Report: Growing Anti-Semitic Atmosphere

Jewish communities around the world are living with a sense of growing anti-Semitism, although 2013 did not record a significant increase in the number of violent attacks on Jews and their property, according to an annual report released by the Israel's Information and Diaspora Ministry.

The report, which was presented to the cabinet on Sunday [Jan. 26] by Minister Naftali Bennett, states that "the soul, rather than the body, is the main victim of the new wave of anti-Semitism." According to estimates, the situation on the ground has become much worse.


According to the report, which is mostly based on the database and research of the Kantor Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry at Tel Aviv University, the feeling among the world's Jewry stems from the severity of verbal and visual expressions, insults, harassment and threats Jews encounter in their daily life, which create a situation that is becoming more and more difficult.
"The murky atmosphere contributes to a change in European Jews' point of view towards their country and surroundings, and strengthens their personal insecurity," the report says.

One-third of Jews don't wear Jewish symbols
Addressing the situation in Europe, the report mentions the results of a survey commissioned by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) in 2013, according to which 66% of Jews see anti-Semitism as a problem affecting their lives, and 76% believe it has worsened in recent years.
Thirty-eight percent of the respondents said they are afraid of falling victim to an anti-Semitic attack and do not leave the house with "identifying symbols" like a skullcap or Star of David, 23% do not participate in "Jewish" events for fear of being targeted on the way, and 20% are even considering emigrating from their country due to the growing anti-Semitism.

According to the same survey, about one-quarter of Jews experienced an incident in the previous year which included a verbal insult, and nearly half of the respondents expressed their concern that they would fall victim to an anti-Semitic incident in the following year. Nonetheless, 77% avoided reporting the incidents, assuming that they would not be taken care of.

The Diaspora Ministry report states that "in most cases, it is possible to track the number of violent incidents, like vandalism against public and private property and attacks on individuals, but only if the victims report them." Yet in light of the failure to report the incidents, "it is certain that the monitoring bodies are only aware of a small part of the overall picture."

The level of concern among Jews in Hungary, for example, is very high, and a significant increase is apparent in the Jewish community's sense of fear of anti-Semitic phenomena in the past year—although no real change was recorded in the number of violent incidents. The reasons appear to be the growing nationalistic discourse since the rise to power of the Federation of Young Democrats (Fidesz) in 2010, and the emergence of the extreme Jobbik party, which is a defined as neo-Nazi, as a political force.

EU changes definition of anti-Semitism
Other countries in which recorded high report levels of a rise in anti-Semitism are France, Belgium and Sweden. The situation appears to be relatively less serious in Italy, Germany, Britain and Latvia.
The authors of the report, which was presented on the eve of International Holocaust Day, noted that after the survey's publication the FRA removed from its website the definition of anti-Semitism which had been in international use since 2000 and stated that anti-Zionist expressions, hostile attitudes towards the State of Israel's existence, likening it to Nazi Germany and discriminating against it could be considered as anti-Semitism in certain cases.

"No satisfactory explanation has been provided for the definition's removal," the report authors wrote, "apart from the claim that the definition was never officially adopted as a binding document by the European Union."

Anti-Semitic Expression: Burning like a Jew
In Chile and Argentina, a rumor was started online that the IDF was working to conquer Patagonia in order to establish a Jewish state there, and that Jewish millionaire Eduardo Elsztain had even bought it from the Argentinean president in exchange for cancelling the country's debt to the World Bank.
In Venezuela, Israel was blamed for the death of President Hugo Chavez and accused of attempting to inflame a third world war in which Israel will attack China and Russia.

"In Russia, the Jews are blamed for all of the country's troubles, including the economic situation, and so members of the opposition one hand and Putin's regime on the other hand are accused of selling themselves to Jewish capital," the report says.

Some 100 anti-Semitic websites have been recorded in Italy, in Canada there is an increase in online harassment, and even Web surfers in Kyrgyzstan are blaming the economic and social problems on the Jews.

Social networks in Mexico recorded in the beginning of the year a wave of anti-Semitic expressions related to the Holocaust, like "I'm burning like a Jew," which reached the sixth place on the Twitter popularity list. Another tweet combined a children's game with a picture of dead Jews in a concentration camp.

"The fact that although there was no military conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, there was still no drop in the amount of anti-Israel statements and actions, once again pulls the rug from under the feet of those who argue that the Jewish-Arab conflict is the reason for the rise in anti-Semitism," Minister Bennett notes in the introduction.

The report itself notes that "the anti-Zionism, which is mainly prevalent among the Left and has already become an integral part of the regular worldview of individuals and groups within it, can be defined as a cultural code replacing anti-Semitism and allowing its distributors to deny any connection to anti-Semitism. This denial is defined by researches today as 'anti-Semitism denial' – like Holocaust denial."

But there are those who don’t take the trouble to distance themselves from anti-Semitism. In Russia and Ukraine, for instance, where physical and verbal expressions of hatred have become an inseparable part of the local Jewish communities' lives—without the customary discussions in the West about Israel's status and actions.

Yemen's chief rabbi cuts off his side locks
Another example of the "modern" anti-Semitism in the Arab world is the way Adolf Hitler inspires commercials both in Saudi Arabia and in Dubai. A cartoon carried in August by protestors in Egypt and east Jerusalem and spread in social networks, stated that the big difference between Hitler and General al-Sisi was that Hitler killed Jews for his people while al-Sisi was killing his people for the Jews.

The report notes that the past year provided a glimpse into the situation of the few Jews left in Arab countries because of expressions of hatred. In January 2013, pictures of a Jewish cemetery desecrated in Tunisia were spread on social networks. The situation of the Jews of Djerba, about 1,000, is difficult and they live in fear after their main synagogue and school were damaged.

The chief rabbi and head of Yemen's Jewish community, Yehie Yosef Salim, spoke in a television interview in his country about the segregation and persecution. He cut off his side locks so as not to be harassed on the streets of Saada.

"The Jews serve as victims of the struggle between the forces of the main government and the rebel Shiite Khoti tribe in the northern part of the country, which al-Qaeda activists teamed up with in the 2000s," the report states.

Yet the report does praise a "handful of brave liberals (in the Muslim world) which condemn anti-Semitism and even combat it." They take part in interfaith dialogues, in conferences about the Holocaust and its education and in visits to Auschwitz and Yad Vashem.

"At first sight, one may find signs of optimism in the annual report, as compared to the previous year there has not been an apparent increase in the amount of anti-Semitic incidents around the world," Minister Bennett concluded. "But the truth is that essentially the situation has only become worse.
"Although there were no noticeable incidents this year which created a major global buzz, 2013 was the year in which the anti-Semitic atmosphere swept over the lives of Jews around the world in general and in Europe in particular. We cannot accept this reality."

Source

(By Kobi Nachshoni, Ynetnews, January 26, 2014)

 

Prayer Focus

Pray that the spirit of anti-Semitism will be removed all the way down to its root. Pray that the God of Israel will push out the darkness of hatred. Pray for the peace of God to surround the Jewish people in the Diaspora and that they are directed to an avenue of safety.

Scripture

Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men! You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
- Psalm 31:19–20

World Conflicts Now Include the Ukraine

The Ukraine has been a nation in turmoil during the last few years and for its Jewish residents, on a daily basis it is becoming an increasingly dangerous place. The current political protests in the Ukraine have been accompanied by organized attacks against the Jewish people. One publicized attack was that of Dov-Ber Glickman who was on his way home from a Shabbat meal when assailants arrived by car to attack him. They severely beat and kicked him while wearing combat boots with blades. This attack and others have caused fear in the Jewish people of the Ukraine that is keeping them from freely walking their neighborhoods.

In news reports, the situation in Ukraine is being called a “revolution” and a country on the very tipping point of civil war. Europe is looking on this with such a sense of urgency and concern that an emergency summit of the Ukraine’s neighbors, known as the Visegrad Four, was called. Meeting in Budapest were the prime ministers of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. The Czech Republic’s PM had been sworn into office just hours before he had to rush to this summit.

The violence that has erupted in Kiev contains within it something very dark. Indybay.org reports that “One of the three main parties of the united opposition leading the rioters in the streets of Ukraine is Svoboda, a neo-Nazi party that openly celebrates the Nazi occupation of Ukraine.” During Hanukkah, several events were canceled for fear of anti-Semitic attacks. Just this last week, the annual commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day was canceled. Some 400 people were had been expected to attend the event at the Brodsky Synagogue in Kiev.

Svoboda’s leader, Oleg Tyangnibok, is opposed to what he sees as undue Russian influence in the former Soviet Republic. Jpost.com has quoted him as saying that his country is, “controlled by a Russian–Jewish mafia.” Reports of anti-Semitic speeches coming from the Svoboda have been recorded.

Europe is stepping into this chaotic world with the spirit of revolution or anarchy, depending on your point of view, bubbling in the Ukraine and threatening to spill past its borders. This has begun to alarm countries of the former USSR. According to world.time.com, “Mikhail Gorbachev, the former leader of the Soviet Union, piped up on Thursday [January 23] with a wake-up call for the Western world: Ukraine is now everybody’s problem.” In Gorbachev’s open letter to the US and Russia he stated, “[the turmoil in the Ukraine] threatens not only Ukraine and her neighbors, but Europe and the entire world.”

Now let’s take a look at the worldwide situation. It is just the end of January in the year 2014, too early to predict a coming year of turmoil. But if you go to Google and enter “world in turmoil 2014” you come up with over 118 million results.

You’ll find some articles talking about possible economic crisis. The New York Times lists the “fragile five,” while worldnews.nbcnews.com lists the seven countries to watch over the year. The Bitcoin (decentralized digital currency) and certain other economic decisions may pull some countries into various economic crises.

Along with the economic uncertainty, many countries are also in a state of political turmoil: Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Iran and South Africa, to name a few. Egypt appears to be rotating governments on a consistent basis. Syria is in its third year of a violent and bloody civil war where the participants in the Syrian government opposition also keep changing. Turkey has had its share of protests in the streets and is being drawn into the Syrian conflict as is divided Lebanon. Thailand is seeing violent protests as they head into elections.

The violence the Jewish people are facing in the Ukraine is one example of the potential for 2014 to fulfill initial indications of a violent year.

Source

(By Leslie McLinden, Bridges for Peace, January 30, 2014)

 

 

Prayer Focus

Pray for those caught up in the conflicts around the world. Pray for safety and direction for the Jewish people who are being attacked both verbally and physically in the Ukraine.

Scripture

But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in You.
- Psalm 55:23

Finding out His enemies

"Watchful over My Word to perform it"
(Jeremiah 1:12)

Almond blossoms (which in Hebrew have a root also meaning "watchful/diligent")
frame the Temple Mount and Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. The blossoms
are the first to open in mid-Winter, and should begin appearing during the new month.

"Your hand will find out all your enemies; your right hand will find out those who hate you. .Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed. For you will put them to flight.Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power!" (Psalm 21:8, 11-12a, 13 -ESV).

"For David. To You, O LORD, I lift my heart. My God, in You I trust. Let me be not shamed, let my enemies not gloat over me. Yes, let all who hope in You be not shamed. Let the treacherous be shamed, empty-handed" (Psalm 25:1-3 -Alter).

Last week Israel's internal security agency Shin Bet released news of having uncovered a massive plot aimed at perpetrating a rash of high-level bombing and shooting attacks in Israel. Directed from al-Qaeda operatives in the Gaza Strip, it involved suicide bombings at the US embassy in Tel Aviv and at the Jerusalem Convention center (the latter involving an additional suicide-truck to arrive and blow up rescue workers after the original detonation); an attack on a bus between Jerusalem and Maale Adumim, with shooting of passengers after the bus was overturned; kidnapping of an Israeli soldier at the Jerusalem Central bus station; and blowing up of a residential building housing Jews in the Abu Tor neighborhood of Jerusalem. The three young recruits who were captured (another is still at large) were from Jerusalem, one a father of four living in the Abu Tor neighborhood mentioned.

We thank God for His merciful protection and watch over Israel. He who watches over her "neither slumbers nor sleeps" (Psalm 121:4).


PLEASE PRAY:

*Thanksgiving with us for God's uncovering of this plot against His people.

*For angelic protection over all of our borders.

*For the power of Praise to be released in houses of prayer throughout the capital. God "is enthroned on the praises of Israel!" (Psalm 22:3), and high praise releases angelic armies. 

A house of prayer was recently established on the border of the neighborhood from which one of the terrorists was arrested.

* Psalm 8:2-"Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger."

  As mentioned in a recent Prayer Update, we take very seriously the awakening role of believing children in affecting the spiritual atmosphere in Israel. One house of prayer in Jerusalem is currently developing a weekly watch of 4-13-year-olds-who worship and praise (with their own band) and pray for sick who are invited to come to their watch. For a raising up of "childrens' watches" in houses of prayer about the country, whose ministering to God in Spirit and in truth will help to "silence the enemy and the avenger!"

portions taken from Israel prayer list 

WATCH AND PRAY

Israeli Public Prepares for Possible Syrian Attack

1 [A Psalm] of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? {N} The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evil-doers came upon me to eat up my flesh, {N} even mine adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; {N} though war should rise up against me, even then will I be confident. 4 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: {N} that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, {N} to behold the graciousness of the LORD, and to visit early in His temple. 5 For He concealeth me in His pavilion in the day of evil; {N} He hideth me in the covert of His tent; He lifteth me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall my head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me; and I will offer in His tabernacle sacrifices with trumpet-sound; {N} I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. 7 Hear, O LORD, when I call with my voice, and be gracious unto me, and answer me. 8 In Thy behalf my heart hath said: ‘Seek ye My face’; Thy face, LORD, will I seek. 9 Hide not Thy face from me; put not Thy servant away in anger; {N} Thou hast been my help; cast me not off, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 For though my father and my mother have forsaken me, the LORD will take me up. 11 Teach me Thy way, O LORD; and lead me in an even path, because of them that lie in wait for me. 12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine adversaries; for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out violence. 13 If I had not believed to look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!– 14 Wait on the LORD; be strong, and let thy heart take courage; yea, wait thou for the LORD. {P} (Psalms 27)

During the weeks preceding and following the Jewish New Year, beginning this year on the evening of September 4, Jews around the world recite this psalm twice daily.  In light of rising tensions with Syria, this seems particularly apropos.

As the governments of the US, Britain, France and Turkey move towards authorizing a strike on the abusive Syrian regime, Israel is bracing itself for the potential fall-out.

“The state’s duty is to be ready for any scenario,” MK Eli Yishai, chairman of the Knesset Homefront Preparedness Subcommittee, said.  The subcommittee is scheduled to meet tomorrow to examine the homefront’s readiness.  This follows a pre-planned drill Tuesday in the Golan Heights region, involving security and emergency forces, and, according to Army Radio, a surprise meeting of the security cabinet, presumably to discuss the current situation with Syria.

After the meeting,Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “The State of Israel is prepared for every scenario.  We’re not part of the Syrian civil war, but if we’ll spot an attempt to harm us we’ll respond with great force.”

Residents have also responded to the impending danger.  About 40% of Israelis do not have their gas masks, distributed since 2010 by the Israel Postal Company.  In recent days, however, demand has increased to the point where people are being encouraged to use the website or call center to order their kits, to reduce strain at the distribution centers.  As one resident of Zichron Yaakov told Ynet, “Though the risk is low, it still seems more probable than before.  The Americans are going to attack and we already know that Assad has chemical weapons, so why take the risk?”  Homefront command has not yet issued new instructions to citizens to obtain gas masks, but the Israel Postal Company has prepared for the increased demand.

Other preparations being taken include putting Haifa’s Patriot anti-missile batteries on alert and aiming them towards the north.  Along with Iron Dome, the Patriot batteries are part of Israel’s extensive missile defense system, responsible for stopping incoming Scud missiles during the 1991 Gulf War.

On Wednesday, according to The Times of Israel, reported that the Syrian opposition on Wednesday charged that regime forces had unleashed a chemical attack on civilians in Damascus overnight Tuesday. They claim the attack has left 20 dead. The reports are thus far unconfirmed.

Israel expects to be alerted ahead of any US attack on Syria.  The defense establishment is considering every scenario, including a moderate Syrian retaliation, possibly without direct involvement, in the form of rocket fire or an attack at the border.

portions taken from Breaking Israel News

HIGH ALERT in Middle East and Israel

Monday night, Aug. 26, saw one Middle East country after another, including Israel, going on high military alert after they learned that US President Barack Obama had failed to come to an understanding with Tehran on Syria and so avert a US-led operation against Syria over its chemical attacks.

Obama had hoped this understanding would also pave the way to direct dialogue on the nuclear issue with the new Iranian president Hasan Rouhani.

ebkafile's intelligence sources report that the US president delegated two emissaries for two separate tracks.

He found cause for optimism in Tehran's consent to receive Jeffrey Feltman, UN Deputy Secretary, Monday, Aug. 25, although in his former capacity as US Undersecretary of State and US ambassador to Damascus, Feltman was viewed as an adversary of Iran, Syria and Hizballah.

Feltman arrived suddenly in Tehran Monday and was received by Foreign Minister Javad Zarif without delay.

The other intermediary was Sultan Qaboos of Oman, who arrived in Tehran Monday for a visit with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

He too made no headway in his attempt to persuade his host that the US was amenable to a last-minute understanding on Syria for holding back an attack.

Khamenei responded with a cold threat: If the Americans attack Syria, "the entire Middle East will suffer from burns," he said.

This response was the signal for orders to American military assets in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf to go on a state of high preparedness Monday night, debkafile's military sources report. Iran, Russia and Syria deployed their forces in readiness for a US-led attack on Syria. Syrian units were ordered to leave their bases and spread out across the country's broad open areas.

The ten military chiefs meeting in Amman focused on coordination of the joint operation against Syria which is expected to begin very shortly.

Participating in the meeting chaired by US chief of staff Gen. Martin Dempsey were the top commanders of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Canada.
The powerful message coming from US Secretary of State John Kerry and the White House spokesman Jay Carney Monday night indicated that the Obama administration was not about to back off its promise of consequences for those responsible for using chemical weapons against civilians and "shocking the world's conscience."

Both bluntly accused the Assad regime of the heinous crime of chemical warfare on civilians. "Our understanding is grounded in facts and common sense," Kerry said: This regime held custody of those weapon stockpiles, had the rockets to use them and was capable of doing so. "Basic humanity is offended by this crime and even more by the attempts to cover it up.

Kerry added: "We have additional information about these attacks. It is being reviewed with our partners and will be released in the coming days."

PLEASE PRAY:

*That He who watches over Israel will be her protection from the gathering storm. Pray that He"who makes His messengers/angels winds, His servants a flame of fire" (Ps. 104:4) will guard the winds over Israel, and not allow them to sustain any substance which might be toxic to her people.

*For God's guidance sovereign guidance over the actions of western leaders-that no actions will be allowed to be taken outside of the determined purposes of the Lord.

*For the Prince of Peace to command Shalom! over the hearts and spirits of His people. He will keep them in perfect peace whose hearts are stayed on Him.

* Jeremiah 9:23-24 . "Thus says the LORD, 'Let not the wise boast in his wisdom, Let not the mighty boast in his might, nor let the rich boast in his riches;  But let him who boasts boast in this, that he has insight and knows Me, Yehovah who does loving kindness, justice, and righteousness in the earth.  For in these I delight,' says Yehovah."  Pray that the LORD will give to believers in positions of authority in the Middle East grace to not trust in their own wisdom, but to receive and be activated in His insight (ability to reason) and grounded in their knowledge of Him, Who delights in loving kindness, justice and righteousness in the earth.  

*God's redemptive purposes over Egypt, Lebanon and Syria. Isaiah 19 gives incredible guidance for understanding and praying into what is currently going on in Egypt. Last week's Haftarah

spoke of a 'glory of Lebanon' which is destined to one day beautify the place of God's feet in Jerusalem (Isaiah 60:13). Isaiah 17:1 speaks of Damascus ceasing to be a city. We feel one should be cautious regarding modern-day interpretations of this prophecy attributing the destruction to a nuclear attack at the hands of Israel. Historically, it is almost certainly alluding to Damascus' destruction at the hands of Assyria in 732 B.C. For one thing, it is less than 40 miles from our border, and such an attack would likely have terrible consequences on Israel itself. What we find important to address in the passage is the close of verse 3, "And the remnant of Syria will be like the glory of the children of Israel," declares the LORD of Armies.Yes, pray against a lethal exchange between the two countries-but pray for the preservation and strengthening in the Spirit of God's remnant in Damascus and all of Syria.

Rockets Launched against Israel from Tyre

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear that rockets fired into Israel will not be tolerated. In his statement on Thursday, August 22, he said, "Our policy is clear—to defend as well as to thwart. Anyone who harms us should know, and anyone who tries to harm us should know—we will harm them back."

Four rockets fired into Israel territory Thursday caused air raid sirens to sound in the Galilee area for the first time since the Second Lebanon War. The Iron Dome that is to protect the northern part of Israel intercepted one of the rockets, but failed to stop two rockets that hit inside communities. The IAF is investigating why the Iron Dome did not intercept them.

One of the rockets landed in Kibbutz Gesher HaZiv and the other in Moshav Shavei Zion. Both communities are in the western Galilee area.

No one was injured directly in the attack, but there was property damage. A kitchen in an inn for Holocaust survivors was hit. Ynet news reports that “GOC Northern Command Major General Yair Golan arrived at Shavei Zion and talked with the Holocaust survivors. Several of the survivors told Golan: ‘Perhaps on the radio there is panic, but we are calm and in control. We've seen worst.’”

Three people were treated for shock and taken to Nahariya Hospital along with a teenage girl who suffered head injuries when she fell while running for shelter.

In retaliation to the attack, an IDF spokesman says that the Air Force carried out a direct hit on a “terrorist” target at a site south of Beirut. News agencies are reporting that the target hit was an area of tunnels that were thought to be the launching pads for the rockets.

According to the IDF, Israel is holding the Lebanese government responsible for the attacks, while at the same time, Lebanon is condemning the rockets fired at Israel and blames it on in-fighting between Hezbollah and several Al-Quaida groups in Lebanon.

Ynet News reported that “The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command of Ahmed Jibril issued a statement following the IDF attack on the organization's south Lebanon base, ‘The response will not be in the way that the Zionist enemy wants to drag us into, but in the right place and at the right time.’"

Because of the missile attacks, Israel has decided to suspend air traffic in the northern part of the country. Haifa Airport will remain closed until Sunday.

Prayer Focus

Pray that God will keep all of Israel under His protective dome. Pray for calm and peace for Israel as they fortify their country.

Scripture

 Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.

- Psalm 61:1–3

Another Timely Discovery in Israel!

"THE LORD REMEMBERS--GOD SEES!"

On Sunday archaeologists working in Jerusalem's City of David announced the discovery of a pottery shard bearing ancient Hebrew letters and thought to be 2,700 years old (700 BCE). The nine letters form three words which could conceivably form the name "Zechariah Son of Benaiah". An article in The Times of Israel cites II Chronicles 20:14, which mentions someone bearing this name as being the father of Yahaziel, upon whom the Spirit or YHVH fell with a message of hope for Judah, Jerusalem and the king Jehoshaphat during a tie of severe national crisis ("2,700-year-old Hebrew inscription found in Jerusalem": The Times of Israel, 18 Aug    2013, 11:20 am.).

Whether or not the lettering on this particular piece of pottery actually had anything to do with Yahaziel's father, we have learned to take notice when such artifacts surface here in Israel, especially when their appearance stimulates the Israeli news media to the quotation of a passage in Holy Scripture which might be related to it. Might not the Author of that Scripture be through it seeking to awaken the attention of some of His people?

II Chronicles 20:11-12:

"Here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You!"

That is verses 11 and 12. In verse 13 "all of Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children" are standing before the LORD. What immediately follows is the passage called attention to by the inscription on the pottery shard: "Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Yahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah.a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. And he said, "Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: 'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's." (II Chronicles 20:14-15).

The people of Judah under Jehoshaphat (as Israel today) were in a seemingly hopeless situation where nations were "coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit"-but they humble themselves and cry out to God, standing with their families before Him, confessing that they, in and of themselves, "don't know what to do-but our eyes are upon YOU!" And God sends Yahaziel! His father Zechariah's name means "Yehovah Remembers", and "Yahaziel" means "God (El) Sees (Yachazi)"; or "God Gazes Upon". When Israel arrives at the end of her rope, when she comes to a point of desperation so as to confess her inadequacies, and to lift her eyes to seek God's face, she will find that His loving gaze is already resting upon her. And He does know exactly what she "needs to do"-for in the end, the battle is not hers, it is God's!

PLEASE PRAY:

*For the remnant in Israel to raise up children like Yahaziel upon whom the Spirit of the LORD may fall with a message of hope and instruction for Israel and her leaders.

*For a deep desire to seek the Face of the LORD (Psalm 27:4,8).and revelation that His gaze of Love and Hope and Victory is resting upon us.

*For God to raise up leaders in Israel during the last days like Jehoshaphat who will humble themselves before God and hear and honor His prophetic word when it is released.

*For revelation and insight from the Holy Spirit regarding the "signs" he sends His people-and how to interpret and walk in what He is saying through those signs.