ISRAEL UPDATENovember 16, 2003 – Recently, as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met with 170 European parliamentary members from 24 countries, he was less than enthusiastic in response to their questions.
They questioned Mr. Sharon about the suggestion of having Yasser Arafat assassinated by a Democratic state… a ludicrous question when you consider that Arafat plans and implements the murder of innocents.
Is it any wonder Mr. Sharon bristled when they challenged him about the wall of separation? This is a wall that did not exist until the Palestinian suicide bombings escalated to a point beyond control.
Sharon countered the group questioning why there are no statements made about Iran's nuclear proliferation and their intentions to destroy Israel – instead they lay the peace issue at the Israelis feet, as the Europeans do not hold the Palestinians accountable at all.
I'm sure the Prime Minister did not like the suggestion that the abortive peace plan has failed because the Jewish state focuses on terrorism instead of making peace.
In fact, Mr. Sharon bluntly stated, “They only call me when the battery on Arafat's mobile runs low, never when Israeli families are wiped out by Palestinian suicides.”
If you think Mr. Sharon’s attitude and stance toward the European leaders is harsh, follow these articles the next three weeks and you will understand even more why he is less than cordial as Europe combines its money and industrial strength with Arab oil, attempting to eradicate the Jewish state.
November 16, 2003 - One major reason people try to abrogate the law and deny its need in today's world is because they do not understand its essence.
The Torah as given by G-d to the children of Israel was more than just a bunch of dos and don’ts, but rather a code to live by that would distinguish them from the pagan cultures of Canaan. See Deuteronomy 5:1-24
Reading Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees is an eye opener, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Matthew 23:23
These religious hypocrites were doing part of the law, but not all. They were following rules without doing the things that would bring joy and gladness - as committed believers would do.
When we embrace the Torah, the Law of G-d, the Holy Spirit leads us into the spirit controlled life. We in turn then strive to fulfill all of G-d's requirements, not just some.
The wording of this verse parallels Micah 6:8 and Galatians 5:22-23. It is but one more passage explaining to us the important concept of G-d's word being a lifestyle, not the following of dos and don'ts, i.e., ritualism.
Was it good to tithe on the increase of G-d's blessing? Yes, as it was required - but what was more important for these people working to please G-d was to embrace tithing as well as manifesting the G-dly attributes as Jesus explained. This is the concept of the Torah. . . a lifestyle pleasing to G-d and beneficial to his people.
To be continued . . .