The Jerusalem Prayer List – April 16th, 2010

The Borough Park Symposium is over.  There were near 80 people who participated in this symposium and most of participants were Jewish.  This alone is already a significant move in the right direction because normally speaking when Jews come together there is always some controversy but at the same time there is a feeling of brotherhood and belonging that mitigates the differences in theology.  The topic of this symposium was dealing with the deity of the Messiah and since the 3rd century this topic has always stirred controversy and even violence.  In this symposium there was no little argumentation  but there was also no enmity or malice and for Jews discussing theological issues that are so laden with emotion this is already a breakthrough miracle, P.T.L.

The Christian world has been fighting over the question of the divinity of the Messiah for near 1700 years. There were periods in which the Catholic and the Greek Orthodox churches used to poison heretics or burn them alive.  Today Christians do not physically burn or poison those whom they think to be heretics but they still kill people with their mouths and alienate them from the community of the Saints.  So, it was a real encouragement for me to see near 80 Jewish leaders come together with a spirit of brotherhood and respect for each other's ministry even when there was no a theological agreement on every details of God’s Word.

The issue of deity and divinity is not a simple issue in the Torah.  There are at least one dozen names of God in the Book of Genesis alone.  Each name reports a different aspect of God's face.  These names of God have been distinguished by our forefathers long ago as describing the different attributes and functions of the Almighty One of Israel.  The very nature of God is described in terms of relationships like “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”  When God describes Himself as the God of Israel automatically this name give limitations and also allowances to the Creator of the World.  By the 8th Century things become even more complicated the prophets are fighting syncritism and there is the centralization of Worship in Jerusalem and the Northern Kingdom of Israel is again identifying the Lord with Baal so there is a strong reaction and a battle for strict monotheism that is reflected in Isaiah chapter 45 very clearly. With the onset of hellenism in the intertestamental period and by the time that we come to the New Testament and the Advent of Yeshua the Messiah happens there is no end to the complication that takes place among the Rabbis views of God.  On the other hand the incarnation of Yeshua suddenly in one swift movement of History that ought to simplify our understanding and relationship with God tremendously. For the first time ever God introduces to mankind a man who by His obedience can be a path and an example for all mankind that we as sons of Adam can actually achieve the very purpose for which we were created, and that is to be like our Father who is in Heaven and do His work here on Earth tending and serving His creation.  Hallelujah! So, what happens we turn God's Work in Yeshua into a new religion that is far short of all the expectations and aspirations of both God and Man from what it ought to be.  One reason for this fall of Christians is that they have forgotten the most essential aspect of God and that He is One.  Christians have been hijacked by pagans in the forth century and confused with man made creeds and doctrines that until this very day do only one thing and that is create enmity and hostility and violence and division among God's Children. The reason that I write these words is because I am encouraged by the Jewish Disciples of Yeshua who met in Borough Park, New York, this last week and I want to encourage everyone to develop such serious attitude of dialogue and willingness to hear the heart of each other and understanding that will bring brothers together and promote cooperation and working together to face the real enemy and not fight with each other over opinions and past history.  Please pray for God's Spirit to prevail over our own stupidity and set the goals and the purposes of God as challenges for us today.  Please pray!

Marcia my wife has had a real hard time this last week.  Her knee gave out on her and the pain was great and finally it looks like we are not going to have much choice but to have a total knee replacement surgery.  It is a hard surgery for generally healthy people but for diabetics everything becomes more complicated.  Please pray for Marcia!  She is alone at home this coming week and although we have wonderful brothers and sisters in the congregation who are helping and taking care of Marcia's needs because she can't drive or walk without much pain, she is still alone at home.

I have to be in Ukraine and teach in Odessa almost all of next week and I shall return home on Friday, the Lord willing.  Please pray for me too.  I shall be teaching a group of Ukrainians and some of them are leaders of Evangelical churches who will be hearing the Restoration plea for the first time.  It is important that I have both the health and the strength mentally and emotionally to do a good job in my teaching.  I need God's anointing to teach in a way that will move people to do the will of God, not only to hear and understand it but to act upon it.  Also now with the cloud of volcanic dust coming from Iceland and airport being closed travel by air around Europe can become a nightmare.  So, please pray for me too.

Please pray for the State of Israel and our Armed forces, Israel's Defense Army!  On Tuesday this week Israel will celebrate 62nd Year of independence. These 62 years of Independence have been also years of great rebuilding and conquering the desert, but also attacks by terrorists and twice joint war of all Arab countries surrounding our boarders.  Pray for Israel!  Bless the children of Abraham and there is a blessing promised for those who bless the children of Abraham.

Keep praying for our sick!  We have the older brothers and sisters, Ahuva, Lea, Ilana, Sarit, Sara, Zvi, David, and Miriam.  We have Marcia my wife, and we have my family in Tennessee and California. 

We have Ruby in Oklahoma and Paulo in Curitiba, Brazil, and brothers and sisters in Finland, Dr. Tim Tucker, and Tellervo.

Pray for the Soup-Kitchen that is growing all the time in the number of people who are seeking help with food. 

Pray for Kol HaYeshua Radio broadcasts.

Pray for our books – we must print more of the commentaries on the book of Acts and Romans very soon because people are demanding them.

Just in general my dear brothers and sisters we all have to support each other in Prayer and in every other way that the Lord has commanded us.

Blessings to you in Yeshua's name,

Joseph Shulam