My country is facing an internal crisis, the likes of which I have never seen. On Wednesday evening, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog delivered a serious address to the nation in which he soberly warned about the possibility of civil war. For two months, demonstrations across Israel have been increasing in frequency and intensity, and the rhetoric on both sides of the divide is becoming extreme. We all have said or heard someone say, “Our nation is being torn apart.”
Civil war over what?
In February, the far-right government led by Benjamin Netanyahu has been furiously pushing a sweeping judicial reform though the government: it seeks to reform the power of Israel’s Supreme Court and High Court of Justice which have become increasingly liberal and activist over the last decades.
Everyone agrees that there needs to be judicial reform which will restore the balance of power between the judiciary and legislative (lawmaking) branches of government. However, the ruling government’s reform proposal includes an element which will allow the ruling party lawmakers to pass laws that will be “immune” from Supreme Court review or revoke.
What this means is: any ruling party could pass laws that limit the civil rights of minorities in Israel. Minority rights in Israel are protected by Israel’s Basic Laws (like a Bill of Rights). If this extreme clause in the Netanyahu government judicial reform passes, minorities in Israel, including religious minorities like Messianic Jews, could have their basic rights taken away.
Civil rights of Israel’s minorities at serious risk
Right now there are religious parties in Netanyahu’s coalition who would love to pass laws seriously limiting the ability of Jewish believers to share their faith. Last week when associate pastor Moti Cohen was opening our service with prayer, he said, “We do not take for granted that we are able to gather here and openly declare our faith in Yeshua. There may come a time when we are no longer able to do it.”
How do we pray in this situation?
This situation does not surprise us. In fact, Yeshua prepared us for this situation already:
They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.
-John 16:2
On the fast of Esther, we held a prayer and worship evening at Tiferet Yeshua during which we interceded for our nation at this critical moment. We sang and declared God’s prophetic promises for Israel and prayed that He would have mercy on His people, that He would use the current crisis to cause many to seek Him, that He would pour out His Spirit on this nation so that many from all walks of life would experience powerful revelations of God’s love and truth.
Yes, we hope that our civil rights will not be taken away so that we can continue declaring Messiah’s message to His people. Democracy is the best form of human government, but it is not our savior. In fact, we know that the gospel is spreading like fire in places like Iran despite the repressive religious dictatorship there.
Dear friends, during this time, we ask that you join us in lifting the nation of Israel in prayer that all of God’s plans and purposes for this nation would be done and that He would be glorified in the eyes of all nations as the Keeper of covenants!
(In 2021, Tiferet Yeshua won a victory in the Supreme Court against political religious oppression. You can read all about it here.)
Roy Pitchford says:
If the ultra orthodox right wing support the PM in passing this legislation, which I think may be necessary given the challenges faced by Israel’s Parliament, they could find that their minority rights are also curtailed. The far right need to consider what it is wishing for, they may get their wish.
Rosemarie van Lennep says:
Ish 43 v 1
Do not be afraid I will save you.
You are mine.
Amen
Tiferet Yeshua says:
Amen! Thank you Rosemarie:-)
Sobieski (Beth Yesua Belgium) says:
Now is perhaps the time of the fulfillment of the prophecies preceding the return of the Messiah Yeshua in Zechariah 12 “10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.” Joseph had to spend several years under Egyptian oppression, until the day he revealed Pharaoh’s dreams. It is there that he will say to his brothers who did not recognize him: “It’s Me, your brother!” Let us pray for the Government.
Tiferet Yeshua says:
Amen!
Sobieski (Beth Yeshua Belgium) says:
Now is perhaps the time of the fulfillment of the prophecies preceding the return of the Messiah Yeshua in Zechariah 12 “10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.” Joseph had to spend several years under Egyptian oppression, until the day he revealed Pharaoh’s dreams. It is there that he will say to his brothers who did not recognize him: “It’s Me, your brother!” Let us pray for the Government.
Penny says:
There is a 3 weeks prayer and fasting coming up 7th -28th May for Israel and Jerusalem – it will be world wide. I pray God it is not too late. We stand with you.
Tiferet Yeshua says:
Yes, God in His perfect timing and wisdom has already called our brothers and sisters in the nations to stand in intercession for Israel!
Kathleen says:
Do you believe that YHWH sent Yeshua being the word of God? Very curious.
Thank you,
Kathleen
Tiferet Yeshua says:
Shalom Kathleen! We believe in the whole Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. So, to answer your question, yes. Yeshua was sent from God and He is the Word of God just as John 1 testifies clearly: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” If you are interested in what we believe, please take a look at our About Us page where you can find our statement faith and our position of Jewish identity in Messiah: https://tiferetyeshua.org/about/
Deon Barnard says:
Dear Gil & Team
I don’t want to loosen the cats among the pigeons – I have been an admirer of Israel and have been following Israeli politics for many years. ‘Civil War'[God forbid’]
Israelis have been at odds with each other since O/T times[Juda nd=nd Israel slaughterer each other as you very well know]
Why are there so many political parties and splinter groups in Israel and each one thinks it has ‘the answer’.
What will happen if Israel’s northern and southern enemies attack now – my view, a great possibility..
I agree with Netanyahu – the supreme court has far too much say in political matters; and on top they are loaded with Left Wingers. There must be a workable balance.
So prayer and continuous prayer and intercession that these rioters will come to their senses – or else they will find themselves carrying their guns against the real enemies .
Nancy Rothstein says:
I am praying and interceding for Israel. that the Holy Spirit would move on the people of Israel and draw them to Yeshua. that G-d would intervene in this crisis and bring people to their senses. That G-d would protect the borders of Israel and overturn the plans of the enemy to destroy them on a daily basis
Tiferet Yeshua says:
Thank you for being a watchman on the wall for Israel Nancy!
Andrea Farias says:
From Florida standing with you!
Tiferet Yeshua says:
Thank you Andrea!
Luisa Manzano says:
From Chile standing with you always.
Mark Rodgers says:
No matter what happens, and believe me there are times when my faith is challenged, I look to one promise; “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Even so, come quickly Yeshuah Adonai!!!
Tiferet Yeshua says:
Amen! Thank you Mark
Lisa Sperber says:
I’m a little disturbed that you are landing on the side of Yuval Harari and a generally Godless atheist Left. That said I still support your work in Tel Aviv.
Tiferet Yeshua says:
Shalom Lisa, because Yuval Harari or any other atheist or leftist also consider portions of the judical overhaul to be undemocratic does not invalidate that position. There are also many thoughtful conservative and religious who consider the law immunity clause in the overhaul proposal undemocratic and dangerous – because it is. If it is passed, we will see laws that make sharing the gospel illegal and punishable by law.