MaozNews No. 164pdf
MaozNews No. 164pdf
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  1. 1MaozNews No. 164 August 2024Published every quarter or so© 2024Baruch MaozIf you receive this newsletter because you subscribed to the Special Reports about Israel’s war with Hamas and prefer not to receive MaozNews, please accept my apologies. I did not think of creating a separate mailing list until it was too late.If you will kindly inform me of your wish, I will ensure you will no longer receive MaozNews.Israel, pg. 1Ministry News, pg. 3Family News, pg. 4IsraelHad I writtenin the previous issue of MaozNews (January 2024) that Israel would still be engagedat this timein war with Hamas in Gaza, I suspect few if any of you would have believed me. But the reality comes as no surprise: The US is has been fighting El Qaida since November 2011, and ISSIS is likewise not yet fully eliminated.Hamas has had more than ample time to create its unparalleled and extensive subterranean infrastructure and to educate a whole generation of children in consequence to which it enjoys –to the surprise of the uninformed and the willfully blind –the support of an overwhelming part of the population in Gaza. That is why so many thousands of “innocent civilians” followed Hamas’s murderous militants into Israel and partook of the looting, raping and hostage taking.To date, 115 abductees are still in Hamas’ clutches. It is estimated that about half of them have died in captivity, many having succumbed to their wounds or their ill health for lack of proper medical treatment, to torture and to the lack of food, water, the light of the sun and clean air.Some of the abductees were murdered by Hamas on October 7, and their bodies were taken to Gaza to serve as bargaining chips. Among the abductees are two brothers, who were abducted at the age of 9 months and 4 years respectively. Pictured here with their mother.Israel has successfully gained control of most of the Gaza strip, with a minimum of civilian casualties in spite of Hamas’s efforts to increase theseand its slanted reporting, echoing by much of the international press. Israeli forces arenow engaged in the process of discovering and destroying the subterranean infrastructure, including tunnels that served to replenish
  2. 2Hamas ‘s ammunition and weaponry andan important source of income (Hamas imposed on all imports via the tunnels a 20% tax).Israel has agreed to bring an end to the war in exchange for the return of all the abductees. Hamas continues to stall, now awaiting the results of Iran and Hezbollah’s promised attacks on Israel in response to the assassinations in Beirut of Hezbollah’s Chief of Staff and Hamas’s “political” leader in Tehran. Yihyeh Sinwar, Hamas’s military leader, the architect of the October 7 atrocities, has now been elected to the post of its political leader as well. Do El Qaida or ISSIS have “political leaders”? Whatdoes such a title imply? Simply this, that the Sinwaris now the international propaganda chief and formal representative of the murderous organization he represents. Thefaçade with regard to Hamas’s supposed moderate political imagehas been removed by the joint appointment Sinwarnow enjoys.There is no denying that Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu’sirresponsible Government and his efforts at theoverhaul of Israel’s form of government and its judicial system, which provoked widespread opposition in Israel, was deemed to have created an opportune moment for Hamas to attack. Hamas believed –wrongly as it discovered–that Israeli society wasweakened to the extent it would be unable to defend itself. Sinwar therefore laid plans for the division of Israel into regions, governed by Hamas appointees. Heprepared for the murder and deportation of millions of Israelis, including Arab citizens of Israel who would not submit to Hamas’s rule, with the exception of those deemed necessary for the running of the essential infrastructure until such a time that they would be replaced by Hamas loyalists. Hamas actuallyapproached various individuals to inquire as to their willingness to undertake the government of the various regions into which the organization planned to divide the conquered country.The goal was the utter destruction of Israeland its replacement by a radical Islamic regime.Netanyahu’s irresponsible Government is still in power, although it has long lost the support of the general populace. The Attorney General, senior administration officials and the heads of the security forces have all stated that Netanyahu’s decisions are politically motivated, part of hiseffort to preserve his Government for as long as possible. They are not driven by concern for the nation. Tensions between himself and Yoav Galant, the Minister of Defense, the Attorney General, the Chief of Staff and the heads of what are Israel’s equivalents to the US’s FBI and CIA are the product of that set of priorities. In consequence, Netanyahu is in search of opportunity to rid himself of these critics and to appoint his own set of loyalists. His Minister of Justice and the Head of the Parliamentary Judicial Committee continue their efforts to overhaul the judicial system and rid Netanyahu of a pesky institutionthat has blocked his most radical legislative efforts.Israel is now on high alert following Iran and Hezbollah’s vow to revenge the assassinations mentioned above. Iran enlisted its proxies in Yemen, Iraq and Syria. Following Israel’s stern response to their attack on Tel-Aviv the Houthis in Yemen have so farbeen restrained from repeated provocations, but they are likely to join Iran in its effort to “teach Israel a lesson” A coalition of the USA, Italy and Britain, together with an assortment of moderate Arab countries, are preparing to stymie Iran’s efforts. Israel has warned both Iran and Hezbollah that it will respond with force to any successful attack and indicated it is considering a preemptive attack. The latter option is unlikely but must not be ruled out altogether.
  3. 3Although local and international pressure has been put on Iran and Hezbollah to avoid a major confrontation, and there seems to be some effect of that pressure, there is no way to ensure that such will be the result. Iran and Hezbollah’s attacks could lead to a major conflagration that will involve the wholeMiddle East. No one would be well served by such a development. Israel, Iran and Hezbollah indicated their desire to avoid such, but things could easily get out of hand and the extremists may well havetheir day.Should that happen, I will seek to make my way to Israeland be of as much help as I can to the country and to the churches. So long as I can be useful, it is wrongfor me to be away, in comfort and in safety, while my people struggle–literally, for their lives.Ministry NewsMy book, God in his Beautiful Greatness, is now available in English for pre-orders fromFounders Press (https://press.founders.org/)and in Hebrew. I am making major progress in the first stage of editing the English version ofmy book onhermeneutics. I expect this process to take place in two stages, following which I shall work on creating indices(ugh!). Toward the end of 2026, I hope to be ready to look for a publisher of this work in English,and to commence rewriting the bookin a slightly simplified versionin Hebrew. At the same time, for the sake of variety and to assist fresh thinking, I am translating Beeke and Reeves’s Following God Fully, written to introduce the Puritans to those who know little about them.This is an interesting undertaking, with a different set of challenges: the book makes repeated sidereferencesto subjects and events forcontext to its narrative. But many of these references are wholly unfamiliar to an Israeli Hebrew readership. For example, howmany of the book’s intended readers (indeed, of those who read this report) knowwhat the authors refer towhen they mention ”King Phillip’s war”? In addition, the book uses terms such aspuritan “divines” –how does one translate “divines” into another language while doing careful justice to the original intent of this enamoring designation? And so, I am forced to offer explanations and to uses phrases instead of words, at times to veer from a termaltogether so our readers will understand.To ensure I will not step out of bounds, I am making careful note of any such and will, of course, submit them to the scrutiny, approval or disapprovalof the book’s authors.Aside from my literary labors, I am grateful to be allowed by our church to lead a home group. My desire is to reinforce their commitment to ourchurch, to encourage them to think for themselves, broadly and deeply, to assist them to understand scripture on their ownand –above all –to love the Lord more warmly as well as more intelligently. Hence, I do not lecture and certainly do not preach. I ask open-ended questions about the text and its meaning in its broader context, and encourage participants to think through the practical applications of the truths they have discovered so that they are challenged to live godly, Christocentriclives.We meet alternately for snacks orpotluck on alternate Tuesdays, enjoy each other’s fellowship, share subjects for prayer, spend time praying and then devote 45-60 minutes of Bible study. I pray for grace to support our church’s pastoral team in the cultivation of humble, holy, thoughtful and courageous Christianscommitted to the life of the church and capable of holding forth the word of life in this ever-darkening world.
  4. 4In addition, I’m honored with the privilege of offering counsel to couples who request it. This is a privilege that must be treated with extra care because one is granted entrance to the most intimate, delicate and personal matters of God’s people. I oftenfind myself lacking in understanding knowledge of God’s word, in wisdom and in humility as I sit with these dear people and, with them, seek the mind of God in the context of their pains and sorrows. To the extent that is permissible, and with the full knowledge of the counselees, I keep the pastoral team abreast of the process but, obviously, there are details I ought not and do not share. This leaves me carrying much of the sweet burden of their pain alone, but for the Lord’s sustaining grace.Family NewsIn July, our eldest and youngest daughters took Bracha and me to Portugal for three weeks. We toured the country and met many of the country’s delightful and very welcoming people. It was sad to see so much of the country’s former glory aged,neglected and crumbling. Some of the churches and the palaces were breathtakingly beautiful, as was the view on the narrow, winding road just above the Duoro Valley, reputed to be the most beautiful road in Europe. We largely stayed in Airbnb’sand, where possible cooked for ourselves. On the Lord’s Days, Bracha, Tamar and I attended local churches, and on the last Lord’s Day in the country I was privileged to preach to the congregation of the First Baptist of Lisbon, where Tiago Olivera is serving with much dedication.Tiago’s challenges are very much like those I faced in Israel: beginning with a small and barely-taught congregation, serving in a context that is unfriendly to Protestantism and fellow believers who are uncomfortable with clearly Reformed preaching and practice, coping with an ever changing body of attendees, many of whom come from non-reformed Christian backgrounds and from different cultures. His response to these challenges are likewise similar to those of mine: seeking to be a faithful shepherd and a consistent and biblical expository preacher, promoting theological education and encouraging other young men in their labors. Tiago deserves and needs our prayers.At the time of writing, Avitalis in Israel, seeking to encourage her second daughter, Maya, who completed the term of her military service just before October 7 and who has since been serving as a volunteer in the OperationsRoom of Israel’s special forces. Eranand Nadavare about to make their way to Israel, where Nadav intends to spend a gap year in a program that will assist him to improve his Hebrewand engage in various social volunteer activities. Noam, working as a nurse in san Diego, intends to join her parents for the duration of their tine in Israel.Keith’shealth has improved. He has found part-time employment and is in search of fuller employment while looking into the possibility of retraining.Shlomitis enjoying the summer vacation and, at the same time, preparing for teaching her new class next year. The childrenall did very well at school.Marcusis very busy serving as a deaconin our church. He accepted a job with a new company,with the expectation doing so will advance his professional career. Tamarworks as a teacher’s aidewith immigrant students. She and Marcus often host members of the congregation. Yotamis to be home schooled this year and has set himself the goal of
  5. 5completing two academic years in one. He, Shai and Eliya are enjoying summer vacation. Shaiis very much, in every way,ateenager(need I spell that out?). Didiis verybusy socializing.Brachaspenttwo months in Israel as of January 22 . underwentthorough medical examinations thereand ispronounced to bea healthy 75+ year old. I’m healthy 80+ year old, grateful for the privilege and the ability to serve the Lord and his people in some way.Yours in unfathomable, inexhaustiblegrace,Baruch
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