A Story of a Ruth
My name is Susan French and I have been attending Ari Yehudah Messianic Congregation 6 ½ years. I recently returned from a three-month stay in Israel where I had the opportunity to serve a Jewish Messianic organization, Trumpet of Salvation. I know what you are going to say. “What is a nice Catholic girl like you doing there?” And, “Why did you quit a good job in a bad economy to go do volunteer work for Israel? Didn’t the Jews have their chance and rejected it? Why there, why them?” The answer is a long story, a history of my full 60 years, and all I can say is, “It’s the Lord’s doing!”
I was born in Pennsylvania, grew up in Florida, and went to twelve years of Catholic schools. I knew my religion requirements inside and out, knew guilt, knew of God, even loved what I thought I knew of God; but I didn’t know the Bible, didn’t know the history of my religion, didn’t know there was redemption from the guilt, didn’t know that Jesus wasn’t a martyr, that He came with the purpose of dying for our sins as our Passover Lamb; so I didn’t really know God, nor the plan He had for my life, my story. But He knew me. As a Catholic hearing that the Jews were responsible for the death of our sweet blue-eyed, blonde Savior, I knew I was walking on the edge (as He knew I would) having authors such as Chaim Potok and Bernard Malamud as my favorites; but, I always took special interest in things “Jewish”. I have come to believe now, “It’s the Lord’s doing!”
God continued working out His plan for my life, my story, sometimes with my cooperation, sometimes with me kicking and screaming, and sometimes by sending me one way knowing I will go the other, and in the consequences of my disobedience He continued His plan. Sounds kind of like Genesis through Revelation, doesn’t it? God working even through His chosen people’s unfaithfulness?
Eventually, He brought me to these here hills of Tennessee/Virginia and I was invited to attend a Shabbat Service at Ari Yehudah. That Saturday morning, as Rabbi Bell prayed over those who responded to an altar call, I saw in the Spirit a wing descend and its feathers spread out and cover the people under the shadow of the wing. Wow! That was not a usual occurrence for me. Only one other time in my life have I seen a vision such as that. While the music was great and the dancing was fun in the service, it was the protective covering I saw come down that brought me back and has kept me there these last 6 plus years. I didn’t really understand it all immediately, but I have learned a lot in the last few years and see now, “It’s the Lord’s doing!”
I learned that God has a plan and it is not hidden. It is revealed in Scriptures, but it neither starts nor stops with the New Testament. It is about Israel and it is about Yeshua. I have heard that the Rabbis say Isaiah 53 is about Israel and Isaiah 53 is about the Messiah. The connection is so close, the identities so intertwined that they can’t separate what goes where. Like a bridegroom and bride – one flesh. I don’t think you can really love Jesus without loving Israel. “It’s the Lord’s doing!”
When a nice Gentile Catholic girl like me receives Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, and becomes part of the Bride of Christ, she also becomes grafted into a Jewish tree with Jewish roots (Romans 11) and becomes a citizen of the Commonwealth of Israel (Ephesians 2)...kind of like Ruth? I don’t have to pretend I am a Jew, or seek out my ancestors to see if there is any Jewish blood. That is not important. In fact, in the book of Ruth, we read that Boaz specifically blesses Ruth as a Gentile with these words: “..you came to a people you had not known before. May the Lord reward your deed. May you be richly recompensed from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wing you have sought refuge.” Jew and Gentile, one in Messiah, “It’s the Lord’s doing!”
As in a marriage, lifelong, fulltime commitment is required of this union. Remember how often we say, “ It is not a religion, it is a relationship?” So, when my bridegroom’s family business (for truly the business of God is the calling and restoration of Israel) is needing workers in Israel or for Israel, then I must go help. It is why I can give up a good-paying, high-level administration position to go wipe tables, clean ashtrays, and make coffee to serve Israel, especially for the household of faith, the believers. It is to serve Yeshua Himself, and He Himself gave us the example when He served His disciples by washing their feet. God’s plan intimately connects my story, a story that represents in one solitary person’s life the principles of God, to His story and His plan for His people Israel. Perhaps you have felt some connection to things “Jewish”, an unexplained heart for Israel, been invited to attend a service? It is not coincidence. “It’s the Lord’s doing!”
Susan