Harvest of Asher
Akko, Israel
A new government coalition is being formed yet again in Israel. As I witness the various religious political parties taking their places and volleying for leading positions in the government, I am reminded of Paul of Tarsus. The Apostle Paul, before his transformation on the road to Damascus; was known for his hatred of the believers in Yeshua. He pursued them with great religious zeal, determined to stop, stamp out and even kill anyone he perceived as against the Torah. He saw the Torah as an axe of judgement against heresy. Any beliefs that varied from its teachings, as he understood them, were to him a falsehood to be excised. The Gospel of Yeshua as atoning Messiah was initially tantamount to idolatry in Paul’s eyes. When I first learned about Paul in the New Testament, I saw an ultra-Orthodox fanatic with a religious spirit. This approach is still to be found in streams of Israel’s Orthodox Judaism today. Paul, who was a Pharisee, saw himself as the extended arm of the Jewish traditional establishment. He saw himself as fighting a holy war. The approach taken by Orthodox Jews of today, in particular those entering government positions, is all too similar to that of the Sadducees and Pharisees of Yeshua’s time. What I sense as I listen to the Jewish religious leaders and politicians, is that they want to bring into all areas of society that same authority which they had in Yeshua’s day. They have accomplished this accusing and questioning others’ lifestyle and belief systems here in Israel, such as questioning the legitimacy of others’ Jewishness. They also see believers in Yeshua as heretics. I see them when I look at Paul; seeking to ascribe to themselves divine legitimization. How did the First Century Messianic congregation in Damascus feel knowing that this man Paul was on his way to persecute them? Probably fear and worry. Their very existence was threatened as they faced potential death. This is exactly the same spirit that I see the religious bringing to Israel’s Knesset (Legislative Body). There are many potential “Pauls” among those elected. Please pray with us that the spirit of destruction against believers in Yeshua will be stopped by God as He meets these “Pauls” on their way to persecuting Yeshua and his believers.
As it was with Paul, may their zeal for our destruction be turned into passion for Yeshua. Let us not forget that we have been saved by grace. Freely we have received, freely we should give (Matthew 10:8). And so, will you take a stand in faith together with us? And believe together for “Damascus Road” experiences for these religious/political leaders in Israel?
