Scripture

Because ye have suffered the same things that your own countrymen {Christian Jews in Judea} by the Jews who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own Prophets and have driven us out. And they do not please God and are contrary to all mankind.

~I Thessalonians 2:14-15, Geneva Bible

Quote

There will never be true peace in Israel until the Prince of Peace returns and transforms hearts.

~Jonathan Bernice

Jonathan Bernice is a messianic Jew. He lives in Arizona but has been involved in ministries related to sharing the gospel with the Jews. For the record: I am not antisemitic but the Bible does bare out the fact that the Jews as a whole have rejected Christ. I don’t know how many times I have read Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians and to be honest, the Geneva bible is harder to read then the KJV, much harder, but when I read I Thessalonians yesterday, my eyes almost popped out of my head. This cannot be I said; so I picked up the NIV and it was clear as day, You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone. Wow! I owe Paul a deep apology. There is no question that he loved the Jewish people. He said in Romans nine, I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel. His love for Jews is unquestionable and yet he says they murdered their own prophets, killed the LORD Jesus and are mad at the world; contrary or hostile to everyone. It was the Jews that persecuted Paul and drove him from city to city just as Jesus had predicted.

This passage doesn’t need my commentary: it speaks clearly for itself. I am fascinated by two things: first the massive rejection of Christ by the Jewish race. No other race on the face of the earth is so hostile to the gospel. This fact puzzled me: I can’t understand their hatred for Jesus. Practically every Christ-hating organization you can think of is backed by Jewish money. The ACLU is a prime example. The second thing that fascinates me is how I could miss this passage for all these years and it was the Geneva Bible of all translations that helped me see it clearly. I read every English version and can get my hands on and I learn something knew every time I read one. If you want to know the truth: it is in the word of God. I am fully convinced that Paul hit the nail squarely on the head. Now we know why some people hate the Bible: it bares witness to the truth.

Extra

Beautiful day yesterday and we got not storms last night. No limbs or trees to pick up this morning PTL. We tried to plow a little late yesterday evening but still too wet. We have four more rows of corn up and no room to plant anymore. We started on our tool shed Tuesday and I should complete it today Lord willing. I have two more to build between now and the 18th. I quit last night before dark but I was totally exhausted. I’m going to try a slower pace today. I don’t know how I can get much slower.

I hope you have a great day and I know many of you celebrate Fridays: I don’t blame you. Our Grand Children are counting down the days; another school year in the books.