(Day 788) Swords of Iron – “Hostage Body Released”

Chaim starts by saying that now, just when this war should by all logic be winding down after all the terrorist armies that tried to attack Israel in the past two years have been soundly defeated, instead things seem to be getting ready to ramp back up. President Trump has urgently summoned Prime Minister Netanyahu to come to the White House to discuss the situation as things appear to be ready to go from bad to worse in southern Lebanon and Syria.

The UN is trying to tell Israel to leave the buffer zone on the Golan Heights and southern Syria and Israel is saying it’s just not possible. The situation in Gaza remains stable but also fraught with danger and possible problems. The Pope was just in Lebanon and had a brief visit during which many hints were dropped about the Papacy becoming more worried about the increasing threat of jihadist violence and this problem is also becoming more noticeable in many other places. Lebanon in particular, is vulnerable and fragile.

Chaim says we should look at how Lebanon was before this extremist ideology took it hostage. The same can be said of Egypt, Jordan, Iran and many other countries.

But here in Israel, there are also signs of hope as even the Ultra-Orthodox are beginning to serve in the IDF in greater numbers and there are many other signs of growing societal unity, solidarity, and strength. Chaim says that the God of Israel is still at work in the world, and Israel is His special instrument that He is looking over to care for and defend. In this context, he concludes by quoting Psalms 84:9, O God, behold our shield, and look upon the face of Your anointed.