Isaiah 11:1-9, Seeing Jesus in Israel Today

 As I write this, on Monday Feb. 13, most of the group is in Petra.  Pastor Joe Dillabaugh from Billings, MT and I have already been to Petra so have used the day to refresh the picnic bags for future days.  Tim Gregory decided he needed to stay in Eilat and rest up a bit.  The other 13 are off on a great adventure.  Again, I am going to catch you up on our trip so far, but with just a few photos that hit me with some truth of Scripture.

Rom. 1:20 (ESV) For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Psalm 66:4: All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.” Selah

Here is the “happy whale” at the Old Port of Jaffa (Joppa, Yafo, etc).  Why is he happy?  Because he was serving his Creator.  I can imagine he had an upset tummy and not surprised he vomited Jonah up on dry land.  But all creation praises the Creator.  It is instinctual to them, if you will.  With me it is, of course, a choice.  Am I a happy human?  Blessed and blest to do God’s will?

Matt. 24:6-7b: And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. ⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 

Rom. 5:1: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Tanks were on the move in the Negev.  We passed several of these as we travelled from Beersheba to Eilat.  I think it is a normal thing.  I do know there is a lot of tank training going on in the desert, as there is in the Golan.  On the other hand, there are some stirrings in Israel of the continuing conflict and perhaps a coming escalation.  We pray for the peace of Jerusalem and are aware that the true peace only comes when Jesus rules Israel AND the nations!

There are many who deny Jesus was the Christ (Messiah) because He did not bring peace.  They fail to understand that the Messiah brings peace that is so much more than the cessation of warfare between nations.  He brings peace with God that is fundamental to all other arenas of peace.  And Jesus Christ did that!  No one else has, nor does anyone else need to help.  He fully satisfied God’s righteous demands.  You can have true peace through faith in Christ.

Luke 2:46-49: ⁴⁶ Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. ⁴⁸ So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”  ⁴⁹ And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 

These men were having a lively discussion, in Hebrew of course, over something in the Bible.  The “Bible study” was taking place in one of the rooms at the synagogue at Machpelah, the Cave of the Patriarchs.  We have seen this often.  It is one of the things you do at the synagogue.  And it was exactly this kind of setting in which Mary and Joseph found Jesus at the age of 12!  He was engaging the rabbis/teachers in discussion, and they were amazed at His insight. 

Just a reminder.  It is not enough to be “amazed at Jesus’ insight.”  One must trust Him as the Messiah, the only Savior from sin.