A spirit of grace and supplication | Update 20 September
A weekly reflection on current global affairs concerning Israel and
the Jewish people from a Biblical perspective.
NEWS
All eyes are on the Israeli politics this week. The second elections in only 6 months have failed to produce a clear winner. The country is in a stalemate, and no-one has a simple solution, or is able to predict what will happen in the coming weeks. The reign of PM Netanyahu – who has dominated Israeli politics for two decades – may be coming to an end. Never has the political leadership of the nation seemed so fractured. President Rivlin will need a lot of wisdom to navigate the nation through this crisis in leadership.
But of course we only see the outside – the visible manifestations of unseen realities. Like the reverse side of tapestry, it all appears chaotic, frayed and unorganized. But the weaver of the tapestry is completing His perfectly designed creation.
What is God doing behind the scenes?
This week, we reflect on the words of the prophet Zechariah. In chapters 12-13, speaking of the time when Jerusalem will become a “cup of trembling” and a “burdensome stone for all nations”, and the nations will come against Jerusalem, the Lord will intervene to save Judah and Jerusalem. After that the Lord will cleanse the land of all uncleanness and idols.
God is restoring Israel not because the Jewish people are perfect, but in order to reveal His holy name to the nations. “Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord.” (Ezekiel 38:23).
To achieve this goal, the Lord is doing a number of things in Israel in these last days. One is to bring His people back from the nations, plant them in the land, and settle them there. Second, He will destroy Israel’s enemies. Third, he will give unity to the nation. Fourth, He will cleanse it of all its idols and uncleanness, and pour on it a spirit of grace and supplication.
There will be no true national unity without repentance, cleansing and supplication.
We have no idea how this will play out. But I do believe that we have a calling to intercede to our High Priest on behalf of His people at this time of national crisis. Let us pray that the Lord will have His hand of grace over this people, give a spirit of sorrow in Israel for all that is unclean and unholy, and raise up (new?) leaders who can unite the nation and give honour to His holy name.
I suggest we pray especially for President Reuven Rivlin - a fourth generation Jerusalemite, whose beloved wife recently passed away, and who has a special heart for his nation.
Elections update
Read this report on the current state of affairs by our correspondent in Israel, Yochanan Visser:
New Israeli elections don’t solve stalemate in coalition forming
Unity and disunity
Here is an insightful comment by the Jerusalem post’s Editor-in-Chief on the lack of unity in Israel at the moment. It is a cry from the heart for a restoration of respect and unity in Israeli politics. Read article..
Jordan Valley
Israel’s security has been a recurring theme in the election campaigns. In this article, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Gershon Hacohen reflects on the strategic significance of the Jordan Valley, both from a military/security perspective, as well as its significance for the development of the nation. Read article..
Shabbat Shalom,
Andrew Tucker
Editor-in-Chief
Israel & Christians Today
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