Shalom from Israel! Because of my very busy schedule, I don’t have the opportunity to spend nearly as much time on tours as I used to. But when I am able, it reminds me of what first drew me to becoming a tour guide so many years ago. Israel is so rich with history and biblical relevance. It is the key prophetic location for God’s future plans for the world. What a blessing it is to be able to share those truths with God’s people.
But even as I am teaching and answering questions, the reality of what is taking place in my country is not far from my mind. Not only has the threat against our nation from the surrounding states recently increased, but we are facing internal division that is unprecedented in the more than six decades of the existence of the State of Israel.
From outside, the attacks being carried out by terrorist groups is growing. One significant incident from Lebanon that nearly brought us to war is detailed below. Hamas, Hezbollah, and others see Israel’s societal and military weaknesses that are a direct result of the devastatingly destructive “government of change”, and they are viewing it as an opportunity to finally bring about their long dreamed of elimination of the Israeli nation and the Jewish people.
On the inside of the country, the liberal left has become absolutely unhinged over the reelection of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the probability of the passing of his judicial reform. They have learned from the worst of America’s antifa and BLM riots, and are now employing the same kind of violent tactics. And it’s not just students and young people. Former pilots and soldiers are saying they won’t join the reserves in case of emergency should the judicial reforms be passed. Many are hoping for a collapse in the economy, while others believe that a major terrorist incident or an attack from a neighboring state could be advantageous toward bringing Netanyahu down. The divisions have become so stark and the left has become so irrational that I believe my beloved country is closer to civil war than it has ever been.
But then I teach once again at one of Israel’s holy sites, and I’m reminded that the same God who restored this nation after nearly 2000 years of exile is still in control today. Just this last week, there have been at least eight significant miracles in Israel that even have the news media saying that God is at work. So, while I mourn what’s taking place, I will continue to rejoice in the hope that comes from trusting in a loving, omnipotent Lord.
Psalm 121:3-4 KJV – “He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”
Terror Attack in Megiddo Nearly Brings Israel to War
Now that the strict gag order has been lifted, I am free to tell of the early Monday morning terror attack in Megiddo, not far from where I live. A Lebanese Hezbollah terrorist snuck across the border and made his way to the Megiddo traffic junction. There he planted a very large improvised explosive device (IED) set to go off at a time when the area would be packed with commuters. However, something went wrong and the bomb went off when there were no cars directly adjacent to it, saving dozens of lives but seriously injuring an Israeli Arab. The perpetrator made his escape toward the Lebanese border. But before he could make it he was confronted by police. At the time, he was wearing a suicide vest. He was killed before he could detonate it. It is likely he planned on setting off the device at the border in order to kill many of the Israeli border security forces. If either of these attacks had gone off as planned, it is likely that Israel would have been drawn into a war with Lebanon. As it is, Israel is perceived as weak, and it may take Netanyahu’s government going on the offensive against terrorists in order to regain the country’s reputation of strength. To hear my views on this and to get a more detailed explanation of the attack, please watch my Breaking News Update from yesterday.
Terror Attack in Tel Aviv Wounds Three
A 23-year-old member of Hamas snuck up on three men who were walking down the street outside a café in central Tel Aviv. He pulled out a gun and shot them in the back before fleeing while firing toward the café. The three men were all wounded, with one of them suffering life-threatening injuries. The terrorist was later shot and killed after being confronted by two policeman and two civilians.
Israel Conducts Airstrike in Syria
In a rare daytime strike, fighter jets of the Israeli Air Force attacked an area near Misyaf in northwest Syria believed to be a base for Iranian forces and their proxy militias. Three soldiers were injured and significant damage was caused.
China Brokers Agreement Between Iran and Saudi Arabia
An agreement to renew bilateral relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia was signed on Friday. As if the apparent mending of the fences between these two mortal enemies was not surprising enough, the absence of the U.S. or Russia in the mediator’s role signified a growing shift in global influence. Taking the lead in these negotiations was China, once again demonstrating that they are on the path to move into the number slot of the world’s superpowers. Why would Saudi Arabia draw closer to China and go through the motions of buddying up with Iran whom they absolutely detest? Because both China and Iran are enemies of the U.S., and the Saudis want to pressure the Americans into guaranteeing their safety from international threats and to also help them build civilian nuclear reactors. For more information on this global shift, watch my Breaking News Update from last Friday.
Global Banking Takes a Major Hit
It began with a series of regional U.S. banks collapsing last week. Yesterday, problems within Credit Suisse global investment bank sent its value plummeting by nearly one-third. The ripple effects from that plunge reached back to the U.S. causing some of the nation’s largest banks to lose up to 5% of their value. Over the past week, the Dow Jones lost just over 1000 points, and at one time was down 1400 points. There are some experts who say that America could soon get hit by a financial crisis greater than 2008.
U.S. May Pay Iran for Prisoner Release
Tehran claims that they are on the verge of an agreement with Washington by which they would release from prison three dual American citizens in exchange for $7 billion worth of frozen oil funds and a number of convicts being held in U.S. prisons. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said, “If everything goes well on the U.S. side, I think we will witness a prisoner exchange in a short period.” The Biden administration, however, declared his statement to be false.
Russia Gifts American Weapons to Iran
As Russia pushes Ukrainian forces back, they will often find weapons and equipment left behind. Some of these weapons were supplied by the U.S. or NATO. If they are high-grade in nature, such as Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stinger anti-aircraft systems, Russia collects them and sends them on to Iran to be reverse-engineered. This not only increases the quality of Iranian weapons, but it strengthens the bond between Moscow and Tehran. In other Iran relationship news, President Ebrahim Raisi signed a cooperation deal with Putin wannabe President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus. The focus of the agreement was on industry, agriculture, and other areas.
Russian Fighter Jets Hit Unmanned U.S. Drone
Two Russian Su-27 fighter jets encountered a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone on routine surveillance over the international waters of the Black Sea. One of the jets dumped fuel several times on the UAV, then clipped its propeller causing it to crash. The U.S. military called the actions of the fighter pilots “reckless” and “unprofessional”. Russian officials reportedly replied, “Drone? What drone?”
2.5 Tons of Uranium Missing from Libya
Inspectors have found discovered that 2.5 tons of natural uranium has disappeared from a Libyan storage site. A statement by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi said, “The loss of knowledge about the present location of nuclear material may present a radiological risk, as well as nuclear security concerns.” The agency is investigating the disappearance.
Flooding in Turkey Kills 14
Torrential rain poured down on two provinces in Turkey that were already devastated by last month’s earthquakes that killed over 55,000 people. As the waters grew, flash floods tore through the streets of a number of cities killing at least 14 and causing even more damage to the already ravaged areas.
Kim Jong-un Takes Daughter on Family Outing to Watch Missile Launch
Many fathers, when they want a special day out with their daughters, will take them to a park for a picnic or the theater to see a movie. North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, for his daddy-daughter date, took his 10-year-old to watch a live-fire artillery exercise complete with missile launches. It’s reported that they finished their special time together at the refreshment stand where they each enjoyed an ice cream bar shaped like a tactical nuke. Memories to last a lifetime!
As you are praying this week, please remember to lift Israel up before the Lord. Not only is it biblical to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, but it is praying according to God’s heart. And as we watch what is going on in the world around us, I would encourage you to lift up one more prayer straight from Scripture – “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
Psalm 122:6-9 KJV – “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.”
