Rabbi Gary's Shabbat message - October 14, 2023 - Tarzana, CA

The prophet Zechariah (12:1-5) speaks of a future time when the nations surround Israel will go on the offensive against Israel. Though speaking of the future, nevertheless much of what is said here can be seen in a limited fashion of what is yet to come.

In this passage Zechariah speaks of surround nations. In Psalm 83 we know what the surrounding nations consist of. They are Edom (currently located in southern Jordan), Ishmaelites (Arab groups without a particular national identity), Moab (currently located in the center of Jordan), Hagrites (Egyptians), Gebal (Lebanon), Ammon (currently located in northern Jordan), Amalek (an ancient ancestors of the sone Arab groups), Philistia (currently the location of Gaza), Tyre (Lebanon), and Assyria (currently encompassing Syria and areas to the north).

These are the nations of peoples who are currently engaged in the war between Israel and Hamas. Jerusalem will become a "basin that will cause staggering." Note, not a "cup" but a "basin." The temptation to go after Jerusalem and the people of Jerusalem, the Jewish people so as to destroy them will be intoxicating for these nations. So much so, they will not under any circumstances let her go until they have invaded and attacked.

But the Jewish people will become like that of a heavy stone (vs.3), that is like one of the stones that made up the city of Jerusalem and the walls around her. And anyone who attempts to pick it up will be crushed by it.

The manner in which these nations will be destroyed is described in verse 4-5. The Lord will strike the horses and those riding upon the horses with madness. In addition he will strike the horses with blindness. In short, both the officers and men along with their weapons will be impacted. The riders will not think straight in the heat of battle. They will make wrong strategic decisions, and their weapons will malfunction.

While the enemies of Israel are weakened, the Jewish people are strengthened for the battle. The leaders of Israel will proclaim that that the people of Israel are strong. And this because the Lord Almighty is their God."

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