Two attackers arrived at about 7:30AM by car to a temporary checkpoint and openned fire at the IDF soldiers stationed there.
Welcome to the Bible in the News brought to you this week by Tim Billington.
Here is a video version:
This week riots in France and Italy supposedly about cost of living turned violent and destructive. They also featured violence, cried of Allahu akbar, Palestinian flags and Kiffeyehs. It is likely that all participants of the riots did not have the same purpose or complaints. These are signs that at least some of them were heeding the calls to "globalize the intifada". The intifadas varied out against Israel were various forms of terror attacks carried out against Israel's population with the aim of removing the Jews from Israel. The "globalized" version seems to be attacks all over the world to demand that the countries join the fight to eject the Jews.
This is notable, but what we would like to spend time discussing is the Friday shooting attack in Hebron and Israel's response.
The 2 attackers arrived at about 7:30AM by car to a temporary checkpoint set up by the army at the exit to Hebron. 2 IDF soldiers were killed, several others injured in the 20 minute gun battle that followed before the troops were able to shoot and eliminate the attackers. The attackers come from a clan with a lot of Hamas links and it is believed that a larger attack had been planned.
In response, the IDF has conducted sweeping raids and there are reports of extensive evacuations. The IDF has been demolishing illegal structures that could provide cover for future attacks.
Netanyahu made a statement on the situation and said that they were going to apply the same model they used on the refugee camps. By that I think he means the operations that they conducted in Samaria following the October 7th massacre.
On Saturday, Netanyahu was quoted as saying that there was a "big surprise" for the PA, but wasn’t clear what he had in mind or how it may or may not relate to Friday’s attack.
On Sunday, however, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich revealed that preparations for a comprehensive military operation to dismantle and disarm the Palestinian Authority are underway.
“‘We need a comprehensive military campaign in Judea and Samaria that will dismantle the Authority and remove all the weapons. We are preparing for this,’ Smotrich said, stressing that such an operation will be crucial in preventing prevent the emergence of a threat similar to the one that materialized along the Gaza border.”
He said to Israel National News. This would be a remarkable turn of events.
Hebron is a Biblically significant town. Abraham came to the land at God’s direction and settled here. (Gen 35:27) Isaac lived here for part of his life. (Gen 35:27) Sarah dies and is buried in Hebron in the cave of Machpelah. Abraham, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob and Leah are later buried there as well. (Gen 49:29-31). Samson took the gates of Gaza there possibly because this is where Abraham had lived, who was promised that his seed would possess the gates of his enemies. (Judges 16:3, Gen 22:17) King David is anointed in Hebron and reigns 7 years there before moving his capital to Jerusalem.
If we take a look at Bible prophecy, this area is prophesied to be inhabited by ‘the house of Israel’:
Ezekiel 36:8-12, AV “8 But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come. 9 For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown: 10 And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded: 11 And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 12 Yea, I will cause men to walk upon you, even my people Israel; and they shall possess thee, and thou shalt be their inheritance, and thou shalt no more henceforth bereave them of men.”
There is no doubt that Hebron would be included in these prophecies as it is in the middle of the Judean hills, it is a key city in the area, it is one of the 'old wastes' and one of their 'old estates'. The larger operation against the PA would have much wider significance, but it seems doubtful that they would be able to accomplish this before the elections on Tuesday, so if there is a notable change in the makeup of the Knesset, we might have to wait and see what the new government will do.
When we think of God's promise that Abraham's seed would possess the gate of his enemies, Samson carrying Gaza's gates to Hebron, the reality today is a day of small things fulfillment. Although it is not without trouble, Israel does literally possess the gates of Hebron. We know this is a mere shadow in comparison to the great things to come, but not insignificant.
We also read that the tents of Judah are to be saved first. This is a major city of Judah.
Speaking of gates, we look forward to the day when the way is made open for the king of glory, Psalm 24:
Psalms 24:7-10
“7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.”
We are best not to skip over the first half of the Psalm if we would like to be there in that day:
Psalms 24:1-6
“1 «A Psalm of David.» The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. 3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.”
Let us watch and be ready because we don't know the day nor the hour.
