God gave us the Torah,
His Word and instruction,
on Shavuot in the wilderness.
God put His law in our hearts
when He gave us the Holy Spirit
on Shavuot after Yeshua’s death.
May you be filled with
the wonder of His Word and
the power of His presence
this Shavuot.
Chag Sameach! • Joyous Holiday!
Click here to learn the history and importance of Shavuot.
Think you know Shavuot? Take our fun quiz.
The U.S. embassy move – or its first stage – is successfully completed. It was so exciting to be here with our Jewish Voice 2018 Israel Tour as it happened!
But not everyone is pleased.
Ahead of Monday’s embassy opening, thousands of Gaza residents demonstrated against the move.
The activities at the Gaza border quickly turned violent, and demonstrators burned the border gate and nearby electrical and power stations. The results affected Gaza residents and, as a result, they now have no gas to cook with and no electricity for their homes.
Damage was estimated in the millions. As usual, the Palestinian Hamas blamed Israel for the power outage, which will now cause a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. And, as in the past, it will likely be Israel who will fix it.
The Times of Israel reported that 50,000 Gazans demonstrated in 12 locations along the border. Thousands more were gathered at points several hundred meters from the fence, it reported.
Demonstrations soon turned into full-blown riots as Gazans launched burning kites into Israel in hopes of destroying farmers’ crops. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) estimated that the violence caused $9 million in damage on the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom Crossing.
At least 60 people were killed and nearly 1,200 injured during the rioting on Monday, according to the Jerusalem Post. On Tuesday, the border clashes were calmer with two deaths reported in the area.
Our tour group was in Jerusalem at the time experiencing the excitement of the Embassy opening.
The riots were part of weekly demonstrations billed as the “Great March of Return.” Encouraged by the terror group Hamas, the uprisings were originally slated to last from March 31 until May 15, the day known in Palestine as nakba (“catastrophe”) because it marks the 70th anniversary of Israel declaring itself a sovereign nation in 1948.
The IDF later closed the crossing, issuing a statement that read in part, “The Hamas terror organization has been carrying out terrorist attacks in the guise of riots. (They are) harming the well-being of Gazans and paralyzing their ability to go about their daily lives. Israel and many countries around the world work to deliver goods such as food, equipment, and fuel to Gaza's citizens, initiatives that are prevented by the Hamas terror organization’s actions.”
According to YNetnews.com, a Palestinian source said; “Hamas was encouraging rioters to damage crossings.” As crossings run by the Palestinian Authority (PA) are closed, the PA loses revenue from customs and other taxes. Closings also re-route goods to the Hamas-run Rafah Crossing, giving Hamas the income it needs to continue its actions against Israel.
In short, the riots provide cover for Hamas’ terror activities, which have as their sole purpose the destruction of Israel. Hamas used publicity surrounding the U.S. embassy inauguration in Jerusalem to convince tens of thousands of its own people to risk their lives and livelihoods by attacking Israel.
Middle East nations are among those that condemned Monday’s violence, and the UN Security Council met Tuesday in response. During that session, U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley, defended Israel, saying, “No country in this chamber would act with more restraint than Israel has.”
Pray for the safety of Israeli and Gaza citizens in the crosshairs of Hamas terrorism.
During our recent Medical Clinic in Woliso, Ethiopia, a man brought his teenage daughter for care. She had suffered from seizures throughout her young life.
Unfortunately, the medicine that might have helped her is not something we have on hand at our Clinics. So she and her father turned to our prayer tent, where we prayed for them and shared Yeshua (Jesus).
Both responded by giving their lives to the Lord!
Afterward, they started the long, 28-mile walk back home. But surprisingly, two days later, the man and his daughter returned to the Clinic – and this time they brought all 12 of their family members with them!
The entire family had walked the 28 miles back to the Clinic because, after being prayed for, the young girl had not had another seizure! It was the first time she’d ever gone even one day without a seizure. The whole family was so convinced of the power of prayer that they all wanted to come and profess their new faith in Yeshua as Lord!
Perhaps most amazing of all – this is the sort of miracle we’ve come to expect at our Clinics.
Last year, of the more than 60,000 patients we served at our Medical Clinics, over 12,000 requested prayer, with more than 1,600 then professing new faith in Jesus.
And we also witnessed 300 events that we could only describe as healing miracles or deliverances – clear evidence God was present and active in our midst!
It feels like an especially appropriate time to be sharing this exciting report about the many miraculous blessings God has poured out through your support.
You see, this email arrived in your inbox within a few days of the Jewish festival of Shavuot – also known as the “Feast of Weeks” or (especially for Christians) as Pentecost, because it falls on the 50th day after Passover.
In ancient Israel, Shavuot was a joyous time of giving thanks to God for the blessings of the spring harvest. The celebration was also tied to Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai – which is why it’s called Matan Torah, or “giving of the Law.”
In biblical times, Shavuot was one of three pilgrimage festivals. It was called this because Scripture commanded the Israelites to travel to the Temple in Jerusalem at this holy time. The New Testament book of Acts describes a large crowd gathering for the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the people, and 3,000 came to faith in Yeshua following Peter’s preaching.
At Mount Sinai, God spoke to His people through the Law, assuring them of their special role as His people.
On the Day of Pentecost, God’s Spirit came upon the followers of Yeshua, giving miraculous evidence of His presence – and bringing about the first great harvest of souls into the Kingdom of God.
Both these events show God’s desire to communicate with His people, to be in relationship with them, to make His will known and to bring them to salvation.
And today God continues to show His love by inviting all people – Jews and Gentiles – to come back into relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus.
While Jewish Voice has many important ways we serve Jewish people around the world, as a Jewish Believer, I’m always most excited about the ways God reveals Himself to bring people to hear and accept the Good News of Yeshua.
In many ways, all our ministry efforts point to this most important result of all – the assurance of eternal life in a person who once was lost.
That’s why Jewish Voice Ministries is absolutely committed to sharing the Good News with Jewish people … to helping them understand all God has done for them, how much He loves them and the joy of a relationship with Him.
And we have a long history of success in sharing Jesus with Jewish people. As Jewish Believers, we understand the questions, challenges and hurdles a Jewish person must overcome to accept Yeshua – perhaps in a way no non-Jewish person ever could.
But while we understand the need, and the way to effectively present the message to Jewish people, we can’t make it happen without your help.
To share Yeshua with people in faraway places means we must send our team there to talk with and minister to those in need. To share the Gospel and provide ongoing discipleship requires Bibles in local languages, evangelistic materials and follow-up support for local Messianic congregations that welcome these new Believers.
We need your help with expenses for travel, medical equipment and medicines. All of this can get expensive. But you can’t make a better investment!
Your gift in support of this unique evangelism effort will quite literallymake an eternal difference for a man, woman or child who desperately needs to hear about Yeshua.
And so we need your help.
This Shavuot/Pentecost season, please give generously to share both the deep meaning of this special tradition of Shavuot AND the Good News – to bring God’s people back to Him.
So, as you are able to give, please accept these gifts with my deepest thanks for helping to share Yeshua with Jewish people who need to meet their Messiah.
Shavuot (SHAH-voo-ote) is the last of the Spring Feasts. It was one of three pilgrimage Feasts of the Jewish year when all physically able Jewish men were to bring to Jerusalem the first of their harvest as an offering to the Lord. Along with the harvest offering, Shavuot observance also included a Sabbath in which no work was to be done, a holy gathering of the people and sacrifices.
It is also a time when Jewish people commemorate God giving the Torah (TORE-ah) to His people. The Torah consists of the first five books of the Bible in particular and God’s collective instructions to the Nation of Israel. When God gave them the Torah, He revealed Himself further to the Jewish people and called them into a closer relationship with Himself. His Word highlighted His holiness and provided instruction for righteous living. God’s Law further set apart the Jewish people as His chosen ones. Today, Shavuot commemorates both God’s provision of food and the gift of His Word.
The date of Shavuot is tied to Passover. God’s instructions for setting the date for this Feast were to count seven weeks from the Sabbath after Passover. The Hebrew word Shavuot alludes to this. It is translated as “weeks,” which gives the holy day another name: the Feast of Weeks. Shavuot has one other name – Pentecost – because it occurs on the 50th day, the Greek word for 50.
“Then you are to count from the morrow after the Shabbat … seven complete Shabbatot. Until the morrow after the seventh Shabbat you are to count fifty days, and then present a new grain offering to Adonai.”―Leviticus 23:15–16
In Shavuot, as with all the Feasts, we see a picture of a future event within God’s plan of redemption. God gave the Torah at Shavuot to instruct His people. Centuries after God gave the Law on Mount Sinai, He promised there would come a day when He would write His law on the hearts of His people. At Pentecost, after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to Heaven, God fulfilled that promise when He gave the Holy Spirit to indwell all who place their faith in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus).
“’This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days,’ it is a declaration of Adonai, ‘I will put My Torah within them. Yes, I will write it on their heart. I will be their God, and they will be My people.’”
―Jeremiah 31:32
“When the day of Shavuot had come, they were all together in one place. Suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And tongues like fire spreading out appeared to them and settled on each one of them. They were all filled with the Ruach ha-Kodesh (ROO-akh Ha-koh-DESH) and began to speak in other tongues as the Ruach enabled them to speak out.”
―Acts 2:1–4
At Shavuot after Yeshua’s resurrection, Jewish people from all over the region were in Jerusalem making their harvest offerings. Thousands heard the Good News preached in their own distinct languages as the Ruach (Holy Spirit) descended on the disciples and caused them to speak in tongues they had not previously known. God planned the gift of the Holy Spirit to coincide with the pilgrimage Feast of Shavuot. Thousands came to faith in Yeshua that day.
Today, Messianic Jews observe Shavuot with this insight. It is a time to offer our first fruits to the Lord, to recommit ourselves to His Word, and to celebrate the gift of His presence in each Believer through His Holy Spirit. It is a time to rejoice in fulfilled prophecy and to hold dear the rich Jewish roots of our faith in Yeshua.
May you have a blessed Shavuot as you celebrate the astounding gifts of the Torah, God’s Word and His presence through the Holy Spirit.
Let's see how much you know about this Holiday and what it represents!
On May 14, 1948, the fledgling nation of Israel declared her independence. The United Nations granted the Jewish people a national homeland in the Palestinian region of the Middle East. Israel was encompassed by Arab neighbors determined to see her fall, and governments around the world wondered how the tiny nation-state would fare.
Immediately, surrounding Arab countries attacked, confident they’d quickly overpower Israel. But the Jewish State emerged stronger than expected, and this year marks the 70th anniversary of Israel’s rebirth.
The number seven and its multiples figure prominently in the Scriptures. Seven indicates completeness, as God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. The number 70 bears prophetic significance throughout the Bible: Israel’s 70-year captivity in Babylon, Daniel’s prophecy of 70 weeks, the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Many believe the 70th anniversary of Israel holds prophetic meaning as well.
Interestingly, there are two days each year that celebrate Israel’s independence. May 14, 1948 was the date on the Gregorian calendar on which Israel became a sovereign nation. On the Hebrew calendar, the date was the 5th of Iyar, which falls in late April or early May each year.
Israel primarily celebrates her Independence Day – Yom HaAtzmaut (YOHM Ha-AHTZ-mah-OOT) – according to the Hebrew calendar and enjoys such festivities as parades, flags, free public shows, and a torch-lighting ceremony. Families gather for picnics and outdoor recreation, the president delivers a speech, and the prestigious “The Israel Prize” is awarded. This award recognizes individual Israelis who have uniquely contributed to the country’s culture, science, arts, and humanities. In 2018, Yom HaAzmaut was April 19th.
You often hear that Israel became a nation “overnight.” It’s true. However, there was much going on in the decades before May 14, 1948, that prepared the soil for the “instant appearance” of the state. For instance:
1897 – The First Zionist Congress met in Basel, Switzerland, organized by Theodore Herzl. The assembly served to unify a previously fragmented movement aiming to establish a Jewish homeland. After the congress, Herzl wrote in his diary, “At Basle [sic], I founded the Jewish state … If not in five years, then certainly in fifty, everyone will realize it” (Jewish Virtual Library).
1917 – The Balfour Declaration was a British statement of support for establishing in the Palestinian region a national homeland for Jewish people. Arthur Balfour, the British foreign secretary, made the declaration in a letter to Lionel Rothschild, a leader of the British Jewish community.
1937 – The Peel Commission sought to resolve the opposing aims of Jewish and Arab people in the area. Both sides had objections to the proposal – the Jewish people because it allotted them significantly less land than originally considered, and the Arabs thought it would make some of their people subject to Jewish “domination.” “Nevertheless, the Zionists decided to negotiate with the British, while the Arabs refused to consider any compromises” (Jewish Virtual Library).
1947 – Since 1922, the British had been charged with governing the Palestinian region and helping establish a Jewish homeland there. Their attempts to reach an agreement suitable to both Jews and Arabs had failed. In February 1947, they turned the matter over to the United Nations. A delegation to the region discovered that the conflicting goals of each party could not be reconciled, and voted to recommend two separate states, Jewish and Arab. In November, the U.N. announced the approval of its Partition Plan giving land to the Jews for a new state. Arab protestors responded almost immediately initiated with a violent backlash.
May 14, 1948 – On the date that the British governance of the Palestinian region expired, Israel proclaimed its independence as a sovereign nation-state. David Ben-Gurion wrote the Israeli Declaration of Independence and read it aloud that Friday afternoon during a short ceremony.
With trust in Almighty God, we set our hand to this Declaration, at this Session of the Provisional State Council, in the city of Tel Aviv, on this Sabbath eve, the fifth of Iyar, 5708, the fourteenth day of May, 1948.
From Israel’s Declaration of Independence (PBS.org)
People danced in the streets because it “was one of the most remarkable, inspiring achievements in human history: A people which had been exiled from its homeland 2,000 years before … but which had refused to relinquish its identity … was returning home as sovereign citizens in their own independent state” (New Essays on Zionism, “Ben-Gurion and the Return to Jewish Power,” Michael B. Oren).
Israel as a nation is a miracle. In fulfillment of Bible prophecy, God brought His people back into the Land He gave them so long ago. We celebrate with Israel the joyous occasion of her return to the Land and independence as a free nation. Happy 70th Anniversary, Israel! Happy Independence Day!
One of the most powerful Messianic passages in the Holy Scriptures is presented in this beautiful, framed piece of art for your wall. An ancient Hebrew manuscript of Isaiah 53:5 is replicated on an aged parchment-like background.
An army spokesperson said limited damage was caused to Israeli military bases, but there were no reports of Israeli casualties in the attack.
Meanwhile, those of us on the Jewish Voice Israel Tour, spending the night in Tiberias at the Sea of Galilee, were treated to an unexpected light show and a sonic boom at our hotel at 3 a.m. Israel time.
The Iron Dome system intercepted four of the 20 rockets fired on Israel; the remaining 16 landed in unpopulated areas near the Israeli-Syria border. Within minutes, the Israeli Air Force sent fighters racing into Syrian airspace to destroy the launch sites.
Syrian newspapers are reporting mass panic in Israel, but we have seen no alarm. Children are even in classes today at schools near the Syrian border.
The IDF has been on high alert as attacks were expected to coincide with Israel’s 70th anniversary and the relocation of America’s embassy to Jerusalem in the next week.
Earlier, reports of the impending attack had included confessions by a nabbed Hezbollah militant. He admitted awaiting orders to fire ground-to-ground missiles into northern Israel. Israeli intelligence additionally showed movement inside Syria for advanced targeting of Israeli military sites.
This activity comes in the wake of a televised presentation in late April, when Benjamin Netanyahu pulled back a curtain to display captured Iranian documents. The evidence proved Iran lied about its nuclear weapons program before signing the 2015 nuclear deal brokered by the former secretary of state John Kerry. Iran has maintained its nuclear technology and has since established several air bases near Israel in Syria.
Trump Nixes the Nuclear Deal
President Trump had until May 12 to make a final decision, but he didn’t wait, announcing Tuesday that he would withdraw from what he called the “one-sided” Iran nuclear deal. Some analysts believe Netanyahu’s presentation justifies the President’s decision to pull out. Others say backing out of the agreement will push Israel and Iran even closer to war.
Regarding Israel’s haul of intelligence from Iran, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, “There are thousands of new documents and new information. We're still going through it. There’s still a lot of work to do to figure out precisely the scope and scale of it.”
Pompeo said he plans to consult with European allies and other nations regarding next steps. “Now that the world knows Iran has lied and is still lying, it is time to revisit the question of whether Iran can be trusted to enrich or control any nuclear material,” he said.
Israel is Prepared
No one wants war between Israel and Iran. Many major players would be pulled in, including the U.S. and Russia. Analysts considered Netanyahu’s speech a warning for Iran to back off.
Netanyahu made it clear what the consequences of an attack would be. “We are determined to stop Iran's aggression in its early stages, even if this involves a conflict,” he said. “Better now than later. Nations that were unprepared to take timely action against murderous aggression paid much heavier prices afterward. We do not want escalation, but we are prepared for any scenario,” he said.
What’s next? The missiles fired in the far north this morning are roughly equivalent to a proverbial shot across the bow. Israel’s Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman described how Israel would respond during April meetings in Washington. “If Iran attacks Tel Aviv, Israel will strike Tehran and destroy every Iranian military facility in Syria that threatens Israel,” he said.
Will Saber Rattling Become War Drums?
It is clear that Iran wants to eliminate Israel and has taken steps toward an attack. Equally clear, Israel is ready and will respond with massive force. Your prayers for Israel are urgently needed!
How You Can Pray
The Lord wants us all to remain alert and on our knees. As things unfold between Israel, Iran and other power players in the Middle East, this is a critical moment in world history. Israel’s intercessors must stand in the gap and fervently cry out to the Lord for her peace, safety, and – most of all – her salvation.
Stand With Israel Now
Your support for Israel has never been more important. Won’t you give your best gift today to help Jewish Voice stand with the Land, to provide help for her most vulnerable residents, to encourage and share hope with those serving in the Israeli military, and to assist with our efforts to achieve peace and reconciliation for Israel and her neighbors.
Just about an hour from Gondar is Enfranz, site of Jewish Voice Ministries’ next Medical Clinic. It’s our first clinic in this location, and we pray that a different kingdom will be manifested here, the kingdom of the Son of David and Son of God, Yeshua. May His kingdom come to Enfranz and create a spiritual habitation in and through the people of God that impacts generations for eternity!
Would you please help us welcome the King of Kings into Enfranz by praying through these daily prayer points for this first-time Medical Clinic? We also urge you to sign up on our Outreach Prayer Calendar to pray for a half hour, hour, or more from your home so we can cover the Enfranz, Ethiopia, Medical Clinic in prayer from beginning to end.
Please pray for:
Wednesday, May 16 – Wednesday, May 23 | Proverbs 24:27
Thursday, May 24 | Psalm 5:11, Psalm 5:12 in the TLV
For every participant throughout this Outreach:
Friday, May 25 | Philippians 4:11
Saturday, May 26 | 2 Timothy 1:7
Sunday, May 27 | Matthew 19:13
Monday, May 28 | 2 Corinthians 3:17
Tuesday, May 29 | Ephesians 3:20
Wednesday, May 30 | Ephesians 4:13-16
Thursday, May 31| Lamentations 3:22-23
Friday, June 1 | Colossians 2:7
Saturday, June 2 | Psalm 9:1, Psalm 9:2 in the TLV
Sunday, June 3 | 2 Corinthians 9:10
We pray: LORD, come to this region with Your love and power! The people there need to know You as Savior, Messiah, Father and King. You have pinpointed this community on the map for us so we know they are already on Your heart. May we indeed see Your Kingdom come and Your will be done in Enfranz!
