Some of you have written asking what I think about the outcome of the elections last Tuesday, so I will answer that here.  Personally, I was surprised by the extent of the victory of the Likud party, and of PM Bibi Netanyahu.  All of the polls leading up to the election, and the exit polls immediately at the close of the elections, were all completely wrong regarding the Likud, while being nearly accurate for the other parties, including the Labor/Tnua list led by Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni.  Beer Sheva voted overwhelmingly for Likud.

With close to 5,900,000 eligible voters, more than 71% cast their vote, the most since the elections of 1999.  There are more Arabs in the Knesset this next government than at any other time.  Likud won 30 seats, far more than the smaller parties which would be its natural partners in forming the necessary coaliton of 61 seats in the complicated politics of the country.  Even though these parties have far fewer seats, they will wield a lot of pressure on which ministries and portfolios go to whom.  As in most Gentile nations, rather than working together for the good of the whole people, Israel is a house divided, and reconciliation and trust will be hard to achieve, both between “houses” and within.

When we heard the exit polls at 10:00pm on each of the news channels, I admit to being on the “pleased” side, even with all my reservations, which still remain, and will probably do so until the Lord Himself shall return.  My hope for Israel and for the nations is in Christ alone.  As we heard today in our service at Yeshua’s Inheritance, God’s plan is to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fullness to bring all things in Heaven and on Earth together under one head, even Messiah! (Eph 1:10)  May that day come in our generation!

With all its existential threats, Israel does need to give more care for the poorer sectors of society, to loyal citizens and residents (those not working to overthrow the State, whether Jewish or Arab or other), while also being vigilant in defense.  This is not an easy assignment for any leader, and political promises and expectations are not always in complete control of those making the promises, of those setting objectives and policies, and of those expecting certain trends or results.  Israel is relying on its own amazing capabilities to overcome, and not repenting from her sins and relying on the Spirit of YHVH God.

The PM is a man who is in danger of letting his political abilities get to his head, and of too many believers who support Israel stroking his ego, even though he is a man who is in need of salvation.  It is important for Bible-loving supporters of Israel and the Jewish people to know that a center-rightist religious nationalist coalition government  — which is the present prospect — will not be favorable towards the gospel, nor to those of us who believe that Yeshua is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.  Their vision of a Jewish homeland for the Jewish people does not include us who believe that Yeshua/Jesus is the Messiah.  My being “pleased” at the election results is despite that assessment.

The missing element here is the Jewish people’’s absolute need to be dependent upon our God who delivered us at a long-ago Passover from Egypt and hard bondage, and who has acted throughout our history, —including “behind the scenes”, such as at Purim, and in bringing to pass the re-establishment of the Jewish homeland in our own days.  Without genuine faith in the God who chose us to be His “peculiar people”, Israel will find herself “without strength” — whether of the IDF, or of the U.S., of the Prime Minister, of the Church, or of our own selves.

Messiah has come, and He will come again when His people acknowledge that He alone comes in the name of YHVH to save us from all our own sins and from our other enemies.

Until that Day, your fellow servants.