La Préservation de la Grâce de Dieu

Dépouillement du sens véritable du mot

            Quelles sont donc les implications de la traduction du verbe natzal par «dépouiller» dans ce contexte? Elles sont nombreuses: en traduisant le verbe natzal par «dépouiller», nous accusons Dieu de réclamer aux Égyptiens des objets d’or et d’argent par la force, comme du butin, alors qu’en fait aucune guerre n’a eu lieu. Dieu manque-t-il de grâce au point de forcer les Israélites à dépouiller ce peuple alors qu’aucune guerre n’a eu lieu? Dieu est-il manipulateur au point de convaincre les Égyptiens d’être favorables à l’égard d’Israël pour lui confier volontairement ses richesses? Non seulement Dieu se ridiculise-t-il aux yeux des sceptiques, mais Israël apparaît comme un pilleur cupide.

Recherche des erreurs

            Cette erreur de traduction est relevée dans le Talmud, dans le sens où les Juifs ont déjà été accusés de s’approprier des objets sans les restituer. Elle est décrite dans Mas. Sanhédrin 91a:

            Une autre fois, les Égyptiens ont poursuivi les Juifs devant Alexandre de Macédoine. Ils ont plaidé leur cause ainsi: «N’est-il pas écrit que Dieu a rendu le peuple favorable aux yeux des Égyptiens, qui lui ont prêté [de l’or et des pierres précieuses, etc.]? Vous devez donc nous rendre l’or et l’argent que vous avez pris!»

            Dernièrement, en 2003, un professeur égyptien a décidé de poursuivre tous les Juifs du monde, leur demandant de restituer tous les biens qu’ils avaient dépouillés (italique ajouté par l’auteur) au moment de l’Exode, dont il a estimé la valeur à environ 40 milliards de dollars^[1].

(4) Ibid.

(5) Arutz Sheva newspaper,   www.Israel National News.com/Articles/article.aspx/2675

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A Blessing on your head

These words sing out to us from Fiddler on the Roof… for a daughter was soon to be married…but what about two blessings on your head? Jacques Gabizon, director of Ariel Canada has had his fill of chuppahs* and ketubahs**, after marrying off two of his own children within four months of each other; first the youngest son, then the third youngest of his children, their only daughter. What can we learn from all the energy put into the preparations and orchestrations of such an event? Listen to what Jacques’ wife, Sharon, has to say:

“These months of planning have shown me what an incredible God we serve. All I had to do for my daughter’s wedding was plan a big party for 130 people. Sure there was strategizing and engineering of details so that all would come together for that picturesque finale, but what can we say about our Master Project Manager, Who orchestrates the world’s events from the global right down to the microcosmic level?  Though kingdoms crumble at the sound of His command, while He alone has laid the foundation of the earth, has bound the cluster of the Pleiades, and directs the path of the thunderbolt, our awesome God oversees all the minor details as well, including the weddings of my son and daughter. His eyes have seen our substance, being yet unformed. He alters the DNA and makes us well again. He hears the cries of the broken heart and humbles the proud. He designs the day of our salvation. The Lord has casted the blueprint of life and blessed are those who obey its directions.

During these wedding preparations, I realized how I could not accomplish everything on my own. How helpful, supportive and ready my sisters in the Body of Messiah were, to assist me and encourage me when making decisions, and when needing to get the job done. My personal Manager did not leave me in limbo but provided arms, feet, mouths and eyes to make this project a success. I am so very blessed to be His servant and employee, and I look forward to our future assignments together, including the weddings of my other two sons! We long however, for the greatest wedding event ever, the Marriage Ceremony and Supper of the Lamb. All are invited to this one … will you be there?”

*Chuppah is a canopy under which a bride and groom stand during a Jewish wedding ceremony. It consists of a cloth or sheet, stretched or supported over four poles, or sometimes manually held up by attendants to the ceremony. The Chuppah is a symbol of the home which the bride and groom will build together. The sides are without walls to show that the couple is committed to opening their home to friends and family. The Chuppah has no furniture because the description of this home is not based on its material wealth but on the worth these two individuals give one another. The history of the Temple, or Beit Hamikdash  is the history of Hashem making a home with us in this world. God’s desire is to dwell among us and make us the Beit Hamikdash of His glory.

**Ketubah  – According to the Jewish view, marriage is a contractual agreement between two people with legal rights and obligations. This marriage contract explains the basic material, conjugal and moral responsibilities of the husband to his wife. It is signed by the groom, as well as two witnesses, and given to the bride during the wedding ceremony. The original purpose of the Ketubah was to protect the woman’s rights during the marriage and in the case of her becoming divorced or widowed. Historically, the Ketubah marked a great leap forward in the thinking about the rights of women. From: about.com:judaism

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A Testimony of God’s Faithfulness

Psalm 119:90 -“Your faithfulness endures to all generations”

I would like to tell you about my father, Abraham Meyer, who was born in 1914 in Blida, Algeria. He is now 96 years old. In May of 2009, my husband and I went to spend some time in France, where my family lives. I had prayed that God would put “a guard over my mouth and keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3) I didn’t want to talk about the Bible, religion, tradition or my relationship with God. I was afraid that if I spoke, he would just get irritated and pull away even more. For over 40 years, my father had heard us speak about what God had been doing in our lives, yet he seemed to be more and more unwilling to listen, continuing to observe traditional Judaism as best he could even while saying it was hypocritical.

BLOOD WITHOUT THE TEMPLE ?

Two days before our departure to Canada, it was my father who brought up the subject of religion and traditions. The Lord had put His words in my mouth and we began to speak about how every year my parents had a lamb killed at our home at Passover time. My mother would put the blood in a bowl, dip her hand into it and put the blood on all the doors of the house. I was able to tell my father that it could not have been pleasing to God, since the Temple was no longer standing and yet we still continued with this same ritual every year.

BIRTHDAY’S BEST GIFT …

Eight months later, in January of 2010, we returned to France. When we arrived, we went straight to the hospital where my father had been recuperating for over four months. We had planned to stay in France until the end of March so we could take care of him. By the end of January, my father was doing better and was able to return home. We were all going to be together two days later, because that day was a special day for my father. It was the day that his second daughter was born some 70 years previous. It was equally special for me since I was that daughter turning 70 that day!

“WE HAD JUST SEEN A MIRACLE !”

On the morning of February 4th, my birthday, my husband Daniel and I were sitting around the kitchen table with our Bibles, spending time with the Lord. My husband was reading the Scriptures from a bilingual French/Hebrew translation. He was reading Isaiah 7 when, “by coincidence”, my father came into the kitchen, using his cane yet walking with much difficulty. He looked at each of us… and suddenly Daniel said, “You see, even in the Tanach we read that God came to be with us, that He would come as a small child and that His Name would be Emmanuel, which means ‘God with us.’” My father just said, “Yes, I know, I believe it in my heart, but I can’t say anything because I’ll be rejected. I hear a lot of things in synagogue which aren’t right, but I don’t say anything.” Daniel continued, “You know, even the best person cannot be righteous in God’s eyes, except for One.” My father answered right back, “Yes, I know, it is Jesus.”

We had just seen a miracle! We then discussed verses from Zechariah, Daniel, and other prophets from the Hebrew Scriptures. Daniel and I kept looking at each other, and I simply couldn’t grasp what was happening. No, I wasn’t dreaming, it was all true – my 96 year-old father had been born again, spiritually.

Isaiah 59:1 – “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear.” God had just taught me another lesson about faith: He is the Almighty God, the Creator of all things, and nothing is impossible for Him…in His time!

For the first 15 years after giving my life to Yeshua, I fervently prayed for my parents. But I was praying the wrong way, as if God needed my help to do His saving work, until I asked Him to relieve me of this burden. Matthew 11:28: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” My mother became a believer about 25 years ago and my dear father is now newly born again. God is not finished surprising us!

Today my mother isn’t with us; she is with her Savior where there is no more sorrow or pain. She is waiting for us there. My father, a 96 year old Jewish 7- time great-great grandfather received his Redeemer on the day of my 70th birthday. The Lord, in His perfect timing, demonstrated once again, His perfect longsuffering and His ultimate and perfect desire to see men saved.

Lamentations  3:22-23  —  “The  LORD’S  lovingkindnesses  indeed  never  cease,  for  His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

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Shalom from Jackie

After spending 11 of the last 16 months on the road, I am once again back home. I’ve been looking forward to sharing with you how the Lord has been at work in this ministry. Ten weeks were spent in New Brunswick and Maine, with plenty of exciting venues. God granted safety the entire time as I visited many churches that know me and went to some new areas as well. I learned patience and dependence on God’s provision as I was sick for one month and my computer was “sick” for two months!  Many of the pastors I visited were very happy for the opportunity to get better acquainted with our materials through the Ariel Canada introduction pack. “Jackie has provided treasures for me to use in the church,” said one pastor.

I held women’s conferences on Ruth and Esther which brought together 27 ladies (and two 14 year-olds!) from 15 different churches. These meetings were held at a building that some friends had just finished constructing in order to provide for a meeting place in Caribou, Maine. The purpose for these conferences was to explain the Hebraic roots of the faith to multi-denominational groups.

One school I always visit had plenty of children who peppered me with questions after my presentation. One little girl, T., indicated she gave her heart to the Lord and more than a dozen others indicated their desire to follow Him more closely.

SOME ENCOURAGING COMMENTS FROM  THE ROAD ….

“This ministry’s teaching has meant so much to me in the years you have been visiting this area. You have really helped to make the Old Testament Scriptures come alive, their wonderful promises, and perfect fulfillment in Christ.”

“The  words  seem  to  jump  off  the  pages  of  my  Bible  when  I  understand  the  (Jewish) background.”

“Before you came, we had no avenue to bless the Jews. Now all that has changed.”

It truly is a joy for me to teach those who want to learn. I answered questions from one hosting couple for hours every day. One evening, at 11:20 p.m., the wife asked me to explain the events which follow the Rapture!  Others, however, did not seem as eager to learn at first. One boy, when he first saw me at his youth group meeting, bellowed, “What are you here for?” I calmly replied, “Have a seat and you’ll find out.” I thought, “This is trouble!” It wasn’t. He was literally sitting on the edge of his seat the whole time I shared my testimony, straining to see around another kid in the pew in front of him.

One woman I met had no idea why anyone would want to know the Jewish perspective of the Scriptures. It was such a privilege to see, just a little while later, a light turn on in her heart as I explained and gave numerous examples. Another couple said they realized they needed to stop sending money to an organization in Israel because it wasn’t sharing the gospel with Jewish people, only providing physical support.

Dozens of times, I saw God answer in timely ways. Sometimes a host or hostess opened their home only days before my arrival. One pastor bought Ariel’s Intro Pack and wanted to start showing some of the DVDs in Sunday school. He said that they were “just what he needed.” At another church, I met a couple visiting from Edmonton, Alberta who invited me to come to their church and stay with them!

AND FOR ANIMAL LOVERS EVERYWHERE ….

After one Sunday evening service in New Brunswick, I walked out of the church and found myself facing a herd of cows just a few feet away. No, I wasn’t in Montreal anymore!

A few times I prayed and received strength to make it through the evening service and the late drive back “home” on dark roads in moose country.

One sunny evening, I saw two young female moose on the left side of the road. They weren’t moving and after a few seconds, they started to trot away. Suddenly, I saw a third moose right in front of my car! I wasn’t that close to hitting it, so no big scare, but I wish I’d had my camera handy!

MINISTERING ON HOME TURF

So what do I do when I’m not travelling? One week in July, just before going to Camp Shoshanah to translate, I witnessed to two secular Israelis, an Orthodox Jewish man, and a Muslim! The last weekend in August, I spoke to three Jewish ladies who are neighbors of mine. Please pray for Gaynya, Clara (a Holocaust survivor) and Phyllis. At our Sunday outreach, Shalom in the Park, I witnessed to Diana, a Brazilian Jewish woman who is searching for the truth. The last time I went to that outreach, God brought three Jewish people my way.

Please pray for me as I make calls for next year’s visits to Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. This fall, I am calling and hoping to visit different parts of Quebec and Ontario that aren’t too far away. If you live in any of these places, I’d be so pleased if you would contact the office so I could speak to your group. Please continue to pray for the many facets of this ministry’s outreach, that many Jews and Gentiles would grow to know and love their Redeemer because of it. God bless you all.

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CONFLICT RESOLUTION: PEACE  AT LAST WITH ISRAEL’S NEIGHBORS

Israel is the apple of God’s eye. He is her comforter and her protector. He will one day judge the nations based on how well or how poorly they treated Israel (Matthew 25:31-46). With that said, we are ever more grateful and astonished by the Lord’s compassion and grace

extended to those nations who have been in perpetual conflict with Israel, desiring to see her destruction and eradication. Little has been said about the Arab states and their future insofar as the Scriptures are concerned. This article is a condensed version of Ariel’s manuscript #8, which will examine the root of the conflict between Israel and the Arab nations and list their final status in the Messianic Kingdom.

Scriptures confirm that the land commonly referred to as Palestine was given to the Jewish people by divine right, invalidating any Arab claim to the land. Whatever future the Bible deals with concerning the Arab peoples does not include the Land of Israel itself.

THE ROOT OF THE CONFLICT

The origin of the Arab peoples begins with what can be labeled as “Abraham’s folly” in Genesis 12:10-20.

God commanded Abraham to go to a land that he would be shown, and dwell in it. But shortly after settling in, a famine hit. Abraham’s faith had not yet matured to the point that he knew he could trust God under any circumstance and so he left the Land of Promise and went down into Egypt.

Abraham returned to the Promised Land with things he gained while in Egypt. Among his gains was a number of maid-servants, and one in particular, an Egyptian by the name of Hagar, who would become the matriarch of at least a majority of the Arab states as we have them today.

SARA’S  FOLLY

When Sarah sees she cannot conceive, she gives Hagar to Abraham in order that he might have children through her. Once pregnant, Hagar resorts to looking down upon Sarah. Few women were more despised in the ancient world than barren women. Sarah eventually responded in kind and treated Hagar harshly, to the point that Hagar, in a pregnant condition, fled the house of Abraham.

In her flight, she had an encounter with the Angel of the Lord who told her that her son Ishmael and his descendants would be characterized as “roamers” and as aggressors. The Angel said that Ishmael would bring retaliation upon himself and that he would dwell in a state of hostility. The Arabs were to live side by side with the Jews, but it would be in an attitude of hostility.

In the process of time, Sarah gave birth to Isaac, and when the weaning party was thrown, Ishmael chose to mock his half brother. What is seen here is that the animosity Hagar felt for Sarah is now instilled in Ishmael and he began to act with animosity toward Isaac. Because of this Ishmael and his mother Hagar were expelled from the household of Abraham.

When Ishmael was old enough to marry, his mother found a wife for him from Egypt. It is known from Egyptian records of this period that Egyptians were haters of anyone Semitic. Ishmael’s wife would ensure that the animosity would continue. Thus, Ishmael became one of the fathers of the Arab nations.

THE BIRTH OF ESAU’S HOSTILITY

The second father of the Arab states is Esau. The beginning of Esau’s hostility is found in Genesis 25:27-34 with the despising of his birthright. Being the older twin, Esau possessed the birthright, but he did not care to be the one God would use to carry out His program. Jacob has often been accused of stealing the patriarchal blessing from Esau, but that is not the case. Jacob obtained the birthright by verbal agreement (Esau verbally agreed to sell it for the stew) and, therefore, Esau forfeited the right to the patriarchal blessing. The problem was not that Jacob stole the patriarchal blessing, but rather a lack of faith. All Jacob and his mother had to do was to trust God to turn the events around so that Jacob would indeed receive the official blessing from his father. Esau had a change of mind concerning his birthright but it was too late. Once given, however, the patriarchal blessing could not be changed. The patriarchal blessing had solidly gone to Jacob and Esau hated Jacob for it.

Not only is there Ishmael’s hatred toward Isaac, but now there is Esau’s hatred toward Jacob. The Arab states are all descendants of either Esau or Ishmael, so the root of the present day conflict begins right here with these two individuals.

There has been a continuous, perpetual hatred of the descendants of Esau and Ishmael against the Jews that is characterized especially by the Ishmaelites, descendants of Ishmael, and the Edomites, descendants of Esau.

HOW GOD WILL DEAL WITH ARAB NAT IONS

In determining the place of the Arab states in the Kingdom, two principles will be used: first, the history of their anti Semitism; and secondly, how closely these individual Arab states are related by blood to Israel.

Ultimately, peace will come between Israel and the various Arab states, but it will come in one of three forms: first, by means of occupation; secondly, by means of destruction; or thirdly, by means of conversion.

LEBANON

Peace will come between Israel and Lebanon by means of occupation. In the Kingdom, Israel will occupy and possess all of Lebanon. There will be no nation called Lebanon; it will be part of Millennial Israel.

EDOM : SOUTHERN  JORDAN

Peace will come between Israel and southern Jordan by means of destruction. Scriptures indicate that this destruction of Edom will come by means of the children of Israel. Only by means of total destruction will peace come between Israel and southern Jordan. As with Lebanon, there will not be a nation called Edom in the Messianic Kingdom.

MOAB: CENTRAL JORDAN

Moab, present day central Jordan, will also suffer destruction but the destruction will not be  total.  Peace  will  come  between  Israel  and  central  Jordan  by  means  of  a  partial destruction that will lead to the national salvation of Moab. Thus, there will be a saved nation called Moab in the Messianic Kingdom.

AMMON: NORTHERN JORDAN

Concerning Ammon, modern day northern Jordan, it will also suffer a partial destruction and  become  a  possession  of  Israel. There  will  be  a  saved  nation  called Ammon  in  the Kingdom.

Peace will come between Israel and the three parts of Jordan by means of destruction, but not all to the same degree. In the case of Edom or southern Jordan, the destruction will be total. The Edomites are descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob, and so Israel and Edom were the closest blood relationship. In the case of Moab or central Jordan and Ammon or northern Jordan, the destruction will be partial. There will be a nation of Moab and a nation of Ammon in the Kingdom, with both subservient to Israel. Both these nations are descendants of Lot, the nephew of Abraham and, thus, more distantly related by blood.

EGYPT

Peace will come between Israel and Egypt by means of conversion. Only when the Egyptians worship the same God as Israel, through Jesus the Messiah, will peace finally come. For the first forty years of the Kingdom, the land of Egypt will be desolate and the Egyptians will be dispersed all over the world. But afterwards, the Egyptians will be re-gathered and become a kingdom once again, albeit a lowly one.

ASSYRIA: NORTHERN IRAQ

Peace will come between Israel and Assyria, northern Iraq, by means of conversion. When this happens, there will be economic, political, and religious unity, because they will all worship the same God.

KEDAR AND HAZOR: SAUDI ARABIA

Peace will come between Israel and Saudi Arabia by means of destruction. There will be a total devastation of Saudi Arabia by war until the inhabitants are scattered and dispersed all over the world. The land of Saudi Arabia will be a perpetual desolation throughout the Kingdom.

ELAM: PERSIA  OR IRAN

Although Persia or Iran, which is ancient Elam, is not an Arab state, its future will be examined here because they share the same religion, Islam, with the Moslem Arabs.

Peace will come between Israel and Iran by means of destruction, dispersion, and then a conversion and a return. There will be a saved nation of Elam, Persia or Iran, in the Kingdom.

TWO DESOLATES POTS

During the Messianic Kingdom, there will be two desolate spots of burning pitch and burning brimstone: Babylon and Edom.

BABYLON: SOUTHERN IRAQ

The first of these two desolate spots will be the former world capital of the Antichrist: Babylon.

Not only is Babylon to be a desolate waste throughout the Kingdom, it will also be a place of continual burning and smoke. This place of continual burning and smoke will be a place of confinement for many demons during the Kingdom period.

EDOM: SOUTHERN JORDAN

The second desolate spot in the Kingdom will be Edom. The reason for Edom’s becomin a perpetual desolation is their sins against Israel. Like Babylon, Edom will be an abode of demons.