Ezekiel 37:10
“So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.”
“No cry for the demise of Israel, no matter how loud or persistent, can alter the course set by the Creator of all things. The warning is clear: those who defy God’s warning in Genesis 12:3, those who seek the downfall of the Jewish people, risk being crushed by a force mightier than any in the universe.”
Today, Israel is facing war on six fronts, a conflict it did not initiate. The current hostilities and Israel’s full-scale attack on Gaza are in response to a brutal and unprovoked assault by Hamas against innocent Israeli civilians, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 men, women, and children. Additionally, Palestinian militants, alongside Hamas, took over 160 Israelis hostage, subjecting them to brutal torture. Once again, Israel did not start this conflict.
Since its establishment in 1948, the tiny nation of Israel has been involved in over ten conflicts, with only one being initiated by Israel. Remarkably, despite being vastly outnumbered—sometimes by a factor of over 50 to 1—Israel has emerged victorious time and again. The enemies Israel faces today are the same adversaries it confronted in the Old Testament. Scripture foretells that the whole world will turn against Israel, making Jerusalem “a cup of drunkenness” to all the surrounding peoples (Zechariah 12:2). This imagery suggests that Jerusalem will become an object of intense desire and conflict, leading to the downfall of those who seek to conquer it.
The Wars of Israel (Israel is undefeated BTW)
1. 1948 Arab-Israeli War (War of Independence) Israel Wins!
The 1948 War began following the declaration of the State of Israel. Immediately, neighboring Arab countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq, invaded the newly established state, aiming to prevent its formation. This conflict was initiated by the Arab states, not Israel.
2. Suez Crisis (1956) Israel Wins!
The Suez Crisis, also known as the Second Arab-Israeli War, involved Israel, the United Kingdom, and France against Egypt. The conflict erupted after Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal. While Israel did invade the Sinai Peninsula, this was part of a tripartite plan and not an independent Israeli initiative to start a war.
3. Six-Day War (1967) Israel Wins!
The Six-Day War stands out as a significant conflict initiated by Israel. Faced with existential threats from Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, and following the closure of the Straits of Tiran (a crucial maritime route for Israel) by Egypt, Israel launched a preemptive strike. This was a strategic move to defend itself against imminent invasion plans by its neighbors.
4. War of Attrition (1967-1970) Israel Wins!
Following the Six-Day War, the War of Attrition primarily involved Egypt’s efforts to reclaim the Sinai Peninsula. It was a prolonged conflict characterized by small-scale but persistent military engagements initiated by Egypt, not Israel.
5. Yom Kippur War (1973) Israel Wins!
The Yom Kippur War began when Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. The conflict was a coordinated effort by the Arab states to regain territories lost in the Six-Day War. Israel was caught off guard but managed to recover and push back the attackers.
6. Lebanon War (1982) Israel Wins!
The First Lebanon War was initiated by Israel to expel the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) from Lebanon, where it had established a base for launching attacks against Israel. The conflict was a response to ongoing terrorist activities and the aim to secure Israel’s northern border.
7. First Intifada (1987-1993) and Second Intifada (2000-2005) Israel Wins!
These Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip were marked by widespread protests and violence. They were not initiated by Israel but were responses to ongoing tensions and the complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
8. Lebanon War (2006) Israel Wins!
The Second Lebanon War erupted after Hezbollah militants launched a cross-border attack on Israel, capturing two Israeli soldiers. Israel responded with a military campaign aimed at neutralizing Hezbollah’s threat.
9. Gaza Wars Israel Wins!
Over the years, Israel has engaged in several conflicts with Palestinian groups in Gaza, including:
- Operation Cast Lead (2008-2009)
- Operation Pillar of Defense (2012)
- Operation Protective Edge (2014)
- Operation Guardian of the Walls (2021)
These operations were responses to ongoing rocket attacks and terrorism emanating from Gaza, controlled by Hamas.
The Six-Day War: A Preemptive Strike for Survival
Among all these conflicts, the Six-Day War is the most notable instance where Israel took the initiative. The geopolitical climate leading up to June 1967 was tense, with Arab nations surrounding Israel making open threats of annihilation. Egypt’s President Nasser had mobilized troops in the Sinai Peninsula, and Syria and Jordan had also made military preparations. Moreover, the blockade of the Straits of Tiran by Egypt was a severe provocation, as it strangled Israel’s maritime trade routes.
In the face of these imminent threats, Israel decided to strike first. On June 5, 1967, Israel launched a preemptive airstrike against Egyptian airfields, effectively crippling the Egyptian Air Force. This decisive move was followed by swift ground operations, resulting in a stunning victory for Israel. In just six days, Israel captured the Gaza Strip, the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights, significantly altering the map of the Middle East.
Prophetic Fulfillment and Israel’s Military Prowess
In the pages of Ezekiel and Zechariah, Israel’s prophets foretold the remarkable strength of Israel’s military in the end times. Ezekiel writes of Israel having “an exceedingly great army” (Ezekiel 37:10), while Zechariah likened Israel to a blazing fire among sheaves of grain, consuming neighboring nations (Zechariah 12:6). Even the weakest Israeli soldier, Zechariah proclaimed, would be as formidable as David (Zechariah 12:8).
This remarkable military prowess aligns with the prophetic words of Ezekiel and Zechariah, serving as a testament to the fulfillment of biblical prophecy in our time.
Bible Study:
Ezekiel 37:10
“So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.”
Zechariah 12:6
“In that day I will make the governors of Judah like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; they shall devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place—Jerusalem.”
Zechariah 12:8
“In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the Lord before them.”
Conclusion
Israel’s history of warfare is largely characterized by defensive actions in response to existential threats. While it has been involved in numerous conflicts, the Six-Day War remains the only major conflict that Israel is widely recognized as having initiated. Even in this case, the preemptive strike was a strategic necessity born out of a dire need for self-preservation in the face of overwhelming odds. Understanding the context and Satanic driven power behind these wars is essential to grasp the complex dynamics of the Middle East and Israel’s role in it. Furthermore, the alignment of Israel’s military victories with biblical prophecies adds a profound dimension to the faithfulness of God for His chosen people. For believers today we should revel in the sovereignty of our God over all things, and His great love for Israel “the apple of His eye.”
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