ISRAEL UPDATEOctober 12, 2003 - As I went to church this past Sunday, I was informed of a deep surgical air strike in Syria by the nation of Israel.
How ironic that the world as whole is again outraged at Israel, condemning her for exercising her right of protection against Syria, of all nations.
Syria, a long time ally of Iran, has been training, funding, and supplying terrorists for three decades now - and has built several new missile batteries on their southern border, aimed at Israel of course.
What a paradox - 19 innocent civilians brutally meeting death in a restaurant during a week of solemn religious activities of the Jewish New Year and Day of Atonement.
Of course there are now 19 dead in Syria – those people utilizing every resource available to them to take human life - most likely civilians, in the name of ethnic cleansing.
There are those that say the ones killed in Syria were Palestinian refugees being housed by the Syrian government, but every suicide bomber and attacker dispatched to Israel, has done their evil deeds in the name of nationalistic ideals.
If Israel is so aggressive, then why is this first attack of such depth into Syria in 30 years? Especially in light of all the intelligence and documentation they have, along with proof of missiles aimed at them.
Israel is trying desperately to live in harmony with the Palestinians and their neighbors. Meanwhile, Syria has occupied Lebanon for nearly three decades now, raping, pillaging, and destroying a sovereign nation. Who should be condemned and who should be our ally? The answer is clearly obvious…
October 12, 2003 - Most of the Christian theologians that have tried to abolish the Torah (Law) from Christianity, have done so because they, in no uncertain terms, state that the Law was done away with when Jesus died on the cross.
Yet to look at the Law through the eyes of New Testament manifestation, we see quite the opposite is true, as Jesus' reinforced this many times.
Notice the richness of this most famous of passages quoted by our L-rd to those that followed Him in Matthew 11:28, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Those who came to Jesus saw G-d's word manifested in the flesh. John 1:14. When they did, He gave them teaching, guidance, and instruction especially relevant when we realize the New Testament was not yet written when Jesus made this admonition.
Secondly, Jesus recognized the hard work and futility that people were experiencing in their walk with G-d, trying to live by rules only, and not by application.
Jesus emphatically states here to those struggling in their own efforts, that His teaching, guidance, and instruction would bring rest unto them, not more effort and frustration.
So contrary to the misconception of many Christian theologians, the Torah (Law) is not a harsh taskmaster with an unattainable set of rules, but rather the ultimate manifestation of the grace of G-d.
Proper understanding and practice of G-d's law draws us into the rest of G-d, and a more intimate concept of who He is… no one loses in this scenario.
To be continued…