彌賽亞猶太信徒在以色列找到自己的位置
MESSIANIC JEWS FINDING THEIR PLACE IN ISRAEL
Australian Prayer Network - Newsletter 2015-08-22
澳洲禱告網絡2015-08-22通訊 ※中譯：地極禱告站
禱告方向：
(1)求神呼召、帶領更多彌賽亞信徒參軍，成為IDF的得勝祝福及贏得軍隊禾場的勇士使徒
(2)求神建造-裝備-轉化IDF成為地面與神國的大能爭戰與宣教軍隊…..
詩篇44:3-8
因為他們不是靠自己的刀劍得地土，也不是靠自己的膀臂得勝，
乃是靠祢的右手、祢的膀臂，和祢臉上的亮光，因為祢喜悅他們。
上帝啊，祢是我的王；求祢出令使雅各得勝。
我們靠祢要推倒我們的敵人，靠祢的名要踐踏那起來攻擊我們的人。
因為，我必不靠我的弓；我的刀也不能使我得勝。惟祢救了我們脫離敵人，使恨我們的人羞愧。
我們終日因上帝誇耀，還要永遠稱謝祢的名。
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以色列國防軍(IDF)內部的文化正在改變。彌賽亞猶太信徒越來越被軍隊接納，甚至成為軍官。
一個孤獨的吉他和弦在房間裡回響著，超過一百位的以色列士兵站起身來呼求幫助。他們向著天堂伸出雙手，就像詩篇作者戰士大衛一樣，他們呼喊著：「我們四圍都是敵人，但是雅威祢能夠拯救我們。雅威，因著祢，我能成為一位勇敢的戰士。」對這些為以色列打仗的十八歲至二十四歲的彌賽亞猶太信徒士兵，彌賽亞耶穌是安慰和力量的源頭。「如果我的生命裡沒有耶穌，我不可能在軍隊裡再多撐過一天。」在海軍精銳單位中的指揮官歐倫這麼說。「壓力非常地大。」他承認道。「對我來說，這些敬拜和禱告的時間就像是一口新鮮的空氣。」
這樣的事在幾年前根本無法想像。在不久以前，彌賽亞猶太信徒若不隱瞞自己的信仰，就不能在以色列找工作或是租公寓。彌賽亞猶太信徒被有關當局看作安全危機，也被禁止在敏感的軍事單位服務。他們當然也不被允許在以色列軍隊中指揮精英部隊。現在這一代在以色列出生的彌賽亞猶太信徒更年輕精明，而一切都改變了。目前彌賽亞信徒在各個以色列軍事情報分支裡以指揮官、高級軍官、戰鬥機飛行員等身分服役，這些都需要經過最高層級的安全檢查。以色列國防軍已經與總理辦公室協調，同意讓彌賽亞猶太信徒士兵協助引導以色列防禦的戰事。
有很大比例的彌賽亞猶太信徒選擇在精銳戰鬥單位服役，而自願在特別單位服役的彌賽亞信徒軍官和指揮官的人數也在攀升中。在以色列的彌賽亞猶太信徒年輕人非常積極地在IDF服役，加上堅強的家庭和會眾的支持，他們漸漸地被認定是以色列軍隊的優秀軍人。十九歲彌賽亞猶太信徒歐莉在高度機密的情報單位服役，教導士兵使用高科技監視設備。「我教導的這些士兵負責看顧上百萬民眾的性命。這真地很有壓力，因此能在雅威面前傾心吐意並且跟我的彌賽亞猶太信徒朋友分享，對我幫助非常大。」她說。
十八歲的以利沙是在以色列出生的彌賽亞猶太信徒。在完成基本訓練之後，他在耶路撒冷的西牆和上百名士兵一同宣誓效忠以色列國，並且拿到發給新兵的機關槍和希伯來文舊約聖經。在典禮進行時，以利沙從隊伍中舉起手對著指揮官大喊：「長官，我可以用我的新約聖經連同希伯來文聖經一起宣誓嗎？」這位軍官喊著回答他：「是的，你可以，以利沙！」因此，以利沙加入人數逐漸增加的上百名公開信仰的彌賽亞猶太信徒士兵，一同在IDF服役。以利沙選擇在高度精密的鐵穹反飛彈單位服役，有效地保護以色列居民不被哈瑪斯從加薩射過來的上千枚火箭傷害。
如同大多數年輕的以色列彌賽亞猶太信徒，被晉升為第一軍士長*(一等士官長)的以利沙說，他以為國家服務為榮。他證實，在彌賽亞耶穌裡的信仰甚至給他一個更大的渴望來為以色列效命。他這樣說：「我感覺自己正在做一件非常重要的事。這是我被預備來為我的百姓做的。在這樣的時刻，我很高興我可以在這裡。」『行我所行的。』那就是基甸在帶領他的部隊爭戰時所給他們的指示。（士師記7:17）這同時也是約書亞的座右銘，他是一位彌賽亞猶太信徒的IDF上尉兼排長，在現今訓練並帶領部隊保護耶路撒冷的邊境。他的隊伍中的年輕士兵每天都面對緊張又複雜的情況。保護以色列首都免於武裝恐怖組織的工作，既危險又令人沮喪。
「對我而言，這真的是非常重要的工作。」這位彌賽亞信徒上尉說。「我們正在這裡處理非常龐大的問題，而且沒有人知道該怎麼解決。沒有很多士兵想要作這份工作。我的職責的一部分就是要使我的士兵保持積極。我每一天都需要提醒他們，他們的工作有多重要。我開始發現，在我們所處的世界中，不是每一件事情都會照著我們所期望的發生。」這位經驗豐富的上尉表示。「在這裡服役讓我們看清以色列嚴酷的生活現實，並且它會變得多複雜。」彌賽亞信徒軍官約書亞談到在這些艱難的時刻，他訓練和帶領士兵的角色。「在以色列的人因著對我們民族持續不斷的攻擊而感到憤怒，而一些IDF士兵要求報復阿拉伯人。因此我必須跟他們解釋，這樣的行為是不合法的。身為IDF士兵，他們不能自行著手處理問題。」
「為了保護阿拉伯人和猶太人無辜的生命，IDF對於需要克制的倫理道德和指導方針有清楚的規定。在IDF絕對不容許任何反阿拉伯的行為。」彌賽亞信徒上尉強調。這位軍官解釋，任何呼籲向阿拉伯人進行報復的士兵若被抓到，就會立刻被關進監獄。「我警告我所有的士兵，他們不能發表這種言論。不論是在臉書上，在網路上或是在對話中都不可以出現。在法律上是完全禁止IDF士兵發表這種言論的。」這名上尉警告他的部隊。「我告訴他們，如果他們向巴勒斯坦人報復，他們就跟那些教導他們的孩子要仇恨和殺戮猶太人的恐怖份子沒兩樣。我告訴我的士兵，在以色列和IDF，我們不容許我們的士兵掉進黑暗的地獄裡。」上尉約書亞這麼說。
「我向他們說明，我們不能因為憤怒就為所欲為。這是一個具有非常高的道德標準的文明國家。我們會盡所能地保護我們的國家，但是我們也堅持不讓士兵自行著手處理這些事。」他這樣告訴他的士兵。這位彌賽亞信徒上尉對於高道德標準的看重以及他在這個領域上的經驗和例子，使他被選作IDF的發言人。以色列軍隊請約書亞軍官協助，向世界解釋以色列的兩難並說明他要求以色列士兵的模範道德價值觀是如何。當巴勒斯坦人過度地抱怨所謂的「遭受以色列之手的殘害」，約書亞上尉透過一些由IDF製作的短片敘述了真實故事。
一項關於社群媒體的簡短調查指出，世界各地的年輕彌賽亞猶太信徒已經成為以色列在對抗媒體上一連串反閃族和反以色列偏見的重要支持來源。現在已有數百名彌賽亞猶太信徒士兵加入為以色列戰鬥的行列。這些年輕的彌賽亞信徒士兵是獨特的一代，他們看著自己的父母親因著信仰而面對戰爭、恐怖、迫害甚至是仇恨時，仍站立在雅威的應許上；有時候是孤單地站立，但從未對他們所信靠的那位失去盼望。這些彌賽亞猶太信徒戰士是以色列的雅威之信實、供應和保護的見證人。
彌賽亞信徒牧師大衛‧拉撒路說：「在這個信仰中迫害與衝突的考驗中成長，在自己的土地上一同為著成為耶穌的追隨者的權利而站立。在以色列百姓中，這個充滿活力的年輕世代彌賽亞信徒軍官、戰士、醫生、護士、律師、教授、學校老師、工匠和商人，對以色列及在以色列社會的各個行業中對耶穌和彌賽亞猶太教信仰的態度，都帶來巨大的影響力。看到他們對以色列百姓的愛，他們討神喜悅的渴望，以及他們對猶太民族的委身。這個年輕的世代使我對於我們的未來－以色列的未來－心裡充滿了信心與盼望。看著他們跑向戰場，準備好要服事我們的百姓，充滿信心和自信，預備好要為雅威和他們的國家獻上生命。我在感恩的淚水中向著以色列軍隊的雅威俯伏跪拜。」
MESSIANIC JEWS FINDING THEIR PLACE IN ISRAEL
Australian Prayer Network - Newsletter 2015-08-22
The culture is changing in the Israel Defence Force (IDF). Messianic Jews are becoming more and more accepted in the army, even as officers. A lone guitar chord echoes across the room as more than a hundred Israeli soldiers rise to their feet to ask for help. With outstretched hands they reach toward the heavens and like David the warrior Psalmist they cry, "We are surrounded by enemies, but you Lord are able to deliver us. With you O Lord, I can be a brave soldier." For these 18- to 24-year-old Messianic Jewish soldiers fighting for Israel, Yeshua the Messiah is a source of comfort and strength. "I wouldn't be able to last one more day in the army without Yeshua in my life," says Oren, a commander in an elite naval unit. "The pressure is so intense," he admits. "These times of worship and prayer are like a breath of fresh air for me."
Only a few years ago, this would have been unimaginable. It was not that long ago a Messianic Jew in Israel could not get a job or rent an apartment without hiding his or her faith. Messianic Jews were considered a security risk by authorities and prohibited from serving in sensitive army units. They certainly were not allowed to command elite troops in the Israeli army. Now we have a younger, savvier generation of native-born Messianic Jews, and all has changed. Messianics are now serving as commanders, high-ranking officers and fighter-jet pilots in every branch of the Israeli military including intelligence, which requires the highest level of security checks. The Israel Defence Forces in coordination with the Prime Minister's office has given a green light for Messianic Jewish soldiers to help lead the battle for the defence of Israel.
A large percentage of Messianic Jews choose to serve in elite fighting units, and there are growing numbers of Messianic officers and commanders volunteering to serve in specialized units. Messianic Jewish youth in Israel are highly motivated to serve in the IDF, and together with strong family and congregational support, they are increasingly being recognized as excellent soldiers for Israel's army. Orly, a 19-year-old Messianic Jewess serves in a highly secretive intelligence unit where she instructs soldiers in the use of high-tech surveillance equipment. "The soldiers I teach are responsible for the lives of millions of people," she says. "It gets really intense, and it helps me a lot to be able to pour out my heart before the Lord and share with my Messianic friends," she says.
When 18-year-old Elisha, a Messianic Jewish Sabra (Israeli born) completed his basic training, he joined the hundreds of soldiers at the Western Wall in Jerusalem to pledge allegiance to the State of Israel, and receive his machine gun and Hebrew Old Testament given to all new recruits. During the ceremony, Elisha raised his hand above the battalion shouting to the commander, "Sir, may I use my Brit Hadasha (New Testament) with the Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures) to pledge allegiance with?" The officer shouted back, "Yes, you may, Elisha!" And so Elisha joined the growing numbers of hundreds of openly Messianic Jewish soldiers serving in the IDF. Elisha was chosen to serve in the highly sophisticated Iron Dome Anti-Missile unit so effectively protecting Israel's citizens from the thousands of Hamas rockets coming out of Gaza.
Like most young Messianic Jews in Israel, Elisha, who has been promoted to first sergeant, says he is proud to serve his country. He affirms his faith in the Messiah Yeshua gives him an even greater desire to serve the nation of Israel. In his own words ... "I feel like I am doing something really important. This is something I am prepared to do for my people. I am glad that I can be here for such a time as this." “Do As I Do'. That is the commandment Gideon gave his troops as he led them into battle (Judges 7:17). It is also the motto of Joshua, a Messianic Jewish IDF captain and platoon commander who today trains and leads troops protecting the borders around Jerusalem. His teams of young soldiers face a tense and complicated situation daily. Defending the capital of Israel from armed terror groups is both dangerous and frustrating.
"For me, this is a really important job," says the Messianic captain. "We are dealing with a huge problem here, and nobody knows how to fix it. Not many soldiers want to do this job. A big part of my job is keeping my soldiers motivated. Every day I need to remind them about how important their job is. I've come to realize that we don't live in a world where everything goes the way you want," the experienced captain says. "Serving here wakes us up to the harsh realities of life in Israel and just how complicated it can be." Messianic Officer Joshua talked about his role in training and leading his soldiers during these troubled times. "People in Israel get angry about the constant attacks on our people and some IDF soldiers call for revenge against Arabs. So I have to explain to them that this kind of behaviour is illegal. As soldiers in the IDF they cannot take these matters into their own hands.”
The IDF has a clear code of ethics and guidelines requiring restraint in order to preserve innocent lives, Arab and Jewish. There is absolutely no place for any anti-Arab behaviour in the IDF," the Messianic captain emphasized. The officer explained that soldiers who have been caught calling for revenge against Arabs were immediately put in prison. "I warned all of my soldiers that they cannot make these types of statements. Not on Facebook, not on the Internet or even in conversations. It is absolutely forbidden, by law, for an IDF soldier to make these kinds of statements," the Captain tells his troops. "I told them that if they take revenge on the Palestinians they are no better than the terrorists, who teach their children to hate and kill the Jews. I told my soldiers that in Israel and in the IDF we will not allow our soldiers to fall into that dark hell," Captain Joshua said.
"I explain to them that we cannot do whatever we want just because we are angry. This is a civilized country with very high moral standards. We will do whatever we can to protect our country, but we also insist that our soldiers do not take matters into their own hands," he told his soldiers. Because of his strong regard for high moral standards coupled with his experience and personal example in the field, the Messianic captain was chosen to be a spokesman for IDF. The Israeli army asked Officer Joshua to help explain Israel's dilemma to the world and demonstrate the exemplary moral values he requires of Israeli soldiers. While Palestinians obsessively complain about the so-called "atrocities suffered at the hands of Israel," Captain Joshua tells the real story in a number of short video clips produced by the IDF.
A brief survey of social media will reveal that young Messianic Jews the world over have become an important source of support for Israel battling against the torrents of anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli bias in the media. There are many hundreds of Messianic Jewish soldiers now joined in the battle for Israel. These young Messianic soldiers are a unique generation having watched their parents stand on God's promises in the face of wars, terror, persecutions and even hatred because of their faith, sometimes standing alone, yet never losing hope in the One they trust. These Messianic Jewish fighters are eyewitnesses to the faithfulness of the God of Israel, His provision and protection.
David Lazarus, a Messianic Pastor, said “Growing up in this faith crucible of persecutions and conflict, standing together for the right to be followers of Yeshua in their own land, among their own people, this vibrant young generation of Messianic military officers, fighters, doctors, nurses, lawyers, professors, school teachers, artisans and business men and women are having a huge impact on Israel and on attitudes toward Jesus and Messianic Jewish faith in every sector of Israeli society. Seeing their love for the people of Israel, their desire to please God and their commitment to the Jewish nation, this young generation fills my heart with faith and hope for our future—Israel's future. Watching them run to the battle ready to serve our people, full of faith and confidence, ready to give their lives for God, and for their nation, I am brought to my knees in tears of gratitude to the God of the armies of Israel.
