The war continues as expected, and Israel is expected any time now to make a strong offensive against the terrorists and infrastructure in Gaza. This surprise and sudden war that came quickly has generally united the country that just the day before was divided into two camps. God often uses persecution to unite His people: first the natural, then the spiritual. The Word of God speaks to the Body of Messiah of the times we live in of things to come: are we watching and awake so as not to be taken by surprise? We had another rocket attack this morning in Beer Sheva, the first since Sat. afternoon.
I also believe that the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob/Israel is checking the hearts of His people: for the Jews anywhere in the world to know what Israel means to them, as the captives and exiles in Babylon did. (Ps 137) They were those who identified themselves with their God, with the land of His promise, with Jerusalem His chosen city for His Temple and Throne. Jewish people, including believers among them, do not necessarily have to live here physically, but where is their heart? He is checking the hearts of Gentile believers where their hearts are regarding their part with the Jews (as Ruth the Moabitess did) through whom they received salvation from YHVH’s Messiah/Christ who came as an Israeli Jew. Their destiny is tied to Israel’s. They have been brought into YHVH God’s plan of redemption through the New Covenant, by whom Jesus’/Yeshua’s blood shed on the cross is for their forgiveness as well as for the Jews.
There are also two passages of Scripture history — both from before the Law given at Sinai — found in Genesis, that come to mind during this distressing time, for those of us who rightly know that the nation state of Israeli and Jewish people are not yet giving thanks or honor to the God and Father who chose them for Himself. (Let Christian believers and churches examine and judge themselves by the higher standard which we have under the New Testament.) The present conflict humanly speaking goes back close to 4000 years ago to YHVH’s election of Abram/Abraham, and of God’s election of Isaac and not Ishmael, and of God’s choice of Jacob over Esau. In each case of the sons, the first born was not God’s choice to be given the promises and blessings of the covenants (but if they would submit to the sovereign wisdom and righteousness of God, then any of their descendants, too, can receive all the benefits of being part of the Commonwealth of Israel and its King).
When Esau accused Jacob of stealing the birthright and blessing, this was false. That Jacob was an opportunist and allowed himself to deceive by the insistence of his mother is true. When Esau cried without repentance to his father about this, Isaac was clearly annoyed, but he, by faith, told the son that he loved that the blessing would remain with Jacob. It has to be assumed that he knew from his wife Rebecca that Jacob was God’s choice even while she was pregnant. Both Isaac and YHVH confirmed His sovereign choice by confirming to Jacob the covenant with its promises, including the inheritance and possession of the land of Canaan. This righteousness of God remains till today, and the Jewish people do not yet realize that it is His righteousness and not any of their own that will accomplish what He has promised for them and through them. (Gen 25:22-34; 27; 28; Heb 11:20)
The other event concerns the false prophet Balaam (who, even though he spoke what YHVH gave him to say, he nonetheless gave his own advice to the Moab King Balak on how to corrupt and defile the Israelis from being a holy people, and this also remains a problem till this day). Balak wanted the well-known soothsayer Balaam to curse Israel after he had heard how they were successfully defeating other kings and people on their triumphant journey towards entering the land of Canaan. Despite Balak’s wishes, Balaam could only bless the people. What strikes me is that God gave Balaam to see the end of YHVH God’s intentions for them, not the present sinfulness and iniquity. (Num 23:16-26) Is that not the same that He sees regarding the Bride of the Lamb? He sees us as being in complete unity, loving, pure, spotless, without blemish, glorious. This is surely a far cry from the present reality of the Body of Messiah/Christ! So does God see to the end that His chosen people will be holy, and He will be their God! He is looking to the finish, blessing over and above all of the curses pronounced upon them, even by Him. Praise God for His sovereign wisdom, for His plan of redemption and salvation, for His love and righteousness! By His zeal, He will do it!
May the present war, and the weakening of confidence in the government and military and intelligence leaders (which is necessary towards their affliction of their souls for their salvation) bring many Jews in Israel and in the dispersion to look for their help not from the hills, but from the Maker of Heaven and Earth. And may many Arabs do the same as they realize that Jacob/the Jewish people will not be totally defeated, not by them, nor by the holy Creator who chose them for His glory. Here is a teaching reflection about rebuilding David’s fallen booth for those who come to an end of expecting everlasting righteousness and peace and equity from the rulers of this world:
https://streamsinthenegev.com/rebuilding-davids-booth/
We do pray for a decisive victory, but I don’t know that God will give that at this time, since He wants His people to return to Him and give Him the glory that is His in such a victory.
As long as Israel seems to be in trouble, the world says that she has the “right” to defend itself. No! Israel has the moral obligation to defend her borders and citizens, just as does every other sovereign state. Once Israel gains the advantage, the world’s support will quickly evaporate. It is a spiritual battle between the forces of evil against YHVH God of Armies/Hosts.
Here are some other prayer points:
–for the hostages held in Gaza
–that the Messianic/Christian soldiers from the different military arms will strengthen themselves in the Lord and be equipped for what they are doing and experiencing, that God would protect them from serious trauma; we have 19 young men and women, including our son, who are now in active duty for the war
–that the soldiers who are believers would commit their hearts to being disciples of Yeshua/Jesus in the crisis they are in, and that we all would show ourselves to be His disciples through what we are or may face as a result of the war
–that the believers in military service, or in volunteer services assisting the war effort, will be open to opportunities to share the truth of the gospel, of the peace and the hope that they have because of Yeshua
–that the military will act ‘professionally’ with as much self-control as possible, while at the same time defeating an openly avowed enemy
–that the people of Israel would look for help not from the hills, but from the Maker of Heaven and Earth
–that Arabs in Gaza and anywhere else would seek and find the true God of true mercy and of justice, who is a Father that would love them as His children
–that God would break the stupor over the Body of Messiah for not recognizing the reality of the spiritual war that is being waged by the devil against YHVH God and His people Israel and the Body of Christ
God bless you all, and we praise Him for giving us His peace and a living hope.
