Chapter – 13 ‘The Rabbi’s Sister walks with Valentine’
Cont… The CENTER was filled with activity. Rebekah was busy helping with refreshments and greeting her friends and a few of the visitors who were there for the first time. As she glanced around she could see Yosef talking with Jaye; she breathed a sigh and thought, “Help me Lord, I want to serve you with my whole heart; I feel a little afraid at the moment. Please direct me that my WILL, will be your WILL, and if I’m distracted by my WILL, correct me.” She knew that someday the Lord would more than likely provide the one person in her path that she would cherish as a mate; she just didn’t want to get ahead of the Lord with her own earthly desire.
It was a little later than usual that the CENTER was closing; then the four of them started walking for home, so to speak. Yosef was walking next to Leah and a quiet Rebekah was walking a little slower. Valentine commented, “I didn’t realize the message tonight would cover the 5th chapter of Peter. These past few weeks, while out in the desert, many thoughts have crossed my mind; you on many occasions. I want you to be a special friend and get to really know you.” He told her about the meeting he had with Jesus up on the hill while in the Army, with the enemy less than a mile away. “I had been mad at Jesus for a long time but something within me finally changed and my spirit seemed to be revived. I am ready to move on in life.”
Rebekah stopped walking and took a deep breath, “I have given my life to the Lord. Before I became a Christian, I was a good Jew, devoted to whatever God would ask of me.” She finally looked up into his face and told him that she wanted him as a friend but was fearful to think much beyond him being a good friend to her brother. He took her hand and softly spoke, “Come on, let’s walk before Yosef turns and comes to see what is going on. In my heart, I know that I’m here in Israel for more than a job. It is you that God has put in my path.” He gave her hand a little squeeze as he grew silent.
A tear slowly flowed down the cheek of Rebekah. She was dipsy-do on the inside and didn’t know why; was the Holy Spirit speaking to her inner being. Rebekah was surly confused at the moment as she thought, “Was this one of those times that MAN has to step aside, as God surely makes the mater his choice? HE chose Noah to build the boat; HE chose Abram to leave UR and go to Israel; HE chose Joseph, the 11th son to rule over his brothers; HE chose Moses, the babe floating down the Nile, to lead the people out of Egypt; then HE even choses David, the youngest son, to be King of Israel. Now was it her time to be chosen? Wasn’t HE the one who picked out Isaac’s wife, prior to Abraham’s servant, Eliezer, arriving at the well?” [Note – others God has chosen includes Saul of Tarsus.]
Her thoughts were brought abruptly to an end. Yosef was shouting for them to hide somewhere. It sounded like guns being shot just ahead and she could see Yosef pull Leah by the arm into a darkened porch of a house. With his right arm, Jaye picked Rebekah up by the waist and ran the opposite way. He pulled her into an alley just prior to a truck with three shooters passing by. These were evil people shooting into the front windows of several homes. Valentine put his arm around her trembling shoulder and spoke softly, “They are gone; it won’t be long until the police capture them. Let’s run up and see if Yosef and Leah are o.k.?”
When they arrived Leah was helping a family who had their front window broken. Several of the neighborhood people had gathered and were all telling a different story; they seemed to be confused. Yosef raised his hand for silence and spoke a prayer in Hebrew. This helped as the people seemed to relax just a little and calm was restored.
Once the police left, the four of them started walking again. Valentine asked, “How hard do you think it would be to love those evil guys? Do you think the ‘golden rule’ and the 2nd greatest commandment were made for men like that?” It was silent for a second or so, then Yosef responded, “Yes to God’s way but to the way of mortal man it isn’t.” Valentine reached over and patted Yosef on the shoulder. “Right you are!”
*
Does God choose at times?
Genesis 1:26-28, …[a helper for Adam; a wife] Did God chose to give man a partner?
Genesis 2:18, 21-24, …[Woman created using a rib of Adam; a helpmate to man; a team.]
Luke 9:35, …[A voice from heaven spoke; this is my SON, My Chosen one; listen to him]
Luke 6:12-13, … [Jesus chooses 12 disciples; then He named them as Apostles]
Does God choose who it is that will be SAVED?
Are some of mankind predestined?
OR was it an accident or fate that you or I became SAVED?
DG