Elisha Vision – Commentary

Fires set all over Israel on the occasion of Independence Day. Israel’s 77th birthday celebration was marred by intentional arsonist terror.  As many as eighteen arson suspects have been arrested during the coordinated attacks. Why were none in Judea/Samaria/West Bank? Terrorists who claim the land is theirs have no problem burning down the forests and farm crops. The main highway from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was closed for a time with as many as 200 car burned along with three fire trucks. Miraculously there were no serious injuries so far beyond smoke inhalation.

‘All you have to do is burn’: Hamas calls to set fires in Jerusalem, West Bank – “Youth of the West Bank, youth of Jerusalem, and those inside Israel, set their cars ablaze… Gaza awaits the revenge of the free,” the terrorist organization wrote.

Major roads reopened but fire in Jerusalem outskirts still not under control – Thousands of residents of the area were evacuated as the fires spread in several different locations, 

Firefighters gain control over Judean Plains wildfire – After over a day of battling the flames, the wildfire in the Judean Plane is under control. Forests and fields in the area were severely damaged.

Is there a message from God beyond the hatred of Israel’s enemies? Israel Today’s Editor, Aviel Schneider, asks a great question. Is there a message from God here? He suggests it could relate to the political division in Israel. I encourage you to read the full article after this excerpt.

The road to Jerusalem is burning – a sign or a coincidence? – “On Remembrance Day, the road to Jerusalem is burning – perhaps not a coincidence, but a wake-up call for a divided Israel. On Memorial Day, while Israel paused to honor its fallen soldiers, one of the country’s most symbolic roads suddenly caught fire. Highway 1—the lifeline connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv—was closed. Smoke, fire, panic. Was it simply a natural phenomenon? Or perhaps a sign? People were trapped between the Latrun Monastery and the eastbound ramp, fleeing on foot to the west from the flames. This scene conjured up a harrowing image of our torn society. The external fire reflects an internal fire. The hatred that blazes today between the camps, between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, between right and left, between religious and secular, is constantly igniting new fronts. One could say: the fire raging from without reflects an out-of-control fire within. This experience moved me deeply—for we too live in a moshav in the wooded mountains of Jerusalem. After work yesterday, we had to take a detour home, accompanied by the disturbing sight of smoke rising on the horizon.

In the Bible, fire is never just a force of nature. It is language. When God speaks to Moses, it happens in the burning bush (Exodus 3). The prophet Elijah sees fire, storm, and earthquakes – but God’s voice is revealed in the “gentle whisper” that follows (1 Kings 19). Fire is a sign. It can mean judgment – ​​but also purification, repentance. The only question is: Who sees? Who hears?”  Israel Today May 1, 2025

Through the night a large thunderstorm came over Israel that helped dampen the fires. Also, a sandstorm came up from Egypt and hit Gaza and Be’er Sheva. God certainly is getting Israel’s attention. Again, it was miraculous that no one died. We must look to God’s protection. Jesus said He would never leave us. He will be with us even through the fire!