On October 7, Israel was invaded by the Gaza terrorist organization known as Hamas. The attack began with a barrage of some 3000 rockets fired from Gaza and with a series of coordinated attacks on the land and the seashore. The attack happened on a sabbath and in the midst of the great holidays of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. It happened almost exactly 50 years after the disastrous Yom Kippur War. Once more, Israel was caught off guard and once more the nation had to pay a terrible price.
As Israel’s southern communities and kibbutzim were invaded, some 1,200 people were killed. These included men, women and children. Even babies were murdered in their cribs. We know now that some 240 captives were taken to Gaza as hostages. These also included men, women, children and quite a number of people from other nations who were visiting or working in Israel. Now some are saying that it would be necessary to go back to the Holocaust to find such a one-time loss of Jewish civilian life.
What can we make of this terrible attack? There are two important things that stand out. Number one is that the Israeli military was unprepared. There was initially little military response to this attack. Also, survivors, many of whom were wounded, had to wait as much as twelve hours for rescue and medical attention. Number two is that Israel’s military intelligence had no idea that the attack was coming. Israel has always prided itself in its seemingly invincible military and its superb intelligence organizations.
Please do not take me as some Monday morning quarterback sitting safely in the US. I not only lived in Israel over a long period of time, but I have close family and friends living there and they are in danger.
This Gaza war might cause us to ask a couple of questions about what the Lord is doing with his chosen people and with the world at this time. I feel that in this attack God is humbling his people and causing them to call upon him more earnestly. In my 16 years of living in Israel, I heard many Israelis praising their military and their intelligence systems, but I cannot recall hearing anyone praising God for military victories. They used to sing a little song entitled Kolanu B’yahad (all of us together). They would ask “Who did it? Who built it?” They would answer, “All of us together.” Of course, it was God who did it, God who built it and God who won all their wars. Psalm 115:9 cries out, “All you Israelites, trust in the LORD – he is their help and shield.”
Now what is God doing with the world? The vile hatred of Hamas reflects a 4,000-year-old universal hatred of Abraham’s chosen seed. Someone has called it the oldest hatred in the world. Immediately after the attack, there was a very brief worldwide sympathy expressed for Israel. It lasted only a few hours before antisemites began howling for Israel’s punishment. I wonder if this attack is the beginning of God finally dealing with this ancient hatred of Israel. From the Bible, we know that the time will come when God will gather all nations to Israel for judgment. In Joel 3:1-2 we read:
“In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.”
We see God saying similar things in Isaiah 13:4, Micah 4:11-12, Zephaniah 3:8, Zechariah 14:2, and Revelation 16:16. In Isaiah 34:2-3, God says that all nations will be gathered and all their proud armies will be so destroyed that the mountains of Israel will be soaked with their blood. Just imagine! All the armies of the world will be destroyed on the mountains of Israel!
That is how God will deal with the 4,000-year-old hatred of antisemitism. Afterward, we will see the survivors of the nations meekly coming to Israel to pay tribute to the only God and to bless his people Israel (Zechariah 14:16).
PRAY FOR ISRAEL
Psalm 122:6 commands us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. That should be especially important when Hamas rockets are now reaching the city. Isaiah 62:7 adds, “and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” This gives us permission to “bug God” about the safety of Jerusalem and Israel. After all, if we Christians are grafted into Israel as Romans 11:17-18 says, we must realize that whatever happens to Israel happens to us in a real sense.
STAY INFORMED
This is a continuing article. As this war progresses, we will mention some important information, articles and videos that will shed light on this struggle.
The Face of Absolute Evil: Ben Shapiro. This video is for the strong in heart. It shows the Hamas attack in all its blood and horror. It is slightly over an hour. Watch as much as you can bear. https://www.dailywire.com/episode/ep-1824-the-face-of-absolute-evil3
Editor’s note: This video makes clear that the poor innocent Palestinians of Gaza are not innocent. They are guilty too just like their heroes in Hamas. For instance, they voted Hamas into power. They also wildly cheered in the Gaza streets at the site of the abused naked body of an Israeli woman. The whole Palestinian and Arab Muslim worlds have been celebrating over all the atrocities committed.
Editor’s note. Col. Rabbi Weisberg examined a charred remain of an Israeli woman that turned out to be a mother and baby in close embrace. A pregnant woman was also found with her stomach cut open with her baby removed and beheaded.
‘Proportionality in conflict is absurd’: Douglas Murray. Listen to the first section of this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP_kBIrl30c
Editor’s note: Israel has fought two previous major wars with Hamas. One in 2008 and one in 2014. Proportionality means that you must leave the enemies in good enough condition that they can fight another day.
Why Islam Will Not Succeed. Jim Gerrish. Read our article on Islam. It will be an eye-opener. https://www.churchisraelforum.com/islam-succeed/
Mistreatment of Jews proves it’s a time of choosing in America. Glenn Beck. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGzZYoxk6ow
Over 100 Columbia professors sign letter defending students who supported Hamas, Melissa Koenig, New York Post, Oct. 30. 2023.
Samuel Adams said, “A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous, they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue, they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.”
Why Do The Nations Hate Israel? Jim Gerrish. This article will help us understand the 4,000-year-old-hatred of Israel. https://www.churchisraelforum.com/nations-hate-israel/
Michael Stands Up. Asher Intrater. This senior Israeli pastor and leader explains to us how the present Gaza war is a heavenly, spiritual war, and how we believers have a big part in it. https://www.tikkunglobal.org/post/michael-stands-up
What God says about the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas. “Can plunder be taken from warriors, or captives be rescued from the fierce? But this is what the LORD says: ‘Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save. I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh; they will be drunk on their own blood, as with wine. Then all mankind will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.'” (Isa. 49:24-26 NIV)
A Blessing for the People of Israel. Don’t miss this great musical blessing for Israel from Canada Christian College. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giTOqb2sVVk
Editor’s note: The Palestinians in Gaza appear to be in an awful situation and there is obviously much suffering. Can it be that their great suffering has come upon them because of their great hatred of Israel? Long ago God said to Abraham the father of Israel: “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Gen. 12:3 NIV). It seems that the Gazans have become a cursed people and have joined the cursed of Syria, Lebanon and others who also share their bitter hatred of God’s people.
Blessing or Cursing! Jim Gerrish, from his book, Does God Play Favorites? Read how nations have been blessed or cursed for thousands of years, depending on their treatment of Israel. https://www.churchisraelforum.com/favorites-11/
Editor’s Note. The world is aghast at the reported Palestinian casualty figures of Israel’s war on Gaza. They are now standing at over 30,000. This report may contain much propaganda since it was compiled by the terrorist organization Hamas itself. “An example of this propaganda was seen in the 1982 Israel/ PLO war in Lebanon. As Israel was driving the PLO out of Lebanon the world was told that there were 10,000 Lebanese and Palestinians dead, 40,000 wounded, and 600,000 homeless because of Israel’s bombardment. Apparently no one bothered to check the source of this information. Later it was revealed that it came from [PLO leader Yasser] Arafat’s brother who was head of the PLO-affiliated Red Crescent. The exaggerations were anywhere from 2000 to 3000 percent.” Eliyahu Tal, Whose Jerusalem (Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Israel: The International Forum for a United Jerusalem, 1994).
Editor’s note. We realize today that many, if not most of the students in our prestigious universities have no clue regarding Palestinian claims to the land of Israel. We must not be in ignorance about this matter. Please read how Arab “Palestine” was created and established on stolen property in the last half of the 20th century. https://www.churchisraelforum.com/favorites-5/
Editor’s Note. Very recent polls show that 98% of the Palestinians feel that coexistence with Israel in a two-state arrangement is impossible. They want the whole land. Our president is sure out of touch with his vision of a two-state solution. “Peaceful Palestinians” in Gaza still teach their small children math like this: “If you find 10 Jews and you kill three, how many Jews will be left to kill another day?” So much for a two-state solution.
Editor’s note: We surely cannot miss the antisemitism that is rapidly rising in the US and throughout the world. The Bible indicates that this antisemitism will grow until it becomes a worldwide battle against Israel (Joel 3:2; Zep. 3:8; Zech. 14:1-3 and Rev. 16:13-14). In fact, it seems that the same powerful evil spirits that were in Persia or Iran in Daniel’s day (Dan. 10:12-14), are still present in the same area, always intent upon destroying Israel and drawing the world against Israel. The end may be much closer than we think.
Editor’s note 2/1/24: Since Israel became a state in 1948 Palestinian refugees in Gaza have been cared for by UNRWA. They have never been resettled but are kept in the refugee status seemingly to disgrace Israel. They have been supported now for seven generations by some 68 nations including the US. We have now learned that UNRWA personnel were directly involved in the October 7 massacre. Finally, there are calls to end this “horror show.” Read more about this in the link following.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-taxpayer-funded-un-agencys-long-history-enabling-hamas-exposed
Why Israel Distrusts the United Nations. https://www.churchisraelforum.com/israel-distrusts-united-nations/
Israel National News reports 2/20/24: “440 UNRWA workers are active members in Hamas military wing. 9,500 of the 12,000 UNRWA employees have direct ties to Hamas – some are terrorists participating in active fighting against Israel.” We can see by this how compromised the UN is and has always been with Palestinian terror. They need to get out of Gaza and never come back!
3/11/24 Gaza death totals are a fake, professor says
https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/wharton-gaza-hamas/2024/03/10/id/1156703/
3/21/24 “Poll: 71% of Palestinian Arabs support October 7th attack. A Palestinian-run survey found that 71% of Palestinians see the decision to attack Israel on October 7th as a good one. 93% do not believe terror organization committed war crimes.” Israel National News 3/20/24 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/387091?utm_source=activetrail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl
4/23/24 I am sure our readers have noticed an almost insane hatred of Israel that is rising in the US and across the world. Our colleges like Columbia, Harvard, and Yale have experienced violent demonstrations even calling for the destruction of Israel. The joke in Israel is now that the Ivy League has become “poison ivy.” This hatred supposedly concerns Israel’s military operations in Gaza, but there is much more involved. Are we beginning to see the gathering of nations against Israel spoken of in Joel 3:1-3? https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/columbia-yale-israel-palestinians-protests/2024/04/22/id/1161999/
4/26/24 Columbia and her history. The anti-Semitic rioters at Columbia University probably do not know that on the top of Columbia’s seal was found the four letter name for God in Hebrew. The Puritan fathers who founded many of our great universities were lovers of Zion. We have fallen a long way. See US blessings by the Jews in https://www.churchisraelforum.com/favorites-11/
5/5/24 Antisemitism at all-time high
The Anti-Defamation League has just warned that “the future of Jewish life in the West” was under threat, detailing a sharp rise in anti-Semitism since the start of the war between Hamas militants and Israel. The ADL’s data recorded 7,523 incidents of anti-Semitism in the United States in 2023 compared with 3,697 incidents in 2022. ADL Warns of Global Surge in Anti-Semitism | Newsmax.com
5/16/24 Gaza deaths much lower than reported –Times of Israel
“Having previously reported that 9,500 women and 14,500 children had died during the war (some 69% of all fatalities), OCHA is now reporting far lower numbers, stating that among “identified” deaths, 4,959 women have died, along with 7,797 children (or 52% of the total number of identified deaths in the war).” https://www.timesofisrael.com/un-drastically-revises-downward-number-of-identified-women-children-killed-in-gaza/
To be continued….
-Jim Gerrish
churchisraelforum.com