Today, the Knesset voted in, 60-59, the new unity government of Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid (ref. 1). So, the era of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s longest serving leader, is over. Bennett thanked Netanyahu for his twelve years of public service, and shaked his hand.
In his speech, Bennett recognised the significance of the moment – that the baton of leading Israel, which is “not just another country”, has passed onto him (ref. 2).
I noticed, Bennett also acknowledged one Maya Moreno, the widow of his friend Lt. Col. Emmanuel Yehuda Moreno, who presumably served in Sayeret Matkal with him. Apparently, Moreno was born in Paris France, a son of Ilan and Sylvia Moreno. Ilan as in I then L. Bennett said, “At every important juncture of my life, I think of Emmanuel. The intensity of his devotion and sense of mission guides us.”
After addressing matters specific to the governance and administration of Israel, Bennett, whose parents were born in the USA and whom migrated to Israel one month after the Six Day War of 1967, went on to thank Joe Biden, president of the USA, for supporting Israel during the last Gaza war. To be sure, the USA under Biden did stand by Israel at the UN during that war. Also, Joe Biden’s favourite movie happens to be “Chariots of Fire” (ref. 3), the name of the IDF exercise that was cancelled because of that war.
Though the USA might stand with Israel now, in due time, believe it or not, the USA will betray Israel. As surely as night follows day, this will happen. It is Bible prophecy (ref. Jeremiah 51:35-37, Psalms 137:8-9, Revelation 17:6, etc).
The violence done to me and to my flesh be upon Babylon, shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and my blood upon the inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say.
Jeremiah 51:35
It will happen because Babylon is secretly a kingdom of Satan (ref. Revelation 17:11, Revelation 13:11). This is the mystery of Babylon!
In time, God will expose Babylon to the world for what she truly is.
I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware: thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD.
Jeremiah 50:24
Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne… Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.
Isaiah 47:1-3
I already know the truth. In time, the whole world will also know.
Now, at the end of his speech, Bennett prayed to God a remarkable prayer for an Israeli:
“Heavenly Father, Rock and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel, the first flourishing of our redemption, guard it in your abundant kindness, spread over it the shelter of Your peace. Send forth your light and truth to its leaders, ministers, and advisors, and grace them with Your good counsel. Strengthen the hands of those who guard our holy land, grant them deliverance, and adorn them in victory. Give peace in the land, and grant its inhabitants eternal happiness. With God’s help, we will do and we will succeed. Amen.”
Bennett knows the Torah and the Nevi’im and the Ketuvim, the Old Testament of the Bible.
First, the “Rock”.
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Psalms 18:2
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock [meaning Jesus himself, the chief corner stone] I will build my congregation; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:18
The “Redeemer of Israel”.
And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
Isaiah 59:20
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption [Israel’s redemption] draweth nigh.
Luke 21:27-28
Now, watch this: “Send forth your light and truth to its leaders, ministers, and advisors, and grace them with Your good counsel.” This is a prayer for the two witnesses to come, the two olive trees that stand on the right and on the left of the candlestick (ref. Zechariah 4, Revelation 11:3-4).
Next, “Strengthen the hands of those who guard our holy land, grant them deliverance, and adorn them in victory.” This is Nahum 2:1-3 and also Zechariah 12:5-9. The IDF is to be strong enough to hold ground and withstand the initial onslaught of the enemy. Strong enough even to counterattack and achieve victory when the siege is lifted.
In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
Zechariah 12:8-9
Finally, “Give peace in the land, and grant its inhabitants eternal happiness.” This speaks to the time of the Messiah of Israel, and the kingdom of God.
Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more…. I will make you a name and praise among all the people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.
Zephaniah 3:14-20
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
That is, the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is Almighty God and the LORD of hosts.
Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Psalms 46:8-11
References:
1. Jeffrey Heller and Maayan Lubell (14 June 2021), “Netanyahu out, Bennett in as Israel marks end of an era”, reuters.com
2. Haaretz (13 June 2021), “Incoming Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s Speech in the Knesset”, haaretz.com
3. Tim Molloy (5 November 2020), “Joe Biden’s Favorite Movie Is About Tight Races”, moviemaker.com