HAS A LINE BEEN CROSSED?

 

The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made;
In the net which they hid, their own foot is caught.
The Lord is known by the judgment He executes;
The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.

The wicked shall be turned into hell,
And all the nations that forget God.

 

Psalm 9: 15 - 17

 

It has been quite a while since I updated my blog and during that time some momentous events have occurred. It is hard to know where to start, but I will try. 

Paris Peace Conference - a "Damp Squib"

On the 15th of January the so-called Paris Peace Conference took place with representatives of around 70 nations present. The intention was to exert pressure on both the Palestinians and the Israelis to return to negotiations promoting the 'two state solution' .   Israel refused to participate in the conference and the Palestinians claim they were consequently 'un-invited'. Whatever the truth, the fact is the conference took place without the presence of the two main protagonists, and as a result the concluding statement was considerably watered down from the intended resolution. The full text of the statement can be read here http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.765207. 

http://www.jpost.com/HttpHandlers/ShowImage.ashx?id=367025&w=898&h=628

Many Christian believers both here and elsewhere entered into fervent prayer against this move, and it would seem that God heard our prayers. It appears to me that this conference achieved precisely nothing. The Al Jazeerah headline read " Paris peace conference: A damp squib" http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/01/paris-peace-conference-damp-squib-170115080656426.html and  according to CNN, the Israeli Prime Minister, Netanyahu, said it was "useless".   http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/15/middleeast/paris-peace-conference-israeli-palestinian-conflict/.  Thank you to all who prayed about this. Men may make plans but God will always have the final say.

 

Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?...

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
 “Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”

Psalm 2: 1, 4-6

Ironically, even while the conference was going on in Paris, the Israelis and Palestinians were quietly working together to produce a major agreement to reinstate the Joint Water Committee and give the Palestinian Water Authority authorization to complete some 97 water distribution, storage and sewerage projects throughout the West Bank, aimed at improving the quality of life of the Palestinian population. This follows earlier agreements on electricity, water, mail and 3-G cell phone coverage. It also shows that Israel and the Palestinians can and do work together, contrary to image presented in much of the media. http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Israel-gives-Pal-Authority-limited-water-autonomy-in-West-Bank-478672

Is the 'two-state' option still viable (if it ever was)? I think most Israelis now believe it is not possible nor desirable, yet an alternative is still yet to be found. Most also believe that the Palestinians have never wanted it in any case. They have, after all, never recognized the legitimate right of existence of the Israeli State, and repeatedly proclaim their desire to 'push the Zionist entity (Israel) into the sea'. They have turned down many opportunities to bring into existence a Palestinian State, holding out for always 'a better deal', one that would better promote their ultimate aim of destroying Israel. The issues are very complex, and both sides have issues on which they are not prepared to compromise, and consequently we have arrived at an impasse. For a summary of the situation read the article https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/28/the-two-state-solution-in-the-middle-east-all-you-need-to-know.  If you want to delve into this further I would recommend reading the series of excellently researched and expressed articles by Hannah Weiss https://kehilanews.com/2017/01/19/the-paris-peace-conference-deja-vu-part3/- on this page you will also find links to parts 1 and 2.

The oft-cited excuse for the failure of the 'two state solution' is the existence and growth of  Jewish settlements in the West Bank, which Palestinians claim  'contravene International Law'. The Palestinian propaganda machine has successfully convinced many that this is the real issue, ignoring the fact that their rejection of a negotiated peace and their adoption of the tactic of terror long pre-dated Israel's settlement activities which only began after 1967. Also one must ask, what is International Law? It is no more than voluntary agreements made between countries, and enforcement exists only by consent of the parties: 

The immense body that makes up international law encompasses a piecemeal collection of international customs; agreements; treaties; accords, charters (i.e. the United Nations Charter); protocols; tribunals; memorandums; legal precedents of the International Court of Justice (aka World Court) and more. Without a unique governing, enforcing entity, international law is a largely voluntary endeavor, wherein the power of enforcement only exists when the parties consent to adhere to and abide by an agreement.
https://www.hg.org/international-law.html

One of the articles that is often cited in the claim that Israel has acted contrary to International Law is the UN Charter  article 2(4) which states;

All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.

The United Nations was constituted after World War II with the intention of preventing any new wars precipitated by the occupation by force by any member nations. Israel has never attacked another country with intention to occupy or annex its territory. In 1948 and 1967  it was Israel that was attacked by its neighbors, and the occupation was a result of their aggression, not Israel's. Israel therefore did not contravene this article.  

 

  More Terror in Armon Hanatziv
At least twice a day I drive past the lookout point at the top of the Haas Tayelet (Promenade) on Yanovsky St in Armon Hanatziv, the neighbourhood of Jerusalem in which I live.  From this lookout there are stunning views of the Old City and its surroundings, and  each day it is visited by many busloads of tourists and locals. Groups of soldiers are also brought to this lookout to learn about the city of Jerusalem, its geography and history. On the 8th of January I had just driven down this road when only minutes later, a busload of IDF officer cadets arrived at the Tayelet and were gathering on the lawn beside their bus. Without warning a  passing truck accelerated towards them, mounted the kerb and ran into the group. Not satisfied with that, the driver then reversed back over the fallen and injured soldiers. Four of the soldiers, three women and one man - were killed and 15 others injured, some very seriously. This attack was captured by surveillance cameras and you can see it on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LOHj4oIqo0/ (warning: content may be distressing).




Police remove bodies after the attack. The truck involved is in the background
http://cdn.timesofisrael.com/uploads/2017/01/000_JP47S.jpg

 The four soldiers killed were all in training to become officers in the IDF. These young people, all in their early twenties, were the crème de la crème of Israeli youth. Their names are, clockwise from top left,  Lieutenant Yael Yekutiel (20), Second Lieutenant Shira Tzur (22), Lieutenant Shir Hajaj (22), and Second Lieutenant Erez Orbach (20). May their memories be blessed.

https://www.all4israel.org/

The driver of the truck was killed by bystanders.  He was from the adjacent village of Jebel Mukaber, from which many of the terror attacks of the last 18 months have originated.

This brings to four the number of terror attacks involving fatalities over the last 18 months just in my neighborhood alone. Many other attacks were thwarted. Over the past few months there has been a drop in the number of successful terror attacks in Jerusalem, however that does not mean that our enemies have given up trying.  Israel faces hundreds upon hundreds of planned attacks every year, but most of these are thwarted.  The Shin Bet (Israel's equivalent to the FBI in US) foiled over 400 'significant' attacks in 2016, and this does not include the thousands of spontaneous or 'low level' attacks. http://www.israeltoday.co.il/NewsItem/tabid/178/nid/30831/Default.aspx

The Bedouin of the Negev

Another police officer, Sgt. Major Erez Levi (34) was   killed  on the 16th January during violent clashes in the Bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran in southern Israel, when police and other security forces arrived in the village to carry out a demolition order against illegally constructed homes. The  illegal settlement was being cleared in order to build a new Israeli town.  Needless to say there was a lot of anger in the air and scuffles broke out between police and local Bedouin protesting the demolitions.  Somehow in the midst of the tension a car driven by the head of a local school on his way to work, aroused the suspicion of police who opened fire and wounded the driver, who then ran down and killed Sgt Major Erez Levi.  Whether it was an intentional attack or a tragic accident is still under investigation, but whatever the motivation two men are dead.

Police and Local Bedouin scuffle as illegal homes are demolished.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C2cT2IJXUAAls2T.jpg

This tragedy has highlighted the intolerable situation of the Bedouin in the Negev, who number some 250,000 and at least a third of those are living in so-called illegal settlements in ramshackle shacks and tents, without power, water or sewerage treatment. Most of the children do not attend school.Their population is growing very fast because of their high birth rate. The driver of the car  was the husband of 4 wives and the father of 25 children.  The Bedouin of the Negev hold Israeli citizenship and have been loyal supporters of Israel. Many of them serve bravely and with distinction in the IDF and Israeli police, but incidents like this are changing all this. There is growing anger and dissatisfaction. Please pray that we will treat these friends of Israel with  the respect, compassion and justice they deserve.  I hope that out of all this Israel will work harder to meet their legitimate needs for housing, health care and education. You can read more about the Bedouins of the Negev on http://www.iataskforce.org/issues/view/2.

President Trump and The American Embassy

Two days ago Trump was sworn in as the President of the U.S.A. Trump is seen to be a true friend of Israel and Netanyahu and Trump are scheduled to meet already during the first week of February.  This meeting is "expected to touch on big issues such as regional conflict, settlement construction, the Iranian nuclear deal, resumption of sanctions against the Islamic Republic and the issue of relocating the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The meeting will be crucial to the design of American government policy towards Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict". http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4910865,00.html

During his election campaign Trump promised to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem, and he seems anxious to do this as soon as possible. Today the incumbent Ambassador, David Friedman, announced his intention to reside in his own home in Jerusalem. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4910967,00.html Although this is not an official move it does seem to indicate an intention. Today Netanyahu and Trump spoke by phone and they entered only into the beginning stages of talks. However President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority and the King of Jordan, King Abdullah II, also met today and agreed to fight together against this move. Moving the Embassy to Jerusalem is tantamount to recognizing Jerusalem as the legitimate capital of Israel, and the political and security repercussions of such an act will likely be significant, and an increase in violence seems probable. Please cover this in prayer.

Judgment of the Nations

There seems to be an endless number of developments occurring,  almost as fast as I can type, but I will end this update by reminding us all to pray fervently for our own nations. As I discussed in my previous blog nations will be judged according to the way they have treated Israel, the apple of God's eye. It has been brought to my attention that the 7.9 earthquake that struck New Zealand shortly after midnight on the 14th of November, took place just a few minutes after John Kerry and the then Prime Minister of New Zealand concluded the secret talks, in which they are presumed to have finalized plans for the submission of the resolution against Israel to the UN Security Council
http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/86402437/US-Secretary-of-State-John-Kerry-meets-with-John-Key-in-Wellington-with-the-future-of-TPPA-on-the-line .
You may think this was just a curious co-incidence but a study of history will show that every nation that has risen up against Israel has been destroyed.  

For behold, in those days and at that time,

When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem,

I will also gather all nations,

And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat;

And I will enter into judgment with them there

On account of My people,

My heritage Israel,

Whom they have scattered among the nations;

They have also divided up My land…

Joel 3: 1-3, 12-21,

 

 

 

 

The Wheat and the Tares

THE WHEAT AND THE TARES

Winter has finally arrived here in Israel much to our relief. However we all had to laugh when our pastor remarked the other day, "There is no people like we Israelis who long so fervently for the arrival of the rains, but when they do arrive, have so little idea what to do with them!"  Oh so true.

Well at least here are a couple of guys who got it figured out

https://framasphere.org/camo/

This week brought deluges of rain mainly along the coastal plain and in the north, where flooding occurred in many places. At least two people died, one of hypothermia when his car got trapped in a flooded tunnel in Haifa, and another when a wall collapsed on him on a building site.  Here in Jerusalem we didn't get so much rain but the temperatures suddenly dropped to single figures, and we had to scrummage around in our closets for appropriate clothing. 

On these cold, wet nights, as I snuggle gratefully into my warm bed my thoughts and prayers turn to those less fortunate, the homeless, the soldiers and police on duty, and most of all this year, the refugees in freezing tents or survivors huddling in the mud and dirt of the devastated ruins of Aleppo and other cities in Syria.

Refugees from Aleppo

http://www.20read.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Refugees-fleeing-the-northern-Syrian-city-of-Aleppo.jpg

One wonders how this boy can still manage a smile. How grim it must be, cold , wet, muddy, hungry and homeless. My heart goes out to these people, especially the children, the elderly, the injured and the sick. Please pray for them and for all the brave people desperately trying to help them.

Its rather hard to get into a celebratory spirit this year with so much suffering right here on our doorstep, not only in Syria but also here at home. Figures released a few days ago say that some 21% of Israel's population are living below the poverty line, that is 1.7 million people. Compared to other OECD nations, Israel has the highest poverty rate of any of the developed nations. This is shameful for there is much money in Israel, it is just poorly distributed. The gap between rich and poor is inexcusable. 

An elderly homeless woman begs for food on the street.

http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b71f69e20167689178dc970b-600wi

For many of us the end of the calendar year prompts us to pause and review the passing year. This is also true for many organizations. On the official website of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement is one such review.   They claim that "Throughout this year, BDS has grown stronger and stronger, " and then they go on to detail all their successes. It makes for sobering reading. In 2016 the BDS movement has garnered the support of many companies, organizations, nations and, sad to say, churches.

https://bdsmovement.net/news/2016-bds-impact-round-up

http://spme1.chaptersync.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2016/03/Divestment-Sign-Christians-620x428.png

In  the latest edition of "Israel Today" (1) Ryan Jones had this to say:
" For decades after its modern rebirth, Israel enjoyed overwhelming support from Evangelical Christians. And that followed nearly a century of strong Christian involvement in helping the Jewish people return to and reclaim this land in the first place. But as a younger generation of Evangelicals , the so-called 'millennials' have come of age and taken their place among the Church leadership, many of the more traditional and conservative doctrines - like viewing modern Israel as a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy - have fallen out of favor or been renounced altogether".

Claude Ezagouri, pastor of Morning Star Fellowship in Tiberias, in the same article quoted above, put it this way:
" There needs to be a wake-up call, based on both Scripture and experience, proving that the topic of Israel in God's plan is exciting and will bring blessing, even if it seems to counter mainstream thought".

Jurgen Buhler, the Executive Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, went on to note that "While support for Israel in the West is in decline, other parts of the world are waking up". This year, two thirds of the participants in the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem were not from the so-called Christian West but from Latin America, Asia and Africa.

There seems to be a watering down of the gospel in the West and a lack of in-depth study of the Scriptures. Even in Bible Schools and Seminaries, the place of Israel in the God's plan, is ignored. A few years ago I was invited to speak in a tiny country church in New Zealand on a icy-cold, winter evening. I was surprised to see so many braving the conditions. After I finished my talk several men came up to me to thank me for opening their eyes to what the Bible had to say about Israel. They had never heard such teaching before, they said. I was astounded. They were all Presbyterian ministers! How is it they had never heard it before? It is nothing new. It is clearly written in the Bible (I taught on Romans 9-11) - there for all to read.

Many Bible teachers either ignore the passages relating to Israel, or teach their hearers to substitute the word 'church' whenever the word 'Israel' appears. This is a subtle form of replacement theology, which holds that the Church has replaced Israel in God's plan. This is nothing less than a lie of the Enemy. The Church (the Body of true believers) and Israel both have a pivotal role to play in God's plan to redeem the world. Neither is 'disposable'. To deny the place of either is dangerous heresy.

There are some very good reasons why Christians should care about what happens in the Middle East, and specifically to Israel.  Our lives are intimately linked to Israel whether we know it or not. What has happened in Israel in the past has determined who and what we are today. What will happen in the future with respect to Israel will directly determine, not only our personal fate as believers, but also the fate of the entire world.  Day after day, year after year, this tiny, seemingly insignificant nation of around only 8 million people, constantly features in the world's headlines. It's as if even the world intuitively knows and understands the importance of Israel. If they have ‘got it’ all the more reason that we Christians should grasp it too, and what is more, we need to go further, grappling with it until we find understanding far beyond that of the world's.

In Hebrews 5:12-6:2 it is made clear that after we are saved we are expected to mature, come to desire the solid food of the Word of God, and progress beyond the elemental principles of repentance, salvation, judgment and the resurrection of the dead. I believe that part of that 'growing-up' involves understanding the revelation given us regarding the redemption plan of God, its outworking in human history and coming to a clear understanding of our role and responsibility in working alongside God to bring about its fulfillment and completion.

What is more, in the words of I Peter 3:15 we are exhorted to “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you”. What is the basis of our hope? Surely it lies largely in the demonstration of God's love, faithfulness and power as it has been demonstrated throughout history in the fulfilling of his promises to Israel as recorded in the Bible.

I would therefore propose that a clear understanding of the place of Israel in God's redemption plan, his dealings with her, and how this all relates to the events in the Middle East today, is essential for the Christian believer for at least four reasons:

·                 It gives us the 'big picture', which forms the context of our individual salvation and faith. The historical record of God's workings in relation to Israel and the nations around her is one of the most powerful testimonies to His existence and character. It increases our knowledge of God himself, his nature, his love and his power. It encourages and builds faith.

·                 Knowledge of God's promises and plans provides stability and builds courage. It provides us an anchor, and an antidote to fear and anxiety, in the perilous times in which we live. Christians need to be strong and calm in the face of turmoil, so that we can give light, strength and comfort to those around us.

·                 We have responsibility to participate with God in the outworking of his Redemption Plan, which is intimately linked to the fate of Israel. Our first responsibility is to pray, but also to speak out and act in our own area of influence, as He leads and empowers.

·                 What is more, if we claim that we love Jesus, how can it be that we do not love those He loves? In the flesh, Jesus was an Israelite, through and through, and he is the King of Israel, past, present and future. We can glimpse Jesus' love and compassion for Israel as he cried out in lament over Jerusalem saying, “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings...” (Matthew 23: 37). Jesus loved Israel so much that he was willing to suffer crucifixion and death that she might be saved. The Holy Scriptures are saturated with declarations of God’s love for Israel.  For example, in Zechariah 2:8 Israel is described as the “apple of His (the LORD’s) eye” (my insert).

I believe that at this present time the battle lines are being drawn up for a very great battle. I do not know whether this will be one of the final battles prophesied in Scripture or not, but surely the present troubles are leading in that direction and each day takes us closer. Israel has never had to confront so many or such powerful enemies as she does today. When I look at the sheer magnitude of hatred directed towards her, and the sophistication of the weapons aimed in her direction, listen to the rhetoric of the leaders of her enemies and consider the weakness and ambivalence of her friends, I tremble. In the natural, there is not much hope that she can survive. Yet I believe she will, for God is greater than all of these. He has promised in Scripture that Israel will be established in the end, with the Messiah as her King and Jerusalem as her heart (Revelation 21 and 22). I believe that every Christian believer has a role to play. We must decide whether we are for God or against Him. There will be no neutrality - no sitting on the fence. It is therefore imperative that we each decide on which side we are, and to make such a significant decision we need to be informed and have a clear understanding of Scripture.

The Bible teaches that judgment begins with the house of God. Let us be found on the right side of the battle between Good and Evil. I don't mean to suggest that Israel is 100% 'good' and our enemies 100% 'evil'. Its not that simple. However the Enemy Satan is doing everything possible to derail God's plan for redemption and one way he is doing this is to attack Israel by every means possible, by direct physical warfare and terror, by polluting the doctrines of the church, by undermining her economy and reputation by means of lying propaganda and movements such as the BDS. If you are for God, then you need to be very careful you are standing firmly on His side.

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;  but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Matthew 13: 24 - 30

http://www.creationliberty.com/images/trib28.jpg

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God;

I Peter 4 : 17

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

2 Corinthians 5:10

1. Jones, R. "Has Christian Liberalism Harmed Support for Israel?" in Israel Today, January 2017

1.

We must then ask

–

does God take sides in the Middle East? This

very idea is repugnant to most Western Christians. After all, isn

’

t God

a God of justice, fairness and love? How can He take sides? As one

who believes that God loves all men, women and children equally,

how then can He favor one nation over others?

To answer these difficult questions we must turn to the Scriptures. In

writing this book I seek to expose the spiritual roots of the conflicts

between Israel and her enemies, outline the outworking of this enmit

y

through history and come to a clearer understanding of the

true

nature of the present hatred and violence. Once this foundation is

laid

we can each begin to define our own position and response, and

identify our role and responsibility in God

’

s eternal plan. In so doing

we each need to confront the question of where we, as Christian

believers, should stand in all this? Should we take sides? Whose

side? Does it matter in the great eternal plan? Why should we car

e

anyway?

There are some very good reasons why we Christians should care

about what happens in the Middle East, and specifically to Israel.

Our lives are intimately linked to Israel whether we know it or not.

What has happened in Israel in the past has determined who and

what we are today. What will happen in the future with respect to

Israel will directly determine, not only our personal fate as believ

ers,

but also the fate of the entire world. Have you never wondered why

day after day, year after year, this tiny, seemingly insignificant na

tion

of around only 7 million people, constantly features in the world's

headlines. One dies in Israel in a terror attack and it is major news,

while the death of thousands in another part of the world barely gets

a passing mention. It's as if even the world intuitively knows and

understands the importance of Israel. If they have

‘

got it

’

all the more

reason that we Christians should grasp it too, and what is more, we

need to go further, grappling with it until we find understanding far

beyond that of the

‘

World

’

.

In Hebrews 5:12-6:2 it is made clear that after we are saved we are

expected to mature, come to desire the solid food of the Word of God

and progress beyond the elemental principles of repentance,

salvation, judgment and the resurrection of the dead. I believe that

part of that growing-up involves grappling with the revelation g

iven us

regarding the redemption plan of God, its outworking in human

history and coming to a clear understanding of our role and

responsibility in working alongside God to bring about its fulfillment

and completion.

What is more, in the words of I Peter 3:15 we are exhorted to

“

always

be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for

the hope that is in you

”

. What is the basis of our hope? Surely it lies

largely in the demonstration of God's love, faithfulness and power as

it has been demonstrated throughout history in the fulfilling of his

promises to Israel as recorded in the Bible.

I would therefore propose that a clear understanding of the place

of

Israel in God's redemption plan, his dealings with her, and how this

all relates to the events in the Middle East today, is essential for th

e

Christian believer for at least four reasons:



It gives us the 'big picture', which forms the context of

our individual salvation and faith. The historical record of

God's workings in relation to Israel and the nations

around her is one of the most powerful testimonies to His

existence and character. It increases our knowledge of

God himself, his nature, his love and his power. It

encourages and builds faith.



Knowledge of God's promises and plans provides

stability and builds courage. It provides us an anchor,

and an antidote to fear and anxiety, in the perilous times

in which we live. Christians need to be strong and calm

in the face of turmoil, so that we can give light, strength

and comfort to those around us.



We have responsibility to participate with God in the

outworking of his Redemption Plan, which is intimately

linked to the fate of Israel. Our first responsibility is to

pray, but also to speak out and act in our own area of

influence, as He leads and empowers.



What is more, if we claim that we love Jesus, how can it

be that we do not love the things he loves? In the flesh,

Jesus was an Israelite, through and through, and he is

the King of Israel, past, present and future. We can

glimpse Jesus' love and compassion for Israel as he

cried out in lament over Jerusalem saying,

“

How often I

wanted to gather your children together, as a hen

gathers her chicks under her wings...

”

(Matthew 23: 37).

Jesus loved Israel so much that he was willing to suffer

crucifixion and death that she might be saved. The Holy

Scriptures are saturated with declarations of God

’

s love

for Israel. For example, in Zechariah 2:8 Israel is

described as the

“

apple of His

(the LORD

’

s)

eye

”

(my

insert).

I believe that at this present time the battle lines are being drawn up

for a very great battle. I do not know whether this will be one of the

final battles prophesied in Scripture or not, but surely the present

troubles are leading in that direction and each day takes us closer.

Israel has never had to confront so many nor such powerful enemies

as she does today. When I look at the sheer magnitude of hatred

directed towards her, and the ever growing sophistication of the

weapons aimed in her direction, listen to the rhetoric of the leaders of

her enemies and consider the weakness and ambivalence of her

friends, I tremble. In the natural, there is not much hope that she can

survive. Yet I believe she will, for God is greater than all of these. He

has promised in Scripture that Israel will be established in the end,

with the Messiah as her King and Jerusalem as her heart (Revelation

21 and 22). I believe that every Christian believer has a role to p

lay.

We must decide whether we are for God or against Him. There will be

no neutrality - no sitting on the fence. It is therefore imperative t

hat

we each decide on which side we stand, and to make such a

significant decision we need to be informed and have a clear

understanding of Scripture.

ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD

 

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

 

 

When disaster strikes it can be difficult to see the truth of these words. What can be good when families lose everything they have in a fire or an earthquake? Why does God allow these disasters? Why do people have to suffer?  These are hard questions and I don't have a total answer. But I am reminded of the Bible passage which says,

 



For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
⁹ “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts

Isaiah 55: 8-9

 

In my last update I told you about the terrible fires that struck Israel in the week between the 21 -28th of November.  On the following Friday (2/12) a rain system arrived and most of the country received  some good, soaking rain, which has cut the fire risk dramatically. Thank you all for your prayers.

 

 

 

Fire in Haifa
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VoHMmuI1CTU/hqdefault.jpg

 

 

Now the task of rebuilding begins. In Haifa alone some 527 apartments and 80 buildings were totally destroyed  and 1600 people were left homeless. The cost of rebuilding is estimated to be around 5 billion shekels.  In the town of Zichron Yaacov some  10 homes were completely destroyed and around 30 damaged. In the settlement of Halamish, near Jerusalem, 45 homes were damaged of which 18 were completely destroyed.http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4886966,00.html. Other towns and settlements also suffered losses. Some 20,000 dunams ( around 5000 acres) of forest land was also destroyed. Perhaps you can put a figure on the material damage but the emotional trauma and loss to the people involved cannot be calculated.

 

Take a look at this video of the aftermath of the fires in Haifa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ty2TkphAUU

 

A woman returns to her home
http://i2.cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/161123071548-04-israel-fires-1123-super-169.jpg
 

 

The pine and cedar forests of Israel are naturally a fire-climax ecosystem. That is to say periodic fires  are a natural part of their life-cycle and are necessary to maintain a healthy forest.  The heat of the fires cause the seeds in the cones to be released and as soon as the rain comes, the seeds begin the process of regeneration. It will take at least 30 years however before the forest regenerates to maturity.
 

 

Young cedars regenerating after a fire.

Young cedars. Photo: KKL-JNF Photo Archive

http://www.kkl.org.il/fr/forestry-and-ecology/fire-prevention/

 

Likewise natural disasters can also bring new life out of the ashes. I do not wish to trivialize the suffering or the trauma that people have experienced, but at the same time many seeds have been sown during this time. Stories are coming in of many instances where the hand of God has been evident in all of this.

 

One of my friends, lets call her E,  took in a friend who had been evacuated from Haifa. A few days later E phoned  and told me that her friend's apartment had been the only one in the whole street that had not been destroyed, and not only that, her friend's daughter's apartment, in another part of Haifa, had also been the only one in her street not damaged. My friend, an adamant atheist,  was blown away by this and commented, ' God must be real after all'.  Please pray for E as her heart has been opened of late and this was yet another demonstration to her that God is real and active, and answers prayers.

 

When the religious settlement of Nataf had to be evacuated the first time their rabbis warned them not to take refuge in the adjacent Messianic moshav, Yad Hashmona. Some days later the settlement of Nataf had to be evacuated yet again and this time some of the people did go to Yad Hashmona where they were warmly welcomed, given lodging in the hotel there and food in the restaurant.

 

Many Messianic congregations and aid organisations have swung into action to help the various communities affected. You can read more about this by going to this link:



https://kehilanews.com/2016/12/08/local-messianic-believers-in-israel-assist-fire-victims-around-the-nation/  One of the most touching stories in the report is quoted below:

“In one case we [the Bible Society] gave some financial help and an Old Testament. The home owner who knows that we are Messianic Jews asked if this Bible contains both Old and New Testaments,” Kalisher said. “I told her that we brought a Bible with an Old Testament only since we did not want them to think that we use this opportunity for anything other than just showing our love and care for them. She then answered, ‘I want a bible with a New Testament, It is time that I will read it.’”

If you wish to donate to the restoration work you can find links to do so on the kehila news link above.

Please pray for rain in Israel as since that Friday we have had no further rain and we need much more. The Land is desperately thirsty. The Land is also spiritually thirsty so please also pray for the spiritual rain that will water the many seeds that have been sown in lives during this ordeal. Pray that God will water and nurture these ones and bring them to saving faith in due course.


There have been many other heart-warming stories that have come out of this disaster.  For example,  some Israeli-Arab businessmen was asked to give an estimate for the repair of a synagogue damaged in the Haifa fires. They refused to take accept any payment and are carrying out the repairs pro-bono. "I decided to help and not receive any payment," said Walid abu-Ahmed, a wood panel supplier based in Haifa, "Jews and Arabs live together in Haifa, and there is no discrimination. We must continue with this co-existence and promote peace." http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4886966,00.html

The ongoing regional drought, the Israeli love of the trees which fill our cities and surround our settlements, and the growing threat of opportunistic arson for 'nationalistic' motivation' (PC speak for Palestinian terrorism), combine to create an ongoing and serious threat of the same sort of fires, on even perhaps a larger scale, in the coming years.  Please pray that our fire services, civil defense and community leaders will take this threat seriously and made preparations accordingly. After the huge fire in 2010 on the Carmel, Israel has purchased a 'squadron' of small fire fighting planes of the sort that can drop water or fire-retardant on wildfires. However these proved insufficient in the sort of conditions we experienced in November. It wasn't until we received help from the USA and Russia in the form of the big supertankers  which can scoop up huge amounts of water from the sea, without having to land, that we began to get the fires under control. It took several days for these to arrive. We need some of these supertankers here in Israel.

Apart from the threat of fires, the ongoing drought, perhaps the worst in the last 100 years, is also cause for concern. The rivers and lakes are drying out. The underground aquifers seriously depleted and many are becoming infiltrated by salt water as fresh water levels drop. Thousands of sinkholes are threatening the shores, the road and the tourist centers around the Dead Sea as ground water levels shrink and salt deposits are eroded by fresh water drainage.


Israel leads the world in water management and has exported her knowhow and technologies to many other nations around the world. Thanks to the reverse-osmosis desalination plants we  can now provide enough drinking water for the whole country without using rain water.  Tight water restrictions and  incentives to save water, coupled with a high public awareness of the need to conserve water. also helps. In addition Israel now recycles 80% of its waste water for use in agriculture. This is far and away higher than for any other country. The next best country is Spain which recycles 17%. The USA recycles only 5%.

 https://www.entitymag.com/art-water-conservation-israel/.

The recycling reservoirs also serve as wildlife refuges. Pictured below are some of  thousands of pelicans that stop off in their spring and autumn migrations to 'refuel' at a wastewater recycling reservoir in Emek Hefer (near Netanya).  

Pelicans and Cormorants in a waste-water recycling reservoir in Emek Hefer (near Netanya, Israel)
Photo: Talia Good
 

Those who advocate economic sanctions and boycotts against Israel  (the BDS movement) need to think carefully about the consequences of their actions. Israel contributes a great deal to world welfare and economy. Apart from the fact that the representatives from many arid or drought-stressed countries have visited Israel to learn from our experts, and many of our experts have gone to those countries to help, Israel leads the world in many other ways too. For example, Israeli scientists have identified a protein that can actually destroy the HIV virus that causes AIDS, and it can reduce the virus in infected patients by 95% in less than a week. The drug is currently undergoing stringent testing but we could be just weeks or months away from announcing to the world a cure for AIDS!   As the Times of Israel asks, "Will those in need of the medication snub the Israeli discovery to make their point against Israel (as unjustified as it has been?) or will they look the other way and adopt the new miracle cure?" http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/will-bds-activists-reject-the-new-israeli-cure-for-the-aidshiv-virus/

Meanwhile large sectors of the world continue to vilify Israel. On Wednesday the 30th of November the United Nations passed six resolutions against Israel, one of which stated
that "any actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Holy City of Jerusalem are illegal and therefore null and void and have no validity whatsoever, and calls upon Israel to immediately cease all such illegal and unilateral measures."  On that day 147 nations, including all the European nations, the UK, France, Russia, Germany and  Italy voted in favor of this resolution. Only 6 voted against, the USA, Canada and 4 tiny Pacific Island nations (God richly bless them!), the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru and Palau, voted against.  Australia, Guatemala, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay and Vanuatu abstained.  Another of the six resolutions, passed by 103 votes for to 56 against and 6 abstentions demanded that that Israel withdraw from all of the Golan Heights up to the line of June 1967 and hand it over to Syria. http://www.zimbabwestar.com/index.php/sid/249818177

The modern Muslim narrative that is gaining worldwide support denies the right of Jews to the Temple Mount, claiming that it is a Muslim holy site and not a Jewish one. This flies totally in the face of historic fact and even Islamic history. Muslim claims to the Temple Mount are based on the belief that Mohammad ascended to heaven from it in his night journey as recorded in the Quran  passage "Night Journey". Mohammed never actually visited Jerusalem and the Night Journey claims to record a dream or vision Mohammed had in which he ascended to heaven from the al-Aqsa mosque. The al -Aqsa mosque translates to the farthest (or most distant) mosque (from Mecca) which at the time was near Jir'rana in the Arabian Peninsula. At the time of Mohammed there were NO mosques in Jerusalem. The first mosque on the site of the current al-Aqsa mosque which stands at the southern end of the Temple Mount (not to be confused with the Dome of the Rock) was built by Umar during the Rushidun caliphate that was established after Mohammed's death.

The denial of Jewish history on the Temple Mount is a very recent one even amongst Muslims. Right up until the 20th century Muslim scholars and leaders had no problem identifying the Temple Mount as the site of the Jewish temples. Even the Grand  Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini, friend of Hitler and bitter enemy of the Jews, 
"allowed his Supreme Muslim Council to issue a visitor’s guide to the Temple Mount, which asserted that “its identity with the site of Solomon’s Temple is beyond all doubt. This, too, is the spot, according to universal belief, on which ‘David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.’” (“A Brief Guide to Al Haram Al Sharif“, 1925, p.4) ". Even more recently in 1961 the mayor of East Jerusalem, then under Jordanian rule, stated in his book   "A Detailed History of Jerusalem"   that the remains of the Jewish Temple were beneath the al-Aqsa Mosque. https://kehilanews.com/2016/11/11/temple-mount-showdown-will-islamic-narrative-destroy-islamic-history/.

Jewish claims to the Temple Mount and Jerusalem clearly predate those of the Islamic world, as the Bible repeatedly and emphatically testifies. Those countries which stand against Israel in this risk falling under the curse of Genesis 12:3.  If you live in one of those nations pray fervently for a change of heart.

I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you...

Genesis 12:3