By Way of Deception by Amir Tsarfati and Steve Yohn

By Way of Deception, book 2 in the Nir Tavor thriller series, is even better than book 1. 

Wow, talk about a wild ride! From deep in the Iranian desert to Houston and the South China Sea, this book takes the reader all over the world, keeping us on the edge of our seats wondering what is going to happen next. 

But even more than I love a good adventure, I love Israel, and I loved how Israeli this book is. Maybe it's because I've been studying there, but I saw so many elements that incorporated Israeli culture and history—like a member of Tavor's team being a descendent of Alexander Zaid, a Zionist hero who founded "The Watchmen". I've been to the kibbutz where his family lived, and have seen the statue mentioned on page 77, as well as to Beit She'arim National Park. So to see a fictional descendent of his have a role in the story was fun. 

I think my favorite thing about the whole story was the Jewish sense of humor throughout the book. It's even stronger here than in Operation Joktan, and had me laughing out loud so many times. 

All of it—the dialogue, the storytelling, the plot and structure—showcased so much of modern day Israel while also giving deep insight to its more recent—and ancient—history. For spoilers' sake, I'm not going to write too much about the events, other than to say that I loved how real and relevant Nir's journey as he is grappling with the truth that Jesus was (and is) the Son of God, all while risking his life... and one could even say, being willing to give his life to save others. 

The parallels are striking, not to mention the fact that this series is going to take us through all the countries mentioned in Ezekiel 38. It's set in modern times, with references to current events, and often forecasts what could happen to bring it all about. 

If you loved the first book, or if you love anything by Joel C. Rosenberg, I definitely recommend this series. But beware—it will leave you ready for more... I wonder when book 3 is coming out?

Click here to buy it on Amazon.

Operation Joktan by Amir Tsarfati and Steve Yohn

When I heard that Amir Tsarfati had co-written a novel with Steve Yohn, I was surprised. He's written many nonfiction books, but not many writers can make the transition between nonfiction writer and novelist. So I was a bit skeptical.

Operation Joktan did not disappoint.

The first of a trilogy, Operation Joktan takes the reader into the world of a Mossad agent. Through a complex and thrilling adventure, we follow Nir from South Africa to the Middle East, and Europe, with a final adventure in the United Arab Emirates. 

What's so fun is that Amir was a major in the IDF, so these events are based off of real events that the general public doesn't know about.

BUT, what has been shocking is that this book, released November 2021, seems almost prophetic, as in early 2022 there were terrorist attacks in the UAE. 

I'm always a little skeptical of writers who cross genres, and Amir did this well. Couple this with the fact that English isn't his first language, (he speaks it excellently, it's just that speaking and writing are very different mediums to excel in), and it's even more impressive.

If you love thrillers that literally could be pulled from the front pages, then I recommend this book.

Click here or on the links or image above to find it on Amazon, and come back next week for book 2 in this series!

A New Prime Minister in Israel?

It's funny how some things take a long time to happen, and then suddenly come quickly!

Last week, a coalition for a new Israeli government was announced. As you can see from the image above, which was shared by Behold Israel's Amir Tsarfati on Telegram and in his Middle East Update last week, this coalition seems to be literally everyone BUT the Prime Minister of the last 12 years, Benjamin Netanyahu.

In order for someone to be declared PM, they need to have 61 seats out of 120 in the Knesset. In this coalition are groups from the progressive left all the way to ultra-conservative right.

The PM position will be shared by the 2 men pictured above. First, Naftali Bennett, who only claimed 6 seats, and then Yair Lapid for the final part of the term. They will be sworn in on June 13, 2021. 

Lapid reportedly told the president, “I commit to you, Mr. President, that this government will work to serve all the citizens of Israel including those who aren’t members of it, will respect those who oppose it, and do everything in its power to unite all parts of Israeli society.”

A new Prime Minister after 12 years... a new result after 4 elections in the past 2 years and didn't yield a clear winner. This is a big deal! The world will definitely be watching. 

After the Ceasefire: What is really going on in Israel

Happy Memorial Day to those of us in the States!

I heard an INCREDIBLE podcast yesterday between Susie Larson and Tom & Joann Doyle of Uncharted Ministries about the impact of the recent conflict in the Middle East. 

If you like podcasts, I highly recommend listening to this! I think they did a great job of highlighting the tension and impact in a balanced and Biblical way, showing us how believers should pray and support Israel and all peace-loving people. I'm sharing this here because the international media basically spent weeks saying that Israel attacked Gaza without provocation, and has spread so many lies. This podcast refutes those lies (and there is evidence for the truth). I like to listen to podcasts while cooking or driving long distances, so if you are like me and do that too, please take time to listen!

Click HERE to listen on Apple podcasts, HERE for Google Play, HERE for Spotify, and HERE for audible!

Also, there is unsourced tv claim that Naftali Bennet and Yesh Atid have reached a deal to create a coalition and oust Prime Minister Netanyahu from his position:

This would be a deal between Israel's right-wing party and center-left. If it is true, the two men will share the position, with Naftali Bennet being PM until 2023 and Yair Lapid until 2025. In a telegram message on Saturday, Behold Israel's Amir Tsarfati said, "Bennet, only having 6 seats in the parliament, promised until the day of the elections to his voters that he would never sit with or under Lapid, nor would he ask to be PM if he got less than 10 seats. He broke 2 promises. If these reports are accurate, Benjamin Netanyahu's term as PM is over".

We'll see in the next few days if this will happen... Bennet would need to be signed in within the next 10 days. 

Ceasefire in Israel!

This news has already made its way around the world, but I was on vacation last week and unable to update this blog. But no time like the present!

On May 20, 2021, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu signed a unilateral ceasefire, that began at 2am the next morning.

As Behold Israel's Amir Tsarfati says in this video, ceasefire is always significant (and good news), but what is important to note here is that this was a unilateral decision. Despite what the media says, it was not negotiated by a 3rd country (like Egypt). Israel did not make any agreements with Hamas. They did not give territory or permission for anything, and by this being a unilateral decision, they retain the right to future operations if needed. Israel not only won, but showed its autonomy in a way it hasn't been able to in the past. 

Here are some important things to know:

• Up until 7pm on Thursday (with still 7 hours to go), Hamas had launched 4340 rockets at Israel. At least 640 of those actually fell in Palestinian territory, killing civilians and decimating more homes. Unfortunately, that civilian death toll (more than 100) is counted against Israel, instead of the ones firing. Over 1,900 civilians were injured and 200 Hamas terrorists were killed.
• 12 Israeli's were killed, one soldier and 11 civilians. 2 were children.
• There were over 320 miles of tunnels under the Gaza strip, under homes, hospitals, and schools, so Hamas could hide behind women and children while moving around. Over half of this network has been destroyed by laser-directed bombs, in order to minimize civilian casualties.
• Israel's Iron Dome held- it stopped over 90% of the bombs sent its way. The ones it didn't stop were going to unpopulated areas/non-strategic areas. 
• Humanitarian aid has already entered Gaza.
• The Temple Mount, where this all started, as the Al-Aksa mosque was used to house rocks for people to throw as Jews celebrated 'Jerusalem Day' at the Western Wall (which led to Hamas firing 5 rockets at Jerusalem- which started this whole thing), is now open to Jews again.
• On May 23, as previously announced, Israel opened to 20 tourist groups from specific countries (with approved vaccines). This is the first big step to opening the international tourist industry.

This has increased relational division between the 2 races throughout the land, as there were demonstrations and protests in other areas. The pain of these past 12 days is incalculable, added to the weight and pain of the past 73 years. 

More than ever, peace is needed in Jerusalem. 

What is going on in Israel?

Israel has filled the news the last couple of days, so this is a special post about what is going on. 

First of all, current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was unable to form a unity government within a month's time. Now, Yair Lapid, a member of the centrist party, Yesh Atid, has been given the mandate to try to form one over the next 28 days. If he is unable to do so, the Knesset will try to do so. If this fails, then Israel will have its 5th election in 2 years in August. 

The headlines that have filled our screens, however, are of unrest in Israel. There's so much going on with this situation that instead of trying to write it out here, I'm sharing a Middle East Update from Behold Israel's Amir Tsarfati. This was streamed live earlier today, May 12, 2021, and has a clear explanation of the situation, gives thorough background/context, and even explores the prophetic significance of what is going on. 

Click on the link above or on the image to watch it on youtube!

Israel and the Church by Amir Tsarfati

Last month, Behold Israel's Amir Tsarfati released his third book: Israel and the Church.

I really enjoyed this book, as I thought it was an interesting, well-developed, and Biblical read. And I love Tsarfati's sense of humor. He fully explored the connections and contrasts of the Church and Israel and what the Bible says about each. Most of all, I appreciate his insight as a Messianic Jew who has dedicated his career to teaching about current events, the end times, and how they all line up according to God's Word.

Tsarfati organized his book by talking about both subjects, Israel and the Church, as 

1) two chosen peoples with 

2) 2 distinct plans by God for them, having 

3) 2 different paths in Revelation and finally, 

4) while being 2 peoples, they are part of the same family. 

The way he did this was clear and thorough. And I'm so glad he wrote this book, because there's so many false beliefs growing it daily about the nation of Israel and its people—God's chosen people. Over the past few years, we've seen a dramatic increase in anti-semitism (I say this in reference to recent decades, keeping in mind the horror the Jewish people endured in the 20th century beyond anything we have words for in English), and it breaks my heart. It's wrong to speak and act that way towards or about any group of people, FULL STOP. The fact that it is happening to this beautiful nation (and has really throughout its history) is overwhelming in scope. As someone who loves Israel and wants to learn everything about its language, culture, and history, I can't understand it, honestly.

Oh, there is one thing I wanted to highlight that is actually just an aside in the book. It reminded me of this post from a few years ago. In a section talking about God's powerful presence on behalf of Israel, Tsarfati references the Red Sea Crossing: "There is an underwater land bridge between the 2 sides of the Red Sea connecting Egypt and Saudi Arabia. It is a geographical feature that no one can explain. On the shore at either side of the land bridge are places that once had columns—from the time of King Solomon—that marked where the crossing of the Red Sea took place. So when the children of Israel passed through, they didn't have to walk all the way to the bottom of a deep ocean and then back up. They went across the land bridge that was much higher than all the underwater terrain around it. Even before the Israelites knew they had a problem, God had led them to the exact place where He would solve that problem for them" (pages 20-21).

For more on this, check out this INCREDIBLE documentary by Fox News' Ryan Mauro. It was mind- blowing to me then, and is still mind-blowing to me now!

That's it for this post on Amir Tsarfati's Israel and the Church. You can get it on Amazon and basically anywhere else you buy books, but I'm going to post the link to where you can get it from Behold Israel here. Let me know what you think!

The Lesson of Masada

Remember the story of Masada?

In December, Behold Israel posted a teaching straight from this incredible place. I was mesmerized watching it, so I wanted to share it here!

If you have half an hour, it's worth every second. Amir Tsarfati did an amazing job telling the story and making it relevant to our lives in 2020.

Click here to watch (and please let me know what you think)!