Israeli Prime Minister Benjamine Netanyahu Has Begun Studying Bible Prophecy

Common Sense Commentary: Yes, Israel has drifted a long way from the God of the Bible as had their forefathers ... many times in their long history, since Father Abraham. But as their Old Testament records, each time they turned away from Jehovah God, He sent pestilences, catastrophes and enemy armies to wound and awake them that they might repent and return to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Now, again, the Jews are far from God and in terrible crisis. Their tiny homeland, of  just over 6 million Jews, is surrounded by half a billion Muslims who passionately hate them and continually attack them. Believe it or not, a billion of the world's 1.6 billion Muslims are in the Asia-Pacific.  Muslim intimidation of the world has caused a rapid rise in antisemitism against Israel throughout the world. Of all the nations, America is the only real friend they have, and even that is deteriorating under the Presidency of Barack Obama who is at the least a Muslim sympathizer. So, again,with Israel, on the brink of annihilation ,,,, arises an Israeli Prime Minister who, in this terrible dilemma, is turning to God's word, in the Old Testament, for answers. We Christians must pray for Israel that they, with nowhere else to turn and nearly no friends left, will turn back to God and that He will open their eyes to Jesus Christ, their prophesied Messiah and their only hope. RB

My sister, Betty, gave me a heads up on this article posted by Joel C. Rosenberg, on his blog. RB

The epicenter is on fire. Radical Islamic jihadists are pressing their offensive in Syria and Iraq. Iran continues marching towards nuclear weapons. Hezbollah briefly attacked Israelis on her northern border yesterday. U.S.-Israeli relations are frayed. Anti-Semitism is rising.

And amidst all his national security briefings and strategy sessions, Israel’s premier is studying the Bible.

Indeed, one of the most interesting but least known aspects in the life of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is that he has developed quite an interest in studying the Bible in recent years. The premier was not raised in a religious home growing up. But as he has gotten older, he has developed a noticeable curiosity in the ancient Scriptures.

• Netanyahu occasionally quotes the Bible in major speeches (such as the time he spoke at Auschwitz and said Ezekiel 37 had come to pass.)
• In his most recent address to world leaders at the United Nations, he quoted chapter 62 of the book written by the Hebrew prophet Isaiah. “Isaiah, our great prophet of peace, taught us nearly 3,000 years ago in Jerusalem to speak truth to power." Netanyahu said. “‘For the sake of Zion, I will not be silent, for the sake of Jerusalem, I will not be still until her justice shines bright and her salvation glows like a flaming torch.'”
• Netanyahu told Larry King that he likes to study the Bible on Saturday mornings with his son, Avner.
• In 2011, the premier started a Bible study group that meets every few months in his official residence.
• On Sunday evening — amidst the High Holy Days in Israel and the Jewish world (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, which begins with another full blood moon tonight) — the premier and his wife, Sara, held another Bible study session in his home.

Here is some news coverage of what was discussed: “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a Bible study session attended by the parents of three Israeli teens killed in June,” reported the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “Iris and Uri Yifrach, Rachel and Avi Fraenkel, and Ophir and Bat-Galim Shaar joined the Tanach Study Circle at the prime minister’s residence in Jerusalem on Sunday evening. Netanyahu renewed the circle two years ago. Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, had started the tradition. Education Minister Rabbi Shai Piron also joined the study group, which focused on the upcoming weekly Torah portion of Beresheit, the opening chapters of the Bible.”

“We are preparing to celebrate Simchat Torah, when we will conclude reading the Torah and begin it again,” the Prime Minister said as the meeting began. “The cyclical nature of reading the Torah and starting it again from Genesis also symbolizes the renewal of our people in our land. Despite all attempts to destroy us, each time we build ourselves up again, deeply linked to also growing the tree called the Jewish People, with our deep roots and branches that reach ever higher.”

These are excellent steps by the Prime Minister, and he should be commended for them.

One would have to go back to Menachem Begin — and before him, to David Ben Gurion — for Israeli premiers who have publicly studied the Bible and openly encouraged others to do the same. It is simply not a typical activity of Israeli leaders.

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I must add, and underline, the above developments, with the prophetic future of the nation of Israel, which could easily grow out of Netanyahu's turn to the scriptures ... and God, for leadership, in these troubling times. The prophet Zechariah foretold that in the last days, his nation, Israel, who once cried out "Crucify Him", would repent and accept Jesus Christ as their true and only Messiah. RB

Zechariah Prophesied It....
 Zechariah 12:10   And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. 

Apostle John Witnessed And Recorded That Prophecie's fulfillment....
John 19:34   But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 
John 19:37   And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced. 
Revelation 1:7   Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.