The Jerusalem Prayer List – 05 July, 2024
by Joseph Shulam - From Jerusalem Israel
The Jerusalem Prayer List – 05 July, 2024
by Joseph Shulam - From Jerusalem Israel
This week's Torah portion fascinates me.
The Torah portion is named Korach, and the reading is from Numbers 16:1 -18:32.
The Haftarah reading from the prophets is from Isaiah 66:1-24.
(Haftarah is not a Hebrew word but Aramaic, as it sounds in English, which means "what comes after" reading the Torah Portion.)We will read from the Gospel of Mark 9:40 – 50 from the New Testament.
The big question we must start with to understand the gravity of the events described in our reading is: Who is Korach, and what did he do?
Korach was a Levite and a cousin of Moses and Aaron in the Torah. His story is primarily told in Numbers 16. Korach, along with Dathan, Abiram, and 250 prominent community leaders, challenged Moses' leadership and Aaron's priestly authority.
Korach's rebellion was significant for several reasons:
Challenge to Divine Authority: Korach and his gang of followers and family questioned the legitimacy of Moses' and Aaron's leadership. Moses and Aaron didn't choose their leadership role or appoint themselves as Israel's supreme leaders. God chose and appointed them to their leadership roles, as stated in the book of Exodus. Exodus 7:1 is one of these texts that exemplifies that they didn't appoint themselves to this leadership role of leading a group of Israelites who were raised as enslaved people for 40 years in the wilderness of Sina. Moses was divinely appointed to lead the Israelites out of slavery into freedom even before he was born. Divinely appointed! Korach's actions were seen as a rebellion against human leaders but also against God's choices. Moses was such a unique leader that the Torah says this about Moses and his relationship with his brother Aaron:
"So the LORD said to Moses: "See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet." (Exodus 7:1 NKJV)
Other texts in the Torah and the prophets confirm this very special relationship that God had with Moses through mouth-to-mouth communication. There was no intermediary between God the Father and Moses. Moses had a direct telephone line to God without going through a secretary or an interpreter.
So, a cousin of Moses and Aaron named Korach, and his gang decided to walk away from the leadership of Moses and Aaron and claim that they, too, were leaders and Levites and, therefore, had the same authority as Moses and Aaron. "We are all Levites just like you! What makes you, Moses, so special? We are just as good as you in every way, and what you can do, we can do better."
Korach and his gang challenged the leadership by claiming equality with Moses and even superiority. They reasoned that they were Levites and more capable because they were more numerous than the family of Moses and Aaron.
Undermining the Social Order: By inciting a rebellion, Korach threatened the stability and unity of the Israelite community at a critical time during their journey through the desert. At this point, the Torah (The Holy Spirit) gets political. It brings into play the genealogy of Korach: "Now Korach the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men." (Numbers 16:1 NKJV) The Holy Spirit brings in this genealogy to show that the roots of this behavior by Korach and his gang are already deeply planted in the genes of Korach, and Ishtar is the son of Dothan and Abiram, earlier problem makers to Moses and Aaron.
Jealousy and Ambition: The motivation for Korach's rebellion is rooted in envy and personal ambition. He sought power and prestige for himself rather than the community's welfare or honor of God's servants, Moses and Aaron. Korach's challenge was framed as a democratic argument, claiming that the entire congregation was holy and thus questioning why Moses and Aaron had elevated themselves above the rest. The specific roles and responsibilities designated by God were put to the side. However, what was behind Korach's action was Spiritual Arrogance and a power-hungry ego.
The severity of the rebellion and its implications led to a dramatic and severe punishment. The ground opened up and swallowed Korach, his family, and all his followers, and fire from the Lord consumed the 250 men, offering incense, a direct act of divine retribution. This served as a stark warning against future insurrections and affirmed the sanctity and order established by God. We must learn from the severity of God's action regarding Korach and his gang's sin.
The reading from the book of Isaiah 66:1 – 24 accompanies the Torah portion.
The relevant part of this text from the end of Isaiah the prophet is found in the first four verses of our text:
"Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is My throne, and Earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist," says the LORD. "But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word. "He who kills a bull is as if he slays a man; He who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog's neck; He who offers a grain offering, as if he offers swine's blood; He who burns incense, as if he blesses an idol. Just as they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations, So will I choose their delusions, and bring their fears on them; Because, when I called, no one answered, When I spoke, they did not hear; But they did evil before My eyes and chose that in which I do not delight.""
(Isaiah 66:1-4 NKJV)
Here, we have a reminder of God to Israel (and later in the chapter to the whole world, including the non-Israelite and not Jewish nations) of who He is! I would translate the first words of Isaiah 66 into modern English, as God is saying to Israel, "Who do you jokers think you are?" "Who do you think that I am?" You grasshoppers (as the psalmist said), Don't you know that "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool?" I will not deal with arrogant and corrupt servants who misuse my goodness and love for you and delight in abominations. Don't you know that I made you? Don't you realize I am not an idol like the other nations worship? Don't you know that I hold the power of creation in my hands and that you think I don't see your actions and abominations and know your corruption? I know you better than you know yourselves. I see you delight in evil. For this reason, I, your God, suggest that you delight in what is good and pleasing to Me and don't invite evil to overtake you.
Today, we, as disciples of Yeshua, must take this Torah reading deeply into our hearts and change so much of what we do and our attitude toward God and our brothers and sisters.
I include the reading from Isaiah 66 because it is so important, meaningful, and highly encouraging to those who seek to please the Lord, fulfill his program, and desire to bless, elevate, reward, and use HIS GLORY down here on Earth!
Even more interesting for me is the Glory of God, the Glory of Israel and Jerusalem, and the fulfillment of Israel's destiny is to be the light for the whole world. All the racism and negative anti-gentile attitudes must be cleaned from among us because Isaiah 66 describes Jews and Gentiles who clean up from their idolatry, come to Jerusalem, and worship together with Israel, the God who created the world and gives life to all living creatures and sustains the ball called Earth and humanity in it! We should all live and work together to see this wonderful and harmonious life and world.
May the Lord allow us to quickly see this chapter fulfilled in Israel and Jerusalem and in our own days!
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This week we have not received any new updates from those on the prayer lists. That's how it is sometimes our lives are repetitive. However every new day is a blessing as the Sun rises we see the Glory of creation a reminder that haShem is there waiting for us to reach out to him.
Your prayers for brothers and sisters you don't know personally are pure love and building of the Body of the Messiah. It is Agape Love since you are doing this without any selfish interests and casting a vote in Heaven for someone who is your brother. Still, you don't know them, and God looks at these prayers that are unselfish and genuine expressions of love and care for another link in the long chain of love and faith that binds us together even though we might not know each other in this world.
When we all get to Heaven, it will be a joy to meet people we prayed for and sometimes even cried for. Brothers and sisters who are physically strangers but spiritually a part of the same body of Christ, I believe that one day we will have the privilege to sit together and share: "I remember praying for you to be healed!" "I remember praying for you to be safe when you were fighting in Gaza to free the hostages from the cruel hands of the terrorists of the Hamas in Gaza."
Pray for the following brothers and sisters who need divine grace and the gentle touch of the hand of God for healing and strength.
In Jerusalem:
update Joseph & Marcia Shulam
Your continued prayers for Joe and Marcias health are appreciated. They are both comfortable at home, The PET Scans last week did not show major changes. Additional test and scans for the will be scheduled for his Thyroid.
Ilana Ahijervie is a dear sister who is 98 years old and suffering from memory problems.
Please pray for our dear sister, Lea Kurkey.
new Daniel is back home in the hospital after have surgery for removing his GallBladder in France last week. Please pray for his recovery.
Pray for Adam's father and mother, Barry and Dalia. They have some health problems and challenges.
Pray for Hannah suffering from Migraine Headaches. Miriam is a dear sister old age dementia.
Pray for Daniel S. and his children.
Pray for Gary, our dear leader in the Ro'eh Israel congregation, and his health, as well as for his wife Melanie and their family.
Pray for Um Mahmud Abu-Eid, Jimmy Abu-Eid, and all of the family. This is a dear family of old friends that needs healing and wisdom for the children and for their work.
Please pray for the Romero family, who live deep in the Negev desert. It is hot there, and they are far from our congregation, and we miss them.
In the U.K.:
Pray for Deborah Isaiah. I pray for the Lord to find Deborah Isaiah and lead her to a blessed life, family, and a solution to her problems.
In Finland:
Mauno Lemponen has been diagnosed with cancer in advanced stages. We are asking for God's Will to be done, giving him healthy days with family—prayers for Hilka, Miika, and Ester, who support each other.
Pray for Keijo and Salme, our dear partners and fellow workers in God's flock. Both Keijo and Salme have some challenging heart issues.
Pray for Satu-Maria, Sinni Tuuli, Anne Mirjami, our dear sisters
Pray for Eva H., Patty, Andrea, Julia, Victor, Aaron Tani, and Hillel.
In Brazil:
update William Monteiro Alves was released from the hospital yesterday and is home now. Thanks for your prayers.
Gabriel Monteiro Alves & Lusinete de Oliveira are concerned for William Monteiro and are doing their best to cope with life, work and managing Lusiente’s health problems as well. Please pray for some relief.
Pray for the Congregations related to Netivyah in Brazil to have the strength and stamina to face the challenges ahead of them with courage and strength of faithfulness to the Lord and to the vision of the restoration of the church and Israel.
Pray for the millions of victims of the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisition who have been forced to convert to the Catholic church and now want to return home to the land of Israel and the faith of our fathers.
Pray for a dear young man, Paulo, from Curitiba, Brazil, who seriously needs our prayers for sanity and mental health.
Pray for a dear sister named Claudia Rita Souze Arau. She has cancer and needs God's healing hands to touch her with healing.
Pray for Fatima Maria Docarmo Guimararaes - pray for her health and her granddaughters' twin babies.
Guilherme Antonio Nothen Becker is suffering from back problems.
Aratuza de Oliveira and his wife. Pray for their 3-year-old child, Caique de Oliveira Becker, who has severe problems with his eyes, and ask the Lord to give healing to his eyes.
In Asia:
Pray for Pastor TJ in Taiwan.
Pray for Deborah Ruth, a dear sister from China.
Pray for Sister Yoko Nagumo in Japan.
Tony Tam, his wife Luisa, and his son Marco need special prayers for their situation.
We continue to pray for Zhou Wenrian, the Abe family, Toru San, Yumi Ohara, and her family: Deborah Ruth, Ayla, Daniel, and their daughter.
Pray for Dr. Song and his wife, Sister Harriet Kim and the KIBI Ministry.
In the United States of America:
Larry is asking for prayers for his grandchildren. I would say most of us that have grandchildren are concerned about the states of the world. The state of intolerance. The temptations out there. Please pray for the holy sprit to guide them in making good choices.
Bill C. is undergoing some additional consultation and planning for dealign with a new Cancer diagnonsis. Pray for Jill supporting him.
Please continue to pray for the daughter of Bill Culwell, who is sick with cancer and is receiving a new third round of treatment. Please pray for success and healing.
Brother Philip Slate and his wife. She is suffering from several physical and mental health challenges.
Barbra and Angie in Alaska. Barbra has some pains and discomfort related to old age. Please lift them in prayer for strength and reduction in pain.
Jonathan Bernis is in a long six-month recovery from a liver transplant. We thank God for this match. Please pray for this new liver to function and provide much-needed function. Please pray for Elisangela and the girls and the doctors and nurses attending our dear brother Jonathan Bernis.
Please pray for Danah, my daughter's health issues. I pray for the Lord to give Danah wisdom, peace, and calm in life and her work.
Aaron Hook, Nancy Hook's oldest son, needs our prayers for wisdom and healing from past life issues.
Lift for blessing and healing Jonathan B., his wife Aviva, their new baby, his mother, and his brother Daniel.
Pray for these important men of God: Rabbi Salt, his family, and Rabbi Hasselblad. They are both older and need protection and blessings.
Also, pray for Ilana Avramov, who is married to my cousin Nissim and lives in New York City. Ilana has fallen and is now in rehab, learning how to walk again. We pray for her full recovery. She and Nissim both need our prayers.
Pray for Steve Mock - His cognitive condition has declined, and we ask for the grace of God and His Healing and strength. Steve and Josie's son Joseph has received a wonderful and glorious report. After the last bone marrow transplant, the report is that the doctors didn't find any leukemia in his body! Praise the Lord!
I am asking for a special prayer for a dear brother and friend who is now doing very important work in a very dangerous and precarious part of the world. Just mention DadyLion in your prayers and ask for divine protection and angelic accompaniment for this man of God.
For updates or requests please email us at:Prayer@netivyahinternational.org
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