"THE JOY OF
BEING A GOY " by Josie
Silver
Since living in Israel these 11 years, I have been
asked on numerous occasions by Jewish people, this question: "Have
you converted"? "Converted to what.? " I ask them
....... "Converted to become Jewish" . My response of course,
has always been "no, I don't need to", Until I give these ones who ask me, a
full understanding of why I don't convert, they have a rather perplexed
look on their face!.
For me, being born a 'goy' (the Hebrew word goy =
Gentile and generally means someone not born Jewish) has never been an issue in
my life, even when the Holy Spirit gave me a revelation 16 years ago of the
Jewish roots of my Christian upbringing, and understanding the calling we
have as Gentiles towards Israel and the Jewish people, still did not deter my
identity as a goy.
Along with being asked that question by Jewish people,
on the other hand, I see numerous 'goys' around the world either converting to
Judaism, desiring to become "Jewish" or are in a desparate search to see if they
have any legitimate Jewish background and go to any lengths to try and fulfill
this possible dream of being "Jewish" in the hope that they can come and live
here. Some of it I feel is just wishful, romantic
thinking.
My question is: "Why do so many goys want to be something
that they were not born to be? Can any of us change our DNA or our
natural heritage ? I don't think so !
I truly
love being a 'goy' - I love provoking Jews to jealousy (which is
what we are called to do in Romans 11:11, and I have testimony of this as I have
lived in Israel). I love what God made me to be as a goy - I love
the calling that He has placed on my life as a goy, to Israel and His
people - to be a "Ruth" - a true Ruth .... I would not want to ever
be anything else. I have been so fulfilled in being a "Ruth" since
living in the land of Israel.
I remain perplexed as I see these
ones wanting to convert to become "Jews". I simply don't understand
why ...... It would appear also from what I have witnessed as
David and I have travelled to many different nations, that some who have chosen
to 'convert' have been led down a very subtle, deceptive and destructive path,
living very rigid 'religious' lifestyles, styfling the very life, joy and
power of the Holy Spirit out of them. A disturbing number have even
renounced their faith in Yeshua. This has been a very sad experience
for us to witness.
Most of you who are reading this article are goys -
non Jews, like me .......... and I believe that a good portion
of you are aware of the enormous privilege we have been given as goys, to
be grafted into the original olive tree, and that we are called to work with God
in seeing His prophetic promises come to pass in relation to Israel and His
people.
Below is a favorite, encouraging scripture that speaks measures
of who we are as goys, how God sees us, what our role is, and how God will
reward us. If we decide to 'change our identity' how can
we fulfill what we have been destined to do and receive our
reward.
Ruth 2:11,12 And Boaz
answered and said to her (Ruth) .... It has been fully reported to me all
that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and
how you have left your father and your mother and the land of your birth and
have come to a people whom you did not know before.
v12)
The Lord repay your work and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of
Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge
Wow,
What a blessed picture this is of who we, the goyim are. To have a place
and part in caring for, and supporting the Jewish people, albeit requiring
a sacrifice. These sacrifices do not go unnoticed by The Lord, and surely
He has a reward for each one of us for our sacrifice.
If we think
about the whole story of Ruth - it was through Ruth, a goy, that Naomi received
the blessings of being settled back in her own land again, (Aliyah - helping the
Jews to come back home) Naomi's practical provision came as Ruth found
continued favor with Boaz on the gleaning fields, (helping Jews practically with
clothing, medicines, finances etc) and in her being blessed with
offspring, and eventually being restored back to the God of Israel (leading the
Jewish people to their Messiah and salvation). What a
high calling we goys have !! Ruth is the
perfect example of our calling and ministry unto the God of Israel and His
people. As we fulfill it, we will find incredible
favor with God, like Ruth found before Boaz.
All of
this, being more than enough to have the "great joy of
being a goy"
May all of you who fit this role of a goy,
continue to be filled with effervescent joy in serving, loving, praying and
provoking our beloved Jewish brethren back onto the olive tree and into
Messiah's arms.
A very joyful goy .......................
Shalom L'Chem !!
Josie