Hope for Israel Ministries

18/06/2026

Are we allowing our emotions to affect the way we respond to God? Do we trust Him enough to do exactly what He says in the way that He says it? In our Scripture portion for this week, we read in Numbers 20:1-8a:

Then the sons of Israel, the whole congregation, came to the wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed at Kadesh. Now Miriam died there and was buried there. There was no water for the congregation, and the people gathered against Moses and Aaron. They complained bitterly and questioned why they had been brought into the wilderness.

Moses and Aaron went to the doorway of the Tent of Meeting and fell on their faces before the LORD. The glory of the LORD appeared to them, and God gave Moses a clear instruction: “Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water.

However, a few verses later we read:

Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came forth abundantly... But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.’
Numbers 20:11–12

There is no doubt that the end of this story is tragic. Because Moses and Aaron did not trust God and did not follow His instructions, they never entered the Land of Promise.

Moses' disbelief at that exact moment brought him to a place where he did not follow God's instructions and instead took matters into his own hands. While it may seem like a small detail, God did not see it that way. Moses was not confused about God's instructions. God had spoken clearly. However, Moses allowed the situation before him to affect the way he responded to God.

The issue was never the rock. The issue was whether Moses would trust God enough to do exactly what He had commanded. God told Moses to speak to the rock, but Moses struck it. In that moment, Moses represented God before the people in a way that God had not instructed.

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the One who was, who is, and who always will be, has not changed. As one reads His Word, it becomes obvious that the reality of the past remains connected to the reality of the present. While the players on the stage of history continually change, the one constant throughout all generations is the one and only living God.

As I read this passage, I cannot help but wonder whether many believers today face a similar danger. The issue is often not that God has failed to speak clearly. The issue is whether we are willing to accept what He has said. Too often people begin with their feelings, experiences, or the opinions of those around them and then look for a way to make Scripture fit those conclusions.

I sometimes wonder if some of the confusion we see today regarding Israel stems from this very issue. Rather than allowing God's Word to shape how they view current events and respond to them, many people approach Scripture through conclusions they have already reached. As a result, both biblical truth and historical truth are often ignored, reinterpreted, or rejected altogether.

In the Parasha we read of Israel's journey through the wilderness toward the Land of Promise. As they traveled, they encountered nations that opposed their passage and challenged God's purposes. Edom rejected Israel's peaceful request to pass through its territory and even threatened war. The king of Arad attacked Israel and was defeated. Israel again sought peaceful passage through the region of the Amorites, yet Sihon responded with violence and was defeated as well. Later, Og king of Bashan came against Israel, and once again God gave the victory to His people.

In the Haftarah, we encounter Jephthah the Gileadite. Rejected by his brothers and driven from his father's house, he eventually became the very person Israel needed in a time of crisis. What stands out to me is not only Jephthah's willingness to lead, but the way he responded to the accusations brought against Israel.

The king of Ammon claimed that Israel had taken land that did not belong to them. Jephthah's response was remarkable:

This is what Jephthah says: Israel did not take away the land of Moab, nor the land of the sons of Ammon... And the LORD, the God of Israel, gave Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel and they defeated them; so Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites.” Judges 11:15, 21

Jephthah did not respond with emotions, assumptions, or opinions. Instead, he carefully recounted Israel's history. He reminded the king how Israel had come out of Egypt, how they had sought peaceful passage through neighboring lands, and how they had received the territory in question only after being attacked by the Amorites. Jephthah pointed to the historical facts and to God's actions in history. He responded with the truth.

The king of Ammon rejected those facts, but that did not change them. I believe this is one of the reasons God honored Jephthah. He stood upon the truth and was not willing to abandon it simply because others refused to accept it. The truth remained the truth regardless of whether it was accepted or rejected.

What strikes me is that neither Moses nor Jephthah was dealing primarily with a military problem. Both were dealing with a truth problem. Moses failed to respond according to what God had said. Jephthah refused to abandon what God had done. One allowed the circumstances to influence his response. The other allowed the truth to guide it.

The rest of the account demonstrates that God's plans and purposes are not dependent upon human approval. The Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and God gave Israel victory over the sons of Ammon.

God is more than able to fulfill His will and accomplish His purposes. Throughout Scripture, we see Him using people whom society rejected, overlooked, or dismissed. Jephthah was one such person. Yet God used him mightily because he was willing to stand where others would not.

Never underestimate the importance of knowing the truth and standing upon it. Jephthah knew the historical truth of what had happened and was not ashamed to stand upon it. When false accusations were brought against Israel, he responded with facts.

I sometimes wonder how often we do the same thing as Moses. We know what God has said, yet when circumstances become difficult, we begin responding according to what we see around us rather than according to His Word.

My dear brothers and sisters, we live in a day and age where people are often led by emotions, and when that happens truth can become secondary. A clear example is Israel and the Land. The historical fact is that God gave the Land to the people of Israel thousands of years ago. The Jewish people have maintained a presence in the Land throughout history. This is not a popular truth, but it is an important part of the historical record.

The king of Ammon rejected the facts, but that did not change the facts. God's promises remain God's promises whether people believe them or not. God's covenant remains God's covenant whether people accept it or not. God's Word remains God's Word whether it is popular or unpopular.

The question is not whether God has spoken. The question is whether we are willing to believe what He has said and stand upon it.

Make a choice and take a stand.

Shabbat Shalom,
Moran

18/06/2026

The IDF has released the name of one soldier who fell in action: Master Sergeant (Res.) Alexander Filin, 29 years old.

We stand with the family of the fallen and remember this hero of Israel.
May his memory be a blessing.

Photo credit: IDF

17/06/2026

A Pattern Difficult to Ignore: Turkey and Jerusalem

Over the past several years, people have occasionally asked me what I think about Turkey and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. My answer has usually been the same. In my opinion, Erdogan is attempting to rebuild, or at least revive, the influence and vision of the former Ottoman Empire.

I realize that not everyone agrees with that assessment. Some view Turkey's actions as ordinary regional politics. Others believe Erdogan's statements are intended primarily for domestic audiences. Some have suggested that he is simply trying to position Turkey as a stronger regional power. Perhaps. At the same time, I have found it increasingly difficult to ignore the direction of the statements coming from Turkey's leadership and from those closest to Erdogan's government.

It started when President Erdogan described Hamas as "liberators" and "mujahideen" on October 25, 2023, only weeks after Hamas committed its horrific terrorist attack in Israel. One year later, on October 7, 2024, Erdogan released a statement heavily condemning Israel's military campaign in Gaza as a "policy of genocide." He claimed that humanity and international institutions were watching what he described as atrocities unfold and stated that Israel would eventually "pay the price" for its actions.

Most recently, Erdogan declared before the Turkish parliament that "Israel's aggression is a threat to the world and must be stopped." He warned that Israel's actions in Syria and Lebanon had reached a point where they threatened Turkey itself.

At the same time, Dr. Furkan Kaya, a geopolitics professor and commentator closely associated with Erdogan's government, accused Israel of pursuing a vision of a "Promised Land" stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates. During the same discussion, he warned Israel not to challenge Turkey and stated, "You cannot challenge Turkey independently anyway."

What caught my attention was that the discussion extended far beyond Gaza and Israel. According to the interview, Turkey's security was described as beginning not at Turkey's own borders but in places such as Damascus and Aleppo. Beirut was described as part of Turkey's sphere of interest, Cyprus was presented as a Turkish red line, and the Eastern Mediterranean was discussed as an area of vital Turkish importance.

As I have followed developments in the region, a pattern has become increasingly difficult for me to ignore. Turkish leaders have spoken repeatedly about Jerusalem. Turkey has established and expanded military positions in Syria, conducted operations in Iraq, become deeply involved in Libya, and taken an increasingly assertive position in disputes with Greece and Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean.

More recently, Turkish officials and commentators have discussed Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, Jerusalem, and Turkey's role throughout a region once governed by the Ottoman Empire. Nor are these developments limited to military or geopolitical issues.

Erdogan has repeatedly spoken about Jerusalem and Turkey's historical connection to the city. In 2017, he urged Muslims to visit and protect Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa. In 2020, he declared that "Jerusalem is our city" and referred to the centuries during which Jerusalem remained under Ottoman rule.

More recently, Turkish officials and commentators have increasingly connected developments in Jerusalem, Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, and the Eastern Mediterranean into a broader regional vision. Whether one agrees with that vision or not, it is difficult to ignore how frequently these subjects now appear together in discussions coming from figures close to Turkey's leadership.

What makes this especially significant is that Turkey is not Iran. Turkey is a member of NATO, possesses one of the largest militaries in the alliance, and occupies one of the most strategic locations in the world, controlling access between Europe, the Middle East, and the Black Sea. For that reason alone, statements coming from Ankara deserve careful attention.

When leaders of a NATO member state speak about Jerusalem, Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Turkish influence throughout the region, I believe it is worth listening carefully to what is being said. We should not ignore the direction in which these statements are moving.

At some point, we must ask ourselves a simple question: Why does Jerusalem continue to appear at the center of so many of these discussions? Jerusalem is not Turkey's capital, nor is it located within Turkey's borders. Yet time and again, Turkish leaders return to the subject. As believers, that should cause us to consider what Scripture says about Jerusalem and its role in God's plans. Thousands of years before the modern State of Israel existed, God spoke through the prophet Zechariah and declared:

"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)

Whether the attention comes from Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, Turkey, or other nations around the world, Jerusalem continues to attract interest far beyond what its size would suggest. This should not surprise us. Scripture told us long ago that Jerusalem would play a unique role in God's plans and in the attention of the nations.

As I look at the world today, I sometimes find myself asking a troubling question. Could it be that many of Israel's enemies take God's statements about Jerusalem more seriously than some believers do? They continue speaking about Jerusalem, focusing on Jerusalem, and building policies around Jerusalem. They are willing to invest resources, influence, and effort in pursuing their vision for the city.

The question is not what Turkey, Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, or the nations of the world will do. The question is what believers in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will do.

Will we pay attention to what God has said about Jerusalem? Will we view it through the lens of Scripture or through the changing opinions of men? Will we be willing to accept what God's Word says, even when it challenges assumptions we may already hold?

The future of Jerusalem does not depend on Erdogan, world leaders, political alliances, or the nations. God has already declared His purposes. The question is whether we are willing to believe Him.

Moran

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16/06/2026

The reality of Israel is far more diverse than many headlines suggest. It is a home to people of different faiths, cultures, and backgrounds.

No one should be attacked for refusing to repeat what others demand they believe.

15/06/2026

The United Nations was founded on principles of equality, human rights, and justice.

More than eighty years later, an important question remains. Are those principles being applied equally to all nations?

The numbers tell a story that deserves a closer look.

Where is the line between legitimate criticism and delegitimization? What is the difference between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism? For some, the answers seem obvious. For others, they are anything but. Yet these questions sit at the center of some of the most passionate debates of our time. As conv...

14/06/2026

Standing Alone

People have been asking me for my opinion regarding the reported preliminary understanding that may be reached between the United States and Iran.

The truth is that at this point I do not have enough verified information to form a complete opinion about an agreement that has not yet been fully made public. I have seen reports, statements, and rumors from various sources, but many of the details remain unclear. In addition, both sides appear to be presenting different versions of what such an agreement may include. As someone who tries to base his opinions on facts rather than speculation, I believe it is wise to wait until the actual details become available before reaching firm conclusions. When the agreement is published, if it is ultimately finalized, I will share my thoughts about it.

However, there is a broader issue that I believe is worth discussing.

During the twelve-day war between Israel, the United States, and Iran in June 2025, many voices claimed that America was fighting Israel's war. Those voices came from political leaders, media commentators, and even from some within the believing community.

Perhaps I am wrong, but from where I sit in Israel it is difficult for me to see how the fundamental problem has been solved. While Iran suffered significant military and strategic setbacks during the war, the regime itself remained in power. The same regime that openly calls for Israel's destruction continues to rule Iran today. Only a week ago, Iran once again launched attacks against Israel.

The terror organizations that Iran has armed, funded, trained, and supported throughout the region also continue to exist. Hamas remains in Gaza and is already attempting to rebuild its influence and military capabilities. Hezbollah suffered significant damage in Lebanon, yet the organization remains active and continues trying to restore its strength. The Houthis in Yemen continue launching attacks and threatening regional stability.

What is particularly concerning to me is the reported effort by Iran to include Hezbollah-related demands as part of the broader negotiations. If any future agreement forces Israel to withdraw from positions that currently help prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its military infrastructure in southern Lebanon, the result could be disastrous not only for Israel but also for Lebanon itself. The people of Lebanon have already paid a tremendous price because Hezbollah chose to turn their country into a forward operating base for Iran's ambitions. At the same time, the recent attacks by the Houthis have largely passed without any visible response. Whether that remains the case or not, organizations throughout the region are watching closely to see what consequences, if any, will follow continued attacks.

When I look at all of this together, that is the reason that I find it difficult to understand both the claims that the threat facing Israel has fundamentally changed and the repeated argument that America was fighting Israel's war. If the Iranian regime remains in power, if the terror organizations it created and supported remain active, and if the stated goal of destroying Israel has not changed, then it is reasonable to ask how Israel's fundamental security challenge has been resolved.

In my opinion, the reality may be more complicated than many people suggest. It may be that Israel was fighting a war not only to protect itself, but also to weaken a regime that has spent decades exporting instability throughout the Middle East. The Iranian regime has armed, funded, and trained terror organizations across the region. Its influence can be seen in Lebanon through Hezbollah, in Gaza through Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, in Yemen through the Houthis, and through various militias operating in Syria and Iraq.

The consequences of those actions have not been limited to Israel. Lebanese citizens have watched Hezbollah drag their country into repeated conflicts. Gulf states have faced missile and drone attacks. International shipping routes have been threatened. Millions of people throughout the region have lived with the consequences of decisions made in Tehran. Whether people agree with that assessment or not, it is difficult to ignore the fact that Israel continues to live with the consequences of the Iranian regime's actions and likely will continue to do so long after any agreement is signed.

As I think about these things, I am reminded of Joseph. When Joseph shared the dreams God had given him, his brothers rejected him, hated him, and ultimately sold him into slavery. Yet their rejection did not change God's plans. Years later, God worked through the very brother they betrayed to preserve both his family and the nation of Egypt.

I am not suggesting that every situation is the same. However, I cannot help but think about the fact that throughout history, some of the deepest wounds suffered by the Jewish people have come not only from enemies, but also from those who should have known better. As Israel looks toward an increasingly uncertain future, there is a growing realization that our confidence cannot rest in the promises of nations. Like Joseph, we may at times find ourselves standing alone. Yet even when others abandon what God has said, God's purposes remain unchanged.

The truth is that for many Israelis, this is not merely a discussion about foreign policy. It is a question about where we place our trust when the promises of men and the promises of God seem to be moving in different directions.

For those of us living in Israel, there is a growing awareness that difficult days may still lie ahead. The prophet Zechariah describes a future time when the nations of the world will gather against Jerusalem. It is not an easy passage to read, nor is it a comfortable reality to consider. Yet the passage does not end with Israel's destruction. It ends with God's intervention.

"Behold, a day is coming for the LORD when the spoils taken from you will be divided among you. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be taken, the houses plundered, the women r***d, and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be eliminated from the city. Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle." Zechariah 14:1-3

For many years Israel has depended on alliances and friendships with other nations. We are grateful for those who stand with us. We are grateful for every government, organization, and individual who chooses to support Israel during difficult times. However, if there is one lesson that history repeatedly teaches, it is that the nations of the world are not the foundation of Israel's security.

As I have written before, a day is coming when Israel will have no other choice but to look to the One who promised to fight for her. Ultimately, our hope is not in governments, military alliances, or diplomatic agreements. Our hope is in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

As discussions continue regarding Iran, I encourage you to pray for wisdom for world leaders, pray for the people of Israel, and pray that our eyes would remain fixed on the One who has preserved our people throughout every generation.

Moran

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14/06/2026

Continue to stand with Israel in prayer for these days.
For peace, protection, and wisdom over every decision.

12/06/2026

Shabbat Shalom from Rosh Hanikra.

Standing at Israel’s northern border, these remarkable cliffs and sea caves have witnessed centuries of history while overlooking the endless blue of the Mediterranean.

11/06/2026

“Behold, a day is coming for the LORD when the spoils taken from you will be divided among you. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be taken, the houses plundered, the women r***d, and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be eliminated from the city. Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle.” Zechariah 14:1-3

As Zechariah says, God's judgment will come one day upon Jerusalem in the form of all nations coming against it. There is nothing that any of us can do to stop it because it is written in His Word. I believe that through this difficult period God will cleanse Jerusalem and prepare it for His ultimate return.

I also believe that this is not merely a political event or a military conflict; it is a spiritual reality that reveals the hearts of people and nations. Throughout history, Jerusalem has stood at the center of God's redemptive plan, and Scripture tells us that this will remain true until the Lord Himself returns.

Zechariah also tells us that the Lord Himself will go forth and fight against those nations as He fights on a day of battle. While the nations may unite against Jerusalem, God has already declared where He stands. That reality forces every generation to confront an important question: Will we trust God's promises or the changing opinions of men?

A year ago, I received a text message from a friend who wanted to encourage me. This is what he wrote:

“My encouragement is that your Israel advocacy is actually Gentile advocacy. You are fighting lies against Israel not really for Israel’s sake. Israel has the promises of God to defend her and redeem her. Even when all the nations of the world gather against her one day, the Lord will defeat the nations and show Himself as King of Israel.

Your work is actually to help people, with the truth, to reject lies against the people of God so that when they stand before the judgment they will not stand guilty of slander and hatred against His chosen people, His bride.

Israel will for sure be kept and redeemed by the Lord. Many, though, including many who call themselves believers, will stand before the Lord and give an account to Him for how they have treated His precious people in their time of need.

So keep fighting with the truth, even for the antisemites. If even one of them repents and turns to God's truth through your work, it will be eternally worth it.”

I chose to include this message from my friend in this week's commentary because lately more and more people seem confused about modern-day Israel. Some claim that the Israel of today is not the Israel to whom God promised the land. Others argue that God's covenant with Israel has somehow expired or been transferred to someone else. In many cases, people are confusing God's eternal promises with Israel's disobedience throughout history. They are mixing divine covenant with modern politics.

I believe that, in many cases, pride and arrogance can lead people to place their own reasoning above the clear teaching of Scripture. Rather than allowing God's Word to shape their conclusions, they allow their conclusions to shape how they interpret God's Word.

This brings us directly to this week's Torah portion. We learn about Korach, the great-grandson of Levi and the cousin of Moses and Aaron. As a Levite, Korach belonged to the tribe God had chosen for holy service in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). To be set apart for the service of the LORD was a tremendous privilege and responsibility. Yet it was not enough for Korach and the 250 influential men who joined him. They questioned the authority and position of Moses and Aaron and launched a rebellion against them.

What strikes me about this account is that these were not outsiders. These were respected leaders and influential men from among the people of Israel. Could selfish ambition, pride, jealousy, and greed have contributed to their rebellion? Is it possible that by challenging Moses and Aaron they were actually challenging God Himself?

In questioning the authority of the leaders God had chosen, they were ultimately questioning God's authority and His sovereign right to appoint whom He desired for His purposes.

Just as Korach rebelled against God's chosen leaders out of pride and jealousy, many today reject God's eternal covenant with Israel. The issue is not merely a disagreement about modern politics or government policies. The deeper issue is whether God remains faithful to the promises He has made. When people claim that God is finished with Israel, they are ultimately questioning whether God will remain faithful to His own Word.

We hear more and more teachings circulating among well-meaning followers of God that say, “The Bible does not command us to support Israel,” or even, “God is done with Israel.” I believe this theology presents a distorted picture of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob because it portrays Him as abandoning promises He repeatedly declared to be everlasting. While sincere believers may hold these views, sincerity alone does not make something true. We must examine every teaching through the lens of Scripture and the character of God Himself.

If God can abandon His promises to Israel, what confidence do any of us have that He will keep His promises to us?

Yes, I know those are strong words. However, I also know that claiming God is done with Israel ultimately portrays the God of the Bible as changing His mind regarding promises that He repeatedly described as everlasting and eternal. That is not the God revealed in Scripture.

The same God who judged Korach and the 250 influential men is the same God today, and each of us will one day stand before Him and give an account.

God is not done with Israel, nor can He be. This is not because of Israel's merit or righteousness. It is because of who God is. His promises are everlasting, His covenant is unbroken, His grace endures, and His Word remains true. The future of Israel ultimately rests not upon Israel's faithfulness, but upon God's faithfulness.

The prophet Jeremiah addressed this very issue when he wrote:

Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; the LORD of Hosts is His name: ‘If this fixed order departs from before Me,’ declares the LORD, ‘Then the offspring of Israel also will cease from being a nation before Me forever.’ Jeremiah 31:35-36

Centuries later, the Apostle Paul echoed the same truth:

I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! Romans 11:1

He later wrote:

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:29

God is not done with Israel because His promises are not based upon Israel's perfection. They are based upon His faithfulness. We see further confirmation of this truth in this week's Haftarah reading from I Samuel 11:14-12:22. One of Israel's most rebellious acts was demanding a king so that they could be like all the other nations around them. Samuel addressed the people and said:

Then Samuel said to all Israel, ‘Behold, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me, and I have appointed a king over you.’ I Samuel 12:1

Despite their rebellion and poor decision, Samuel concluded with these powerful words:

For the LORD will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the LORD has been pleased to make you a people for Himself. I Samuel 12:22

My dear brothers and sisters, we are living in unique and difficult days. These are days marked by confusion, false news, and false teaching. We must guard ourselves with the truth of God's Word and be careful not to allow the changing opinions of men to shape our understanding of what God has clearly spoken.

Korach believed he knew better than God. The generation of Samuel wanted to be like the nations around them. Today many voices once again invite believers to question what God has spoken concerning Israel. The question before us is not whether God's promises have changed. The question is whether we will trust Him when the world tells us not to.

Therefore, I encourage you to make a choice. Will you trust God's promises or the changing opinions of men? If your choice is to trust God, then consider what role He may be calling you to play in helping others discern truth from error. In a world filled with confusion, every believer has an opportunity and a responsibility to stand firmly upon the truth of God's Word.

Shabbat Shalom,

Moran