The Jerusalem Post reports today that Israel’s Supreme Court ordered Israel’s government to draft ultra-Orthodox Jews into the military, delivering a blow to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ruling political party, Likud. The court also ordered the government to withdraw funding from any religious schools, or yeshivas, whose students do not comply with draft notices.
Ultra-Orthodox (or Haredi) Jews have, for all intents and purposes, been exempt from national mandatory military service since Israel’s founding. Ultra-Orthodox men spend much of their early lives entirely devoted to religious study, with this practice considered fundamental to the preservation of Judaism and viewed as being just as important relative to Israel’s defense as serving in the military.
Aryeh Deri, leader of the Shas party, decried the ruling, stating that “even here, in the Jewish state, alongside our precious fighters who sacrifice their lives against the enemies, we will continue to guard those who learn the Torah, which preserves our special power and creates miracles in battle.” He further stated that “whoever tried to disconnect the people of Israel from the Torah in the past failed miserably.”
The Jerusalem Post article may be read in full HERE.
My brothers and sisters, this ruling reflects the societal divide in Israel between those trusting in Israel’s religious tradition and culture (as a covering and blessing from God) vs. those who are more secular or less traditional and are focused on the perception of fairness or equity – or the proper balance between the two.
This writer understands that the Israeli Supreme Court ruling at hand does not directly impact the United States, nor any other country, but it is of great interest in the sense that it appears to be part of an eroding away of traditional Jewish faith in God through the Torah, as a means to assure continued blessing and miraculous sustainment of the Jewish homeland.
In a relatively similar manner, society in the United States has been moving away from what was, not that many decades ago, an ‘understood’ belief that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and that our strength was derived from our collective faith in God (through a saving faith in Jesus Christ).
The perception of fairness and equity, almost regardless of the unintended spiritual and physical consequences, seems to drive our political, legal, medical and educational institutions and policies – as if trusting in God first and above all else is somehow improper (you know, the ‘ole ‘separation of church and state’ issue).
Being kind, loving, forgiving and just are absolutely consistent with the commands found in the bible; however, secular society and its government continues to chip away at any direct reference, understanding or belief that the holy scriptures – whether the Torah or the entire Christian bible – flow directly from God and should be our guide to living our lives (i.e., having a ‘biblical worldview’). Try as we may, goodness does not flow from the erroneous self-perception and arrogance of a belief in the ‘goodness of man,’ who is by nature sinful and needs to believe upon the name of Jesus for salvation and eternal life.
Here’s some of what the bible has to say about trusting in the human heart:
Proverbs 28:26 (NKJV)
“He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, [b]ut whoever walks wisely will be delivered.”
Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NKJV)
“The heart is deceitful above all things, [a]nd desperately wicked; [w]ho can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, [e]ven to give every man according to his ways, [a]ccording to the fruit of his doings.”
Here’s what the bible has to say about trusting God:
Psalm 18:1-3 (NKJV)
A Psalm of David spoken to the LORD when he was delivered from his enemies and the hand of King Saul
“I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; [m]y God, my strength, in whom I will trust; [m]y shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; [s]o shall I be saved from my enemies [emphasis mine].”
Psalm 34:8-11 (NKJV)
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; [b]lessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; [b]ut those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, [a]nd lean not on your own understanding; [i]n all your ways acknowledge Him, [a]nd He shall direct your paths.”
Let’s pray that Israel’s leadership would resolve the political and spiritual disruption cause by the current ruling of its Supreme Court, as the nation continues to wage an unavoidable war against terrorism, and desperately needs the blessing of God upon its leaders, military, and all of its civilian population. To God alone goes the glory! Amen!