In this class, Ross picks up from his previous teaching on the seed of Abraham with a study of the Passing of the Patriarchal Plan. He shows that the seed of Abraham is specially chosen for a mission that will result in blessing for all the families of the earth. He focuses specifically on the oft-repeated phrases that indicate an oath sworn by YHVH to the fathers. What precisely was promised in an oath to the fathers?
In this class, Ross covers the subject of Abraham’s Seed. The Bible makes it plain that Abraham’s seed will bring blessing to all of humanity and present a plan of salvation to the ends of the earth, but who is this promised seed? Ross carefully works through scriptural texts to identify the promised seed of Abraham. This is part of the series on The Tribes.
This week, Ross begins a new series on the Tribes. The Constitutions and By-Laws of United Israel World Union, say in part, “The objects and purposes of United Israel World Union are: To reawaken the lost tribes of Israel to consciousness of their true identity.” Who is Israel according to the Bible? Ross makes it plain that this series begins with the understanding that the Jewish people are literally and physically Israel. He also stresses that this series will not advance, and in fact will show the falsity of racists groups who ignore the “sifting among ALL nations” declared in Scripture. More and more people are claiming to be descendants of the so-called lost tribes of Israel. What can we discern from the Bible regarding the Tribes? In this introductory teaching, Ross focuses on the name change of the patriarch Jacob and a word from the prophet Hosea that hints at a message for our time. Bringing in clues from the Torah and a prophecy from Isaiah Ross establishes a starting point for his new series.
In this week’s teaching, Ross bases his class on Torah Reading Pinchas. This reading focuses on what is called the Matter of Peor. Ross works through various texts in the Torah, Prophets, and Writings that shed light on the matter of Peor. He covers the Hebrew meaning of the word Qanah, which is translated as jealous at times and zealous at other times. We learn that Pinchas was a zealot, but Ross shows that more is required than zeal.
In this class, Ross covers Torah Reading Balak (Numbers 22:1-25:9). Balaam is mentioned in the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings. He is also the earliest biblical personality attested in Archaeology. Ross shows that the story of Balaam involves a convergence of geography, theology, archaeology, and technology. Who was this “pagan” prophet? What do we know of him, and what can learn from his words?
In this lesson, Ross teaches live from the Wilderness of Zin during his stay at Biblical Tamar Park. He begins by sharing some of the exciting things that the United Israel team is doing in the desert. This teaching discusses what the Torah calls the great sin. Ross addresses some big theological questions. Can one pay for the sins of another? Are sins passed from fathers to sons? Don’t miss, The Great Weight of Sin.
Have you ever wondered how the children of Israel turned so quickly from the way after witnessing the events at Horeb? We just celebrated the commemoration of that event – the giving of the Torah. In this teaching, Ross works through the narrative accounts searching for clues in order to provide a biblical answer.
When the new State of Israel was admitted to membership at the United Nations in 1949, Abba Solomon Eban became its first permanent representative to the world body. Joining ranks with Jewish correspondent David Horowitz, who had obtained press credentials in 1945 at the newly formed UN, they became a formidable team in the cause and defense of the new fledgling state. The favorable vote by the UN General Assembly on March 4,1949 to admit the new State of Israel was anything but automatic and represented the dramatic culmination of an intense campaign by both men.
Abba Eban was barely thirty-three years old when he was called to represent the new State of Israel in the debates of the United Nations. He had worked with Moshe Sharett in liaison with the UN Special Commission on Palestine, which made the first recommendation for the establishment of a Jewish State. Educated at Cambridge, Eban’s oratorical skills, grasp of history and fluency in ten languages enhanced his success as one of Israel’s greatest spokesmen.
The new state first applied for membership to the United Nations on May 15, 1948, one day after proclaiming its independence. The admissions committee of the UN, however, citied Israel’s inability to prove its viability as a state, and did not support the application. Eventually, the Security Council denied Israel membership.
Israel would later make a second attempt for membership on December 17, 1948 while in the midst of a multi-front war with her neighboring countries. U.S. spokesman, Dr. Philip C. Jessup, delivered a stirring appeal urging Israel’s immediate admission as the fifty-ninth member of the United Nations, a clear indication of where President Truman stood on Israel.
Again, Israel was denied membership by the Security Council.
By early March 1949 the fighting of the 1948 War was over and Israel was conducting armistice talks separately with four Arab states leading to the Security Council’s actual recommendation of Israel for admission to the UN. The vote, coming at about 5:40 PM on March 4 (almost midnight in Israel) was 9 in favor, 1 against (Egypt), and 1 abstention (England). Israel’s third application for membership was again on the table.
Despite the Security Council recommendation, there remained a great uncertainty about whether or not Israel would actually be admitted. Instrumental to rallying the necessary support for the passing of the motion was Journalist David Horowitz and Abba Eban, Israel’s first ambassador to the UN.
Horowitz worked diligently behind the scenes to influence foreign delegates and committee members to vote for Israel’s admission and in a marathon two and a half hour speech; Abba Eban passionately argued Israel’s case in front of the Ad Hoc Political Committee of the UN.
They were both present on May 11th, the twelfth day of Iyar, 5709, at approximately 7:30 PM, when the United Nations congregated in its General Assembly Building at Flushing Meadows and voted to admit Israel as the 59th member nation.
Horowitz summed up the prevailing emotions as the event unfolded: “It was a dramatic occasion. As the vote was taken there prevailed an air of tense alertness, vigil, and almost breathlessness. Even some of the most seasoned newsmen showed emotions that revealed their innermost feelings. Most of them, having followed the Israeli case from the very outset of the struggle, had hoped for just this sort of development. The vote, 37 in favor, 12 against with 9 abstentions, came as a climax to a drama upon which the eyes of the world had been focused for a long time. For the Jews, the event seemed Messianic in scope.”
The delegation of Israel could now take its rightful place in the General Assembly of the UN, the body of nations that David Horowitz called “the parliament of man.”
Thrilled with the outcome and moved by the historic event, Abba Eban later stated that he would always remember the raising of the Israeli flag on admission to United Nations membership as one of the high points of his life.
Ralph Buntyn is executive vice president and associate editor of United Israel World Union and author of “The Book of David: David Horowitz: Dean of United Nations Press Corps and Founder: United Israel World Union.”
In this teaching, Jodell Onstott takes a close look at passages related to the character of God, particularly as it relates to his character of mercy. Does God’s mercy have limits? How do the sins of the father’s affect their wicked children? Join us as we examine the basis of God’s judgement and limits of his mercy.
