Summary

How do you reconcile being both Arab and Israeli in a land of deep divisions?

For Robert "Ruby" Bishai, this tension is not only part of his personal journey but also the heartbeat of his ministry. Ruby, an Arab Israeli believer in Yeshua, has found a profound calling to serve both the Jewish and Arab people of Israel. Growing up in a Jewish town as an Arab Christian gave him a unique perspective on the challenges and beauty of these two cultures colliding.

Today, Ruby is a bridge between these worlds, striving to foster unity and bring the hope of Messiah to those who seem divided by history.

Through Fields of Wheat, the ministry Ruby serves with, he mentors young believers and supports soldiers during times of war - often being a living testimony of love across cultural boundaries. His passion stems from a deep sense of destiny, recognizing that God has called him to stand in the gap between Arabs and Jews, seeing the promise of Isaiah 19:24,25 come to life.

Ruby’s story is one of identity, reconciliation, and the unshakable hope that peace and salvation will come to both Arab and Jewish people.

Takeaways

• Living as an Arab Israeli in Israel comes with its challenges, but Ruby Beshai embraces his unique identity and serves both the Arab and Jewish communities.
• Fields of Wheat is a ministry in Israel that focuses on developing the youth and young adult believers and fostering unity between Jewish and Arab believers.
• Ruby Beshai has had the opportunity to supply soldiers with equipment during times of war and has also shared the gospel with them, seeing an openness among the Jewish people.
• Despite the conflicts and tensions in the Middle East, there is hope for peace and the salvation of both the Jewish and Arab people.

Chapters

Summary

Imagine discovering that one of the most influential figures in Biblical history may have been misunderstood for centuries. That’s the compelling problem Ryan Lambert tackles in his book, The Weird Apostle. As a Messianic Jew, Lambert challenges the traditional portrayal of the Apostle Paul, urging us to see Paul not as a renegade who sought to break away from Judaism, but as a devoted Jew who remained faithful to the Torah.

In our latest episode of The Jewish Road Podcast, Lambert shares his deep passion for building bridges between Christians and Jews, shining a new light on Paul's mission and his message.

Lambert argues that by understanding Paul within his Jewish context, we can undo centuries of replacement theology that has strained Christian-Jewish relations. He points out that Paul never intended to create a new religion but sought instead to unite Jews and Gentiles under the worship of the one true God. And far from being a distant theologian, Paul was a real man writing letters to real communities, with a sense of urgency about the return of the Messiah.

Lambert’s insights invite us to reconsider Paul’s legacy and the rich, shared history between Jews and Christians, opening the door to greater unity and understanding in our faith journeys.

Takeaways

• Understanding Paul in his Jewish context can challenge the traditional narrative and improve relationships between Jews and Christians.
• Paul was a faithful Jew who upheld the Torah and did not seek to replace Judaism with Christianity.
• The Jewishness of Jesus is widely recognized, but the Jewishness of Paul is often overlooked.
• Reframing Paul's role as a bridge between Judaism and Christianity can help foster dialogue and understanding. Paul believed that the end was near and expected the Messiah's return in his lifetime.
• Paul's letters were intended for real communities and not as theological texts for future generations.
• Replacement theology has created division between Christians and Jews and goes against Paul's message.
• Paul's message was intended to join Jews and non-Jews together under the worship of the one true God.

Chapters

Summary

Why do so many Christians misunderstand the conflict in Israel, and what should we do about it? In our latest episode, we dive into this pressing issue with Dr. Jeff Myers, President of Summit Ministries. Dr. Myers shares his insights from a recent trip to Israel and explores why the rising generation has so many misconceptions about this critical region.

We discuss the complex layers of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, breaking down the difference between geopolitical and theopolitical issues and why understanding the religious motivations behind the conflict is essential. Dr. Myers also sheds light on how current events in Israel relate to biblical prophecies and the multiple war fronts Israel is facing today.

Together, we unpack the history of Israel, its ongoing conflict with Hamas, and the broader geopolitical implications. We explore the concept of a just war and why it’s crucial for Christians to support Israel. This conversation isn't just about taking sides—it's about engaging in informed, meaningful discussions that matter. Join us as we navigate this complex and vital topic.

Takeaways

• Dr. Jeff Myers wrote a book inspired by his trip to Israel in January and the need to address the rising generation's misconceptions about Israel.
• There is a difference between geopolitical and theopolitical conflicts, with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict being theopolitical due to varying understandings of religious truth.
• Biblical prophecies have been fulfilled in the existence of the current nation of Israel, but there are still prophecies yet to be fulfilled.
• Israel is facing multiple war fronts, including conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and the West Bank. The situation in Israel is complex and constantly evolving, with the potential for conflict at any time.
• Understanding the history and geopolitical implications of the conflict is crucial for informed discussions.
• The concept of a just war is important in evaluating Israel's actions and defending its right to self-defense.
• Young adults, including Christians, are increasingly influenced by anti-Israel propaganda and need to be presented with the facts.
• Supporting Israel is not the same as agreeing with every Israeli policy, but it is important for Christians to stand with Israel in the face of rising anti-Israel sentiment.

Sound Bites

• "51% of young Americans sided with Hamas in the battle between Hamas and Israel."
• "Young adults' views on Israel can be changed with the presentation of facts."
• "Iran believes they cannot achieve their desired apocalyptic aims as long as Israel exists."
• "Israel's policing of the West Bank. So any of these situations could break into a war at any time."
• "Does Israel have a legitimate right to exist? And is it ever going to be possible to manage the peace in the region as long as Hamas exists as a military governing force?"
• "A just peace is one in which righteousness prevails when right is done. An unjust peace or a shameful peace is a peace in which evil is allowed to prevail."

Chapters

• 00:00 - Introduction and Background
• 04:23 - Inspiration for the Book and Trip to Israel
• 08:41 - The Difference Between Geopolitical and Theopolitical Conflicts
• 13:16 - The Impact of Facts on Young Adults' Views on Israel
• 19:34 - The Religious Motivations Behind the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
• 21:31 - Biblical Prophecies and the Existence of Israel
• 23:26 - Israel's Multiple War Fronts
• 26:16 - The Theopolitical Nature of the Conflict
• 28:59 - The Concept of a Just War
• 36:09 - Why Christians Should Support Israel

Find out more about Summit Ministries: https://www.summit.org/ Click here to get a copy of of Jeff's book, Should Christians Support Israel.