Hello again, fellow sojourners!  Whether you are traveling to Israel with us or following along as we prepare, it is important to know we are ON MISSION together with God! Please pray for us as we prepare, as we travel, and as we are on the ground in Israel, serving the needs of people.  You are also encouraged to follow us right here as we post daily updates. We cherish your words of encouragement. Finally, you can join us ON MISSION by financially supporting a specific project we will participate in.  (More info and how to donate here.)

When we watch to see where God is working and join Him there, amazing things happen.  He is definitely working to bring salvation to Jews and Gentiles alike who will receive the Jewish Messiah.

But let’s return to God’s plan to use the descendants of Abraham to bless the families of the world.  God gave a 3-fold mission to Abraham when He called him to be the vehicle of world redemption.  Yesterday, we focused on the birthing call.  Today, we will consider the suffering call.  In Genesis 12:1-3 God revealed the covenant to Abraham (then known as Abram), promising to bless all the families of the earth.  God came to Abraham a second time and actually cut covenant with him. (Genesis 15:7-20)  We’ll park on that passage, so turn there in your Bible!

Study tips:

• According to verse 8, Abraham wondered how he would know that he would inherit the land God promised. How did God respond?
• After obediently putting the sacrificial animals in place, what took place in verses 11-12?  (Keep these two verses in mind. We will come back to them.)
• Verses 17-21 confirm the covenant. Notice the land promised to Abraham and his descendants.  Does Israel occupy all that land today?  If not, why do you think they don’t?

Let’s put that last point to bed. No, Israel does not occupy the entirety of God’s promised territory. We won’t approach the details in this study, but suffice it to say Israel was disobedient throughout history when God commanded them to go in and literally take the land that was promised. So, though they do not occupy the land, they hold the Biblical “title deed” to the land God promised, and will one day claim the promised territory.

We’ll spend our time today unpacking that bit about vultures (verses 11-12). Perhaps it was just birds of prey doing what birds of prey do, or perhaps there is a spiritual element to it as well.  It seems no coincidence that birds associated with death and darkness attacked what was happening between God and Abraham.  The enemies of God continually attempt to thwart God’s plans, and they were not pleased with what they were witnessing: a covenant between Almighty God and one of His servants.

There are scientists who describe a species of vultures at the time of Abraham as being especially intimidating. I have seen some of the vultures in the region and they are huge! With 10’ wingspans, those predatory birds of the day hunted in flocks and attacked large animals such as lions. With talons and beaks like steak knives, they were capable of tearing humans to pieces.

So, when Abram “drove them away,” it was likely a little more than shewing away menacing seagulls during a picnic on the beach.  Could it be that Abram was fighting for his very existence?  Ironically, Abram’s encounter with vultures seems to be mirrored by Israel’s constant battle with life-threatening “vultures” who, throughout history, have tried to prevent God’s people from inheriting God’s blessings.

But, that’s not all.  Verse 12 of that passage (Genesis 15) tells us that horror and great darkness fell upon Abram as he slept. Could it be that God pulled back a curtain to allow Abram to see the future suffering of his people?  Might Abram have gotten glimpses of the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, the Holocaust, the October 7 attack or other horrific things the Jewish people would encounter?

To be the vehicle of world redemption means vultures will attack. The fallen world, empowered by Satan, hates God and everything that represents God. The fallen world intends to destroy anything of God.

Devotional moments: 

• Do you believe Israel faces “vultures” today?  If so, who, and how do they attack? 
• Is this a wakeup call for us to pray more specifically for Israel as they drive away the “vultures” of today?

It can certainly be argued that vultures symbolize evil and demonic powers wishing to tear its prey to pieces.  Satan and his demons cannot ultimately win, so they attempt to thwart God’s plan by eliminating the Jewish people, and they have attempted to do so throughout history.  Vultures never rest.

Who are the vultures? 

• Israel’s own rebellion (historically and now).
• Israel’s external enemies.
• The church.  Throughout history, awful, demonic things happened in the name of Christianity:
  • The crusades – Jews were killed in droves by those purporting to advance Christianity.
  • The Spanish Inquisition – Spanish Jews were forced to convert to Roman Catholicism or face death.
  • The Holocaust – over 6 million Jews were killed simply because they were Jews. Nazi Germany claimed Christianity.
  • Replacement Theology – millions are being taught that, because the Jews rejected the Messiah, God’s promises were shifted to the church.  False doctrine!

Perhaps the horror and great darkness that came upon Abram was coming attractions for the people God called Abram to lead.  Abram likely saw the conflict of darkness Israel would have to endure.

This second call, the call of suffering, is a tough one to bear.  Yet, the people of Israel bear it historically while we (Christians) reap the benefit of the Messiah, the Word of God, the prophets, the apostles and all God has given us.  Indeed, the Jews have blessed all the families of the earth.

Prayer points:

• Identify today’s “vultures” and ask the Lord to defend His uniquely-called people.
• Pray for the safety of Israel’s soldiers.
• Pray for Israeli families who have lost loved ones in the war or as hostages.
• Pray for the Israeli government to make wise decisions as they fend off vultures.
• Pray for those of us going to Israel, that we might be the encouragement needed by those we encounter.

Friends, sometimes God is working in difficult, vulture-infested places, yet we must still join Him there in His work!  Where He is at work, He provides and cares for those who join Him!  Thank you to all who join us in prayer, encouragement and giving.  We are ON MISSION together! There is a third call of God on the descendants of Abraham, and it is the priestly call.  We’ll gather around the virtual study table again tomorrow to discover that role.