Well, it looks like everyone wants to jump in the middle of this battle and take advantage of the chutzpah (Hebrew/Yiddish for audacity) of Hamas attacking Israel with rockets. In the past few days, not only has their been well over 100 rockets per day fired at Israel from Gaza, but now a few here and there each day from both Tyre in Lebanon, and from Syria as well. These rockets have landed in open areas in the Haifa area and the Galilee & Golan Heights area - all in Israel's north. Lebanon is north of Haifa, and the city of Tyre is at the top edge of the picture on the coast.
Some friends of ours in Israel put out a really good description of another recent attack on Tel Aviv this weekend:
"It was 8pm on Saturday evening. Much of Israel had just settled down in front of the television to watch the evening news. Suddenly the announcer reported that Hamas had just issued a warning that in exactly one hour a major attack would be carried out against Tel Aviv, with a new type of missile that would test Israel's ability to defend itself. The minutes passed tensely...and at exactly nine o'clock, Israel's local TV stations started transmitting live feeds showing the yet tranquil skyline of Tel Aviv.
All Israel collectively held its breath.
At 9:02, the barrage began. Sirens went off, people ran for cover and in the distance orange balls of fire could be seen streaming towards Tel Aviv. First one, then a second and then a third. Death and destruction were speeding towards Israel's largest city. The nation watched- mesmerized by the drama that was unfolding before it. And then, just as suddenly, streaks of fire exploded upward from the ground. The Iron Dome had spotted the incoming missiles and had launched its interceptors. Would the missiles hit their targets? Would Israel be spared? Just as the first ball of fire seemed to be getting too close to the crowded city, it exploded in a burst of light. Then, the second and then the third missile also disappeared in fiery explosions. A sigh of relief- the Iron Dome had done its work.
Hamas actually put the live feed on their local network so that its suffering people would be able to watch first hand the death and destruction in Tel Aviv. In the end, they had to substitute a lie that buildings had been hit and that there were Jewish casualties. The victimized people of Gaza celebrated a make believe victory and Israel thanked God and our very competent military for a disaster averted." Eddie & Jackie
God's timing is so very perfect. Sunday morning we travelled to Tel Aviv to pick up an order and to place orders for Jim's CFI project - David's Shield, helping Israel's soldiers. When we arrived at the office of our distributer, a commander was there that we have a close relationship with. He was placing a request for supplies he was desperately in need of for his troops. He is the commander of 500 warriors in an elite special forces unit. After we spent a few minutes greeting him, our distributer let us know that the commander was in need of DryFit shirts (they have a special breathable fabric that is essential) for his team today in the Gaza area. Because of God's perfect timing, Jim was able to authorize the order to be completed for these brave warriors protecting Israel through CFI's David's Shield project. We pray that as they wear these shirts, that they will be as a protective bullet-proof shield about them.
Here's a few pictures of the soldiers preparing to be called as the most recent physical guardians of Israel. A modern day David's Army!
Our commander friend was so amazed, and so very grateful that his request was met so quickly. He would deliver these shirts in just hours to his troops. We took this opportunity to share our solidarity with him. To express our concern, our love, and our prayers for the Defense Forces. His response was that he knows how much we care, and that we help so much; that they can feel our encouragement behind them like a wind helping them move forward as though go. We praise God we were able to help in some small way in supporting these brave soldiers.
If you haven't already seen on the news, it is quite amazing the great lengths the IDF goes to to protect innocent civilian lives in Gaza. While the world is saying the opposite, Israel is doing everything it can to protect lives. Even the Palestinian Envoy to UNHRC agrees in this 2 ½ minute video.
Before Israel bombs a house, it gives a non-explosive "knock on the roof" of the targeted house giving the inhabitants a chance to evacuate. They also drop leaflets warning citizens to leave as they did a few days ago. Hamas, however, told them not to listen to Israel, and to stay in their houses.
Prime Minister Netanyahu made a comment that brings this into clarity: "The difference between Hamas and Israel, he said, was that while Israel was using anti-rocket batteries to protect Israeli citizens, Hamas is using Gaza's citizens to defend their rockets."
For some strange reason, because there haven't been any casualties in Israel, the world seems to think
the war is unfair. What they are forgetting is who started this, and the fact that Hamas is targeting innocent people with the sole purpose to kill. Not to mention how obvious it is that the God of Israel is protecting this Land and people!
Recently, a rocket from Gaza knocked out the electricity for 70,000 Gazans - the power line was in Israel. The Israel Electric Company was working to restore the power. Israel has even given Gaza 500 units of blood donated here in Israel. The amazing compassion is endless.
http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Gazan-rocket-knocks-out-power-for-70000-Gazans-362624
Other good friends in Haifa gave this explanation of Hamas:
"Interestingly, one of the Hebrew words for 'violence' is 'hamas'. It is highly unlikely that Hamas the terrorist organisation made this link when they chose a name for themselves. In their reasoning, the name Hamas is an acronym of the Arabic words 'Ḥarakat al-Muqāwamah al-ʾIslāmiyyah', which means 'Islamic Resistance Movement'. The word 'hamas' literally means 'zeal' in Arabic. But in Hebrew, it is 'violence', and many times in the Hebrew scripture, the word 'violence' is 'hamas', including Isaiah 60 and Psalm 11.
Violence [hamas] shall no longer be heard in your land,
Neither wasting nor destruction within your borders;
But you shall call your walls Salvation,
And your gates Praise. – Isaiah 60:18
But the wicked and the one who loves violence [hamas] His soul hates.
Upon the wicked He will rain coals;
Fire and brimstone and a burning wind
Shall be the portion of their cup.
For the Lord is righteous,
He loves righteousness;
His countenance beholds the upright – Psalm 11:5-7
The writers of these scriptures certainly did not have in mind Hamas, the terrorist organisation that we know today, but the nature of the enemy we are facing is the same: one who loves violence and destruction. As we cry out to the Lord in intercession, we can pray that God will defend those who cry out to Him, and that He will bring judgment on the plans of those who plot violence and destruction." Colin & Helen
We read an encouraging article yesterday about a church in California. They had downloaded the Red Alert app we mentioned in a previous blog. They chose to connect it to the church's sound system, and every time Israel had a rocket alert, as a congregation they went to a "bomb shelter" in solidarity and empathize with the people of Israel that were at that exact time doing the same. Wow.
There has been so much information flying around in the past week, it is difficult to decide what to share. Ultimately, the most important at this time is for there to be an understanding by those who don't live here the legitimacy of this operation and the realities of our enemy, Hamas. The following video is an excellent explanation why even though most Muslims may be peaceful, it is the minority in Islam that our focus must be on. Please take a few minutes to watch this very insightful video, it's only 5 minutes and it is in English. :)
Although we would love to experience a true "cease fire", the past has proven that this only allows Israel's enemies to stockpile more weapons to use against Her.
We have also shared a link to this movie a couple of times on this blog - Against All Odds, Israel Survives. If you haven't seen it yet, we highly recommend it. If you don't want to watch it on the computer, maybe you can rent it. It's full length (1 hour 42 minutes) documentary of true stories of miracles in modern day Israel.
While the past week has been an adventure like no other, we once again say we would rather be no place else. Several of you have also said you wished you were here as well - it's hard to watch what's going on in Israel when your heart is here. We've had offers for places to stay if we needed to leave, and while we are so very grateful, this is where we belong. We show our love and commitment by our presence, encouragement and love. Thank you all so very, very much for all your prayers.
This song shares our heart...."Why should I be afraid?"
PLEASE PRAY FOR the men who carry the main burden of responsibility:
· Binyamin Netenyahu - Prime Minister
· Moshe Ya’alon – Defense Minister
· Benny Gantz – Chief of the IDF
· Amir Eshel – Chief of the Air Force
· Ram Rutberg – Chief of the Navy
We received the prayer below from a friend, and thought many of you may want to have it as well to pray in solidarity with Israel.
Prayer for Members of the Israel Defense Force
He Who blessed our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - may He bless the fighters of the Israel Defense Force, who stand guard over our land and the cities of our God from the border of the Lebanon to the desert of Egypt, and from the Great Sea unto the approach of the Aravah, on the land, in the air, and on the sea.
May The Lord cause the enemies who rise up against us to be struck down before them. May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our fighting men from every trouble and distress and from every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor.
May He lead our enemies under their sway and may He grant them salvation and crown them with victory. And may there be fulfilled for them the verse: For it is The Lord, your God, Who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you.
Now let us respond: Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment