UPDATE: Amir Tsarfati, via Behold Israel, provided a subsequent update.

Provocation continues in the Middle East.  Earlier this evening a bomb detonated next to an IDF patrol along the border fence with Gaza.  Soon after, a rocket launched from Gaza crashed through the roof of a Jewish family in Or HaNer.  Miraculously, the rocket failed to detonate!

The IDF responded with “large-scale strikes” on over a dozen Hamas targets, including a terror tunnel, a military compound containing weapons manufacturing sites, and another Hamas military compound in Khan Yunis.

The attack on the IDF patrol resulted in 4 wounded soldiers, 2 seriously.  An IDF spokesman called it a “severe terrorist attack that has the potential to destabilize the region.”  Benjamin Netanyahu called the attack “very serious.”

Biblically, what does it all mean?  Well, certainly the region appears to be gearing up for very serious confrontation, which could fulfill prophecies of Isaiah 17:1 and Ezekiel 38-39.  (Iran backs Hamas in the Gaza Strip with missiles and other weapons.)  However, what rings so obvious to me is Zechariah’s prophecy:

“Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah. It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it. ”
~Zechariah 12:2-3

Enemies all around seem intent on drawing Israel into war.  Why?  Because Israel’s enemies would like nothing better than to see Jerusalem fall.  The Holy City is indeed a heavy stone…and someone is about to be injured.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
“May peace be within your walls,
And prosperity within your palaces.”
For the sake of my brothers and my friends,
I will now say, “May peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
~Psalm 122:6-9