Worthy Brief - 11/15/2022
Friend, speak up!
Luke 15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
As we continue our study into the parable of the Prodigal son, let's focus on the role of the elder son.
Most people overlook a very significant part of the parable, which is – the elder son received his inheritance as well! (Luke 15:12b) According to the custom of the times, the older son's inheritance would have been twice that of the younger son. In that light, his response to his younger brother's initiative, a response of silence...speaks volumes.
The elder son, even in our own culture, normally would bear a greater responsibility for mending and healing any wounded relationships in the family. Yet this older son makes no apparent attempt to talk to his brother, to mediate or plead for his Dad, even though he was surely aware of the pain his brother's request was causing his father. He does nothing! It seems the sibling rivalry had grown pretty serious, but even so, shouldn't his love for his father have overwhelmed these feelings at such a critical moment? Worst of all, is he possibly entertaining the same attitude toward the inheritance as his brother, only secretly?
Friend, there's a time to speak up, even when it goes against personal or selfish interests or ruffles some feathers...whether it's for the gospel itself, or any other issue of righteousness, we ought not to remain silent, for God's sake, for love's sake. Let's have the courage to do it.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Going to Christian College in Dallas, Texas)
Baltimore, Maryland
Join us on an epic, life changing journey through Israel, through the eyes of those who are well acquainted with the culture, the people and the Land. This is not your average Israel tour— bring your family, bring your friends, and experience the REAL ISRAEL with George and Baht Rivka as your personal hosts.
We are planning our Winter Tour across the United States so if you would like us to minister at your congregation, home fellowship, or Israel focused event, be sure to let us know ASAP. You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information.
Check out our unique Worthy App, which allows you to follow our news instantaneously and directly access over 50 news sources with 24/7 coverage. Download from Apple App Store (for Iphones) or download our Android version.
Ukraine’s President Visits Recaptured Kherson As US, Russia Talk (Worthy News Radio)
Ukraine’s president has toured the city of Kherson, which was recaptured from Russian forces after accusing Moscow of war crimes. Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit came while the intelligence chiefs of the United States and Russia discussed how to prevent the armed conflict from escalating into nuclear warfare.
CIA chief meets Russian counterpart in Turkey, warns of consequences if Putin uses nukes in Ukraine
CIA Director William Burns on Monday met with Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s top intelligence official in Turkey to convey a message from the Biden administration about the consequences that would occur if Moscow uses nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
President Biden To Meet China’s Leader To Ease Tensions
U.S. President Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, China’s top leader, will meet face to face Monday in Indonesia — their first meeting since Biden took office.
Iran Sentences Protester To Death
Iran has sentenced a protester to death in the first known use of capital punishment by Islamic authorities seeking to suppress nearly two-month-old antigovernment demonstrations.
Ukraine Facing Challenges After Capturing Kherson Amid US Warnings (Worthy News Radio)
The former U.S. army general and CIA director David Petraeus has warned that the war in Ukraine is far from over despite Ukraine capturing the strategic Kherson city.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
‘400 seconds’ to Tel Aviv: Iranian media publishes Hebrew hypersonic missile threat
Iran’s Sobh-e-Sadegh newspaper published a threat in Hebrew on its front page on Monday, warning that a new Iranian hypersonic missile could reach Israel in 400 seconds.
Israel abstains from UN vote on Russia-Ukraine reparations
Israel abstained from voting at the UNGA on Monday after the UN said Russia should be required to pay reparations to Ukraine for war-related damages.
Inside the United States
Biden says Democrats will not have enough Congressional seats to codify Roe v Wade
President Biden said Monday that, following last week’s midterm elections, he does not believe Democrats will have enough votes in Congress to codify Roe v Wade and create federal rights to abortion, Axios reports. Sending the issue of abortion back to individual states for consideration, the US Supreme Court reversed Roe through its June 24 ruling in the case of Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
40 states settle Google location-tracking charges for $392M
Search giant Google has agreed to a $391.5 million settlement with 40 states to resolve an investigation into how the company tracked users’ locations, state attorneys general announced Monday.
GOP Flips House Seat in Deep-Blue Oregon, Bringing Party Closer to House Majority
Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer flipped a long-held Democratic seat in Oregon, putting the GOP one step closer to a majority in the House of Representatives.
Christian News
Laos: Pastor murdered on his way to Christian event
A Christian pastor in Laos was tortured before being murdered last month in an attack police was likely on account of his faith, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.
Nigeria: At least 4,000 Christians killed by Islamic extremists in 2022 alone
At least 4,000 Christians in Nigeria have been murdered by Islamic jihadists this year alone, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law attested this week, the Christian Post reports. Rights groups have estimated 50,000-80,000 Christians in Nigeria have been murdered by Islamic militants in the last two decades, as the Nigerian government and international community stand by and do nothing of substance to stop the slaughter.
Worthy Watch
Biological Male Wins Women’s Elite Division Of Cycling Race
A biological male won the women’s elite division of a cycling race in Massachusetts on Saturday.
Biological Male Wins Local Miss America Pageant
For the first time in the history of the Miss America organization, a transgender teenager in New Hampshire won a local pageant qualifying him to compete in the state pageant and ultimately for the Miss America national crown.