In the summer of 2023, Hezbollah terrorists erected illegal tents on Israeli territory. The response was telling: Israel’s leadership, paralyzed by fear of escalation, refused to remove them. Fast forward to December 2024: IDF soldiers proudly stand atop the Syrian Hermon mountain, while Israeli forces have decimated Hezbollah’s military capabilities in Lebanon. What changed in just fifteen months to transform a frightened nation into an unstoppable force?
The same transformation is unfolding in America. A nation that seemed caught in an inexorable drift toward progressivism is awakening, rediscovering its strength and purpose. Even before retaking office, President Trump has issued a stark warning to Hamas: release the hostages by his January 20th inauguration, or face consequences more severe than any in American history. This isn’t empty rhetoric – just as Iran released American hostages when Ronald Reagan took office in 1981, Hamas understands that Trump’s America will be a fundamentally different force to reckon with.
What explains these transformations? How did Israel move from cowering before Hezbollah’s tents to commanding the heights of Syria? And why is America experiencing the same journey – from progressive confusion to renewed national purpose – at this very moment?
The answer lies in a military story from the Bible that changed the course of history. When God commanded Gideon to fight the Midianites, He ordered something that defies military logic: reduce the army from 32,000 to just 300 men.
God’s command to Gideon wasn’t just a military strategy – it was a message for all time. The Midianite army filled the valley like locusts (Judges 7:12), yet God insisted on reducing Israel’s forces. Why? Because the Jewish people needed to understand that their strength flows not from military might, but from their covenant with God. When a nation sees this truth clearly – when it understands that its power comes from its divine mission – no enemy can stand against it.
The Hebrew language itself teaches us about the profound connection between clarity and victory. The word for clarity – “barur” – shares its root with the Hebrew word for “selection” and “refinement.” When Gideon selected his warriors, the Bible uses a form of this same root (yivror). This teaches us that true clarity isn’t just about seeing clearly – it’s about the difficult process of separating truth from falsehood and choosing good over evil. Just as metal must be refined to reveal its true strength, a nation must go through the painful process of refining its identity and purpose. Only then can it rise up like a lion and destroy its enemies.
The transformation we’re witnessing in Israel today goes far deeper than military strategy. After October 7th, the Jewish people experienced a profound awakening. The progressive fantasies that had clouded our national vision for decades suddenly evaporated. We remembered that we are not just another nation seeking survival – we are God’s chosen people, tasked with bringing His light into the world.
This is what the prophet Isaiah meant when he called Israel “a light unto the nations” (Isaiah 49:6). Just as Gideon’s small band of warriors lit up the night with their torches and brought God’s salvation, the people of Israel are meant to illuminate the world with divine truth. But we can only fulfill this mission when we see our purpose clearly.
America is undergoing a parallel awakening. Just as Israel is rediscovering its biblical mandate, America is remembering its foundational biblical values. The progressive ideology that sought to remake both nations in its image is crumbling. With each passing day, more Americans are rejecting the false promises of wokeism and returning to the biblical principles that made America great and will make it great once again.
When nations align themselves with divine truth, they find not just spiritual renewal but also practical strength. We see this in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s steadfast defense of Israel’s biblical right to its land, and in President-elect Trump’s commitment to traditional American values. Both leaders understand that national strength flows from moral and spiritual clarity.
The battle we face today is not just military or political – it is fundamentally spiritual. When Israel confronts Hamas and Hezbollah, we’re not just fighting for territory; we’re fighting for the triumph of truth over lies, of divine purpose over moral confusion. When America rejects progressivism, it’s not just changing political direction; it’s returning to its role as a defender of freedom and godly values in the world.
The victory we’re witnessing – in both Israel and America – isn’t just about superior firepower or tactical brilliance. Like Gideon’s 300 chosen warriors, it’s about the clarity that comes when a nation remembers its true purpose. As our enemies continue to fall, we’re learning once again that the greatest weapon isn’t found in any arsenal – it’s found in the unshakeable knowledge of who we are and why we’re here.
After Hamas terrorists slaughtered over 1,200 Israelis on October 7, an unholy alliance of Islamic jihadists and progressive activists joined together to fight an unholy war against the Bible. In The War Against the Bible, Rabbi Mischel offers a prophetic perspective on these dramatic events through the words of the Hebrew Bible itself. If you yearn for spiritual clarity amid today’s turbulence, let the power of the Hebrew Bible’s prophecies and call to action strengthen your faith. Click here to get your copy of The War Against the Bible: Ishmael, Esau and Israel at the End Times now!
