“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.””

James 1:5 NIV

Wisdom. God wants to give it to us if we will ask. Let us not only ask for ourselves, but for leaders and decision-makers around the world. We need wisdom in the ongoing battle against the coronavirus. Israel’s leaders need wisdom to do what is best for their people. And, let’s pray specifically for the people of Lebanon as they need great wisdom to move forward after last week’s shocking tragedy.

In the wake of that devastating explosion in Beirut, massive protests took place against the Lebanese government and against Hezbollah. The country’s economy has been in dire straits for a long time and for many, this incident was the last straw. On Monday, the prime minister and the entire Lebanese Cabinet resigned. We’ll all be watching closely to see what happens next and praying for God to raise up the right people to lead Lebanon forward.

Here is more detailed news about the latest developments regarding Lebanon and the coronavirus in Israel.

Entire Lebanese Cabinet resigns amidst public outcry after Beirut explosion

On Monday, after a weekend full of protests and anger directed at the country’s ruling elite over last week’s devastating blast in Beirut, Lebanon’s government resigned.

The explosion on August 4 caused widespread destruction, killed more than 200 people and injured about 6,000 others. More than 300,000 have been left homeless.

The government has been accused of corruption, incompetence and mismanagement for months. Since October there have been mass demonstrations demanding the leadership’s departure.

“Lets hope a new government will be formed quickly,” Public Works Minister Michel Najjar told reporters. “An effective government is the least we need to get out of this crisis.”

The blast is believed to have been caused by a fire that set off a 2,750-ton stockpile of explosive ammonium nitrate. It had been stored at the port since 2013 with few precautions despite warnings of the danger.

World leaders and international organizations pledged nearly $300 million in emergency humanitarian aid to Beirut in the wake of the explosion. But Lebanese authorities must commit themselves to the political and economic reforms demanded by the people before money for rebuilding the capital would be made available, according to The Times of Israel.

Israeli hospitals, government offer help to Lebanese

Doctors in Israel fear many lives will be needlessly lost if people who were wounded in last week’s port explosion in Beirut aren’t allowed to go to Israel for treatment.

“It will mean unnecessary suffering and death,” Anthony Luder, a senior doctor at Ziv Medical Center in Safed, told The Times of Israel.

Luder said that if Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based Iran-backed terror group that is also part of the Lebanese government, blocks the treatment, “these people will be the victims of Hezbollah terror, no less than people who are shot by the group.”

“The number of people killed in Beirut indicates there are thousands facing health issues, and they just don’t have the facilities to treat them, while other neighbors aren’t in a good situation to help them,” Luder explained.

In addition to Israeli hospitals offering treatment, the Israeli government offered humanitarian help to Lebanon last week. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “We distinguish between the regimes and the people.”

Israeli government working to ensure its citizens can receive Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it’s available

Biotech company Moderna, working with the National Institutes of Health in the U.S., has started the third and final stage of the clinical trial for its COVID-19 vaccination.

The company’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Tal Zaks, said, “As a former Israeli I'm glad to know that the Israeli government has indeed seen fit to make sure the vaccination will be available to its population.” Zaks confirmed that Israel is one of the countries that has already ordered the vaccine, according to YNet News.

Moderna and the National Institutes of Health are starting mass human trials with 30,000 participants – half will receive the vaccination and the other half a placebo.

There is currently no concrete timeline as to when the vaccination will be made available to the general public.

"We assume that around November-December we will know if the vaccination works," said Zaks.

New plan to battle coronavirus praised by top health experts

Just over two weeks into his appointment to lead Israel’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, Ronni Gamzu got his strategic plan passed by the coronavirus cabinet last week.

This victory means at least two weeks without a country-wide lockdown. Gamzu’s plan received top scores from three medical experts.

The Jerusalem Post asked for input from: Cyrille Cohen, head of the immunotherapy laboratory at Bar-Ilan University, Hadassah Medical Center head Zeev Rotstein and Arnon Afek, deputy director-general of Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer.  

Cohen said Gamzu avoided what would have been an ineffective and unwarranted lockdown.

“I hear a lot of people saying put lockdown in effect now and end” [the spread of the virus], said Cohen. But if nothing else changes within two weeks of lifting the lockdown, Israel would be back where it started concerning the infection rate and the economy will be worse off than before, he explained.

He added that if we look closely at the data, it is correct that “we are seeing a kind of flattening of the curve.” He said Gamzu is looking not only at the total number of new patients, but the number of critical patients.

Rostein said the number of severe patients and total number of patients is on the decline.

“Under this observation, no more restrictions are needed,” Rostein said, with emphasis on “more,” meaning he would not advise lifting any of the remaining restrictions.

Afek said, “We are trying to recreate an agreement with the public about the importance of doing all the right things to prevent this lockdown. I hope the public understands the need to cooperate to prevent a lockdown.”

Next Week on the Middle East Update

We are learning today that Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have just agreed to the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab country in the past 25 years, according to The Jerusalem Post. The peace treaty was decided on in a phone call between U.S. President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed. Next week, we will present full coverage on the topic.

Let us pray together

As we ask God for wisdom for ourselves and others, please pray with me for:

• Leaders in Lebanon to do what is best for their people as the country works to recover from the devastating explosion in Beirut, including making sure those who are injured get the medical care they need

• Israel’s government to work together in the ongoing battle against the coronavirus

• The approval and advancement of effective new technologies to help fight the pandemic and save lives, including development of mass testing systems and successful clinical trials for vaccines under development
• Protection from terrorist groups like Hezbollah and others who seek to harm Israel and the Jewish people
• The citizens of Beirut as they continue to deal with the aftermath of the massive explosion in their city that left many dead, injured and homeless
• The peace agreement between Israel and the UAE to cause more Jewish people to seek their Messiah Jesus and put their faith in the Him

Consider a generous gift

Thank you for praying with us for Israel and the Jewish people. You can also show your support with a financial gift.

Your generous gift will meet urgent needs for the most vulnerable Jewish populations in Israel – who are suffering even more because of the pandemic. You’ll help come alongside elderly men and women, recent immigrants, widows, orphans and others who are struggling with even basic necessities.

Your support today will also be used to reach the “Lost Tribes of Israel” scattered around the world with humanitarian aid, clean water and medical, dental and eye care.

Meeting physical needs opens the door to share the love and hope of Yeshua (Jesus) with Jewish people, bringing spiritual healing to hurting hearts.

Your gift will also help engage the Church concerning Israel and the Jewish people through our publications and social media presence, leadership training and more.

Thank you for your support

Thank you for being a faithful supporter of Jewish Voice and for your love for the Jewish people in Israel and around the world. I’m grateful for your partnership.

Are we in the End Times? What is God’s plan for the Jewish people? Do Gentile Believers have a role to play? Does understanding the Feasts of the Bible provide insight for our lives today? What is the significance of current events in Israel and the Middle East? How can I share the Good News with Jewish family and friends?

Each of these pertinent questions – and more – is addressed by the JVMI Speakers ministry. JVMI Speakers is part of the third element of our mission, which is to “engage the Church concerning Israel and the Jewish people.”

The Body of Believers throughout the world is precious to the Lord. And God desires us to grow in knowing Him and what matters to Him. This includes the important aspect of understanding His heart and plans for the Jewish people and Israel.

Would you pray for our speakers and church engagement team as we seek to bring congregations into partnership with God in these areas?

Please pray for:

• An increasing desire among congregations to know and understand the Lord’s heart for Israel and the Jewish people
• Interest in Christianity’s Hebrew roots and the resurgence of attention on End-Time Bible prophecy to lead many to contact the JVMI Speakers ministry to learn more
• The safety, anointing and well-being of JVMI staff who travel to speak at churches, events and other gatherings throughout the country and around the world
• Pastors and others with spiritual influence to see the importance of understanding Israel and the Jewish people and invite our speakers to their church or community
• The opening of borders – both state and international – as well as churches so that speaking commitments already on our calendar for the next several months can take place safely and effectively
• Attendees of these events to be blessed and partner with Jewish Voice by going on an Outreach, giving, or praying for us
• Other creative and effective ways for Jewish Voice to engage the Church concerning Israel and the Jewish people

We feel an urgency to see the Gospel proclaimed to the Jew first and see the world’s Messianic Jewish community grow. We know it is critical to both biblical prophecy and Jewish Voice’s ability to fulfill our mission that Gentile Believers understand the significance of Israel and the Jewish people. Thank you for joining us in prayer as we seek to engage the Church!

Let’s pray:

Lord, we have always been called to take the Good News of salvation to the Jewish people. But we also have good news for Gentile Believers and churches as well: news that will help them understand the whole of Scripture, see Your hand in biblical prophecy and current events, and find peace in troubled times. Please prepare the way for our speakers bearing Your message and use us to call the Church into understanding Your heart and partnering with You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Coming September 1, 2020!

A brand-new podcast from Jewish Voice:

A Jew & A Gentile Discuss

One is Jewish. One is Gentile. Both believe in Jesus. Ezra Benjamin and Carly Berna from the Jewish Voice team join up on a podcast to explore life, faith and current events from a biblical viewpoint. And with their different religious backgrounds, they’re going to disagree on some points.

You won’t hear this kind of thing in your church or Bible study. Nothing’s off-limits on A Jew & A Gentile Discuss.

You’ll:

• Hear straightforward and honest conversations from these two different perspectives
• Learn intriguing information about prophecy, events in the Middle East and more
• Enjoy special guests, surprising insights, and some of the amazing work God is doing around the world

In the first few episodes alone, they’ll:

• Tackle the differences between Messianic Judaism and Christianity, and
• Break down misconceptions and pre-conceived notions between Jews and Christians

Trust us – you won’t want to miss this podcast!

Sign up today to receive a launch reminder for A Jew & A Gentile Discuss – and get ready for some exciting conversations, beginning September 1 with a short introductory show.

You and I share an exciting vision: that “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26). And everything we do together, as partners in ministry, is with that goal in mind.

It’s about the Gospel – introducing the Jewish people and their neighbors to Jesus, the Messiah. It’s the greatest and the most important way you can bless anyone.

And it has never been more important than it is now amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Of course, humanitarian works, like our Medical Outreaches, are critical. But without the Good News, these efforts make only a temporary difference.

That’s why ministry work among the Jewish people wherever they are around the world – is never a one-time event. We at Jewish Voice don’t feel called to short-term ministry.

Rather, much like the biblical model, we believe God has called us to build long-term partnerships around the world – to plant, support and come alongside local churches and Messianic congregations. And, through God’s blessing, to help grow these communities as vibrant witnesses for the transforming power of the Gospel.

Linking arms with other ministry partners and congregations helps cultivate each seed of faith sown so that it will eventually bear good, strong, vibrant fruit… especially in areas where there’s little or no knowledge of Jesus. Both in Israel and around the world.

This is a massive undertaking. And I believe it is one of the greatest ways to build God’s Kingdom this year.

Your help will make a big difference…

Even as I write, through your gifts, Jewish Voice supports some 300 other congregations and ministries around the world. This number includes work in Israel, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Russia, Poland, Argentina, United States, Mexico, Canada and more.

In fact, it costs over $3 million to support these ministries for an entire year. And I’m praying you can give a generous gift to help.

But more than that, let’s go even further…

This year, let’s grow the number of ministries and congregations that we support together.

This is a huge undertaking for Jewish Voice. But I’m sure you’ll agree … the potential for building God’s Kingdom is too great and too important to do anything less.

But we can only move ahead with this as the Lord opens doors. And as He provides through His people.

Thank you in advance. You will make such a difference!

“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations””

Psalm 33:11 NIV

I’m thankful that despite all that is going on around us and even with news and events changing daily, we can put our trust in God – who does not change. We can take confidence in His words to us. As it says in Psalm 33, “The plans of the Lord stand firm forever.”

In Israel, coronavirus cases are on the rise again. With that reality, I’m sharing a variety of news stories – including hospitals filling up, Israel working on new fast-track virus testing to open up their airport, and an agreement with a U.S. biotech company to secure vaccines as soon as they are available.

Meanwhile, the government promised no closures in the coming days for gyms and tourist attractions, and summer camps and summer school will continue through the last scheduled day of August 6.

And if the pandemic wasn’t enough to contend with, on Monday, Israel Defense Forces had to thwart a Hezbollah terror attack near the border with Lebanon.

As always, there is much to be in prayer for concerning Israel and her people.

Coronavirus wards full at four of Israel’s largest hospitals

According to Israel’s Health Ministry, the coronavirus wards at four of the country’s largest hospitals are full, and a fifth is nearing capacity. Serious coronavirus cases are continuing to rise, putting a strain on the healthcare system.

The ministry said Jerusalem’s Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem was operating at 120% capacity, with its virus treatment department at 152% capacity. Also in Jerusalem, Shaare Zedek Medical Center wards were at 104% capacity and the virus department at 106%, the ministry said.

In Tel Aviv, the Ichilov Medical Center was at 104% capacity, with 110% for its virus department, and the country’s largest hospital, Sheba Medical Center, was at 99.56% capacity, with 90% of its virus department filled, according to The Times of Israel.

Israel planning to open fast-track coronavirus testing at Ben-Gurion Airport

Representatives of the Airports Authority, the National Security Council, and the Health and Transportation ministries met late last week to begin work on seeking a private company to hire to establish fast-track coronavirus testing labs at Ben-Gurion Airport, according to The Jerusalem Post.

The president of one of the companies interested in bidding to establish the labs explained how the process would work:

Israeli travelers would be screened at a drive-thru testing station 72 hours before their flight and receive the results on their mobile phone. If the test result is negative, the traveler would go to the airport and be given a second test. The results would be received upon arrival at their destination. Then they would be able to present two negative tests.

Foreigners desiring to enter Israel would be immediately screened when they arrive at Ben-Gurion Airport. Then they would enter isolation for approximately 24 hours to wait for their results. If the results are negative, they can continue their stay. If the test is positive, the visitor would remain in quarantine for 10-14 days.

Other countries that have opened their skies have similar systems in their airports. The goal is to begin the process to find the company to establish the testing labs in the next one to three weeks.

Human trials for potential COVID-19 vaccine could be held in Israel

After Jerusalem signed an agreement for purchase of a drug being developed as a COVID-19 vaccine, the CEO of the U.S. firm developing the drug says Israel could be used as a location for human trials.

“My understanding is that Israel is under some significant challenges with respect to the prevalence of COVID, and it would present an opportunity to perhaps do the registration study in Israel, combining that data with other countries as well,” Arcturus Therapeutics CEO Joseph Payne told Israel’s Channel 12 news, referring to the Phase 3 human trials.

“It’s key that you have the study in a place where there’s a substantial amount of COVID present so that you can more quickly prove your vaccine works,” Payne said.

Arcturus Therapeutics and Duke-NUS medical school, a collaboration between Duke University and the National University of Singapore, announced last week that clinical trials were approved in Singapore for their LUNAR-COV19 vaccine candidate, according to The Times of Israel.

“Preclinical studies on LUNAR-COV19 have shown very promising findings, including the possibility that a single dose of this vaccine may be sufficient to trigger robust and durable immune responses,” said Professor Ooi Eng Eong, Deputy Director of the Emerging Infectious Diseases Program at Duke-NUS.

Let us pray together

Join me in thanking God that His plans stand firm forever. We can trust our Lord completely as we bring our requests to Him. Please pray with me for:

• Wisdom for Israel’s government in light of the increase in coronavirus cases
• The approval and advancement of effective new technologies to help fight the pandemic and save lives, including development of a vaccine against coronavirus
• Protection from terrorist groups like Hezbollah and others who seek to harm Israel and the Jewish people
• Jewish people to seek their Messiah Jesus and put their trust in Him

Consider a generous gift

Thank you for praying with us for Israel and the Jewish people. You can also show your support with a financial gift.

Your generous gift will meet urgent needs for the most vulnerable Jewish populations in Israel – who are suffering even more because of the pandemic. You’ll help come alongside Holocaust survivors, recent immigrants, widows, orphans and others who struggling with even basic necessities.

Your support today will also be used to reach the “Lost Tribes of Israel,” who are scattered around the world, with humanitarian aid, clean water and medical, dental and eye care.

Meeting physical needs opens the door to share the love and hope of Yeshua (Jesus) with Jewish people, bringing spiritual healing to hurting hearts.

Your gift will also help engage the Church concerning Israel and the Jewish people through our publications and social media presence, leadership training and more.

Thank you for your support

Thank you for being a faithful supporter of Jewish Voice and for your love for the Jewish people in Israel and around the world. I’m grateful for your partnership.

Let us continue to trust our Lord – His plans stand firm forever, through all generations. I hope that both encourages and comforts you today.

The Jewish people have endured intense tragedies over their history as a collective, though now scattered, people. Defeats, captivities, and persecutions are all across their timeline as God’s Chosen People. While various calamities have fallen on different Gregorian calendar dates, it’s astonishing that, when translated to the Jewish calendar, many catastrophic events in Israel’s history occurred on the same Jewish date – the ninth day of the Hebrew month Av. Tisha B’Av means the ninth of Av, and it is a day of mourning for Israel and Jewish people everywhere.

Tisha B’Av begins at sunset on July 29, 2020. Mourning includes fasting from food, water and activities representing ease and luxury. Expressions of grief include abstaining from bathing/washing, using perfumes or colognes, intimacy, wearing leather shoes and sitting comfortably for part of the day.

Mourners also avoid engaging in business, greeting others, giving gifts, idle talking and leisure activities. Synagogue services include the reading of kinot, traditional poems inspired by Jeremiah’s book of Lamentations.

According to Jewish tradition, one biblical event starts off the list of tragedies occurring on Tisha B’Av. It is believed that the 12 spies sent from the wilderness to scope out the Promised Land returned on Tisha B’Av. Ten spies gave a frightful report and persuaded the Israelites to disbelieve God and not trust Him that they could take the Land He’d said He would give them. As a result, the original generation who left Egypt would not be allowed to enter the Promised Land. The Israelites remained in the wilderness 40 years until everyone over 20 years old at the time of the spies’ report passed away.

Other tragic events that have occurred on Tisha B’Av include: