Fortress Israel

 As this week began, we were horrified, but not shocked, by the assault on Israel from Gaza. Not shocked because Israel has been invaded, beaten, been taken captive, and murdered numerous times in recorded history. They found out once again that any wall can be breached, and any fortress can be conquered given a determined enough enemy. 

When we were in Israel last year, we visited once such battle site at Masada, Hebrew H̱orvot Meẕada (“Ruins of Masada”), the ancient mountaintop fortress in southeastern Israel, site of the Jews’ last stand against the Romans after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Our guide was a major in the reserves of the Israeli Defense Force and understood well the enemies that surround Israel. He sent us an e-mail telling us that he is safe and preparing for the the next battle. 

Here he is pointing out some strategic details from the top of Masada last year.

Israel will defend itself. The walls will be fortified. A no man's land will be created, and you know that despite all of that, Israel will be attacked again. There may not be any more music festivals for a while, but when they resume, the party goers will be well armed. I suggest they be prepared for a chemical weapon attack as well.

Above all, they must pray for the mightiest fortress is our God.

This past Sunday in church we prayed Psalm 80 which was very appropriate,

1. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,

    you who lead Joseph like a flock.

You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.

2     Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,

stir up your might

    and come to save us!

3 Restore us,[a] O God;

    let your face shine, that we may be saved!

4 O Lord God of hosts,

    how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?

5 You have fed them with the bread of tears

    and given them tears to drink in full measure.

6 You make us an object of contention for our neighbors,

    and our enemies laugh among themselves.

7 Restore us, O God of hosts;

    let your face shine, that we may be saved!

8 You brought a vine out of Egypt;

    you drove out the nations and planted it.

9 You cleared the ground for it;

    it took deep root and filled the land.

10 The mountains were covered with its shade,

    the mighty cedars with its branches.

11 It sent out its branches to the sea

    and its shoots to the River.[a]

12 Why then have you broken down its walls,

    so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?

13 The boar from the forest ravages it,

    and all that move in the field feed on it.

14 Turn again, O God of hosts!

    Look down from heaven, and see;

have regard for this vine,

15     the stock that your right hand planted,

    and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.

16 They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down;

    may they perish at the rebuke of your face!

17 But let your hand be on the man of your right hand,

    the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!

18 Then we shall not turn back from you;

    give us life, and we will call upon your name!

19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts!