Breaking News....May 19 2011

Below is a portion of the text of a speech given today by U.S. President Barack Obama.  The section included here relates specifically to Israel and the Presidents' new 'demand' that Israel leave Gaza and the West Bank and withdraw to the pre-1967 borders.

As you will see, I have taken the liberty of underlining a few sections of the speech, these deal with the following:
1) A pre-1967 Israel, which will mean the dividing of Jerusalem.  For anyone who thinks this is a GOOD idea, I would respectfully refer you to Zechariah 14.
2) a 'contigious' palestinian state....contiguous meaning adjoined - this was not even the case BEFORE 1967
3) Israel is now expected to defend herself 'by herself' - this means 7.2 million Israelis vs. 100 million arabs.
These are the days when all seems hopeless, and yet these are the days when G-d has promised to restore Israel....may He do so speedily in our days.

On with the speech....

"Let me conclude by talking about another cornerstone of our approach to the region, and that relates to the pursuit of peace.

For decades, the conflict between Israelis and Arabs has cast a shadow over the region. For Israelis, it has meant living with the fear that their children could be blown up on a bus or by rockets fired at their homes, as well as the pain of knowing that other children in the region are taught to hate them. For Palestinians, it has meant suffering the humiliation of occupation, and never living in a nation of their own. Moreover, this conflict has come with a larger cost to the Middle East, as it impedes partnerships that could bring greater security and prosperity and empowerment to ordinary people.

For over two years, my administration has worked with the parties and the international community to end this conflict, building on decades of work by previous administrations. Yet expectations have gone unmet. Israeli settlement activity continues. Palestinians have walked away from talks. The world looks at a conflict that has grinded on and on and on, and sees nothing but stalemate. Indeed, there are those who argue that with all the change and uncertainty in the region, it is simply not possible to move forward now.
I disagree. At a time when the people of the Middle East and North Africa are casting off the burdens of the past, the drive for a lasting peace that ends the conflict and resolves all claims is more urgent than ever. That's certainly true for the two parties involved.

For the Palestinians, efforts to delegitimize Israel will end in failure. Symbolic actions to isolate Israel at the United Nations in September won't create an independent state. Palestinian leaders will not achieve peace or prosperity if Hamas insists on a path of terror and rejection. And Palestinians will never realize their independence by denying the right of Israel to exist.

As for Israel, our friendship is rooted deeply in a shared history and shared values. Our commitment to Israel's security is unshakeable. And we will stand against attempts to single it out for criticism in international forums. But precisely because of our friendship, it's important that we tell the truth: The status quo is unsustainable, and Israel too must act boldly to advance a lasting peace.

The fact is, a growing number of Palestinians live west of the Jordan River. Technology will make it harder for Israel to defend itself. A region undergoing profound change will lead to populism in which millions of people -– not just one or two leaders -- must believe peace is possible. The international community is tired of an endless process that never produces an outcome. The dream of a Jewish and democratic state cannot be fulfilled with permanent occupation.

Now, ultimately, it is up to the Israelis and Palestinians to take action. No peace can be imposed upon them -- not by the United States; not by anybody else. But endless delay won't make the problem go away. What America and the international community can do is to state frankly what everyone knows -- a lasting peace will involve two states for two peoples: Israel as a Jewish state and the homeland for the Jewish people, and the state of Palestine as the homeland for the Palestinian people, each state enjoying self-determination, mutual recognition, and peace.

So while the core issues of the conflict must be negotiated, the basis of those negotiations is clear: a viable Palestine, a secure Israel. The United States believes that negotiations should result in two states, with permanent Palestinian borders with Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, and permanent Israeli borders with Palestine.

We believe the borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states. The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, and reach their full potential, in a sovereign and contiguous state.

As for security, every state has the right to self-defense, and Israel must be able to defend itself -– by itself -– against any threat. Provisions must also be robust enough to prevent a resurgence of terrorism, to stop the infiltration of weapons, and to provide effective border security. The full and phased withdrawal of Israeli military forces should be coordinated with the assumption of Palestinian security responsibility in a sovereign, non-militarized state. And the duration of this transition period must be agreed, and the effectiveness of security arrangements must be demonstrated."

If anyone does not believe we are fast approaching the return of Messiah Yeshua - I would again refer you to the above qoutes, and the time when Jerusalem is divided in Zechariah 14.  May G-d show mercy and restraint as He comes against ALL those who come against Jerusalem, His Holy Mountain.

Pesach Sheni - Passover Two

What is Pesach Sheni?

A day of second chances

            Pesach Sheni, literally translated out of the Hebrew means Passover Two.  We find the first mention of it in Numbers 9:5-13,  when some of the sons of Israel were unclean due to contact with a dead body.  They approached Moses (Heb. ‘Moshe’) and asked why should they should be restrained from offering the Passover sacrifice of the L-rd ‘at the appointed time among the sons of Israel?’  Moshe took their petition before G-d, who commanded that those who were either unclean due to contact with a dead body, or, were away on a journey during Pesach (Passover) – should observe it ‘on the fourteenth day of the SECOND month according to all the statutes of the Passover.’

            In 2 Chronicles 30:1-5, we see a decree issued by King Hezekiah to Israel and Judah to observe Pesach Sheni.  But amazingly, in 2 Chronicles 30:12-21 we see something much greater taking place – we see the unclean now being consecrated before the L-rd, by the priests THROUGH the petition to G-d by the righteous King Hezekiah (v. 17-19).  With the phrase in verse 20 ‘So the L-RD heard Hezekiah and healed the people’- there was now hope when all seemed lost, cleansing for the unclean…a second chance to be forgiven.

          Today, May 18 is Pesach Sheni - a time of second chances.  Of all the feasts, festivals and appointed times on the calendar that G-d Himself instituted, only ONE has a second chance.  Why is this?  Because the Most High G-d of Heaven is VERY serious about redemption and freedom from bondage - be it from Egypt, or from sin.  Perhaps the reason G-d is SO emphatic about us remembering our freedom is because of the price that it took to GAIN that freedom; from Egypt it took the death of the firstborn, and from sin it took the death of Messiah Yeshua.

          Pesach Sheni is only regarded as a 'minor festival' on most modern Hebrew calendars, in no small part because we lack the personal accountability to say during Passover itself  - WE ARE UNCLEAN and cannot make our offerings before the L-rd as He has required.  The men who went in to Moshe (Moses) in Numbers 9:5-13 were honest with themselves AND with G-d about being unclean, because they did not wish to bring dishonor to G-d OR to themselves.

          This year at Pesach Sheni we not only have a second chance to 'get it right'....but a second chance to be forgiven, to set our hearts in order so that we have an earnest desire TO correct our behavior and set our feet back on the SOLID ground of the commandments of G-d.

          In Messiah Yeshua....