As I have mentioned before, Israel's Defense Forces Yare not separate from the population.The people is the army! All men and women are called up to serve for three and two years respectively at the age of 18, and all men after that must do one month reserve duty, yearly, until the age of 45. In times of threat of war or actual war, this time extends to 60 days or even more. Presently Israel is preparing for the possibility of an attack by Iraq, Iran and Syria, in retaliation for America’s military action in Afghanistan and President George Bush Jr's “war” against terrorism. Since President Bush is fighting terrorism with bombs and missiles he must allow Israel that same right, a fact that infuriates the militant Islamic states (such as Iraq, Iran and Syria.) Since the Islamic states cannot fight America victoriously, they instead target Israel.

Living in Israel means always being in the wrong, always being blamed for whatever is wrong in the world. Israel is the world’s “scapegoat.” It is a  Messianic destiny. It is an Israeli reality.

To conclude Ami's story. I signed as guarantor and made the first payment of NIS 500. However, beginning in July he must pay NIS 1,000 from his monthly income of barely 3,000 Shekels. In addition, he was charged with NIS 9,000 court costs. 

If it weren’t so sad I would laugh! They've charged Ami 20.5% interest! Unless and until G-d grants Ami and his brother Yizrael success with their music, I don’t know how they will manage. Yizrael works in a bank right now, translating and typing the director’s and vice president’s correspondence from Hebrew into English and from English into Hebrew, as well as working nights elsewhere and babysitting for friends.

On Sunday (our first workday) February 3rd, the TV news showed several hundred textile workers who are now facing a bleak future. Their company went bankrupt and they are all without work, unexpectedly. The economic crisis in Israel is gradually taking on catastrophic dimensions similar to the situation in Argentina. People who have worked 20 years or more at the same company are suddenly jobless, with no income. In most families both husband and wife must work. The loss of both jobs means living off small savings until nothing remains; nothing to feed and cloth children, nothing to make house payments, pay bills, etc. 

But as our enemy and the world are relentless, so must Israel maintain a defense force strong enough to ensure our survival. We must build expensive bypass roads around Palestinian Autonomy areas (even though we are still being ambushed and killed on these roads as well). Israeli citizens pay high income taxes, not to mention a multitude of other taxes. A 17% tax, comparable to the U.S. state tax, is added to every purchase, every service, and every restaurant meal. Automobiles carry a 100% tax, electric appliances larger than a cassette recorder carry at least 45% taxes. Property tax, municipality services tax and a yearly car registration tax also must be taken into account.

Israel is a small people of a little over 5 million Jews. The rest are Arabs, Christians and Druze. No other people of that size could make it under such circumstances. Hence, living in Israel is a daily miracle and a witness to G-D'S grace and His faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - and a stubborn determination on our part to stand!
 

Israelis suffer and pay a high price for living in the land, due to a most tremendous hostility towards us but also because of much sin in the land. Comparatively few (even in the vast sea of Christian- ity) righteous individuals stand with Israel, pray for her and support her actively. And even scarcer are those who actively support their Jewish brethren, fellow disciples of Yeshua, firstborn members of the household of G-d.

Although the apostle Paul is extensively quoted in the churches, scant few are those churches who make reference to his exhortation in Romans 15:26-27: “For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the SAINTS IN JERUSALEM; they were pleased to do it, and indeed they are IN DEBT TO THEM, for if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.”

Nor is any attention paid to Paul 's request to put money aside every first day of the week (Sunday) to store up as a gift for the saints inJerusalem⁹ (Paul told the Roman governor Felix at Caesarea¹⁰). Furthermore, Paul commends the believers in Philippi for their show of kindness and concern in sending him (a Jew) a gift of donations by Epaphroditus¹¹.

Would that our fellow-citizens and co-heirs in the household of G-d would likewise revive their concern for the saints in Israel and be moved with loving kindness to share our troubles, to help us carry our burdens. It would indeed be a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to G-d; for the rendering of this service would not only supply the needs of the saints but also overflow in many thanksgivings to G-d. Under the test of this service, the churches would glorify G-d by their obedience in acknowledging the gospel of Israel’s Messiah, and by their generosity to Messiah's natural brethren.