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Erez Soref - The Betrothal

November 14, 2025 | S1 E2 | 29:33

Erez Soref - The Betrothal
From Abraham’s call to God’s unbreakable promise, this episode traces the beginnings of Israel’s “marriage” to the Lord. Discover how divine friendship became covenant love and what that reveals about God’s faithfulness to you.
#Israel #JewishTradition #LoveofGod #UnconditionalLove #PromisesofGod #TrustGod #SeekGod #Bible #Study #ErezSoref

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| Erez Soref - The Betrothal | November 14, 2025
  • God has always revealed himself
  • 00:00:01.925 --> 00:00:03.927
  • As a god who makes and keeps covenants.
  • 00:00:03.927 --> 00:00:07.797
  • This is where it all began,
  • 00:00:07.797 --> 00:00:10.600
  • The connection of abraham to the land of israel.
  • 00:00:10.600 --> 00:00:14.437
  • Many churches today,
  • 00:00:14.437 --> 00:00:15.605
  • They think that they are
  • 00:00:15.605 --> 00:00:16.639
  • Doing favor to god if they
  • 00:00:16.639 --> 00:00:17.874
  • Serve god,
  • 00:00:17.874 --> 00:00:18.575
  • Not understanding
  • 00:00:18.575 --> 00:00:19.576
  • It's honor and privilege
  • 00:00:19.576 --> 00:00:20.710
  • To serve the king of kings.
  • 00:00:20.710 --> 00:00:23.179
  • God feels, commits,
  • 00:00:23.646 --> 00:00:25.782
  • And acts on promises.
  • 00:00:25.782 --> 00:00:30.954
  • I am dr. erez soref.
  • 00:00:31.421 --> 00:00:32.989
  • I was born and raised in the heart of israel,
  • 00:00:32.989 --> 00:00:35.825
  • But i never heard the gospel message
  • 00:00:35.825 --> 00:00:38.394
  • Until on a journey abroad,
  • 00:00:38.394 --> 00:00:40.630
  • My eyes were opened to the jewish messiah.
  • 00:00:40.630 --> 00:00:44.134
  • From that point,
  • 00:00:44.134 --> 00:00:45.335
  • My life has been dedicated
  • 00:00:45.335 --> 00:00:47.137
  • To bringing this gospel back to my people israel,
  • 00:00:47.137 --> 00:00:50.640
  • Equipping them to reach israel
  • 00:00:50.640 --> 00:00:53.076
  • And the world.
  • 00:00:53.076 --> 00:00:54.410
  • Together, as jews and gentiles,
  • 00:00:54.410 --> 00:00:56.746
  • We are one in messiah, one for israel.
  • 00:00:56.746 --> 00:01:14.931
  • Before yeshua walked on water,
  • 00:01:15.598 --> 00:01:17.867
  • Before he ever healed a blind man,
  • 00:01:17.867 --> 00:01:20.703
  • His very first miracle
  • 00:01:20.703 --> 00:01:22.472
  • Took place at a wedding.
  • 00:01:22.472 --> 00:01:24.574
  • It wasn't in a temple
  • 00:01:24.574 --> 00:01:25.808
  • Or in front of a large crowd,
  • 00:01:25.808 --> 00:01:27.777
  • A wedding where he turned water into wine.
  • 00:01:27.777 --> 00:01:31.614
  • The miracle happened quietly,
  • 00:01:31.614 --> 00:01:33.550
  • Seemingly unplanned.
  • 00:01:33.550 --> 00:01:35.785
  • At first, the people didn't even realize
  • 00:01:35.785 --> 00:01:38.755
  • That anything miraculous had happened.
  • 00:01:38.755 --> 00:01:41.791
  • But this miraculous start to yeshua's ministry,
  • 00:01:41.791 --> 00:01:44.827
  • His first public display of power
  • 00:01:44.827 --> 00:01:47.630
  • Is filled with profound prophetic meaning.
  • 00:01:47.630 --> 00:01:51.734
  • Last time we asked the question,
  • 00:01:51.734 --> 00:01:54.103
  • Why israel?
  • 00:01:54.103 --> 00:01:55.738
  • Today we'll see that yeshua's first miracle
  • 00:01:55.738 --> 00:01:58.341
  • At a wedding,
  • 00:01:58.341 --> 00:01:59.576
  • The revealing of his glory,
  • 00:01:59.576 --> 00:02:01.544
  • Connects directly with the revealing
  • 00:02:01.544 --> 00:02:03.813
  • Of god's covenant relationship to israel.
  • 00:02:03.813 --> 00:02:06.749
  • A relationship of an unbroken commitment
  • 00:02:06.749 --> 00:02:09.519
  • To his people.
  • 00:02:09.519 --> 00:02:10.787
  • In fact, his love for his people
  • 00:02:10.787 --> 00:02:13.156
  • And for you
  • 00:02:13.156 --> 00:02:14.324
  • Is a picture of marriage itself.
  • 00:02:14.324 --> 00:02:19.395
  • So why a wedding?
  • 00:02:19.829 --> 00:02:21.397
  • Why wine?
  • 00:02:21.397 --> 00:02:22.799
  • The bible calls this miracle a sign.
  • 00:02:22.799 --> 00:02:25.902
  • Signs are there to point to something.
  • 00:02:25.902 --> 00:02:28.771
  • Yeshua was doing more than saving a family
  • 00:02:28.771 --> 00:02:31.341
  • From social embarrassment.
  • 00:02:31.341 --> 00:02:32.976
  • He was pointing to the announcement
  • 00:02:32.976 --> 00:02:35.178
  • Of a new covenant,
  • 00:02:35.178 --> 00:02:36.512
  • An eternal marriage covenant.
  • 00:02:36.512 --> 00:02:39.015
  • God has always revealed himself
  • 00:02:39.015 --> 00:02:41.117
  • As a god who makes and keeps covenants.
  • 00:02:41.117 --> 00:02:44.520
  • He rescued israel,
  • 00:02:44.520 --> 00:02:46.256
  • Gave the laws,
  • 00:02:46.256 --> 00:02:47.490
  • Gave us yeshua,
  • 00:02:47.490 --> 00:02:48.992
  • All as part of covenants,
  • 00:02:48.992 --> 00:02:51.194
  • Promises and agreements he made with his people.
  • 00:02:51.194 --> 00:02:54.797
  • And even when we break our promises,
  • 00:02:54.797 --> 00:02:57.734
  • God never fails to keep his.
  • 00:02:57.734 --> 00:03:00.536
  • The miracle of israel
  • 00:03:00.536 --> 00:03:01.771
  • And the miracle at the wedding,
  • 00:03:01.771 --> 00:03:03.373
  • These signposts point to a god of miraculous,
  • 00:03:03.373 --> 00:03:07.777
  • Immeasurable love.
  • 00:03:07.777 --> 00:03:09.712
  • Not just a fairy tale love
  • 00:03:09.712 --> 00:03:11.547
  • Or a theological concept.
  • 00:03:11.547 --> 00:03:13.483
  • God feels, commits,
  • 00:03:13.483 --> 00:03:15.618
  • He promises and acts on promises.
  • 00:03:15.618 --> 00:03:18.288
  • Israel's story is a love story
  • 00:03:18.288 --> 00:03:20.490
  • Between god and his people,
  • 00:03:20.490 --> 00:03:22.158
  • Filled with bumps, disappointments
  • 00:03:22.158 --> 00:03:24.427
  • And yes, unfaithfulness.
  • 00:03:24.427 --> 00:03:26.396
  • And it's from this story that we get a picture
  • 00:03:26.396 --> 00:03:29.198
  • Of his overwhelming love for you.
  • 00:03:29.198 --> 00:03:36.472
  • There's a difference between our love
  • 00:03:37.240 --> 00:03:39.709
  • And the infallible love of god.
  • 00:03:39.709 --> 00:03:42.211
  • Our love has a selfish element.
  • 00:03:42.211 --> 00:03:44.547
  • Lovers can fall out of love,
  • 00:03:44.547 --> 00:03:46.749
  • But god's doesn't.
  • 00:03:46.749 --> 00:03:48.985
  • His love is constant.
  • 00:03:48.985 --> 00:03:51.020
  • Even when our love for god is imperfect,
  • 00:03:51.020 --> 00:03:54.524
  • His love for us is perfect.
  • 00:03:54.524 --> 00:03:56.993
  • To understand how the story began,
  • 00:03:56.993 --> 00:03:59.395
  • We have to go back
  • 00:03:59.395 --> 00:04:00.697
  • Before the jewish people existed,
  • 00:04:00.697 --> 00:04:02.799
  • Before moses,
  • 00:04:02.799 --> 00:04:04.100
  • Back to a childless syrian nomad
  • 00:04:04.100 --> 00:04:07.337
  • Named abram.
  • 00:04:07.337 --> 00:04:12.842
  • Like most good relationships,
  • 00:04:13.509 --> 00:04:15.611
  • It all begins with a friendship.
  • 00:04:15.611 --> 00:04:18.047
  • Abram's story in the bible begins
  • 00:04:18.047 --> 00:04:19.949
  • Out of nowhere,
  • 00:04:19.949 --> 00:04:21.284
  • When god appeared to him abruptly
  • 00:04:21.284 --> 00:04:23.820
  • And said:
  • 00:04:23.820 --> 00:04:25.288
  • "go from your country,
  • 00:04:25.788 --> 00:04:27.256
  • "your people
  • 00:04:27.256 --> 00:04:27.990
  • "and your father's
  • 00:04:27.990 --> 00:04:28.991
  • "household, to the land
  • 00:04:28.991 --> 00:04:30.593
  • I will show you."
  • 00:04:30.593 --> 00:04:31.494
  • God gave abram
  • 00:04:31.861 --> 00:04:33.062
  • A life-changing command
  • 00:04:33.062 --> 00:04:34.530
  • And began to lavish on him great promises.
  • 00:04:34.530 --> 00:04:38.067
  • He would make him a great nation.
  • 00:04:38.067 --> 00:04:40.303
  • He would bless him and make his name great.
  • 00:04:40.303 --> 00:04:43.106
  • He would bless those that bless him,
  • 00:04:43.106 --> 00:04:45.608
  • Curse those who curse him.
  • 00:04:45.608 --> 00:04:47.243
  • And he would turn him into a blessing
  • 00:04:47.243 --> 00:04:49.679
  • For the whole world.
  • 00:04:49.679 --> 00:04:51.614
  • But why did god choose him?
  • 00:04:51.614 --> 00:04:54.016
  • Why appear to this aging childless man
  • 00:04:54.016 --> 00:04:57.453
  • And bless him?
  • 00:04:57.453 --> 00:04:58.955
  • Someone who at that point
  • 00:04:58.955 --> 00:05:00.690
  • Had not done anything outstanding
  • 00:05:00.690 --> 00:05:02.825
  • To earn this kind of favor.
  • 00:05:02.825 --> 00:05:05.128
  • I'll tell you, i don't know.
  • 00:05:05.128 --> 00:05:10.967
  • We could ask the same question
  • 00:05:11.667 --> 00:05:13.736
  • To yeshua.
  • 00:05:13.736 --> 00:05:14.971
  • Why did he pick those 12
  • 00:05:14.971 --> 00:05:16.639
  • To be his disciples?
  • 00:05:16.639 --> 00:05:18.074
  • One was a tax collector,
  • 00:05:18.074 --> 00:05:19.942
  • A traitor to his people.
  • 00:05:19.942 --> 00:05:21.711
  • One, a political extremist.
  • 00:05:21.711 --> 00:05:24.547
  • John was a teenager.
  • 00:05:24.547 --> 00:05:26.816
  • Peter had tons of issues.
  • 00:05:26.816 --> 00:05:28.885
  • And judas iscariot,
  • 00:05:28.885 --> 00:05:30.720
  • Yeshua knew he would betray him.
  • 00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:33.756
  • He had prayed about these men.
  • 00:05:33.756 --> 00:05:36.092
  • These were the ones
  • 00:05:36.092 --> 00:05:37.026
  • The father told him
  • 00:05:37.026 --> 00:05:38.361
  • To choose.
  • 00:05:38.361 --> 00:05:39.729
  • But they certainly wouldn't be
  • 00:05:39.729 --> 00:05:40.863
  • My first choice.
  • 00:05:40.863 --> 00:05:45.234
  • It's the character of god
  • 00:05:45.768 --> 00:05:47.136
  • To choose one to bless the many.
  • 00:05:47.136 --> 00:05:49.839
  • And the ones he chooses
  • 00:05:49.839 --> 00:05:51.641
  • Are often flawed human beings.
  • 00:05:51.641 --> 00:05:54.143
  • The bible doesn't make them heroes,
  • 00:05:54.143 --> 00:05:56.979
  • It highlights their inadequacy.
  • 00:05:56.979 --> 00:05:59.148
  • And god choosing to use them anyway.
  • 00:05:59.148 --> 00:06:03.019
  • Doesn't that give you hope?
  • 00:06:03.019 --> 00:06:05.121
  • That despite your issues
  • 00:06:05.121 --> 00:06:06.689
  • Or your disqualifications,
  • 00:06:06.689 --> 00:06:08.591
  • God can use you?
  • 00:06:08.591 --> 00:06:11.461
  • We don't know why god chose abram
  • 00:06:12.195 --> 00:06:14.697
  • And made promises to him,
  • 00:06:14.697 --> 00:06:16.199
  • But what i do know is that abram
  • 00:06:16.199 --> 00:06:18.100
  • Was the one to respond to the promise.
  • 00:06:18.100 --> 00:06:21.270
  • Abram isn't an example to us
  • 00:06:21.270 --> 00:06:23.105
  • Because he was so great or never made mistakes.
  • 00:06:23.105 --> 00:06:26.642
  • He's an example because he was full of faith.
  • 00:06:26.642 --> 00:06:30.179
  • He trusted god, obeyed, and followed.
  • 00:06:30.179 --> 00:06:33.616
  • From the first encounter,
  • 00:06:33.616 --> 00:06:34.951
  • Abram and god began a friendship
  • 00:06:34.951 --> 00:06:37.620
  • Based on trust and promises.
  • 00:06:37.620 --> 00:06:43.626
  • This interaction between god and abram
  • 00:06:44.460 --> 00:06:47.230
  • Was so different from how people
  • 00:06:47.230 --> 00:06:49.232
  • Interacted with their gods
  • 00:06:49.232 --> 00:06:51.133
  • In the ancient world.
  • 00:06:51.133 --> 00:06:52.969
  • Of course, their gods didn't really
  • 00:06:52.969 --> 00:06:54.971
  • Speak to people at all.
  • 00:06:54.971 --> 00:06:57.206
  • Most people would go to a temple
  • 00:06:57.206 --> 00:06:59.041
  • Or home altar,
  • 00:06:59.041 --> 00:07:00.409
  • Bring a sacrifice,
  • 00:07:00.409 --> 00:07:01.777
  • And pray to a god for blessings.
  • 00:07:01.777 --> 00:07:04.647
  • If they did all this,
  • 00:07:04.647 --> 00:07:06.315
  • Maybe the gods would bless them,
  • 00:07:06.315 --> 00:07:08.851
  • And maybe they wouldn't.
  • 00:07:08.851 --> 00:07:10.853
  • But either way,
  • 00:07:10.853 --> 00:07:12.121
  • They would keep on sacrificing.
  • 00:07:12.121 --> 00:07:14.724
  • If they didn't,
  • 00:07:14.724 --> 00:07:15.958
  • The gods may get angry
  • 00:07:15.958 --> 00:07:17.793
  • And they would be cursed,
  • 00:07:17.793 --> 00:07:19.195
  • Or so they thought.
  • 00:07:19.195 --> 00:07:21.030
  • But with abram, god did something
  • 00:07:21.030 --> 00:07:23.633
  • Radically different.
  • 00:07:23.633 --> 00:07:25.101
  • God appeared to him first.
  • 00:07:25.101 --> 00:07:28.004
  • God blessed abram first.
  • 00:07:28.004 --> 00:07:30.540
  • God made promises first.
  • 00:07:30.540 --> 00:07:32.875
  • He chose abram.
  • 00:07:32.875 --> 00:07:34.977
  • And it was only after god blessed him,
  • 00:07:34.977 --> 00:07:38.281
  • Did abram begin to sacrifice,
  • 00:07:38.281 --> 00:07:40.917
  • Begin to call on god, and follow him.
  • 00:07:40.917 --> 00:07:44.453
  • God has always been the one
  • 00:07:44.453 --> 00:07:46.656
  • To make the first move.
  • 00:07:46.656 --> 00:07:48.257
  • He's always reaching out,
  • 00:07:48.257 --> 00:07:49.992
  • Always calling.
  • 00:07:49.992 --> 00:07:51.394
  • In fact, the bible tells us
  • 00:07:51.394 --> 00:07:53.729
  • That we can only love god
  • 00:07:53.729 --> 00:07:55.097
  • Because he first loved us.
  • 00:07:55.097 --> 00:07:57.900
  • Yeshua said that no one can come to him
  • 00:07:57.900 --> 00:08:00.770
  • Unless god draws us first.
  • 00:08:00.770 --> 00:08:03.873
  • We didn't choose him,
  • 00:08:03.873 --> 00:08:05.374
  • He chose us.
  • 00:08:05.374 --> 00:08:07.009
  • He already loved you and chose you
  • 00:08:07.009 --> 00:08:08.911
  • Before you could love or choose him.
  • 00:08:08.911 --> 00:08:11.781
  • If you have failed or sinned,
  • 00:08:11.781 --> 00:08:13.249
  • Or your love for god has grown cold,
  • 00:08:13.249 --> 00:08:15.718
  • Take a moment to meditate on god's character.
  • 00:08:15.718 --> 00:08:19.121
  • He is love.
  • 00:08:19.121 --> 00:08:21.223
  • He loved you before you even thought of him.
  • 00:08:21.223 --> 00:08:23.960
  • Yeshua is the proof,
  • 00:08:23.960 --> 00:08:25.795
  • And he cannot take it back.
  • 00:08:25.795 --> 00:08:27.830
  • He's proof that he chose us,
  • 00:08:27.830 --> 00:08:30.266
  • That he blessed us
  • 00:08:30.266 --> 00:08:31.500
  • Before we ever loved him.
  • 00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:33.369
  • His kindness leads us to repentance.
  • 00:08:33.369 --> 00:08:35.571
  • And just like in the story of israel,
  • 00:08:35.571 --> 00:08:37.640
  • He wants to restore relationship
  • 00:08:37.640 --> 00:08:39.976
  • And restore friendship.
  • 00:08:39.976 --> 00:08:45.009
  • And restore friendship.
  • 00:08:45.009 --> 00:08:50.431
  • A friendship blossomed
  • 00:08:50.932 --> 00:08:52.367
  • Between abram and god.
  • 00:08:52.367 --> 00:08:54.335
  • God made more and more promises,
  • 00:08:54.335 --> 00:08:56.838
  • And abram believed.
  • 00:08:56.838 --> 00:08:58.873
  • God promised him a nation,
  • 00:08:58.873 --> 00:09:00.608
  • A land, and a seed that will
  • 00:09:00.608 --> 00:09:02.644
  • Bless the whole earth.
  • 00:09:02.644 --> 00:09:04.445
  • But by the time abram was 99,
  • 00:09:04.445 --> 00:09:07.782
  • None of it had happened.
  • 00:09:07.782 --> 00:09:09.250
  • No son, no land, no nation.
  • 00:09:09.250 --> 00:09:12.553
  • Just a long life of wondering.
  • 00:09:12.553 --> 00:09:14.956
  • It looked like god's promises
  • 00:09:14.956 --> 00:09:17.125
  • Weren't coming through.
  • 00:09:17.125 --> 00:09:21.129
  • Why abram?
  • 00:09:21.429 --> 00:09:23.064
  • Why keep choosing him?
  • 00:09:23.064 --> 00:09:25.433
  • Even in the torah and the prophets,
  • 00:09:25.433 --> 00:09:27.402
  • Our people didn't always understand.
  • 00:09:27.402 --> 00:09:29.704
  • Some thought maybe we were chosen
  • 00:09:29.704 --> 00:09:32.106
  • Because we're special.
  • 00:09:32.106 --> 00:09:33.675
  • But god cleared that up early on.
  • 00:09:33.675 --> 00:09:36.844
  • He told moses that when people
  • 00:09:36.844 --> 00:09:39.047
  • Brought sacrifices,
  • 00:09:39.047 --> 00:09:40.481
  • They should confess their roots and say,
  • 00:09:40.481 --> 00:09:43.317
  • My father was an aramean about to perish.
  • 00:09:43.317 --> 00:09:47.121
  • Abram wasn't a king or a priest.
  • 00:09:47.121 --> 00:09:49.457
  • He was a childless, aging wanderer,
  • 00:09:49.457 --> 00:09:52.860
  • Fully dependent on god.
  • 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:54.796
  • And that's who god chose.
  • 00:09:54.796 --> 00:09:57.165
  • God said,
  • 00:09:57.465 --> 00:09:58.299
  • I didn't choose you
  • 00:09:58.299 --> 00:09:59.100
  • Because you were
  • 00:09:59.100 --> 00:10:00.068
  • Great in number.
  • 00:10:00.068 --> 00:10:01.135
  • You were the least.
  • 00:10:01.135 --> 00:10:02.937
  • He chose abraham, isaac, and jacob
  • 00:10:02.937 --> 00:10:05.339
  • To display his mercy, his faithfulness,
  • 00:10:05.339 --> 00:10:08.476
  • His glory.
  • 00:10:08.476 --> 00:10:09.877
  • Israel was meant to be
  • 00:10:09.877 --> 00:10:11.112
  • The showcase of god's love
  • 00:10:11.112 --> 00:10:12.780
  • To all nations.
  • 00:10:12.780 --> 00:10:15.349
  • But an inflated self-image
  • 00:10:15.349 --> 00:10:17.452
  • Has always been a trap
  • 00:10:17.452 --> 00:10:19.120
  • For israel and for us today.
  • 00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:21.989
  • Scripture shows again and again
  • 00:10:21.989 --> 00:10:24.092
  • How we fall short.
  • 00:10:24.092 --> 00:10:25.593
  • That's why we need to read the bible
  • 00:10:25.593 --> 00:10:27.395
  • As a mirror in our hand.
  • 00:10:27.395 --> 00:10:29.330
  • We've all doubted.
  • 00:10:29.330 --> 00:10:30.932
  • We've all failed.
  • 00:10:30.932 --> 00:10:32.233
  • Even with the holy spirit
  • 00:10:32.233 --> 00:10:34.102
  • And the word of god, we fall short.
  • 00:10:34.102 --> 00:10:37.071
  • But just like abraham,
  • 00:10:37.071 --> 00:10:38.406
  • We were wanderers too,
  • 00:10:38.406 --> 00:10:40.308
  • Lost and perishing.
  • 00:10:40.308 --> 00:10:42.210
  • And still god chose us
  • 00:10:42.210 --> 00:10:44.145
  • And gave us a promise.
  • 00:10:44.145 --> 00:10:45.913
  • That should humble us.
  • 00:10:45.913 --> 00:10:47.415
  • It wasn't abraham's qualifications
  • 00:10:47.415 --> 00:10:49.851
  • That mattered.
  • 00:10:49.851 --> 00:10:51.018
  • It was his faith.
  • 00:10:51.018 --> 00:10:52.653
  • He believed
  • 00:10:52.653 --> 00:10:54.155
  • And that made all the difference.
  • 00:10:54.155 --> 00:10:56.257
  • Faith is what grabs hold of god's promise
  • 00:10:56.257 --> 00:10:59.260
  • And allows us to be transformed.
  • 00:10:59.260 --> 00:11:01.529
  • It's faith that latches on
  • 00:11:01.529 --> 00:11:03.865
  • To yeshua himself
  • 00:11:03.865 --> 00:11:05.333
  • And brings us from death, a life.
  • 00:11:05.333 --> 00:11:09.737
  • At 99 years old,
  • 00:11:10.104 --> 00:11:12.440
  • Because he believed,
  • 00:11:12.440 --> 00:11:13.941
  • God changed his name from abram to abraham,
  • 00:11:13.941 --> 00:11:18.112
  • Establishing a covenant
  • 00:11:18.112 --> 00:11:19.547
  • That would shape the course of history.
  • 00:11:19.547 --> 00:11:23.451
  • We'll be meeting with david ha'ivri,
  • 00:11:24.218 --> 00:11:26.487
  • An expert in biblical history,
  • 00:11:26.487 --> 00:11:28.790
  • At the place where abraham first
  • 00:11:28.790 --> 00:11:30.958
  • Entered this land,
  • 00:11:30.958 --> 00:11:32.360
  • Between two mountains,
  • 00:11:32.360 --> 00:11:34.295
  • The mount of cursing
  • 00:11:34.295 --> 00:11:35.596
  • And the mount of blessing.
  • 00:11:35.596 --> 00:11:39.567
  • We have arrived at mount kabir.
  • 00:11:40.234 --> 00:11:43.037
  • This is where it all began.
  • 00:11:43.037 --> 00:11:45.673
  • The connection of abraham,
  • 00:11:45.673 --> 00:11:47.909
  • Our patriarch.
  • 00:11:47.909 --> 00:11:49.310
  • And here he made
  • 00:11:49.310 --> 00:11:50.978
  • The covenant with god.
  • 00:11:50.978 --> 00:11:54.982
  • If we look in the book of genesis,
  • 00:11:55.716 --> 00:11:57.952
  • Chapter 12,
  • 00:11:57.952 --> 00:11:59.320
  • We see that abraham
  • 00:11:59.320 --> 00:12:01.789
  • Heard the calling of god.
  • 00:12:01.789 --> 00:12:03.758
  • And he said:
  • 00:12:03.758 --> 00:12:04.659
  • "go up from your
  • 00:12:04.659 --> 00:12:05.293
  • "father's home
  • 00:12:05.293 --> 00:12:07.195
  • To a land that i will show you."
  • 00:12:07.195 --> 00:12:08.596
  • And abraham followed the voice.
  • 00:12:08.596 --> 00:12:11.599
  • And he arrives at this place.
  • 00:12:11.599 --> 00:12:15.002
  • Abraham, imagine,
  • 00:12:15.436 --> 00:12:17.238
  • Coming this way from the north,
  • 00:12:17.238 --> 00:12:19.774
  • Arriving here,
  • 00:12:19.774 --> 00:12:21.509
  • Seeing below us the city of shechem,
  • 00:12:21.509 --> 00:12:25.313
  • Mount gerizim and mount ebal,
  • 00:12:25.313 --> 00:12:27.815
  • Seeing the journey
  • 00:12:27.815 --> 00:12:29.350
  • Ahead of him
  • 00:12:29.350 --> 00:12:30.551
  • Going to hebron and to beersheba
  • 00:12:30.551 --> 00:12:33.888
  • Along this road.
  • 00:12:33.888 --> 00:12:37.792
  • This was the very first place
  • 00:12:38.426 --> 00:12:41.329
  • That abraham reached in the land of israel,
  • 00:12:41.329 --> 00:12:44.799
  • And for that reason,
  • 00:12:44.799 --> 00:12:46.167
  • It is the foundation
  • 00:12:46.167 --> 00:12:47.735
  • Of the connection of the jewish people
  • 00:12:47.735 --> 00:12:50.838
  • To the land of israel.
  • 00:12:50.838 --> 00:12:53.207
  • Understand that the events of the bible
  • 00:12:54.008 --> 00:12:58.179
  • That took place in this space
  • 00:12:58.179 --> 00:13:00.848
  • Are multidimensional.
  • 00:13:00.848 --> 00:13:01.949
  • There were many events
  • 00:13:01.949 --> 00:13:03.017
  • That occurred here.
  • 00:13:03.017 --> 00:13:04.085
  • We spoke about abraham,
  • 00:13:04.085 --> 00:13:05.953
  • But fast forward,
  • 00:13:05.953 --> 00:13:07.588
  • The children of israel
  • 00:13:07.588 --> 00:13:09.090
  • Entered the land
  • 00:13:09.090 --> 00:13:10.191
  • Under the leadership
  • 00:13:10.191 --> 00:13:10.958
  • Of joshua.
  • 00:13:10.958 --> 00:13:12.627
  • They came through the valley of tirzah
  • 00:13:12.627 --> 00:13:15.396
  • To the north of us.
  • 00:13:15.396 --> 00:13:16.697
  • They climbed up the mountain
  • 00:13:16.697 --> 00:13:18.900
  • And they gathered
  • 00:13:18.900 --> 00:13:20.401
  • Between mount gerizim and mount ebal
  • 00:13:20.401 --> 00:13:23.471
  • And recited the blessings and the curses.
  • 00:13:23.471 --> 00:13:26.507
  • Here they were instructed
  • 00:13:27.074 --> 00:13:28.809
  • To carry out a very specific ceremony.
  • 00:13:28.809 --> 00:13:32.847
  • Members of six tribes climbed up mount gerizim.
  • 00:13:32.847 --> 00:13:36.284
  • Members of the other six tribes
  • 00:13:36.284 --> 00:13:38.052
  • Climbed up mount ebal.
  • 00:13:38.052 --> 00:13:40.154
  • The kohanim, the priests,
  • 00:13:40.154 --> 00:13:42.323
  • Stood in the middle.
  • 00:13:42.323 --> 00:13:43.491
  • So this could be seen
  • 00:13:43.491 --> 00:13:45.493
  • As a wedding
  • 00:13:45.493 --> 00:13:46.761
  • Between the nation of israel
  • 00:13:46.761 --> 00:13:49.397
  • And hashem, god,
  • 00:13:49.397 --> 00:13:51.599
  • Who brought them to this land
  • 00:13:51.599 --> 00:13:54.135
  • And fulfilled the promise
  • 00:13:54.135 --> 00:13:55.703
  • That he made to abraham
  • 00:13:55.703 --> 00:13:57.438
  • At this very same place
  • 00:13:57.438 --> 00:13:59.073
  • Where god promised:
  • 00:13:59.073 --> 00:14:00.441
  • Your nation will be fruitful
  • 00:14:00.441 --> 00:14:02.209
  • And will inherit this land.
  • 00:14:02.209 --> 00:14:05.179
  • The people of israel are like the bride
  • 00:14:06.013 --> 00:14:09.050
  • And god like the groom
  • 00:14:09.050 --> 00:14:11.385
  • Who have signed a pact
  • 00:14:11.385 --> 00:14:13.387
  • To continue and be blessed together.
  • 00:14:13.387 --> 00:14:19.994
  • To the west of us,
  • 00:14:20.428 --> 00:14:21.963
  • We can see mount ebal.
  • 00:14:21.963 --> 00:14:24.966
  • On mount ebal,
  • 00:14:24.966 --> 00:14:26.400
  • An archaeologist whose name is adam zertal
  • 00:14:26.400 --> 00:14:29.270
  • Discovered an altar
  • 00:14:29.270 --> 00:14:31.739
  • That was built at the time
  • 00:14:31.739 --> 00:14:33.474
  • Of joshua, yehoshua bin nun,
  • 00:14:33.474 --> 00:14:36.143
  • The time of the entry
  • 00:14:36.143 --> 00:14:37.244
  • Of the children of israel
  • 00:14:37.244 --> 00:14:38.279
  • Into the land,
  • 00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:39.380
  • An altar that is described
  • 00:14:39.380 --> 00:14:40.982
  • In the torah,
  • 00:14:40.982 --> 00:14:42.016
  • In the bible.
  • 00:14:42.016 --> 00:14:43.718
  • In his research,
  • 00:14:44.085 --> 00:14:45.853
  • He found around the altar ash
  • 00:14:45.853 --> 00:14:48.889
  • That included the bones of animals.
  • 00:14:48.889 --> 00:14:51.692
  • When he checked the type of bones,
  • 00:14:51.692 --> 00:14:54.362
  • He found that all of these animals
  • 00:14:54.362 --> 00:14:56.464
  • Were only the kosher type of animals,
  • 00:14:56.464 --> 00:14:59.567
  • Proving that this altar
  • 00:14:59.567 --> 00:15:01.535
  • Was used by israelites.
  • 00:15:01.535 --> 00:15:04.572
  • So it fits exactly to the story
  • 00:15:04.572 --> 00:15:06.707
  • That we read about in the bible
  • 00:15:06.707 --> 00:15:08.743
  • And it really proves that the bible is true.
  • 00:15:08.743 --> 00:15:18.519
  • Abraham, our father,
  • 00:15:18.986 --> 00:15:21.522
  • Can be seen as a mentor,
  • 00:15:22.023 --> 00:15:24.025
  • As a figure to follow
  • 00:15:24.025 --> 00:15:26.660
  • That represents the jewish people
  • 00:15:26.660 --> 00:15:28.863
  • And each of us in our journey.
  • 00:15:28.863 --> 00:15:31.932
  • Abraham came from a distant land
  • 00:15:31.932 --> 00:15:35.503
  • And he followed the calling of god.
  • 00:15:35.503 --> 00:15:37.805
  • Maybe we could all listen to that voice,
  • 00:15:37.805 --> 00:15:41.675
  • The voice showing us
  • 00:15:42.143 --> 00:15:43.878
  • The way to follow this journey,
  • 00:15:43.878 --> 00:15:46.747
  • To return to the promised land.
  • 00:15:46.747 --> 00:15:51.118
  • In ancient times,
  • 00:15:51.552 --> 00:15:52.953
  • Marriage began with a covenant
  • 00:15:52.953 --> 00:15:54.989
  • Between fathers,
  • 00:15:54.989 --> 00:15:56.123
  • A promise of provision and faithfulness.
  • 00:15:56.123 --> 00:15:59.460
  • That's what god made with abraham,
  • 00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:01.695
  • A divine covenant,
  • 00:16:01.695 --> 00:16:03.464
  • Sealed with blessing, land and purpose.
  • 00:16:03.464 --> 00:16:06.801
  • When abraham believed,
  • 00:16:06.801 --> 00:16:08.536
  • It was like betrothing a daughter not yet born,
  • 00:16:08.536 --> 00:16:12.106
  • Israel.
  • 00:16:12.106 --> 00:16:13.374
  • Their friendship became a love story
  • 00:16:13.374 --> 00:16:15.976
  • And israel became god's chosen bride.
  • 00:16:15.976 --> 00:16:19.680
  • Since israel is very special
  • 00:16:19.680 --> 00:16:21.549
  • To god's heart,
  • 00:16:21.549 --> 00:16:22.650
  • Many believers understand
  • 00:16:22.650 --> 00:16:23.984
  • The importance of praying for this nation.
  • 00:16:23.984 --> 00:16:27.388
  • But many lack the understanding
  • 00:16:27.388 --> 00:16:29.156
  • And information on how to pray relevantly.
  • 00:16:29.156 --> 00:16:32.693
  • This is why
  • 00:16:33.027 --> 00:16:34.061
  • We have put together
  • 00:16:34.061 --> 00:16:35.162
  • A 31-day prayer guide
  • 00:16:35.162 --> 00:16:37.598
  • That helps you target
  • 00:16:37.598 --> 00:16:38.999
  • The specific needs
  • 00:16:38.999 --> 00:16:40.201
  • Of israel today.
  • 00:16:40.201 --> 00:16:41.602
  • You can find it
  • 00:16:41.602 --> 00:16:42.736
  • At oneforisrael.org/pray.
  • 00:16:42.736 --> 00:16:50.008
  • At oneforisrael.org/pray.
  • 00:16:50.008 --> 00:16:55.584
  • God has married the people.
  • 00:16:56.184 --> 00:16:58.120
  • In ancient marriage,
  • 00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:59.354
  • Once fathers agreed
  • 00:16:59.354 --> 00:17:00.622
  • On the marriage terms,
  • 00:17:00.622 --> 00:17:02.224
  • They would bring the woman
  • 00:17:02.224 --> 00:17:03.258
  • Out to the man
  • 00:17:03.258 --> 00:17:04.526
  • And ask her if she would take him
  • 00:17:04.526 --> 00:17:06.261
  • As her husband.
  • 00:17:06.261 --> 00:17:07.429
  • If she said, i do,
  • 00:17:07.429 --> 00:17:09.264
  • They would be engaged.
  • 00:17:09.264 --> 00:17:10.732
  • She would eventually leave her family,
  • 00:17:10.732 --> 00:17:12.901
  • Become one with her husband
  • 00:17:12.901 --> 00:17:14.669
  • And go to a new home.
  • 00:17:14.669 --> 00:17:16.338
  • When god delivered the israelites from egypt,
  • 00:17:16.338 --> 00:17:18.840
  • He appeared to them on a mountain
  • 00:17:18.840 --> 00:17:20.809
  • And gave them the 10 commandments,
  • 00:17:20.809 --> 00:17:23.111
  • Terms of a covenant.
  • 00:17:23.111 --> 00:17:24.713
  • It was a marriage contract
  • 00:17:24.713 --> 00:17:26.481
  • And israel as the bride was asked:
  • 00:17:26.481 --> 00:17:28.483
  • Will you follow me?
  • 00:17:28.483 --> 00:17:30.352
  • They said: we will.
  • 00:17:30.352 --> 00:17:31.953
  • God took them from egypt,
  • 00:17:31.953 --> 00:17:33.655
  • Wooed them in the wilderness,
  • 00:17:33.655 --> 00:17:35.390
  • Married them at the mountain,
  • 00:17:35.390 --> 00:17:37.225
  • Dwelt among them
  • 00:17:37.225 --> 00:17:38.560
  • And brought them to their new home
  • 00:17:38.560 --> 00:17:40.395
  • In canaan.
  • 00:17:40.395 --> 00:17:44.366
  • Why does god's marriage to israel
  • 00:17:45.100 --> 00:17:47.235
  • Matter to us?
  • 00:17:47.235 --> 00:17:48.637
  • Marriage for some is seen as a sacrament,
  • 00:17:48.637 --> 00:17:51.640
  • A visible manifestation
  • 00:17:51.640 --> 00:17:53.341
  • Of a spiritual reality,
  • 00:17:53.341 --> 00:17:54.809
  • Like communion or baptism.
  • 00:17:54.809 --> 00:17:56.978
  • Marriage is a spiritual reality
  • 00:17:56.978 --> 00:17:59.214
  • That intersects with our physical world
  • 00:17:59.214 --> 00:18:02.150
  • In a real way.
  • 00:18:02.150 --> 00:18:03.552
  • More than the paper or the ceremony,
  • 00:18:03.552 --> 00:18:06.254
  • It's heaven touching earth.
  • 00:18:06.254 --> 00:18:08.356
  • The heavenly reality is that god loves us
  • 00:18:08.356 --> 00:18:11.092
  • And desires to be one with his people.
  • 00:18:11.092 --> 00:18:13.929
  • That reality is represented
  • 00:18:13.929 --> 00:18:16.097
  • In a physical way
  • 00:18:16.097 --> 00:18:17.432
  • When husband and wife love
  • 00:18:17.432 --> 00:18:19.401
  • And become one with one another.
  • 00:18:19.401 --> 00:18:22.037
  • In the same way, israel is also like this.
  • 00:18:22.037 --> 00:18:25.106
  • A tangible, physical nation, yes.
  • 00:18:25.106 --> 00:18:28.210
  • But more than that,
  • 00:18:28.210 --> 00:18:29.578
  • A sign, a display,
  • 00:18:29.578 --> 00:18:31.313
  • A demonstration of god's faithfulness
  • 00:18:31.313 --> 00:18:33.648
  • And covenant love.
  • 00:18:33.648 --> 00:18:35.116
  • The vehicle through which he displays his glory
  • 00:18:35.116 --> 00:18:38.486
  • And saves the world.
  • 00:18:38.486 --> 00:18:40.455
  • Isaiah 44, 23 says:
  • 00:18:40.455 --> 00:18:43.858
  • "the lord has redeemed jacob.
  • 00:18:43.858 --> 00:18:46.428
  • "he displays his glory
  • 00:18:46.428 --> 00:18:48.163
  • "in israel."
  • 00:18:48.163 --> 00:18:49.698
  • God's dealing with israel,
  • 00:18:49.698 --> 00:18:51.633
  • His marriage, the covenant,
  • 00:18:51.633 --> 00:18:53.635
  • His promises. these are
  • 00:18:53.635 --> 00:18:55.537
  • A touch point of heaven on earth.
  • 00:18:55.537 --> 00:18:57.806
  • Without israel, you and i
  • 00:18:57.806 --> 00:18:59.941
  • Don't share in his promises for us.
  • 00:18:59.941 --> 00:19:02.110
  • Without his covenant to his people,
  • 00:19:02.110 --> 00:19:04.446
  • We don't have yeshua.
  • 00:19:04.446 --> 00:19:08.917
  • Today we have pastor saleem shalash
  • 00:19:09.718 --> 00:19:12.220
  • With us in the studio
  • 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:13.655
  • To talk about one of the most
  • 00:19:13.655 --> 00:19:15.023
  • Powerful images in scripture,
  • 00:19:15.023 --> 00:19:17.058
  • God's covenant as a bridegroom
  • 00:19:17.058 --> 00:19:19.728
  • And israel as his bride.
  • 00:19:19.728 --> 00:19:22.631
  • Shalom, saleem. thank you so much
  • 00:19:22.631 --> 00:19:24.232
  • For being here.
  • 00:19:24.232 --> 00:19:25.267
  • What a pleasure to have you here,
  • 00:19:25.267 --> 00:19:27.302
  • Pastor saleem shalash. -thank you.
  • 00:19:27.302 --> 00:19:29.437
  • We go a long way together.
  • 00:19:29.437 --> 00:19:30.705
  • You studied at the college here
  • 00:19:30.705 --> 00:19:32.841
  • And you pastor for quite a few years now
  • 00:19:32.841 --> 00:19:36.344
  • A church in nazareth.
  • 00:19:36.344 --> 00:19:38.613
  • Yes. -and saleem,
  • 00:19:38.613 --> 00:19:39.914
  • I wanted to hear from you
  • 00:19:39.914 --> 00:19:41.950
  • A little bit on the abrahamic covenant.
  • 00:19:41.950 --> 00:19:44.953
  • Yes, it's very important
  • 00:19:45.453 --> 00:19:46.755
  • To understand the bible.
  • 00:19:46.755 --> 00:19:48.456
  • Understanding the bible
  • 00:19:48.456 --> 00:19:49.491
  • Is just to make yourself
  • 00:19:49.491 --> 00:19:53.261
  • Free for god to change your thoughts
  • 00:19:53.261 --> 00:19:55.930
  • And to accept the truth.
  • 00:19:55.930 --> 00:19:57.732
  • Reading the bible, especially
  • 00:19:57.732 --> 00:19:59.234
  • The covenant with abraham.
  • 00:19:59.234 --> 00:20:01.002
  • You know, if you read the covenant with abraham,
  • 00:20:01.002 --> 00:20:03.438
  • It's an amazing story
  • 00:20:03.438 --> 00:20:04.673
  • Because in this covenant,
  • 00:20:04.673 --> 00:20:06.541
  • We can see abraham sleeping.
  • 00:20:06.541 --> 00:20:08.743
  • It's not about who abraham is.
  • 00:20:08.743 --> 00:20:10.245
  • Finally, god is making the covenant.
  • 00:20:10.245 --> 00:20:11.946
  • He's falling asleep. -exactly.
  • 00:20:11.946 --> 00:20:13.748
  • You know, the most 4 important covenants
  • 00:20:13.748 --> 00:20:16.318
  • In the bible
  • 00:20:16.318 --> 00:20:17.452
  • Is the abrahamic covenant,
  • 00:20:17.452 --> 00:20:19.254
  • The mosaic covenant,
  • 00:20:19.254 --> 00:20:20.388
  • The new covenant
  • 00:20:20.388 --> 00:20:21.489
  • And the davidic covenant.
  • 00:20:21.489 --> 00:20:22.857
  • But the abrahamic covenant...
  • 00:20:22.857 --> 00:20:24.192
  • It's the basis. -it's the most
  • 00:20:24.192 --> 00:20:25.760
  • Important covenant.
  • 00:20:25.760 --> 00:20:28.463
  • Without this covenant, there is no start.
  • 00:20:28.463 --> 00:20:31.066
  • You can't start the race from nowhere.
  • 00:20:31.066 --> 00:20:33.668
  • And god, you know,
  • 00:20:33.668 --> 00:20:35.203
  • Start this covenant with abraham,
  • 00:20:35.203 --> 00:20:36.871
  • Not depending on who abraham is,
  • 00:20:36.871 --> 00:20:39.174
  • But depending on who god is.
  • 00:20:39.174 --> 00:20:41.743
  • And according to galatians 3,
  • 00:20:41.743 --> 00:20:43.845
  • We are sons of abraham
  • 00:20:43.845 --> 00:20:46.081
  • According to this covenant.
  • 00:20:46.081 --> 00:20:48.216
  • And jesus is fulfilling the covenant
  • 00:20:48.216 --> 00:20:51.419
  • Between god and abraham.
  • 00:20:51.419 --> 00:20:53.355
  • I think it will be absolutely fascinating
  • 00:20:53.355 --> 00:20:55.824
  • For our viewers
  • 00:20:55.824 --> 00:20:57.892
  • To hear just a little bit about your background.
  • 00:20:57.892 --> 00:21:00.028
  • I mean, you're an arab pastor.
  • 00:21:00.028 --> 00:21:01.930
  • Yes. -you are leading
  • 00:21:01.930 --> 00:21:03.631
  • An arab church in nazareth.
  • 00:21:03.631 --> 00:21:06.601
  • You know, we live in a world
  • 00:21:06.601 --> 00:21:07.769
  • That is very polarizing.
  • 00:21:07.769 --> 00:21:09.971
  • And here you are in the middle of it.
  • 00:21:09.971 --> 00:21:12.374
  • What's your position?
  • 00:21:12.374 --> 00:21:14.376
  • You know, directly,
  • 00:21:14.376 --> 00:21:15.910
  • A lot of people think that i'm a muslim
  • 00:21:15.910 --> 00:21:17.045
  • That's converted to christianity.
  • 00:21:17.045 --> 00:21:19.114
  • I was born in a catholic family.
  • 00:21:19.114 --> 00:21:22.717
  • I call myself christian arab israeli
  • 00:21:22.717 --> 00:21:26.054
  • Because i carry the israeli passport.
  • 00:21:26.054 --> 00:21:28.590
  • When i say arab,
  • 00:21:28.590 --> 00:21:29.758
  • It doesn't mean a muslim
  • 00:21:29.758 --> 00:21:30.825
  • Because if you read
  • 00:21:30.825 --> 00:21:31.993
  • Your bible in the book
  • 00:21:31.993 --> 00:21:32.927
  • Of acts chapter 2,
  • 00:21:32.927 --> 00:21:34.129
  • There were arab worshipping
  • 00:21:34.129 --> 00:21:35.563
  • In jerusalem.
  • 00:21:35.563 --> 00:21:36.931
  • And it was 600 years before islam came.
  • 00:21:36.931 --> 00:21:39.234
  • So we are basically christian.
  • 00:21:39.234 --> 00:21:41.736
  • My story is very unique.
  • 00:21:41.736 --> 00:21:44.272
  • It's not somebody that convinced me
  • 00:21:44.272 --> 00:21:47.509
  • To love israel and the nation of israel.
  • 00:21:47.509 --> 00:21:51.212
  • God with a long fight night
  • 00:21:51.813 --> 00:21:54.816
  • That really i spent with him,
  • 00:21:54.816 --> 00:21:56.951
  • He showed me a lot of things
  • 00:21:56.951 --> 00:21:58.486
  • That changed my heart
  • 00:21:58.486 --> 00:22:00.155
  • And changed my thoughts
  • 00:22:00.155 --> 00:22:01.456
  • Upon israel and the nation of israel.
  • 00:22:01.456 --> 00:22:04.325
  • And from hating israel and the jewish people,
  • 00:22:04.325 --> 00:22:07.462
  • You know, the limits of hating this nation,
  • 00:22:07.462 --> 00:22:10.999
  • Dr. erez, you know,
  • 00:22:10.999 --> 00:22:13.935
  • Prohibiting me to read even the old testament.
  • 00:22:13.935 --> 00:22:16.438
  • I was filled with a lot of hatred.
  • 00:22:16.438 --> 00:22:18.840
  • And one night god cleansed me
  • 00:22:18.840 --> 00:22:21.843
  • And changed my heart,
  • 00:22:21.843 --> 00:22:24.345
  • My thoughts to love israel.
  • 00:22:24.345 --> 00:22:27.382
  • Why?
  • 00:22:27.382 --> 00:22:28.283
  • Because this is his plan
  • 00:22:28.283 --> 00:22:30.819
  • And he's going to fulfill it
  • 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:31.953
  • With me or without me.
  • 00:22:31.953 --> 00:22:34.222
  • But i want to be part of his plan.
  • 00:22:34.222 --> 00:22:36.124
  • When god changed my life, dr. erez,
  • 00:22:36.124 --> 00:22:38.960
  • I felt like i become
  • 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:40.628
  • The slice of cheese between two pieces of bread.
  • 00:22:40.628 --> 00:22:44.699
  • And i will explain why.
  • 00:22:44.699 --> 00:22:46.601
  • Because if you as an arab
  • 00:22:46.601 --> 00:22:49.304
  • Stand with israel,
  • 00:22:49.737 --> 00:22:51.272
  • People will not understand your position.
  • 00:22:51.272 --> 00:22:53.975
  • They will look at you as a traitor probably.
  • 00:22:53.975 --> 00:22:55.810
  • Exactly.
  • 00:22:55.810 --> 00:22:58.546
  • And from other side for orthodox jew,
  • 00:22:57.345 --> 00:23:01.850
  • I'm still arab. -of course.
  • 00:23:01.850 --> 00:23:03.485
  • So you are in the middle.
  • 00:23:03.485 --> 00:23:04.619
  • But don't forget that
  • 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:05.587
  • This slice of cheese
  • 00:23:05.587 --> 00:23:06.654
  • Gives the taste for
  • 00:23:06.654 --> 00:23:07.522
  • All the sandwich.
  • 00:23:07.522 --> 00:23:09.090
  • Especially when it's toasted,
  • 00:23:09.090 --> 00:23:10.859
  • You connect them together.
  • 00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:12.694
  • God taught me, you know,
  • 00:23:12.694 --> 00:23:13.795
  • After this long night...
  • 00:23:13.795 --> 00:23:15.163
  • So god has toasted you between them.
  • 00:23:15.163 --> 00:23:17.298
  • Exactly.
  • 00:23:17.298 --> 00:23:18.433
  • Until today.
  • 00:23:18.433 --> 00:23:19.801
  • Until today, god is moving
  • 00:23:19.801 --> 00:23:22.537
  • An amazing way that i didn't expect.
  • 00:23:22.537 --> 00:23:26.007
  • You know, i remember always,
  • 00:23:26.007 --> 00:23:27.275
  • You know, genesis 12, 3.
  • 00:23:27.275 --> 00:23:28.610
  • "who bless you, abraham, i'll bless him.
  • 00:23:28.610 --> 00:23:31.179
  • "who curse you, he will be cursed."
  • 00:23:31.179 --> 00:23:33.114
  • And god took me to read the story
  • 00:23:33.114 --> 00:23:34.816
  • Of the prodigal son.
  • 00:23:34.816 --> 00:23:37.218
  • All of us know the story.
  • 00:23:37.218 --> 00:23:39.220
  • And when god was talking to me,
  • 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:41.256
  • Dr. erez, god asked me:
  • 00:23:41.256 --> 00:23:43.358
  • Do you know who's the prodigal son?
  • 00:23:43.358 --> 00:23:44.926
  • I was, you know, proud of myself,
  • 00:23:44.926 --> 00:23:46.761
  • You know. i said, yes, lord,
  • 00:23:46.761 --> 00:23:48.129
  • I know the jewish people.
  • 00:23:48.129 --> 00:23:49.397
  • They lost the way. they are away
  • 00:23:49.397 --> 00:23:51.466
  • From your home.
  • 00:23:51.466 --> 00:23:52.467
  • Then he asked me: who's the father?
  • 00:23:52.467 --> 00:23:54.202
  • I said: who's going to be the father?
  • 00:23:54.202 --> 00:23:55.236
  • You are the father.
  • 00:23:55.236 --> 00:23:56.638
  • And then he comes with a difficult question.
  • 00:23:56.638 --> 00:23:59.340
  • Saleem, who's the eldest son?
  • 00:23:59.340 --> 00:24:01.609
  • And i said, who care?
  • 00:24:02.176 --> 00:24:04.078
  • He was good.
  • 00:24:04.078 --> 00:24:05.113
  • He stayed with his father
  • 00:24:05.113 --> 00:24:06.147
  • And he served his father.
  • 00:24:06.147 --> 00:24:08.049
  • And suddenly the holy spirit
  • 00:24:08.049 --> 00:24:09.417
  • Opened my eyes to see seven sins
  • 00:24:09.417 --> 00:24:11.419
  • That this son did shows that he was even worse
  • 00:24:11.419 --> 00:24:15.623
  • From the prodigal one.
  • 00:24:15.623 --> 00:24:16.624
  • He's telling his father,
  • 00:24:16.624 --> 00:24:17.559
  • I am serving you.
  • 00:24:17.559 --> 00:24:18.893
  • Like he's doing favor to his father.
  • 00:24:18.893 --> 00:24:21.095
  • And that is totally wrong.
  • 00:24:21.095 --> 00:24:22.196
  • Many churches today,
  • 00:24:22.196 --> 00:24:23.731
  • Unfortunately, they think
  • 00:24:23.731 --> 00:24:25.099
  • That they are doing favor to god
  • 00:24:25.099 --> 00:24:26.534
  • If they serve god.
  • 00:24:26.534 --> 00:24:27.669
  • Not understanding
  • 00:24:27.669 --> 00:24:28.803
  • That it's honor and privilege
  • 00:24:28.803 --> 00:24:30.138
  • To serve the king of kings.
  • 00:24:30.138 --> 00:24:31.506
  • After that, you know, he said,
  • 00:24:31.506 --> 00:24:33.908
  • Never disobey your commands.
  • 00:24:33.908 --> 00:24:35.743
  • Spiritual proudness.
  • 00:24:35.743 --> 00:24:37.078
  • After that, he said,
  • 00:24:37.078 --> 00:24:38.046
  • You never give me god.
  • 00:24:38.046 --> 00:24:39.347
  • Poorness.
  • 00:24:39.347 --> 00:24:40.214
  • To be happy with my friends.
  • 00:24:40.214 --> 00:24:41.583
  • Sadness.
  • 00:24:41.583 --> 00:24:42.617
  • This eldest son
  • 00:24:42.617 --> 00:24:43.785
  • That he lived with his father.
  • 00:24:43.785 --> 00:24:45.086
  • And remember, the text said,
  • 00:24:45.086 --> 00:24:47.789
  • And your son.
  • 00:24:47.789 --> 00:24:49.524
  • He didn't say my brother.
  • 00:24:50.158 --> 00:24:52.527
  • He cut every relation with his brother.
  • 00:24:52.527 --> 00:24:54.495
  • Last thing he did, you know,
  • 00:24:54.495 --> 00:24:56.431
  • He stopped to judge his brother.
  • 00:24:56.431 --> 00:24:58.800
  • Then i asked the lord:
  • 00:24:58.800 --> 00:24:59.934
  • What do you want to tell me?
  • 00:24:59.934 --> 00:25:00.902
  • I was really,
  • 00:25:00.902 --> 00:25:01.803
  • You know, shaking.
  • 00:25:01.803 --> 00:25:02.737
  • Because i'm getting
  • 00:25:02.737 --> 00:25:04.005
  • Into a place, i don't know
  • 00:25:04.005 --> 00:25:05.139
  • Where i am.
  • 00:25:05.139 --> 00:25:06.441
  • Like, you know, you are standing
  • 00:25:06.441 --> 00:25:08.009
  • Between heaven and earth.
  • 00:25:08.009 --> 00:25:09.544
  • And the lord asked me to read the story.
  • 00:25:09.544 --> 00:25:12.080
  • Ten times i was reading the same story.
  • 00:25:12.080 --> 00:25:14.315
  • And i discovered this story
  • 00:25:14.315 --> 00:25:15.883
  • Is the only story in the bible
  • 00:25:15.883 --> 00:25:17.118
  • With open end.
  • 00:25:17.118 --> 00:25:18.086
  • We don't know
  • 00:25:18.086 --> 00:25:19.153
  • This eldest son,
  • 00:25:19.153 --> 00:25:20.421
  • What he did.
  • 00:25:20.421 --> 00:25:21.623
  • Did he get in or... to celebrate
  • 00:25:21.623 --> 00:25:23.992
  • Or he stayed out?
  • 00:25:23.992 --> 00:25:25.026
  • The bible doesn't tell us.
  • 00:25:25.026 --> 00:25:26.961
  • When i asked the lord why?
  • 00:25:26.961 --> 00:25:28.997
  • He said to me: saleem, it's your choice.
  • 00:25:28.997 --> 00:25:31.699
  • Do you want to be part of the family?
  • 00:25:31.699 --> 00:25:34.102
  • Celebrating your brother,
  • 00:25:34.102 --> 00:25:35.336
  • The jewish people coming back home?
  • 00:25:35.336 --> 00:25:37.672
  • Or you want to stay out?
  • 00:25:37.672 --> 00:25:39.607
  • I was weeping.
  • 00:25:39.607 --> 00:25:41.209
  • And i was shouting to god,
  • 00:25:41.776 --> 00:25:42.977
  • I said: god, if you don't do
  • 00:25:42.977 --> 00:25:44.278
  • The surgery, i can't do it by myself.
  • 00:25:44.278 --> 00:25:47.081
  • And suddenly i felt, you know,
  • 00:25:47.081 --> 00:25:48.349
  • The room become very warm.
  • 00:25:48.349 --> 00:25:49.784
  • I was sweating.
  • 00:25:49.784 --> 00:25:51.119
  • And a moment, you know, cold water
  • 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:52.887
  • Come to all my body
  • 00:25:52.887 --> 00:25:53.821
  • And start to laugh loud.
  • 00:25:53.821 --> 00:25:55.590
  • I went out very happy.
  • 00:25:56.090 --> 00:25:58.126
  • My wife looked at me, said:
  • 00:25:58.126 --> 00:25:59.227
  • Saleem, what happened?
  • 00:25:59.227 --> 00:26:00.428
  • I said: god set me free
  • 00:26:00.428 --> 00:26:01.996
  • From this hatred.
  • 00:26:01.996 --> 00:26:02.930
  • I was in prison,
  • 00:26:02.930 --> 00:26:03.965
  • Not them.
  • 00:26:03.965 --> 00:26:05.166
  • I was the one that's suffering,
  • 00:26:05.166 --> 00:26:06.567
  • Not them.
  • 00:26:06.567 --> 00:26:07.568
  • And god changed all my life.
  • 00:26:07.568 --> 00:26:09.470
  • And, you know, everyone, dr. erez,
  • 00:26:09.470 --> 00:26:12.140
  • Can repent, but not everyone
  • 00:26:12.140 --> 00:26:13.541
  • Can fix all the mistakes that he did in his life.
  • 00:26:13.541 --> 00:26:16.377
  • So i asked the lord: what do you want me to do?
  • 00:26:16.377 --> 00:26:18.613
  • And he took me step by step
  • 00:26:18.613 --> 00:26:21.215
  • To establish this church
  • 00:26:21.215 --> 00:26:22.650
  • And this humanitarian aid
  • 00:26:22.650 --> 00:26:23.785
  • To be light for the jewish
  • 00:26:23.785 --> 00:26:25.820
  • And for the gentiles as well.
  • 00:26:25.820 --> 00:26:28.156
  • Pastor saleem, thank you so much
  • 00:26:28.156 --> 00:26:29.791
  • For being here with me.
  • 00:26:29.791 --> 00:26:30.825
  • It's been illuminating.
  • 00:26:30.825 --> 00:26:31.793
  • I really appreciate
  • 00:26:31.793 --> 00:26:33.027
  • Your time, your friendship
  • 00:26:33.027 --> 00:26:34.028
  • And your wisdom.
  • 00:26:34.028 --> 00:26:35.229
  • It's an honor always to be here
  • 00:26:35.229 --> 00:26:36.531
  • In my home.
  • 00:26:36.531 --> 00:26:38.199
  • Yeshua began to reveal his glory in israel
  • 00:26:38.199 --> 00:26:41.002
  • At a wedding.
  • 00:26:41.002 --> 00:26:42.170
  • As the prophets said
  • 00:26:42.170 --> 00:26:43.871
  • That once the voice of the bride and bridegroom
  • 00:26:43.871 --> 00:26:46.307
  • Are heard once again in the land,
  • 00:26:46.307 --> 00:26:48.409
  • That is when the branch, the promised messiah,
  • 00:26:48.409 --> 00:26:51.446
  • The redeemer would be revealed.
  • 00:26:51.446 --> 00:26:53.981
  • Yeshua gave his first sign
  • 00:26:53.981 --> 00:26:55.883
  • At the most joyful place,
  • 00:26:55.883 --> 00:26:57.485
  • The celebration of love and union.
  • 00:26:57.485 --> 00:27:00.855
  • With this sign,
  • 00:27:01.222 --> 00:27:02.223
  • He is pointing us
  • 00:27:02.223 --> 00:27:03.224
  • To the much wider story
  • 00:27:03.224 --> 00:27:04.726
  • Of his love and union for his people.
  • 00:27:04.726 --> 00:27:07.962
  • A courtship that began
  • 00:27:07.962 --> 00:27:09.197
  • With friendship and covenant
  • 00:27:09.197 --> 00:27:10.631
  • To abraham,
  • 00:27:10.631 --> 00:27:11.866
  • A covenant that became
  • 00:27:11.866 --> 00:27:13.101
  • An unshakable love
  • 00:27:13.101 --> 00:27:14.769
  • For a people.
  • 00:27:14.769 --> 00:27:16.204
  • And this sign points to you today.
  • 00:27:16.204 --> 00:27:19.040
  • His love for you remains unshaken.
  • 00:27:19.040 --> 00:27:21.843
  • Nothing can tear it down
  • 00:27:21.843 --> 00:27:23.377
  • Because it's who he is.
  • 00:27:23.377 --> 00:27:25.446
  • It's his very character.
  • 00:27:25.446 --> 00:27:27.849
  • God is love.
  • 00:27:27.849 --> 00:27:33.621
  • But what happens when we turn our backs on god?
  • 00:27:34.555 --> 00:27:37.759
  • When we are unfaithful to him?
  • 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:40.661
  • What about israel
  • 00:27:40.661 --> 00:27:41.562
  • And their years of rebellion
  • 00:27:41.562 --> 00:27:43.064
  • And lack of faith?
  • 00:27:43.064 --> 00:27:44.332
  • Has god rejected them?
  • 00:27:44.332 --> 00:27:46.200
  • We will explore these questions next time
  • 00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:49.437
  • As we continue to ask,
  • 00:27:49.437 --> 00:27:51.272
  • Why israel?
  • 00:27:51.272 --> 00:27:51.272