1. Praise:

   According to John 1:18 all appearances of God in the Old Testament [Tanach] were in fact the pre-incarnate God the Son revealing the Father. So in Shabbat's Torah portion, God the Son, before He became the Son of Man, declares to Moses His name, His essential nature: YHWH descended in the cloud…and proclaimed the name of YHWH… 'YHWH, YHWH God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in covenant-love/faithfulness and truth, keeping covenant-love for thousands, forgiving [+bearing] iniquity and transgression and sin; and will not clear the guilty, visiting the father's iniquity on the sons, and the son's sons, unto the third and the fourth. (Ex. 34:5-7)

   • Lord Yeshua, it is impossible to comprehend what You forsook when You became man in order to save us – but we praise and bless and thank You for humbling Yourself to both save us and to glorify Your Father (Phil. 2:5-11).

   • Thank You that we can confess today that You are Lord – to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:11).

   • We praise You God for the full revelation of Your nature in Messiah Yeshua (Col. 1:13-19; 2:9).

   • What a blessing to know that in Messiah all Your promises are yes and amen – to Israel, the nations, and to all who call upon Your name (2 Cor. 1:20).

   • We rejoice that You keep covenant-love unto thousands, yet in dealing with iniquity You limit Your judgments to three or four ["generations" is not in the Hebrew] (Ex. 34:7; cp. Isa. 61:2; Jam. 2:13b).

   • Regardless of our personal situation, or the confusion in Israel and the nations, we are so grateful for, and rest upon, Your mercies and Your faithfulness (Psa. 36:5; 89:1-2; 92:1-2; Lam. 3:22-23).

2. Red Alert:

   For several days there has been rockets fired against Israel from both Gaza and Lebanon. This is supposedly a response to Israel' security forces casting out Arabs with various types of weapons – stones and firebombs – from the Al-Aksa Mosque on the Temple Mount just before the beginning of the Passover feast. Of course, the terrorists groups responsible for these rocket attacks – Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hizbullah – do not need any excuse to attempt to kill Jews.

   • Lord, help Israel to respond in such a way that its enemies see that its current inner turmoil will not hinder Your nation in any way from protecting itself against its enemies (Mic. 4:11-13).

   • Create between PM Bibi Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi unity, as well as imparting Your wisdom and guidance to know how to respond (Prov. 21:31).

   • Show them if it is time to resume targeted assassinations of terror leaders in Gaza (Eccl. 8:11).

   • Anoint National Security Minister Ben-Gvir to speak the harsh truth as to what steps Israel needs to take to protect itself – including those targeted assassinations (Gal. 4:16).

   • If, as suspected, Iran is the hidden hand orchestrating all of this, use Israel to strike that nation in a way that devastates its leaders and military – and to ignore the world's condemnations (Jer. 49:38b).

   • Provide Israel with accurate actionable intelligence, and block all deception (Isa. 29:15; Dan. 2:22).

   • Shut the mouths of hypocritical Arab nations who, while wanting closer relations with Israel, never miss an opportunity to condemn it as it defends itself (Psa. 35:19-20; 55:20; 120:7).

3. Salvation:

   We are now in the midst of the Feast of Matzah – Unleavened Bread. In faith, and trusting in His mercies, we believe that many Jews were saved during the Passover Seder since John tells us that if we pray in line with God's will – He will hear and answer (1 John 5:14-15). Yet we still need to persist in intercession for "all Israel" to be saved (Rom. 11:26).

   • Lord, thank You for each new Jewish believer added to Your Body this past week (Acts 2:47; 5:14).

   • Please surround them with mature believers (2 Tim. 2:2) and let them find their ordained positions in the Body as soon as possible (1 Cor. 12:12-14, 18; Eph. 2:10).

   • According to what You stated to Moses in the Torah reading, so be merciful to many unsaved Jews today (Ex. 33:18-19).

   • While Moses saw that most Jews were 'stiff-necked" – yet still he prayed, Pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for Your inheritance, (Ex. 34:9), and we say "Amen – so be it!"

   • Lord Yeshua, anoint believers to plant seeds that bring forth fruit in unsaved Jews (1 Cor. 3:6-7).

   • Use Israel's current national upheaval, as well as the Passover story, show many of Your people of their need for a Divine Redeemer (Ex. 6:6; 15:3; Deut. 7:8; 15:15; Isa. 41:14; 44:6; 48:17).

   • Abba Father, touch those who have suffered loss this past year – through whatever reason – drawing them to Your Son (John 6:37, 44-45; 14:6).

   • Lord, as nothing is impossible with You, we ask for many Israeli politicians, their families and their counselors to be drawn to Your Son during this season (Matt. 19:23-26; Luke 1:37; 18:27).

   • Over this Resurrection weekend, touch the hearts of Arab Christians who are "Christian" in name only, and draw them into a genuine relationship with You (John 4:7-14, 21-26).

   • Make many Palestinians very disillusioned with Islam, and then draw them to Your Son (John 6:44).

4. Government & society:

   The fierce resistance to the judicial reforms, which most opposition leaders have in the recent past said is needed, is not really about the reforms. It is about the rage of the left-wing elite at losing the last elections, especially to PM Bibi Netanyahu. Also now Israel has a more biblically inclined government (Zech. 9:13), which while not totally in line with God's will, are definitely much closer to it than the last coalition. [This that we see in Israel is also taking place in other nations – especially in America.]

   • God, You said righteousness exalts a nation, so we ask You to use Israel's current coalition to move Your nation more in that direction (Prov. 14:34).

   • Move Israel closer to a Your righteousness and not a righteousness according to man, or to the spirit of this age (Isa. 55:7-9).

   • Strengthen the government to press forward with all policies that are from You, and to drop any that are not of You (Prov. 21:1).

   • Guide them to know when it is OK to compromise, and when it is not (Prov. 20:24).

   • We persist in asking You to overrule in Israel's political scene so that the end result of the division and chaos furthers Your declared plans in Isaiah 1:25-27.

   • Give Netanyahu courage to do what is right and not what is popular, as well as a God-given wisdom to discern the truth from lies (Psa. 51:6; Prov. 22:20-21).

   • Bring forth a godly reform to Israel's judicial system and hedge in its unelected Supreme Court so that it is no longer the ultimate ruler of Your nation (Lev. 19:15; Deut. 16:18-20; Psa. 7:9; 11:3).

   • Lord, move on many of Israel's coalition ministers to pray as Moses did in the Torah portion: Now therefore…if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way that I may know You, that I may find grace in your sight: and consider that this nation is Your people. (Ex. 33:13)

   • Also, as we read in the Torah portion, by Your grace, use the current unsettled situation to keep Israel separated from all the other nations (Ex. 33:16; cp. Num. 23:9b).

   • Thank You that for every IDF member who is protesting – there are dozens more whom the media ignores that are taking up their posts and guarding over Israel at this time (Neh. 4:19-21).

   • Impart Your wisdom, discernment and courage to the IDF leaders to know how to deal with those soldiers and pilots who refused their orders to show up for their duties (Deut. 31:8; Josh. 1:9).

   • As You often use the IDF to protect Your nation, we ask that You would create unity between its top leaders and the coalition ministers who are responsible for Israel's security (Isa. 41:10-16; Jer. 31:10).

   • Deal with the pride that hinders these groups from working together (Job 33:14-17; Prov. 13:10).

5. Internal security:

   The Torah portion reveals that Israelis who strive for a peace deal with the Palestinians are in open rebellion against God's Word. Take heed; do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, or it will be a snare in your midst: (Ex. 34:12).

   • Lord, let everyone in Israel's government who recognizes this truth push ahead with plans to extend Israel's sovereignty over all of the land You have sworn to it (Deut. 1:8; 6:23; Josh. 1:6; Judg. 2:1).

   • God of Israel, as per the Torah portion, continue casting out those whom You do not want to be in Your land and in Your timing and in Your way, enlarge Israel's borders (Ex. 34:24; Psa. 10:16).

   • Aid all Jewish settlements throughout Judea and Samaria grow, especially in Area C (Isa. 54:2-5).

   • Bless and protect all Israelis who are guarding over the nation this Passover week (Psalm 18:32-34).

   • Keep them alert, with an ability to respond to any event quickly and effectively (1 Chr. 12:8).

   • Use the arrogance and pride of the many Palestinian terrorist groups to create confusion and division between them – leading to their destruction (Psa. 55:9; Prov. 16:18; 17:19).

   • Protect Israelis on the roads from both traffic accidents and terror attacks (Psa. 121:4-8).

   • During Ramadan, save many Palestinians (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8-10).

   • Anoint Palestinian believers to take advantage of every opportunity You give them to be witnesses of the good news about the Lord Yeshua – especially about His resurrection (Acts 4:33).

6. External security:

   The prophetic reading is Ezekiel 37:1-14. God shows the prophet a valley full of dry bones and at His Word they become an exceedingly great army. This is a precise picture of the Holocaust, which was followed by the creation of the State of Israel along with the establishment of the IDF. Historically, all this happened in a very short time span.

   • He said to me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' I answered, 'O Lord YHWH, You know' … So I prophesied as He commanded me, the spirit came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceeding great army. (Ezek. 37:3, 10) Thank You for being alive to see this fulfilled today.

   • We know that You are in total control over Israel's safety (Isa. 54:17), yet we also read that You use Israel's army for Your glory's sake (Isa. 41:10-16), and ask You to continue to do just that.

   • Let many more Israelis in the IDF give You the glory for using them in this way (Psa. 44:1-8).

   • Protect Israel from cyberattacks and EMP attacks and let all its enemies who are attacking it in this way end up reaping what they are trying to sow (Psa. 141:9-10; Gal. 6:7).

   • Anoint Netanyahu mightily as he continues to warn the nations about Iran (Eccl. 12:11; Jer. 23:29).

   • Cause massive confusion and paranoia within Iran's leadership and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp concerning Israel's abilities to know what they are planning (Psa. 40:14-15; 70:2; 129:5).

   • Use Israel's very successful attacks against Iran's attempts to set up bases and transfer weapons in, and though, Syria to cause Iranians such shame that many of them seek You (Psa. 83:16; 109:29).

   • Also use various natural disasters to thwart Iranian attempts to obtain nuclear weapons (Ex. 15:19).

7. Aliyah:

   The return of the Jews to the land is linked with God's glory and it is the clearest sign today that He is watching over His Word to fulfill it (Isa. 55:11; Jer. 1:12).

   • Lord God, since the aliyah is for Your glory, we again ask You to bring Your people home from every place in which they still remained scattered today (Deut. 30:3-5; Jer. 32:37; Luke 18:1).

   • Remove the ungodly veil from Your Body so that they will truly perceive how central the return of the Jews to Israel is to Your imminent return (Psa. 102:16; Zech. 14:1-5; Matt. 24:37-39).

   • Show Your Body that when "all Israel" is saved, it occurs in the land (Isa. 61:3; Jer. 31:7-14; 32:37-38; Ezek. 36:23-28; 37:11-14; Zeph. 3:14-20; Zech. 12:10).

   • Place a burden on the gentile members of the Body to be available to actively help with the aliyah in specific ways as You direct them – whether carrying the Jews (Isa. 49:22), contributing financially (Isa. 60:3-11), helping to build up the land (Isa. 60:10; 61:5), or praying (Isa. 62:6-7).

   • Anoint gentile believers to tell their Jewish neighbors of Your desire for them to return to the land which You swore to give them over 40 times in the Tanach (Zech. 8:16; Eph. 4:15).

   • Let Jews be provoked to jealousy by Christians who love the land of Israel more than they do – and who have visited it more than they have (Rom. 11:11).

   • As You shake the West – today's Babylon – shake the Jews out at the same time (Jer. 51:5-10).

   • Remove all barriers in Israel that often makes it hard for Jews to get their citizenship (Isa. 62:10).

   • Fill the Jewish Agency, Israeli embassies and the Interior Ministry with on-fire Zionists – and remove all others who hinder the return of Your people (Psa. 14:7; 53:6; 87:2; 132:13; 137:5-6).

   • Allow the government to settle new immigrants all throughout Your land (Jer. 32:41-44).

8. The Body of Messiah:

   In the book of Acts we see that the central message of the good news is that Messiah Yeshua is raised out from the dead. Yet most churches today emphasis this only on Resurrection Sunday – and many believers would be embarrassed to admit that they actually believe in His resurrection let alone in a resurrection period. When was the last time you heard a message about our Risen Savior that was not connected to this season?

   • What does Moses say? 'The word is near you, even in your mouth, and in your heart' [Deut. 30:14]: that is the word of faith which we proclaim that if you confess with your mouth 'Yeshua is Lord', and believe in your heart that God has raised him out from the dead, you shall be saved.Rom. 10:8-9

   • Lord Yeshua, restore balance in Your Body so that it knows and proclaims that Your resurrection is what made Your cross a central part of the good news that we declare (1 Cor. 15:12-20)!

   • We rejoice in the truth that for believers death has already lost its sting (1 Cor. 15:55-57), because You, Messiah Yeshua, are the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25-26).

   • We bless You Lord Yeshua, that in the last book of the Bible, You clearly identify Yourself with Your victory over death. Fear not; I am the First and the Last: I am He that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, amen, and I have the keys of hell and of death… These things say the First and the Last, who was dead, and is alive; (Rev. 1:17b-18; 2:8)

9. IFI:

   As the warfare over Israel's very existence intensifies, so does the warfare against those of us who intercede for His Kingdom to come on earth. We have been experiencing this and covet your prayers for our protection, encouragement and health. Please pray for our families as well. We thank you in advance for standing with us so faithfully in so many ways.

Shabbat shalom from the city of His resurrection!

Chuck Cohen – for the IFI team

Hos.6:2