My involvement in the Messianic Movement was born out of a study of Isaiah. As a new licensed Baptist minister, I was tasked to teach the book of Isaiah. The year was 1982. We called the class "Isaiah through in '82." The study went a little longer, given that it has 66 chapters and only 52 weeks in a year, so we re-titled the class "Isaiah free in '83."
Two things happened during that study. First, I became acquainted with the prophecies of the restoration, how God was going to bring back the scattered tribes of Israel and put them in their land again. I became intrigued with the expression "the Remnant of Israel." My theology went through a radical shift.
By shift, I mean that I could no longer accept replacement theology (namely, that God has dismissed Israel and now works with the Gentile church). I also couldn't deal with the sudden imminent rapture at the end of the ages. God's plan was specific about "gathering" us up for another exodus not a fly away fantasy. I began to find fellow Jews who believed in the Messiah and became part of the "Messianic Movement."
But something else happened along the way. I don't remember which shop it was or if someone gave it to me as a gift. I acquired a coffee mug with Hebrew on one side and English on the other. In large letters was "Shalom." In smaller print was a Scripture from Isaiah.
And He will judge between the nations, and will render decisions for many peoples; and they will hammer their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war. Isaiah 2:4
I became attached to the mug and I took it to my workplace for morning coffee. I referred to it as "my going out of business mug." At that time I was a government contractor and a logistics engineer. My job was to help the military operate and train on new military systems built by my contracting company.
My affection for the mug seemed to stem from the connection I had studying the book of Isaiah, my new interest in Hebrew roots (Messianic things), and my profession. It just seemed to fit me. The mug captured my life.
But there is a miracle of sorts associated with the mug now. I still have the mug. It has never been dropped or broken and it has made its journey through my life since 1982 to this day (33 years). It seems to me that a coffee mug should get some kind of reward for such service. How many of you have a coffee mug that can boast that many years of personal service?
I can see a future for this mug should the Lord tarry whereas I bequeath the mug to my heirs. The problem is that I have two children (a daughter and son). So, who would get it? Then, once they get it they will probably say, "What is the big deal with this mug?" I won't be around to tell them so they will conclude that it was just a coffee mug I had.
So, I can't give the mug to my offspring as an inheritance. I've considered taking it with me to the grave. But I want it to have more use than that.
Until I figure this out, I'm going to drink coffee from it while I study my Bible and prepare to teach Torah each week. You see, the words of Isaiah are with me and I know that verse on my mug is the result of the words in the verse just before. They say,…
And many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us concerning His ways, and that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. ISA 2:3
Yeshua, the Messiah, will teach Torah then and I will take all my professional skills and grow tomatoes better. And maybe I'll drink a fine cup of coffee in the mornings with my mug even then.
