FROM SARAH, OUR SABRA
ON THE GROUND IN ISRAEL

Dear Friend,

Shalom from Israel. Summer is here, and the weather is hot. On the coast where my family lives, it is also very humid. Tourism is finally picking up in Israel since most of the restrictions have been lifted. It is encouraging to see many businesses come back to life. Israel’s tourism-related industry was one of the sectors most economically impacted and the last to be restored.

Our local faith community continues to flourish with young Believers (“Believers” is short for “believers in Yeshua/Jesus as Messiah”) who need care and discipleship. It is a joy to journey with them, support them, and invest in their walk with the Lord. Recently I spoke to some of them about one of the more perplexing commands God gives us: Be holy, because I am holy (1 Pet. 1:16; see also Lev. 19:2).

Being Set Apart

The Hebrew word for holy is kadosh. Not many words derive from this Hebrew root (קדש). Therefore, the actual meaning of the word isn’t easily understood to modern Hebrew speakers. Yet in studying this command — “be holy” — we discover an important element of spiritual maturity.

Many preachers, teachers, and writers reaching out to young people today will readily address topics like God’s love, His nature as Father, and so forth. Yet I rarely hear teaching on His righteousness. As such, it is hard to discuss holiness with young people without becoming overbearing or setting such a high standard that they won’t even attempt to seek it.

Kadosh means “separate or set apart.” The Sabbath, for example, is separate from other days — those known as yemei (“days of”) chol (“sand, mundane, not special”). While we work on other days, the Sabbath is set apart for rest and communion with God.

God is holy because He is set apart — completely separated — from sin. He calls us to walk blamelessly, without sin — being holy as He is holy. While we Believers are sanctified by the blood of Yeshua (Jesus) that covers our sin, it doesn’t remove either sin’s presence in the world or our inclination to sin. No one, even after being saved, never sins again. It’s part of our human nature. Why then does God command us to be holy?

One of my favorite foundational Scriptures is Psalm 24. Verses 3–5 refer to those approaching God’s holiness: “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior.”

It is one thing to “ascend the mountain” of your life’s calling (as I mentioned in the June Personal Letter). But it is much different to stand before God in His holy place. Why is that so difficult to achieve? It’s because God’s holiness is incredibly powerful. Coming into His holy presence unprepared could kill you.

Preparing for God’s Presence

Two examples illustrate this point.

First, when Moses approaches the burning bush, God warns him not to come any closer (Ex. 3:5). God then tells Moses to remove his sandals because the ground where he is standing is holy.

Second, when the people of Israel arrive at Mount Sinai to receive the law, God instructs that a perimeter be constructed around the mountain so that no one will touch it (Ex. 19:12, 23). Anyone who crosses the boundary will be killed (Ex. 19:12–13).

Approaching God’s Holiness

In Psalm 24:4, David notes an essential precondition for anyone seeking to approach God’s holy place — clean hands and a pure heart. Psalm 119:9 teaches how we accomplish this — “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to Your Word.”

A second qualification for holiness is emphasized in Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Fear of the Lord does not mean being afraid of God like we might be afraid of a person. Rather, it involves honoring Him coupled with the concern of being in any other place — of doing anything that would divert us away from Him and His path.

Philippians 2:14–16 explains the result of being blameless and pure: “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life….”

We live in a warped and crooked generation, among people who desperately need God’s light. God works through Believers to give light to others (Matt. 5:14–16). But for Him to work through us, we must live without grumbling or arguing, holding securely to the Word of life — Yeshua (Jesus).

This sanctification requires us to die to our sinful nature, being freed from sin’s bondage and instead becoming slaves of righteousness. In Romans 6, the Apostle Paul explains this process, and he notes its outcome: “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life” (Rom. 6:22).

The benefit Paul emphasizes is holiness. God wants us to be holy as He is holy so that He can fulfill His promises to us. “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God” (2 Cor. 7:1).

God’s Promises to Believers

To discover the promises Paul mentions, we must look at the end of the previous chapter (2 Cor. 6:16–18). There we find seven powerful promises that God makes to those who walk in purity:

1. I will live with them.
2. I will walk among them.
3. I will be their God.
4. They will be My people.
5. I will receive them.
6. I will be their Father.
7. They will be My sons and daughters.

I encourage you to meditate on these promises and allow them to permeate your life. Each of us faces fear, doubt, or discouragement at times. As we cling to God’s promises, however, we are empowered to withstand these satanic attacks and triumph over the enemy of our souls.

Purity Brings Power

There is a direct link between purity and power in the Word of God. The people of Israel who stood before God at Mount Sinai suffered from fear and doubt; thus, they never entered the Promised Land.

Forty years later, the next generation stood at the Jordan River, looking across to that land. After Joshua heard from God, he commanded the people, “… Consecrate [sanctify] yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you” (Josh. 3:5). God’s miraculous, overcoming power is connected to our sanctification.

God wants us to be holy as He is holy so that all of His promises to us will be “Yes” and “Amen” (2 Cor. 1:20). In our holiness, God’s power can flow in and through us to impact the dying people living in darkness around us.

God searches throughout the Earth to find “those whose hearts are fully committed to Him” (2 Chron. 16:9) — those whose hearts are undivided or pure toward Him. When God finds these faithful ones, He strengthens them. This is the foundation for a victorious life on the Earth.

Im tirdefu lada-at oto —
“Press on to know HIM!” (Hosea 6:3 NLT),

   
Sarah Liberman

P.S. Do you have a testimony of God’s faithfulness to you or how He empowered you to be a sanctified light in this dark world? I would love to hear it! Please write to me at staff@levitt.com. ✡

: It’s Not Too Late!

Recently a friend commented to me (David), “I know we should go to the Holy Land before we are too old to go. It’s always been on our bucket list.” I replied to her, “This October is the perfect time for your pilgrimage!”

In a few months, Kirsten and I will host our first Israel tour since COVID blocked international travel. We are so excited to meet with other ZLMers and jet to the Promised Land.

Don’t put off your Bible study tour. If you’re looking for a “sign” to take this journey, this is it! Now is the time to register for our fall tour. Contact our travel manager Sandra in our tour office, and we’ll meet you at JFK! Planning will be a breeze with Sandra. You can contact her at 214-696-9760, travel@levitt.com, or levitt.com/tours. She can help you prepare for your journey of a lifetime!

A Note from David and Kirsten Hart

NO LAZY DAYS

There’s no slowing down this summer with Our Jewish Roots (OJR). Our production team is the most efficient crew on the planet! They have been busy developing incredible Bible teaching for you, our viewers. Recently we gathered near Dallas to tape a batch of studio segments for upcoming programs.

We are extremely excited about our new series on the Apostle Peter. Dr. Jeffrey Seif’s insights about this beloved disciple are moving and applicable to everyone. Both our producer, Ken Berg, and our devoted, talented cameraman, Bill Elliot, deserve special recognition. The camera shots and footage filmed in Israel this past spring will leave you breathless.

Major planning and preparation go into every 30-minute episode of OJR — extensive effort you are sure to notice when you watch the series beginning in September.

LOCATION SCOUTING

On location in Israel, Ken scouts out hidden gems for filming so that Dr. Seif’s teaching has a visual backdrop that is movie-worthy. The teaching shot atop Mount Arbel is breathtaking! David and I were able to film music videos and interviews throughout the whole stunning Galilee region. Once, Ken had us singing on the edge of a cliff — really!

As you anticipate OJR’s upcoming programming, you’ll also enjoy this month’s broadcasts (see below).

As I write this, our older son, Tyler, his wife Kari, and our adorable grandchildren are planning a move to Orlando from Colorado Springs. They will be living only 15 minutes from us! To say we’re thrilled is an understatement.

Sha’alu shalom Yerushalayim! —
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!” (Psalm 122:6),

David & Kirsten

P.S. During summer fun, it’s easy to forget about supporting ministries such as ZLM. To keep us vibrant in this important season, would you take time to make a financial contribution to this outreach? Please write to our P.O. Box, call our office at 1-800-966-3377, or visit levitt.com/donate. Thank you! ✡

Our Jewish Roots TV programs in July

We present our new series on Jeremiah from the ministry’s markedly updated television studio set. Our new set’s background still includes the gorgeous view of the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives. Some viewers even imagine that we broadcast our weekly program from Jerusalem. While most of our teachings, dramatic reenactments, and music videos are filmed in Israel, we also gather near Dallas multiple times throughout the year to create each episode.

This month, we finish our Jeremiah series. After it airs, we present a bonus program that will illuminate extraordinary prophetic insights. Though it is limited to 30 minutes, it will likely motivate you to dig deeper into the red heifer’s significance. What would bring Jerusalem rabbis to a small ranch in the middle of Texas? Watch and experience the hair-raising revelations.

Jeremiah: Hope Over the Horizon

Ruin and Renewal

Speaking the truth can bring trouble from those who don’t want to hear it. Jeremiah experienced persecution, yet he grieved to see sin’s devastating effects on God’s people. The same God who brought ruin would also bring renewal, through Yeshua the Messiah.

Hope and a Future

Jeremiah records God’s promise to deliver His people from captivity after 70 years. Later, the Lord will cause a branch to emerge from David; He will bring justice and righteousness to the Earth. All people in Messiah are grafted into this tree.

Jeremiah in Retrospect

This final program features an interview with author and radio host Dr. Michael Brown. Dr. Jeffrey Seif subsequently discusses applications from the life and writings of Jeremiah.

The Red Heifer (stand-alone program)

Rabbis from the Temple Institute in Jerusalem came to a ranch near Rockwall, Texas in search of a red heifer without defect. If found and able to maintain its “kosher status,” this could be the first pure red heifer located in over 2,000 years and could begin the process of building the third Temple.