“Behold, a people! As a lioness it rises up and as a lion it lifts itself; it does not lie down until it has devoured the prey and drunk the blood of the slain.” Numbers 23:24
June 16, 2025
Israel begins the long expected attacks upon Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iran responds by raining down thousands of missiles on Israel. The combat operation has been named by Israel as “Rising Lion.” This is taken from the pagan prophet Balaam in his futile attempt to call down a curse upon the millions of Jews poised to enter the land promised by God. Instead, all Balaam could do was to declare the lion-like strength and determination of the Israelites. Israel as a lion was the warrior of God (Mic. 5:8). It was Jacob who prophesied of Judah as “a lion”s whelp,” Judah, the lion of the tribes. Within that context Israel’s coming Messiah was described with symbols of royal power (Gen.49:9). In a great leap forward in the story of the coming King of Israel in Revelation 5:5 the worshiping elders tell John, “Weep no more, behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” Israel’s Messiah, Jesus Christ, takes the title deed to the universe. His roar will be heard by all the nations when He comes again to establish His kingdom rule. This story of the “Rising Lion” was probably not in today’s Israel’s mind. We can pray that those who seek to destroy Israel will fail. But after all is said and done the Lamb of God, the Lion of the tribe of Judah will prevail.
H
“Thank you, Lord, for the hope of the gospel and the Second Coming of the Savior.”