Those Who Protect Israel
Why should people who do not even live in Israel help IDF—Israel Defense Forces—soldiers? Why would they even need our help? And why is that help more important now than ever?
Come along with us as we lay out the needs of these men and women, as well as the Scriptural evidence to their importance and our invitation to help!
Biblical Foundation
Before the needs of those who serve in the Israel Defense Forces are addressed, it is important that we take a biblical look at why we should care. After all, if the Word were to give no reason to care, let alone help, then we would not need to help… but the Word provides many reasons.
“The sons of foreigners shall build up your walls,
and their kings shall minister to you;
for in My wrath I struck you,
but in My favor I have had mercy on you.
Therefore your gates shall be open continually;
they shall not be shut day or night,
that men may bring to you the wealth of the Gentiles,
and their kings in procession.
For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish,
and those nations shall be utterly ruined.”—Isaiah 60:10-12
Firstly, due to several Scriptures, we know that Israel is important. It is where not only untold biblical stories occurred, but where many more are prophesied to take place. Some of these, such as the restoration of Israel, are currently coming to pass, but others, such as the return of our Messiah, are still to take place. Yet, beyond this, God holds Israel—particularly the city of Jerusalem—in a special place of prominence. It was the land He chose to give to the Israelites. It was the land where He chose to set His name upon—Jerusalem specifically (see 1 Kings 11:36). It was the land where He not only had His one and only Son to be born within, but crucified, raised, and returned to Him…
“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’ Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.”—Acts 1:9-12
Israel being so important in the past, present, and future surely means that those who defend the land maintain valuable positions. Because, despite God being perfectly capable of raining down fire to protect the land, He still uses people—such as with Joshua’s men obeying God to bring down the walls of Jericho, David slaying Goliath, or Gideon’s army of three-hundred men to defeat 135,000. He uses those men and women who are willing to answer the call to protect the land to this day!
“This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. …that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”—1 Samuel 17:46-47
Those who bless Israel are blessed of God. It is biblical fact. Those who bless the poor and needy—doing unto the least of these, the Jewish people—are blessed, because what they do is as unto God! Not only that, but through the Blood of Jesus and the choice we each make to follow God, we are grafted into the Jewish roots of our faith. We have the covenant promise of Abraham’s children. When they receive favor, then we receive favor. It is as simple as that…
“I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”—Genesis 12:3
Helping Those Who Defend Israel Alone
While we could continue to explore the Scriptures for reasons why we should care for those who defend Israel, there exists a need. One which has grown recently… particularly for lone soldiers.
Yet, what is a lone soldier? What makes their needs typically greater than others who serve the same roles?
Well, a lone soldier is a soldier who either has no family, has been disowned for joining, or has no family living in Israel—many came to Israel for the sole purpose of serving. They have no one to go home to on leave. They rarely have anyone to send them care packages or even letters to brighten their days. And they have no one to offset expenses or gift them with basic necessities.
Sadly this financial struggle and loneliness often take a toll, leaving many soldiers depressed. Worse still, despite lone soldiers only accounting for about 4% of all IDF soldiers, approximately 30% of soldier suicides are committed by lone soldiers…
Many commanders try to help, but the financial aid from the government only goes so far, and the time they are able to devote to any one person is limited. And while leave is normally a happy time for anyone in active service, it can be an unthinkably lonely time for lone soldiers, as well as a strain upon their finances. One where the support of their commander and others in their sphere are not available, and suicide not only becomes easier, but of greater appeal.
2020 was difficult on many countries throughout the world. Israel particularly suffered economically with virtually no tourism—a mainstay to the economy—and multiple lockdowns contributing to the destruction of many businesses. Because of this, soldiers who recently finished their service have been unable to find jobs… What is more, they do not qualify for unemployment, creating a need to reenlist just to be able to afford their basic necessities.
The Israeli government has been facing hard decisions. Can they afford to help soldiers? Will lone soldiers be eligible for the funds they need? Until recently, lone soldiers who served their terms of service were receiving 1,000 shekels per month for the first year of discharge—that is approximately $300 per month based on conversion rates of November 27, 2020. Now it appears as if this could change. At first there was talk of removing the funds altogether. Now there is talk of including them in new funding which is expected to be done in a graded manner—with lone soldiers being near the top, along with those entitled to family payments. Still, despite the hope in this new plan, all soldiers, be they active in service or recently released, need more help than ever…
They need hope, prayer, and financial assistance!
How YOU Can Help…
Now, more than ever, the men and women who serve Israel through the IDF need your help to stay strong. They need hope!
At Curt Landry Ministries the plight of these men and women holds a special place in our hearts. This is why one of programs directed at helping Israel and her people SPECIFICALLY focuses on IDF soldiers; the lone soldiers particularly so…
Two of the main ways we help, through the support of people like YOU, are: giving food boxes to soldiers and their families, and providing weekly Shabbat meals so soldiers can come together on the Sabbath for a hot meal and fellowship.
During this time those who protect Israel are in greater need than ever, yet the support many once gave them has lessened. This is why now, more than ever, your support matters! Because while others are pulling back, you are pushing through, serving as a light of hope…
There are two major ways that YOU can help those who protect Israel at this time through Curt Landry Ministries:
Beyond these financial support options, your prayers matter!
Praying for the nation of Israel, her people, Jerusalem, those who lead her, and those who protect her, are all vital and tie directly to God’s Word!
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
‘May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls,
prosperity within your palaces.’
For the sake of my brethren and companions,
I will now say, ‘Peace be within you.’
Because of the house of the Lord our God
I will seek your good.”—Psalm 122:6-9
No matter if you can only afford to pray, or if you are directed to give too, God sees your heart. He will, according to Psalm 122:6-9 and Genesis 12:3, bless you when you choose to bless Israel. Therefore, may you be richly rewarded when you answer the Word of God in prayer and action. May you be blessed going in and coming out. May your cup be overflowing, and the love of God poured out in your life!
“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”—Matthew 25:40
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”—Luke 6:38