Friday, May 25, 2012

Israeli PM Netanyahu Leads Bible Study

This is actually pretty amazing and comforting at the same time. It also leads a prophecy watcher to the understanding that God has placed Mr Netanyahu at this particular time and place in history.

Joel Rosenberg introduces this story:



You may recall that in December 2011, I posted a story from theJerusalem Post that gave me fresh hope about the future of Israel. “Taking a page out of David Ben-Gurion and Menachem Begin’s playbook, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will begin hosting a regular Bible study group in his official residence for researchers, public officials and invited guests,” reported the Post.

“Netanyahu announced the establishment of the study circle on Friday at a ceremony marking 30 days since the passing of his father-in-law, Shmuel Ben-Artzi. The study group will be named after Ben-Artzi, a noted poet and Bible teacher. Both Ben-Gurion and Begin, when they each served as prime minister, hosted regular Bible study groups. Netanyahu said he was establishing the class to perpetuate love of the Bible.”

Apparently, it took awhile to make it all happen, and since then Mr. Netanyahu also experienced the death of his own father. But on Wednesday, Mr. Netanyahu, his wife, his sons, and several close friends and Jewish scholars kicked off their first home Bible study. It was scheduled to last for an hour, but went on for two — and focused on the Book of Ruth.

  • “On Wednesday afternoon in Baghdad, a few thousand kilometers away from the Prime Minister’s Jerusalem Residence, the world powers known as the P5+1 – the US, China, Russia, France, Britain and Germany – sat down for much anticipated talks with the Iranians about their nuclear program. At the same time, just a few hundred meters away from the Prime Minister’s Residence, 100 or so people loudly demonstrated for the rights of Ethiopian immigrants and against discrimination. And all the while, for two hours on a mild afternoon, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu – with a small black kippa on his head – sat in the covered courtyard of his home with 16 rabbis, academics, Bible scholars, archeologists and linguists, and discussed the meaning of the Book of Ruth, which will be read on Shavuot on Sunday in synagogues around the world. His wife, Sara, sat next to him, and his two sons sat on a bank of chairs set to the side.
“There was something at once heartening and slightly humorous about Netanyahu setting aside precious time in the late afternoon to talk about Biblical figures Tamar and Yehuda, Naomi and Boaz, Ruth and David, while Iran loomed so large, and domestic issues beckoned so seriously. It was heartening in that it is uniquely elevating seeing the prime minister of the Jewish state taking time out to study the Bible, the heart of Jewish existence. One cannot talk about Jewish historic rights to this place, which the prime minister does constantly, without appreciating and understanding the Bible….

And Netanyahu made clear what the message was: ‘Ben-Gurion and Begin believed that the Bible should be the heritage of the entire nation – secular and religious, young and old, men and women. The Bible is the foundation of our existence. It unites the Jewish people, as it has throughout the generations. It also serves not only as a foundation but also as a map and compass,’ he said. ‘The Bible is always relevant vis-à-vis today’s problems and challenges. It inspires, it is a source of life for our people and I think that it is important to expand Bible study and love of the Bible among all parts of the nation. This is also the goal of this circle.”


A tale is told that one Saturday evening Begin was studying the weekly Torah portion with his group, when a call came in from the White House. US president Jimmy Carter was on the line. Begin is said to have replied that he was in the middle of studying verses from Deuteronomy, and that Carter should call back in a couple of hours.

Apocryphal or not, the story sends a message that certain things are important, like calls from the US president, and other things are even more so. That seemed the message Netanyahu was trying to send as well.

But the significance of the afternoon was less in the insights given – talk about how the Bible is both law and spirit, full of complexities reflecting life’s contradictions and compromises – and more in the very fact that Netanyahu decided to resurrect Ben-Gurion and Begin’s tradition. While an absorbing discussion ensued, Wednesday’s prime ministerial study circle shed more light on Netanyahu – his psyche, world view and the way he sees his role – than it did on the Book of Ruth.

To add to the articles above, we cannot forget the fact that PM Netanyahu also knows biblical prophecy and he is acutely aware of the growing threats to Israel. He is also aware of his role in Israeli history, and most likely his role in biblical prophecy.

These are most certainly interesting times.

At the same time, we have an Iranian leader who is determined to fulfill Islamic 'prophecy' which included the destruction of Israel.

Sometime soon, these two views will lead to direct confrontation. When that happens, the race to the concluding events in biblical history will begin to move at light speed.

17 comments:

Caver said...

This is just amazing...and inspiring. This man has felt for many years that he was destined to be the PM during the time of his nations greatest need. Not sure, but believe he said he felt he would be Israel's last PM.

But to see him turning to God and studying God's word with so many important figures during such an critical period speaks volumes...IMHO.

Yep, this man knows prophecy....Joel and Zola and many others have made sure of it.

Amazing times, for sure.

Mrs.C said...

Hi Brother Scott, 
Thank you so much for posting this about Bibi  I read the full article on JP in the wee hours this morning, and WOW! Just amazing how God has raised him up for such a time as this! Heres the original article.
“ Reporter's Notebook: Studying Bible With Bibi”
http://www.jpost.com/Features/InThespotlight/Article.aspx?id=271407

If any of you have a chance to see this over the weekend, it appears that perhaps big happenings will be at the Western Wall this weekend. The Kotel, or Western Wall, posted the following on their site.

Mrs.C said...

Preparations at the Western Wall for Shavuot 2012

Preparations at the Western Wall for the thousands of worshipers expected to come to the Western Wall on Shavuot (the Festival of Weeks).
Since the liberation and reunification of Jerusalem, 45 years ago, thousands of people traditionally arrive for the early-morning prayers (Vatikin) at the Western Wall Plaza on Shavuot (the Festival of Weeks). Still others arrive during the day of Shavuot and after the festival, including important rabbis and Admors (Hassidic rabbis).
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation is preparing for the thousands of worshippers expected at the Western Wall during the upcoming Shavuot festival. They are bringing hundreds of additional chairs to the Prayer Plaza, putting up portable restrooms in the Women's Section, and in conjunction with the Chabad movement are setting up to serve cold drinks and cake at the end of the early-morning prayer service.
The Jerusalem Police Force will be securing the various roads and alleys leading to the Wall in order to allow for easy flow of visitors through the marketplaces and the Jewish Quarter all through the holiday and the Shabbat before it.
The Western Wall Plaza will be set up with partitions in the upper plaza as well as the lower one, to allow for prayer services within the guidelines of holiness and modesty.
Thanks to the many Torah scrolls that were donated to the Western Wall during the past few years, it will be possible to hold several quorums and prayer groups each with a Torah scroll to use.
Akdamot books (Akdamot is a liturgical poem extolling the greatness of G-d, the Torah and Israel that is read right before the morning reading of the Torah on Shavuot) and pages of the Torah reading for Shavuot morning were printed by the Falic family especially for the Vatikin prayer goers at the Western Wall.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation asks the public to listen to the ushers and not to crowd the narrow alleyways and paths leading to the Western Wall and in the Upper Plaza, so that the many people can arrive with as much ease as possible.

Mrs.C said...

The Jewish calendar, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Jews will celebrate Shavuot on the sunset of Saturday, the 26th of May. Also keep in mind, that Israel is 7 hours ahead of Eastern time in the U.S.

From what Ive read, Gods People first celebrate the Passover, then following on Shavuot they celebrate the day that God gave them the Torah and "became a nation committed to Serving" Him.

If this is anything like other celebrations we've been so privileged to witness, with thousands of people, it truly is something to see. I dont know if they will all gather in the evening, or not, but witnessing Gods First Born, the Apple of His Eye, all worship and sing together in mass, is a beautiful thing to see and hear should it happen this weekend. Here is the link to the site for the Kotel :)
God Bless!

http://english.thekotel.org/cameras.asp

Mrs.C said...

Ooopsss forgive me...left this out...:)
Shavuot begins in the evening of Saturday, May 26, 2012, and ends in the evening of Monday, May 28, 2012.

Scott said...

Very interesting .....

Dylan said...

Ok Scott, I'll try the link again.

http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/business/crisis-talks-as-europe-plans-40bn-greek-exit-1-2313222



Does that work?

Anonymous said...

I think he wants it in a link

James N Nashville said...

Scott:

I have always liked Bibi. I fully believe that he understands what God expects of him. That fact that he is clinging to God's word at this particular time in history is no coincidence. He is being led but in order for that to happen he had to submit to the will of the Father. I believe Bibi's greatest quality as a leader is that he understands that it's not about him and fully subjects himself to the will of God. It's inspiring to watch this unfold. When I think of the enormity of what's about to happen I can only praise God for revealing His glory in all of it. What a statement the strike on Iran will be. Israel a tiny country standing up to the greatest evil in the world. It's David and Goliath and we all know how that worked out don't we.

Caver said...

Another little tidbit that's just amazing. In recent memory, it seemed to me, the Israeli leadership has been bullied and out maneuvered in virtually every area.

Since Bibi has formed his government, Israel has stayed at least one step ahead. That's just amazing to me. Virtually every nation in the world is conniving or maneuvering against them, and still they maneuver ahead of the traps and turn the tables on our pretender-n-chief.

Its amazing, and I can only credit and attribute it to discernment on this government formed and lead by this man of God.

Footnote: If I remember correctly, both he and his son won the national "Bible Knowledge" competition held in Israel annually.

John Stefanyszyn said...

"Religious" words and action to be seen by the world...but Mr. Netanyahu has publicly confessed that there is no official religion, no official God in Israel....that Israel is a democrasy and that it believes in and lives by, first and foremost, freedom of rights and freedom of all religions (all gods).

Mr. Netanyahu and Israel have not only denied Christ as the Son of the One and Only God but have also denied the preeminence of the One Creator Father for their love of their way in freedom of self-rights and self-religions.

...and the hypocrites will flee to the mountain of man, to the beast and its way, at the return of Christ, who is the One King..One True Way of Life.

Caver said...

And the trolls march on.......

Bedump, bedump, bedee...and the beat goes on.

James N Nashville said...

John:

I guess Bibi saying Israel is a Jewish nation/Jewish State is denying God. What? God leads and will continue to lead men even in the absence of their faith. He is in total control. the Jewish nation will be reconciled

Mrs.C said...

Hey Brothers and Sisters, :)
The celebrations of Shavuot or Pentecost, over the next few days, has begun at the Western Wall, and the crowds are beginning to gather. There may be the massive Prayer/Singing may be at midnight their local time as the men especially stay up all night in Prayer :)
Its awesome to see and hear :)
Wow! To think that God on Pentecost, poured out His Spirit upon us. And for the Apple of His Eye, God gave them his Word through Moses at the foot of Mount Sinai! Jesus would have celebrated Shavuot, and made the pilgrimage. All these thousands of years later, and the Festivals / Feasts continue, just amazing. They have been partially fulfilled, and will be without question, completely fulfilled by God.
God Bless!

http://english.thekotel.org/cameras.asp

GG said...

Hi Mrs.C-

Is this the same one from last year? I can't believe it has been a year since I shared that experience with you. Thanks for that link, I will check it out :)

God Bless!!!

GG

Mrs.C said...

Hi Sis, :)
Forgive me, Ive been post, then stuff to do, post then stuff to do
What was shared was Rosh Hashanah I believe in the fall...Sept...this is different. This is Pentecost or Shavuot. God is just so awesome. The Church was born when He poured out His Holy Spirit on Pentecost/Shavuot. And Shavuot is celebrated by the Apple of His Eye, His People, for the day that Moses came down from Mount Sinai and through Him God gave them His Word...WOW. Dont know if your up still Sis, but right now, thousands are gathered at the Western Wall for Prayer and Worship of Almighty God of Israel!
Its something to see...amazing...at the same time I know from His Word what is to come against His Beloved First Born, and the way everything is coming together in Prophecy, this could be the last time they all worship and Pray at the Western Wall for this celebration for a long time...
God Bless You Sis!!! :)

GG said...

Hi Mrs. C~

Thanks for clarifying that. I thought it was a fast year (ha ha) if that was the case. I am watching it now. One can't help but to feel so moved watching it. I wish I could be there right now. This would be a wonderful time for me to join in a moment of prayer and reflection.

Thanks again! This is an amazing time we are living in.

God Bless!!

GG