It was Friday, June 10, 1994 in Jerusalem. The sun was close to setting. The Sabbath was to begin soon. My friend John Foster and I were making our way down to the Western Wall for the beginning of the Sabbath.
It was then we met Rabbi Yechiel Koslovsky. He is the director of Abraham's Tent- a Hospitality Center located right across from the Western Wall. The rabbi and his wife provide meals for any one in need, particularly those who have just come to Israel.
In the same manner that Abraham offered food and drink to the three visitors (Genesis 18) , so Rabbi Koslovsky provides meals to people.
Abraham was given many promises from the LORD God. Among there were promises that had to do with the land. He promised the land of Israel to Abraham and his descendants. To this very day there is disagreement taking place in that land because of this 4,000 year old promise! Just watch the news.
Isaac, the Promised Son
When God promised Abraham and Sarah a son in their old age, they tried to help God out. That is never a good idea. Some disastrous things happen when God's people do that. The Arab-Israeli Conflict and the whole Middle East Dilemma has its roots in a family- the family of Abraham. Isaac was the son of the promise. Ishmael was a son of the flesh. God fulfilled His promise through Isaac, who had two sons, Jacob and Esau.
Jacob, Whose Name Was Changed to Israel
Jacob got his name because he came out holding on to his brother's heel. He was trying to get out of the womb first. so to be the firstborn, thus inheriting the greater blessing. Over the years the battle intensified between the maternal twins until an all night wrestling match with the LORD left Jacob limping away with a new name- Israel. The land became the land of Israel. The twelve divisions named after ten of Jacob's sons and two of his grandsons through Joseph.
It is a land of wonder and the history itself of this land is wonderful.
When God promised Abraham and Sarah a son in their old age, they tried to help God out. That is never a good idea. Some disastrous things happen when God's people do that. The Arab-Israeli Conflict and the whole Middle East Dilemma has its roots in a family- the family of Abraham. Isaac was the son of the promise. Ishmael was a son of the flesh. God fulfilled His promise through Isaac, who had two sons, Jacob and Esau.
Jacob, Whose Name Was Changed to Israel
Jacob got his name because he came out holding on to his brother's heel. He was trying to get out of the womb first. so to be the firstborn, thus inheriting the greater blessing. Over the years the battle intensified between the maternal twins until an all night wrestling match with the LORD left Jacob limping away with a new name- Israel. The land became the land of Israel. The twelve divisions named after ten of Jacob's sons and two of his grandsons through Joseph.
It is a land of wonder and the history itself of this land is wonderful.
No comments:
Post a Comment