Billye Brim Blogging From Israel
Posting this April 5, 2008, but here’s what we’ve been up to:
April 1 and 2 – Ariel, Capital City of the so-called “West Bank.”
I use this misnomer only to identify the political situation here, which is so biblically incorrect. Our long time friends in this city feel this is such a dangerous time for Israel. Some lay the blame at the government of Israel saying it has 1) moved away from God, and 2) brothers are fighting against brothers. You can watch our video interview with Ariel’s founder, Mayor Ron Nachman, now here on our web page. Just click on the link at the bottom of this page.
Video Interview with Mayor Nachman
April 2
We visited Alon Moreh (Genesis 12) where the LORD first spoke to Abraham in the Land. From this high mountain one can see Shechem (Nablus) below between the Mountain of Blessing and the Mountain of Cursing. It’s hard to imagine that from where God said, “I have given you this Land,” that the ancient city below has been given over to those who do not recognize Israel and who violently oppose God’s plan for Israel.
A wonderful surprise blessing, however, awaited us at the top of the mountain. Several groups of elementary school children from across Samaria were on the Mountain of Abraham on a field trip. These blessed children are among the few in Israel who are being taught about Abraham’s entry into the Promised Land at the very place where it happened. They ate their lunch at the top and we heard them singing their prayers after the meal as we prayed under the tree. How blessed to mix and mingle our voices with these physical seed of Abraham. Thank you, Lord.
On to Shiloh where Joshua divided the tribal portions and where the Ark rested 369 years. In neither of these places did we see one tourist, even though thousands of tourists are now in the Land. At Shiloh, Rachel the Bible-believing archeologist over the site, and one who has become our friend as we visit here regularly, shared her heart. She went to the Ministry of Tourism to request funds to dig this important site. She was told they would invest their money where the people would come, Ceasarea, a Roman City, etc..
Ariel hosted a gala event called “A Night to Honor Those Who Honor Israel.” John and Diana Hagee were special guests of honor. The John Hagee Sports Center was dedicated. Ariel also gave honor to a few other American friends of Ariel and Israel. It was my honor to be among them.
April 4
I got to bed really late last night, actually it was 2 a.m. this morning. And then Shelli and I were awakened at 5:30 am by a phone call from my daughter, Brenda. She knew our schedule called for us to go north today to Misgav Am, our great observation point right on the Lebanese border, and then to the Golan and the Syrian border. News reports at home and here were alarming. She wanted me to be sure in my spirit that it was right to go up there. The news reported a Syrian troop buildup just across the border from Israel, large weapons stashed in Southern Lebanon by the Hezbollah, and a threat from Hezbollah to avenge the assassination of a top leader, supposedly killed at the hands of Israel. Israel was said to be on the highest alert, and also building up troops at the borders. The Minister of Defense visited the northern borders and cancelled a trip to Europe. According to the press the northern border was ready to explode. I had seen the same reports here. I prayed before we left and knew we were to proceed.
At Misgav Am, we stood looking across the wire fence that separates Lebanon and Israel. Our resident lecturer, Ariyeh, said, “Yes. there are the houses of these southern villages. Each one of them is inhabited by the Hezbollah. Each one holds weapons.” He pointed out one house that backed up to a hill and a bunker inside the hill. “And yes,” he said, “they will avenge the assassination. But not here. They will attempt to strike a Jewish target somewhere else in the world. They don’t want war here now.” He felt the immediacy of the whole thing was a media exaggeration. And indeed, retractions appeared in the press here that very day. There had been a mistake, it was reported. Syria is on military maneuvers as they do about 3 times a year. But no, they had not called up the reserves as it was reported the day before. We prayed in the Spirit believing 1 Corinthians 14:2 as we allowed the Lord to direct our prayers.
The Galilee
When we drove up to Migdal-Arbel I knew it was special! Such an anointing as I told the story! Such a renewal of the vision! Such a stirring in our spirits that now is the time! And that something is happening! I want to watch the video we made to see the rays of the sunset that filled the sky with long beams of light which crowned the evening!
April 5, 2008
A wonderful Jesus day! What peace! What an anointing to teach as each of the special sites in His ministry around the Sea of Galilee. We’re making teaching DVD’s in the biblical sites where the events occurred. Unlike the biblical sites in Judea and Samaria where we had each place to ourselves, here at these Christian sites in the Galilee, the tourists are out in droves. This is great for Israel. But it could have been difficult getting a spot to do our teaching. However, in every one of the places the crowds parted like the Reed Sea, and we walked straight to a perfect place to do the teaching. We’ll have these DVD’s ready soon.
In Him,
Billye Brim