Should we PRAY for Israel’s blessings and protection?

Israel is under daily rocket attack aimed at their largest cities as I write this. A full scale war with Hamas in Gaza could be imminent.  If the USA was being attacked by over a hundred rockets from across its borders every day, would we sit idly by? 

Now consider this:  we know that of all the many sons of Abraham, the Eternal God referred to Isaac – the son of promise by faith – as Abraham’s one and only son (Genesis 22:1-2). Ponder that. Who came from Isaac?  It is through the Seed of Abraham--Isaac – Jacob (renamed Israel), that our Messiah came.In Yeshua – of the Seed of Abraham – all the families of the earth can be blessed.  So here’s what YHVH (the personal name of our Eternal God) said to all of us and to Abraham:

Genesis 12:3

“I will bless those who bless you,

And I will curse him who curses you;

And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

Almighty God repeated this in Genesis 27:29 directly to Jacob (Israel) –

Genesis 27:29

“…..Cursed be everyone who curses you,

And blessed be those who bless you!"

Have you recently asked our heavenly Father to bless Israel? 

Isaiah 62:6-7

I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;

They shall never hold their peace day or night.

You who make mention of YHVH, do not keep silent,

7 And give Him no rest till He establishes

And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

And how well do we keep this command?

As I write this, Israel is preparing to stop the hundreds of M-302 rockets being fired every single day directly at Israel’s cities!  The only reason we’re not yet reading about hundreds or even thousands of Israeli dead is because of God’s protection and the Iron Dome missile defense.  Basically Israel is shooting down rockets with rockets. But Islamist terrorists don’t care where the missiles land and make no effort to spare civilians. They’re firing into civilians.

Be sure to finish the rest of this blog by clicking on the link to the right “Continue reading”. 

Consider this:  the Islamic Hamas terrorists are targeting cities – including women and children. But when Israel strikes back at the arsenals and launchers, Israel warns those in Gaza ahead of time that particular buildings and areas will be struck and that people should move out of the way. Hamas, by contrast, is trying to persuade – or even force – women and children back on to those very roof tops they know are targets to serve as human shields. They hope this will force Israel not to hit known Hamas hideouts and weapons storage facilities.

Like someone said, if we speak of a war on terror, we’re called “Islamophobes”.  It doesn’t seem to matter to some folks that they can preach in their mosques all day long, and go on marches shouting “Death of Israel!  Death to America.”   So our government instead is waging a war on Hobby Lobby and wet spots in someone’s yard through ridiculous EPA regulations.  When will we wake up?  When will we do what God says to do – and bless and pray for Israel? 

And yes, I realize, there is also the “Israel of God” – or spiritual Israel.  There is also the expanded “Israel” – those nations making up the present day powerful nations of the Ten Lost Tribes of the 2 Houses of Israel.  Remember the northern 10 tribes became the “house of Israel” and the southern kingdom became known as “the House of Judah”. 

Three Israeli teenagers – including one who was a US Citizen – were kidnapped and then executed with bullets to the head.  Palestinians hailed their kidnapper/murderers as heroes.  By contrast, when several Israelis kidnapped a Palestinian youth and burned him alive, the Israelis are doing all in the power to find and arrest and prosecute those evil men, as they should.

I’ve traveled and lived in Israel for 4 months and my heart is with them.  No matter where you’re from, if you are a child of God…

*** You know YHVH put His name on the hills of Jerusalem (2 Kings 21:4, 7)

*** You probably know that we all have to be grafted into Israel spiritually (see Romans 11). 

*** You probably know that all 12 gates in heavenly Jerusalem are named after one of the sons of Israel.  So for all eternity when you enter the holy city, you will enter through the gates of Israel (Revelation 21:12).

*** And you know that our Messiah was born a Jew.  (Matthew 2:6; Hebrews 7:14)

*** All the original 12 apostles were Jews.

*** Paul – who wrote most of the New Testament – was a Jewish rabbi. 

*** Practically all the earliest converts to Christianity were Jews. 

*** And I state again: our Savior was a Jew. 

Yeshua (Jesus) was not just the savior of the Jews, but for the entire world (1 John 4:14).

Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East; maybe our only true ally.  We need a strong Israel there to be our friend – but perhaps more importantly, right now, as I write this, Israel needs a friend.  It’s a country no bigger than the state of New Jersey surrounded on almost every side by enemy states where many live who have sworn to destroy Israel. It’s not about land or territory at this point; Israel is fighting for their very existence. 

Now ponder the power of this verse.  Do you want to prosper?  Do you want peace within you?  Do you want to seek good in your life?  Then read this passage carefully. And pray for and bless Israel, every single day, especially in these very dangerous times. 

Psalms 122:6-9

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

"May they prosper who love you.

7 Peace be within your walls,

Prosperity within your palaces."

8 For the sake of my brethren and companions,

I will now say, "Peace be within you."

9 Because of the house of YHVH our God

I will seek your good