April 2024 Personal Letter

FROM SARAH, OUR SABRA
ON THE GROUND IN ISRAEL

Dear Friend,

Greetings from the Holy Land. Here in Israel, people often unknowingly quote the Bible because phrases from Scripture have been ingrained into our society for generations. As a Believer in Yeshua/Jesus as Messiah who follows God’s Word, I’m interested when I hear secular (often liberal) Israelis refer to these Biblical truths. One saying heard often since the horrific October 7 attack is this: “Disaster will open (come) from the north.”

This phrase appears in the Book of Jeremiah: “The word of the Lord came to me again: ‘What do you see?’ ‘I see a pot that is boiling,’ I answered. ‘It is tilting toward us from the north.’ The Lord said to me, ‘From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land. I am about to summon all the peoples of the northern kingdoms,’ declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 1:13–15; emphasis added).

Missing the Warnings

There are many reasons why Israel missed the warning signs leading up to the October 7 attack. First was Israel’s arrogance. Higher up the chain of command, no one believed that Hamas had the capability or, if they did, would launch an attack. Second, Hamas regularly practiced dry runs of the attack near the Israel/Gaza border. This tactic dulled the senses of the intelligence officers. Thus, most in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) thought the October 7 attack was “just another drill.”

Third, while the IDF knew the details of Hamas’s plans, they were focusing on the wrong front. The Israeli intelligence community was waiting for a larger scale, combined attack, involving Hezbollah infiltrating Israel’s northern borders, much like Hamas’s southern attack.

Where was Hezbollah?

Since the IDF did not identify any major movements in Lebanon or Syria, they misinterpreted Hamas’s preparations during the night of October 6. The next morning, within hours of the assault in the south, the IDF mobilized hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Most of them, however, went to the northern border in anticipation of a strategic attack on Israeli towns and villages. Had Hezbollah joined Hamas on October 7, the two-front war would have been disastrous. Many more civilians would have died, and recovery would have been more difficult. Thus, many of us believe that God saved Israel on that day. Still, many secular Israelis deny this assertion.

The jury is still out on why Hezbollah didn’t join the Hamas assault. Some believe that while they knew the general plan, they weren’t involved because they didn’t know the timing of the attack.

Iranian involvement

Iran has spent upwards of one billion dollars per year building up its proxy militaries near the Land of Israel. Hezbollah, with its sophisticated tunnels and weapons, is the most advanced and most fortified of the Iranian-backed forces on Israel’s borders. Israel estimates that Iran didn’t want to “spend” their investment on backing Hamas. Instead, Iran intends for Hezbollah to deliver a devastating blow to Israel if either Israel or the U.S. attempts to bomb Iran’s emerging nuclear program.

Though Iran is moments away from building a nuclear weapon, Israel and the U.S. will not attack Iran, since that would likely start World War III. The question remains, therefore: Why did Hamas carry out the attack seemingly without full coordination with its sponsors?

During a raid of Hamas’s headquarters in Gaza, the IDF discovered multiple written statements by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. The papers indicate that he had commitments from Hezbollah to join Hamas’s attack once it began. Since that didn’t happen, the Israeli military believes that Iran overruled Hezbollah’s participation.

Iran funded and trained Hamas to launch the combined attack. Thus, Hamas may have attacked prematurely, hoping to thwart the proposed peace deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia under the Abraham Accords initiative.

Such an agreement would essentially end the Arab world’s long-held animosity toward Israel. This normalization would leave the Palestinian issue much lower on the hierarchy of Middle Eastern concerns. Others believe that while Iran refused to sacrifice its “Hezbollah investment” to support the Palestinian aspirations, it knew about the attack and used Hamas to create chaos in the region, which is one of its primary goals.

Looking to the future

October 7 was a major wake-up call for Israel. The following day, Israel nearly launched a preemptive assault on Hezbollah, supposing that they would also attack. Because cooler heads prevailed, Israel did not bomb Lebanon. Soon afterward, however, Hezbollah began small scale shelling of northern targets in Israel, to which the IDF responded with air strikes. This has continued for many months.

Since Hezbollah’s shelling began, over 100,000 citizens have evacuated Israel’s northern border towns and villages. They are unlikely to return until the military has a solution to prevent an infiltration by Hezbollah. Israel, however, cannot afford to maintain this population displacement on a long-term basis. Consequently, many believe a war in the north is inevitable.

Since October, U.S. and French mediators have been working toward a solution whereby Hezbollah will remove its forces from the border with Israel, and Israel will give Lebanon some disputed territory along the border. Yet Israel doubts that the Lebanese government can persuade Hezbollah to withdraw its militants, since Hezbollah takes orders from Iran. Therefore, Israel is preparing for a war in the north.

The realities of war

Most likely, Israel will experience a different scale of devastation and hardship in a war with Hezbollah. In the best-case scenario, there would be several weeks of massive bombardment throughout most of Israel. Water, electricity, and communications may be unavailable, along with the ability to get food and medications.

Unlike Hamas, Hezbollah has over 150,000 missiles — some of which are smart bombs that can cause massive damage. The Israeli military estimates that Hezbollah can fire 3,000 missiles each day. This means that Ben Gurion Airport would likely suspend operations since it would be a target. Thus, Israel could be isolated from the rest of the world, not only for civilian flights but also for necessary military and medical supply missions.

In addition to a vast number of homes being bombed from the north, Israel would likely be attacked in the south by Houthi rebels from Yemen. Both Hezbollah and Iran could send swarms of armed drones into Israel. Our air defenses cannot deal with such an assault, leaving many Israeli civilians wounded or dead.

On another front, massive cyber-attacks by Iranians and their sympathizers could cripple Israeli hospitals, banks, railways, and emergency response centers. Local uprisings (by some Arabs) may also occur inside Israel, further complicating an already dire situation.

Preparing and praying

Considering these predictions, many of us who live in the northern part of the land are preparing for an upcoming war. Our family recently rearranged our house, moving furniture out of our safe room so that everyone can sleep in it. We are also stocking the safe room with food, water, medical supplies, and other essentials.

Additionally, many in our community are purchasing emergency equipment such as generators — to enable medical treatment for the community — and preparing spaces to house others in case their homes are bombed. We are preparing “war kits” that include battery-powered radios, charging packs, dry foods, water, toilet paper, etc. We are also stockpiling necessities like soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, and towels to provide some basics for those in need.

Our family has an evacuation plan in case of a bomb attack. We also have a designated meeting place if a bombing occurs when not everyone is at home. Other faith communities in the north are taking the same measures. Some are also buying satellite phones to facilitate communication in the likely event that cellular connectivity is unavailable.

Several community members have applied for a weapons license so they can help defend the community if there is an invasion. Having learned from what happened to Israelis in the south on October 7, our neighborhood has created a directory of doctors, nurses, and security force members who live here and can be contacted if first responders cannot reach us.

Though it is easy to succumb to anxious thoughts when considering what might happen and how we might endure such a war, we trust that our lives are in the Lord’s hands. Believing this divine truth dispels all fear. I stand unwavering on these words, in prayer for our family and for our nation daily: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:2).

Please join me regularly in prayer for Israel and for the situation in the region. We need His salvation!

Im tirdefu lada-at oto —
“Press on to know HIM!” (Hosea 6:3 NLT),

Sarah Liberman

P.S. Would you prayerfully support this ministry financially and otherwise as it disseminates teaching from Israel and both Testaments while upholding the apple of God’s eye (Zech. 2:8)? ✡

: Waiting for an “All Clear!”

Sarah’s letter indicates that taking a Zola Tour in the next few months is unlikely. Still, once an all-clear is given, we will resume our twice-a-year pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Rest assured that we only take groups when and where it is completely safe.

While we eagerly await peace in the region, consider contacting our tour manager, Sandra, to join our waiting list. We anticipate that the next pilgrimage will be spectacular. Join the Harts and Bearded Bible Brothers on our study tour of a lifetime this fall. You can reach Sandra at 214-696-9760, travel@levitt.com, or at levitt.com/tours.

A Note from David and Kirsten Hart

Covering in Prayer

Sweet Sarah, your letter pulls at our hearts. Please know that all ZLMers are covering you, your family, and your community in prayer. Those of us who have never endured wartime cannot imagine your concerns as a Believer, wife, mother, and Israeli citizen.

Dear Reader, this is a crucial time for us all to pray, pleading especially for the Lord to protect the innocents in this war. Though it is being fought with weapons and bombs, ultimately this is a spiritual battle. God’s power is the greatest weapon we possess. His power is always with us through His indwelling Spirit, “who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20).

Shalom in the Land

We at ZLM are rallying around our Jewish and Arab friends in Israel. While supporting and promoting the rights and safety of Jewish people worldwide, we pray especially for shalom to flow throughout the land that God promised to Abraham and his descendants. Through our television program and social media outlets, we continue to spread the Good News of Yeshua’s salvation along with prophetic teaching pertaining to Israel’s present and future.

Would you, fellow ZLMer, help us fulfill our ministerial efforts through a generous financial donation this month that will offset our television production and broadcast costs? You can sustain this ministry by ordering books and DVDs, making a one-time donation, or committing to support us on a monthly basis. Zola’s vision will continue only through your financial gifts. And for that, we say thank you.

Sha’alu shalom Yerushalayim! —
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!” (Psalm 122:6),

David & Kirsten

P.S. Our production team is planning to return to Israel at the end of this month to tape more programs for Our Jewish Roots. Zola believed that the best way to teach the Bible is from the land of the Bible. We agree. Our “on location” approach comes at a considerable financial cost. Partners like you are the ones who keep this vital ministry alive. ✡

Our Jewish Roots TV programs in April

This month, we conclude our captivating new series, Roadmap to Armageddon. The final two programs address the devastating conflict to come as well as the blessed hope that follows. Then, we will offer two stand-alone (but related) programs that also consider prophecy and the End Times.

Roadmap to Armageddon

Battle of Armageddon — What are the trigger points that lead to the War of Armageddon? Who are the key players in the battle? Joshua and Caleb travel to Tel Megiddo to consider the greatest conflict to come when Three Kings rebel against the Beast. But when things look like they can’t get worse and all hope is lost for the Jewish People, the clouds of Heaven open, and the King of kings arrives!

Redemption and Judgment — What is the conclusion of the Battle of Armageddon? What part do we, the Bride of Christ, play in this war? Joshua and Caleb travel to Jerusalem to look at the aftermath and judgment that follow humanity’s rebellion against Yeshua. The long-awaited blessed hope for all people has arrived as Messiah begins His Millennial reign on Earth.

Rise of the Three Kings (stand-alone program) — Joshua and Caleb — the Bearded Bible Brothers — teach the apocalyptic prophecy from Daniel chapter 11. A World War II aircraft carrier serves as the backdrop for their teaching.

Roadmap Bonus Interviews #1 (stand-alone program) — During the ten-episode Roadmap to Armageddon series, we have briefly heard from prophecy experts and Bible scholars. On this program, we bring you additional information that will help you better understand not only what is happening in our world today but also what lies ahead.