What do you think about this title of the book I’m preparing to write?
“Ten Effective Ways the Jews Were Able to Stay Awake When Yeshua Taught!”
Would this have been a problem for those who sat at the feet of Yeshua? The Scripture records in several places something contrary to sleeping, “They were astonished at His teaching!” (Matthew 7:28; 13:54; 22:33; Mark 1:22; 6:2; 7:37; 11:18; Luke 2:47; 4:32)
If someone’s teaching astonished us, it would be fair to assume that we would not likely sleep as they taught. What was it that made those who listened to Yeshua stay awake? I believe the secret to staying awake was their deep desire to see what the prophets long to see – Israel’s restoration. Then He turned to His disciples and said privately,
“Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.”
Luke 10:23-24
This is what energized those who listened and were astonished.
One of the defining factors, in determining how deep you are in the false religion of replacement theology, is your response to what “all the prophets have spoken.”
At the end of Yeshua’s ministry on earth, He often spoke about the prophets, and specifically, understanding the prophets. Most of us are familiar with Yeshua’s encounter with two confused and visibly sad men on the road to Emmaus. In the initial discussion, Yeshua says to them,
“O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in ALL that the prophets have spoken!”
Luke 24:25
I am emphasizing ALL here for a reason. After He reconnects with the disciples later, verse 45 says, “He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.”
Do we understand; do we comprehend ALL that the prophets have spoken? I’m asking this because if you had asked me this question 17 years ago when I came to Israel, I might have said “yes.” Looking back now, I would say, “NO!” What would your answer be? Do you believe ALL that the prophets have spoken could apply in this generation, almost 2000 years later?
Look closely at this passage in Mark 11.
“So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the Temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the Temple and overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the Temple. Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS’ ? But you have made it a ‘DEN OF THIEVES.'” And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching.”
Mark 11:15-18
Why were they astonished? Yeshua gave them the hope of a restored Temple, the centerpiece of a restored Jerusalem, Israel’s capital. Those who were part of the corrupt religious establishment were not astonished – just the opposite. They loathed the idea of Israel’s Restoration.
At HaYovel, we are constantly talking about prophecy. It’s just what we do. The subject of biblical prophecy may turn off most Christians because they don’t see its relevance today in the context of their church or religion. There are those in America and possibly other countries who believe the prophetic Scriptures are all about them. However, God says through the prophet Ezekiel that these prophets are “…My servants the prophets of Israel…” not the prophets of America – not the prophets of any other nation – only Israel. Prophets like Balaam, who represented other nations, were recognized as false prophets. (2 Peter 2:25; Rev 2:14)
This is the foundation to the work God has us doing in the Land of Israel. The Restoration of Israel at its core is the salvation of the whole earth. It is what the prophet Joel spoke:
“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the remnant whom the LORD calls.”
Joel 2:32
It is time to wake up concerning Israel. Psalm 121:4 declares,
“Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”
Together, let’s make the world great again!
Featured image by: James J. Tissot, ‘Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes’ (1886-94), gouache on gray wove paper, 7-3/8×11-9/16″, Brooklyn Museum, New York.
