“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 desperate 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 questions are: 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.