Acharei Mot/after the death
Leviticus 16:1-18:30
Ezekiel l22:1-19
I feel like I need the Star Trek intro to go on: “Go where no man has gone before”… or shouldn’t go. I will try to explain. There are certain subjects or areas you aren’t supposed to address or act like you notice, and I believe some of those ‘places’ reside on the road of praying for the Jews or Israel.
Firstly, I want to note that I am a Jew, and maybe I can have more liberty venturing into dangerous places in this area. When I hear the mandate to pray for Israel and see the corresponding answer to that call in terms of people praying; I feel I can’t help but make a few comments. I don’t mean in any way to expect or entertain the luxury of being either critical or wrong; just because I am a Jew. Sometimes there is an attitude when praying for the unsaved Jews, as they are seen as pathetic in having ‘rejected’ Jesus or that their sinful condition as a land (Israel) is somehow excused or not to be noticed. I would like to make note that somehow God, all through the scriptures noticed and made note of their bad behavior. There is some kind of fear that you would be seen as antisemitic or being insensitive to all that they have suffered. Let’s take a short ‘biblical moment’ and pull a small scab off; so maybe some healing may come. If you are a Gentile, take my hand for a moment and just blame it on your Jewish guide if we fall into a ditch on the side of the road to truth.
The torah portion for the week includes a time of recovery from the fire of God consuming some errant priests with a warning and instructions for approaching God’s presence so there isn’t a ‘repeat’ for the sons of Aaron. Keep in mind the issue here isn’t legalism but a Holy God and His holy people. As we wander over to the haftorah portion in the context of learning how to pray for the Jewish people, Israel keeps this same (a Holy God and His holy people) context in mind. Ezekiel 22:1-19, the people of God (a Holy God and His holy people) have shed innocent blood (kind of like abortions today) and defiled themselves with idols; despised God’s holy things and profaned the sabbath; slander; lewdness; violate women; adultery; incest; extortion; and “…have forgotten Me”. Pretty good, even modern list of wrongs against God; but not by just anyone, but His very own ‘special treasure’; the Jewish people and Israel! So, if these things; whether all or in part, are evident in that ‘holy’ community, are we to be more gracious than God? I don’t mean in a condemning way, but rather in at least making note of and responding in a redemptive way. We act like the only issue is that these “poor, blind souls need Jesus” (which of course they do!) but that’s missing the entire context of God’s purposes for the Jews and the nation of Israel. If we allow ourselves to peer into God’s heart for His people Israel and attempt to feel what He feels about their actual condition, compared to His desire for them; it could change how and what we pray.
When you consider He revealed Jesus through them to the Gentiles, they were to be a light to the nations continually. We could have a degree of authority upon our lips, rather than mainly random well-meaning words that dribble out; though I grant us; well, meaning. Of course, we need to keep praying even with our limited understanding, but I just want to encourage each believer; whether Jew or Gentile, to ask for more revelation upon how to pray for them. If we consider His eternal covenant with them and verses like: “For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.” We know that many Jews are in need of ‘salvation’ through the revelation and encounter with Messiah Jesus our Lord; but our traditions may ‘cloud’ the actual purpose and understanding of this salvation. What if His focus is on their ‘restoration’; the ‘returning as a prodigal’ to once was meant for them? It’s not to say they don’t need to be saved; but it might affect our attitude or perspective when we pray.
“So today, I ask You Lord God Almighty, King of Israel, share your heart with us; let us feel your passions and emotions concerning the condition of Your firstborn…May You get Your just reward in Your people and may Jesus, the Messiah of Jews and Gentiles alike be glorified and lifted up, and may Your first born; Israel, be restored to Your covenant with them and the household of God, with their Gentile brethren; One New Man; a beautiful bride; waiting for the day of the consummation that You promised her with Your Beloved Son”.
It is so difficult for me to totally communicate what is on my heart, combined with as yet not full clarity of what all this should really look like; we have never been here before. Reading in Luke 1 this morning this verse ‘struck’ me: 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. 54 He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.”
Maybe an aspect of praying for Israel and the Jewish people is that “He would help His servant Israel remember His mercy” … (also we must remember; Israel isn’t a project; He sees her as His servant and His first-born). by john eisner
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