Learning from the Prophet Jonah

Tonight, we read from the Book of Jonah. It is Tradition to read the Book of Jonah during Yom Kippur. The story of Jonah exemplifies the dichotomy of the two types of Judgement in Jewish thought. The Judgement of "Dan" which is Instruction that leads to Redemption, and the Judgement of "Shofet," which is the Final Judgement, which leads to Destruction. The Story of Jonah, challenges our understanding of these two types of Judgement, and how they are to be administered.

It also teaches us about God's Character, and the Real understanding of His relationship with Israel. It is common thought, especially within the Church, that "The Jews," (God's Chosen People), are Chosen out of "Favouritism."

Let me set the record straight, right here and now. God has Chosen Israel for a purpose, and with that purpose comes blessings, but also Great Responsibility. Most of the time, Jews are born into this responsibility without a choice of their own. Nevertheless, the LORD allows us to choose. This is the acceptance of the Covenant, much like that which was given or "re-given" to the Israelites in D'varim (Deuteronomy). A Covenant made with every generation, thereafter. Ultimately, the Blessings and the Responsibility are worth it, but it is not an easy road to choose.

We are Chosen "Servants" of the LORD, whether we acknowledge this or not. God has used our people throughout History, whether we knew it or not, or wanted to or not. To be "Chosen" is not about "The Blessings," but "The Purpose" that we are Chosen for. For this reason, when Gentiles desire to "Convert" to Judaism, there is discouragement from the Rabbis. This is a Tradition, to demonstrate the severity of taking on this Responsibility. The "Blessing," is no light matter.

For this reason, and in this Tradition, Paul warns early Non-Jewish Believers about what it means to submit to The Law through Religious Conversion to Judaism, which was enacted through circumcision.

"Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law." Galatians 5:3

There are many times it has been declared, by our People, "Why me. Why us?" This is even voiced within the Play "Fiddler on the Roof," - Tevya declares, "I know, I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can't You choose someone else?"

This statement so clearly depicts the emotions of Jonah, when he is asked to go to Nineveh, to call them to T'shuva (Repentance). As if to say, "Why me? Destroy them, if you are going to destroy them!" This would be like asking a Jew to go to Berlin, and to the SS Head Quarters in the midst of WWII, to call the Nazis to repentance. Could you imagine?

Then again, Could you imagine?

It is Times like this, and events like THIS, that Israel is called to fulfil that Responsibility. It's not always about "Blessings." This is WHAT we were chosen for.

Any volunteers?

I think our "Other Prime Minister," Benjamin Natanyahu did just this, in the Halls of the UN a couple weeks ago.

It is events like this, that marks the days of the Prophets, Days when the Boldness of the LORD is upon our People, so that we proclaim the Judgement of "Dan," to mankind, in spite of the ramifications. We are to take our Responsibility to proclaim the Word of the LORD, even if it means death. It is Days like this that require us to speak the Truth, even when man believes that The Truth and Being Righteous, is irrelevant.

Why do you think that they killed the Prophets?

We don't want to hear instruction. We do not want to Shema. We want everyone else to Shema (Hear) what we have to proclaim, but are WE willing to Listen to what the LORD has to say, through His prophets?

I ask myself the same question. Am I willing to listen... To do?

It's not easy to muster up the courage to go tell someone something that they do not want to hear. It is easier, if you are proclaiming the Judgement of Shofet, because you can draw upon your anger to give you strength. Is IT not easy to tell your enemies that they are going to Hell? What about those that you Love?

In fact, there are some that only see this side of the LORD - The God of Judgement. They view the Character of the LORD as one who finds "Pleasure," in Punishing the Wicked. Is this the God of Israel?
Whenever you read the Prophets, you will notice a simple formula, an elementary pattern. Point out the Wrongs (Demonstrate the Problem), Proclaim Righteousness (Instruction in Proper Conduct), Warning (Proclaim the coming calamity without Repentance), Reason and Plead with man (Demonstrate desire for Restoration.)

What comes next is natural progression. We can call this "Punishment," but if I were to tell you, "Do not play in traffic," and then by not listening, you get hit by a car... Is this punishment or natural consequence in the sequence of events? We are called, Chosen, to proclaim "Dan." The Righteous Judgement of Instruction. We leave the Judgement of Shofet to the LORD.

Instead of taking pleasure, in the Shofet of our Enemies (Those who do not agree with us, or persecute us), We should demonstrate Dan, and be motivated by Love. We should be learning from the story of Jonah, to proclaim T'shuva, with the hope and desire, that they do Listen, and not in the hopes that they will not. We should not rejoice in the Destruction of our Enemies, but weep. This is what we have to learn from the Prophet Jonah. We must draw upon our Love, even the Love of our enemies, to proclaim the Righteousness of the LORD. THIS, Loving our Enemies, in spite of our emotion, is what Messiah Yeshua taught us, that makes us stand apart (Holy) - Chosen for a purpose.

This should be a lesson to us, within the Messianic Movement. We, who have knocked down our houses built upon Theology, and are rebuilding our tabernacle upon the foundation of Scripture. In Love, we must continue to share our understanding with those who are yet to turn, to return to God's Torah. We should learn to extend the same Grace that has brought us to where we are today.

As well, as we hold resentment against the Rabbis, who mislead our people Israel. We are angry, like Johan, at their Sin. Sometimes, we'd rather see the Wrath of God fall upon them, than to see them repent, and this is our Sin. They must be edified by His Word. This is what we have been Chosen to do. We have not been chosen to proclaim Christianity, but The Word of God, and the fullness thereof, which leads to Messiah. This, and not Christianity, will provoke them to jealousy!

Chaverim, Christianity is a Religion, like Judaism, or Islam for that matter. Within it are good teachings, but it is the Word of God that we have been called to Prophesy, not a Religion.

Today, we must learn from the Story of Jonah, and offer Grace and forgiveness, just as we ask the LORD to forgiveness us. From here forward, we must accept His Instruction to exercise the Judgement of Dan, the Judgement of Good Instruction. Our goal, should be, in Love, to provoke them, The Rabbis, and the Church Pastors, to return to God's Word. We learn, like Jonah, to remove the Judgement of Shofet from our hearts, knowing that the LORD loved them enough to choose us, and to use us, to provoke them to repentance.

Tonight, Today, This Yom Kippur, as we Fast with Israel, we Fast in Unity with our Nation, during this time of repentance. However, what is saying "I'm sorry," without T'shuva Emet (True Repentance). We must turn away from our unrighteousness. We must pray that we all return to the foundation of Torah.

As we Fast and Pray, we must ask the Ruach HaKodesh to instruct us in the proper observance of Torah, rather than relying on our own wisdom and understanding. We must understand that Traditions are important Road Signs, but we Must reach our Destination, and Worship Adonai in Spirit and in Truth.

Let us rise to the Purpose of our Choosing, and proclaim the latter part of the Prophet's formula, the call of Restoration. It is Time for Israel to declare, "Baruch Haba B'Shem Adonai." "Blessed is HE who comes in the name of The LORD."

Is Israel ready? Is this the Time? This is for the LORD to decide. In the mean time, it is our calling, our duty, as His Chosen, His Elect, to proclaim to all those who are seeking, The Messiah of Israel, Yeshua HaMashiach.

We do not proclaim this in arrogance, as though we have something to boast, but in humility and simple Bold Truth. Come, reason with us, there is just as much evidence, and more, reason that He is Messiah, than some claim that He is not.

In Matthew 12, Yeshua quotes from The Prophet Isaiah (Chapter 42):

18 "Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory.
21 In his name the nations will put their hope." (Matthew 12:18-21)

Still, we asked for A Sign. To this Yeshua stated:

38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you."

39 He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.
42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.
43 "When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.
44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.
45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation." (Matthew 12:38-45)

This parable speaks of what we do prior to Pesach and Yom Kippur. We clean our house, ridding ourselves of sin. Now, let us take heed to the Warning of Messiah, regarding what we do on this Yom Kippur.

As we clean our house, and rid ourselves of the Sin that plagues us, what happens if we are not sealed by the Ruach HaKodesh, The Holy Spirit, and that our name is not only written, but sealed, in the Book of Life?

Then Next year, this time, we will be dealing with multiples of 7. This is why Yeshua teaches us to forgive 70 times 7, as in Matthew 18:22. The number 70 refers to the Nations of the World, the Goyim. The 7 represents the increments of our Sin. Therefore, if we do not learn to walk upright, as the LORD has Commanded us, then we become like the Goyim, like the nations - Not Holy - Not Set Apart.

If so, then who is worthy to be our Priest? Who is able to perform the duty of the acts of atonement?

Therefore, as God forgives the Nations, through Israel's Work of fulfilling His Command, regarding Yom Kippur, therefore forgiving us, His Chosen, we too should be willing to forgive the 70 times 7. This is what brings complete atonement, not just for Israel, but in turn, the Whole World. Therefore, let us forgive one another, as we ask the LORD to forgive us. Yeshua is our Tikkun Olam.

In closing, let me read Isaiah 53 once again, and know the sign of our Messiah. The Sign that some have attempted to hide from us. The Prophet Isaiah declares:

1 'Who would have believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 For he shot up right forth as a sapling, and as a root out of a dry ground; he had no form nor comeliness, that we should look upon him, nor beauty that we should delight in him.
3 He was despised, and forsaken of men, a man of pains, and acquainted with disease, and as one from whom men hide their face: he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely our diseases he did bear, and our pains he carried; whereas we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded because of our transgressions, he was crushed because of our iniquities: the chastisement of our welfare was upon him, and with his stripes we were healed.
6 All we like sheep did go astray, we turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath made to light on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, though he humbled himself and opened not his mouth; as lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before her shearers is dumb; yea, he opened not his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away, and with his generation who did reason? for he was cut off out of the land of the living, for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due.
9 And they made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich his tomb; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.'
10 Yet it pleased the LORD to crush him by disease; to see if his soul would offer itself in restitution, that he might see his seed, prolong his days, and that the purpose of the LORD might prosper by his hand:
11 Of the travail of his soul he shall see to the full, even My servant, who by his knowledge did justify the Righteous One to the many, and their iniquities he did bear.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the mighty; because he bared his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Let us take heed to the Words of the Prophets and Know our Messiah. His name is Yeshua, and He Has Come, and He has taken away the Sin of the World, for those who lay it upon Him.

May the LORD Bless You, and May your Fast be Easy.