“The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are. When I see the blood, I will pass over you…” (Exodus 12:13). 

Every day, across the globe, lives are saved in some way or another. They’re extricated from crumpled cars, plucked from raging waters, carried from burning buildings. They’re pulled back from the path of vehicles, given CPR by strangers or restored to health by medical professionals. 

In Egypt, God told the Israelites about the final plague He would bring on the entire land. The firstborn of every household, Jewish or Egyptian, human or animal, was going to die. But God provided the way for the Israelites to escape the coming death. They had to take the blood of a sacrificed lamb and paint it on the doorframes of their houses. When the Angel of Death came through the land and saw the blood, He would pass over those homes. The blood was their covering, their protection and salvation. 

Passover contains an illustration of the Messiah, who came to save us from spiritual death. He died to pay the penalty of sin on our behalf. That penalty is death, spiritual and eternal. Jesus is our Passover Lamb, and His shed blood covers and saves us. 

There are countless ways to save an earthly life, but only Jesus can save our eternal lives.  

“Amen, amen I tell you, whoever hears My word and trusts the One who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed over from death into life” (John 5:24). 

Scriptures 

Exodus 12:7, 12–13, Isaiah 53:6, Romans 6:23, and 1 Corinthians 5:7, Romans 3:25, Ephesians 1:7, Romans 5:9 

Reflection Questions 

• Have you ever been saved from physical death? How did you feel toward the person or people who saved you? 

• Think about your spiritual salvation. Remember back to how God drew you to Him and when you placed your faith in Him. Think for a moment about what He saved you from – spiritual death and eternal separation from Him. Thank Him for Jesus’ blood that covers your sin and saves you from this death.

“…For the joy set before Him, He endured…”  

—Hebrews 12:2

Imagine the sound of gravel beneath your feet as you walk in the place where Jesus spent His last hours before He was arrested. 

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed that if there were any other way, He’d rather not go through what lay ahead of Him – and then He relinquished His will to the Father’s.  

Hebrews tells us He laid down His own life “for the joy set before Him.” That joy was you. He knew that His death meant you would be reconciled to God and given eternal life.  

When you join us on the Jewish Voice Ministries Israel Tour 2021, you’ll visit the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient, gnarled olive trees and beautiful flower beds.  

You’ll see where Jesus knelt and prayed. You’ll look upon the setting where He stood up with resolve to face the mob who’d come out to arrest Him.  

You’ll see the place where He entrusted Himself to the Father and stepped willingly into the greatest sacrifice ever made – for you.  

And your faith will be transformed. 

The Garden of Gethsemane
is just one of the many biblical sites

that will invigorate your faith
when you join us on the

Jewish Voice Ministries

Israel Tour 2021

October 10-20, 2021

We are planning this exciting Israel tour in faith that COVID-19 will be a matter of little concern by tour time. However, in case it (or anything else beyond our control) causes travel restrictions that force us to cancel the trip, you will receive a full refund for any payments you’ve made toward it. If the tour is able to take place, but you choose to cancel your participation, our regular cancellation schedule listed in the brochure will apply.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Messiah Yeshua. For the law of the Spirit of life in Messiah Yeshua has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
Romans 8:1-2

As we look forward to Passover and remember all God has done for us, I want you to know how much I appreciate you and how thankful I am that you share my love for Israel and the Jewish people.

Thinking about the first Passover, the Jewish people in Egypt had no hope of freedom without God’s intervention. They were powerless against their captors. And then God stepped in to declare His love for His people, rescue them out of their slavery to Pharaoh, and set them free.

Likewise, God initiates our salvation. He is the One who sees our need and stretches out His hand to meet it. He sent Yeshua (Jesus), our Passover Lamb, to take on our sin and die in our place. God intervened and came to our rescue!

What a cause for celebration every day – but especially during Passover, which begins this Saturday at sunset.

While we wait for Passover to begin, join me in looking at some of the latest news from Israel and continuing to lift up the Jewish people in prayer.

Israel No Closer to a Government after Fourth Election

All the votes are in and the outcome of Israel’s fourth election in two years is the same as the last three: no party or coalition of parties received enough seats to form a government.

Despite strong early polling, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party and allies only secured 52 of the 61 seats needed. A bloc of opposition parties only managed to secure 57 seats. Even plans to form a centrist coalition would only result in 58 seats.

Two parties, the right-wing Yamina and Islamist Ra’amm, are currently undeclared with 11 seats between them. However, neither is likely to gives those seats to an existing coalition.

The election results won’t be certified until March 31, which still leaves time for a coalition with 61 seats to form, but it is unlikely. Even if it does, it might not last long.

After the third election ended in a stalemate, the two largest opposition parties, Likud and Blue and White, agreed to form a power-sharing government. This would have seen Prime Minister Netanyahu and Benny Gantz trade the role of Prime Minister every two years. However, the coalition dissolved in December when disagreements between the parties prevented them from passing the government budget by the required deadline.

As things stand now, a fifth election looks likely to take place later this year.

Virus-Killing Nasal Spray Begins Production in Israel

A nasal spray that is going to be marketed as capable of killing 99.9% of virus particles is now being produced in an Israeli factory.

It’s inventor, Dr. Gilly Regev, an Israeli-raised biochemist, says the spray could have prevented much of the world’s COVID-19 infection, The Times of Israel reported.

Regev, who co-founded the company SaNOtize and developed the spray in Canada, says “This will be affordable and can be used for prevention, to protect from any respiratory viral infection.”

She said that it has been shown to be effective in the lab against a wide range of viruses and said new variants of the coronavirus won’t interfere with its effectiveness. Regev emphasized that “it contains a broad-spectrum antiviral which kills all viruses and all variants.”

Regev called Enovid a “hand sanitizer equivalent for the nose,” and said it creates a physical barrier in the nasal passages to stop viruses along with a “chemical barrier” of nitric oxide, which is known for its antimicrobial qualities. “The nitric oxide means this is a special spray that doesn’t just block viruses but actually kills them,” she said.

Israel is going to be the first country where the nasal spray is sold. It is also approved for sale in New Zealand. Other countries, including the UK, are seeking approval to purchase it.

Oral COVID-19 Vaccine Could Be on Its Way, Claims Israeli-American Company

Preparations are underway by an Israeli-American pharmaceutical company to launch a Phase 1 clinical trial for what could become the world’s first oral COVID-19 vaccine.

Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc., a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, announced this past weekend a joint venture with India-based Premas Biotech to develop a novel oral vaccine.

The companies connected earlier this year and realized together they could revolutionize the marketplace, according to Oramed CEO Nadav Kidron. They formed the company Oravax Medical Inc. The vaccine is based on Oramed’s POD (Protein Oral Delivery) technology and Prema’s vaccine technology.

This new Oravax vaccine candidate targets three structural proteins of the novel coronavirus. The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines target a single spike protein, Kidron said. As such, “this vaccine should be much more resistant to COVID-19 variants,” he said.

Kidron expects Phase 1 human trial data to be available within three months.

Let Us Pray Together

Please pray with me for:

• Protection from the coronavirus for the people of Israel as families and communities gather to celebrate Passover together
• A peaceful, God-inspired solution to Israel’s government situation
• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah and Passover Lamb

A year ago, our world seemed to turn upside down. Life as we knew it changed dramatically because of the coronavirus pandemic.

At the same time, Jewish people around the world were preparing to celebrate Passover, which brought to my mind some parallels to the first Passover.

We were — and still are — experiencing a plague. Leading up to that first Passover, there were nine horrible plagues. And then the tenth, and worst of all, the death of all the firstborn in Egypt.

Passover and all of the plagues were a reminder to the Israelites that the world they were living in was not their home. For us, this pandemic serves as a similar reminder.

That first Passover, the blood of a lamb without defect was spread on the doorposts as the sign to pass over those homes, to spare them from the plague.

God saved the Israelites because of the blood of the lamb. This was a foreshadowing of Yeshua (Jesus) -- the perfect Lamb of God — who saved us by the shedding of His blood as a sacrifice for our sin.

I believe that today is the day to declare this Good News to the Jewish people. Passover serves as a reminder of God’s miraculous provision and protection. That provision is God’s Son, the Messiah!

This pandemic has created a greater spiritual openness in the people we serve — in particular, Jewish people in Israel. Anxiety and fear of sickness and death have led many who have never thought about their salvation to begin asking big questions.

It is time for our Spring Week of Prayer and Fasting here at Jewish Voice. These twice-yearly corporate experiences have a significant impact on our ministry. We believe this year’s time of being in the Lord’s presence will influence the road ahead that He is calling us to travel together.

For each day during the week, we have a different Scripture theme. Will you pray for the Lord’s presence to be upon us and on this dedicated time? Here are our themes so you can pray along with us:

So All Israel Shall Be Saved • Romans 11:26–27

Lord, we desire to see all Israel – all the Jewish people – come to know Jesus as the Jewish Messiah and Savior and be saved. Fuel us with faith to see this Scripture fulfilled. May this burden burn in our hearts and inform each prayer and decision.

Call A Sacred Assembly • Joel 2:1, 12, 15–18

May You mark this set-apart time with a deep sense of the movement of Your Holy Spirit. We are sobered by the understanding that Your return is closer than ever before. We come together in fasting and prayer to ask that You would spare Your people and be jealous for Your Land.

For Such a Time as This • Esther 4:14

We could not have imagined we would be going through such a time as this. Please help us be fully prepared as a ministry to step even further forward in seeing the salvation of the Jewish people, even during challenging times like these. May we be even more fervent because of times like these.

Remove the Leaven • 1 Corinthians 5:6–8

Father, just as we prepare for Pesach (Passover) by removing anything made with yeast from our homes, so too we want to be cleansed and purified in our daily lives. May we, with Your help, recognize and deal with anything in our hearts and habits that is not of You, so that we can live in sincerity and truth.

Moving Forward with His Presence • Exodus 33:14–15

Oh, Lord, we can’t do this in our own strength, under our own willpower and wisdom. We must have Your presence with us, and we won’t dare to move forward without You. We don’t ask You to bless our plans – we ask You to show us Your way and be with us every step and every moment.

We are so thankful to the Lord for His faithfulness to Jewish Voice Ministries for over 50 years. In this new era, we continue to trust Him to guide, equip, provide and open doors for us to take the Good News to the Jewish people. We are utterly dependent on Him and only want to go where He goes. And so, we worship, pray, and fast. Will you join us in this prayer?

LET’S PRAY:

Lord, we are hungry for You, and we are pursuing You – for such a time as this. Give us an enlarged capacity for prolonged times of worship, prayer, and simply tarrying in Your presence. We invite Your Holy Spirit to move among us. Do the work of spiritual preparation, provision, and equipping. Prepare the way You are calling us to go and how You are leading us to minister this year and beyond. We devote our weeks of prayer and fasting, as well as our times of worship and prayer every week, to You, knowing You will do exceedingly abundantly more than we ask or think. In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name, AMEN.

“For sin’s payment is death, but God’s gracious gift is eternal life in Messiah Yeshua our Lord.”
Romans 6:23 (TLV)

Thank you for your love for Israel and your desire to stay informed and partner with our ministry to the Jewish people, both through prayer and financial support. You are a great blessing to me, to Jewish Voice and to the Jewish people!

We are just a little over a week away from Passover, one of the most widely celebrated Jewish holidays. In these days leading up to Passover, I encourage you to read Exodus chapter 12 to further dig into what we commemorate during this celebration. And to also understand how God gave us a picture at Passover of what was to come when Yeshua (Jesus) shed His blood to save us from our sin and give us eternal life. Our risen Messiah is the greatest reason to celebrate!

This week, we also have news worthy of celebrating – from no increase in coronavirus cases due to Purim gatherings to the possibility that Israel will allow larger groups to gather to celebrate Passover. The country is also opening up the airport to flights from all over the world.

In addition, Kosovo opened its embassy to Israel – in Jerusalem rather than Tel Aviv. They are only the third country to take this bold step in support of the Jewish State.

But the country is still facing challenges this week. Terror groups have threatened Israel in response to the deaths of three fishermen from Gaza. Hamas believes their deaths are due to an Israeli drone that exploded when it was being removed from their fishing nets. Israel has denied any involvement.

As we get our hearts and minds ready for Passover over this next week, I hope you will both rejoice with me and pray with me for Israel and the Jewish people.

Thankfully “Purim Effect” Didn’t Happen

Israeli officials are starting to sigh with relief. It’s more than two weeks after Purim and the dreaded spike in the COVID-19 infection rate has not occurred despite numerous illegal gatherings during the celebration, The Jerusalem Post reported.

In fact, numbers in Israel continue to decline in new coronavirus cases, active cases and serious cases. The numbers released on Sunday showed active cases dropping below 30,000 for the first time since September, according to The Times of Israel.

Considering the country’s successful vaccination campaign, the positive trend is not surprising. More than five million people have received at least one vaccine dose and four million have both doses.

Health Ministry Could Be Preparing to End Outdoor Mask Mandate by April

On Sunday, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that the Health Ministry is preparing to end rules requiring Israelis to wear face masks while outdoors.

The end of outdoor mask-wearing could happen as soon as April, according to the report, following the continued drop in COVID-19 morbidity rates in Israel, The Times of Israel reported.

Health Ministry Director-General Chezy Levy declined to respond regarding the mask mandate report. But he said that it’s possible the current limits on private gatherings (20 people indoors and 50 people outdoors) could be expanded – perhaps even before the start of Passover.

This year the holiday begins the evening of Saturday, March 27.

“We have two more weeks; it’s possible we’ll change the restrictions for the better ahead of the evening of the Seder; we may allow more people to be together,” Levy said. “I can’t make promises, but I very much hope so. It’s up to us.”

Israel Gives Okay for Flights From All Destinations

On Tuesday, Israel began allowing flights from all destinations in the world. This change is expected to encourage the return of Israelis from abroad who want to vote in the upcoming March 23 elections.

The limit of 3,000 passengers entering the country per day will remain, and the Health Ministry retains the authority to cancel a specific flight if it is believed to endanger public health, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Kosovo Establishes Its Embassy in Jerusalem

On Sunday, Kosovo’s Foreign Ministry formally opened its embassy to Israel in Jerusalem, according to The Times of Israel.

A statement reported the move was made after the establishment of diplomatic ties with Israel on February 1 and a Kosovo-Serbia summit held at the White House in September.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora announces that the Kosovo Embassy in the State of Israel, with headquarters in Jerusalem, officially has been opened,” said the statement.

Kosovo is the first European country and Muslim-majority one to establish its embassy in Jerusalem. It joins the U.S. and Guatemala.

Israel’s Underground Wall Surrounding Gaza Completed

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) completed a sophisticated, new underground barrier after four years of work, The Times of Israel reported. The wall, on the Gaza border, is used to detect and prevent tunnel-digging by terror groups into Israeli territory.

The barrier is basically a thick concrete wall that goes dozens of yards underground and is lined with sensors designed to pick up any digging activity.

In October, the wall stopped its first tunnel, according to the military. The tunnel had gone dozens of yards into Israeli territory but remained on the Gazan side of the barrier around the Gaza Strip. It was the 20th tunnel attempt by Gaza terrorists that has been stopped since the 2014 Gaza war. During that war, the IDF destroyed approximately 30 tunnels that had reached into Israel, according to a military spokesperson.

Terror Group Hamas Blames Israel for Death of Three Gazan Fishermen, Vows Revenge

Last Thursday, the Hamas terror group blamed Israel for an explosion that killed three fishermen off the coast of Gaza earlier in the week. This led to several armed factions in Gaza vowing revenge.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not immediately provide a response to requests for comments on Hamas’ claim. Though the IDF did deny involvement, saying there had been “no Israeli fire” toward Gaza and “This is an internal Gaza incident.”

Hamas Interior Ministry spokesperson Iyad al-Bozm said that the three fishermen were killed by an explosion caused by a toppled Israeli drone that had been caught in their net, The Times of Israel reported.

“The three fishermen from the Al-Lahham family were killed due to the detonation of an explosive device installed on a quadcopter belonging to the Israeli occupation, which got stuck in their nets and exploded while they were extracting it,” al-Bozm said.

Following Thursday’s announcement by Hamas, Islamic Jihad vowed revenge against Israel saying the country was responsible for the fishermen’s deaths.

Let Us Pray Together

Please pray with me for:

• For COVID-19 cases to keep trending down, so families can gather to celebrate Passover
• More countries to establish diplomatic ties with Israel and open their embassies in Jerusalem – just as Kosovo did earlier this week
• Protection for Israel, and that terror groups would not “seek revenge” for the deaths of the Gazan fishermen
• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah

“Now we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 (TLV)

Thank you for your love and concern for Israel and the Jewish people. Your partnership to “transform lives and see all Israel saved” is such a blessing to me and to the ministry of Jewish Voice.

Because you believe in the work God has called us to, I know you understand and are thankful for the “bigger picture” view. Sometimes, with all that is happening in our lives and in our world, it can be easy to only focus on what’s right in front of us. That’s when we need to turn to Scripture, be encouraged by Romans 8:28 because we know “all things work together for good for those who love God…”

As you read through this week’s news updates, please pray with me for the Jewish people to see God working through all that is going on – whether we view it as good or bad news – and for them to turn to our Messiah, Jesus, who works all things together for good for those who love Him.

Five Million Israelis Vaccinated, New Cases and Deaths From COVID-19 Continue to Decline

On Monday, Israel vaccinated its five millionth citizen against the coronavirus. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu predicted the entire adult population would be inoculated by the end of April. He said authorities are working to secure tens of millions more vaccine doses for the country with the goal of keeping the economy open and no further lockdowns.

“We can now open up nearly everything, the economy, culture, sport, leisure, tourism,” Health Minister Yuli Edelstein said, referring to lockdown restrictions which were already significantly rolled back on Sunday.

Of the five million who have now had the first vaccine dose, 3,789,118 have also had the second, according to Health Ministry figures released Monday, according to The Times of Israel.

Infections and new COVID-19 deaths in Israel continue to decline from highs in January. The number of seriously ill patients has dropped to its lowest point since last year.

Israel Enters Vaccine Development Agreement With Austria and Denmark

Last week, the leaders of Israel, Austria and Denmark announced an alliance for joint research and development of drugs to fight future pandemics and also a joint investment on production of coronavirus vaccines.

At a press conference alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederickson and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said the three countries will launch “a research and development fund” to enable the “joint efforts for common production of future vaccines.”

Netanyahu said that “together we’re starting here something that I think will galvanize the imagination of the world… other countries have already called me and they’ve said, ‘We want to be part of this effort.’ ”

Frederiksen said the three countries “have been working very closely together” since the start of the pandemic and that “all have promising research that could pave the way for [a] next-generation platform.”

The countries share a vision for the future that “timely access to vaccines will be critical for our societies in the years to come,” she said, adding that Denmark and Austria are “very inspired by Israel’s ability to roll out the vaccines” for the coronavirus so efficiently, The Times of Israel reported.

Netanyahu Vows to Fight Against ICC Decision to Launch War Crimes Probe Targeting Israel

Prime Minister Netanyahu says Israel will fight against the International Criminal Court (ICC)’s decision to investigate Israel for alleged war crimes, according to The Jerusalem Post.

These alleged war crimes are regarding Israeli and Palestinian actions in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza since June 13, 2014.

“I think this is an outrageous decision,” Netanyahu said on Fox News. “It goes against the one democracy in the Middle East. They don’t put on [trial] Syria… or Iran. This is pure anti-Semitism… This is an affront for all democracies.”

The prime minister lamented that the ICC, which was established to “prevent the horrors of the Holocaust,” now says “if we build a house in Jerusalem, that’s a war crime. I’m going to fight for the truth, fight against this perversion of justice until it is null and void,” Netanyahu said.

Israeli diplomats have been in contact with their U.S. counterparts regarding this development.

“The United States firmly opposes and is deeply disappointed by this decision,” said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. “The ICC has no jurisdiction over this matter. Israel is not a party to the ICC and has not consented to the court’s jurisdiction, and we have serious concerns about the ICC’s attempts to exercise its jurisdiction over Israeli personnel.”

Blinken also said the Palestinians don’t qualify as a sovereign state and therefore cannot participate in the ICC.

American B-52s Escorted by Israeli Jets in Show of Force to Iran

On Sunday, Israeli F-15 fighter jets escorted two American B-52 bombers through Israeli airspace. Amid rising tensions in the region, this is a new show of force by the U.S. against Iran – with an Israeli element.

Over the past few weeks there have been multiple attacks on U.S. military bases in Iraq by Iran-linked militias and also an attack on an Israeli-owned ship in the Gulf of Oman that Israel has blamed on Iran. Late last month, the U.S. responded to the rocket attacks on its bases with an airstrike in Syria on Iran-linked militia, The Times of Israel reported.

According to the U.S. military, the flight of the B-52s was meant to “deter aggression and reassure partners and allies of the U.S. military’s commitment to security in the region.”

Aircraft from Saudi Arabia and Qatar escorted the B-52 bombers as they flew through their respective airspaces.

Israel’s Underground Wall Surrounding Gaza Completed

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) completed a sophisticated, new underground barrier after four years of work, The Times of Israel reported. The wall, on the Gaza border, is used to detect and prevent tunnel-digging by terror groups into Israeli territory.

The barrier is basically a thick concrete wall that goes dozens of yards underground and is lined with sensors designed to pick up any digging activity.

In October, the wall stopped its first tunnel, according to the military. The tunnel had gone dozens of yards into Israeli territory but remained on the Gazan side of the barrier around the Gaza Strip. It was the 20th tunnel attempt by Gaza terrorists that has been stopped since the 2014 Gaza war. During that war, the IDF destroyed approximately 30 tunnels that had reached into Israel, according to a military spokesperson.

Israel Names Vessel That Caused Oil Spill on Israel’s Coastline

A Libyan-owned ship named Emerald has been named by Israel as the cause of a huge oil spill that has severely damaged the coastline. It’s being described as an act of “eco-terrorism.”

The Emerald took on an estimated 112,000 tons of crude oil in Iran before encircling the Persian Gulf and entering Egyptian waters and then passing through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean.

The ship was seen anchored off Iran’s Kharg Island on January 17, according to photographs released by the Environmental Protection Ministry last week, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Significant damage was done to the coastline, wildlife habitats and marine life by the tar from the spillage on February 17.

Let Us Pray Together

Please pray with me for:

• Continued success in Israel’s vaccination campaign
• Protection for Israelis as pandemic restrictions continue to be lifted
• Great success to come out of the new agreement between Israel, Austria and Denmark in dealing with future pandemics
• Justice to be done regarding the ICC war crimes probe
• A strong partnership to develop between Israel’s leaders and U.S. President Biden and his administration
• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah