The Jerusalem Prayer List – 14 June, 2024
by Joseph Shulam - From Jerusalem Israel
This week's Torah portion, Neso (Nesso), is the longest Torah portion of the year.
The reading starts in Numbers chapter 4:21 – and ends in chapter 7:89.
Haftarah = the reading from the prophets is the story of Samson, another of these very intriguing and interesting chapters of the Bible. I will never forget the first time I saw the movie Samson with Victor Mature and Angela Lansberry. I also had a chance to meet Victor Mature in Rancho-Santa-Fe, California, when he was 90 years old. The story of Samson is being read on this Shabbat because, in our Torah Portion, there are the laws of the Nazir – the Nazarite and the Nazarite oath. Samson is the best example of a Nazarite who, from birth, didn't like the vow ordered for him by an angel of the Lord, and his rebellious attitude brought him trouble. But by his death, he accomplished the mission God chose for him.
From the New Testament, the reading is from the book of Acts, chapter 21:17-26.
The Torah portion of Neso is the longest but also one of the more complicated Torah portions. It deals with several different topics that, at first sight, seem disconnected from one another. There is the command to count the personnel of two of the families of the tribe of Levi, Gershon, and Merari, and they are commanded with a particular task to carry out the furnishing of the Tabernacle. The census was taken of these two families of the tribes of Levi. The count was of the men between the ages of 30 and 50. The average age of the soldiers was between 20 – 50 years old. The fact that the families of the Levies who serve the Lord in the Tabernacle start at 30 years old shows how seriously the service in the Tabernacle was taken for those who transported the furnishings of the Tabernacle.
The list of the furnishings and tools served in the worship of the Levites and Aaron, the High Priest in God's presence, is long. Maybe it would be wise for our brothers in the churches in the West to take worship and service, especially the Lord's Supper, much more seriously and bring it to a much more sober and sanctified state. In some of the big and famous televised worship services in evangelical churches in the West, Sunday worship is half Disney World and half Hollywood. California takes the cake!
What is interesting for me is the great detail of each family of the Levites, the attention to detail and detailed instructions for each piece of furniture, and how carefully every detail is clearly given in the Torah. Everything is very serious and given full attention to the last detail. I know that Jewish orthodox and ultra-orthodox synagogues and our synagogue in Jerusalem treat the Torah Scrolls with some of the same attention and respect that we read in our Torah portion with the furnishings of the Tabernacle.
In our Torah portion, we discover something very interesting and essential for all of us to understand a biblical truth that most Christian churches and communities ignore.
We read about the census of the Levites, especially the firstborn of the Tribe of Levi. Why was it necessary for God to have a detailed account of every firstborn from the tribe of Levi? Well, here is one of the most important aspects of God's character that we must restudy, understand, and learn something that is truly missing in all the realms of traditional churches.
I have to take you back to the pre-exodus state of the children of Israel in Egypt. The Egyptian Pharaoh refused to let the children of Israel leave Egypt. He even mocked the God of Israel. God struck the firstborn of Egypt, both the human and the firstborn of the farm animals. The children of Israel left Egypt and didn't lose any of the firstborns in this plague. However, God didn't allow the firstborn of Israel to go Scott-free and act as if the neighborhood stray black cat died under the wheels of the chariot of Pharaoh! No sir, the children of Israel and, in this case, all the firstborn of Israel had to be redeemed by the dedication of the firstborn to serve the tribe of Levi or by five coins of silver. There is a double dedication here of the firstborn of Israel who left Egypt by God's 10th plague of the death of the firstborn of Egypt. An important statement in the Rabbinical literature makes these events so precise and important.
This Torah portion teaches us three important things about the dedication of the firstborn of Israel and their redemption upon their birth and circumcision. They were saved by the death of the firstborn of Egypt, and God takes this into account.
1. Divine Ownership: The redemption of the firstborn underscored that the Israelites owed their very existence and freedom to God's intervention. The firstborn of Israel was spared during the plague, highlighting God's mercy and sovereignty that, in essence, incurred a debt upon the firstborn of Israel. God didn't take the life of the firstborn of Israel like He did the Egyptians, so now:
2. The Torah wants to ensure that the firstborn of Israel saved from the 10th plague will remember that the death of the Egyptian firstborn saved them. According to our reading on Shabbat from the Neso Torah portion, it was important for God. The ritual of redeeming the firstborn that we have in our Torah portion on this Shabbat served as a continual reminder of the Exodus and God's deliverance from slavery, reinforcing the Israelites' identity and their covenant relationship with God.
3. By redeeming the firstborn, the Israelites recognized God's claim over their lives and possessions, reinforcing the idea that they were a people set apart for His purposes and that their redemption was at the price of the death of the Egyptian firstborn and not free!
In summary, the redemption of the firstborn in Israel is directly tied to the tenth plague in Egypt. It serves as a perpetual reminder of God's deliverance, His claim on the firstborn, and, by extension, His claim on the entire nation of Israel—the most important text for us to understand this part of the Exodus from Egypt is Numbers 3:40, 41.
"Then the Lord said to Moses: "Number all the firstborn males of the children of Israel from a month old and above and take the number of their names. And you shall take the Levites for Me—I am the Lord—instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the children of Israel." (Numbers 3:40-41 NKJV).
God redeemed but also demanded that those who were redeemed will be dedicated to Him, which is a significant lesson for us all. God's character is very Jewish: He gives, He loves, and He sacrifices, but in turn, He demands ownership of our lives. We are saved, He paid, and He wants a fair return on his investment. Please just read the red text above again.
The lighthearted attitude being preached in evangelical churches in the West is for a short season. They market God's salvation as cheap and free. However, people sometimes wake up and find out that they are in deep overdraft in the divine heavenly accounting offices of the E.R.S. (Eternal Redemption Sacrifice).
Chapter 5 of Numbers begins with instructions to keep the camp clean from infectious illnesses like leprosy and other sicknesses that endanger the wellbeing of the whole camp of Israel. I learned from this text something vital for churches and messianic congregations. There are physical, spiritual, and moral illnesses and phenomena that are ignored and never spoken about in public for political correctness. These moral and spiritual illnesses are infectious, and they will exact payment from a church that ignores these social and moral epidemics: your children and the next generations of your church. Here is the text, dear brothers and sisters: Please don't ignore it. Encourage your church leadership to catch the bull by the horns and stop ignoring the epidemic of these highly infectious social and moral illnesses.
"And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: "Command the children of Israel that they put out of the camp every leper ((There is moral leprosy that is just as infectious as physical medical leprosy)), everyone who has a discharge, and whoever becomes defiled by a corpse. You shall put out both male and female; you shall put them outside the camp, that they may not defile their camps in the midst of which I dwell." And the children of Israel did so and put them outside the camp; as the Lord spoke to Moses, so the children of Israel did." (Numbers 5:1-4 NKJV)
The next topic in our Torah reading is a fascinating issue that borders on magic. It brilliantly uses sophisticated psychological tools to discover the truth in the case of a suspicious husband. If the husband is innocent, the wife will be cleared of guilt, and the marriage will be saved. If the wife doesn't speak the truth, her own body will betray her and reveal her sin.
The last part of our Torah reading is also very interesting. Here is the text from chapter 6 of Numbers:
"Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel and say to them: 'When either a man or woman consecrates an offering to take the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord, he shall separate himself from wine and similar drink; he shall drink neither vinegar made from wine nor vinegar made from similar drink; neither shall he drink any grape juice, nor eat fresh grapes or raisins. All the days of his separation, he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, from seed to skin." (Numbers 6:1-4 NKJV)
The Bible's most famous story of a Nazarite is the story of Samson, found in Judges 1 3. It is an amazing story and worth reading carefully and meditating about. Maybe I will do a mind candy soon on Samson's life, his mistakes, and his final success at the cost of his own life.
The last part of our Torah reading contains the Aaronic Blessing, which is the most powerful and prevalent blessing in Judaism. On rare occasions, some churches also use it.
"And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lifts up His countenance upon you and give you peace."' "So, they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them." (Numbers 6:22-23, 25-27 NKJV)
The blessing from Numbers 6:22-27, commonly known as the Aaronic or Priestly Blessing, is a significant passage in the Hebrew Bible. Practical Meaning and Implications of this Blessing:
Divine Protection and Provision of Security and Safety. ("The LORD bless you and keep you"). God's blessing and keeping implies a desire for God's favor, protection, and provision. The request for God's Blessing doesn't encompass all forms of prosperity, wellbeing, and raining dollars from heaven. God's blessing does mean that the Priests and the Levites ask for God's safeguarding of our lives and possessions.
The Priest blessing us in God's name asks God to show partiality to his servants and children. We pray for divine favor and grace ("The LORD makes His face shine upon you and be gracious to you"). In our days after Yeshua's death, burial, and resurrection, we have the privilege to ask for God's favor above and beyond what we deserve. We ask God's favor for us based on our relationship with the Father through the Son, Yeshua.
One of the big curses that God has put on the children of Israel in the Torah is that he will hide his face from us. In this blessing, we ask God's face to shine on us, be revealed to us, and give us God's favor and grace. In this context, we ask God to provide us with unmerited kindness and mercy. Receiving God's grace means experiencing His compassion, forgiveness, and lovingkindness. This part of the blessing encourages people to live with the confidence that they are recipients of divine favor, which enhances their spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
Blessing the people of God, asking for peace, and revealing God's face is very special, similar to Moses' request in Exodus 33. This part of the blessing also requests God's revelation and participation in our suffering and stress by stopping to hide his face from us, as He promised in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy.
Please open your Bible and read Ezekiel 39:21-27. Your eyes will open about God and His relationship with Israel and those who have, by the blood of Yeshua, entered Israel's commonwealth. (See Ephesians 2:10-18)
This blessing assures us of God's attentive presence and the holistic peace that comes from being in the right relationship with Him.
The Aaronic blessing is an assurance and encouragement. It provides comfort and assurance of God's perpetual presence and care. It reminds us that, as disciples of Yeshua today, we are under His divine protection and favor, which can be a source of strength in times of difficulty.
Regularly reciting this blessing in a community setting, like in our synagogue in Jerusalem, Brazil, Finland, and other places, reinforces the shared sense of identity and purpose. In my opinion, every congregation that wants to recite this blessing upon the congregation ought to have the reciter be a Jew. It would be better if he were a Cohen (Jewish Priest) or a Levite, a son of Aaron's tribe. Of course, if you don't have a Jew or a Levite in your church, maybe you should make an effort to bring a Jew to faith in Yeshua and to be born again.
Praying this prayer in public and blessing the congregation and especially the children with this prayer every week is a powerful blessing and encouragement for the whole congregation and a reminder of God's love for his people and disciples. The blessing brings to mind every Sabbath the elements of protection, grace, peace, and revelation of God's face into our lives. In my opinion, it is a reminder and encouragement for us always to make an effort to live our lives guided by the elements of God's Torah and revelation and try to emulate the divine laws of God that will help us find His Peace under all circumstances.
Stay blessed, dear brothers, and pray for Israel, which is in deep trouble, and pray for Netivyah in our international battle against anti-Jewish and anti-Israel attitudes that are growing and becoming more violent worldwide. Remember to pray for Netivyah in Jerusalem also. These are times here in Jerusalem that need much prayer for the future of this magnificent and significant ministry and one of the oldest messianic ministries in Israel.
Remember to support the Lord's work both for Netivyah in Israel and for Netivyah international. There is important work for the Lord being done both in Israel and internationally.
Since last week we have released new content you can find on our podcasts and YouTube
New Mind Candy - Shavuot: The Jewish Holiday with No Fixed Date - What’s the Mystery?
Mind Candy - Unveiling the Secrets of Ruth How Pentecost and King David Connect
New Portuguese Mind Candy
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We realize the prayer list is long. We have updated it and will continue to update it. These brother and sisters that need your prayers are encouraged by them. Your prayers are knocking on heavens door for healing and provision for mostly old brothers and sisters. Please consider time spent in prayer a way to bridge Geography time and space asking God to heal and bless these people who need our prayers.
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:
Joseph & Marcia Shulam
Your continued prayers for Joe and Marcias health are appreciated. They are both comfortable at home, additional PET Scans and biopsies are scheduled for this next week for Joe..
Ilana Ahijervie is a dear sister who is 98 years old and suffering from memory problems.
Please pray for our dear sister, Lea Kurkey.
Sarit, a sister born in Jerusalem, is over 88 years old and lives alone. She has no close family and suffers from several old-age illnesses.
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:
new Yehuda & Daniel will be traveling to Finland to participate in the annual conference Seminaari Karmel-Koti.
update Sarah Lemponen is has recovered from surgery and is looks happy and grateful in her Instagram posts - enjoying the Finnish summer.
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 - Matheus G is almost fully healed and is thankful for your prayers.
William Monteiro Alves with (Asperger's syndrome) has had a successful surgery today - prayer of Thanks. In addition he needs prayers regarding the state of his mental health are still needed.
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.
update Bill C. is undergoing some additional consultation and planning for dealing with a new Cancer diagnonsis. Pray for Jill's strength supporting him.
update 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