Paul Luckraft reviews three more of CFI's helpful teaching booklets.

The following three booklets are all by Derek White, who helped found and direct Christian Friends of Israel.

Tabernacles and the Messiah's Coming (41 pages, available from CFI for £3)

This booklet and the one on Shavuot (see below) are described as Studies in the Feasts, and intended for individuals or groups to discover how the Jewish feasts were not just of great relevance to the Jewish people, but also how they should be memorials or landmarks to remind us of various aspects of our redemption.

There are six brief studies within this booklet plus several pages of references and endnotes. The aim is not to focus on practical suggestions for celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles within a non-Jewish setting (this can readily be found in other books) but to explain the biblical meaning and prophetic significance of the Feast.

The content of six studies should be followed in numerical order, although within each study there is a certain amount of flexibility. The first study is an introduction; then follow separate studies on the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement (two studies on this topic) and then Tabernacles itself. The final study tackles the spiritual application of the Feasts.

Each study begins with some Scripture readings and at various intervals within the study key questions are posed along the lines of 'What does this mean for the Church?' or 'What is God saying to us today through these feasts?' One important feature of these studies is to link the Feast of Tabernacles with the coming of the Messiah, both in terms of Jesus' first coming (his birth) and his return as a final fulfilment of the feast.

The result of working through this booklet should be a greater knowledge of how God's salvation plan has been revealed, and a better contextual understanding of Israel in relation to the Bible and of the Jewish people in relation to the Church. Overall this is a welcome contribution to the Hebraic roots movement.

The Jewishness of Jesus (22 pages, available from CFI for £2.50)

An appreciation of the Jewishness of Jesus is essential if we are to fully understand him and the full impact of his message. Since this booklet was first published there has been a lot of material produced to further this aim, a "tide of rediscovery" which has been exciting Christians with a "fresh awareness of who Jesus was and what he taught" (p1). It is perhaps best to see this booklet as a basic offering to those who need to set out on this journey of discovery. There is a useful page of sources and further reading at the end, but even this could be updated today.

White covers most of the standard topics: Jesus's family background and upbringing, the clothes he wore and the methods he used when he taught. There are also useful sections on his claim to be Messiah, his healing ministry and the relationship between Jesus and the Pharisees. Four pages are devoted to explaining that Jesus taught in Hebrew and showing that there is plenty of evidence to support the idea that underneath the Greek manuscripts "there appears to lie a Hebrew original" (p6). By quoting ancient writers from the second century onwards and by explaining certain Hebraic idioms, White builds up his case convincingly.

Overall, a straightforward introduction in a handy format, and one that should provoke interest and a desire to know more.

Shavuot and the Spirit (32 pages, available from CFI for £3)

This booklet contains five study sections together with some final pages of notes and references. The introduction explains that whereas most studies of this kind focus on the traditional Jewish customs of today, here, in addition to explaining a Jewish understanding of Shavuot, the aim is to "explore the Messianic fulfilment of the feast, namely the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in fulfilment of the promise of Jesus" (p1).

Session One takes us through the Old Testament background, asking what is the significance of this feast and how we should regard it. The relationship to Sinai and the Law is made clear. Next comes an exploration of the counting of the Omer in preparation for Shavuot, and considers the meaning of the two loaves of bread that were waved before the Lord.

Session Three gives a thorough examination of the New Testament fulfilment and is followed up in the next session by asking 'What is the outpouring of the Spirit?' The final session is largely for recapitulation and discussion, and allows time for study of the material provided in the notes, especially the important first note on Torah. It also provides an opportunity for planning a 'Counting of the Omer' night of study in preparation for Pentecost or for a group reading of the book of Ruth.

The information in this booklet should be of great interest to anyone wishing to explore the feasts and will especially be beneficial for group study.

CFI has a large range of booklets on a variety of subjects – click here to browse their selection.

Paul Luckraft reviews three of CFI's handy teaching booklets, each approaching this important topic with a slightly different emphasis.

Praying for Israel: Practical Guidelines (various contributors, 18 pages, available from CFI for £2.50)

This short booklet has been compiled from a selection of articles by various contributors including Lance Lambert and Derek White. As the title suggests, it is mainly a series of tips and hints for those who already see the need to pray for Israel and who are committed to this.

The first section gives a series of bullet points to enable stronger praying regarding the Church and Israel. The aim is to uplift those in the Church who support Israel and teach Hebraic roots, and to pray for a change of heart for those who do not. Each point is backed up with a verse from Scripture.

The second section recognises that praying for Israel is a spiritual battle which requires intervention in the heavenly places. Some 'prayer weapons' are listed, as are some scriptures (mainly verses from the Psalms) to enable the prayer warrior to cry to God from the heart.

The third section concerns praying for Israel in the modern world today. We are encouraged to pray for truth, for those in authority and for the salvation of both Jews and Arabs. Reconciliation and protection are also key issues. We should also not forget those in Israel who are already believers in Jesus.

The final section provides guidelines for corporate prayer. This is the longest section and gives practical advice for leaders of prayer groups as well as for those who are new to intercessory prayer. These final few pages are full of wisdom and good sense, and round off the whole booklet in an excellent way.

For Zion's Sake: Praying for the Restoration of Israel (Carl Kinbar, 12 pages, available from CFI for £2)

This is the shortest of the three booklets but overflows with excellent information and advice. It is a basic prayer guide for those who have a heart for the Jewish people and who desire to see the complete fulfilment of God's purposes for them.

It opens with an outline of God's basic plan for Israel based on passages from Ezekiel, highlighting the three main aspects of the prophetic promise; namely their return to the land, their restoration to God and then the reign of Messiah. These serve as the foundation for intercessory prayer on their behalf. Kinbar is clear that Jews are "restored to relationship with God in exactly the same way non-Jews are saved, by the grace of God through faith" (pp 3-4). The barrier of sin must be removed and a spiritual cleansing take place. Only then can they walk in God's ways and fulfil their destiny as a nation.

The rest of the booklet contains seven specific areas of prayer that arise from the prophetic pattern and which are shaped by God's promises. One area is to pray for believers and congregations already in the land. Another is to pray for the attitude of the Church and that it would fulfil its God-given role of making Israel jealous. Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is explained in two ways, external and internal, covering both protection against enemies outside the land and reconciliation between factions inside the land.

The overall conclusion is that one day "God will capture the heart of Israel and possess her as a people who worship and serve him fully" (p13). Those who pray "For Zion's sake" have a part in that restoration.

Intercession: Called to be Watchmen (Lance Lambert, 28 pages, available from CFI for £2)

This longer booklet is obviously a transcript of a talk given by Lance back in 1987. Nevertheless, the principles it contains remain the same even though the final section on certain specifics of the time is now outdated.

Lance's first point is that interest in Israel must lead to intercession for them, rather than obsession with them. He asserts that 'watch and pray' should be a key instruction for all who love Israel.

He warns that intercession is the deepest form of prayer. It is not a light or easy thing. He gives details from the biblical examples of Moses, Samuel and Daniel to back up this point. Anyone wanting to be a watchman needs to feel called to this. He or she doesn't need special education but does need vision, someone who sees the Lord and what he is doing, not so much with physical eyes but with the eyes of the heart. Lance explains that the "function of a watchman is to guard the interests of the king and of the city" (p9).

He must see not only what is coming from outside, but also what is happening inside the city. His job is not only to see enemies coming from afar but also look for betrayers within.

Lance goes on to explore the mystery of intercession, including why God requires it at all. He also helpfully outlines common misconceptions regarding intercession. With the help of real life stories that are both amusing and alarming, he explains the errors and pitfalls that he has come across in practice, and warns of the dangers of entering into this ministry without the leading of the Spirit.

He ends with the costs and rewards of being an intercessor. Intercession requires "your whole being, spirit, soul and body for twenty-four hours of every day of every week of every year" (p20). This might seem rather daunting, even off-putting, but it is as well to be aware that intercession is a constant burden and not for Christians of 'minimal maturity'.

Taken together these three booklets provide a comprehensive set of teaching on this important topic of praying for Israel.

There are many more teaching booklets available through CFI (Christian Friends of Israel) – just click here.