Why Care about Israel?: How the Jewish Nation Is Key to Unleashing God's Blessings in the 21st Century [Paperback]

Sandra Teplinsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2004

God has a plan for you. It starts with Israel. Messianic Jewish author Sandra Teplinsky guides you through the mystery of God's relationship with Israel and the implications for Gentile believers today. Be part of this great unleashing of blessing in the twenty-first century as you share in God's passion for his ancient covenant people.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

God has a plan for you. It starts with Israel.

From the moment God created the Jewish nation, His plan for her was immense-nothing short of blessing the nations of the world. Yet, as this Messianic Jewish author explains, this calling has yet to be fulfilled.

Sandra Teplinsky guides you through the mystery of God's relationship with Israel and the implications for Gentile believers today. Be part of this great unleashing of blessing in the twenty-first century as you share in God's passion for His ancient covenant people.

"Sandy Teplinsky asks all the right questions and gives all the right answers with passion and precision and prophetic insight."--from the foreword by Dr. Michael L. Brown, president, FIRE School of Ministry, Charlotte and New York

"A brilliant and anointed book that is theologically sound and yet prophetically timely."--Che Ahn, senior pastor, Harvest Rock Church, Pasadena; author, Into the Fire

"Teplinsky's excellently articulated book is a message the Church needs in this hour to come into its fullness."--Don Finto, pastor emeritus, Belmont Church, Nashville; author of My People Shall Be Your People

"Teplinsky has done each of us a special favor by opening our eyes to see and understand God's clear and compelling call to restore His people, and why it's critical that we care!"-D-ick Eastman, international president, Every Home for Christ

About the Author

Sandra Teplinsky, trained as an attorney in business litigation, is founder and director of Light of Zion, a teaching and intercessory prayer ministry. With her husband, Kerry, also a Messianic Jew, she speaks at churches, seminars, and conferences on Israel and the church; the Jewish roots of Christianity; and Messianic Judaism. They live with their two daughters in Anaheim, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Chosen Books; Reprinted edition (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800793439
• ISBN-13: 978-0800793432
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,638 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Protestantism > Pentecostal
  • #47 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Worship & Devotion > Charismatic
  • #95 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging Mind and Heart in Relating to Israel, February 15, 2006

By 

William Bjoraker "Bill Bjoraker" (Pasadena, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Why Care about Israel?: How the Jewish Nation Is Key to Unleashing God's Blessings in the 21st Century (Paperback)

As a Bible scholar, a specialist in Jewish studies and one who has lived in Israel, I find Sandra Teplinsky's book theologically sound and humanly engaged. The Jewish people have been the vehicle of some (or most) of Western civilization's greatest goods-not least the Biblical ethical foundation underlying our legal ethics, our sense of time (progress and sabbath rest), our value of the individual as created in the Image of God, and many others. Today this same people-who have given so much, suffered so much- are again facing threats from very near (Hamas), and further (Iran) to annihilate their lone tiny state of Israel. Why should we care? Teplinsky captures the character of the Biblical God of Israel, whose truthful covenant promises are certain, and whose unfailing love for His people has not abated. Modern western Christians-awash in information overload, and often pulled emotionally in many directions-need both Biblical truth and renewed heart allegiance to the issues that are close to the heart of God. Teplinsky's book delivers on both counts. True to the Hebraic Biblical worldview-and contrary to modern dichotmomy of mind (rationalism) and heart ( emotionalism)- this book gives an integrated wisdom that will inform and help you sort your sentiments to align with what is true. You rarely find such integration. The book is eminently readable, with beautiful imagery and clear intelligent prose. Even if you have read other Jewish or Christian books about Israel, this one will be different. Highly recommended. Bill Bjoraker

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seeing through God's eyes, February 5, 2006

By 

V. N. Storey (Pasadena, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Why Care about Israel?: How the Jewish Nation Is Key to Unleashing God's Blessings in the 21st Century (Paperback)

I have read other books on this subject, but Sandra Teplinsky's book reveals how God feels about His people and makes it brilliantly clear that unless we see as He does on this subject, we will not see clearly. The author portrays the character of God as being exemplified in His unchangeable love for His people, and so we can put our total dependence on Him.
This book has great depth of thought - it is provoking.
I loved the passion the author conveys. One of the top books on this subject.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Naomi and Ruth, June 25, 2007

By 

Pieter "Toypom" (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Why Care about Israel?: How the Jewish Nation Is Key to Unleashing God's Blessings in the 21st Century (Paperback)

This inspiring work opens with an explanation of how the promised blessing and curse of Genesis 12:3 operate and their relevance in the context of contemporary international politics. The chapter Blessing For Blessing examines the root meaning of the Hebrew word "bless" and interprets the prophetic Book of Ruth that recounts this Moabite woman's loyalty to her grief-stricken mother-in-law Naomi whom she chose over her country and people. Teplinsky explains why this book of scripture has profound significance for our day.

In the chapter Accursed: Who, Why, When, the author praises the beautiful symbolism and allegory of scripture but observes that the validity of literal interpretations must not be sacrificed. History demonstrates how those who cursed Israel paid the price. Examples include the fall of the Roman Empire, the Crusades which brought bubonic plague in their wake, Imperial Spain's brief flash of glory, and Britain's loss of empire after breaking the Balfour Declaration promise, repeatedly reducing the territory meant for Jewish settlement and most cruelly, blocking entry to refugees from Nazi-occupied Europe. The German people suffered terribly in defeat and the country was divided. It took a bit longer, but the Soviet Union's support of Arab aggression against Israel resulted in its sudden implosion and the on-going, dramatic decline in Russia's population.

Part Two: Father's Heart, discusses God's abiding love for Israel through the writings of St Paul in the Book of Romans and in Ezekiel 16, Hosea, Jeremiah and the Psalms. It also contains valuable information on intercessory prayer and reconciliation. Revisiting Romans 9 in Part Three: Israel's Identity, the narrative examines the meaning of Hebrew words like Yeshua, Hebrew, Abraham, Judah and Israel. Important concepts like Shekhinah, the covenants, the law, the promises, temple worship and the family tree of Jesus Christ are discussed in chapter 7: An Irrevocable Calling.

The severing of Christianity's Jewish roots is explored in Part Four: The Salvation Of Israel. Paul's warning to gentile believers was ignored as witnessed in the words of church fathers like Melito of Sardis & John Chrysostom amongst many others, decisions of church councils like Nicea I & II, Antioch, Elvira and Agde and in the deeds of Emperor Constantine. Augustine's accursed Replacement Theology was accepted by the Reformers, entered Protestantism and continued its deadly work. The abomination of Christian Antisemitism is exposed in books by Fred Wright, James Carroll, Edward Flannery and Franklin Littell.

Today's version of Christian Antisemitism singles Israel out for criticism reaching levels of demonization; for evidence see the books Bearing False Witness by Andrea Levin and The Deadliest Lies: The Israel Lobby and the Myth of Jewish Control by Abraham Foxman as well as The New Anti-Semitism by Phyllis Chesler. The author next turns to theological issues in the chapter The Jews And The Gospel, where she discusses the dual covenant, the times of the gentiles and Israel's twofold restoration, whilst in chapter 10: Revival Of The Remnant, she deals with the rise of Messianic Judaism and its significance.

In Part Five, the ancient roots of the Middle East conflict are identified. Reflecting on Abraham's family feud, Teplinsky analyses the history of Isaac, Ishmael, Abraham's other sons and the war in the womb between Jacob and Esau. Chapter 12: Incursion Of Islam, appraises the nature of the deity Allah, the idea of Jihad and the ancient power portals of the Middle East, explaining why Israel and the USA are being cursed by terms like "the little Satan" and "the great Satan".

The struggle is investigated further in Part Six: Unraveling The Arab/Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, with special emphasis on mass media bias against Israel in the chapter Discerning Truth In Perplexing Times. On this issue, those interested will find valuable information in Can We Trust The BBC? by Robin Aitken and The Resurgence of Anti-Semitism by Bernard Harrison. The horrendous Anti-Semitism in the Arab media is noted, as well as the lies built around the Arab refugee problem. More comprehensive coverage is available in From Time Immemorial by Joan Peters and Peace by Arieh Stav.

The Arab-Israeli wars are dealt with in Agenda To Annihilate, together with the sinister Palestinian Church and its liberation theology. Referencing the Book of Obadiah, Just Peace In The Land takes a prophetic approach to future wars and their consequences. The author argues that Anti-Zionism equals Antisemitism in the section Living Sacrifices. This opinion is becoming harder to deny as anti-Zionism intensifies from three sources: Islamists, Left-Liberalism in its secular form like the mass media, academics like Walt and Mearsheimer and European elites as well as its "christian" versions like Jimmy Carter, the World Council of Churches, elements within mainstream denominations attempting divestment and theologians like Stephen Sizer, Colin Chapman and Gary Burge. The third is the Isolationist Right or Paleoconservative movement of which Patrick Buchanan is a prominent example.

In the chapter Israel On A Last Days Altar the author offers advice to Christians based on prophetic scripture passages. The true Bride of Yeshua will cling to Israel like Ruth clung to Naomi. The final chapter The Sacrament Of Sacrifice warns true believers that Standing With Israel may come at a heavy price whilst encouraging them to make the right choice; the example of Ruth will ultimately bring about global joy and blessings.

Calling on Christians to constantly pray for the peace of Jerusalem, Teplinsky offers profoundly spiritual insights and hope founded on the rock of our salvation. Books with encouraging evidence of reconciliation between Jews and Christians include In Defense of Israel by John Hagee and God's Promise and the Future of Israel by Don Finto.