Week of December 10, 2024

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s trial is set to begin this week. There were many delays on account of the war with Hamas and Hezbollah and from his prosecutors, who said they were not ready for the trial. Netanyahu is accused of fraud and breach of trust in three separate cases, one in which he is facing serious charges of bribery. He denies all wrongdoing, claiming the charges were created in a witch hunt led by police and state prosecution.

The trial was recently moved from the Jerusalem courthouse to an underground room at the Tel Aviv district court out of concerns for the prime minister’s security. The prime minister’s defense team tried to reduce the number of days per week Netanyahu needed to be in court from three to two, but that was denied. The trial is beginning its fifth year, and the State Attorney’s office said, “The public interest in this case requires striving for the trial to conclude as quickly as possible in order to protect the public interest, the fairness of the process, and the fundamental principle that everyone is equal before the law.”

Please pray for a fair and speedy trial for Prime Minister Netanyahu.

With help from Egyptian and Qatari mediators, Israel restarted and is moving closer to a hostage deal to free the remaining hostages who are alive and to bring back the bodies of those who have perished at the hands of Hamas. The deal is very similar to the deal presented in August, but much has changed regionally and internationally since then—namely, the elimination of Hamas terrorist mastermind Yahya Sinwar, the current ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the coming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who wants this deal to take place before he takes office on January 20, 2025.

The newest proposal would give a ceasefire with Hamas for between forty-two and sixty days. In exchange, Hamas would release female hostages, male hostages over fifty, and those in critical medical condition. If Hamas agrees to the deal, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, even those serving life sentences. Israel believes Hamas still holds about 100 hostages, not all alive.

Please pray for the swift return of Israel’s hostages.

As a result of the sudden barrage of rebel forces overtaking Syrian cities and causing its ruler of twenty-four years, Bashar Assad, to flee, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) made emergency plans to prevent any incursion of Syrian rebel forces into Israeli territory. Rebels have moved into the Syrian Golan, a stone’s throw from Israeli towns and villages. Along the Syria-Israel demilitarized zone, Israel moved tanks and infantry troops, as well as intelligence, aerial, and reconnaissance units. Israeli Air Forces targeted advanced weapons systems, warehouses, and chemical weapons storage in Damascus before they fell into the hands of the rebels.

Please pray the Syrian rebellion will not spill over into Israel.

Chosen People Ministries Staff in Northern Israel Offer a Glimpse of Truth

Our missionaries shepherding a congregation in northern Israel by the Lebanon border report:

Although the rocket barrage here has been constant and heavy until last week’s temporary cease-fire, we have had some wonderful encounters with people. One of them just “happened” to be the Lord’s perfect timing!

We are blessed to have donors who give money so we can buy gift cards for those who are suffering during this war in Israel. Here in Nahariyya, many of the shops are small businesses run by families to make their livelihood. Last week, I went to a shop run by an older man and woman, and the man is sick right now. I wanted to help them, so I went to buy something, and while checking out, I handed the woman a gift card for her to use at the local market, pharmacy, or other places in the area. I told her I am a Messianic Jew, and our congregation wanted to bless others. She looked at me with surprise on her face and asked for the name of our congregation and what we believe about Messiah. I shared we are “Or Hagalil” (the Light of Galilee) and explained we believe Yeshua (Jesus) is the Messiah of Israel.

When I finished briefly sharing, she immediately began to share her story. She came to Israel from Romania as a small child and knew who Jesus is and about our faith. Back in Romania, decades ago, she had seen a cross with the words “Holy to the Lord God” and now, here in Israel during the war, this faint memory had returned and piqued her curiosity. We had a beautiful, God-ordained conversation. Although she is not a believer yet, she was glad to gain understanding of the connection, was very thankful for the gift card, and expressed happiness to know other Jewish people know about Jesus. We will continue to stay in touch and follow up with her.

Please pray for Naomi* to see with her heart as well as her head the connection of Jesus’ death and how He can make us holy to the Lord God, in His righteousness, by grace through faith. Pray for us as we minister to her and so many others who are deeply suffering in the north.

A Peaceful Gaze Ministers to Holocaust Survivor

One of our missionaries active in ministry to Holocaust survivors in central and southern Israel recounts what occurred during our most recent outreach:

After much prayer, we discovered a new opportunity to organize and host a five-day cruise from Israel to Greece for a group of fifty-two Holocaust survivors. This trip offered them the chance to spend a few days away from the constant threat of air alarms, experience beautiful excursions, and to enjoy fellowship with one another. Each day, we also gathered in a hall to share our experiences, read stories from the Bible, and pray together.

Sima*, who is ninety-two years old, expressed a desire to join us again. When I asked why specifically, he explained he hadn’t spoken to anyone in over a year since October 7, and during this trip of ours, he found companionship again. He also mentioned that simply sitting and gazing peacefully at the sea was one of his best experiences in a long time.

Pray for Sima, so he will personally meet the One even the wind and the waves obey! Pray for us as we keep in touch with him and the other Holocaust survivors from this trip. Pray for continued conversations about Jesus, openness to studying the Bible and praying together, and salvation for Sima and the others. Pray also for continued spiritual growth for the Holocaust survivors who have already come to know Messiah through our ministry.

Religious Jewish Woman Receives Life-Changing Vision of Messiah

One of our missionaries working with women in central Israel writes:

I love when the body of Messiah works together, every joint supplying something, as we are called to do! A dear friend, who works for a different ministry and in a different city here in Israel, reached out to me recently. This friend has been discipling a young lady from a religious Jewish background who lives in a religious community. Although this young lady came to faith in Messiah several years ago, she hasn’t been able to attend any local congregations as she is unable to travel on the Sabbath. She needs fellowship, so my friend asked if our ministry has any midweek meetings suitable for us to invite her to.

“Yes!” I said, “Absolutely!” And I invited this young lady to our midweek ladies’ Bible studies.

She has already come twice, has shared her testimony of coming to faith through a life-changing vision of Yeshua, and has greatly enjoyed reading Scripture and fellowshipping with other believing ladies who live in the greater Tel Aviv area.

What a joy to see our ministry meet needs in the believing body, while working in partnership with other ministries in the Land!

Please pray for Yehudit* as she grows in her faith and in fellowship with other believers in our Bible studies. Pray for more dreams and visions among people in Jewish religious communities. Pray for more opportunities for us serve when other members of Messiah’s body have need.

*Names changed