ENTERTAINMENT
By Chris Mitchell
CBNews
April 29, 2005
CBNews.org – For the past 3 years, tens of thousands of Israelis have filled theaters to see an original musical called "The Covenant." It is a production inspired by the Bible that tells the story of the Jewish people from their beginning to the present day.
But a little-known fact about "The Covenant" is: it's produced by Christians, who want to help Israelis learn about and honor their history. Some Israelis are too young to remember even 20th century events personally. Besides, many immigrants to Israel used to live in countries where religious oppression and news blackouts kept them from knowing.
The Covenant brings the Bible to life. The play opens a dramatic quote from the Bible. God is saying to Abraham, “Go to a land that I will show you. I will bless you and make your name great and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and I will curse him who curses you. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Thus, “The Covenant” begins with God’s Call to Abraham, 4000 years ago. The play is a reminder to today’s Jewish people of their biblical heritage and hope in God.
"The Covenant" is produced by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ). I spoke with Chuck King, the ICEJ Musical Director. He said, "The message of the Covenant is to help the Jews identify who they are as a people, within the context of God's Covenant with them and with their land. It’s about why they're here, why they’re called to be a blessing to the whole earth. And why we—as a people of faith—are called to bless them."
Robert and Elizabeth Muren wrote "The Covenant" and are still involved with its production. It’s a musical because they believe music particularly reaches the Jewish people.
Elizabeth Muren explained, "We want to remind them of what God did for them. We want to remind them of Abraham, of Moses, of king David. What better way but to show them? Let them meet Abraham. Let them meet Moses and David. Let them see what God did for them."
Robert Muren added that their purpose is, "To demonstrate, through the history of the Jewish people that the Word of God is solid. What God said, He will do. Israel 's history can prove that, because they have been through thousands of years of problems, exiles, dispersion. But still, in the middle of all of it, they have held fast to the promises of God." And seen His deliverance.
Now in its fourth season, translated from its original English into Hebrew, the musical follows Abraham's Call with other important events in Jewish history, from the Bible, going from Moses to Ruth to Esther and on. "The Covenant" traces the journey of the Jews-as-a-people, using their own Bible. Included in the early part of the play are Shadrach, Mishach, and Abendegno in the fiery furnace, Ruth and Boaz, and others.
Behind the scenes, "The Covenant" is an ambitious undertaking. More than 120 cast and crew put on the production. Before the shows, the onstage performers—actors, singers, dancers—get made up, don their costumes, and get in character; part of getting ready to portray yesterday's Israelites for today's Israelis.
Elizabeth said, "To introduce them to their own history, going all through the centuries…”
Robert added, "… to let them see how faithful God has been to them. And to see how Christians around the world love them and care for them, when the rest of the world is making them feel the opposite."
Before every performance, cast and crew gather for prayer, this time Elizabeth ’s. "I pray that every person coming will feel You, oh God, are there, because You are the Greatest and the Biggest Character in this play, O God. You’re the most important Person here."
The idea behind all the rehearsals and work is to bring the Bible to life. But, after the Bible history, the musical goes on and follows the Jews' remarkable yet tumultuous recent history. In Elizabeth ’s words, "Not just the old history, but also the new.”
The newer history in the play traces the dispersion of the Jews throughout the nations, when they sometimes celebrated the Sabbath under the shadow of persecution. Then the play descends into the long dark night of the holocaust. But then, it re-emerges into the dawn, showing the rebirth of ancient Israel as the modern-day State of Israel.
Elizabeth added, “One of the things that makes me believe in God, even stronger, is to see Israel exist. To see how those old Bible Prophecies, old words, have become reality now! The people living now are the result of these Prophecies coming to pass!"
For Israelis, after four years of terrorism, turmoil and international isolation, the play’s look at their heritage comes at a crucial time. The ICEJ Director, Malcolm Hedding, said about that, "The musical is a tool. We believe it’s vital to inculcate a sense of pride and joy in all that God has done for them. That’s why we're putting it on."
This year alone, more than 20 thousand Israelis will see “The Covenant.” Despite living in the Holy Land , many Jews simply don't know the Bible and know their own story. "The Covenant" is a 90-minute musical history lesson.
One school child described it as, “A time tunnel back into our history.”
Chuck King explained why it is so popular, "They actually see their own lives in the context of these scenes and music. People come away saying, 'Now I understand that God is real!’ And, ‘There is a reason and a purpose for my life’!"
The play also leaves some Israeli’s speechless. One playgoer said, "The people, everything. It was amazing. I'm shocked. I'm in shock from everything." A Hebrew lady expressed a similar sense.
A man who viewed it said, "It made me feel proud to be an Israeli. Proud to be a part of this story—It's like this is all a part of our stories."
"The Covenant" ends where it began—with Abraham—but now the characters from Israel 's 4000 year old history join him as the cast sings the ending song.
Though the musical ends, the story of Israel and its Covenant with God goes on.
Robert said, "We don't know everything that will happen in this land, in the future. But we know God has good plans for this nation and for the rest of the world. We really are encouraged, looking at Israel —and how God has dealt with the Jewish people—so we know He has a good future for us too."
Today, despite being too young to remember or an immigrant formerly under news blackouts, masses of Israelis have seen this inspirational play and learned much about their Godly heritage, the Bible, the suffering of the holocaust, and the joy of the founding of the modern-day State of Israel.
The play’s constant theme is God's faithfulness: to Abraham , Israel and those who believe in the God of Abraham, and it says God is still keeping His promises to this day. |
