FACTS ABOUT THE ISRAELI DEFENSE FORCES
It is sometimes difficult for
us to visualize Yeshua as Commander in Chief of the Armies of God but that is
exactly who He is. The Bible uses the term “Lord of Hosts” to describe Yeshua’s
role as Commander in Chief. In the realm of spiritual warfare as described in
Ephesians 6.11-18 we can see ourselves as soldiers in God’s Army.
We are told to put on the
whole armor of God and to stand against the enemy. Our spiritual warfare
affects what happens not only on earth but in the heavenly realm. The Book of
Daniel chapters 9 and 10 describe Daniel’s encounter with Gabriel and Michael,
two Archangels of the Lord.
Daniel’s prayers were part of
the warfare taking place in the heavenly realm. They had an effect on the
battle taking place in the air which in turn had an effect on what was taking
place on earth in our realm. During the 20th Century God raised up
an intercessor by the name of Rees Howells in Wales. This man was led to open
several Bible Colleges that focused on intercession.
During World War Two Mr.
Howells and the students at these schools prayed through the great battles of
the war. They wrestled in the spirit until they prayed through. They would note
the time that they felt they had prayed through specific battles and later
would read in the newspapers the time when the tide of battle had turned. The
times would always match! Ref: Rees Howells Intercessor by Norman Grubb.
The Book of Daniel lays out
this principle of spiritual warfare along with Ephesians. Our prayers are
effectual and have an effect on what happens here on earth. This is a principle
especially seen throughout the Old Testament in the Book of Joshua and Kings.
God fights for and stands up for His people when they are fighting righteous battles.
Our prayers for the action in the Middle East do not fall on deaf ears--God
hears!
The Israeli Defense Forces
(IDF) is the army of Israel. The “Ramat Kal” is Hebrew for Commander in Chief.
Conversely we can look at Yeshua as our “Ramat Kal.” The IDF ideally operates
on a principle called “Ruach Tzahal” or “Spirit of the IDF” which represents
the values of and foundation for the responsibilities of the IDF. This is the
ethical code that is applied to all units of the IDF. Every soldier and
commander in the army studies this code in detail. A framed copy hangs in every
commander’s office as a constant reminder of the IDF’s values and guidelines.
The Ruach Tzahal Draws
from Four Sources:
1. The tradition of the IDF
and its military heritage as the Israel Defense Forces.
2. The tradition of the State
of Israel and its democratic principles, laws and institutions.
3. The tradition of the
Jewish People throughout history.
4. Universal moral values
based on the value of dignity and human life.
From These Fundamental
Values Comes the Following Ten Additional Values:
1. Human Life - The IDF
serviceman will recognize the value of human life and will often place himself
at risk to the extent required to carry out his mission.
2. Purity of Arms - The IDF
soldier is to apply self-control in the use of armed force for the purpose of
subduing the enemy. He is to limit his use of force so as to prevent
unnecessary harm to human life.
3. Personal Example - The IDF
soldier will act as he demands of others, thoughtfully and dedicatedly.
4. Responsibility - The IDF
soldier will see himself as an active participant in the defense of his country
and its citizens.
5. Comradeship - The IDF
soldier will always go to the aid of his comrades when they need his help or
depend on him, despite any danger or difficulty, even to the point of risking
his life.
6. Professionalism - The IDF
soldier will aspire to be familiar with and understand the body of knowledge
pertaining to his military position and will master every skill necessary for
carrying out his duties.
7. Discipline - The IDF soldier
will execute completely and successfully all that is required of him according
to the letter and spirit of his orders and within the framework of the law.
8. Loyalty - The IDF soldier
will act with complete dedication in the defense of the State of Israel and it’s
citizens, according to IDF orders, within the framework of the laws of the
state and democratic principles.
9. Reliability and
Trustworthiness - The IDF serviceman will strive in all his actions to fulfill
his duties correctly and at the highest professional level--thorough
preparation to true, honest, complete and precise reporting.
10. Perseverance in Mission
and Dedication to the Pursuit of Victory - The IDF soldier will fight and
conduct himself with courage in the face of all dangers and obstacles; he will
persevere in his mission courageously and resolutely to the point of
endangering his own life.
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Is the IDF a perfect example?
Of course not. They have made mistakes and violated these principles during the
course of war. The fact is that they are trained to fight according to these
values and do their best to preserve innocent lives in combat--not an easy
task. Anything that puts a soldier at risk such as these principles is just
another obstacle for them to overcome in the ugly state of warfare—LIVE COMBAT!
Compare the IDF with the
values of their enemies and the contrasts are glaringly obvious.
Radical Islam has no respect for human life, diverse cultures or
religions. They murder people unmercifully and glory in the shedding of blood.
They are driven by the spirit of the power of the air--Satan who seeks to
steal, kill, and destroy.
They have no regard for
Israel and only desire to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. How do you
negotiate peace with this type of enemy? Would the United States negotiate with
this type of enemy? Why should Israel? Yet they continue to try.
Swearing in Service
When an IDF soldier completes
his or her training, they swear to protect the “moedet” or the land of their
forefathers. In Hebrew “Ani Nishba” means “I swear.” They consider themselves
to be entering into a covenant with God and country. Each soldier receives a
rifle in their left hand and a copy of the Hebrew Bible in their right hand.
The officiating Rabbi reads from Joshua 1 and the troops sing the national
anthem “Ha Tikvah” meaning “The Hope” which reflects on the dry bones coming
together in Ezekiel 37.
As we watch events unfold in
the Middle East and Israel it is good we understand Israel’s position and
support their army in our prayers. At some future date their Ramat Kal, Yeshua
the Messiah, is going to come riding in to their rescue and salvation! Yeshua
came the first time as the suffering servant--but at His second coming he will
be coming to fiercely judge all those who have refused to honor His Royal Law
and divide His land among themselves.
"For
behold, in those days and at that time, When I restore the fortunes of Judah
and Jerusalem, I
will gather all
the
nations And bring them down to the
valley of Jehoshaphat. Then
I will enter into
judgment with
them there On
behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, Whom
they
have scattered among
the nations; And they have divided up
My land. "They have also cast lots for My people, Traded a boy
for a harlot And sold a girl for wine that they may drink. Joel 3.1-3
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