Israel Return to G-d

The Brit Chadasha (Renewed Covenant), erroneously called the New Covenant, records a significant quote by a very famous Jewish rabbi and Parush (Pharisee), a leader in the Sanhedrin during the time of the shlichim (apostles / emissaries), just after the death and resurrection of Yeshua Melech HaMashiach (King Messiah). He said.

Ma’asei Hashlichim (Acts of the Emissaries) {5:34} Then stood there up one in the council, a Parush, named Gamaliel, a sofer (doctor of the law), had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the shlichim forth a little space; {5:35} And said unto them, You men of Yisrael, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do as touching these men. {5:36} For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. {5:37} After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. {5:38} And now I say unto you, refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: {5:39} But if it be of G-d, you cannot overthrow it; lest haply you be found even to fight against G-d.

Now I know that most Jewish people never read the Brit Chadasha, so they would never have seen this passage. Even if they had seen it they may not have found it at all significant. The truth of the matter however, is that this passage in the Brit Chadasha is of utmost importance. If you compare it with what Moshe Rebbenu (Moses our teacher) wrote under the inspiration of HaShem’s Ruach (G-d’s Spirit) in this week’s Parsha, you will most certainly see the connection.

Devarim {32:18} Of the Rock that became your 'Ab (Father), you are unmindful, Have forgotten G-D who gave you birth. {32:19} HaShem saw [it], and abhorred [them], Because of the provocation of his sons and his daughters. {32:20} He said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: For they are a very perverse generation, banim (children) in whom is no faithfulness. {32:21} They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not G-D; They have provoked me to anger with their vanities: I will move them to jealousy with those who are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

This passage is a word of prophecy given by HaShem to Moshe. He was showing him the apostasy of bnei Yisrael and the calamity that was going to befall them because of it. But what is more significant is what HaShem says in the last verse.

Devarim {32:21} They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not G-D; They have provoked me to anger with their vanities: I will move them to jealousy with those who are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

What HaShem is saying here is that because of Yisrael’s abandonment of their G-d, He was going to raise up worshippers for Himself out of the nations (Gentiles) who will because of their faithfulness provoke them both to jealousy and anger. This is basically what Rav Shaul (Rabbi Paul) wrote to the Roman, Gentile believers in Yeshua Melech HaMashiach, during the first century:

Romim (Romans) {11:11} I say then, have they stumbled (referring to Jewish people) that they should fall? G-d forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Here we see how consistent the teachings of the Brit Chadasha are to the Torah. But wait a moment, I can go even further. Look at the prophetic statements made by both Yeshayahu (Isaiah) and Yirmehyahu (Jeremiah) in their rebuke of Yisrael’s apostasy:

Yeshayahu {49:6} He said: It is insufficient that you be a Servant for Me to raise up the tribes of Ya’acov (Jacob), and to restore the ruins of Yisrael; I will make You a light to the Gentiles, so that My salvation may extend to the ends of the earth.

Yeshayahu was speaking here of HaShem’s unnamed Servant who would restore Yisrael to Him and bring salvation to the Gentiles. Is this not consistent with the teaching of the Brit Chadasha and Yeshua whose name means salvation?

Yeshayahu {49:22}For thus say the L-rd G-D, Behold, I will raise My hand towards the Gentiles, and I will hoist my banner towards people: and they shall bring your children in their arms, and your daughters will be carried upon their shoulders.

Many Christians who love Yisrael and the Jewish people interpret this literally, and certainly it can be. However, I believe that the Gentiles have been carrying the Jewish people and they have been bearing them up in their arms, as they have embraced and preserved the knowledge of Yeshua and the Word of HaShem as expounded in the Brit Chadasha. Without believers from among the nations it would have all been lost and we, Messianic Jews might have never come to know Yeshua as our Mashiach (Messiah), the Mashiach of all Yisrael.

Yeshayahu {60:3} Gentiles will walk in your light, and kings by the brightness of your shine.

This prophecy has been fulfilled. Through Yeshua the Gentiles have come to the light of the G-d of Yisrael, as once again attested by Rav Shaul:

Efesim (Ephesians) {2:12}That at that time you were without Mashiach, being aliens from the commonwealth of Yisrael, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without G-d in the world:

Could it be any plainer? But there is more!

Yeshayahu {65:1} I was accessible to those who did not ask; I could be found by those who did not seek Me: I said, Here I am, here I am to a nation not called by My name. {65:2} I stretched out My hands all the day to a rebellious people, which walked in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;

This passage of Scripture needs no explanation, I am sure you can figure it out for yourself. Here then is my last Scripture reference, but it is hardly the last of its kind in the Tanach (Hebrew Scriptures).

Yirmehyahu {16:19} HaShem, my strength, my fortress, and my refuge on the day of distress! To you Gentiles will come from the ends of the earth, and shall say: Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit. {16:20} Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods? {16:21} Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know My hand and My might; and they shall know that My name is HaShem.

Yisrael, my people how much more proof do you need? Your rabbis and the anti-missionary organizations are the ones who are leading you astray, not Messianic Jewish believers! I can understand how you and they can have resentment against evangelical Christianity. After all they do convert Jews and make them into Christians. Yes they erroneously teach them that they are no longer Jews and that they need to give up their Jewishness. Yes they say that it is acceptable to G-d for them now to eat traif (pork and shellfish) and that the Torah has been abolished, but they are doing this out of their ignorance. Thanks be to G-d that millions of Christians around the world are catching the Messianic Jewish vision and they are realizing that as believer in Mashiach Yeshua they are part of Yisrael. Yes they are slowly beginning to embrace Torah. This is and all has been from G-d. The Gentiles have carried us on their backs and in their arms for over 2000 years, for which we should be eternally grateful. They carried us for thousands of years; it is time for us to carry them to teach them. Do you not think it is time Yisrael, my people, to start walking on our own? Come back to HaShem and His Mashiach Yeshua.

Devarim {32:21} They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

Rabbi Jack "Yaacov" Farber is the spiritual leader of Congregation Melech Yisrael in Toronto, Canada.

Copyright 2005