Shalom Dear Friends,
Statistically Speaking
It is February and we have had time to look over what God has accomplished through the HaDavar team. The team consists of the HaDavar staff and all of you who support us with prayer, encouragement and finances. God made 2012 an exciting and unusual year on two fronts: education and evangelism.
Education
Our primary focus is to disciple Jewish and Gentile Christians by providing in-depth Bible study from a Jewish perspective through our School of Biblical and Jewish Studies. We do this because it is the most effective way to reach Jewish people for the Lord. To the best of my knowledge, 80% of the Jewish people who come to faith in Yeshua do so through Bible study and one-on-one discussions with their Christian friends. If we can equip Christians with in-depth Bible knowledge and an understanding of the Jewish backgrounds of the New Testament, not only will they grow in their faith, but they will be more effective presenting the Messiahship of Jesus to their Jewish friends, one-to-one, over that cup of coffee and a Bible at Starbucks.
We are surrounded by one million Jewish souls here in Orange County, CA. There are not enough full-time Jewish missionaries in Orange County to personally reach one million people. However, we can multiply our ministry by equipping those who have personal contact beyond our circle of activity. Hence, the HaDavar School of Biblical and Jewish Studies.
This year our educational outreach has been multiplied many fold. Through the generosity of two team members, we were able to purchase the resources we needed to video our classes and make them available on line through YouTube. The response has been amazing. Statistically, we are rapidly closing in on 5,000 views. I never, ever expected to be involved in a ministry that reaches over 5,000 people in the course of a year. That is the beauty of the Internet. Thank you, Lord!
Please pray that our classes will continue to expand in scope and more and more serious Bible study students will take our Internet classes—from around the globe.
Evangelism
We have been reaching out with the Gospel through our Bible book table at the University of CA Irvine for five years. We were rather amazed at what the Lord did in 2012 in contrast to His work during the previous years. Perhaps a little chart will emphasize what happened.
| 2008 | 0 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 17 |
| 2012 | 144 |
| 2013 | ? |
Do you see why 2012 was such an exceptional year? We were bowled over week after week as young people responded time and time again to the presentation of the Good News. 2012 was so incredibly different from the previous 4 years.
I write this newsletter in mid-January. We are poised to go out to the UCI campus for the first time in 2013 this Friday. Please be praying that the Lord will continue to pour out His grace on the UCI campus. Will 2013 be as amazing as 2012?
Looking Ahead
As we look ahead to 2013 we hope to move forward with a new, more effective Internet site, the production of more discipleship material, and perhaps explore the possibility of offering webinar classes. Webinar classes would allow students to sign into the classes from their computer at home anywhere in the world and participate in a live class participation. Isn’t that wild? Pray for us and our outreach in 2013!
Thanks for your partnership. You all are deeply appreciated.
The Celebration of Purim
Purim is a Jewish festival that remembers the deliverance of the Jewish people under the Persian domination predicted in Daniel 2:39, 7:5, and 8:3 20. The Jews had been taken into captivity by the Babylonians who were in turn conquered by the Medo-Persians. All were free to return to Israel, but only a remnant went back to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. The majority settled in the comfort and relative security of the Persian Empire. This disobedience was soon to be shattered by anti Semitism. In 2013, Purim begins at sunset Saturday, February 23.
The events that led up to the celebration are recorded in the Book of Esther. The wicked anti-Semite, Haman, is promoted to Prime Minister of the Persian Empire. He uses his position to promote genocide of the Jewish people. Being a superstitious idol worshipper, Haman casts lots [pur (singular), purim (plural)] to determine the most advantageous time for his holocaust. However, God remains faithful to His covenant with Abraham and preserves the nation from destruction. God uses a loyal Jew, Mordecai, and his cousin, Esther, to destroy Haman. Purim is celebrated to remind the Jewish people of His faithfulness to the nation—even when they were living in disobedience.
The festival is primarily celebrated in the synagogue today by the reading of the Megillah—the Book of Esther. However, there is a twist. Whenever Haman’s name is mentioned, the congregation rattles noisemakers, called graggers, and breaks into catcalls. Whenever Mordecai or Esther’s names are mentioned, the congregation cheers. Reading the Megillah is a joyous time.
The rabbis commanded that the celebration is a time to eat, drink and be merry. Consequently, gifts of food and drink are exchanged, and gifts are given to charity. Toward the end of the Purim day the festive meal, Seudat Purim, is served and traditional songs are sung. A traditional three cornered cookie, Hamentashen, and a meat-filled pastry, Kreplach, are served. Carnival-like celebrations with masquerade parties are held at the synagogues and Purim Spiels (plays and parodies) are performed.
Use this opportunity to wish your Jewish friends a happy Purim. Ask them how they celebrate Purim and tell them that you would love to taste Hamentashen and Kreplach. Be prepared to teach them about the One who loves the Jewish people and who has a covenant stake in their survival and welfare. He who delivered Israel from Haman will deliver His people and Israel from the multitude of anti Semites threatening them today.
Beyond physical deliverance, tell your Jewish friends about the One who can deliver them from eternal, spiritual destruction. Tell them about Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah who holds out the promise of ultimate joy and celebration. Take them to Psalm 16:10-11, a Messianic Psalm fulfilled in Acts 13:35.
- Ps 16:10-11 (NASB95)
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
Happy Purim!