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Baruch HaShem

Introduction

by Shira Sorko-Ram

From I Became As a Jew
Published by Maoz, Inc., Box 763100, Dallas, Texas 75376-3100
Used by permission.

The intention of the writer is not to offend Arab, Protestant, Catholic or Greek Orthodox, but to help those who love God to better understand Israel. The objective sought here is to break down the barriers of communication between Jew and Gentile.

And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law, though not being myself under the Law, that I might win those who are under the Law...

To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some (I Cor. 9:20,22).

Among born-again believers in Jesus Christ who are closely watching for His imminent return, there is an ever-increasing concern and love for Israel and for Jewish people everywhere. The purpose of this writing is to introduce Gentile believers to the sphere of the average Jewish person and to his comprehension of Christianity. It is thereby hoped that the reader may adjust his own perspective of Judaism.

Jesus said that salvation is of the Jews (Jn. 4:22). It is generally stated that the Covenant of Moses was for the Jews and that the New Covenant under Jesus is for the Gentiles. But Peter, speaking to the Jews, said,

It is you who are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, "And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

For you first, God raised up His Servant, and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways" (Acts 3:25,26).

Jesus, when He confirmed the New Covenant with the cup of wine representing His blood, did so with twelve Jews. Therefore, just as the Jews received the Covenant of Moses, they were also given the New Covenant. It is gloriously true that the Gentiles, by the mercy of God, are also granted salvation under the New Covenant or Testament. It must be remembered, however, that the Covenant was specifically promised to the House of Israel.

"Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah" (Jer. 31:31).

The well-meaning Gentile who corners a Jew to tell him that Gentiles or Christians are the center of God's program will understandably receive a stony reception. Indeed, it is the Gentile who has received by grace the revelation of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, through Jesus (a Grecian rendering of the Hebrew name Yeshua, the Messiah of the Jews).

The Gentile is to share with the Jews what the God of Israel has done for him, a Gentile. He who was outside the Covenant now has been brought in, only because it pleased God to do so. The Lord is merciful; it is not His will that any should perish. But the covenants were originally given to the Jewish nation. Paul explained this in Romans 11:16-18, 24:

And if the first piece of dough (Abraham) be holy, the lump is also; and if the root be holy, the branches are too.

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree,

Do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you...

For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more shall these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?

For further information or to receive I Became as a Jew, you may call 1.800.856.7060. Or, email your request to maoz@onramp.net.

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Blessed is He who comes in the name of the L-rd


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