Welcome aboard, Online Friends, for a new week of study!  We’re making great progress and I hope you are enjoying the ride!  I’m posting earlier than normal tonight, giving you the opportunity to take in the same information that I will share with the live group tonight!  You get the jump on them tonight!  Enjoy!

This week we will set our sights on Israel’s miraculous war history to examine how the protective and providential hand of God has led His people throughout history.  Indeed, Israel is the apple of His eye!

 

From the fall of Jericho to Gideon’s victory despite a whittled down army, we’ll see God’s miracles.  Today, though, we’ll touch on a few of Israel’s war victories since becoming a nation in 1948.  So hang on…we’re about to cover lots of ground!

 

War of Independence (1947-1948)

Within 24 hours of independence, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq attacked Israel…and were soon joined by other Arab nations!  But let’s back up a few months.  On November 29, 1947, the UN announced a decision to partition Palestine to create separate Arab and Jewish states, limiting Israel to her smallest land mass ever.

 

Following that Independence Day offensive, riots were initiated throughout the land and new-born Israel responded.  As a result, Israel was accused of massacring innocent women and children, when in fact the Arabs opened fire and drew Israeli troops into skirmishes.  In addition, following Arab sniper fire on Jewish convoys into Jerusalem, Israeli forces acted swiftly to take out two Arab strongholds at Deir Yassin and Kastel while transporting at least 200 Arab residents to safety via an escape route.  When the dust settled, 107 dead Arab fighters were found to be disguised as women!

 

Throughout history, the Jews have won battles, but have given up land for the promise of peace.  Yet, that peace never seems to come.

 

The Suez War (1956)

The 1949 Armistice Agreement ended the War of Independence, yet soon after, Egyptian President Gamel Abdel Nasser (who backed the Nazis during WW2) refused to allow Israeli ships access to the Suez Canal and Gulf of Aqaba, a clear violation of the armistice agreement.  So, the UN ordered Egypt to open the canal.  Egypt refused and then sent terrorist squads to attack Jewish towns across the border in 1955.

 

Nasser vowed to “cleanse the land of Palestine,” by obliterating Israel from the map of the Middle East.  But in the end, Israel mobilized her army and mounted an attack on October 29, 1956.  Within 8 days Israeli forces killed or wounded 3000 Egyptian soldiers and took 6000 captives, while once again being totally out-manned and out-sized by the neighboring bully.

 

Six-Day War (1967)

Israel’s quick work in totally humiliating Egypt was felt by the entire Islamic world, and Arabs wanted revenge.  While Israeli Prime Minister, Golda Meir, pled for peace before the UN General Assembly in 1960, Nasser and other Arab leaders plotted to destroy Israel.

 

The Palestinian Liberation Organization was formed to wage terror attacks from Egypt and Jordan from 1964-1967.  Likewise, Syria began lobbing bombs from the Golan Heights down into the kibbutzim and towns in the Galilee region.  After 3 years of terror and bombings, Israel’s patience ran out and she answered!

 

On April 7, 1967, Israel launched a surprise attack in which they shot down 6 Syrian fighter jets.  In response, Egypt sent large numbers of troops into the Sinai Desert on May 15 with a call to jihad (holy war) against Israel.  Thus, with her back to the wall, Israel preemptively struck once more, and on June 5 the Israeli Air Force took only 2 hours to destroy 300 Egyptian planes before moving on to Jordan, Syria and Iraq to destroy their air forces as well.

 

They followed that up with a 20-hour uphill battle to capture the Golan Heights and, within the time span of 6 days, Israel had destroyed enemy air forces and laid hold of the Golan Heights…all at the provocation of enemy terror attacks, bombings, and calls for jihad.

 

Israel also took back Temple Mount during the Six-Day War.

 

The War of Attrition (1968-1970)

The Six-Day War was so humiliating to Egyptian President Nasser that he resigned, only to be convinced he was his nation’s only hope, so remained in office (at the people’s urging).  Lacking success, Nasser concocted a new plan: a lengthy war of terror.  So, 3 weeks after the Six-Day War, Egypt began bombing Israeli troops near the Suez Canal and Yasser Arafat and Fatah began raids from Jordan.  This became “standard operating procedure” for the PLO, and to a large degree, remains the MO for terrorist groups.

 

Yet still, Israel manages to stand!

 

The Yom Kippur War (1973)

Following decisive Israeli victories in previous wars, Arab nations were determined to exact revenge.  The plot was to invade Israel on Yom Kippur, the holiest of Jewish days.  At least 9 Arab countries and 4 other Muslim nations invaded Israel on Yom Kippur (October 6), 1973.

 

With most Israeli soldiers home with families, Israel was caught off guard and at a distinct disadvantage.  Prime Minister Golda Meir made a plea for help to US President Richard Nixon, but met resistance due to the Arab oil embargo.  Nixon suggested they trust the international community, to which Meir famously replied: “Mr President, by the time YOU get here, WE won’t be here!”  Ultimately, the US sent $2.2 billion in military aid, which helped turn the tide.

 

On October 12, Israel defeated Syrian troops on the Golan Heights and were marching on Damascus Syria.  By the 18^th, they had re-taken the Suez Canal and were marching on Cairo as well!  Under the shadow of potential US and Russian superpower involvement and nuclear threat, the UN called for a cease-fire resolution on October 22, putting a halt to Israeli advancement on those capital cities.

 

Each time, Israel was far out-sized and out-manned, yet miraculously avoided destruction and came out decisively victorious.  How?  Because the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob keeps His covenant forever, and protects His chosen land and His chosen people!  It is miraculous, because only a sovereign God could accomplish such victory.

 

The Bible tells us that God will be victorious on behalf of Israel in the end!  We’re going to look at those end time victories, but this week we’ll examine ancient victories that set the stage for the future!  Stick with us this week as we examine those victories!  We’ll end the week by answering the question, “Will Israel stand alone?”  Don’t miss it!