Harvest of Asher
Akko, Israel
Painting by Bridgman © 1900 Public Domain
As a boy growing up in the Israeli Orthodox Jewish school system, every morning we would sing Moses’ “Song of the Sea” from Exodus 15. For the last few days, the words spoken by the Enemy in verse 9 have been on my mind:
“The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My desire shall be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword, My hand shall destroy them.’”
The next verses state God’s response. When we are under the Lord’s protection, the plans of the enemy will sink into the sea:
“You blew with Your wind, The sea covered them; They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? …You in Your mercy have led forth The people whom You have redeemed; You have guided them in Your strength To Your holy habitation. The people will hear and be afraid; Sorrow will take hold of the inhabitants of Philistia.”
[Modern day Gaza occupies the very same strip of coastland as Philistia.]
Throughout history, Satan has incited nations to violence against Israel. Since October 7th, Israel has over 1200 dead, over 5,000 wounded and 240 hostages. At first it appeared as if the enemy was 100% successful in its surprise attack. However, Israel stopped the incursion and went on the offensive. It is now Israel’s duty to return the innocent hostages taken from the place where they should have been safe and secure, their lives and homes violated.
My brothers, it appears that here in the Middle East the rules are different than in the rest of the world. Peace can only be achieved after you have been victorious over your enemy. Moreover, I believe that any peace which comes after this war is still only temporary.
Israel has invaded Gaza with the goal of destroying every obstacle just as David did in order to free all who were taken by the Amalekites in Ziklag. [By the way Ziklag is at the edge of the area invaded by Hamas on October 7.]
We will go after every captive in the way that Abraham took back Lot, his nephew from the hands of the ten kings. It was not a negotiation of kind words, but a tactical invasion of the enemy camp (Genesis 14:14-16).
Israel understood then and now that we need to go in and bring our precious ones home. Even though we know the price will be heavy. This war will not be short because there is an even bigger enemy waiting on our northern border. Although we continue to battle on our southern front in Gaza, we must not let down our guard. We must remain sharp, keeping our eyes not only on the northern border but on all of the surrounding seven nations that are waiting for the moment of our weakness.
Please pray for us to be able to strengthen the believers and show God’s love to our community. Israel’s citizens are going through hard times – with husbands, sons and daughters serving on the front lines, daily rocket sirens and the fear of another ground invasion. Pray that we will succeed in bringing comfort to His People.
