I am for my beloved and my beloved is for me. This is a love story, to rival any romance novel, however so far above those paper backs. My beloved is Yahshua, (whom many call Jesus), and none share that place in my life with Him. For reasons that are not for this story, I had trouble relating to Him as the lover of my soul. He has been revealing Himself to me, and the events described here are part of that revelation. I hope my story inspires you to take a fresh look at your life, and in so doing, see Him in events you may not have seen him in before.
The Israel Chapter of my life story begins in the Spring of 1996, when Abba Yah just about swept me off my feet and onto an El Al plane bound for Israel. It was my first time, and I only had about 30 days to prepare. Abba tapped me on the shoulder, while I was listening to a Messianic Jewess share about my roots as a believer in YHVH, and our Messiah Yahshua.
I have to back up about six months, to a time when Abba began to highlight what I now call the Tenach, but then knew as the Old Testament. I began to devour parts of His word that I previously had little exposure to. Our Abba is so tender in the way He reveals things to us. During that season He slowly opened my heart to the reality that this was my story, along with many of Ephraim that He had scattered throughout the diaspora. I believe He imparted to me that I was of the tribe of Issachar. While this was news to me; learning about my family history was very exciting. I want to clearly state here, though, that our Abba does not have favorites amongst His people. The Hebrew peoples were chosen to reveal YHVH to the rest of the world. From the beginning, anyone who wanted to join themselves to Him were to be welcomed, and there is to be no distinction, no second class citizens. Torah, and His ways were given for anyone who wanted them, from the beginning. So, that being said, why is it important for me to know who I am genetically. I believe He was preparing me for an assignment He was about to give me. No longer are Am (the people of) Israel, strangers that I loved from a distance, an explosion went off in me, they are my family, my blood, an essential part of who I am. Even though at this point in my life, odd little quirks, that I had never understood about myself, had just about been trained out of me, 'the nose', was still there. So much, suddenly made sense, from my father's swarthy appearance to the fact that my mother and father were fourth cousins, and beyond. I digress, returning to the immediate subject . . . .
Well there I was, for the first time finding out about my family, from a relative. I was riveted to every word she said. After she was finished sharing her prepared remarks, I spoke to her, thanking her. She looked through me, as we talked, with a slightly glazed look in her eye, as only Neviim, (Prophets), can. I was telling her that I would love to visit Israel with them that Spring, however, I had no idea how I would get the $2000.00 and some odd dollars to do it. She confirmed the call that I felt to go, nodding and saying, " you will". She had more on her heart, than she imparted at the time. She called everyone over to pray with and for me. I went home, and nervously told my husband, asking him to go with me. He consented to letting me go, but had no interest in going. That next week, by faith, I made my reservation, with the travel agent, knowing full well, the deposit was non-refundable. I was back about two weeks later to make the final payment. Abba's will is Abba's bill, and He had paid in full, right on time. Her words that day, and this concrete reality were enough confirmation for me. I was going to walk were Yahshua walked. I was going to walk were my Great Grandparents had walked. I sat where my Great Grand Parents sat, while they listened to Him explain the truth that Torah, (Himself), had for them, and how much YHVH loved them. I stood on the Temple mount were He taught, and cleansed the area of those who wanted to make His Father's house, a house of merchandise.
However, I need to back up just a little to the day of our departure. The whole tour almost got cancelled because of me. :( We arrived at the airport in New Jersey where we were scheduled to fly from. Shabbat was just ending, and our flight was to be the first El Al flight of the new week. We all assembled to line up for the El Al security check. Let me say that I have learned to love, with a passion, those security agents, however that day, at first I thought they were making much 'a do' about nothing. I could not understand why they were so suspicious of me. They grilled me about why I wanted to go to Israel, and what I did for a living, etc.. I told them I was a housewife, a mother, and as they pressed I explained in great detail what that entailed. In frustration, I finally told them I make soap. Well that did it, they had someting they could get excited about. They stepped back and chattered excitedly in Hebrew, watching me closely. Our whole group was taken to a waiting room, while I'm sure they had the Mossad Central Command, do a lightening fast review of my life. They called our Hostess out into the hall, to chat with her. Later, when she returned, she told us what was up. Apparently, when someone makes sudden arrangements to take a tour of Israel, that sets red flags 'a waving' for them. Spontaneity isn't their first thought. "a terrorist's unwitting mule?" is their first thought. The soap thing set them off, because terrorists have been known to use soap. Did you know soap could present a security risk? I certainly didn't. While they searched our luggage thoroughly, (I had none of my soap with me, thank YHVH). She further explained to us that they were deciding if they were going to reject our whole group. How I felt can not be described, but I will say I felt horrible. Once the dots were connected for me, though, my appreciation for them skyrocketed. They were my brothers, and I'm sure they knew it, (the nose, and other facial features leave little to wonder about). However, that did not influence them, at all. They would protect my extended family, even from me. I was so impressed, and never felt safer. I fly El Al to this day, if they go there. Finally we were released to go, and boarded the plane. We were off. However, we learned later that my Security 'buddies' were not done with me yet.
When we landed, our hostess was informed that our tour guide assigned a year previous was "ill", and had to be replaced. She and I shared a knowing look. Abba works all things to the good, even soap making, in ways we can not imagine. Turns out, our new tour guide took a special interest in me. I was the only Lady traveling alone, so he made sure to help me through-out our tour. I went along, and cooperated. I had several opportunities to talk with him, and let him ask all the questions he wanted, openly answering him. Soap never came up, that would have been way too obvious. But near the end of the tour he was explaining to us the *significance of the pomegranate. At the end of his talk, he went back to the tree, and picked a baby pomegranate. He came over to me and commanded me to open my hand. I obeyed, and he placed this treasure in my hand. I thought, at first he was handing it to me to see, and tried to give it back. He looked slightly hurt, placed it back in my hand and closed my hand around it. Israel Gonen, that was what he called himself, said "No, this one is for you to keep". Months later, I tried to look him up, there is no such tour guide in Israel, (not his real name). In 1999 on a return trip, I met someone who knew him. Our suspicions were finally confirmed, he is not a tour guide. All of this was further preparation for assignments YHVH has for me. Some are history, and some are yet to come, I am sure. I had passed the test. You don't get a higher **'purple stamp' than that. This becomes important further on in this story. Leaving was so hard. However, the hour came, and we did. A number of us with damp eyes. My walk on the 'mountain top' was over, for now. But once you have been to Israel it never leaves your heart, ask any Believer who has gotten to go. I was betrothed to His land. My beloved was for me. These events still awe me. Who am I, that I have been so Blessed.
* The significance of the Pomegranate: little gold ones are used at the bottom of the High Priest's garment, alternated with small gold bells, at the instruction of YHVH. The design of the Star of David is taken from it. The remnants of the flower usually are six petals. A perfect Star of David can be drawn from it.
**In Israel, when the Government approves something, they use purple ink on the stamp.
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