“Two hundred years had passed since Joshua led the children of Israel in the conquest of the land. But because they failed to obey the Lord fully, because they failed to totally drive out the pagan people of Canaan, like a disease in remission, two centuries later the pockets of remaining Canaanites regained strength and began to dominate and regulate the lives of the people of Israel.”
[CM’s Judges PDF]
True then, still a threat to Israel today.
Gideon was avoiding doing anything to defeat the Midianite army, rather he was hiding his goods from them. Gideon finally answered God’s call and after God limited his army to 300 men he routed the Midianite army with pitchers and torches. The Midianites were so confused that they began attacking one another, then fled only to be pursued by several of the Tribes of Israeli.
The people wanted Gideon to rule over them and Gideon declined. Judge 8:23. “And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.” Very good advice, Romans 8:31, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”
Fast forward to the 20th and 21st centuries, today many Israeli are secular and give the credit for their victories to the IDF. For now, it seems God tolerates this attitude and has less prohibitions against the use modern technology. Israel has been successful in wars with her neighbors and regained some of the land given to her by God.
There is an interesting DVD series “Against all Odds: Israel Survives.” Investigative reporter Michael Greenspan interviews IDF soldiers who took part in seemingly hopeless battles and were victorious. In one case a mighty wind blew sand from around mines allowing the soldiers to cross safely. One small group was out of ammunition and were about to be over-run by their enemy when the enemy ran off. Later a Muslim involved reported that they saw a huge figure standing behind the IDF soldiers, “Father Abraham.” In my opinion, these victories undeniably demonstrate God’s hand protected/ is protecting Israel. Several of the older Israeli soldiers interviewed gave credit to God.
Just a few examples:
The Six-Day War: Jun 05, 1967 to Jun 10, 1967
"By the end of the war, Israel had conquered enough territory to more than triple the size of the area it controlled, from 8,000 to 26,000 square miles. The victory enabled Israel to unify Jerusalem. Israeli forces had also captured the Sinai, Golan Heights, Gaza Strip and West Bank."
[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/background-and-overview-six-day-war]
Yom Kippur War: Oct 06, 1973 to Oct 26, 1973 started on the holiest day of the Jewish faith. Israel was victorious.
In the war of 2014 the Iron Dome air defense system intercepted and destroyed short-range rockets, artillery shells and mortars.
Israel is surrounded by enemies and her continued existence is proof that God keeps his word. Again, in Proverbs we are reminded that God has our back, Proverbs 21:31, “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD."
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