THE GOOD SHEPHERD OF ISRAEL

“He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms, he
will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”
Isaiah 40:11 RSV

God is depicted here as a kind and tender shepherd who deals gently
with Israel. His behavior could be instantly understood by most people
in Israel, as many were shepherds. This language was very close to their
daily experience. They could “see” the heart of a shepherd toward his
sheep in the reflection of his actions. They knew from the inside that each
of these gestures was pointing at a patient, generous, and caring soul.

The Shepherd of Israel provides for all, but He is uniquely affectionate
toward the little ones. He takes special care of the weak. He does not push
the vulnerable; He carries them. God encourages, protects, and comforts
Israel in her times of distress. He does not overlook the defenseless and
the feeble. He takes more upon Himself so they are able to cope in difficult situations. God bears their weaknesses. The heart of a leader transpires
through his dealing with the little ones. God shows the beauty of
His character in this scripture. He is humble and gentle, meek and lowly.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has
chosen as his heritage!” (Psalm 33:12 RSV).





PRAYER I

Our Father,

We bless Your holy name. We praise You, Good Shepherd. We thank
you for Your tender care for the children of Israel. You make known Your
character in dealing gently with the little ones of Israel. You welcome
the weak into Your arms and carry them close to Your heart. Your care
reveals who You are.

We pray for the Jewish people. Open their eyes to Your tender affection.
Let them see You rightly. Break the lies that distort Your face. Let them see
You as the Good Shepherd. Let them see You as the Father who sent Jesus
the Messiah to represent You in the flesh. Draw them to Your Son, attract
them to Your heart.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.



PRAYER II

Day 7 (Day 37 of the Omer, 13 May 2023) Verse 5(b)

”And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.”

How resplendent the day when You rejoice over Israel as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride! Your heart beats expectantly and fervently for that long-awaited union. Even now, Yeshua, You cherish and graciously groom as Your bride the Messianic remnant of Israel who follows You wherever You go. Thank You, my Coming Bridegroom-King! Change my heart, I pray, so that I see every brother and sister in Messiah as Your treasured bride for whom You are jealous. Reveal to me any resentment I may harbor over any offenses, real or imagined, I have sustained by any of them. I now release that resentment to You. I forgive them, even as You have forgiven me. Secure me – and all Your Israeli Messianic bride -- in Your wraparound love as a shield against offense. Teach me by Your Spirit to prefer my brothers and sisters over myself and to seek their good above my own. For in loving them as You love them, I express my love for You. Yeshua, teach us as Your bride in Israel, to live in the harmony and unity for which You Yourself prayed. Let there be genuine, love-driven reconciliation wherever it is needed among us: between Jewish and Arab believers; between different theological camps; between immigrants and sabras; between the generations; and more.

In Yeshua’s Name, may dew from heaven refresh our minds and hearts to different theological truths You reveal to different ones of Your bride. May ancient rifts be resolved in Your bride between the physical and spiritual descendants of Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau. May we learn to cherish the young and old among us, nurturing and esteeming them as You do. May those born in the land welcome Messianic Jews making aliyah. May Messianic immigrants honor those of Your bride born in Zion. Shepherd of Israel, please raise up Messianic leaders in Israel to serve as shepherds after Your own heart. Empower them to seek and to save the lost. Teach them how to groom Your bride as You groom her. Protect them and provide for their needs. Be with them and mature them through the inevitable difficulties of ministry leadership. Take them personally into Your bridal chamber and lovingly encourage them. Equip them to help Your bride make herself ready for You.

Thank You for hearing and accepting my supplications before Your throne of grace.

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SI Moderator - Greg Gordon