Over the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing my thoughts and updates about the situation in Israel. I see this as a vital part of Israel advocacy, bringing clarity and truth amid widespread confusion caused by contradictory news sources.

Recently, I received a text from someone I know who wanted to encourage me. This is what he wrote:

“My encouragement is that your Israel advocacy is actually Gentile advocacy… you are fighting lies against Israel not really for Israel’s sake. Israel has the promises of God to defend her and redeem her. Even when all the nations of the world gather against her one day the Lord will defeat the nations and show Himself as King of Israel.

Your work is actually to help people, with the truth, to reject lies against the people of God so that when they stand before the judgement they will not stand guilty of slander and hatred against His chosen people, His bride.

Israel will for sure be kept and redeemed by the Lord. Many, though, including many who call themselves believers, will stand before the Lord and give an account to Him for how they have treated His precious people in their time of need.

So keep fighting with the truth for even the antisemites! If even one of them repents and turns to God’s truth through your work it will be eternally worth it.”

I chose to start this week’s commentary with these words because lately more and more people seem confused about modern-day Israel. They say that the Israel of today is not the Israel to whom God promised the land. They’re confusing God’s eternal promises with Israel’s disobedience throughout history. They’re mixing divine covenant with modern politics. And to be honest, I believe pride and arrogance are at the root of this. Many have allowed these to lead them to question God’s choices and election.

Here’s where this connects to this week’s reading. We learn about Korach, the great-grandson of Levi (and cousin of Moses and Aaron). As a Levite, Korach belonged to the tribe God had chosen for holy service in the Mishkan (Tabernacle, God’s dwelling place). This role, to be set apart and serve the LORD, was a tremendous honor. But it wasn’t enough for Korach and 250 other influential men from among the tribes of Israel. They questioned the authority and position of Moses and Aaron and launched a rebellion.

What strikes me is that these were leaders, men of influence, who rejected and rebelled against God’s elect. Could selfishness, pride, greed, and jealousy have been the root causes of their rebellion? Is it possible that by challenging Moses and Aaron, they were really challenging God? In questioning the authority of the leaders God chose, they were, in effect, questioning God's authority and His sovereign right to appoint people for specific purposes.

Just like Korach rebelled against God's chosen leaders out of pride and jealousy, many today reject God's eternal covenant with Israel. But in doing so, they're not just questioning politics, they're questioning God Himself.

I recently commented on a video by a false teacher who said, “The Bible doesn’t command us to support Israel.” I’m not naming the person here, because I don’t want to slander, but I do want to make a point and offer a direct warning through this commentary. This is what I said:

“Anyone who hears your false and demonic theology may be deceived to follow a false god who is not the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and will spend eternity being separated from Him unless they repent. You will have to give an account of yourself to God. Don’t forget it!”

Yes, I know those are strong words. But I also know that claiming God is done with Israel or that the Bible doesn’t call us to support Israel is ultimately accusing the God of the Bible of being a liar, of changing His mind. That’s a dangerous and deceptive lie.

The same God who judged Korach and the 250 influential men is the same God today, and we will all give an account to Him.

God is not done and cannot be done with Israel. It’s impossible. Not because of Israel’s merit, but because of who God is, His endless promises, His grace, His unbroken covenant, and His eternal Word.

In the Haftarah reading from I Samuel 11:14–12:22, we see proof of this. One of Israel’s most rebellious acts was wanting to be like all the other nations and demanding a king. Samuel addresses them and says:

Then Samuel said to all Israel, ‘Behold, I have listened to your voice for all that you said to me, and I have appointed a king over you.’
1 Samuel 12:1

He goes on to challenge them to follow and obey God and ends with these powerful words:

For the LORD will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the LORD has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.
1 Samuel 12:22

My dear brothers and sisters, we are living in very unique, yet very dark days. These are days of confusion, false news, and false teaching. We must guard ourselves with the truth.

So in these confusing and difficult days, let’s not be swayed by popular opinion or false teaching. Let’s cling to the truth of God’s Word, trust in His promises to Israel, and speak boldly for what is right. The Lord will not abandon His people, for the sake of His great name.

Shabbat Shalom,
Moran