MOMENTOUS DAYS

 Oh, that my head were a spring of water
    and my eyes a fountain of tears!
I would weep day and night
    for the slain of my people.

Jeremiah 9:1

Looking towards Jerusalem

Yesterday (14/04) was a glorious spring day in Israel and I took a walk in the forest nearby. It was so quiet and peaceful, and all I could hear were the singing of birds in the trees and the gentle sussuration of the breeze through the pine needles. At ground level there was  a colorful display of late-spring wildflowers. On such a seemingly perfect day it is hard to believe that very close by war is raging, with much hatred, killing and destruction. I always feel that if more people would take the time to take a walk in the forest (or desert or any wild place) the world would be a better place. 

My forest walk

Today 17/04 we are marking Memorial Day in memory of the 23,646 people who have fallen in Israel as a result of wars and terror attacks since 1860. This year 72 security personnel and 12 civilians were added to the list. Since Independence was declared in 1948, some 3,134 civilians have died because of enemy activity (1).  This evening, sirens sounded throughout the country and we all stood in silence in their memory. Last week the sirens sounded also, as we remembered the 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust.  It is fitting that both Holocaust Day and Memorial Day immediately precede Independence Day, in which this year we will celebrate the 70 years since the Declaration of Independence. It is because of the sacrifice of our soldiers and  other security personnel, in death and in service to the country, that any of us can celebrate the survival and success of the Israeli nation. May their memory be blessed. Please pray that no more will be added to this number in the coming year and that God will comfort all those who mourn, especially the thousands of family members and friends.  

Drivers observe a 2 minute silence on Holocaust Day 
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5228133,00.html

THE KADISH PRAYER FOR MOURNING

May His great name be exalted and sanctified.
in the world which He created according to His will.
May He establish His kingdom
and may His salvation blossom and His anointed be near.
during your lifetime and during your days
and during the lifetimes of all the House of Israel,
speedily and very soon. And say, Amen.
May His great name be blessed
for ever, and to all eternity.
Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted,
extolled and honored, adored and lauded
be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He,
above and beyond all the blessings,
hymns, praises and consolations
that are uttered in the world. And say, Amen

Tomorrow evening we will pass from sorrow to joy as Memorial Day ends and the Independence Day celebrations begin. In the evening every town and neighborhood holds public gatherings with songs, music and of course, fireworks. Street parties abound. The next day we will see flyovers from the Air Force and El Al (the Israeli airline), and the whole country will head out to the forests, beaches and parks for 'al ha esh' - the traditional barbecue. My friends and I have opted to avoid the traffic and we will barbecue in the yard - much less crowded and frenetic. 

This year, the 70th Anniversary of the State is special and will be celebrated with great joy, but in the shadow of threat.  While we civilians are enjoying our barbecues with family and friends, our security forces will be watching our borders with a very high level of vigilance. 

On our southern border the Palestinians of Gaza are continuing their daily protests and acts of violence leading up to Nakba Day on the 15 March. After the Friday of Tires (see my previous blog) demonstrations continue to be a daily event. The latest weapon being used by the Gazans are incendiary devices attached to kites. Today a field of ripe wheat was set on fire in this way. Sources say that around 20-30 Palestinians have died and thousands injured during the protests which have been going on for around 3 weeks now. This week a Palestinian was shot and killed by Israeli forces as he tried to cross the border, and Israel suffered its first casualty when a tank guarding the border tipped over down a bank killing one of the soldiers inside and injuring three. Yesterday several Palestinians were injured when an explosive device they were preparing exploded. 

A few days ago a tunnel which stretched from the Gaza Strip, under the border and into Israeli territory was destroyed by Israeli forces. This is the 8th such tunnel destroyed by Israel in recent months. These tunnels are intended for use to penetrate Israel to carry out terror attack or mass incursions. They which costs millions of dollars  and huge quantities of cement and stones to build, precious resources that should have been used to rebuild homes and infrastructure in Gaza,  Some of the tunnels have been exploded but in this instance tons of concrete were poured into it by the IDF. 

Ynet news quoted Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman's  tweet about the incident, saying, "We've opened the week with an impressive intelligence and operational achievement with the destruction of another tunnel, the longest and deepest exposed thus far.

"Millions of dollars were invested in its excavation," the defense minister added, "money that would have been better served mitigating the plight of residents but has now sunk into the sand. Gaza residents, Hamas is frittering away your money on tunnels leading nowhere. We will get to them all." (2)   

The tunnel that was destroyed this week.
https://www.idf.il/en/minisites/hamas/the-idf-thwarts-a-hamas-terror-tunnel/

It is interesting to note that many Arabs in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and  other Arab countries have voice opposition and 'backed Israel's side of the conflict and lambasted Hamas for its exploitation of the inhabitants of Gaza, who they rule." (3)

The Gazan protests have been somewhat sidelined by events in the north. Following the terrible gas attack which killed around  70 civilians in Doum in Syria, the USA, the UK and France carried out last Saturday a combined missile attack on several sites within Syria aimed at giving a message to Syrian President Assad that the use of gas weapons would not be tolerated by the international community. There has been no retaliation from Syria or Iran since then but it may still come. 

 Perhaps of more concern here was a missile attack on the T-4 military base which killed 14 military personnel including 7 Iranian officers,one of whom was the commander of the Revolutionary Guards Drone Force. Israel is suspected to have carried out the attack but has not admitted responsibility.  This has led to a volley of threats from Iran to attack Israel. The newspaper, the Times of Israel , claims that  

"Ahead of Israel’s Independence Day, the military was preparing for the possibility of a direct attack by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ air force in response to a strike on Iran’s air base in Syria earlier this month."  (4)

The newspaper YnetNews said this:

"Amid foreboding Iranian omens of impending reprisal for alleged Israeli attack on T-4 Airfield in Syria, Quds Force leads move that may take place in near future using drones, even rockets launched at Israel. Iranian airmen now stationed at 5 Syrian airfields, ready to direct such attack at Israel. ..

 "According to Israeli assessments, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)'s Quds Force Qasem Soleimani is planning a retaliatory attack that would be launched out of an Iranian base in Syria using precision-guided missiles or armed drones—to be launched directly by the Revolutionary Guards rather than by proxies, as they have done before... The IDF will do everything to ensure Independence Day will be quiet, and that the citizens of Israel are able to enjoy the holiday. The IDF is prepared for a wide variety of scenarios, so the citizens of Israel can properly celebrate the 70th Independence Day," a security official said."  (5)

Please pray that Independence Day will pass peacefully and that our forces will be alert and ready to counter any such attack on that day or any of the coming days.  

References:

1.   https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5229185,00.html

      https://www.timesofisrael.com/at-least-3-palestinians-said-hurt-by-israeli-fire-at-gaza-border/

2. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5232918,00.html          https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5230863,00.html

3. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5225041,00.html

4. https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-prepares-for-iranian-revenge-to-include-missile-attacks-drone-strikes/

5. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5230863,00.html

FRIDAY OF TEARS

"Israel is set apart (lit:consecration or holiness) to the LORD,

      the first fruits of His harvest.

All that devour him shall offend,

     evil shall come upon them," said the LORD.

Jeremiah 2:3   

Most English translations of this verse put it into the past tense, saying for example 'Israel was holiness to the LORD" (NKJV), but this is an interpretation influenced perhaps by replacement theology, which holds that Israel is no longer heir to the promises and covenants of God and has been replaced by the church.  The Hebrew text however is not in the past tense and I have given a more accurate rendering in my literal translation above. Israel has not been replaced by the church. It is still heir to all the covenants and promises of God. It still has a role to play in redemption and is still holy to the LORD as the Apostle Paul made abundantly clear in his letter to the Roman church (Romans 9-11). The principle expressed in this verse still holds true. All who seek to devour Israel will suffer God's judgment, as has held true throughout all of history.

In the last couple of weeks we have seen yet another attempt to harm Israel. The Hamas terror organization that rules Gaza called for a popular uprising or protest along the 40 km long border fence with Israel. Last Friday (30th March) was Land Day for the Palestinians and is intended to begin a 6 week continuous protest leading up to Nakba Day (14th April). Last Friday some 30,000 Palestinians gathered to stage what was supposed to be a 'peaceful' protest along the Israel-Gaza border. This number fell far short of the mass uprising that Hamas hoped for. The protest was no peaceful as many used the 'innocent civilians' as a cover to approach and attempt to breach the border fence. Israeli troops fired tear gas and water cannons at the crowds and snipers shot dead some 12-15 (? reports vary) individuals, mostly Hamas operatives, who attempted to break through the fence. The fence was not breached.

The pro-Palestinian press has made much of the fact that one of those killed was only 16 years old, a minor. If you look at the images or videos (google it) of the protests you will see many children present. There was even an incident when a 7 year old girl was sent forth towards the Israeli border, no doubt in the hope she would be shot by Israeli troops, which would then be used as a propaganda coup by Hamas. Instead the Israeli soldiers returned the girl unharmed to her parents. One must ask what kind of people send their children into a dangerous war zone knowing there is a chance they will be killed or injured. This must be child abuse of the most serious kind. Surely a people cannot stoop lower than that!

During this past week the protests continued but numbers present were comparatively small. On Friday (6th April) numbers swelled again after Muslim prayers, but did not reach anything like those of the preceding Friday. Estimates are  that between 15-20,000 gathered. That Friday has been dubbed "Friday of the Tires" as Gazan protestors burned some 10,000 tires at sites along the border to act as a smokescreen to shield themselves from sniper fire as they tried to breach the border. The wind was blowing from the west but only very lightly. The toxic smoke mostly went straight upwards and probably caused more harm to the protesters than to Israeli soldiers. The weather conditions also minimized the ecological harm caused by the release of toxins into the air. Nine Palestinians were killed during this Friday's protests, including two more children, aged 13 and 15, and a journalist.  

Some images of the Friday of the Tires:

https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5221844,00.html

"Peaceful (!)" protest at Gaza border

The true face of Gaza?  Threading onions onto a tire to be burned.

This morning I have been studying the first few chapters of Jeremiah. Jeremiah prophesied after the Assyrian conquest of the northern kingdom of Israel and immediately before the Babylonian conquest of Judah and Jerusalem. His prophesies refer to that time and were fulfilled in part by the Babylonian conquest, however it is clear from the text that the prophesies also and perhaps primarily, refer to a future time, the 'times of the end'. I believe that time is now. Already we have seen part of this prophecy coming to fulfillment:

At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the Lord, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the Lord. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts. In those days the people of Judah will join the people of Israel, and together they will come from a northern land to the land I gave your ancestors as an inheritance.

“I myself said,

“‘How gladly would I treat you like my children

   and give you a pleasant land,

   the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.’

I thought you would call me ‘Father’

   and not turn away from following me.

But like a woman unfaithful to her husband,

   so you, Israel, have been unfaithful to me,”

declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 3: 17-20

God is regathering the remnant of the peoples of Israel and Judah to the 'pleasant land' (the land of the gazelle), Israel, but they do not yet call  the LORD 'Father'. In fact the although the majority of Israelis do believe in God, they do not take God's law or his warnings seriously. They think that God does not see or punish sin. They do not recognize God's hand in the restoration and protection of Israel, or if they do, they presume upon it.

God told Jeremiah to :

“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem,

   look around and consider,

   search through her squares.

If you can find but one person

   who deals honestly and seeks the truth,

   I will forgive this city.

Although they say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives,’

   still they are swearing falsely.”

Jeremiah 5: 1-2

When I read these words, my stomach tightens. It is just so true of Jerusalem and Israel today. When I do business in this land I am often cheated or tricked by dishonest dealers. Theft, bribery, and fraud are all too common. The people think that God does not see. They do not make the connection.

“Among my people are the wicked

   who lie in wait like men who snare birds

   and like those who set traps to catch people.

Like cages full of birds,

   their houses are full of deceit;

they have become rich and powerful

and have grown fat and sleek.

Their evil deeds have no limit;

   they do not seek justice.

They do not promote the case of the fatherless;

   they do not defend the just cause of the poor.

Should I not punish them for this?”

   declares the Lord.

“Should I not avenge myself

   on such a nation as this?"

Jeremiah 5: 26-29

This year the winter rains were very light. We have been in drought conditions for many years now and the Sea of Galilee and the underground aquifers, on which we depend for our water supply, are dangerously depleted. We build desalination plants, recycle our water more than any other nation, the religious call for prayers but we do not as a nation recognize the link between our sin and the lack of rain. There is no national repentance. God told Jeremiah,

"You have defiled the land

   with your prostitution and wickedness.

Therefore the showers have been withheld,

   and no spring rains have fallen".

Jeremiah 3: 2b-3a

Modern day Israel has been regathered from the nations, planted and prospered in the Land of the Gazelles, Israel, but there is no national repentance for her many sins. There is no fear of the LORD.

But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts;

   they have turned aside and gone away.

They do not say to themselves,

   ‘Let us fear the Lord our God,

who gives autumn and spring rains in season,

   who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.’

Your wrongdoings have kept these away;

   your sins have deprived you of good.

Jeremiah 5:23-25

So God instructs Jeremiah thus:

“Announce in Judah and proclaim in Jerusalem and say:

   ‘Sound the trumpet throughout the land!’

Cry aloud and say:

   ‘Gather together!

   Let us flee to the fortified cities!’

Raise the signal to go to Zion!

   Flee for safety without delay!

For I am bringing disaster from the north,

   even terrible destruction.”

A lion has come out of his lair;

   a destroyer of nations has set out.

He has left his place

   to lay waste your land."

Jeremiah 5: 5-7

And who is this lion who is coming out of his lair to destroy Israel? I believe it is a confederation of nations from the north, namely Iran, Iraq, Russia and Syria. Already we see this confederation forming and drawing up battle lines. With the backing of Russia, Iran has created a corridor through Iraq and Syria to Lebanon, and is supplying arms and personnel to its proxies along the way. Russia is also backing Assad in Syria who is taking back control from the rebels and ISIS. He is growing bolder and more evil by the day.

This last weekend, on Saturday night (7th May), reports came in of another atrocity committed by Assad's forces against the people of Syria. It appears his forces dropped barrel bombs (banned internationally) on the rebel-held suburb of Doum in eastern Damascus. These bombs were loaded with chlorine and nerve gas and many people died or were injured as a result. Estimates are as high as 200 dead. This has resulted in threats from the USA to retaliate, just as the US was announcing its plans to withdraw from Syria within 6 months. Earlier today 8 missiles were fired at a Syrian air base, 5 were shot down but 3 hit their target killing a number of Syrian military personnel. The USA is denying responsibility and Russia and others are claiming that Israel was responsible. As is our usual policy, Israel is making no comment, but we have carried out similar attacks in the past in order to stop the transfer of missiles to the terror organization, Hezbollah, in Lebanon.

If the USA carries out its threat to punish Syria, it will bring it into confrontation with Russia, something that could lead to a world war. If it fails to do so it will appear weak and irresolute. If the USA retreats from the Middle East it will strengthen the Russian presence and power in the region, which could encourage our enemies to attack Israel. Already we see Russia's support of the rogue regimes here, Iran and Syria in particular, causing those regimes to become bolder and more aggressive in their threats to destroy Israel. There is no way that Israel, as strong as she is, could alone withstand  a coordinated attack from such a confederation. We are depending on the USA to support us but this support is not necessarily going to be forthcoming. God may allow Israel to be defeated in such a war, as is prophesied. However when all is lost I believe God will step in and rescue Israel, and it is at that time that Israel will know her God, repent and accept her Messiah, as is prophesied in Zechariah,

The Lord will save the dwellings of Judah first, so that the honor of the house of David and of Jerusalem’s inhabitants may not be greater than that of Judah. On that day the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord going before them. On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.

 

“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

Zechariah 12: 7-10

Although the land will once more be ruined and many will die, God will not  allow Israel to be completely destroyed and He will punish those who attack her. God will save a remnant of the people of Israel who will repent and be restored spiritually, just as the nation has been restored physically. God will breathe the spirit of life into the people at that time, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Ezekiel 37.

I looked, and the fruitful land was a desert;

   all its towns lay in ruins

   before the Lord, before his fierce anger.

This is what the Lord says:

“The whole land will be ruined,

   though I will not destroy it completely.

Therefore the earth will mourn

   and the heavens above grow dark,

because I have spoken and will not relent,

   I have decided and will not turn back.”

Jeremiah 4: 26-28

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Pray that the people of Israel will turn from their wicked ways and truly repent and seek God. If they will do that then these things would not happen  (see Jeremiah 4: 1-2);
2. Pray for the believers in Yeshua who dwell in the land, that we will speak out with a bold voice so that many can be saved and the nation warned. Pray too that we can withstand the continuous and fierce attacks of our spiritual enemy, Satan, who is trying to destroy many, especially through broken family relationships, serious diseases and disunity within and between congregations;
3. Pray for the leaders of the nations, especially those of Israel, the USA, Russia, Iran and Syria,  that they will repent and seek God's wisdom and the good of all peoples;
4. Pray for the believers in the Middle East. Many are receiving divine revelation and coming to faith in Muslim countries. They need our prayers so that they can grow, mature and stand faithfully in a very dangerous situation. Pray to those who faithfully work amongst them often at great personal risk;
5. Pray that many in Israel will also hear the gospel or receive revelation so that they will be saved;
6. Pray that Hamas' call for the people of Gaza to rise up and storm the border fence with Israel will not come to fruition. Pray that our borders will not be breached. Pray for the safety of the kibbutzim and towns close to the borders;
7. Pray for the safety of our soldiers and all security personnel, especially for those believers in the IDF.

References:

https://www.yntnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5221724,00.html

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43667947

(PS. Lately the links have been sabotaged. If they don't work, just type in the URL)