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The Jerusalem Prayer List – July 30th, 2010
by Joseph Shulam
The Word of God commands us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for those who pray for the peace of Jerusalem there is a wonderful promise attached. The King James Version says: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.” For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, “Peace be within you”. (Psa. 122:6-8)
The Jewish Publication Society puts the same verse in the following light: “Pray for the well-being of Jerusalem; May those who love you be at peace. May there be well-being within your ramparts, peace in your citadels.” For the sake of my kin and friends, I pray for your well-being;” (Psa. 122:6-8)
If you note the difference between the two versions you will see that in the King James Version like in almost all the Christian translations there promise is that those who pray for Jerusalem will “prosper” and in the Jewish Publication Society version the promise is that those who pray for Jerusalem may be at peace. Because the name Jerusalem has the word “Shalem” - whole – peace imbedded inside the word it is probably natural that the fulfillment of the Mitzvah of praying for Jerusalem will be rewarded with the main promise and substance of this city of Peace. Although now Jerusalem does not have peace and has not had peace for several thousands of years – there are the promises of God that eventually Jerusalem will be the PEACE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.
The question that comes up on this issue is, what is more valuable “prosperity” or “peace?” The second question is one that comes from the Hebrew poetic form of “parallels in the two halves of the verse.” Let me explain this point. All ancient Hebrew poetry is built on the pattern of dividing the sentence into two or at times even three parts, when each part is parallel to the other and in a way repeats the same truth in different form. So in our case: “pray” is parallel to “love.” So, those who pray for the peace of Jerusalem are also those who love Jerusalem, and by the measure that they measure, by the judgement that they judge Jerusalem they too will be judged. Because they love Jerusalem was ask God to give it peace they will be rewarded with peace, or if you wish “prosperity.” The new point that I want to bring to you our dear brothers and supporters is that “praying for the peace of Jerusalem” is actually parallel to “loving Jerusalem.” This relationship is so very prophetic because the Prophet Isaiah says that we all, all the world, will be comforted in/by Jerusalem and that Jerusalem is like our mother who gives us milk from her breast: “Rejoice with Jerusalem, And be glad with her, all you who love her; Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn for her; That you may feed and be satisfied With the consolation of her bosom, That you may drink deeply and be delighted With the abundance of her glory.” For thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream. Then you shall feed; On her sides shall you be carried, And be dandled on her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, So I will comfort you; And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” (Is. 66:10-13)
It does not really matter what kind of end-time theology you might have and if you think that this is the Heavenly Jerusalem or the Earth Jerusalem – it is always going to be Jerusalem. So, when you pray for the city of Jerusalem and you ask God to give her peace you are actually showing your love for this great city.
The reason that I am keen on the subject of Jerusalem and I want to encourage you to pray for this great city. Because at the rate that we are going in Jerusalem God's judgment will not be far. Yesterday we had the guy parade marching through the main streets of this city and everyday there seems to be metaphorically speaking another Tamuz idol placed in the middle of God's house. Jerusalem needs your prayers in every area of life, politics, finances, religious / secular wars, and the war on poverty. Please don't forget to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and receive the blessing of God's peace in your life.
Please pray for my next trip to Brazil at the end of August. The Lord willing, I shall be in Brazil a very short time. The main purpose for this trip is to produce four or five video teachings of four hours each on subjects that are needed. I will have one of the preachers from Murfreesboro with me to help teach a double course on church history with a special perspective of the Restoration Movement. There is a strong need to strengthen and encourage people to stay faithful to biblical principles in light of the first century context.
Marcia is doing better with her knee. Although she still has much pain and limited strength she is improving a little every day. Please keep praying for her health and her strength.
The sick in our congregation and our friends around the world who suffer from pain and illness still need your prayers. In Jewish understanding visiting the sick and praying for their well-being is considered a very good deed.
The list has not changed from the last few weeks, and I ask you to pray again for Ahuva, Liora, Ilana, Zvi, and Sara, our very dear Octogenarians. They all sick and old and need special graces from our maker and Lord. We have a few younger people with chronic illness like David, and Marcia, and Sarit, and Tatiana. We also pray for Ruby, and Tim Tucker, and Tellervo, and Paulo, and Danah and Noaam, who are not in Israel but they are dear brothers who are waiting for the Lord to touch their lives with healing.
There are still every day people knocking on our office door wanting to register and receive food from our food distribution system. Yuda is doing a great job managing the food distribution, and training the youth, and keeping every day the MoAadon (youth center) busy and serving the youth.
Kol HaYeshua Radio is very much in need for your prayers. We need a miracle if it would be possible for us to restore the 30 minutes that T.T.B. is dropping at the end of October this year. WE will manage to do right and produce the best programs possible even in only 30 minutes of broadcast per day, but having 60 minutes would be so much more effective and powerful. Please pray for the Lord to use our production of radio programs for His glory.
Pray for the court hearing in October, 2010, - it is a supreme court hearing on the issue of our building permit. We need your prayers, we need help with the legal fees because they are very high when one takes good lawyers to litigate in the supreme court.
The project in Portugal is progressing and you can go into the web page and make contact with EuroMar travel agency and register for travel and for hotels in Castelo de Vide, Portugal, if you are interested to take part in the preservation and restoration of the lost Jews of Portugal, the Anussim and their decendents: www.anussimconference.com
If you are interested in this project please go and look and learn from this web page. You can register for the conference through the internet from this web page.
God be with you and bless you all and remind you that there is only One God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who loves the world and sacrifices for us all the most pure and precious Son.
Joseph Shulam
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