My plan to resume posting today on The Week That Was took an unexpected turn.

Fires broke out in a number of different areas in the mountains and fields leading up to Jerusalem, primarily from the north on the main highway. At this point, the fires are raging out of control. Israel has asked for assistance from neighboring countries in the region, with whom we have cooperation agreements. These include requests for water-carrying planes to extinguish fires from Greece, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia and Italy. According to fire department spokespersons, the fires will continue at least until tomorrow.

Added to the problem is the weather – warm Mediterranean breeze and severe pollution.

The situation had become very bad earlier in the day, causing the defense establishment to request that bereaved families not go out to the cemeteries where their loved ones are interred. In addition, the celebrations for Israel’s Independence Day have been cancelled throughout many locations in Israel.

It is clear from Israeli authorities that the present situation was caused by arsonists, who wanted to prevent events for Memorial Day for Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror, as well as to interfere with Israel’s Independence Day celebrations, which were scheduled to begin tonight and were cancelled – at least the live celebrations. And it was just reported on the news that Hamas and voices in the “Palestinian” Authority are telling their various media to call upon “Palestinians” to start fires all over Israel.

As I’ve stated on many occasions: the easiest way to prove that this land was given to Israel and not to those who call themselves “Palestinian” is to see the readiness with which these “Palestinians” try to destroy it.

To keep it short and to the point: We need prayer – for God to intervene; for strong winds to prevent the fires from spreading to communities along the main road going up to Jerusalem, as well as to communities in a broad area in and around it; for an outpouring of rain that will help to douse the fires; for strength, skill and determination for the fire-fighters and for the rescue teams to be able to reach those injured and/or trapped by the fires, some of whom have already been evacuated to hospitals; for the water-carrier planes from neighboring countries to expedite arrival to Israel; for wisdom for the government and for the IDF; for the Israeli Police to catch the arsonists (one has already been caught); for the outworking of Genesis 12:3.

While the present situation is difficult, may God use it to open the eyes of many and reveal to the nation the demonic spirit of those who seek to destroy it. May the events of this day in particular be used to bring about a spirit of unity within the nation, to stand together and put political divisions aside. The Holy One of Israel did not put the “dry bones” together, so that we would tear them apart. He did not raise this nation out of the hell fires of the Holocaust and put His Spirit within us, only to have us cower and crumble when we are attacked and face national disasters. We are here … and we will not be moved!

Whatever you may be facing today, bless, be blessed and be a blessing. Keep us in prayer and may the loveliness of the Lord our God be upon you and confirm the works of your hands (Psalm 90:17).

Marvin