NETANYAHU TO START BIBLE STUDY IN HIS HOME

Pray that all Israelis follow his lead and begin reading the Word, like in the days of King Josiah.
Joel C. Rosenberg
(Washington, D.C., December 13, 2011) -- I read a fascinating story in the Jerusalem Post this morning and it gave me fresh hope for the nation of Israel.

"Taking a page out of David Ben-Gurion and Menachem Begin's playbook, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will begin hosting a regular Bible study group in his official residence for researchers, public officials and invited guests, "reports the Post. "Netanyahu announced the establishment of the study circle on Friday at a ceremony marking 30 days since the passing of his father-in-law, Shmuel Ben-Artzi. The study group will be named after Ben-Artzi, a noted poet and Bible teacher. Both Ben-Gurion and Begin, when they each served as prime minister, hosted regular Bible study groups. Netanyahu said he was establishing the class to perpetuate love of the Bible."

This is an excellent step by the Prime Minister, and he should be commended for it. Indeed, let us pray that the study of the Word of God has a powerful, personal impact on the Prime Minister and his family and each of his colleagues and guests. Let's pray that many Israelis would follow the Prime Minister's lead and begin reading the Holy Scriptures again, and that Bible studies in people's homes would spring up all over the Land of Israel.

Such a national reawakening to the importance of the Scriptures has happened before in Israel's history. Remember men like Nehemiah, Ezra, Josiah, and Joel? These were beloved governors, priests, kings and prophets whom the Lord used to turn the Jewish people back to the Scriptures and the need for national and individual prayer, fasting and repentance. One of my favorite examples is found in 2 Kings 22. I'd encourage you to read it afresh, for it is the remarkable story of King Josiah.

At the age of 8, Josiah took the throne. When he was 18, he instructed the temple to be cleaned and renovated. In so doing, he learned that a long forgotten copy of the Scriptures had been found in the temple. Indeed, someone brought him the dusty scrolls and read the Word to the king. "When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes" in repentance for all of Israel's sinful ways, and his own. Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest and several other servants, "Go, inquire of the Lord for me and the people and all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found, for great is the wrath of the Lord that burns against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us."

In 2 Kings 23, then, comes the equally amazing story of King Josiah gathering all the people of Israel tand reading the Word of the Lord to them. Together, convicted of their own sins, they chose to make a covenant before the Lord to obey His all of His commandments. "Before him," the Bible says, "there was no king like him who turned to the Lord with all his might, according to the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him." Let us pray that Israel once again experience a national renaissance of hunger for the Word of the Lord. Amen.

[To see read the full Jerusalem Post story -- and more details about Netanyahu's growing interest in Bible study in recent years -- please go to: http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/; or go to www.joshuafund.net]

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