“This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him.”
Ps 24:6
“You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” I Pet. 2:9
Dear Intercessors for Israel:
For the past week, I have been reflecting on the word’s generation and genealogy. There are two terms that are closely related in a sense and significant in the Bible. The Book of Genesis introduces us to “the generations of Adam” while Matthew’s gospel opens with the words: “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ.” The Hebrew word “dor” speaks of a generation as being “a revolution of time, an age or generation.” Society today places labels on each generation to identify each age group such as “the boomer generation”, “the millennials,” or “generation “X” and “Y.” The term “generation gap” also speaks of our changing times, values and ways of thinking.
One’s genealogy also plays a role in God’s plan of the ages. Accordingly, the Jewish people identified as being children of the covenant. They were a separated people, holy unto God, not like the Amorites, the Moabites, the Midianites, the Edomites and other idol worshiping groups who belonged to a “perverse and crooked generation.”
Genealogy determined if you were Jewish. It identified what tribe you belonged and family. Without a proper record of your past ancestors, you could not become a priest who served in the Temple. Only those from the Tribe of Levi could be priests. Levites who were not found in the register of the returning Jewish exiles from Babylon were to be excluded from the priesthood. (Ezra 2:62).
God promised David that his “house and kingdom shall be established forever…” (II Sam. 7:16). Jesus fulfilled this promise. Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus from Joseph’s lineage gives Jesus the legal right to the throne of David. According to Judaism, Jesus as the adopted son of Joseph would have all the legal rights of a biological heir. Joseph descended from David through Solomon. Jesus fulfilled God’s promise for a King from the line of David.
An Evil Generation
Jesus in his earthly ministry spoke of the people living then as being an evil generation. (Lk. 11:29-32). John the Baptist spoke of the scribes and the Pharisees also as being a generation of vipers (Mt. 3:7). They wouldn’t listen to the words he preached, they wouldn’t believe, and they wouldn’t repent. These religious leaders also demanded signs from Jesus, testing him, looking for accusations to charge him with heresy.
In the 1960’s and 1970’s I was a part of a generation that advocated free love, drugs, and rebellion from authority. Today’s generation is no better as it highlights tolerance but rejects righteousness and justice. As in Jesus parable, we see the tares growing among the wheat (Mt. 13:24-30).
A Chosen Generation – The generation that seeks His face.
We have been chosen by the Lord to share the Gospel with all generations and to make disciples of all men and women (Mt. 28:19). We are called, anointed and appointed for this time and age. Peter writes that we are a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light”, This verse applies whether you are ten, twenty, fifty or even eighty years old. Whatever generation you are; you are chosen. We all have been transformed by His saving grace and blood bought gift of salvation. Jesus said, “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain” (Jn. 15:16). This is the chosen generation.
The generation of those who seek Him is written in Psalms 24 vs. 6. The Passion translation interprets this verse as being “those who stand before God and who seek the pleasure of God’s face, the God of Jacob.” Perhaps this will be a coming remnant generation. Let us pray that we also can become a people who are given to pursue our God and to be a generation willing to find Him in prayer. Perhaps, this turning to the Lord is the genesis of a new and coming great revival. Joel prophesies that before the terrible and great Day of the LORD, He will pour out His “Spirit upon all flesh” (Joel 2:28-30). Let us pray for a great harvest of souls. Let us also pray David’s prayer: “Create in me, a clean heart O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Ps. 51:10)
Remnants of Dead Sea Scrolls Discovered
The Israeli Antiquities Authority announced this week, the discovery of two parchment fragments belonging to two of the books found in the Dead Sea scrolls. This is the first discovery of such magnitude in over sixty years. The fragments were found buried inside a cave near the Dead Sea. The team recovering these artifacts had to repel some 260 feet just to reach the opening. The pieces recovered were from the Books of Zechariah and Nahum.
The quote from the Book of Zechariah was from the Eighth chapter, verses 16-17 and reads: “These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace; Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor; And do not love a false oath. For all these are things that I hate, Says the LORD.” The word “gates” in this fragment was written as “streets,” a small change highlighting a minor difference in what was recorded in the text by the scribes.
The fragment of Nahum that was recovered says: “The mountains quake before Him, the hills melt, And the earth heaves at His presence, Yes the world and all who dwell in it. Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, And the rocks are thrown down by Him” (Nah. 1:5-6). Could the uncovering of these hidden verses be a prophetic word from the Lord to our generation that the last days are quickly drawing near?
Upcoming Israeli Elections
Tuesday March 23rd brings a new round of Israeli elections, the fourth in under two years. These national elections determine who governs, based on a political party that wins a majority in the Knesset. Many believers will be praying March 21st for the outcome of these elections. Several ministries from Israel have listed these prayer points for your intercession:
1. Repentance. Let the nation humble itself and turn from their sins and repent on behalf of God’s covenant people (II Chr. 7:13-14).
2. The Election Process: Pray that righteousness and justice be found in the election and voting process. May any corruption be exposed and justly dealt with (Prov. 14:34).
3. Pray that a spirit of grace and supplication convict Israelis to vote for parties whose leaders fear the Lord or stand for righteousness or both (Zec. 12:10, Ps. 111:10).
4. God’s Choice for Leadership: Pray that God gives Israel, a coalition government through which He can best achieve His purposes for Israel at this time (Ps. 75:6-7, Pr. 21:1, Dan. 2:21, Pr. 16:33).
5. Salvation: Let there be a coalition government conducive to the spread of the Gospel, salvations in Jesus (Yeshua), Aliyah for all Jews, including those who are Messianic (Ps. 24:7-10, I Tim. 1-4).
6. Restoration of Truth: Pray that a coalition be established that exposes and despises corruption and deception, while upholding truth and righteousness (Pr. 14:34, Pr. 16:12).
7. Security: Pray that a coalition that is strong yet trusts in the LORD in matters of national defense and security. (Ps. 121, 91, Zec.2:5).
8. Globalism: Give Israel, LORD, a coalition that resists premature surrender to anti-Messiah or globalist agendas and would instead embrace its call to not be like other nations. Free Israel from any anti-Messiah restrictions on personal freedoms or institutional strongholds based on anti-Messiah foundations of the modern State (Eze. 20:32, Deut 28:13).
9. The Corona Virus Pandemic: Pray for a coalition that seeks godly wisdom in establishing pandemic and post pandemic policies, and in transitioning to a post pandemic economy (Pr. 24:3-4).
10. Sanctity of Life: Pray for a coalition that honors the sanctity of life and understands that abortion is murder (Ex. 20:13).
11. Servant Leadership: Pray for shepherd-leaders who would serve as fathers and mothers with hearts of love for Israel and an anointing to heal and unify the people (Mt. 23:11, Jer. 3:15).
12. Religious strongholds: Pray that any ultra-orthodox Jewish and other religious strongholds that oppose faith in Jesus (Yeshua) be broken (Lk. 11:46).
13. Witchcraft: Pray that any witchcraft weapons formed against Israel does not succeed. Pray that all covenants with death be broken (Is. 54:17, Ps. 9:15, Ps. 37:2-6, Is. 28:14-19).
14. Jerusalem: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, the city of the Great King, in every natural and supernatural realm (Ps. 122:6).
Shabbat Shalom,
Gene and Marylois/House of Peace