“Cries of fear are heard - terror, not peace”.
11 June 2021

A weekly reflection on current global affairs concerning Israel and
the Jewish people from a Biblical perspective. 

The Lord reminds us in Jeremiah 30 that the regathering of the twelve tribes of Israel into the land is ultimately a spiritual work, that is deeply connected with the Lord’s purposes in relation to the nations. He says He will discipline His children, and that there will be a time of terror – “Jacob’s trouble” – but that He will bring them home, destroy their enemies, and give them peace and security.

The restoration to the land is not the goal. The goal is that Israel and Judah will fulfil their calling, which is to “serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them” (Jeremiah 30:9).
 
In this way, the nations can also enter into their true calling. Israel will be a banner to the nations. When Messiah comes (“David, their king”) the word of the Lord shall go forth from Jerusalem, and the nations shall train for war no more (Isaiah 2). 
 
Israel today is in a very precarious situation. Yes, Israel has become strong and successful. But as the current formation of a new government shows, it is politically deeply divided. There are sharp divisions between Jews. There is great distrust, animosity and even violence between Jews and Arabs in many places. Some in the land even speak of the possibility of civil war. 
 
In addition to its internal struggle, Israel continues to face major threats from outside its borders. Recently, allegations that Israel is an “apartheid state” have increased, notably as a result of a Human Rights Watch report. The secular media is complicit in framing Israel as an illegitimate state that is grossly beaching international law and norms. 
 
These claims, together with recent conflict with Hamas, seem to have unleashed a new wave of antisemitism worldwide.
 
We are in the midst of what the Bible calls “the controversy of Zion”. We need to look at these unfolding events through God’s eyes, understand with His mind, and feel with His heart. 
 
May we as Christians intercede more fervently than ever before for the “Peace of Jerusalem”: that the Jewish people will truly enter into their calling to serve their God, that the nations will also accept and submit to God’s work, and that there will be peace in Israel and in the region.  
 

Israel’s new government – how long will it last? 
Gil Hoffman: “Coalition agreements among the parties forming the new government have yet to be completed, due to disputes over how to handle Judea and Samaria, sources in Yamina said on Wednesday night.”
> Read more..

 
Arab violence in Israel 
Times of Israel: “Several Arab Israelis have been arrested for attacking Jews during ethnic unrest that rocked the country last month”.
> Read more..
  
 
Israel, the US and Iran 
Dmitry Shapiro: “Bennett, even though he also disagrees with the Iran deal, is unlikely to push against America’s efforts to re-enter the nuclear deal. This would allow U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken more room to maneuver as it relates to Iran, while allowing better relations to ensue between the Israeli government that is not seen as impeding Blinken’s efforts.”
> Read more..
 

The debunking of the ‘apartheid state’ lie
Jonathan Tobin: “When Israel’s new government takes office—barring any last-minute changes, it is set to be voted in this Sunday—the “apartheid state” lie will be seen to be even more of a canard than before. By including the United Arab List—popularly known by its Hebrew acronym Ra’am—headed by Mansour Abbas in its ranks as a member, the idea that the Jewish state treats its non-Jewish minorities by a different legal standard will be exposed as a sad joke.”
> Read more..

 
Jews and Christians meet for prayer in Jerusalem 
 “We have a petition to ask the [Italian] government to move the embassy [to Jerusalem],” Chiara Canciani, the head of Christians for Israel Italy, told The Jerusalem Post. “This is our dream. When you are dealing with Israel, you need to believe in miracles.”
> Read more..
 
 
Iran’s destabilization of the region 
Khaled Abu Toameh: “Iran is continuing to exploit the Palestinian issue to promote its expansionist schemes in the Middle East and meddle in the internal affairs of Arab countries, including Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen and Bahrain.”
> Read more..