HOME COMING!!!

THE RELEASE OF GILAD SHALIT

"For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven the LORD viewed the earth, to hear the groaning of the prisoner, to release those appointed to death, to declare the name of YHVH in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem, when the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD" (Psalm 102:19-22).

Sometime tomorrow (Tuesday 18 October) Gilad Shalit, the young soldier captured by Hamas and held in Gaza since 25 June 2006, is scheduled to be released. The agreement for his release was signed last week on the eve of Sukkot.at a time when Jerusalem is indeed filled with peoples "gathered together to declare the name of the LORD in Zion and His praise in Jerusalem." Under an exchange deal worked out between Israel and Hamas with Egypt as intermediary, Shalit is being taken to the Sinai, at which time Israel releases 27 female Palestinian security prisoners. When he crosses into Israel another 450 major prisoners will be released, followed by 550 more within two months. 1,027 prisoners for one Israeli soldier. Over the past five years, the plight of Gilad has found a deep place in the Israeli consciousness. Israel has come to love this boy (He was still only 19 when captured); pictures are everywhere, on walls, busses, tee-shirts; a tent protesting his plight (often manned by his parents) and calling on action by the government has been in place near the Prime Minister's house for years. A longing and seeking to work for his return has become a cause for thousands of Israelis of all ages. And the government and military have tried. Yet Israel has never been able to locate him.in fact has received only a few times proof that he was even still alive. There is a tradition going back to the War for Independence that Israel will never desert its soldiers on the battlefield. She has even gone to great lengths-including the trading of living terrorist prisoners-to retrieve the bones of those slain (In Biblical times, it was of paramount importance to Joseph and others that their remains be brought back to rest with those of their fathers).

Yet there is also a rending agonized tear in much of Israel today at the price being paid to bring this living soldier home. There are no car thieves amongst the criminals being released. Among those on the list are those responsible for planning or otherwise being involved in some of the most heinous, bloody crimes against innocent Israeli civilians-the bombing of a pizza parlor on the corner of Jaffa and King George in the heart of Jerusalem, destruction of a bus filled with civilians in Haifa, and more and more-dozens killed and countless others maimed and traumatized for life. Families and loved ones of the terrorist victims, not to mention survivors themselves, are dismayed to see the perpetrators being let free. And statistics all point to the probability that of those released, many will strike again. Israel has negotiated with terrorists (This was not a matter of negotiating for exchange of prisoners in a declared war. During Shalit's incarceration, Hamas has denied him any of the human rights, such as visitations by the Intl. Red Cross, demanded for captured soldiers under the Geneva Conventions.). What is to keep this negotiating from spawning more and more "Shalits" in the future? Prime Minister Netanyahu, who lost his own brother in a raid to free hostages, called the decision "One of the most difficult I have ever made."

Yet the decision has been made. When it came for a vote to the Israeli Cabinet, it was 26 in favor, three against. Such a deal may not seem to make logical sense, and would probably only take place in Israel. Hassan Nasrallah, the head of the Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah was recently quoted as saying of Israel, "We are going to win because they love life and we love death."

"In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He heard me. Deliver my soul, O LORD from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue.My soul has dwelt too long with one who hates peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war" (Psalm 120:1-2, 7).

PLEASE PRAY:

*For Gilad Shalit-that God would guard over his "coming in, from this day forth and forever" (Psalm 121:8). Whatever the wisdom of the workings which have affected his release, he is not responsible for those any more than for his initial capture. Pray for the Spirit of Life to breathe him alive again; that he will be restored in mind, soul and spirit; that he will come to know his true God and Savior, and live out the destiny appointed for him by a Heavenly Father who loves him.

*For those Israelis who have had their lives torn to pieces by the murderous acts of some of those being set free-only the God of All Comfort can restore and heal them. Only He can protect them from evil spirits which would make use of this occasion to exacerbate their present wounding, injecting it with bitterness and despair. Pray for their restoration to a life of hope and strength in their Messiah.

*That among those prisoners being released from Israeli prisons, there will be those who in God's mercy will be convicted of sin and righteousness and judgment, who will have revelation and humble themselves to realize that in God's allowing their freedom, they have been given an unexpected opportunity to choose life-to love life instead of death.

*For Mr Netanyahu to be guided in a way of humility and integrity in days ahead as he must continue governing a nation living through the aftermath of his decision, wise or not.

portions from the Israel Prayer list