Reflections from the Rabbi
“A Sin-Soaked Land”
Hurricane Katrina may be the worst U.S. natural disaster in our lifetime. As of this writing, close to one million people have been displaced by the horrific storm that flooded Louisiana and affected states as far north as Ohio. If we were reading about it in the Bible instead of our headlines, we would probably acknowledge the judgment of God on earth. However, it’s not in the Bible and our newspapers are not canon. Was it a freak of nature? The result of the perversion and decadence of New Orleans? The fault of the Army Corps of Engineers who did not repair the levees? Do we blame the mayor of New Orleans, the governor of Louisiana, the President of the United States? Or was it really God’s judgment on a sin-soaked land? After all, does not God control the weather and the seas and all that is in them?
Many are trying to find the answers. Many are shifting blame to others and looking for a scapegoat. I’m surprised the local Jewish community has not been castigated, attacked and accused in the fray by the KKK or southern skinheads. Bill Koenig, Washington correspondent, has written a new book called, Eye to Eye, linking major natural disasters hitting the United States with the way we have pressured Israel to give up her covenant land for empty promises of peace. From his back cover, “Are each one of these major record-setting events just a coincidence or awe-inspiring signs that God is actively involved in the affairs of Israel?”
No matter where you stand on these issues, one thing is sure: “The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof.” “The LORD does whatever He pleases.” We can spend a lot of time guessing WHY this event occurred, or we can seek the face of God and determine HOW we will respond. I vote for the latter. The relief aid is just starting to pour in. The best way you can physically help is to send money. There are many organizations you can trust who are doing the work of the LORD. Pick one and support them. Beit Tikvah will be supporting a messianic congregation in San Antonio, Texas who are housing 25 families for an extended period of time until they can return to their homes. You can send your support through our office if you wish.
Many homeless do not have homes or jobs to return to. Many will want to relocate somewhere else. Because of brokenness, many are looking for answers. Now is the time to reach out with the love of Yeshua, the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is their salvation. Pray that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We already feel the affects of the storm at the gas pump. I’m sure we will experience reverberations for many months to come before we move on and talk about hurricane Katrina in the past tense.
Blessings and Shalom,
Hylan Slobodkin
Messianic Rabbi
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