ISRAEL A BoardMAGAZINE for Publication

Volume 24 No. 2 - September 2020

The Lord Reigns, also in These Chaotic Times

Special Experiences in From the Editor Rev. A. Schot Colophon

In this message from the editor, I would like Woerden, they wandered around lonely. to draw your attention to two subjects which Although they always kept in touch, they continually have the board’s attention. They missed the daily conversations. The situation are fi rstly the consequences of the corona- seemed to improve, but at present I do not virus for the workers and the work they do, dare to predict anything.

and secondly, our attitude towards the Jewish All these things have a deep impact. The Israel Magazine is a publication of the Board for people in light of the recent events in The As board members and workers, we feel our Israel of the Netherlands Reformed Congregations, for the proclamation of the gospel and diaconal aid. Netherlands. dependence on Him, who governs everything. ISSN 2589-8477 The coronavirus pandemic also affects the It is as you can read on the front page of this Editor-in-chief: work of our board. Rev. M.L. Dekker was Israel Magazine: “The Lord reigns, also in Rev. A. Schot going on leave to The Netherlands this these chaotic times.” Editors: summer. However, because of the alarming With respect to the second subject in The J. J. de Jong, J. M. Schot, L. Vogelaar coronavirus situation in Israel, he decided to Netherlands, several voices state it is high Children's pages: postpone his leave. Brother Dekker wrote the time to confess our guilt to the Jewish nation. T. M. Bruijnzeel-Lodder and I. M. Janse following: “We were really looking forward Such opinions are expressed in a number of Contact: to our leave; we also needed it. This year denominations. Letters are written about Postbus 400 required a lot from us. But Marita and I feel it in church circles, and several articles 3440 AK Woerden, the Netherlands it would not be good to leave the congrega- were published in the newspaper about this Tel.: +31 (0)348-489929 E-mail: [email protected] tion now that the situation has become so theme. You will understand that the Board desperate in Israel.” A baptismal service, a has seriously studied this subject. We feel Presenters: J. A. Jobse, J. J. de Jong, A. Karens; appointments via the confession service, and other services in The closely connected with the Jewish people. If above-mentioned telephone number or e-mail address Netherlands had to be cancelled. confession is necessary, we certainly do not or via one of the ministers who are members of the board. Rev. I.L. Zöld wrote in his report to the want to be last in line. In this issue of Israel board: “Something happened which had Magazine, you will fi nd an article in which I Financial contributions: IBAN ING: NL10INGB0000338952 – BIC INGBNL2A never ever before happened, as far as I know, have expressed the board’s viewpoint. On a (for individuals) in the church’s history; the church’s website study evening which will be held in Gelder- IBAN ABN: NL49ABNA0461863723 – BIC ABNANL2A showed in big letters: “Please do not come to malsen on October 3, the Lord willing, we (for consistories) both in the name of Deputaatschap voor Israël church; it is closed.” will elaborate on this topical subject in more Gereformeerde Gemeenten in Woerden. Sadly, our seminar journey (RTS) to give detail. Undoubtedly there is guilt. But what is Last wills: instruction in Zhytomir () had to be our greatest guilt? The ‘address’ of last wills for the benefit of the Board for cancelled. For the fi rst time in many years, Israel friends, we hope your support is mostly Israel must be written as follows: Deputaatschap voor Israël voor Evangelieverkondiging en diaconale hulpver- the lessons for the students had to be inter- expressed in prayer. May we ask you to pray lening van de Gereformeerde Gemeenten, gevestigd te rupted. Our offi ce workers in The Nether- for all those who are involved in the work Woerden, zelfstandig onderdeel van het kerkgenootsch- lands worked a lot from home during the among the Jewish people? ap van de Gereformeerde Gemeenten previous months. If they were in the offi ce in Translation: A. P. Meeuse, MA

Design: Worker in Israel: www.hrv-reclame.nl Printing: Fam. Rev. M. L. Dekker Fresh Design, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada POB 2156, Photograph on cover: Nof haGalil (-Illit) In the church in Nazareth, face masks are compulsory 1751508 Israel

An expression of support is very much appreciated!

2 Israel Magazine September 2020 Israel Magazine September 2020 3 Colophon

Dear friends,

Life in Budapest was very busy several months ago. People were who travelled around to give instruction made a wall decoration rushing everywhere, the restaurants were full of guests, public from paper. A half flower crown was painted and in the middle transport was overcrowded, and churches started to advertise the two words were written: YES, FATHER (from our Hungarian Eastern celebration program. translation). It is a quotation from the prayer of the Lord Jesus in I had a very busy life as well among my Jewish friends working on Matthew 11:26. The circumstances in the biblical time were very special programs. I wanted to do a Seder dinner demonstration sad. In those circumstances the Lord came to His people, but to show the connections between the Old and New Testaments, they hardened their hearts to the question of John of Baptist: “Art especially focusing on the message which points forward to the Thou the Messiah?” In this difficult situation, Jesus in prayer said: Messiah. Some Jewish friends were open to take part in it. “Thank You, Father. … Yes, Father.” The people of the church Then we heard about COVID-19, but at first we were thinking reminded themselves of it every day by the wall decoration. Can China was far away from . In the coming days, the you say today “YES, FATHER” in the current circumstances? Many situation became very depressing, as schools, airports, borders, of my Jewish friends were deeply touched by this message, and shops, offices, etc. closed. Something happened which had never now we wait and hope we can meet each other again soon. ever before happened, as far as I know, in the church’s history; the church’s website showed in big letters: “Please do not come Rev. I.L. Zöld, pastor in Budapest to church; it is closed.” We had to realize the inadequacy of the power and knowledge of mankind. The best scientists could do nothing against a virus that can be somewhat controlled by washing our hands with water and soap. In March I visited James (not his real name), who was born in the time of the Holocaust, and I told him it was my last visit. My wife and I went to buy some more sustainable food for the family, and it was big surprise that the shelves in the shops were nearly empty. He asked me if I could help him buy some more food, and we did so. In the quarantine time, he called me every week to say thank you for the help to buy food. The main profile of our ministry is personal evangelism, face-to- face meeting, and testimony. How can I do such ministry in my home office? You cannot fully replace this using electronic means. I made a number of phone calls to ask people how they were. The answer was as expected; everyone was worrying what might come. The next week they were calling me, and we had long con- versations on the telephone or on Skype. Questions came up like: “If God exists, why is this situation as it is?” Also questions were asked about His providence, how you deal with this challenge, etc. The opportunity to share the gospel was given in this way. After World War II, there was a very difficult period in Transyl- vania. However, there was a time of revival in the church. Those

2 Israel Magazine September 2020 Israel Magazine September 2020 3 Is Anything too Hard for the Lord?

4 Israel Magazine September 2020 Israel Magazine September 2020 5 Rev. M.L. Dekker

This summer it was a year ago when we may be sooner said than practised. The I have started to give lessons. We meet returned from The Netherlands after two history of mission has frequently shown every Friday morning. The first time I was years of studies. Recently we looked at that it is often a difficult process. There a little nervous. How would it go? Will the are difficult factors that contribute to this. brethren think it is interesting? And then photographs from this period. Each time We will not discuss them now. Often it is there is also the language barrier. I give when we were at Schiphol or Ben Gurion a fact that in the field one is “three steps the lessons in Hebrew, but I have to admit Airport, we made a photograph and sent it ahead” of the sending organization in the that it is not my native language. Nor is it to the boys with a greeting. This happened missionaries’ homeland. for Elder Hilton and Deacon Ari, who were many times. Now we say to each other: During the last visitation by the board born in Peru. They bring their Bibles in How have we ever been able to travel members in January, the future of the Spanish, so sometimes it becomes a “mix- congregation Nechama was elaborately ture” of Hebrew and Spanish. Thankfully, back and forth like that? One thing is discussed with me as a worker and with Spanish is not very difficult. There are undoubtedly true, that the Lord gave us the local consistory. All parties consider many similarities with French and Latin, strength to do it. the training of the office-bearers to be so we can work it out. But Hilton and Ari When we look back at this first year, an urgent necessity. During this week, will have to learn the biblical theological it has been an eventful time. Besides various opinions were expressed. However, terms. So we also pay attention to this. the coronavirus crisis, there were also there was one worrying thing; that is the I have made a simple curriculum. In this several changes and extensions in the finances. How could it be done? For me, semester the focus will be on a course in and also for the board members, this was exegesis. How do you read the Bible and activities. We would like to “take you a need which we laid before the Lord. “Is how do you explain a Bible text? Good along” to Nazareth and share the work any thing too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis exegesis is important for your sermon/ with you. 18:14). We experienced the truth of it. meditation. At the end of the first lesson, Congregations and private individuals we concluded that we read the Bible much Training of office-bearers (even children) have “superfluously” con- too quickly! It is wonderful to read a text “Missionary work is making oneself super- tributed to the training of the office-bear- together word for word, to analyze it, and fluous.” This has often been said in the ers in Nazareth. The Lord be thanked for to discover the riches of the Word. history of mission. However, these words this! Next the Heidelberg Catechism will be discussed. So we will begin simply with dogmatics, step by step. The subject of church history is a blind spot in Israel. Knowledge of it is nihil [nothing] in the churches. Sadly, the history of the church has not always been free from anti-Semitic tendencies. Many Messi- anic do not feel the need to study it. My Jewish spiritual father Albert Nessim called his Jewish brothers to make much study of the history of the church. What is happening in a num- ber of congregations also happened in the early Christian church, such as the denial of the divinity of Christ. The brethren think the lessons are instructive. Each week they make a Clothing store Yad Nechama small meditation,

4 Israel Magazine September 2020 Israel Magazine September 2020 5 which we discuss. And then we also speak from our hearts. Southerners are a little more open and expressive than West-Europeans. So the lessons are all but tedious. May the Lord bless it!

Changes Rev. Dekker teaching Elder Ben Shimon For several years Elder Amir worked for and Deacon Ben Dayan the beit-café Balalaika. He is of about origin with a Muslim background. After the one thing needful. my return last year, he told me he would We asked: “Lord, may it go all by itself?” like to do something for the persecuted Now that Amir has found different work, After some time, Ari asked if the position church. We are thankful to the Perse- we were looking for someone to replace in Balalaika could be held by a woman. Of cuted Church team, because Amir can be him in the beit-café. Who would have to course, we said. Timidly, he mentioned employed for several purposes. do this? Elder Hilton was asked, but he He continues to be connected to our con- did not feel attracted gregation as an elder. Also in this field the to the work in a need is great and intense. We ask you to beit-café. Moreover, pray for the persecuted . Would he recently received we, Western Christians with so many a promotion in riches and blessings, ever be willing to his current job. suffer for His Name’s sake? Initially we were very disappointed, but it In April, Deacon Ari was appointed is unwise to pressure coordinator of the beit-café and the someone. It must be used-clothing store Yad Nechama (Hand from the heart. of Comfort), besides his several studies (courses in Hebrew, English, and my What were we to do? At lessons). some point we thought This means, when he is properly trained of Rosa, Ari’s wife. She as a coordinator, my increased workload will be somewhat relieved. Much of the management of these projects fell on my Various activities are organized in Balalaika and Marita’s shoulders.

Yad Nechama meets a need to provide is an enthusiastic woman poorer people with good clothing. The with a warm appearance. population in our city mainly consists of From that moment our immigrants. Many have found the way attention was drawn to to Yad Nechama. We are delighted that her from different sides. a number of congregations from our We laid it down in prayer. We denomination are sending clothing to our can ask someone, but does he or project. Thanks to the high-quality cloth- she feel called to do this work? ing, the clientele has become much varied, Working in God’s kingdom from well-educated to simple. Ron man- requires self-denial and much ages the store. He is gifted to speak openly patience. And a career is out of the question. Serving comes first.

Israel Magazine September 2020 7 6 Israel Magazine September 2020 that the work had been laid heavily on Each day we sent a Bible text in five This is very sad. Marita and I have decided Rosa’s heart and she had been asking the languages using WhatsApp. We also sent not to go on leave. We have to stay at our Lord for weeks to pave the way. a short meditation in Russian from a post. Earlier, at his appointment, Ari said that Russian Reformed minister. Also the con- the congregation in Peru had once asked sistory frequently called the people and we Looking back at this first year as a min- them to pioneer in the Amazon area as a distributed many food packages. ister, we may say the work has expanded. missionary couple. They did not feel called Here in Israel we have to keep two metres Also in this coronavirus time there are and said “no.” Then they moved to Israel apart. As a result, it is not longer possible unexpected possibilities to spread the as a family. When he was asked for the to meet in our house. Thankfully we have gospel. work, Ari said: “Now we do not dare to permission to use the large church build- For example, there are several groups say ‘no’ again.” When we visited Rosa, she ing of our Arabic brethren in Nazareth. where I give instruction. told us in tears that she was most willing Singing is permitted, but only if we use The Lord will do with His Word what is to serve in the work we do. face masks. pleasing to Him. Also in these chaotic Meanwhile, we can say many The coronavirus time is not a quiet time times, He reigns! people have found their way for me. Rather, I am strangely busy. Many thanks for your support and prayers. to pay a visit to Rosa for a When I am writing this (in July), we are in Warm greetings from Israel! cup of coffee, tea, a roll, or the middle of a second outbreak. We are a crêpe, and of course to back to square one as a country. have some contact. There is much loneliness among the people. Some people suffer from traumas in their past. We cannot imagine how terrible the consequences of the Holocaust are, also among the second gen- eration. Many people are wounded.

Coronavirus In April, Israel imposed a strict lockdown. We were locked as it were in our houses for several weeks. We tried to reach the church members with short meditations in Hebrew using WhatsApp. We provided a translation in Russian and Spanish for those who do not speak Hebrew. The addresses and the translations were forwarded by us and by church members, so the gospel message was spread much further. Face masks are compulsory in church

Israel Magazine September 2020 7 6 Israel Magazine September 2020 Public APOLOGIES or Not?

Frequently a question is raised about a Rabbi L.B. van de Kamp and SGP Member Golverdingen wrote about this protest in public apology towards the Jewish people. of Parliament Mr. C.G. van der Staaij–was “Rev. G.H. Kersten, Facetten van zijn leven This subject has been discussed several and is desperately needed and we whole- en werk” [Facets of his Life and Work]: heartedly agree with it. “On June 11, 1942, the minister from times. For example, the so-called apology Rotterdam, on behalf of the Netherlands of Pope John Paul II because of the errors Doing justice to history Reformed Congregations, signed a protest of the Roman Catholic Church (also First, it is necessary to alter the way people telegram from the churches in response to towards the Jewish people) gave rise to sometimes consider the Netherlands the large-scale deportation of Jews from much debate. Reformed Congregations during the Westerbork” (page 212). Second World War. It is a misrepresenta- Rev. J.M. Snoek wrote in “De Nederlandse tion to state that this denomination never kerken en de Joden” [The Dutch Churches During the past months, such an appeal protested about the persecution of the and the Jews]: “Ten Dutch churches signed no longer stands alone. A large number of Jewish people. Admittedly, the name of the this telegram; both Lutheran Churches examples of apologies with respect to the Netherlands Reformed Congregations was took part now, the RC Church had joined past which are made or required could be missing under the protest of October 1940. them, and the Netherlands Reformed given. Even without saying anything about However, research has shown the Nether- Congregations (represented by Rev. G.H. the content, it cannot be denied that a kind lands Reformed Congregations were not Kersten) signed the protest.” of “sorry culture” has developed. invited to take part. This explains why their This may be a result of the fact that Rev. signature is missing under the above-men- G.H. Kersten’s opinion changed in the Declaration against anti-Semitism tioned protest. It is recommended to read second half of 1941. He no longer rejected Is it useful and necessary for the Nether- what Rev. H.C. Touw wrote about this resistance against the German occupier. lands Reformed Congregations to make period in “Het verzet der Hervormde Kerk” He even accommodated people in hiding public apologies towards the Jewish [The Resistance of the Reformed Church]. and resistance members. Perhaps there people, and can the Board for Israel take Early in 1941, Rev. G.H. Kersten entered is a connection with the signing of the the lead? the convent of churches. According to Dr. telegram in June 1942. But we do not know First it must be noted only the General L. de Jong, he refused to sign a protest that nothing was passed on in writing and Synod can make a statement on behalf of against anti-Semitic measures, because we do not know which beliefs, conversa- the Netherlands Reformed Congregations. he rejected resistance. In a theses by H.M. tions, and letters there were. Nevertheless, this subject has been raised van Beek about Rev. Kersten, we can read: We must be very careful when judging several times during the existence of the “He had not signed the address of March 5, someone’s actions in earlier times. We Board for Israel. Eventually, this has not 1941. Strikingly, the much heavier protest must also consider the closed culture, the led to a public apology, but to an appro- against the oppression of the Jewish fellow inward tendency of our denomination in priate declaration against anti-Semitism. countrymen was signed by the Nether- those days. Moreover, we can no longer This declaration–which was offered to lands Reformed Congregations.” Rev. apply the principle of “Audi alteram

8 Israel Magazine September 2020 Israel Magazine September 2020 9 partem” (listen to the other side as well). us to burden ourselves with the guilt of our nation would appreciate that. It is our bib- And we must not forget there were several ancestors. lical task to seek Israel’s good. If the apple members of the Netherlands Reformed Often Daniel’s prayer is referred to for of God’s eye is touched, we must never Congregations who lodged people in defending public apologies. Daniel con- remain silent. Let us stay alert for now and hiding (in an earlier issue of Israel Maga- fesses to have sinned and also mentions for the future. Sadly, anti-Semitism is not zine, we wrote about the Van Tilborgh’s). the fathers (Daniel 9). Daniel mentions only something from the past. Apologies about possible errors made by them in order to endorse the justice of our ancestors may cause much pain to the God’s judgments. Rev. A. Moerkerken Rev. A. Schot, chairman posterity of those who risked their lives. writes about Daniel’s prayer in light of public apology: “But isn’t it typical of Dan- Expectation of Jews iel’s prayer that it, although it was written Another important point is if (religious) down, was born in his closet, behind the Jews expect an apology from the churches open windows?” Personal humbling will and will the relationship benefit from it? bring us into the closet. Daniel prays to From a Jewish theological viewpoint, no confess sin and to beg for deliverance. He one can make a substitutional confession speaks in the first person plural about the on behalf of their ancestors. Several times people he lives among at that time, and he I noticed that Jews themselves do not does not think he is better than the people. really know what to do with such actions. This should also be our attitude, but it is Descendants do not bear “guilt.” Their not the same as substitutional apologies. “responsibility” is to learn from the past of Moreover, sometimes Psalm 106:6 is their (grand) parents. referred to: “We have sinned with our Confession of the sins of the fathers only fathers, we have committed iniquity, we applies when the following generations have done wickedly.” In this psalm we read continue in the footsteps of the fathers a number of actual sins of the Old Testa- with respect to their sins. Rabbi Van de ment nation Israel. However, these are sins Kamp wrote about it: “Who are we to which the Holy Spirit recorded in Exodus, accept apologies for those who actually Leviticus, and Numbers. experienced it or for those who survived This is very different from what is passed the annihilation.” So towards the Jewish on by the media. By mentioning these sins, nation, a public apology does not solve the psalmist wants to praise God’s virtues anything. of how amazing that He was pleased to save such sinful people. The psalmist does Biblical line of thought not apologize for those things he cannot A much more important question is: Does confess guilt for, but he praises the God of the Lord require us to do so? Should we Israel. feel personally guilty about the terrible Finally, we will never be able to say we did excesses in the past? The Bible speaks of the right things. Conviction and humbling only one sin which is attributed to others, are needed and then we will humble our- which is the sin of our covenant head selves. What a blessing if we learn from Adam. Adam’s sin must become our sin in history. This is something our neighbour our experience. The Bible does not teach would certainly profit from. The Jewish

8 Israel Magazine September 2020 Israel Magazine September 2020 9 For the Shalom, Children! boys and girls! It has been a strange time for you. Everything was different as a result of the coronavirus. This is also true for Israel! Let us talk to two girls and a boy from the congregation in Nazareth: Yael (13), Camilla (15), and Yaret (16). They receive catechetical instruction from Rev. Dekker. He has helped us to ask them how they have experienced this difficult time.

*Shalom, ma nishma? (How are you?) Yael Camilla: Difficult, especially with the studies at school. When we were at home, I found it difficult to concentrate. Now the pace at school is very fast; almost every day there is an exam to catch up. Yaret: I am Tov [good]! We try to do everything as best as possible! Yael: I am fine, but learning is difficult.

*How were the measures in Israel against the coronavirus? Camilla: Very strict. We could only go outside to go to the supermarket or to the doctor. Yaret: We always had to wear a face mask. It was forbidden to go to friends, and we could not visit our grandparents. Yael: We couldn’t even see our friends; we just stayed at home.

Camilla *Are you all still in good health? The three of them: Yes, thankfully! Toda l’El! (Thanks be to God!)

*What have you done during the past weeks/months? Yaret: I have made many drawings. Camilla: I have tried to learn to play the guitar with lessons on YouTube. Yael: I have also slept a lot, more than at other times.

*You couldn’t go to school. Were there different ways to follow the lessons? Yael: Yes, everything was done using Zoom, but the Internet often did not work properly. Yaret: Every day, six days per week, we had to follow lessons via Zoom for four hours. Camilla: In my opinion, the math lessons were very difficult.

*Couldn’t you go to church? Were there other ways to follow the services? How did you Yaret stay in touch with your minister? The three of them: No, we couldn’t go to the congregation. But on Wednesday evenings and on the Shabbat, we listened to our minister’s sermons. He sent them via WhatsApp. We listened to them with our whole family. 10 Israel Magazine September 2020 Israel Magazine September 2020 11 The minister tried to give catechetical instruction via Zoom, but several times Zoom functioned so badly in the evenings that we stopped. Now thankfully we can meet again, but we use face masks. For the *Have you been able to stay in touch with peers from school or church? The three of them: No, not much. We could not visit Children! each other at home. Sometimes we had contacts via WhatsApp.

*Besides the difficult things, were there also positive points in the coronavirus time? Camilla and Yael: family, and also ourYes, parents we could were spend at home. more time with our Yaret: There was more time to read the Bible.

*Have you also discovered something about God in this time? Yaret: Yes, actually I have read much more than at other times. Rev. Dekker’s catechism group I received a nice book in Hebrew about the life of the Lord Jesus. (with face masks) It contains many texts from the Gospels. I learned a lot from it. Yael: That we have to put everything into God’s hands. Camilla: Many people began to ask: Where is God? We need patience, and we need to see that everything God does is good! We need to learn to trust Him.

*Which Bible text do you often think about? Camilla: I often had to think of John 12:46: “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness.” Yaret: Matthew 6:25-34. Yael: I also thought of Matthew 6:25, we sometimes sing this text.

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? … But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matthew 6:25, 33-34)

*Do you have a tip for children in The Netherlands? Yael: Always use your time well. Yaret: We should not lose courage. Camilla: Trust in God!

Toda rabah (thank you very much) Yael, Camilla and Yaret!

10 Israel Magazine September 2020 Israel Magazine September 2020 11 PART 1 Maimonides a Famous Rabbi

Several years ago I visited Cheider, a cleansing, and because synagogues were When his brother David died during a Jewish school in Amsterdam. During the destroyed and non-Muslims were forced to storm on the Indian Ocean, he decided conversation with Rabbi Jacobs, also convert to Islam. Anti-Semitism? to become a physician. Later he was even appointed personal physician to Saladin, the name “Maimonides Comprehensive After the family had visited several cit- who was the Sultan of Egypt at the time. School” was mentioned, a Jewish ies, they settled in Fez in Morocco after For many years he was both a personal institution for secondary education not eleven years. There his relatives disguised physician and chief rabbi of Cairo. He far from Cheider. The slogan on top of the themselves as Muslims when they were in died on December 13, 1204, at the age of website reads: “Discover the power of public. Secretly they held to their Jewish 69. Both the Jews and the Muslims from Maimonides!” Since then I began to read religion and rituals. his city mourned for three days, and a day In those days, Maimonides himself studied of fasting was decreed. His son Avraham about him. I grew interested because of several sciences and Jewish religion. He succeeded him as personal physician. Mai- his name, nickname, writings, influence wrestled with spiritual values, which he monides was reburied in Tveria () on Jewish teachings, doctrines, and wanted to balance. In the field of philoso- after many years. Probably Avraham chose possibly also his characteristic statue. phy, he was interested in Aristotle. In his this resting place because Tveria was the Maimonides is also called RaMBaM development, he received much support symbol of studies and medicine. There the because of the name Rabbi Moshe ben from his father. Maimonides, a Jew, was people erected a memorial for their teacher Maimon (Moses, son of Maimon). In this gifted with “wisdom”! with the words: “From Moses to Moses, At some point, the Maimons left for Israel. there never arose a man like Moses.” contribution, I will limit myself to his life For a month they wandered about, which and confession. In another article, I will was not without stress, until the ship In Cordoba, Spain, in the Tiberias Square, a compare his creed to ours. arrived at the harbour in Akko (just above large statue is found in commemoration of ). They were delighted to settle in the Moses ben Maimon. During his life, several Holy Land. Sadly, the joy was short-lived. people opposed his beliefs and writings. Maimonides’ life The crusaders started a massacre among However, after his death Maimonides has Maimonides was a very gifted Jewish rabbi, the Muslims and the Jews, and again the been considered very authoritative, both as well as a jurist, physician, and philoso- Maimons had to leave. Anti-Semitism? for Jewish religion and ethics. He was a pher, who was born in medieval Spain in When he was older, Maimonides settled special versatile person. 1135 AD. The family fled from the south- in Egypt near Cairo, where he was granted ern city of Cordoba when he was about asylum and worked as a rabbi. He and his Maimonides’ confession thirteen years old, because of religious brother also sold jewels to make a living. Why has the church drawn up various

12 Israel Magazine September 2020 Israel Magazine September 2020 13 A. Karens, presenter

creeds in the course of time, whereas “the Before his twenty-third year, Maimonides text of Judaism, there will never be a new synagogue” hasn’t? Why do we hardly completed his six-volume commentary to Torah, God is omniscient, God rewards those find such writings in the Jewish religion? the Mishna, the so-called oral teachings of who obey the commandments and punishes Because a Jew is born within Judaism. the Torah. It is a clear commentary, which those who violate them, the Messiah will So they belong to the convenant God has been used later by many Jewish com- come, once the dead will be raised.” Mai- made with Israel, and one automatically mentators. Among other things, this book monides closed the official document with endorses the entire content of the Torah. contains his thirteen principles of faith. the words: “For Thy salvation I hope, O Maimonides was a Sephardic Jew. He has Each confession is preceded by the text: Eternal One! (see Genesis 49:18). I hope, O been called one of the greatest Jewish phil- “I believe by complete faith.” I can sum- Eternal One, for Thy salvation! O Eternal osophers and one of the most productive marize them as follows: “God exists, God is One, for Thy salvation I hope!” commentators of the Torah ever. one (so no Trinity), God is not physical, God One of the few Jewish creeds was written is eternal, God is solitary, the words of the by Maimonides. It is called “The Thirteen Jewish prophets are true, Moses is the most Principles of Jewish Faith.” important prophet, the Torah is the primary

12 Israel Magazine September 2020 Israel Magazine September 2020 13 Rev. C. Neele ROUTE 667 Jerusalem, Israel

Route 667 is in the south of . This neither let there be rain, upon you, nor At some point there is the lookout point route is hardly found in travel programs. I fields of offerings: for there the shield of at Barkan. It can be clearly recognized by think there are two reasons for this: Route the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of the fire-prevention tower which can be Saul, as though he had not been anointed climbed. This place leaves an indelible 667 is often unknown to guides, and the with oil.” impression. There are so many biblical route is too long for a full travel plan. Still David Ben-Gurion, the first president of places to be seen. The large Valley of Jez- this route is important because of the Israel, ordered many trees to be planted reel is in front of us. This is where Gideon biblical places. on Gilboa. This was done on purpose to fought. It can be stated with confidence lift David’s curse. Actually they did not that the Spring of Harod, at the foot of We will start at Tel Yisre’el [Jezreel]. That realize the seriousness of divine truth. But Gilboa, was the well-known spring of this is where Ahab and Jezebel lived. It is then the question for us is: Do we realize it judge (Judges 7). The area of further battle located on the northwest spur of the Gil- ourselves? It is a route full of instruction. unfolds in front of our eyes. The same is boa Mountains. This was once the location true for the area of Deborah and Barak. of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, Jonathan Mount Tabor is a landmark. Nazareth can which Ahab desired. Jezreel, a place where A little further we read the sign “Givat be seen far away if it is clear. Shunem and God’s laws were despised. A sad beginning Jonathan.” It is believed this child of Nain turn out to be near each other. Does of an impressive route. God died on this hill of Gilboa in the war it mean anything that Endor is not far After some time we begin with Route 667. against the Philistines. It is very impres- away from those places? The large distance Carefully we climb Mount Gilboa. It is sive to stand there where he was taken up between Mount Carmel and Jezreel (his- better to do it in the afternoon. This gives in glory. My grandfather used to say: “Boy, tory of Elijah) can also be clearly observed. the best views, because the sun shines on if we are granted to enter in, it will only be There are so many biblical places with the right side. In the morning you look because of God’s good pleasure.” However, histories on Route 667. If we follow this into the sun in many places. Route 667 we also know another truth: “The ungodly route (it is useful to use a biblical map), it has a remarkable beginning. There are are not so.” This is clearly seen when we is good to meditate upon it spiritually. many meadows and forests. The area is see Saul’s hill a little further. There the recommended for walking, despite the king of Israel fell upon his own sword. Life curse David spoke in 2 Samuel 1:21: “Ye and death are so close together. This also mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, makes this a route of self-examination.

14 Israel Magazine September 2020 Israel Magazine September 2020 15 Jerusalem, Israel

After a few days of acclimatizing, we were convinced we quite At Respiratory Rehabilitation, we took care of children who were liked this new life. We became accustomed to Israeli culture, very vulnerable. Children who were ventilated by means of a the way of communicating, and we even no longer felt that the cannula in their windpipe. During those six months, we learned weather was “boiling hot.” that a young healthy life is not something to take for granted. After a workday in the Alyn Children’s Hospital, Linde and I Alyn provides care for children and their families, regardless of walked from the bus stop to the local superstore near our apart- their religion or background. Parents are trained to properly treat ment. Apples, crackers, ginger, lemons, milk for the coffee and their ill child. As a result, the children can live at home despite oatmeal as breakfast, and some snacks were on the shopping their necessary ventilation. list. Oreo cookies: 1 + 2 free. A really special offer! We will have In the news, Israel is often mentioned in a negative sense. We cookies for a long time. We drop three boxes in our basket. The experienced what it is like to live in a country where conflicts, cashier tells us to pay 80 shekels. After the question of why attacks, wars, and bombings are threatening. However, we never the cookies are much more expensive at the cash register, the felt unsafe, partly because we lived among people who grew up cashier looks at us confusedly. “Ahh, it is two plus one, not one under such circumstances. They live under God’s guidance and plus two.” No, then we don’t want them. Half embarrassed, half therefore experience rest in the midst of all unrest. laughing, Linde and I leave the store. Besides our work with the children, we were also tourists. We I could never have imagined I would live in Jerusalem for half visited biblical places, such as Nazareth, the Old City, the Sea of a year. I knew I wanted to do an internship abroad. When I Galilee, Bethlehem, and tourist hotspots such as , Haifa, Tel heard that I could do an internship in Israel in the third year of Aviv, and Massada. my nursing training, I did not doubt for a moment. I met Linde during one of the conversations which were part of the selection At the end of our time in Israel, we stayed with Rev. Dekker in procedure. We did not know each other. Now, a year later, we are Nazareth and we attended a church service. It was very special to best friends. see so many people from different cultures meet under the Word of God.

In short, it was a special time we will never forget.

Rosanne Pater, Nunspeet, The Netherlands

14 Israel Magazine September 2020 Israel Magazine September 2020 15 A Rabbi from Hoorn CONFESSES THE MESSIAH

16 Israel Magazine September 2020 Israel Magazine September 2020 17 J.A. Jobse, presenter

His name is Israel Salomonsz. Just like face when listening to his son’s lecture. which the Messiah was humbled to death, Saul of Tarsus, Israel Salomonsz was Shortly afterwards, Israel received a call to but also in which He was exalted to glory. a faithful and zealous defender of the become a rabbi in Rendsburg, a city in the Yet his doubts remained. Still he could not north of . Just like Saul of Tarsus wholeheartedly say “Amen” to the Word or Jewish religion. In his short biography we once, he wrote, “I was most zealous against to God. read: “If ever there was one wandering the principles of Christians…” Israel con- among the mortals who was offended by tinued to study. He also more thoroughly Rabbi in Hoorn the cross religion of the Christians… studied the practices of circumcision. His father heard about it all. He called it is me!” Sometimes he visited his parents in Ham- his son back from Bremen. After all, he burg. was there for trade. Israel obeyed his old father. Still his love for the New Testament For generations, the book “Messias gevon- Turning point continues to grow. He valued it highly. den, aangenoomen en openbaar beleeden” His father found the travelling which was However, his father spoke about it in disap- (Messiah found, received, and publicly part of the trade increasingly difficult. proving, condemning, and detesting terms. confessed) was found in the library. Now it That is why he sent Israel to the German After that, his father sent him to Amster- has been scanned by Google. The book is city Bremen, where the trade in jewellery dam for trade. Israel also had to deliver a digitally available for everyone anywhere flourished. However, Bremen was a city letter to a rabbi in The Netherlands, which in the world. L.J. van Belzen, scientific where Jews were not supposed to come contained the request to promote his son to employee of GBS, brought it to our atten- and where Israel could certainly not stay become a Jewish rabbi in one of the Dutch tion. for some time. This was because of a uni- cities. This is how Israel came to live in versity in the city, which was also attended Hoorn in the Dutch province of Noord-Hol- Education and studies by students of divinity. There, in Bremen, land. Because there was a vacancy, he was Israel was born in the German city of Israel’s eyes were opened. It caused a turn- recommended as a rabbi. Hamburg on August 11, 1731. His father’s ing point in his life. Israel was warmly welcomed in Hoorn. The name was Salomon Jacob and his mother’s Soon Israel had many contacts in the Jewish community loved him and treated name Parenta Mofis. His father traded university city of Bremen. He was an him well. Outwardly, the new rabbi seems tobacco which gave him and his family a easy-going person and came into contact to do a good job, but “the brilliance and good standard of living. Seven children are with students. They invited him repeatedly beauty of the New Testament had already born to the family, some of whom die at a and spoke to him about the Word of God. enlightened my soul so much that it was young age. Soon the New Testament is discussed. But impossible to extinguish it.” He could no In particular Israel is very eager to learn. Israel strongly opposed it. Initially he did longer work as a Jewish rabbi. He laid down He wrote about it: “As of a young age I not want to surrender to read portions his office. He had to leave and oppose the have been very eager with respect to Stud- from the New Testament. He wrote: “For teachings and principles of Judaism. He ies and Sciences …” His father noticed it me the preciousness of the New Testament wholly and wholeheartedly embraced the and gave him much room to study. When was hidden, yes, completely covered.” One doctrines and confessions of the Christians. he was thirteen, Israel gave a “lecture” day he spoke to three students and they about the Talmud and Jewish divinity for a became so much engaged in discussion Confession and baptism large audience. about various texts that Israel wrote about Israel Salomonsz wrote himself: “This fire, His zealous studies in “the Jewish scrip- it: “The Word that was discussed pressed once sparked by the light of knowledge, tures and the doctrine of my fathers” so strongly on my mind that I found myself increased, grew, and finally completely caused Israel to be most respected among completely unable to utter anything exploded, to such an extent that I receive, the Jews in Germany. At a young age, he to contradict it.” New Testament texts embrace, keep, and try to continue to keep had to give a trial lecture for hundreds of referred to Old Testament chapters such to the end the principles, the teachings and people. They all appreciate this lecture. as Isaiah 53, Psalm 2, and Jeremiah 23. confessions of the Christian, as they were Israel wrote that tears ran down his father’s He was confronted with texts, he said, in taught and preached in these churches of

16 Israel Magazine September 2020 Israel Magazine September 2020 17 The Netherlands.” Next Salomonsz came into contact with the minister of the Nederduitsch Gere- formeerde Kerk [Low German Reformed Church] in Hoorn, the very learned and godly Rev. B.J. Bongard (1705-1771). The light of the gospel was not only sown, rooted, and grown in the rabbi, but also bore fruit. Then Salomonsz wrote in his valuable treatise which he confessed by God’s grace. On March 13, 1757, “after ending the afternoon sermon in the Grote Kerk in Hoorn, Israel was publicly asked to make Christian confession by Rev. Bongard.” Four days later, on March 17, he was baptized in the same church, “by which he was incorporated into the Christian Death Register Record book, in which the community.” name of Rev. B. J. Bongard is listed. At that time Salomonsz was only 25 years old. “Thus I recognize this only begotten Son of the heavenly Father to be my Desire Israel means to say: Seek for your own long-promised and already appeared Mes- Salomonsz concludes his treatise with a immortal souls what has been granted to siah and Immanuel, of whom was precisely third point: “Objective of the same.” In me out of sovereign grace. foretold all that was fulfilled in Jesus, the this part he describes why he decided to Throughout the book we feel his longing. Christ of God and Mary’s Son. For when make his writing public by the printing When he writes about himself, how he humanity completely fell in Adam and fell press. He mentions three reasons. The receives the Holy Spirit in his heart, he away from God’s favour, it pleased God first and main reason is “the glory and immediately adds: “It is also the same to make a Covenant of Grace with several the never sufficiently praised grace of Spirit who taught me to pray for those who particular elected people from this fallen God, granted to me, unworthy man, in the wander about outside the Messiah …” humanity in this Messiah Christ Jesus, Mediator Jesus, by whom Dayspring from He had a burning desire for his people to therefore promised as the woman’s and on high shone upon me.” The second rea- recognize the Messiah of the Scriptures. not the man’s Seed…” son is the salvation of my neighbour. Then “That the fulness of the Gentiles might Thus Israel eventually made public con- he speaks of his beloved father, mother, be accomplished, and all Israel be saved fession of faith “in front of a considerable brothers, and other descendants of Abra- according to the Spirit, through Jesus audience,” not only Reformed hearers but ham. He speaks of the tears that ran down Christ, to whom, with God the Father, also many others. During this service, he his father’s face during his trial lecture in and the Holy Spirit, be all praise now and freely answered the questions asked by front of many Jews. “Oh, if only I could forever.” Rev. Bongard. He recognized his confes- ever enjoy the delight of seeing the same sion was imperfect; “however, it was made father, who wept about a Jewish lecture, before an omniscient God and the entire delight in the confession of the truth …” congregation.” The third reason is his own happiness.

18 Israel Magazine September 2020 Israel Magazine September 2020 19 Travel Guide At the beginning of this useful booklet, a clear overview is found in which each Met de Bijbel region has been given a different colour. This makes it easy to find out what is worth visiting in each region. In my opin- door Israël ion, it is a very complete list of the most [With the Bible Through Israel] important places, in which even places on the Westbank--such as Shechem, Jericho, Rev. M.H. Schot and Bethlehem--are not absent.

It often happens that people who want of them is worth a visit. Each description I miss one place, Nazareth Village. It is an to visit the land of the Bible ask me covers one or two pages. The guide’s open-air museum which goes back to the added value is that each description does time of the Lord Jesus. Here daily life from which places are interesting to visit, and not only say something about the place those days is portrayed and the parables whether I have a list of Bible passages itself, but also pays attention to the bib- of the Lord Jesus are made visible. In my connected with those places, in order lical events connected with it. opinion, a visit to this museum is an abso- to travel through Israel with the Bible. In lute highlight. However, page 66 provides the morning, it is so valuable to read and Let us look at Ein Gedi, just to mention a the contact details for this museum. meditate on a Bible passage about places well-known and very interesting place as an example. The description, consisting that will be visited during the day. Or one Much more could be said about this guide, of two pages, pays attention to the geo- which was written with the participation may prefer to open the Bible when visiting graphic location 400 meters below sea of Rev. C.J. Meeuse and Rev. W. Silfhout those places. level, in the middle of the desert of Judah, and others, but my recommendation is for near the remains of Sodom and Gomorrah. you to purchase the book to discover it for There are several lists, but until now there And how rich are the natural surroundings. yourself. Warmly recommended. was no complete and thorough overview. But the guide also speaks of the history This has become different with the pub- that David fled from Saul into one of the Travel Guide lication of the travel guide Met de Bijbel many caves which are found here. Met de Bijbel door Israël door Israel. This nicely designed guide was Publisher: De Banier, Apeldoorn, the published in order that people can refer to Besides the description of a number of col- Netherlands the Bible at each place. our pictures, a separate column also shows ISBN: 978 90 8718 1789 a list of Bible references, for example, 1 Price: € 19.95 After several introductory pages about Samuel 24 and Ezekiel 47:10. This adds To purchase, visit: israelwinkeltje- the origin and government of the state much value to the booklet. Finally, there nunspeet.nl Israel, the book’s main body is reached are references to websites, phone num- Currently only available in the Dutch with the description of approximately 70 bers, opening hours, and a QR code for language. well-known and less-known places. Each further information.

Reprint of the Russian Matthew Henry in Hebrew translation of “Het lied Recently the second volume of Matthew Henry’s “Com- van Gods pelgrims” [The mentary on the Psalms” was published in Hebrew. An Song of God’s Pilgrims] (Rev. J. important milestone! In 2006, the Hebrew translation of van Haaren), a book with the Gospel of John started, which was published in 2012. meditations on Psalm It was followed by the first part of the Psalms (Psalms 84. It was published by 1-72) in 2016 and the second part (Psalms 73-150) in mid-June. We are happy that HaGefen Publishing the Matthew Henry project could be completed with this. May the Lord bless the (Rishon Le Tzion). reading of this important work for many people, to the extension of His kingdom.

18 Israel Magazine September 2020 Israel Magazine September 2020 19 Ezra for Israel

BOOK REVIEW: WHAT OUR CHURCH FATHERS SAID ABOUT ISRAEL Rev. J.M.D. de Heer 85 Pages / 2017

With the permission from What did Exhorter Wulfert Floor say about Israel? Rev. J.M.D. de Heer, Ezra for In a meditation on Genesis 18:14, he remarks that “there are still Israel has printed a translated many hundreds of thousands of Jews who are quite hostile towards version of the book “What our Christ and Christianity. How will they ever be brought to repent- Fathers said about Israel.” ance?“ The exhorter finds the answer in the words of his text. Would This interesting book reson- any thing be too hard for the Lord? Once more, he points to Romans ates with people looking for a 11:25-26. The Lord will not fail to fulfil this promise. good read about Israel’s past What did Rev. W.C. Lamain say about Israel? and future. In 1973, the minister preached a Prayer Day sermon on Zechariah In Romans 11:15, we read, “For if the casting away of them be the 12:10 in Grand Rapids, USA. The state of the church and the world reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life weighed heavily upon his heart. He dreaded God’s judgments. After from the dead?” Based on the Bible and with love, our Fathers have asking the congregation why the world still existed at this present written about the future of the people of Israel. Below are a few time, he gave the answer: “Because there are still people who must quotes taken from the book in the hope that it will convince you to be converted. Because Jewry still has to be brought back to the Lord. purchase a copy for yourself. There are yet promises that await their fulfilment. And so long as the last of the elect has not yet been gathered in, Christ cannot return on What did Rev. Thomas Boston say about Israel? the clouds of heaven.” On March 11, 1716, Rev. Thomas Boston felt a special urge to preach about the Jewish people in particular. Amongst the instructions in What did Rev. Theodore Vander Groe say about Israel? this sermon, he said, “There is another reason to pray for the conver- “God still bears them as they continue to be His people and will sion of the Jews. This conversion will bear a blessed fruit for the forever remain so.” The minister of Kralingen, The Netherlands, was church. Are you longing for a revival to the churches, now lying like convinced that their sad condition of dismissal and rejection would dry bones, would you fain have the Spirit of life enter into them? Then one day cease to exist: “With great and wondrous power, God will pray for the Jews.” exert Himself, to bring His Jewish wife home, that ancient and adulterous nation which is now entirely estranged and separated What did Rev. Wilhelmus à Brakel say about Israel? from Him for so long.” How does it appear that God is true to His covenant? Rev. À Brakel’s reply to this question is that God, throughout the ages, has converted The Ezra for Israel Committee recommends this book as a means to Jews. The greater part persisted in unbelief, but again and again, become familiar with the biblical view of our past ministers. May we there were those who believed in Jesus as the promised Messiah. also see the developments in today’s world in the light of God’s This number will greatly increase when the Lord turns again in Word, regarding Israel in particular, and the bringing in of His elect. favour to the Jewish nation. This book is available in your church’s bookroom or on the Ezra for Israel website. Proceeds are used to support the Yad Nechama clothing store in Nazareth, Israel.

Would you please consider supporting this worthy cause? Contact info: www.ezraforisrael.ca/donate-today/ Ezra For Israel Telephone: (403) 553-3582 PO Box 178 Cell Phone: (403) 308-0083 Canadian Charity: 815441563 RR0001 Diamond City, AB T0K 0T0 Email Address: [email protected]

ISRAELMAGAZINE Volume 24 No. 2 - September 2020