Welcome back friends!  Have you been praying about the things you are studying?  Why not start today’s lesson on your knees, praying for the peace of Jerusalem.  Also, if you missed my previous post today regarding a current terrorist event in Israel, go back and check it out!  It relates very closely to this week’s study!

 

We’ve had opportunity to discover who the Palestinians are and what the objectives are regarding Israel.  It seems their plan is to gradually take away bits and pieces of the Land of Israel until there is no Israel left!

                                                                                                                                    

Others share the ambition to annihilate Israel, but they approach it in slightly different ways.  Over the next few days we will look at terrorism and the threat to Israel.  So, clear away the distractions and let’s jump into today’s study!

 

Over the next two lessons, we’re going to explore the madness behind two of the world’s most recognized terrorists groups: Hamas and Hezbollah.  There are certainly dozens of other terrorists groups we could include in the discussion, but these two seem to be well- known, active, prolific in hatred toward Israel, and they certainly hog the news!  Once we nail down some details of these two groups, you will have a basic understanding of the mindset behind most other terrorists groups as well.

 

Hezbollah is historically one of the most constant threats to Israel. Let’s find out a bit about their history and some general facts.  To do so, we’ll access Wikipedia and search for “Hezbollah.”  (For those of you unfamiliar with Wikipedia, it is a secular online encyclopedia.  Thus, we are gleaning data here, not necessarily Biblical truth!)

 

Find these facts in the first two paragraphs:

• Hezbollah means….?
• Hezbollah is based primarily in….?
• Hezbollah is supported financially and politically by…..?
• Hezbollah’s leaders were inspired by…..?
• Their forces were trained and organized by…..?

 

Knowing those few facts, so you have concerns regarding Hezbollah?

 

Let’s continue fact-finding.  Scroll down to “History.”

• What types of warfare does Hezbollah wage?
• According to the last paragraph of the “History” section, what are some of the other names that Hezbollah uses?

 

Now scroll down to “Ideology.”

• Based on Hezbollah’s manifesto, do they claim connection with any religious group? 
• If so, what group?

 

In “Attitudes, statements, and actions concerning Israel and Zionism,” what is Hezbollah’s primary goal?

 

Now, scroll down through “Organization” to “Funding.”

• From what two nations does Hezbollah receive “substantial amounts of financial, training, weapons, explosives, political, diplomatic, and organizational aid?”
• What are the estimates of financial aid?
• According to the last paragraph of “Funding,” who else has funded Hezbollah?
• Are there any countries that surprise you?

 

In “Alleged suicide and terror attacks”:

• Is Israel Hezbollah’s only target?
• Who else is targeted?

 

Just not a friendly bunch, are they!?!

 

In a future lesson we will learn more about two factions in the Muslim world: Sunnis and Shiites.  However, it is important at this point to note that Hezbollah is supported predominately by Iran.  Though 90% of Muslims are Sunni, Iran is a Shiite stronghold…and Hezbollah follows suit.

 

Great job plowing through the details today!  We’ll do the same tomorrow with Hamas, then I’ll introduce you to a real live former terrorist!  Stick with us!