Dr. Erez Soref: The Wedding Invitation - Why Israel? | One for Israel

May 22, 2026 | S25 E1227 | 27:9

What if Israel’s story isn’t about exclusion—but about God inviting the whole world into His family? Join Dr. Erez Soref in “Why Israel?” as he explores the powerful picture of the olive tree, revealing how Jews and Gentiles are brought together through Messiah. Discover God’s plan of redemption, unity, and hope—and how you are grafted into His story.

#Israel #JewishHistory #JewishTradition #Judaism #Christianity #Messiah #Covenant #Bible #ErezSoref

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| Dr. Erez Soref: The Wedding Invitation - Why Israel? | One for Israel | May 22, 2026

It was olive trees like these here
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In the garden of gethsemane
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That witnessed yeshua's final hours.
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My people israel are god's olive tree.
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We've endured centuries of crushing,
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Exile, persecution and pressing.
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It's not easy to live in this country.
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We have all sorts of conflict
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With others, within us,
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But again, our identity is rooted in christ.
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Why?
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Because god chose israel
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Not for our sake alone,
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But for the world to know
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The god of israel.
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I am dr. erez soref.
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I was born and raised in the heart of israel,
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But i never heard the gospel message
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Until on a journey abroad,
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My eyes were opened to the jewish messiah.
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From that point,
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My life has been dedicated
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To bringing this gospel back to my people israel,
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Equipping them to reach israel
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And the world.
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Together, as jews and gentiles,
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We are one in messiah, one for israel.
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We've seen that god chose a covenant
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With my people
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And with this land,
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That he uses israel to showcase
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His love and faithfulness
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To the world.
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But now let's look
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At my people today.
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It may shock you,
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But in the place where the bible was written,
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You cannot find a hebrew new testament
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In any local bookstore.
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Over 99% of israelis
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Do not follow the jewish messiah yeshua.
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Early in the book of acts
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It was scandalous to think
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A gentile could follow
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This jewish messiah.
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Today's scandal in israel is,
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Can a jew really believe in jesus?
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We're seeing an awakening in israel today,
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But through history
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It's been mostly non-jews who believed.
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This is no surprise to god.
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It was prophesied that the messiah
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Would be rejected by his people.
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In a way his rejection by his own people,
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Just like the rejection faced
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By moses, david and joseph,
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Actually proves that he is the jewish messiah.
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But does that mean that god has rejected israel?
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That they are no longer his chosen?
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Let me spoil the answer for you.
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No.
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In romans chapter 11,
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Paul is crystal clear.
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By no means has god rejected israel.
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Again, israel's rejection of the messiah
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Wasn't a surprise to god.
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He initiated this awakening in israel
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Through a jewish movement,
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Fully knowing it would be rejected.
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First by the religious leaders,
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Then by the majority of our people.
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Isaiah 53 prophesied exactly this scenario.
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To unravel the paradox,
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We need to understand the wisdom of god.
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That his invitation of faith
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Was always open to all who would hear.
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Look at the mixed multitude
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That came out of egypt in exodus.
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Scriptures record egyptians and others coming out
00:03:19.255 --> 00:03:22.659
With the hebrews.
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Look at rahab, ruth, naaman,
00:03:23.960 --> 00:03:26.829
Just to name a few who were all gentiles
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Invited into the covenant of faith.
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With almost every command given in the torah,
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God provides a way for the stranger
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To join in.
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God has chosen israel as his priesthood
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To serve the nations, helping them discover him
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And his love.
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The priesthood role remained in a new covenant
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As the 12 disciples were given the task
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Of making disciples of all nations.
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The high priest is our messiah yeshua,
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Who the book of hebrews calls our high priest,
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According to the order of melchizedek.
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He chose israel as a display
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To showcase his love and covenant
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That the world would see,
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Come to him and be grafted
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Into the family tree of faith.
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Throughout scripture,
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The prophets describe israel's history
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As cycles of falling away and faithful return.
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Isaiah used agricultural imagery
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To capture this pattern like an olive tree
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After harvest.
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Isaiah declared:
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"the glory of jacob will fade
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"as when an olive tree
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"is beaten,
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"leaving two or three olives
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"on the topmost branches.
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"in that day
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"people will look
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"to their maker
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"and turn their eyes
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"to the holy one of israel."
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Many israelites would turn away from god
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And lose his protection, facing exile or oppression.
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But always a remnant survived,
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Faithful people who remain true to god,
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Like those final olives
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Clinging to the highest branches.
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Yeshua warned that the same pattern
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Would affect his followers.
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"many will turn away
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"from the faith
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"and will betray and hate
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"each other.
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"because of the increase
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"of wickedness, the love of most
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"will grow cold,
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"but the one who stands firm
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"to the end will be saved."
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This is why he urged his disciples
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To remain in him,
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To be part of the faithful remnant that endures.
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The prophets saw israel as an olive tree
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That would be stripped and beaten,
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Yet a remnant would survive.
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From that remnant, isaiah prophesied,
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Would come a branch.
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"a shoot would come up
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"from the stump of jesse;
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"from his roots
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"a branch will bear fruit.
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"the spirit of the lord
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"will rest on him.
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"in that day, the root of jesse
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"will stand as a banner
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"for the peoples.
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"the nations will rally to him.
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"he will raise a banner
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"for the nations
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"and gather the exiles
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"of israel."
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When isaiah spoke of the branch,
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He was prophesying about the messiah.
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Remarkably, yeshua grew up in nazareth,
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A name derived from the hebrew word for branch.
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As god's chosen branch from god's chosen tree,
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Yeshua would accomplish
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What the rest of israel could not.
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He would bear fruit for all nations,
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Suffer for the world's sins,
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And bring the blessing that israel was called to give.
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Yeshua became the embodiment of israel's calling.
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He was the one chosen to represent israel,
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Just as israel was chosen to bless the world.
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He was literally one for israel.
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He was literally one for israel.
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God's plan with israel
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Has always been
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To include the nations
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In israel's blessings.
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To see this pattern better,
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Let's look in the book of ruth
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In the hebrew scriptures.
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Ruth was a moabite woman
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Who found herself in an impossible situation.
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When her husband died,
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She chose to follow her mother-in-law, naomi,
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Back to israel,
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Declaring: "where you go, i will go,
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"and where you stay, i will stay.
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"your people will be my people,
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"and your god, my god."
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But here was ruth's dilemma.
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She wanted to worship the god of israel
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And be part of his people,
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But the law explicitly stated,
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No moabite may enter the assembly of the lord,
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Not even in the 10th generation.
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She was permanently excluded,
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A foreigner, surviving by gathering leftover grain
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In the corners of fields.
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Then ruth met boaz,
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A relative of her late husband,
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He showed her kindness, protected her,
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And invited her to eat with him,
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A remarkable favor for a gentile woman.
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One evening, ruth approached boaz
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At the threshing floor and made a bold request.
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Spread the corner of your garment over me,
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Since you are a kinsman redeemer
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Of our family.
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This was marriage language.
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Ruth was asking boaz to cover her,
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To take her as his wife.
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It was audacious,
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A foreign woman from an enemy nation
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Approaching a respected israelite man.
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The prohibition of marrying a moabite wasn't lost
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In the narrative here.
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Boaz, a man of faith and honor,
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Knew god's word very well,
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But most importantly,
00:08:47.748 --> 00:08:49.283
He seemed to know the heart of god.
00:08:49.283 --> 00:08:52.119
He saw ruth and her desire
00:08:52.119 --> 00:08:54.121
To come not under his wing,
00:08:54.121 --> 00:08:56.557
But under the wing of the god of israel.
00:08:56.557 --> 00:08:59.760
He saw a woman who valued the covenant enough
00:08:59.760 --> 00:09:03.130
To take the risk of rejection and poverty
00:09:03.130 --> 00:09:05.866
In the land she didn't know.
00:09:05.866 --> 00:09:08.302
Think about it, naomi's sons and husband
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Had died penniless in a foreign land.
00:09:11.905 --> 00:09:14.908
We sometimes think that we need to have
00:09:14.908 --> 00:09:17.044
A powerful testimony.
00:09:17.044 --> 00:09:18.912
We need to show that we got it all together.
00:09:18.912 --> 00:09:21.815
Naomi was in pieces, her family all dead.
00:09:21.815 --> 00:09:26.186
Their pursuit of fortune and survival in moab
00:09:26.186 --> 00:09:29.490
Only led to death and poverty.
00:09:29.490 --> 00:09:32.259
But ruth found in naomi something beyond prosperity,
00:09:32.259 --> 00:09:36.664
Beyond the external.
00:09:36.664 --> 00:09:38.298
She found the god of israel.
00:09:38.298 --> 00:09:40.868
In her pursuit of faith,
00:09:40.868 --> 00:09:42.803
Ruth experienced something profound,
00:09:42.803 --> 00:09:45.305
Where the law created exclusion,
00:09:45.305 --> 00:09:48.275
It also provided redemption.
00:09:48.275 --> 00:09:51.011
The torah barred moabites from israel,
00:09:51.011 --> 00:09:54.515
But the torah also required
00:09:54.515 --> 00:09:56.750
That the name of the deceased be carried on,
00:09:56.750 --> 00:10:00.387
That the widows be redeemed by a relative.
00:10:00.387 --> 00:10:03.157
Boaz was that relative.
00:10:03.657 --> 00:10:06.060
Through marriage, he could legally bring ruth
00:10:06.060 --> 00:10:08.796
Into the covenant people.
00:10:08.796 --> 00:10:10.931
So boaz redeemed ruth,
00:10:10.931 --> 00:10:13.333
Marrying her and grafting this gentle woman
00:10:13.333 --> 00:10:16.537
Into israel.
00:10:16.537 --> 00:10:18.138
And through their union came the line of king david
00:10:18.138 --> 00:10:22.009
And ultimately yeshua.
00:10:22.009 --> 00:10:24.411
Yeshua is your boaz, your redeemer.
00:10:24.411 --> 00:10:28.515
Just as boaz spread his garment over ruth,
00:10:28.515 --> 00:10:31.952
Yeshua has spread his covering over you.
00:10:31.952 --> 00:10:35.255
Remember the woman with the issue of blood
00:10:35.255 --> 00:10:37.758
Who touched the corner of his garment?
00:10:37.758 --> 00:10:40.360
She was ritually unclean,
00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:42.796
Yet when she reached out in faith,
00:10:42.796 --> 00:10:45.399
His purity didn't become contaminated.
00:10:45.399 --> 00:10:48.502
Instead, his purity transferred to her.
00:10:48.502 --> 00:10:52.873
His healing made her whole.
00:10:52.873 --> 00:10:55.809
This is exactly what yeshua does
00:10:55.809 --> 00:10:58.078
For all of us today.
00:10:58.078 --> 00:10:59.613
He doesn't simply declare you clean
00:10:59.613 --> 00:11:01.749
While leaving you unchanged.
00:11:01.749 --> 00:11:03.851
He actually transforms you,
00:11:03.851 --> 00:11:05.686
Making you part of his people.
00:11:05.686 --> 00:11:08.155
He spreads his garment over you
00:11:08.155 --> 00:11:10.424
Through covenant relationship.
00:11:10.424 --> 00:11:12.359
As gentile believers, you have not replaced israel.
00:11:12.359 --> 00:11:15.496
You've been invited to join the house of israel.
00:11:15.496 --> 00:11:18.365
And in recent years,
00:11:18.365 --> 00:11:19.733
Many believers have taken that invitation seriously
00:11:19.733 --> 00:11:23.437
And come together to serve my people
00:11:23.437 --> 00:11:26.039
When the world is growing with hatred against us.
00:11:26.039 --> 00:11:29.309
And some have even paid the ultimate price
00:11:29.309 --> 00:11:31.812
To stand with israel.
00:11:31.812 --> 00:11:38.185
It was incredibly hard for us to know
00:11:38.986 --> 00:11:42.389
That some of our grandchildren
00:11:43.056 --> 00:11:44.658
Were in the heart of the gaza strip fighting.
00:11:44.658 --> 00:11:50.063
Both of them...
00:11:50.430 --> 00:11:52.800
And... how do i say it?
00:11:53.300 --> 00:11:56.003
Saw everything that happened there.
00:11:56.003 --> 00:12:11.285
Listen, there are a lot of booms right now.
00:12:12.219 --> 00:12:16.256
Run!run!run!
00:12:16.590 --> 00:12:19.660
Since october 10th 2023,
00:12:20.160 --> 00:12:24.765
We've been in the bomb shelter.
00:12:24.765 --> 00:12:32.239
The residents, including those who live here,
00:12:33.173 --> 00:12:36.176
Don't have the opportunity to leave.
00:12:36.176 --> 00:12:38.312
And somehow, i couldn't reconcile it with my conscience
00:12:39.379 --> 00:12:42.449
To say i'm going home now
00:12:43.016 --> 00:12:45.552
And leaving them in this situation here alone.
00:12:45.552 --> 00:12:50.824
This place is an assistant living facility
00:12:51.725 --> 00:12:54.027
For holocaust survivors.
00:12:54.027 --> 00:12:56.496
Here, christian germans host jews free of charge.
00:12:57.497 --> 00:13:03.871
I was scared,
00:13:04.238 --> 00:13:06.106
And i think i still am when the alarm is.
00:13:06.106 --> 00:13:09.076
God just gave me such a big peace into my heart
00:13:09.076 --> 00:13:11.545
That it's the right decision to come.
00:13:11.545 --> 00:13:13.647
We're at zero range,
00:13:14.114 --> 00:13:15.415
Meaning as soon as there is a siren,
00:13:15.415 --> 00:13:18.051
Rockets could already be hitting on the ground.
00:13:18.051 --> 00:13:21.188
The idea that someone could come
00:13:21.922 --> 00:13:24.024
And do something purely out of love,
00:13:24.024 --> 00:13:26.426
It's unheard of.
00:13:26.793 --> 00:13:31.298
Our dear uriah was the fourth of five children.
00:13:32.266 --> 00:13:35.736
He faced everything difficult
00:13:36.370 --> 00:13:38.639
Without complaining.
00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:40.173
And that's it.
00:13:40.173 --> 00:13:41.108
He was this cute little boy,
00:13:41.108 --> 00:13:42.743
So childlike.
00:13:42.743 --> 00:13:44.311
He just loved kids.
00:13:44.311 --> 00:13:47.748
He liked being with people,
00:13:48.348 --> 00:13:50.050
But not too much.
00:13:50.484 --> 00:13:52.185
But to hang with two or three friends,
00:13:52.185 --> 00:13:55.923
Immediately.
00:13:56.256 --> 00:13:58.292
At some point, he told me, that's it.
00:13:58.292 --> 00:14:00.527
Now i'm operative.
00:14:00.527 --> 00:14:02.429
He went straight to the front lines.
00:14:02.429 --> 00:14:04.932
Then they entered the southern part
00:14:04.932 --> 00:14:06.433
Of the gaza strip, khan yunis.
00:14:06.433 --> 00:14:10.470
And that's where he was injured.
00:14:11.204 --> 00:14:15.575
Also, he was injured, just him,
00:14:16.310 --> 00:14:19.880
A single bullet.
00:14:20.247 --> 00:14:26.453
A lot of people, i think,
00:14:27.020 --> 00:14:28.488
Have already forgotten
00:14:28.488 --> 00:14:29.723
What happened on the 7th of october.
00:14:29.723 --> 00:14:35.095
Allah akbar!
00:14:35.429 --> 00:14:48.041
History is repeating itself,
00:14:48.642 --> 00:14:50.310
And nobody is getting it.
00:14:50.310 --> 00:14:53.013
But this time, it's even worse,
00:14:53.680 --> 00:14:55.515
Because we still have people who experienced it.
00:14:55.515 --> 00:15:01.121
It makes me angry, not only sad,
00:15:01.855 --> 00:15:04.224
What the world is seeing in israel
00:15:04.224 --> 00:15:07.127
And what they're mixing up the facts.
00:15:07.127 --> 00:15:10.097
And i'm thankful to be here
00:15:10.097 --> 00:15:12.432
And to see the truth and what is really going on.
00:15:12.432 --> 00:15:15.268
And to see this unity of israel
00:15:15.268 --> 00:15:17.371
And to be part of it.
00:15:17.371 --> 00:15:20.974
I feel very sorry for people in the world
00:15:21.842 --> 00:15:25.345
Who don't know the history,
00:15:25.345 --> 00:15:27.814
Don't understand anything about the country
00:15:27.814 --> 00:15:31.351
Or the people,
00:15:31.351 --> 00:15:32.452
Yet still go to demonstrations
00:15:32.452 --> 00:15:34.955
And shout.
00:15:34.955 --> 00:15:36.123
It does not find favor in my eyes.
00:15:36.123 --> 00:15:38.859
We respect others.
00:15:39.292 --> 00:15:41.661
We don't hate arabs.
00:15:41.661 --> 00:15:44.197
Not the syrians, nor the lebanese,
00:15:44.197 --> 00:15:47.534
Nor anyone else.
00:15:47.534 --> 00:15:49.336
We want to live in peace and tranquility
00:15:49.336 --> 00:15:52.005
With everyone.
00:15:52.005 --> 00:15:53.840
For 100 years there have been wars,
00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:56.977
And it's time to put an end to this.
00:15:56.977 --> 00:16:06.586
If god ever judges the world,
00:16:07.254 --> 00:16:10.257
After the 7th of october, no one will have any excuses.
00:16:10.257 --> 00:16:17.164
Every person had videos of hamas on their cell phones,
00:16:18.265 --> 00:16:22.669
Showing what they did.
00:16:23.170 --> 00:16:37.918
There is no question of direction,
00:16:38.685 --> 00:16:40.821
Understanding, or anything else.
00:16:40.821 --> 00:16:43.657
This is a very, very clear matter.
00:16:43.657 --> 00:16:47.260
I think that since the 7th of october,
00:16:48.095 --> 00:16:51.364
For every believing christian in the world,
00:16:52.265 --> 00:16:57.504
Neutrality is no longer an option.
00:16:58.238 --> 00:17:03.443
The story of ruth reveals god's heart.
00:17:04.244 --> 00:17:07.481
He uses redemption and covenant relationship
00:17:07.481 --> 00:17:10.150
To bring outsiders into his family.
00:17:10.150 --> 00:17:13.320
What was impossible under the law
00:17:13.320 --> 00:17:15.489
Became possible through a redeemer,
00:17:15.489 --> 00:17:17.791
Who was willing to pay the price.
00:17:17.791 --> 00:17:20.160
This reveals something profound.
00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:22.696
This wasn't just about including one outsider.
00:17:22.696 --> 00:17:26.066
This was about god's eternal pattern.
00:17:26.066 --> 00:17:29.236
Ruth received a wedding invitation,
00:17:29.236 --> 00:17:31.872
And so have you.
00:17:31.872 --> 00:17:33.440
We offer a devotional
00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:35.242
That will help you experience
00:17:35.242 --> 00:17:36.710
Your identity
00:17:36.710 --> 00:17:37.811
As part of the family
00:17:37.811 --> 00:17:39.212
And messiah,
00:17:39.212 --> 00:17:40.514
Abiding with him.
00:17:40.514 --> 00:17:42.382
Get your copy and continue your journey,
00:17:42.382 --> 00:17:45.352
Going deeper in his love.
00:17:45.352 --> 00:17:50.995
Going deeper in his love.
00:17:50.995 --> 00:17:55.132
What god accomplished
00:17:55.633 --> 00:17:56.834
In bringing gentiles
00:17:56.834 --> 00:17:58.169
Into his covenant
00:17:58.169 --> 00:17:59.436
Is nothing short of miraculous.
00:17:59.436 --> 00:18:01.739
In yeshua's time,
00:18:01.739 --> 00:18:03.207
The greco-roman world
00:18:03.207 --> 00:18:04.642
Was quite happy
00:18:04.642 --> 00:18:05.976
With their complex religious system.
00:18:05.976 --> 00:18:08.412
Multiple gods adopted deities from conquered nations,
00:18:08.412 --> 00:18:12.116
Even a statue to the unknown god,
00:18:12.116 --> 00:18:15.085
Just in case they missed one.
00:18:15.085 --> 00:18:17.121
To romans, jews were actually considered atheists
00:18:17.121 --> 00:18:20.925
Because they worshipped only one god.
00:18:20.925 --> 00:18:23.627
Some gentiles did respect the god of israel,
00:18:23.627 --> 00:18:26.931
And jewish teachers occasionally traveled
00:18:26.931 --> 00:18:29.733
To make converts.
00:18:29.733 --> 00:18:31.135
But as yeshua observed,
00:18:31.135 --> 00:18:32.803
Their efforts often produced people
00:18:32.803 --> 00:18:35.372
Twice as bad as they were before.
00:18:35.372 --> 00:18:38.008
They were seeking to make transformation
00:18:38.008 --> 00:18:40.578
From the outside in.
00:18:40.578 --> 00:18:42.846
God's way was to start from the heart,
00:18:42.846 --> 00:18:45.849
Not external actions for transformation.
00:18:45.849 --> 00:18:49.620
Then something shifted after yeshua's resurrection.
00:18:50.654 --> 00:18:54.425
The holy spirit fell on the disciples,
00:18:54.425 --> 00:18:56.694
Empowering them to be witnesses,
00:18:56.694 --> 00:18:58.862
As yeshua said, to jerusalem, judea and samaria,
00:18:58.862 --> 00:19:02.233
And to the ends of the earth.
00:19:02.233 --> 00:19:04.235
And later, when peter followed god's call
00:19:04.235 --> 00:19:06.403
To the home of cornelius in caesarea,
00:19:06.403 --> 00:19:08.706
The spirit began to fall on the gentiles.
00:19:08.706 --> 00:19:11.842
The gospel began spreading to every nation.
00:19:11.842 --> 00:19:15.145
This event of peter
00:19:15.145 --> 00:19:16.480
First sharing the gospel with gentiles
00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:18.949
Created no small controversy in jerusalem.
00:19:18.949 --> 00:19:21.952
Paul described this phenomenon using an agricultural metaphor,
00:19:21.952 --> 00:19:26.423
Wild olive branches being grafted
00:19:26.423 --> 00:19:28.626
Into a cultivated olive tree.
00:19:28.626 --> 00:19:30.928
Naturally, this is not fruitful.
00:19:30.928 --> 00:19:33.397
Wild branches can't successfully graft onto cultivated trees.
00:19:33.397 --> 00:19:37.901
Yet spiritually,
00:19:37.901 --> 00:19:39.303
This miracle happened and continues today.
00:19:39.303 --> 00:19:42.473
God was making clear that this work
00:19:42.473 --> 00:19:44.608
Of unity in faith,
00:19:44.608 --> 00:19:46.043
Jews and gentiles,
00:19:46.043 --> 00:19:47.611
Is not something we can do in our strength,
00:19:47.611 --> 00:19:49.847
But a work of the holy spirit.
00:19:49.847 --> 00:19:52.249
The evidence surrounds us.
00:19:52.249 --> 00:19:54.485
Hebrew scriptures have reached
00:19:54.485 --> 00:19:56.287
Every corner of the globe in every language.
00:19:56.287 --> 00:19:59.523
People from every nation call upon israel's god.
00:19:59.523 --> 00:20:03.394
As the prophet said,
00:20:03.394 --> 00:20:04.962
The earth is being
00:20:04.962 --> 00:20:06.397
"filled with the knowledge
00:20:06.397 --> 00:20:07.698
"of the glory of the lord
00:20:07.698 --> 00:20:08.932
"as the waters cover the sea."
00:20:08.932 --> 00:20:11.368
Through messiah,
00:20:11.368 --> 00:20:12.703
God has taken two distinct people,
00:20:12.703 --> 00:20:15.005
Jews and gentiles,
00:20:15.005 --> 00:20:16.473
And created one new humanity.
00:20:16.473 --> 00:20:19.576
Paul explained it this way:
00:20:19.576 --> 00:20:21.845
"you were excluded
00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:23.380
"from citizenship in israel
00:20:23.380 --> 00:20:24.915
"and foreigners to the covenants
00:20:24.915 --> 00:20:26.283
"of the promise
00:20:26.283 --> 00:20:27.451
"without hope
00:20:27.451 --> 00:20:28.452
"and without god in the world.
00:20:28.452 --> 00:20:30.421
"but now in messiah yeshua,
00:20:30.421 --> 00:20:32.690
"you who once were far away
00:20:32.690 --> 00:20:34.958
"have been brought near
00:20:34.958 --> 00:20:36.327
"by the blood of the messiah.
00:20:36.327 --> 00:20:38.462
"you are no longer
00:20:38.462 --> 00:20:39.430
"foreigners and strangers,
00:20:39.430 --> 00:20:41.131
"but fellow citizens
00:20:41.131 --> 00:20:42.633
"with god's people."
00:20:42.633 --> 00:20:44.668
We have a special guest, dr. dina aweida.
00:20:44.668 --> 00:20:48.572
She will talk with us about the impact and miracle
00:20:48.572 --> 00:20:51.608
Of gentiles being grafted into israel's promises
00:20:51.608 --> 00:20:55.079
And how those roots can bring healing
00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:57.348
To our region today.
00:20:57.348 --> 00:20:58.882
Hi dina, thank you so much
00:20:58.882 --> 00:21:00.517
For coming to talk to me today.
00:21:00.517 --> 00:21:02.519
Your family has a very
00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:03.620
Unique place in the
00:21:03.620 --> 00:21:05.556
Israeli church
00:21:05.556 --> 00:21:06.557
Because you are leading
00:21:06.557 --> 00:21:07.725
One of the probably
00:21:07.725 --> 00:21:08.625
Largest congregations
00:21:08.625 --> 00:21:10.327
In the country.
00:21:10.327 --> 00:21:11.095
Yes, we are,
00:21:11.095 --> 00:21:13.364
I think, one of the largest
00:21:13.364 --> 00:21:15.065
Congregations here in israel
00:21:15.065 --> 00:21:16.700
Today.
00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:18.001
Our congregation is in haifa
00:21:18.602 --> 00:21:20.504
And i think we have about 400-450 members,
00:21:20.504 --> 00:21:24.508
Which is sort of a mega church in israel.
00:21:24.508 --> 00:21:27.611
I think you're the only ones with two services,
00:21:27.611 --> 00:21:29.213
Right? -yes, we have two services every week.
00:21:29.213 --> 00:21:31.882
Our congregation started with a handful
00:21:31.882 --> 00:21:33.417
Of holocaust survivors
00:21:33.417 --> 00:21:35.018
And it's amazing to see how much it's grown today.
00:21:35.018 --> 00:21:38.822
And today we have jews, we have arabs,
00:21:38.822 --> 00:21:42.760
We have people from all different backgrounds
00:21:42.760 --> 00:21:45.262
In our congregation,
00:21:45.262 --> 00:21:46.630
And it's such a blessing to come all together
00:21:46.630 --> 00:21:48.866
And serve the same god, the god of israel,
00:21:48.866 --> 00:21:52.436
In this land. -amen.
00:21:52.436 --> 00:21:54.071
You know, particularly at a time like this,
00:21:54.071 --> 00:21:55.806
Where we're experiencing,
00:21:55.806 --> 00:21:57.875
I mean, there's always some sort of conflict
00:21:57.875 --> 00:22:00.043
In israel and the region,
00:22:00.043 --> 00:22:01.178
But the last two years have been
00:22:01.178 --> 00:22:03.414
Particularly intensive.
00:22:03.414 --> 00:22:05.549
How's it been in the congregation?
00:22:05.549 --> 00:22:08.519
I must say that i have not felt any tension
00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:11.789
In our congregation.
00:22:11.789 --> 00:22:13.490
You know, each one of us has different identities,
00:22:13.490 --> 00:22:16.593
Different backgrounds, different cultures,
00:22:16.593 --> 00:22:18.996
Different... men, women.
00:22:18.996 --> 00:22:21.365
I think the main identity of all of us
00:22:21.365 --> 00:22:23.233
Is our identity in christ
00:22:23.233 --> 00:22:25.402
And that unites us more than it separates us.
00:22:25.402 --> 00:22:28.038
For me, it's been a big blessing
00:22:28.038 --> 00:22:30.641
To come together even during the war
00:22:30.641 --> 00:22:32.843
And we can pray for our soldiers,
00:22:32.843 --> 00:22:35.412
We can pray for our country,
00:22:35.412 --> 00:22:36.713
We pray for our leaders,
00:22:36.713 --> 00:22:38.348
For our enemies, for people in gaza,
00:22:38.348 --> 00:22:40.784
For people in the countries around us, in iran.
00:22:40.784 --> 00:22:44.321
Yeah, it's just amazing to see
00:22:44.321 --> 00:22:46.523
That everyone is united with this heart of blessing
00:22:46.523 --> 00:22:50.260
And knowing that we receive the grace of god
00:22:50.260 --> 00:22:53.697
And that's what this world needs
00:22:53.697 --> 00:22:55.566
And this is what our country also needs.
00:22:55.566 --> 00:22:57.835
So dina, thank you so much for taking the time.
00:22:57.835 --> 00:23:00.204
It's been a real pleasure and real encouraging.
00:23:00.204 --> 00:23:02.306
Thank you so much. -thank you.
00:23:02.306 --> 00:23:05.809
But a critical question remains.
00:23:06.510 --> 00:23:08.846
Most jewish people today
00:23:08.846 --> 00:23:10.147
Have not accepted yeshua as messiah.
00:23:10.147 --> 00:23:12.749
Since he is the only way of salvation,
00:23:12.749 --> 00:23:15.285
What about israel's future?
00:23:15.285 --> 00:23:17.688
Paul wrestled with the same agonizing question
00:23:17.688 --> 00:23:20.824
In romans 11.
00:23:20.824 --> 00:23:22.559
"did god reject his people?
00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:24.795
"did they stumble
00:23:24.795 --> 00:23:25.729
"beyond recovery?"
00:23:25.729 --> 00:23:27.498
His answer was an emphatic absolutely not.
00:23:27.498 --> 00:23:31.468
God hasn't replaced the olive tree of israel
00:23:31.468 --> 00:23:33.537
With a new tree.
00:23:33.537 --> 00:23:34.938
He sees a glorious future for the jewish people.
00:23:34.938 --> 00:23:37.674
He said that even if branches
00:23:37.674 --> 00:23:39.243
Have been cut off from the messiah,
00:23:39.243 --> 00:23:41.278
God can and will easily graft them back in.
00:23:41.278 --> 00:23:44.781
Paul said:
00:23:44.781 --> 00:23:45.849
If their transgression
00:23:45.849 --> 00:23:46.984
Means riches for the world,
00:23:46.984 --> 00:23:48.819
How much greater riches
00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:50.287
Will their full inclusion bring?
00:23:50.287 --> 00:23:52.623
"if their rejection
00:23:52.623 --> 00:23:54.191
"brought reconciliation
00:23:54.191 --> 00:23:55.158
"to the world,
00:23:55.158 --> 00:23:56.460
"what will their acceptance be
00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:58.562
"but life from the dead?"
00:23:58.562 --> 00:24:00.898
He reminded gentiles:
00:24:00.898 --> 00:24:02.633
"you do not support the root,
00:24:02.633 --> 00:24:04.301
"but the root supports you."
00:24:04.301 --> 00:24:06.303
And he declared with confidence:
00:24:06.303 --> 00:24:08.338
"israel has experienced
00:24:08.338 --> 00:24:09.840
"a hardening in part
00:24:09.840 --> 00:24:11.341
"until the full number
00:24:11.341 --> 00:24:13.210
"of the gentiles has come in,
00:24:13.210 --> 00:24:15.445
"and in this way
00:24:15.445 --> 00:24:16.914
"all israel will be saved."
00:24:16.914 --> 00:24:20.050
Don't mistake israel's current rejection of yeshua
00:24:20.050 --> 00:24:23.420
As god rejecting israel.
00:24:23.420 --> 00:24:25.489
Paul is emphatic.
00:24:25.489 --> 00:24:27.357
They remain loved because of god's covenant
00:24:27.357 --> 00:24:30.460
With the patriarchs.
00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:32.396
All israel will be saved
00:24:32.396 --> 00:24:34.298
And their acceptance of messiah
00:24:34.298 --> 00:24:36.333
Will be like life from the dead,
00:24:36.333 --> 00:24:39.169
As miraculous as resurrection itself.
00:24:39.169 --> 00:24:42.406
There has always been a remnant
00:24:42.406 --> 00:24:44.041
Of jewish followers of yeshua.
00:24:44.041 --> 00:24:46.243
Our messiah warned us that the way was narrow,
00:24:46.243 --> 00:24:49.980
But even in elijah's day,
00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:51.715
When the prophet lost all hope,
00:24:51.715 --> 00:24:54.051
God reminded him
00:24:54.051 --> 00:24:55.452
That there was a remnant in israel
00:24:55.452 --> 00:24:57.020
That heaven bowed their knees to baal.
00:24:57.020 --> 00:25:00.123
The unbelief of the majority of my people is temporary.
00:25:00.123 --> 00:25:03.760
God will keep his promises.
00:25:03.760 --> 00:25:06.196
All israel will be saved
00:25:06.196 --> 00:25:08.198
And those of us who believe in yeshua
00:25:08.198 --> 00:25:10.534
Are committed to being part of that salvation plan.
00:25:10.534 --> 00:25:14.004
For centuries, most believers in yeshua
00:25:14.004 --> 00:25:16.573
Have been gentiles,
00:25:16.573 --> 00:25:17.908
Which makes sense mathematically.
00:25:17.908 --> 00:25:20.210
There are simply more gentiles than jews in the world.
00:25:20.210 --> 00:25:23.180
But israel's current rejection of yeshua
00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:26.049
Doesn't mean god rejecting israel.
00:25:26.049 --> 00:25:28.652
Paul's warning in romans is clear.
00:25:28.652 --> 00:25:31.355
Do not become arrogant.
00:25:31.355 --> 00:25:33.423
As gentiles,
00:25:33.423 --> 00:25:34.691
You have been grafted into israel's olive tree,
00:25:34.691 --> 00:25:37.628
Not the other way around.
00:25:37.628 --> 00:25:39.096
Remember, even israel couldn't fulfill its calling
00:25:39.096 --> 00:25:42.099
Without yeshua, the true branch.
00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:44.835
The bottom line is this:
00:25:44.835 --> 00:25:47.304
All have sinned and fall short of god's glory.
00:25:47.304 --> 00:25:50.607
Jew and gentile alike,
00:25:50.607 --> 00:25:52.409
We all need yeshua and we all need each other.
00:25:52.409 --> 00:25:58.248
Here's the beautiful truth.
00:25:58.849 --> 00:26:00.817
God chose israel so he could include you.
00:26:00.817 --> 00:26:04.087
And in including you,
00:26:04.087 --> 00:26:05.689
He will faithfully redeem israel.
00:26:05.689 --> 00:26:08.091
Think about god's pattern with ruth.
00:26:08.091 --> 00:26:10.894
He brought her into israel through death,
00:26:10.894 --> 00:26:13.397
Marriage, and redemption.
00:26:13.397 --> 00:26:15.365
Through ruth came king david,
00:26:15.365 --> 00:26:17.367
Who united and brought salvation to israel.
00:26:17.367 --> 00:26:20.604
God is doing the same thing today.
00:26:20.604 --> 00:26:23.507
As gentile believers,
00:26:23.507 --> 00:26:24.908
You are ruth's people,
00:26:24.908 --> 00:26:26.943
Brought in, married to the messiah,
00:26:26.943 --> 00:26:29.312
And redeemed.
00:26:29.312 --> 00:26:30.814
And through you, god will bring salvation
00:26:30.814 --> 00:26:33.517
Back to israel.
00:26:33.517 --> 00:26:34.751
But how will this happen?
00:26:35.318 --> 00:26:37.587
Paul reveals god's surprising strategy,
00:26:37.587 --> 00:26:41.291
Something we don't usually consider healthy
00:26:41.291 --> 00:26:44.361
In our relationships,
00:26:44.361 --> 00:26:46.096
Jealousy.
00:26:46.096 --> 00:26:47.164
Next time, we'll explore how jealousy
00:26:47.164 --> 00:26:49.866
Has always had a part to play
00:26:49.866 --> 00:26:52.169
In god's choosing and covenant.
00:26:52.169 --> 00:26:54.771
How he will ultimately use jealousy
00:26:54.771 --> 00:26:57.274
To fulfill his end-time purposes
00:26:57.274 --> 00:26:59.876
For both israel and you,
00:26:59.876 --> 00:27:02.279
As we continue to ask the question:
00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:04.748
Why israel?
00:27:04.748 --> 00:27:04.748

Dr. Erez Soref: The Wedding Invitation - Why Israel? | One for Israel

May 22, 2026 | S25 E1227 | 27:9

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