~ebrewLessor
I 4 ''+
~ ~m,,,~,._-"~_.; ~ _ 2_ 2= ~,.-~
As disciples of Messiah, we are to persevere through times persevere. Though we may be barred from going any further in
of testing and tribulation. This should come as no surprise, the direction we are headed, we don't let up, relax our efforts,
since we are called to participate in the Lord's plan for world or consider an alternate route. We keep pressing in with the
redemption, which begins with Israel--the Nation whose very, same strength, and eventually, the resistance subsides. What at
name speaks of perseverance. one moment can seem like an impenetrable, immovable wall
may in reality, be on the verge of relinquishing. "and =~', Ya'akov (Jacob) was left alone, and
Let us run, then, not away from testing, but toward maturity \[a\] man wrestled with him until dawn. And seeing that
he was not able \[to prevail over Ya'akov\], be and wholeness in the Messiah. Let us be quick to
pray (and ask others to pray for us) that we came against the hollow of \[Ya'akov's\]
thigh, and the hollow of Ya'akov's gis'rael would have peace in our hearts and minds.
Let us pray fervently and continually thigh became disjointed in his
for endurance, wisdom, strength wrestling with \[the man\]. And
and faith whenever we come \[the man\] said, 'Let me go, for 'SR g'
under trial. Let us be eager to the dawn has ascended,' and
\[Ya'akov responded\], 'I will seek guidance, encouragement
not let you go, unless you and understanding from the / ",,,
bless me. 'And \[the man\] Word of God, meditating on
said to him, 'What is ),our f"~l . . ~, it day and night, that by the
name?' and he replied, ~~ ~ Spirit we may persevere in
, .+ faith and hope. Above all, 'Ya'akov. 'And \[the man\]
said, 'Four name is no let us without hesitation "fix
longer called Ya'akov, but our eyes on the author and
~. ~7, Yis'rael (lsrael); for E1 sarah perfecter of faith--Yeshua"
you have persevered (~, (Hebrews 12:1), that we may
recall how He, too, endured sarah) with God and with \[with\] God \[HI perseveres ,_e+
and persevered through suffering men, and have prevailed.' And
Ya'akov asked and said, 'Please, as an example for us all. May such
tell me your name;' and \[the man\] perseverance do a great work in our
lives, that we may all "be mature and said, 'Why is this, \[that\] ),ou ask for My
name?' and He blessed \[Ya'akov\] there. And complete--lacking nothing." (=~, Fa'akov
Ya'akov called the name of the place ~tS.~\]~, P'nuel (Jacob)James 1:4)
\[face of God\]: for 'I have seen God face to face, and mF This material was originally presented in
The Messianic Life, Volume 1, Issue 6. life is preserved. '"
1 see also ttosea 12:4 and BDB 8280 & 3478 r~t~7)a B'reshiyt (Genesis) 32.'24-30 (YLT) ~
The prophetic purpose of the Nation of Israel is wrapped up
in her veI~¢ name, which means "he perseveres (,"l~, sarah) l/_ L II Pronunciation Key: a = "ah"; e = en ;
with God (~, e/)." (see figure above) In the context of Genesis i = "ee"; o = "oh"; u = "oo"; ch = guttural
32, the word ;"l~, sarah can also be translated as struggle,
strive, wrestle, or contend. In any case, we get the sense that sound in back of throat as in "bach" or "loch",
the relationship between Israel and God is not an easy one and no._ tt "ch" as in "much" or "charity"
requires tremendous exertion. To be sure, Ya'akov wrestled
with the man all night long and was not overcome. In fact, even Kevin Geoffrey is a Jewish Believer in the
Messiah Yeshua. He is the Founder and though Ya'akov was afflicted with a disjointed thigh (or hip) in
President of Perfect Word Ministries, a the middle of the scuffle, he still would not let the man go until
Messianic Jewish equipping ministry. Perfect he got his blessing! That is perseverance.
Word publishes the monthly Messianic
Israel, then, is an example to us of perseverance. We can discipleship publication The Messianic Life
(http://www.MessianicLife.com) assume that he was no match for the "man" who wrestled with
Kevin resides in Phoenix, Arizona with his him that night, and yet he held his ground. By not faltering
~. wife, Esther, and their sons, Isaac and Josiah. or withdrawing, Israel eventually prevailed through sheer
/ endurance and stamina. Sometimes, that's what it takes to j
14 Jewish Voice Today January/February 2005
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