ESCALATION

At 4:30 this morning (10/2) I was rudely awakened by the sound of the Code Red missile alarm on my phone. I grabbed the phone and headed to my bathroom - my 'safe room'. It was only then that I noticed the Code Red was for the region of Beit Shean and the Jezreel Valley in the lower Galilee, and not for the Jerusalem region.  This Code Red was followed by several others over the next two hours. Clearly this was no false alarm or exercise. I turned on the TV to see what was happening. 

As the day has passed the picture has clarified. At about 4:30 an unmanned drone was launched from Syria, crossed over Jordanian territory and turned into Israel.  An Israeli helicopter succeeded in shooting it down. In response, Israel scrambled its airforce and attacked the site from which the drone was launched. One of the fighter planes, a F-16, was apparently hit by at least one of the tens of anti-aircraft shells fired from Syria. The pilots nearly managed to return to their base, but didn't quite make it and had to ditch the plane to crash just 100m or so from a school on a kibbutz. It was Shabbat so thankfully there were no students in the school. The pilots managed to eject before the plane crashed and burned. One was only lightly injured but the other suffered deep puncture wounds to his stomach and is described as being in a serious condition, though stable at present. All the other antiaircraft shells landed in open areas and no one was injured. In response, Israeli forces attacked some 12 military installations in Syria, killing at least 6 military personnel.  

The crashed F-16 near Harduf at 4:30 this morning.
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5103264,00.html

This attack represents a serious escalation on the already tense northern border.  The drone crossed the border and spent about 1 1/2 minutes in Israeli territory before it was shot down. The drone was captured and is a drone, with a wingspan of about 2-3 m, made in Iran where it was copied from an American drone they captured some time ago. The anti-aircraft artillery is also supplied by Iran and its backer Russia. The possession of these weapons by Syria is a game changer and represents a serious danger to Israel. 

The situation seems to have quietened down now but we are all waiting to see what comes next. One thing that seems certain however is that war with Iran and/or its proxies, Syria, Lebanon and Hezbollah is inevitable. The only question is "When?".  Although all sides are saying they do not want war now (meaning they want to build up their arsenals even more), the situation remains very tense and volatile. Some cross-border incident could spark all-out war at any moment. Not only that, the situation in Gaza is also reaching flashpoint. The humanitarian situation is reaching crisis proportions in Gaza and Hamas wants to attack Israel to deflect attention away from its inability to govern the Strip.  In the coming war Israel can expect to be attacked both from the north and from the south. There will be no place in Israel out of reach of enemy missiles. The map below shows the range of Hezbollah's missile arsenal and the time it would take for a missile to reach regions in Israel if fired from Lebanon. Notice it would take just over a minute for a missile to reach Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, less to reach Haifa. 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155327045069352&set=p.10155327045069352&type=3&theater

In the event of war, Hezbollah would try to do as much harm as possible to Israel within the first few hours. It is estimated that they have between 130,000 to 150,000 short, medium and long-range missiles and rockets (1) and the ability to fire 1500 to 2000 into Israel per day (compare: 130-180/day in last Lebanon war). The potential loss of life and damage to infrastructure (power stations, water distribution etc) is likely to be catastrophic, not only to Israel but also to Lebanon and Syria, since Israel would also respond with enormous firepower. For more on the likely scenario see this article http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Rockets-missiles-and-more-Predicting-the-third-Lebanon-war-542171  It doesn't bear thinking about. 

And this is just what most Israelis appear to be doing - not thinking about it. Even during this last incident many thousands of Israelis continued to visit the Golan to enjoy the perfect weather, see the beautiful wildflowers and play in the snow on Mt Hermon. This is both our strength as a nation,  and our weakness. Our strength lies in the determination not to allow the enemy to stop us from living life to the full, a kind of defiance, that I have seen over and over again here. However it is our weakness too in that it means we are somewhat not prepared psychologically nor practically should war break out.  I well remember the days leading up to the Gulf War of 1991 when half the population did not believe it would happen - until the first missile landed. Only then did people rush to the shops to buy essential supplies, causing chaos.  Even the hospital in which I was working at the time had not made preparation!

http://www.hermon.com/mt_hermon/17.jpg

 I take great comfort in the fact that although vastly outnumbered and strategically vulnerable Israel has a secure future because God is firmly on our side. The nations around us may plot our demise but God has declared his support for Israel. There is coming a time of great suffering for all of us, Israelis and our enemy nations alike, but in the end, God will establish his kingdom on Earth in Jerusalem as is promised in the Scriptures. This cartoon says it all.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/78/0a/35/780a35a8ff8ee5c6d0f10a42d2420219.jpg

O God, do not remain silent;

    do not turn a deaf ear,

    do not stand aloof, O God.

 

See how your enemies growl,

    how your foes rear their heads.

 

With cunning they conspire against your people;

    they plot against those you cherish.

 

“Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation,

    so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.”

With one mind they plot together;

    they form an alliance against you—

 

the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,

    of Moab and the Hagrites,

 

Byblos, Ammon and Amalek,

    Philistia, with the people of Tyre.

 

Even Assyria has joined them

    to reinforce Lot’s descendants.

Psalm 83: 1-8

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Kingdoms_around_Israel_830_map.svg/1200px-Kingdoms_around_Israel_830_map.svg.png

Even though God is for Israel it does not mean we here in Israel should be complacent nor take His support for granted. I do not know when the Lord's great day of judgment will come but with every passing day, it draws closer, and judgment will begin with Jerusalem and Judah. 

Be silent before the Sovereign Lord,

    for the day of the Lord is near.

The Lord has prepared a sacrifice;

    he has consecrated those he has invited.

Zephaniah 1:7

“I will stretch out My hand against Judah,
And against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
I will cut off every trace of Baal from this place,
The names of the idolatrous priests with the priests— Those who worship the host of heaven on the housetops;
Those who worship and swear oaths by the Lord,
But who also swear by Milcom;
 Those who have turned back from following the Lord,
And have not sought the Lord, nor inquired of Him

Zephaniah 1:4-6

It is interesting to note that the word here translated (in NKJV) as 'idolatrous priests' is 'chemarim' which comes from an ancient Hebrew root meaning 'he who wears black'. In modern Hebrew this root is used to describe Christian priests, comarim, but here in this prophecy it refers to those priests in Jerusalem who wear black to draw attention to their piety whilst practicing idolatry and astrology, and failing to seek after the LORD. The word translated 'priests' (the NKJV inserts 'pagan' before the word - erroneously) is cohanim, the legitimate priesthood of Israel, which is also guilty of the same sins.   I cannot help but relate this verse to the false priesthood of the modern rabbinical system which distorts true Biblical Judaism and mixes it with all kinds of occult and pagan beliefs and practices - the synagogue of Satan (see Revelation 3:9).  

Ultra- orthodox in Jerusalem protesting compulsory draft for army service.
https://www.vosizneias.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/RTX333A1-layout-comp-725x479.jpg

Please do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that Judaism is satanic nor all those who practice it, but I am saying that those who, while claiming to be pious, break God's laws and teach others to reject the Messiah, Yeshua, stand to be judged, and furthermore bring us all, as a nation, under God's wrath. 

This week we saw a shameful example of their hypocrisy when two young women wandered into Mea Shearim, and because they were not dressed according to the 'rules' of the ultra-orthodox community, were physically attacked with rocks and firecrackers, and verbally insulted (2). I ask, what is the greater sin- dressing 'incorrectly' or violence against defenseless women?  I could cite many such examples of the hypocrisy of the religious. One Shabbat I was driving down a main thoroughfare which runs next to Mea Shearim (but not through it) and my car was stoned by a group of ultra-orthodox boys, shouting abuse at me. I asked which is the greater sin? And how can they justify picking up rocks to throw on a Shabbat, which surely constitutes 'work' which is after all strictly forbidden in a community that even bans the tearing of toilet paper on a Shabbat? Jesus spoke out boldly against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees of his day because he understood the harm they did to the people. The Pharisees of today are no better.

Of course the true priests, the cohanim, will also come under judgment and according to the New Testament, all who follow Yeshua are considered priests (Revelation 1:6). We too will come under judgment so we need to watch ourselves and keep 'short accounts' with God. 

In Israel today there are very few who follow the LORD God of Israel. The religious sector has the appearance of piety and great zealousness but are not enlightened by Truth, therefore attempt to attain salvation by good works of the Law and this brings them under the curse of the Law, death, and bondage. At the other extreme the secular Israeli is caught up in hedonistic materialism which leads into all kinds of other sins, covetousness, fraud, theft, adultery and so on. Many so-called secular people, having rejected modern Judaism, have turned to foreign gods, and are caught up in the idolatrous pagan practices of Eastern mysticism,  New Age and the Occult. We as a nation are very sinful. We will be judged for our sin and therefore we need to call out to God for his great mercy. 

Thankfully God has provided a way of salvation available for all. In view of the coming judgment God warns us, saying, He says, 

"Gather together, gather yourselves together,

   you shameful nation,

2 

before the decree takes effect

    and that day passes like windblown chaff,

before the Lord’s fierce anger

    comes upon you,

before the day of the Lord’s wrath

    comes upon you.

3 

Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,

    you who do what he commands.

Seek righteousness, seek humility;

    perhaps you will be sheltered

    on the day of the Lord’s anger."

Zephaniah 2: 1-3

Please pray that all of Israel will gather together before the LORD, humble ourselves and seek His righteousness. We could do no better than echo the fervent prayer of Daniel: 

Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,  we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.  We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land...

 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.

Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary.  Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.

Daniel 9: 4-6; 11; 17-19

PRAYER POINTS:

1. Pray for national repentance for Israel, that people will turn away from deception and seek Truth in humility. Pray that religious leaders will repent of leading the people to reject Truth and will humble themselves before God.
2. Pray for our political and religious leaders that they will have God's wisdom, that they will act with measured restraint but with courage in the face of the threats of our enemies. A quote from Netanyahu after his recent meeting with Putin gives us food for thought : “We are now on the cusp of a watershed moment of whether Iran will entrench itself there or if the process will be stopped. I told Putin that if it isn’t stopped by itself, we will act to stop it. In practice, we’re already operating.”  (3) 
3.  Pray that we as individuals and as a nation will be prepared for war should or when that comes upon us. 
4. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, Judah and all Israel.
5. Pray for our enemies who seek our destruction. They do not know they stand against the all-powerful God, creator of the Universe and the Judge of all. Pray that the lies and deception they have been fed will be exposed and more and more of them have a revelation of Yeshua and find salvation.
6. Pray for more rain. This year's rainfall has so far been way below average leaving us in a drought situation worse than ever before. Already 85% of our drinking water is coming from the desalination plants (which would be prime targets in case of war). Agriculture and the natural ecosystems are in dire straits. With the end of the rainy season drawing close, time is running out for the good rain we so badly need. There is also very little snow on Mt Hermon this year. 

Israel and Egypt from space at night (Photo: NASA)
https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4858225,00.html

References:

1. http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Rockets-missiles-and-more-Predicting-the-third-Lebanon-war-542171

2. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5097125,00.html
3.   https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5095165,00.html

THE NEW YEAR OF THE TREES

Happy New Year! "New Year?", you might be saying, "What New Year?" - it is already almost the end of January. Of course, January 1st is the New Year according to the Gregorian calendar in common usage in most countries, but here in Israel there is another calendar, the Jewish calendar and it has several 'new years'. This is not as odd as it sounds. In other parts of the world we also have 'school years' and 'tax years' which do not all begin on the first of January.  In ancient Israelite society there were a number of 'new years' based on different social and agricultural cycles. We are coming up to one of these, the New Year of the Trees, which falls on Tu B'Shvat (15th of the month of Shvat- 31st January this year). This marks the time when the first trees, the almonds, burst forth in blossom and represents the awakening of the trees after the long summer dormancy.  In ancient times the calculation of the annual tithe for tree produce was initiated on Tu B'shvat. Since the fall of the second Temple this tithe has not been collected, and today we celebrate mainly by eating the dried fruits and nuts of the trees of the land, mainly dates, almonds and figs. Many people also mark the day by planting trees, something akin to Arbor Day we celebrated as children growing up in New Zealand.  

Almond blossoms

For some of you it may seem odd that this occurs in the middle of winter, but in Israel summer is the dormant period and it is only after the first good rains of winter that plants 'wake up' and begin to grow. Straight after the first winter rains the browns of summer give way to lush green pasture and all the glorious wildflowers begin to bloom.  Today, in the rain, I went out for a walk in the forest behind my house and discovered that the almond trees along the path have all burst forth in flower. The almonds are always the first trees to bloom. 

Trees have always held a special place in Jewish thought. Visiting Israel for the first time you will be surprised just how many trees there are everywhere. Israel is the only country in the world that has had a net gain of trees over the last century. Trees are held in high regard. You have to have a permit to cut down any tree, even in your own property.  At the beginning of the 19th Century, Mark Twain toured the "Holy Land' and remarked on the fact that at that time the land was barren and almost devoid of any trees. Early lithographs of Jerusalem picture an almost treeless landscape. 

Jerusalem in 1839 Lithograph by David Roberts

When the Jews began arriving in large numbers at the end of the 19th Century one of the first things they did was to start planting trees. Since the founding of Keren Kayemet L'Israel - Jewish National Fund in 1901, some 240 million trees have been planted by this organization alone.  Now I can glance out my window and see the Jerusalem Forest stretching far off into the distance. 

The Jerusalem forest  view from my house

This is all the more amazing when you consider that during the same time the population of Israel has risen 10 fold from 806,000 to 8.4 million from 1948 to the present time. Israel is now ranked the 34th most densely populated country in the word - far ahead of the USA  (179th) and (NZ 202nd). It amazes me just how much open space there still is thanks to the forward thinking and planning of the early settlers who set aside large areas for reserves and parks right from the beginning. Nevertheless the continuing immigration and high birth rate means that these open areas and much agricultural land are being nibbled at by the spread of residential areas and industry. 

Jerusalem today

As I write this I am reminded of the prophecy that after the ingathering at the end time the Land will become too small for its inhabitants, but also that God would expand the borders of the Land. 

For your waste and desolate places,And the land of your destruction,Will even now be too small for the inhabitants;And those who swallowed you up will be far away. The children you will have,After you have lost the others,Will say again in your ears,‘The place is too small for me;
Give me a place where I may dwellGive me a place where I may dwell.’

Isaiah 49: 19-20

You have increased the nation, O Lord,You have increased the nation;You are glorified;You have expanded all the borders of the land

Isaiah 26:15

This is truly coming to pass. Today's young people are indeed crying 'Give me a place where I may dwell". In spite of frantic building activity, the housing shortage is chronic, pushing prices way beyond the possible for most. 

Israel's national bird - the crane!!!
http://images.hamodia.com/hamod-uploads/2016/07/Data-Dearth-Hangs-Up-Housing-Reform-1024x683.jpg

I love winter. I really do. Readers in many countries would probably think I am crazy to say such a thing. It was hard for me to appreciate winter growing up in the southernmost reaches of New Zealand. Winter seemed to go on forever,  with long stretches of gray drizzle interspersed with long stretches of bitter frosty, though sunny, days - all without the benefit of central heating. It was something to be endured but not enjoyed. In Israel I have learned to enjoy winter. 

In Israel winter is short, only about 3 months long, and provides a welcome respite from the monotonous months of clear blue skies and soaring temperatures. In winter there are clouds in the sky and beautiful sunsets. Rain comes to wash away the accumulated dust of summer, cleans the sky and scrubs the leaves of the trees. Life is renewed and the landscape turns green. Beautiful flowers spring up painting the ground with every color imaginable.  In winter too we can cosy up under duvets and wear warm cuddly clothing, and eat bowls of hot steaming soup.

A recent sunset from my home

Another reason I love winter is that it speaks to me about the majesty and power of our Creator God. 

“At this also my heart trembles,

And leaps from its place.

2 

Hear attentively the thunder of His voice,

And the rumbling that comes from His mouth.

3 

He sends it forth under the whole heaven,

His lightning to the ends of the earth.

4 

After it a voice roars;

He thunders with His majestic voice,

And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard.

5 

God thunders marvelously with His voice;

He does great things which we cannot comprehend.

6 

For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’;

Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength".

Job 37: 1- 6 

Since my last posting, we have had three winter storm systems pass by. They have brought some problems, at least one death - a woman crushed under a fallen tree, flooding and other damage. As usual, the emergency services were busy rescuing those who had driven into flood waters and become stranded. Yesterday alone they answered some 30 calls to rescue foolish people who had gone hiking and become stranded or who had driven into floodwaters. 

Two children waiting to be rescued from flood waters

And what happened to the police who came to rescue them - duh!

The last few days have brought a gratifying amount of rain and snow particularly in the north. Some streams are flowing for the first time for several years, waterfalls have sprung to life, the skifield on Mt Hermon will have enough snow to open its season once the weather settles, and the Sea of Galilee has risen some 5 cm. We are rejoicing in answered prayers (even the Jewish and Muslim leaders were calling for special prayers and fasting for rain), but we are also being warned that it is not enough.  The Sea of Galilee is still more than 1m below its lowest red line and is in serious risk of suffering permanent ecological damage come summer.  It will rise some more as streams empty into it and when the snow melts, but we need to keep praying for more good rains like this last one. 

As usual when we get heavy rain it overwhelms the drainage systems and roads and homes get flooded. Most of the rain fell in the north and center. This is a street in Tel Aviv. Please pray for all the people who have had their homes flooded and cars ruined. I also just read a report about some 50 dogs desperately needing temporary adoption from a shelter in Yakum, a kibbutz near Netanya, as their shelter lost its roofing material. It is likely some of the smaller dogs will not survive the night unless someone takes them in.  

(Photo: Amnon Sha'arvi)  https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5076038,00.html

In my last post I wrote about the film, A New Spirit, the story of the life of Messianic pastor and evangelist, Yaacov (Jacob)Damkani. This film was shown in movie theatres around Israel, and I was privileged to be able to see it. It was very well done and I would recommend you see it if opportunity arises. It is soon to be available as a DVD and the book on which it is based "Why Me?" is available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Why-Me-Jacob-Damkani/dp/0883684403 .   Here is a trailer about the making of the film:  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvg1h5l8xFY. The film is no longer in Israeli movie theatres but please pray that many people will see it when it comes out on DVD or on YouTube, or will read the book. It is just an amazing thing that it was allowed to be screened here in Israel at all, and a sign of the slow, but certain opening up of Israelis to the person of Yeshua. 

There is nevertheless always opposition, especially from certain streams of religious Judaism. About 6 months ago a congregation in the south opened a meeting place in the Negev city of Dimona. They encountered strong opposition resulting in damage to the homes of the people connected to the center, and the bullying and traumatizing of their children. Consequently, they chose to close the center for a while. After a 'cooling off period,' the center was reopened this month, again resulting in serious acts of persecution. Posters have been put up around town warning people to watch out for them and vicious lies spread around about them. The leaders were interrogated for hours by a delegation of rabbis, and one day later one of the rabbis wrote in a local newspaper, "We went to that house in order to silence them by force, but that woman would not stop talking! She should know about that other verse of Psalm 23: about the valley of the shadow of death. Let her go through it, together with her husband.”http://kehilanews.com/2018/01/23/center-run-by-believers-under-attack-again-in-dimona/
Hardly a veiled threat. 

As is usual with this kind of persecution, it often backfires. In this case too it has prompted support and curiosity from the other people in the city, those who are appalled by the behavior of the extreme religious leaders. Nevertheless, we need to pray for these believers for their protection and continued courage, and that the children will be healed of their trauma. Pray too that the meeting center will be able to operate freely. We need also to pray for those who persecute them, that they will not resort to violence and that their eyes will be opened to the Truth. 

This kind of activity against believers in the Land is nothing new, but there is a growing openness to the gospel in Israeli society and this is bound to alarm the religious leaders who oppose Yeshua. It also provokes attacks from the enemy Satan. As I said in my previous blog, many believers here are undergoing serious attacks in the realm of health and family relationships especially. Please pray for us. 

 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6: 10-12

To finish up I am including some online links which will inform and inspire. 
1. Here is a link to a documentary about the Messianic Jews in Israel today. It is only 12 minutes long - take a few minutes to watch it. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w6KjU1evTIzaQQQQ

2. If you would like a more in-depth look at the history of the Messianic movement in Israel I would strongly recommend this lecture by Dr. Erez Soref. He takes us from 1948 when there were only 30 Jewish believers in Yeshua in Israel up to the present day where there are at least 30,000. When you see how the Body has grown here in this time it is very encouraging. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_k6L0TBEzM 

3.Another sign of the maturing body is that more and more the gospel is going forth out of Jerusalem. Believers here are making full use of modern media and the internet to reach many people. Here is an example. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDvyotUW2dM

4. And now to finish, my favorite Christmas Carol, with words that make me weep. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a85WDuJdbXM

Prayer points:

1. Continue to pray for a good rainy season and the replenishment of the Sea of Galilee and other reservoirs and aquifers. 
2. That the ecological health of the Land will not be compromised by our continued population growth, and that at the right time, and in the right way, the LORD will expand our borders as He has promised, so that all of the scattered Jews will be able to come home and prosper in the Land.  
3. For the protection of believers in the Land, both physically, emotionally and spiritually, especially those facing active persecution in Dimona and elsewhere.
4. Give thanks for the amazing growth and maturation of the Body of Yeshua here in the land. Pray that many more will be added to our number and pray for the young leadership rising up now - that they will adhere closely to the Scriptures and the basic tenets of our Faith while developing an authentic Israeli expression of that faith. 
5. Pray that the gospel will go out from Jerusalem with power, effectiveness and wrapped in love, for Jews and Gentiles everywhere. 
6. Keep praying for our leaders that they will seek justice, truth and righteousness as they make decisions, and that they too will one day come to know their Messiah, Yeshua.