One For Israel - The Wedding Invitation

December 22, 2025 | S25 E1227 | 28:49

Join Dr. Erez Soref in Why Israel?—a powerful journey through the greatest love story ever told: God’s covenant relationship with Israel and His invitation to the nations. This profound love still transforms lives today.

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

Closed captions

Show Timecode

| One For Israel - The Wedding Invitation | December 22, 2025

It was olive trees like these here
00:00:00.990 --> 00:00:02.859
In the garden of gethsemane
00:00:02.859 --> 00:00:04.761
That witnessed yeshua's final hours.
00:00:04.761 --> 00:00:07.730
My people israel are god's olive tree.
00:00:07.730 --> 00:00:10.700
We've endured centuries of crushing,
00:00:10.700 --> 00:00:12.836
Exile, persecution and pressing.
00:00:12.836 --> 00:00:14.971
It's not easy to live in this country.
00:00:15.772 --> 00:00:17.774
We have all sorts of conflict
00:00:17.774 --> 00:00:19.409
With others, within us,
00:00:19.409 --> 00:00:21.377
But again, our identity is rooted in christ.
00:00:21.377 --> 00:00:24.814
Why?
00:00:25.014 --> 00:00:26.015
Because god chose israel
00:00:26.015 --> 00:00:27.884
Not for our sake alone,
00:00:27.884 --> 00:00:29.586
But for the world to know
00:00:29.586 --> 00:00:31.387
The god of israel.
00:00:31.387 --> 00:00:34.424
I am dr. erez soref.
00:00:34.891 --> 00:00:36.693
I was born and raised in the heart of israel,
00:00:36.693 --> 00:00:39.395
But i never heard the gospel message
00:00:39.395 --> 00:00:41.865
Until on a journey abroad,
00:00:41.865 --> 00:00:44.167
My eyes were opened to the jewish messiah.
00:00:44.167 --> 00:00:47.470
From that point,
00:00:47.470 --> 00:00:48.771
My life has been dedicated
00:00:48.771 --> 00:00:50.807
To bringing this gospel back to my people israel,
00:00:50.807 --> 00:00:54.177
Equipping them to reach israel
00:00:54.177 --> 00:00:56.479
And the world.
00:00:56.479 --> 00:00:57.847
Together, as jews and gentiles,
00:00:57.847 --> 00:01:00.250
We are one in messiah, one for israel.
00:01:00.250 --> 00:01:24.374
We've seen that god chose a covenant
00:01:25.141 --> 00:01:27.010
With my people
00:01:27.010 --> 00:01:28.077
And with this land,
00:01:28.077 --> 00:01:29.612
That he uses israel to showcase
00:01:29.612 --> 00:01:31.915
His love and faithfulness
00:01:31.915 --> 00:01:33.149
To the world.
00:01:33.149 --> 00:01:34.384
But now let's look
00:01:34.384 --> 00:01:35.618
At my people today.
00:01:35.618 --> 00:01:37.420
It may shock you,
00:01:37.420 --> 00:01:38.855
But in the place where the bible was written,
00:01:38.855 --> 00:01:41.224
You cannot find a hebrew new testament
00:01:41.224 --> 00:01:43.760
In any local bookstore.
00:01:43.760 --> 00:01:45.995
Over 99% of israelis
00:01:45.995 --> 00:01:48.198
Do not follow the jewish messiah yeshua.
00:01:48.198 --> 00:01:51.301
Early in the book of acts
00:01:51.301 --> 00:01:52.535
It was scandalous to think
00:01:52.535 --> 00:01:54.170
A gentile could follow
00:01:54.170 --> 00:01:55.738
This jewish messiah.
00:01:55.738 --> 00:01:57.407
Today's scandal in israel is,
00:01:57.407 --> 00:01:59.409
Can a jew really believe in jesus?
00:01:59.409 --> 00:02:02.879
We're seeing an awakening in israel today,
00:02:03.780 --> 00:02:06.849
But through history
00:02:06.849 --> 00:02:08.117
It's been mostly non-jews who believed.
00:02:08.117 --> 00:02:11.120
This is no surprise to god.
00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:13.122
It was prophesied that the messiah
00:02:13.122 --> 00:02:15.458
Would be rejected by his people.
00:02:15.458 --> 00:02:18.428
In a way his rejection by his own people,
00:02:18.428 --> 00:02:21.497
Just like the rejection faced
00:02:21.497 --> 00:02:23.499
By moses, david and joseph,
00:02:23.499 --> 00:02:26.035
Actually proves that he is the jewish messiah.
00:02:26.035 --> 00:02:29.839
But does that mean that god has rejected israel?
00:02:29.839 --> 00:02:32.442
That they are no longer his chosen?
00:02:33.209 --> 00:02:36.112
Let me spoil the answer for you.
00:02:36.112 --> 00:02:38.281
No.
00:02:38.481 --> 00:02:39.582
In romans chapter 11,
00:02:39.582 --> 00:02:41.317
Paul is crystal clear.
00:02:41.317 --> 00:02:43.486
By no means has god rejected israel.
00:02:43.486 --> 00:02:46.823
Again, israel's rejection of the messiah
00:02:46.823 --> 00:02:49.626
Wasn't a surprise to god.
00:02:49.626 --> 00:02:51.194
He initiated this awakening in israel
00:02:51.194 --> 00:02:53.162
Through a jewish movement,
00:02:53.162 --> 00:02:54.931
Fully knowing it would be rejected.
00:02:54.931 --> 00:02:57.634
First by the religious leaders,
00:02:57.634 --> 00:02:59.369
Then by the majority of our people.
00:02:59.369 --> 00:03:01.738
Isaiah 53 prophesied exactly this scenario.
00:03:01.738 --> 00:03:05.942
To unravel the paradox,
00:03:05.942 --> 00:03:07.677
We need to understand the wisdom of god.
00:03:07.677 --> 00:03:10.647
That his invitation of faith
00:03:10.647 --> 00:03:12.215
Was always open to all who would hear.
00:03:12.215 --> 00:03:14.984
Look at the mixed multitude
00:03:14.984 --> 00:03:16.853
That came out of egypt in exodus.
00:03:16.853 --> 00:03:19.255
Scriptures record egyptians and others coming out
00:03:19.255 --> 00:03:22.659
With the hebrews.
00:03:22.659 --> 00:03:23.960
Look at rahab, ruth, naaman,
00:03:23.960 --> 00:03:26.829
Just to name a few who were all gentiles
00:03:26.829 --> 00:03:30.400
Invited into the covenant of faith.
00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:33.002
With almost every command given in the torah,
00:03:33.002 --> 00:03:36.005
God provides a way for the stranger
00:03:36.005 --> 00:03:38.741
To join in.
00:03:38.741 --> 00:03:39.942
God has chosen israel as his priesthood
00:03:39.942 --> 00:03:43.112
To serve the nations, helping them discover him
00:03:43.112 --> 00:03:46.349
And his love.
00:03:46.349 --> 00:03:47.617
The priesthood role remained in a new covenant
00:03:47.617 --> 00:03:50.520
As the 12 disciples were given the task
00:03:50.520 --> 00:03:52.922
Of making disciples of all nations.
00:03:52.922 --> 00:03:55.725
The high priest is our messiah yeshua,
00:03:55.725 --> 00:03:58.628
Who the book of hebrews calls our high priest,
00:03:58.628 --> 00:04:02.198
According to the order of melchizedek.
00:04:02.198 --> 00:04:05.168
He chose israel as a display
00:04:05.168 --> 00:04:07.670
To showcase his love and covenant
00:04:07.670 --> 00:04:10.306
That the world would see,
00:04:10.306 --> 00:04:12.642
Come to him and be grafted
00:04:12.642 --> 00:04:14.577
Into the family tree of faith.
00:04:14.577 --> 00:04:17.513
Throughout scripture,
00:04:18.014 --> 00:04:19.615
The prophets describe israel's history
00:04:19.615 --> 00:04:21.951
As cycles of falling away and faithful return.
00:04:21.951 --> 00:04:25.555
Isaiah used agricultural imagery
00:04:25.555 --> 00:04:27.957
To capture this pattern like an olive tree
00:04:27.957 --> 00:04:30.460
After harvest.
00:04:30.460 --> 00:04:31.894
Isaiah declared:
00:04:31.894 --> 00:04:34.030
"the glory of jacob will fade
00:04:34.030 --> 00:04:36.099
"as when an olive tree
00:04:36.099 --> 00:04:37.033
"is beaten,
00:04:37.033 --> 00:04:38.034
"leaving two or three olives
00:04:38.034 --> 00:04:39.335
"on the topmost branches.
00:04:39.335 --> 00:04:41.070
"in that day
00:04:41.070 --> 00:04:41.838
"people will look
00:04:41.838 --> 00:04:42.705
"to their maker
00:04:42.705 --> 00:04:43.740
"and turn their eyes
00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:44.841
"to the holy one of israel."
00:04:44.841 --> 00:04:47.410
Many israelites would turn away from god
00:04:47.410 --> 00:04:50.546
And lose his protection, facing exile or oppression.
00:04:50.546 --> 00:04:54.584
But always a remnant survived,
00:04:54.584 --> 00:04:57.687
Faithful people who remain true to god,
00:04:57.687 --> 00:05:00.156
Like those final olives
00:05:00.156 --> 00:05:01.524
Clinging to the highest branches.
00:05:01.524 --> 00:05:03.760
Yeshua warned that the same pattern
00:05:03.760 --> 00:05:06.229
Would affect his followers.
00:05:06.229 --> 00:05:08.765
"many will turn away
00:05:09.232 --> 00:05:10.600
"from the faith
00:05:10.600 --> 00:05:11.567
"and will betray and hate
00:05:11.567 --> 00:05:12.735
"each other.
00:05:12.735 --> 00:05:13.836
"because of the increase
00:05:13.836 --> 00:05:14.804
"of wickedness, the love of most
00:05:14.804 --> 00:05:17.106
"will grow cold,
00:05:17.106 --> 00:05:18.508
"but the one who stands firm
00:05:18.508 --> 00:05:19.842
"to the end will be saved."
00:05:19.842 --> 00:05:22.578
This is why he urged his disciples
00:05:22.578 --> 00:05:25.214
To remain in him,
00:05:25.214 --> 00:05:26.549
To be part of the faithful remnant that endures.
00:05:26.549 --> 00:05:30.420
The prophets saw israel as an olive tree
00:05:30.420 --> 00:05:33.423
That would be stripped and beaten,
00:05:33.423 --> 00:05:35.725
Yet a remnant would survive.
00:05:35.725 --> 00:05:38.361
From that remnant, isaiah prophesied,
00:05:38.361 --> 00:05:41.063
Would come a branch.
00:05:41.063 --> 00:05:43.366
"a shoot would come up
00:05:43.866 --> 00:05:45.201
"from the stump of jesse;
00:05:45.201 --> 00:05:46.936
"from his roots
00:05:46.936 --> 00:05:47.837
"a branch will bear fruit.
00:05:47.837 --> 00:05:49.939
"the spirit of the lord
00:05:49.939 --> 00:05:51.040
"will rest on him.
00:05:51.040 --> 00:05:52.975
"in that day, the root of jesse
00:05:52.975 --> 00:05:55.445
"will stand as a banner
00:05:55.445 --> 00:05:56.946
"for the peoples.
00:05:56.946 --> 00:05:58.281
"the nations will rally to him.
00:05:58.281 --> 00:06:00.683
"he will raise a banner
00:06:00.683 --> 00:06:01.951
"for the nations
00:06:01.951 --> 00:06:02.919
"and gather the exiles
00:06:02.919 --> 00:06:04.854
"of israel."
00:06:04.854 --> 00:06:06.155
When isaiah spoke of the branch,
00:06:06.856 --> 00:06:09.592
He was prophesying about the messiah.
00:06:09.592 --> 00:06:12.161
Remarkably, yeshua grew up in nazareth,
00:06:12.161 --> 00:06:15.364
A name derived from the hebrew word for branch.
00:06:15.364 --> 00:06:19.402
As god's chosen branch from god's chosen tree,
00:06:19.402 --> 00:06:23.206
Yeshua would accomplish
00:06:23.206 --> 00:06:24.474
What the rest of israel could not.
00:06:24.474 --> 00:06:26.876
He would bear fruit for all nations,
00:06:26.876 --> 00:06:29.512
Suffer for the world's sins,
00:06:29.512 --> 00:06:31.814
And bring the blessing that israel was called to give.
00:06:31.814 --> 00:06:35.718
Yeshua became the embodiment of israel's calling.
00:06:35.718 --> 00:06:38.988
He was the one chosen to represent israel,
00:06:38.988 --> 00:06:42.058
Just as israel was chosen to bless the world.
00:06:42.058 --> 00:06:45.995
He was literally one for israel.
00:06:45.995 --> 00:06:52.998
He was literally one for israel.
00:06:52.998 --> 00:06:57.905
God's plan with israel
00:06:58.405 --> 00:07:00.407
Has always been
00:07:00.407 --> 00:07:01.509
To include the nations
00:07:01.509 --> 00:07:03.444
In israel's blessings.
00:07:03.444 --> 00:07:05.579
To see this pattern better,
00:07:05.579 --> 00:07:07.181
Let's look in the book of ruth
00:07:07.181 --> 00:07:09.483
In the hebrew scriptures.
00:07:09.483 --> 00:07:11.252
Ruth was a moabite woman
00:07:11.252 --> 00:07:13.621
Who found herself in an impossible situation.
00:07:13.621 --> 00:07:16.790
When her husband died,
00:07:16.790 --> 00:07:18.359
She chose to follow her mother-in-law, naomi,
00:07:18.359 --> 00:07:21.896
Back to israel,
00:07:21.896 --> 00:07:23.264
Declaring: "where you go, i will go,
00:07:23.264 --> 00:07:26.567
"and where you stay, i will stay.
00:07:26.567 --> 00:07:28.869
"your people will be my people,
00:07:28.869 --> 00:07:31.238
"and your god, my god."
00:07:31.238 --> 00:07:34.174
But here was ruth's dilemma.
00:07:34.174 --> 00:07:36.610
She wanted to worship the god of israel
00:07:36.610 --> 00:07:39.280
And be part of his people,
00:07:39.280 --> 00:07:41.081
But the law explicitly stated,
00:07:41.081 --> 00:07:44.351
No moabite may enter the assembly of the lord,
00:07:44.351 --> 00:07:47.621
Not even in the 10th generation.
00:07:47.621 --> 00:07:50.357
She was permanently excluded,
00:07:50.357 --> 00:07:53.227
A foreigner, surviving by gathering leftover grain
00:07:53.227 --> 00:07:57.364
In the corners of fields.
00:07:57.364 --> 00:07:59.633
Then ruth met boaz,
00:07:59.633 --> 00:08:01.869
A relative of her late husband,
00:08:01.869 --> 00:08:04.438
He showed her kindness, protected her,
00:08:04.438 --> 00:08:06.941
And invited her to eat with him,
00:08:06.941 --> 00:08:09.577
A remarkable favor for a gentile woman.
00:08:09.577 --> 00:08:12.646
One evening, ruth approached boaz
00:08:12.646 --> 00:08:15.015
At the threshing floor and made a bold request.
00:08:15.015 --> 00:08:18.752
Spread the corner of your garment over me,
00:08:18.752 --> 00:08:21.355
Since you are a kinsman redeemer
00:08:21.355 --> 00:08:23.424
Of our family.
00:08:23.424 --> 00:08:25.025
This was marriage language.
00:08:25.025 --> 00:08:27.161
Ruth was asking boaz to cover her,
00:08:27.161 --> 00:08:29.663
To take her as his wife.
00:08:29.663 --> 00:08:31.765
It was audacious,
00:08:31.765 --> 00:08:33.434
A foreign woman from an enemy nation
00:08:33.434 --> 00:08:35.636
Approaching a respected israelite man.
00:08:35.636 --> 00:08:38.772
The prohibition of marrying a moabite wasn't lost
00:08:38.772 --> 00:08:41.609
In the narrative here.
00:08:41.609 --> 00:08:43.243
Boaz, a man of faith and honor,
00:08:43.243 --> 00:08:45.613
Knew god's word very well,
00:08:45.613 --> 00:08:47.748
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
00:09:08.302 --> 00:09:11.905
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

One For Israel - The Wedding Invitation

December 22, 2025 | S25 E1227 | 28:49

Closed captions

Share