©November 1, 2013 Revive Israel Ministries

"Lech Lecha"

By Asher Intrater

In  Genesis chapters 12 to 22, the phrase "Lech Lecha" is found twice, once at the beginning and once at the end. "Lech Lecha" is a play on words that can mean either "go you" or "go, go."  It is used to emphasize the personal sacrifice of going somewhere to obey God.

In the first instance Abraham, the first "believer," is given his first commandment, which is to move his home and family to the land of Canaan.

Genesis 12:1
Go you from your land and from your birthplace and from your father's house to the land which I will show you.

This mandate to possess the land can be traced to the creation of Adam and Eve in which God commanded them to be fruitful and multiply, and to take dominion over the planet which God created.  Abraham's journey to Canaan is the beginning of the restoration of the original dominion mandate.

In the second instance God tells Abraham to sacrifice his only beloved son on Mount Moriah. This is the greatest sacrifice that anyone could make.

Genesis 22:2
Take your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac and go you to the land of Moriah and offer him there as burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will tell you.

These two events have extraordinary importance throughout Scriptures. They lay two major foundations for the entire plan of God. They are parallel yet different. 

Abraham's offering his son as a sacrifice laid the covenantal foundation of atonement by substitution.  It was a legal precedent for God to offer His Son as a sacrifice for our sin. Through Yeshua the sins of mankind are forgiven all the way back to those of Adam and Eve.

When Adam and Eve sinned, they also yielded their authority over planet earth to Satan.  Therefore Yeshua will also come again to take possession over planet earth away from Satan and return it to mankind under God's rulership.

As the binding of Isaac laid the covenant foundation for Yeshua's sacrifice, so does Abraham's possessing the land by faith "stake a claim" for Yeshua to return and repossess the whole planet. As with Abraham, Yeshua also has two "Lech lecha's" – one for forgiveness of sin and the other for repossessing planet earth.

By Mati Shoshani

 The Jerusalem institute of Justice, in cooperation with Epipheo Studios, is developing a series of 4 short videos, called, "The Whole Story Project", explaining complex topics about Israel, which are often misrepresented by the international media.  For several years now JIJ has been researching and publishing reports on human right issues in the Middle East.  Some of this research has been capsulated in these short videos, designed to educate the international community on issues concerning Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

These video tools will deal with some of the most difficult issues regarding Israel:

• Explaining the Israeli Security Fence
• Racism in the UN:  Holding Arabs and Jews to different standards of Human Rights
• Western Dollars going into the Palestinian Authority
• The Right of Return vs. Right of Absorption for the Palestinian Refugees

 The funds raised will go directly to the production of the mentioned videos. For preview and explanation, see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=j7Mupoo1At8

http://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=GdtGOY8T5XE

Netanyahu urged the US this week not to withhold funds from Egypt, since the new government is doing much to rebuild civil and social institutions, and to restore the nation after the damage done by the Islamic extremists. In this case, the military led by General Sisi, acted on behalf of the people in ousting the Muslim Brotherhood from the previous government. This was the most "democratic" action that could have happened, but has been misunderstood by the West, which doesn't realize that real protection of religious and educational liberties is more important to a democracy than a one-time election. Pray for real reform in Egyptian society.

Bet Shemesh is located 25 kilometers southwest of Jerusalem. In the past decade tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews have moved into the city, and are now trying to impose very strict, somewhat cultic religious restrictions. In the recent mayoral election, the ultra-Orthodox candidate was elected in the midst of accusations of forged balloting.  Demonstrations and tensions have risen. Pray for justice to prevail.     

Our beloved sister, Katya Morrison, went on to be with the Lord this Thursday, October 31. Her funeral in Haifa was attended by Messianic believers from all over Israel. She served in leadership in Messianic congregations, Rosh Pina in Baltimore, USA; and Ohalei Rachamim in Krayot, Israel for over 30 years. We thank God for this pioneer and "mother" in the faith as she begins to enjoy her heavenly reward.

Another dear sister, Pamela Stead, went to be with the Lord on October 10th.  Pamela was one of the early intercessors and faithful prayer warriors for the Israel Mandate at IHOP Kansas City, often hosting visitors from Israel, and always standing with us in love. I am certain she is also receiving her reward as "well-done faithful servant."