Blessing Israeli Believers June 2017

A word from our co-founder Dov Schwarz:

 

Dear Partners of Blessing Israeli Believers,

 

We just celebrated the Feast of Shavuot (Pentecost) here in Israel! In the Torah this was a feast of harvest between the LORD and Israel. You see, Shavuot in Hebrew literally means "weeks"-this is the Feast of Weeks as it is seven weeks after the Feast of Passover/Unleavened Bread. It is also called the "second Firstfruits". Our Lord Yeshua resurrected on the "first Firstfruits". In the New Covenant Scriptures the Lord is called the First fruits of the resurrection and we who are born of His Spirit are called a kind of first fruits:

 

But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. I Corinthians 15:20

 

Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. James 1:18

 

In the Old Testament they were required to bring the first of the harvest and offer it to the LORD as a sacrifice. Then and today it is important to acknowledge that He who brought the first of the harvest is also the One who brings the rest of the harvest.

 

There were many ceremonies attached to this feast but one that stands out in my heart is the waving of two loaves with leaven. This is a bit unusual and I think, as some others do, that this represents Jew and Gentile who are saved by Messiah Jesus.

 

You shall bring from your dwellings two wave loaves of two-tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven. They are the firstfruits to the Lord. Leviticus 23:17

 

Often in the Bible sin is pictured by leaven. These two loaves with leaven may represent Jew and Gentile both with leaven, yet both holy before the LORD due to the cleansing of the blood of the Lamb. Now because of His righteousness they are acceptable before our Father in heaven!

 

It was almost 2,000 years ago on Shavuot when the Holy Spirit birth of this New Covenant born again body began in Israel! Think of it, after all this time here we are back in the Land! Just like that day in Acts 2-once again Jews and Gentiles who love the God of Israel Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) are here, not only in Jerusalem, but all over Israel in one accord having been baptized by the Holy Spirit!

 

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4

 

Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:38-39