THE GOLAN HEIGHTS

 

 

Here is a picture of a waterfall in the Golan Heights. This is the ancient domain of Og King of Bashan (the "Last of the Rephaim/Giants"); This area was taken by Moses and later granted as part of the inheritance of Menashe.



NEW THREATS IN THE FIELDS OF BASHAN

"From the family of the half-tribe of Menashe the sons of Gershon were given Golan in Bashan with its common-lands." (I Chronicles 6:71).

 

 

Bashan was the name in Biblical times of a high land rising east and north-east of the Sea of Galilee, before ascending more steeply still in the north along the rocky slopes of Mt. Hermon. Og was the name of the king who reigned there. He was gigantic, the last of an ancient breed of giants known as Rephaim (Deuteronomy 3:8-14; the name also refers to spirits of the dead). He was, in fact, the last giant to be overcome before entering Canaan by the children of Israel before entering Canaan, the land their parents had refused to enter 40 years earlier for fear of giants there. Bashan was then as now a rugged place (Psalm 68:15) used for grazing cattle (Jer. 50:19; Ezek. 39:18; Mic. 7:14). Psalm 22:12 uses "strong bulls of Bashan" as a metaphor for the powers of darkness pressing in upon Yeshua as he hung on the cross. The land eventually became part of the inheritance of the tribe of Menashe (Deut. 3:13-14). Golan is mentioned several times in Scripture as the location of a "city of refuge" in Bashan-and that is the name by which the region is known today, the Golan Heights.


With the fall of the Ottoman Empire in WW I, the area came under French oversight until 1944 when it became part of the newly established nation of modern Syria. In 1967, after years of serving as a staging-ground for conflict with the newly awakened Israel, the Heights were wrested from Syria in the Six Day War. After a failed attempt by Syria to retake them in 1973, a disengagement agreement was reached between the two countries in May 1974, which included establishment of a demilitarized buffer zone between the two nations to be patrolled by a United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). In December 1981, without ever specifically using the word "annexation" the Israeli Knesset voted to apply "Israeli law, jurisdiction and administration" to the Golan Heights-an administration which has never been recognized by the international community, who view the Israelis living there as "settlers." Although at least three Prime Ministers have actively explored the possibility of "giving the Heights back to Syria" in exchange for a peace agreement-this has never been allowed to succeed; Syria remains in a technical "state of war" with Israel. Yet, for almost 40 years now, a relative peace has reigned on the Heights, which have flourished, with over 20,000 Israelis presently make their homes there.

That "peace" may be soon coming to an end, as waves of the tumult enveloping Syria lap closer to the borders. Earlier in the week, in a strongly-worded speech, President Assad had warned that Syria itself was considering opening a new front in the Israeli Golan. So the situation remains extremely volatile. Israel has restated its position of not becoming involved in the Syrian struggle unless fired upon. But already shells from both sides have fallen across our borders. Aware of what the conflicts might burgeon into, Prime Minister Netanyahu recently instructed the release of $350 million to insure that each of Israel's residents is equipped with a gas mask.

 

 

PLEASE PRAY:

That God will set angels at Israel's borders in the Golan Heights, to protect the inheritance of Jacob there. Pray that this territory will remain under Israeli sovereignty.

*For wisdom and discretion to govern the leaders of Israel's government and military-that we will not be drawn into a conflict which is a trap from the enemy.

*For believers in the Golan Heights (there are quite a few, including at least two 'houses of prayer') and throughout Israel, to be guided strategically in their prayers for this situation.

*For a young generation of Israelis to rise who have the courage and spirit of Joshua and Caleb to battle fearlessly in God's power against the giants which have arisen among us.


portions taken from Israel prayer list