Over the last three weeks during the fall feasts of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot there has been an increase of violence from within and without Israel.
From rock throwing and pipe bombs on the Temple Mount to stabbings and shootings in the Old City of Jerusalem as Jews attempt to pray at the wailing wall and now rockets coming from Islamic State associated groups north of Israel the violence has been a steady stream.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, fresh from his silence of shame speech at the UN, has taken the unprecedented step of closing off the Old City from Palestinians due to the recent violence that is expected to escalate during the final days of Sukkot known as Simchat Torah. Israel is also sending fighter aircraft to bomb the sites that are launching the rockets into Israel.
Simchat Torah is the celebration of the Lord giving Israel and the world the Torah or the word of God. As the world grows more hostile to the Lord each day we should not be surprised to find hostility growing toward God’s people living in the land given by God.
The bible is clear that the land of Israel and in particular Jerusalem would be a stumbling block for the entire world. It is for this reason you will see Israel’s claims for the land and the Temple Mount being marginalized and the violence justified and soon all pretense will fall away entirely.
The Lord is clear that Israel is the apple of His eye and that we should pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
