as: “Right wing evangelical Christians who believe that God has given the whole land of Israel to the Jewish people, and that the Arabs are living on land which has been given to the Jews and should be driven out.” Moreover, we need to ask if we define it by the understanding of Christians of the 19th and early 20th centuries, or by some highly politicised and almost racist proponents often from the USA. Properly, Christian Zionism is simply support for the restoration of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel as promised in the Bible.

PROPHECY AND THE LAND

“There is a huge disconnect between the genuine love and concern that God indeed has placed in our heart for the Jews, and the prophecy charts many Christians have tucked away in their heads – and this disconnect has caught the world’s attention!” (David Parsons ICEJ, Swords into Ploughshares: Christian Zionism and the Battle of Armageddon, page 16)

David Parsons further states: “Many Christians have made determined political stands for Israel’s immediate right to all the land and vigorously opposed international efforts and even peace initiatives accepted by a great many Israelis to resolve the conflict by dividing the land. The basis for their support often rests on schemes of prophetic interpretation that do not take into account the conditional nature of Biblical Zionism, and thus risks lapsing into ‘political’ Zionism.” (Ibid, page 36)

CHRISTIAN ZIONISM AND THE LAND“God has chosen Israel to be his covenant people and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5; 1 Kings 8:53)

However, one of the hardest contemporary questions in today’s situation is to what extent modern Israel represents fulfilled prophecy, or, to what extent is the State of Israel a continuation and expression of Biblical covenant Israel.

There is a danger of taking a simplistic one-dimensional view of Biblical prophecy which is only one part of a bigger picture. In particular, from the Christian Palestinian perspective this is a major problem, bearing in mind that the only Israeli most Palestinians see is a soldier or a settler.

“Many Christians tend to isolate the theme of the re-gathering of Israel and ignore the other issues of the prophets for reasons connected to Bible prophecy. However, I think we should move away from supporting Israel and the Jewish people because of Bible prophecy. I personally think that Genesis and Romans 9-11 is enough. And while we are at it, let’s not forget Ephesians 2:11ff.” (My Twenty Points, private communication from Rev. David Pileggi, Jerusalem ~ September 2003. David was actively involved in the founding of CFI in December 1985)

It is essential to hold to the ‘Big Picture’ of God’s purposes. We must stop fighting over the land issue, which is complex, especially avoiding an extreme right-wing position. What the ultimate boundaries of the Promised Land should be today does not seem to be clear. Quoting from a recent and stimulating book:

“Neither can we say with certainty the current State of Israel is necessarily fulfilled prophecy. The speed and manner of its inception, its survival against all the odds, and other recent historical events may lead many Christians to reach such a conclusion (indeed I am sympathetic to this view, although not dogmatically so). But unless one maintains categorically that we are indeed in the last days, Biblically speaking, one cannot declare with certainty that modern Israel represents fulfilled prophecy.

Biblically, one can only make a case for ethnic Israel’s restoration and eschatological salvation, nothing more. As such, Christian Zionists should not regard their support for Israel as essential for God to fulfil Biblical prophecy. He does not require our help to carry out His plans, as if the fulfilment of prophecy is somehow dependent on humans (though listening to several Christian

Prophecy, The Land &

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Zionists one might be forgiven for thinking so).” (The Jews, Modern Israel and the New Supersessionism, Calvin Smith, Kings Divinity Press, Lampeter ~ March 2009, page 40)

If we can take on board this challenging caution (whether or not we totally agree with it) it would take a lot of steam out of the debate and give us a spirit of humility as we approach this issue. Some of those who criticise Christian Zionism do have valid things to say which we should listen to even if, as is sometimes the case, they spoil their presentation by prejudice, and almost anti-Semitism.

Having said all this, there is so much of the Divine Hand evident upon the restoration of the Jewish people to the land and the establishment of the State of Israel that one cannot but be humbled by the fact that God is both in that restoration and on the side of Israel, and despite all her imperfections is using her in the outworking of His purposes, and to the ultimate fulfilment of His prophetic word.

ISRAEL’S ‘RIGHT’ TO THE LAND?“What the ultimate boundary of the promised land should be today does not seem to be clear. Religious Jews would certainly believe that it embraces the whole of the West Bank and Gaza. That belief can blind many religious Jews to the rights and the needs of the Palestinians, making them blind or indifferent to their suffering and confounds any mere political settlement. Israel needs continually to be reminded, in a spirit of love and humility, of the teaching of their own Scriptures about God’s command to live righteously, justly, and to welcome the stranger in their midst, although that is not easy for them to do in the present crisis.” (Israel God’s Servant: God‘s Key to the Redemption of the World, David Torrance & George Taylor ~ Paternoster 2007, page 37)

THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE AND RECONCILIATION We should avoid rejection of the Palestinian people as having no significant place in God’s purposes. It has been pointed out that it is no mistake that there are two peoples, Jews and Arabs, occupying the same God-given territory, and claiming rights of residence and ownership there. Is God sovereign in his management of this world or not? We must avoid labelling all Palestinians (particularly West Bank Arabs) as enemies of Israel. In other words we should avoid a racist attitude.

This is where Palestinian, and also some Israeli Arab Christians, have a problem. Palestinian Christians distinguish between the Jewish people, especially Jewish Believers, and ‘the Israelis’, meaning the representatives of the Israeli state machinery and in particular Israeli soldiers.

Biblically, it may well be very significant that another event took place after Jacob’s return to the land and before his encounter with God (Genesis 32: 24-28), namely his reconciliation with his brother Esau (Genesis 32:3-23; 33:1-4), a representative of the Arab peoples today in the land. Jacob took steps towards reconciliation before he received God’s blessing, and we note that “Jacob bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.”

Tass Saada was a former Muslim PLO Sniper who fought for Yasser Arafat following the 1967 Six-Day War. After years of hating Jews, Tass’ life was transformed from bitterness and hatred, to love and respect. This transformation took place upon hearing the story of a loving God who redeemed people through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Tass and his wife continue to share the love of God through humanitarian efforts that provide hope to the people of Gaza through other means apart from the violence and hatred that transfixes these people. Tass also has a heart to reach out to the Jewish people he once sought to kill through the scope of a sniper rifle. He continues to seek reconciliation. (Find out more about him and his work at http://www.OnceAnArafatman.com)

Christian Zionists are not called to take political sides, and certainly not to adopt a racist attitude, but to be involved in God’s declared redemptive purposes. The land is at present a secondary issue “... then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever” ( Jeremiah 7:7). God’s priority is reconciliation, and the present and future reign of the Messiah.

Derek White

Christian Zionism

In Touch 164 Christian Friends of Israel Y October/November 2010 Y 5

It shall be a Shabbat [a holy, set apart day] of complete rest for you, and you shall practice self-denial; it is a law for all time. (Leviticus 16:29)

Abraham Joshua Heschel, a Jewish theologian and well-loved author, called Yom Kippur, “Judaism’s great cathedral.” It is not a structure of hewn stone and stained glass windows that instils a hushed sense of awe when one enters its

great vaults but it is a “cathedral built of a day.” [1] In Jewish tradition this day is regarded as the holiest day of the year; the day when, more than any other, the “gates” of heaven are open and one can respond to His call and enter the Presence of the Almighty. This understanding inspires the deep awe and reverence conveyed in the architectural elements of a physical cathedral. On Yom Kippur one minimizes the emphasis on one’s physicality and puts material things aside in order to draw closer to the Throne of God and to experience, as it were, a face-to-face encounter with our Father and King.

DIE TO SELf?The physical self-denial practiced in Jewish communities includes a twenty-five hour fast, from sunset the evening before, after a delicious pre-fast meal is enjoyed, until an hour after sunset on the day of Yom Kippur. One does not enjoy the luxury of washing or bathing and married couples refrain from sexual relations. Leather shoes are not worn as leather is considered more comfortable and ostentatious. Primarily, on this day of sacrifice, the life of the animals that provide the hide for the shoes is taken into consideration. Hence one sees a wide array of footwear in the synagogue and on the streets of Israel and in Jewish communities abroad, such as canvas sneakers, non-leather slippers or house shoes, plastic sandals and, these days, the inimitable Crocs!

Renowned German-Jewish philosopher Franz Rosenzweig (circa 1913) likened his experience on Yom Kippur as a “death” to self. He wrote: “Man is utterly alone on the day of his death, and in the progress of this day he is utterly alone as well …as if he had died in the midst of life… And [then] God lifts up His countenance to this pleading of men.” [2]

To reflect the theme of death and burial, congregants usually wear white to the synagogue prayer services. Some Orthodox men wear a kittel over their clothes. A kittel is a special soft, white garment that is used as a burial robe. This is not a morbid concept for at the heart of Yom Kippur is the understanding that, in His compassion and mercy, God offers redemption and new life. As His children turn their hearts to Him and lift their cries of repentance, He is faithful to hear, to forgive and to redeem.

The wearing of the kittel, or other white clothes, also reflects the pure white, linen garments the High Priest donned on Yom Kippur before he entered the Presence of God in the Holy of Holies. On this the holiest day of the year, the holiest man would undergo an extensive ritual of purification, physically, mentally and spiritually, before he entered the holiest place on earth bearing the blood of sacrifice.

How blessed we are, as the writer of Hebrews describes, that “…we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Yeshua, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain [that separated the Holy of Holies], and since we have a great High Priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience  and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19-22)

AZAZEL AND THE SCAPEGOATA highlight of the sacrificial ceremonies that were conducted on Yom Kippur in the Temple in Jerusalem was that of the two goats. After emerging from the Holy of Holies and dressing himself in the glorious Golden Garments once again, the High Priest would enter the general Court of meeting.

Two perfect male goats would be brought before him and the assembled people. One goat was chosen by special lot to be sacrificed before God. The other would be designated to Azazel. The meaning of this word is not clear but is generally understood as demons, Satan, or hell. This goat was initially named the “scapegoat” in Tyndale’s Bible published in 1530. After the first goat was totally burnt on the altar as an oleh offering, the High Priest would “…lay his hands upon the head of the live goat and confess over it all of the iniquities and transgressions of the Israelites, whatever their sins, putting them

appointment with god

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yom kippur - day of atonement

on the head of the goat” (Leviticus 16:21).  It was then, according to historical accounts, led off ceremoniously into the wilderness and pushed over a cliff to die.

Also recorded in the Talmud is the fact that a red cord was tied to its horn and a matching one was hung on the door of the Temple. Miraculously, the cord would turn white as an indication of the death of the goat and that the sins it carried were atoned for. Interestingly, also recorded is the information that in the period “forty years before the destruction of the Temple” the cord no longer would turn white. As the Temple was destroyed in 70 CE/AD, this coincides with the time Yeshua lay down his life as a sacrifice for the sins of all. We may consider that the emotionally charged ceremony of the sacrificial goat and the scapegoat was a prophetic representation of the Messiah who would come to offer himself as a perfect sacrifice and to take upon himself all the sins of the world. This rendered the ceremony of the scapegoat, the goat to Azazel, unnecessary for atonement.

TESHuVAH – TEfILLAH – TZEDAkAH The three central themes of Yom Kippur are Teshuvah, Tefillah and Tzedakah – Repentance, Prayer and Confession, and Charity or Righteous Deeds. These reflect the three areas of relationship that are interwoven in our lives; those with our selves, with God, and with others. In essence, repentance, teshuvah, is an examining of my self and taking action, wherever I see I have strayed, to return to my true path, which is with God – dwelling constantly in His Presence, walking in His ways and fulfilling the purposes He has ordained for me. Prayer, tefillah, is how I remain in close communion with God. Charity, tzedakah, is how I express my care and concern for others in active deeds. When these three areas are in balance, one’s life is filled with harmony, peace and joy, no matter the outward circumstances.

THE GREAT SHOfAROne last great Tekiah blast of the shofar marks the close of Yom Kippur and the culmination of the Days of Awe. It echoes like the final closing of the gates of Heaven on the year that has passed and now all points forward to the year ahead. We are left with a deep sense of the power of the Almighty in whose Presence we have immersed ourselves and the reality that, in the words of the prophet Samuel:

“The LORD kills and brings to life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low, He also exalts.  He raises up the poor from the dust; He lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honour. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and on them He has set the world.” (1 Samuel 2: 6-7)

At the same time we have an exhilarating sense of freedom and anticipation as we prepare to celebrate the Season of Joy – Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles. We can enjoy the harvest of the “work of our hands” in gratitude and we can rejoice in our hope of the blessings to come at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb, who is the Lion of Judah, and His Bride who awaits her Beloved with eager longing.

“With trumpets and the sound of the shofar make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD! Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.” (Psalm 98:5-9)

Keren Hannah Pryor(NB. This is an excerpt from the free weekly email series: “Appointments With God” by Keren Hannah Pryor. Available on

the Centre for Judaic-Christian Studies website: www.jcstudies.com)Copyright © 2010. All Rights Reserved. Permission to reprint or publish this article should be requested in writing from Keren Hannah Pryor at jcstudies.com

1. Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Sabbath, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, NY 1975.2. Quoted in Jewish Holidays, A Brief Introduction for Christians, Rabbis K.M. Olitzky and D. Judson, Jewish Lights Publishing, NY 2007.

In Touch 164 Christian Friends of Israel Y October/November 2010 Y 7

NEW: A DASH Of DRASHIn this second volume of studies on the weekly Torah portions, Keren Hannah Pryor applies the dynamic of loving curiosity and holy imagination in the form of Drash - a homiletical interpretation of Scripture that explores the timeless values inherent in the foundation of God’s Word. A book to nourish your spirit and inspire your daily living. Paperback: 315 pages ~ £14.50

Also available:A TASTE Of TORAHA Devotional Study ThroughThe 5 Books Of Moses

In this devotional commentary, Keren gleans from the wisdom of the Jewish sages and commentators, as well as Christian insights into the Tanakh (Old Testament) and conveys them in a gentle but profound manner that will inspire every student of

Scripture. Paperback: 264 pages ~ £13.50

NEW: HOW THE CHuRCH LOST THE TRuTH And How It Can find It AgainSteve Maltz’s explosive new book tells the whole sad story of what actually happened to the Church over the last 2,000 years: how it lost its focus and took on so many ideas from Greek philosophy that Christianity today has become a melting pot of strange ideas, with a dash of truth. If the Lord Jesus were to return today, which Church – if any – could He call His own? In this challenging, provocative but entertaining book the author examines what has happened to some key battlegrounds for Truth and asks, where did those ideas come from? Some of the answers will astound – and the reader may also be prompted to ask the question: how has the Church managed to lose so much Truth? Paperback: 206 pages ~ £12.00

Also available:HOW THE CHuRCH LOST THE WAYAnd How It Can find It AgainIn this first in his series of three volumes, Steve Maltz asserts that the best place to rediscover the roots of our faith is not through any staging post in the Church’s journey i.e. the Reformers or Church Fathers, but at the very beginning: the mindset and beliefs of Jesus and His disciples, the Hebrew roots of Christianity. Paperback: 190 pages ~ £12.00

A Dash of DrashA TAsTe of TorAh ~ Volume 2

Keren Hannah Pryor

A D

ash of Drash P

ryor

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things from your Torah” Psalm 119:18

n this, her second volume of weekly Torah studies, titled

a Dash of Drash, the ever resourceful Keren Hannah Pryor gives

readers a glimpse into the fascinating world of midrash. skillfully

blending together her own keen sensitivities to scripture with the

added spice of midrashic interpretation, the author produces an array

of tasty and inspiring insights into the feast that is the Word of God.

“To taste” in scripture often is an idiom meaning “to experience.”

“O taste and see that the lORD is good!” (Psalm 34:8). Dear reader,

I heartily recommend that you taste a Dash of Drash. The experience

will be spiritually edifying and altogether delightful.

~ Dr. Dwight a. Pryor, President Center for Judaic-Christian studies

“a Dash of Drash” is a gift from our abba Father! The biggest block to Bible study I had for years was getting this heart of mine to know it was OK to ask questions and think outside the box. a Dash of Drash is truly an encouragement in this regard and has helped create in my family and me the curiosity and imagination of a child in respect to God’s Word. ~ C.E.

Thanks for the clear thoughts, sensitivity, and the challenge that comes with each study. ~ P.D.E.

Thank you for allowing yourself to be such a powerful and ministering tool in Ha shem’s hands. When our imaginations come more under the guidance and rule of the Holy One, then indeed, the Body of Yeshua will become more whole in the truest sense. ~ C.K.G.

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JESuS, MAN Of MANYNAMES

Drawing on sources from the Jewish world, ancient and modern, the author takes you on an exhilarating, lively exploration of the life and times of the Jewish Messiah.

Paperback206 pages ~ £9.50

THE LAND Of MANYNAMES

A lively, entertaining and provocative introduction that helps Christians gain a clear grasp of the important spiritual and historical issues involved.

Paperback:174 pages ~ £9.50

THE PEOPLE Of MANY NAMES

An entertaining, provocative and insightful account of the ‘miracle of the Jewish people.’

Paperback200 pages ~ £9.50

Important New Titles

8 Y October/November 2010 Y Christian Friends of Israel In Touch 164

It was a famous victory for diplomacy when, in 1991 in Madrid, Israelis and Palestinians, orchestrated by the United States, at last engaged in direct negotiations. Almost a generation later, US policy has succeeded in prodding the Palestinians away from their recent insistence on “proximity talks”—in which they have talked to the Israelis through American intermediaries—and to direct negotiations. But negotiations about what?

Idle talk about a “binational state” has long since died. Even disregarding the recent fates of multinational states—e.g., the former Soviet Union, the former Yugoslavia, the former Czechoslovakia—binationalism is impossible if Israel is to be a Jewish state for the Jewish people. No significant Israeli constituency disagrees with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu: “The Palestinian refugee problem will be resolved outside Israel’s borders.” Rhetoric about a “two-state solution” is de rigueur. It also is delusional, given two recent, searing experiences.

The only place for a Palestinian state is the West Bank, which Israel has occupied—legally under international law—since repelling the 1967 aggression launched from there. The West Bank remains an unallocated portion of the Palestine Mandate, the disposition of which is to be settled by negotiations. Michael Oren, now Israel’s ambassador to the United States, said several years before becoming ambassador:

“There is no Israeli leadership that appears either willing or capable of removing 100,000 Israelis from their West Bank homes... The evacuation of a mere 8,100 Israelis from Gaza in 2005 required 55,000 IDF [Israel Defence Forces] troops—the largest Israeli military operation since the 1973 Yom Kippur War—and was profoundly traumatic.”Twenty-one Israeli settlements were dismantled; even the bodies of Israelis buried in Gaza were removed. After a deeply flawed 2006 election encouraged by the United States, there was in 2007 essentially a coup in Gaza by the terrorist organisation Hamas. So now Israel has on its western border, 44 miles from Tel Aviv, an entity dedicated to Israel’s destruction, collaborative with Iran and possessing a huge arsenal of rockets. Rocket attacks from Gaza increased dramatically after Israel withdrew. The number of UN resolutions deploring this? Zero.

The closest precedent for that bombardment was the Nazi rocket attacks on London, which were answered by the destruction of Hamburg, Dresden and other German cities. When Israel struck back at Hamas, the “international community” was theatrically appalled.

A senior cabinet member—Moshe Yaalon, Strategic Affairs Minister and possible future prime minister—says “our withdrawals strengthened jihadist Islam,” adding, “We have the second Islamic republic in the Middle East—the first in Iran, the second in Gaza: Hamastan.”Israel’s withdrawals include the one that strengthened the Iranian client on Israel’s northern border, in southern Lebanon. Since the 2006 war provoked by Hezbollah’s incessant rocketing of northern Israel, Hezbollah has rearmed and possesses as many as 60,000 rockets. Today, Netanyahu says, Israel’s problem is less the Israel-Lebanon border than it is the Lebanon-Syria border: Hezbollah has received from Syria—which gets them from Iran—Scud missiles capable of striking Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. A leader of Hezbollah says, “If all the Jews gather in Israel, it will save us the trouble of going after them worldwide.”Because upward of a million immigrants have come from the former Soviet Union, today one-sixth of Israelis speak Russian. Israel has Russian-language newspapers and television. Russian Israelis are largely responsible for Avigdor Lieberman being Foreign Minister. Yoram Peri, Professor of Israel studies at the University of Maryland, says these immigrants “don’t understand how a state that can be crossed in half an hour by car would be willing to even talk about relinquishing territories to its seemingly perpetual enemies.” These immigrants know that Russia’s strategic depth—space—defeated Napoleon and Hitler.

Netanyahu, who is not the most conservative member of the coalition government he heads, endorses a two-state solution but says that any West Bank Palestinian state must be demilitarised and prevented from making agreements with the likes of Hezbollah and Iran. To prevent the importation of missiles and other arms, Israel would need, Netanyahu says, a military presence on the West Bank’s eastern border with Jordan. Otherwise, there will be a third Islamic republic, and a second one contiguous to Israel.

So, again: Negotiations about what?This article/opinion piece was written by Washington DC columnist George Will and originally appeared in the Washington Post, August 22nd, 2010

ExposiNg thE ‘tWo-statE’ dElusioN iN thE facE of currENt pEacE talks

In Touch 164 Christian Friends of Israel Y October/November 2010 Y 9

Part 2 of 2

Looking out of the window onto our Cambridgeshire village estate, with the sun shining and the trees gently swaying in

the breeze, Sawtry sometimes seems so far away from the many evils of which we hear in the wider world. Yet for years I have been convinced that, underneath the sometimes picturesque image of our country, forces of darkness have been hard at work. Like a gradually rising tide, evil has been creeping up on us.

So I was not altogether surprised, though naturally deeply disturbed, when in early August news reached us of an application that has been made for a license to run a sex-shop at the entrance to our village. Sex-shops—being the only licensed retail outlets for R18 (‘Restricted 18’) videos, which contain the hardest-core pornography available under UK law—are bad enough anywhere, but especially harmful in a family-focused village like Sawtry, with well over 1,000 children and a college catering for 1,500 teenagers. This is the first application for a sex-shop license ever to be received by Huntingdonshire District Council, and is an indication of the alarming growth in the ‘porn’ industry.

We have campaigned hard against this application and have presented strong objections to the Council. But when faced with evil of this kind, what else are the tsadiqim, ‘righteous ones’, to do? In the first part of this study, we examined the various characteristics of the lifestyle of a tsadiq, ‘righteous one’. In addition to displaying the more obvious attributes of honesty and integrity, a tsadiq is one who has confident trust in Yahweh. “He will never be shaken/moved [or caused to totter, slip or slide], the tsadiq... will not be frightened by bad/evil news; his heart/mind is prepared/fixed, trusting in Yahweh” (Psalm 112:6-7). Indeed, those who perpetually entrust themselves to God, who “dwell in the secret-place/shelter of Elyon [the Most High]”, who “abide in the shadow of Shadai [the Almighty], who say to Yahweh, ‘My refuge! My fortress! My God, in Whom I trust’” (Psalm 91:1-2), will not fear, but will be covered, shielded, protected, rescued and delivered.

It is certainly true that we live in a fallen world, with “those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20). The sex-shop applicant claims that its “target customers are couples”, that its sex-shops are “female friendly”, and that it sells “marital aids” which are supposed to help couples “stay together”. The reality—endorsed by recent studies—is that hard-core pornography is highly destructive, poisoning the mind, feeding ever more extreme lusts and perversions, which are increasingly resulting in abusive and violent behaviour, especially towards women (see www.christian.org.uk/2010-archive).

It is natural that the tsadiq feels anger at the deceptiveness and

evil plans of the wicked. Indeed, “a man of unrighteousness is an abomination to tsadiqim”; and the feeling is mutual: “the one whose way is upright is an abomination to the wicked” (Ecclesiastes 29:27). It can be tempting for tsadiqim—many struggling in their everyday lives—to become frustrated as they witness the success and prosperity of iniquitous businesses such as sex-shops: “I have seen... a tsadiq perishing in his tsedeq and a wicked man living long in his wickedness” (Ecclesiastes 7:15).

But David encourages us not to fret “because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away... Do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off... A little while, and the wicked will be no more” (Psalm 37:1,2,7-10). Instead, we should be mindful—as Sha’ul teaches the Ephesian Believers—that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

In place of hatred, Yeshua implores us, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who ill-treat you... do good to them... Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (Luke 6:27-28, 35). Remember Nineveh! God would rather deliver than destroy; His purpose is to save and transform the unrighteous: “Tsadiq, My Servant, will make many tsadiq, and He will bear their iniquities” (Isaiah 53:11). This is why our Saviour is called “Yahweh Tsidqenu”, or “Yahweh Our Tsedeq [Righteousness]” ( Jeremiah 23:6).

Ultimately, “God will bring to judgement both the tsadiq and the wicked” (Ecclesiastes 3:17). But “when the storm” of God’s judgement “has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the tsadiq stands firm for ever” (Proverbs 10:25). For “when calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the tsadiq has a refuge” (Proverbs 14:32). Indeed, sometimes the “tsadiq is taken away to be spared from evil” (Isaiah 57:1). Nevertheless, a day will come when God will judge all the injustice and violence on the earth, and “mankind will say, ‘Certainly the tsadiq is rewarded; certainly there is a God who judges the earth’” (Psalm 58:11, Hebrew v.12). “And you will again see the distinction between the tsadiq and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not” (Malachi 3:18).

So, although a tsadiq may have many troubles, we can be confident that, sooner or later, “Yahweh delivers him from them all” (Psalm 34:19). Judgement and revenge belong to God (Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19); our task, as tsadiqim, is to “trust in Yahweh and do good”, to delight ourselves in Him, to commit our way to Him, to be still before Him and wait longingly for Him (Psalm 37:3-5,7), knowing that He “acts for the one who waits for Him” (Isaiah 64:4, Hebrew v.3).

John C.P. Smith

qyDIc; tsadiq

“Commit your way to Yahweh; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your tsedeq (righteousness) shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun” (Psalm 37:5-6)

10 Y October/November 2010 Y Christian Friends of Israel In Touch 164

As Dr. John Garr, founder and president of the Restoration Foundation, comes as one of our two special guest speakers at the CfI-uk Annual Celebration this year (October 15th and 16th – details on the back page of this magazine), and

then teaches at our Kingdom Living conference later in the month at the Belsey Bridge Conference Centre, near Bungay in Suffolk (a few places are still available...more details on the ‘Events’ page of the CFI-UK website), we thought it would be a good idea to highlight some of the excellent teaching and study resources produced by the Foundation. All of these will be available for sale at both events, along with a selection of audio CD and video DVD-based study sets. For those who cannot attend either event, here is an opportunity to see some of what is available. All can be purchased via the CFI-UK webshop.

Blessings For Family And FriendsIn this beautifully bound and presented new book, Dr. Garr, draws us to the ancient world of the Bible, when people routinely blessed one another. They spoke blessings over homes, children, land, work, travels, other things, and activities of every sort. In a world filled with curses, everyone needs blessing. Hardback: 150 pages ~ £14.00

Bless You!A comprehensive study of the Biblically Hebraic concept of blessing. God’s purpose has always been to bless, and this book shows how we can be channels of His blessing to others, as well as experiencing His blessings in our personal and family lives.Paperback: 175 pages ~ £12.50

God’s Lamp: Man’s LightAn in-depth analysis of one of the Bible’s most intriguing images – the Menorah. The only Jewish symbol designed by God Himself, He gave it to His people as a demonstration of His Word that enlightens the path of those who open their hearts to Him.Paperback: 173 pages ~ £12.50

The Hem Of His GarmentThroughout His lifetime, Jesus was a Torah-observant Jew. The very garments Jesus wore confirmed His Jewishness to all those who saw Him. Your life will be enriched as you understand the Jewish Jesus in His scriptural, historical, and cultural context.Paperback: 156 pages ~ £12.50

Living Emblems: Ancient Symbols Of FaithBiblical symbols were designed by God and his people Israel to emphasize divine truths and to call believers to remembrance of responsibility to worship and honour their Creator. Deepen your understanding of Jesus through the powerful images they reflect.Paperback: 158 pages ~ £12.50

Restore Magazine: Mishkan IssueThis latest themed magazine, published by the Hebraic Christian Global Community (formerly The Restoration Foundation), looks at various aspects of the Biblical themes of “The Tabernacle and the Messiah”. Magazine: 36 pages ~ £6.00

There are a further 16 themed issues of the Restore Magazine (all with 36 pages and priced at £6.00 each) available for purchase, covering the following subjects:

1) Blessing 2) Choose Life3) Church Foundations 4) God’s Festivals5) God’s Lamp 6) Hebraic Community7) Hebraic Education 8) Hebraic Foundations of Prayer9) Hebraic Manhood 10) Israel11) Kadosh 12) Passover13) Peace of Jerusalem 14) Shabbat15) Supersessionism 16) Tikkun Olam

Fire On The MountainAll Christians are called to discipleship. In this 6-part audio teaching series, Dr. Garr discusses the implications, responsibilities and privileges of being disciples: a challenge to everyone who wants to become a closer follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.Audio CD Set: £22.50Audio Cassette Set: £22.00

In Touch 164 Christian Friends of Israel Y October/November 2010 Y 11

Food For Thought...

CFI-UK 25th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WEEKEND15th–16th October ~ Victoria Baptist Church, Eldon Road, Eastbourne, BN21 1Eu

In previous editions of In Touch we gave the dates for this year’s CfI 25th Anniversary Annual Celebration. Now we are able to give further details of the Friday evening and all-day Saturday programme. In this 25th Anniversary year we look

forward to welcoming Lance Lambert and Dr. John Garr as our guest speakers for the weekend. Copies of this programme, with fuller details, will be available for everyone on the day.

Our four main sessions will include times of worship and prayer, as well as an opportunity to hear from the Lord as both Lance Lambert and John Garr open God’s Word and brings us up-to-date news on current events in Israel. This year the programme also includes a late-morning session with a choice between an informal, seminar-type opportunity for young adults led by Chip Kendall (formerly the lead vocalist with thebandwithnoname) and CFI-UK’s Sam Hailes, where various topics concerning Israel and CFI’s Isrelate.com will be presented and discussed. Alternatively, there will be a review of the work of CFI, including 25th Anniversary greetings from the leaders of various organisations and ministries, followed immediately by a presentation by Roy Thurley called “A Twice-Promised Land”, looking the legal aspects of the Restoration and Rebirth of the State of Israel.

As in previous years, we are able to offer tea, coffee and squash at the various breaks, but everyone will need to bring their own packed lunch. Alternatively, we have tried to allow enough time for visitors who may wish to eat in one of the many cafes or restaurants scattered throughout the main Eastbourne shopping precinct or on the sea front.

Young people from secondary school age and above are welcome to attend all the main sessions, but we are NOT able to accommodate any younger children as we are unable to offer a separate children’s programme or crèche. There will be the usual CFI Bookstall with its excellent range of specialist resources, and as well as our friends from Olive Grove Projects in Luton, we also hope to have displays from several other Israel-related ministries.For those who wish to spend the weekend in Eastbourne, please contact the local Tourist Information Office for accommodation suggestions and booking assistance (Tel: 01323 411400). For those wishing to use sat-nav or route planning, the church details are at the top of this page. There is parking available at the church itself, in the Cavendish School grounds opposite, and in many of the nearby residential side streets – but please be sensitive to the needs of local residents.

As usual, a thanksgiving offering will be taken for the ongoing work of CfI-uk.

CfI-uk 25th Anniversary Annual Celebration 2010 ProgrammeNo pre-booking necessary...just come and join us!

fRIDAY 15th OCTOBER

7.00pm Doors open ~ CFI Bookstall open from 7.00 to 7.45pm

8.00pm - 9.30pm Evening Celebration ~ message from Lance Lambert

SATuRDAY 16th OCTOBER

9.00am Doors open ~ CFI Bookstall open

9.30am - 11.00am Morning Celebration ~ message from Dr. John Garr

11.00am - 11.30am Refreshment Break ~ CFI Bookstall open

11.30am - 12.45pm Choice of seminars - for details see paragraph 2 above

12.45pm - 2.00pm Lunch Break (please bring a packed lunch - drinks provided) ~ CFI Bookstall open

2.00pm - 3.00pm Afternoon Celebration ~ message from Dr. John Garr

3.00pm - 3.30pm Refreshment Break ~ CFI Bookstall open for the final time

3.30pm - 5.00pm Closing Celebration ~ message from Lance Lambert

12 Y October/November 2010 Y Christian Friends of Israel In Touch 164

CFI-UK Events