Friday, May 15, 2026

Arrows from Zion Summary 2025 May 15 Time for Christian Esther's Rise

 Time for the Christian Esther’s to Arise

Read ON My Blog:
The Barren Matriarchs of Israel
Part 1: REAL WOMEN

Israeli believer congregations and ministries are all financially DEEPLY stressed right now! Are we going to step up and help, or not? First the virus lockdown, then Oct 7 and the toll of the aftermath, now the Iranian & their proxies warfare. Is there any way you can understand how critical it is that we come alongside them to help? We are talking ministry staff cuts that really hurt the ministry outreach. You may not think you have a lot, but you probably have more than they do. Even a little will help.

Arrows from Zion Summary of Prayer Points for Israeli Ministries
Prayer Requests & the Chronicles of the Remnant of Faith in Israel

Shlomy and Miriam Abramov, of Awake Israel Ministries in central Israel reported on Facebook 5/12: As you know it has been really nice and refreshing to gather our thoughts and have some peace this past few weeks now. Today however there is a horrible spirit all around and crazy drivers again and bad behaviors and you can feel war is coming again. Everyone knows it, everyone feels it, it is fear. Fear of what was before is upon us.  It's like you can slice it if it were a cake. It comes when really bad is upon us, here in the holy land you can literally feel it upon us.

Reuven Doron, One New Man Today, files this video report on Emergency Preparedness and the emergency provision containers that are placed all over Israel with items Israelis would need in all kinds of emergencies from wars to fires or earthquakes.  ALSO read his article, Blessed or Cursed? The Key to a Blessed Life. To access what Reuven sends in his newsletters full of insights on current events and biblical insight into what is taking place concerning Israel, Learn more here and  SUBSCRIBE to his newsletter.
     JUST IN MUST READ: I cried my eyes out as I read the latest article Reuven sent out today:
The Cost of Vision. It was about the Jew & the Gentile in the late 1800’s that worked together to “to create the Jewish state.” They worked together and broke the spiritual ground that would be realized by others in the future even though they did not see any physical change before their deaths. They died thinking they had failed, but that was far from the truth. This is the cost of this vision we carry from God – to give our all whether we see and live in the success of it or not. Please read this and be stirred by the Spirit.
 

Out of Zion, David & Josie Silver sent out an excellent guest column by Australian writer Harriet Cuming who point out an exceptional speech in less than 2 minutes by British former MK Sir Jacob William Rees-Mogg. In his speech Rees challenges the platitudes about protecting our spiritual “elder brother” saying we must take real action. Harriet Cuming’s article challenges the same ground excellently. Christians all over the world are speaking out about rising anti-Semitism. Are you? | Read more here 

Ruby writing for Fields of Wheat on a tragic incident about a deadly teenage attack on a 21-year old young man, so struck a chord with me, that I posted it on Facebook so everyone can read it. The issue of a generation of young people adrift without moral anchors is a horrific problem the USA shares with Israel. Ruby’s heart of compassion in asking, Can We Prevent Tragedies like this in the Future? And his prayer points are to be taken to heart by God’s people. Let us pray for Israeli teens asking God to bring the same healing solution to American teens. You know the answer – it is a deep encounter with the Messiah Yeshua, Jesus.

Avi and Chaya Mizrachi of Dugit Outreach write of the recent annual Women’s gathering theme that “God meets us in our brokenness and transforms it into something beautiful....He is the Creator and the Restorer — the One who does not overlook pain, but redeems it....“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:26). Today, we want to remind you, dearest friends — you are seen, you are known, and you are deeply loved by God. Bring Him your burdens, your weariness, your hidden places....May He turn every place of ashes in your life into beauty.  
     Watch Avi’s powerful testimony of how one unexpected visit to his sister in America became the beginning of a personal encounter with God’s love, grace, and salvation.
 

Impassioned words from Zion’s Glory, Jackie Santoro at the Jerusalem Ahavat Yeshua congregation: “Since God gave us the Land back, the new version of anti Semitism is anti Zionism which has been front and center. Once again, the forces of evil are rising up to destroy this nation which God said is His. The people God called His "chosen" do not feel welcome on the streets of most countries. In spite of the intense spiritual warfare that attacks us because Israel exists, this Land is truly God's gift to His people- a special and precious gift, given in love by God to the people he cherishes. A place where the Jewish people are able to flourish in the gifts and calling of God and truly be a light to the nations. A refuge against the hatred and a place where we can now defend ourselves against the satanic onslaught meant to destroy us and stop the return of Yeshua as King to this land of his birth, death and resurrection.
     “As believers, we have been called to take our stand and to fight the good fight of faith. Our congregation is flourishing and growing. We persevere in hope through all the wars and encourage one another daily. We do not take meeting together for granted since we know what it is to suddenly be told by the Home Front Command that we can’t meet because it is too dangerous. God is doing a deep work in our midst, knitting us together with bonds that cannot be broken. We are strong, full of faith and pressing forward to all that God has for us in the days to come. And we are raising up the next generation and the one after that to take the mantle and to be bold, strong and courageous and to love the Lord with a passionate love. Next month, we are celebrating our 20 year anniversary since the congregation met for the first time! How Eddie (Jackie’s husband, now with the Lord) would glow with pride to see all that we have become with his legacy of love firmly planted in our foundation.
     Israelis are open and just recently, I was able to witness to 4 different people with deep discussions based on all that we were going through as a nation. And each one saw and felt God’s hand on His people and I felt their hearts were soft. God is in the DNA of this nation and the openness is increasing.
     He will yet cause good to come from all the suffering we have endured.  He will yet redeem every tear, every drop of innocent blood shed, every battle that was fought in good faith for righteousness sake and the destruction of evil. God loves us and He is rising up to defeat His enemies! I thank you deeply for your untiring support and love for this nation. 

Howard Bass writing from Nachalat Yeshua, Yeshua’s Inheritance congregation in Beer Sheva: “Jesus spoke of the difficult way and the narrow gate that leads to life versus the broad way and wide gate that leads to destruction.  The Hebrew word for "narrow" is tzar/ צר.  This word, in the feminine, is the same word for "tribulation, trouble," an experience that all people will know in the world.  But with God, it serves a redemptive purpose for learning obedience, even, and especially, being His children:  to partake of His holiness.  These last 2 1/2 years of war are being used of God towards both His righteous judgments upon the nations for their hatred and hypocrisy towards His chosen people Israel; and also towards bringing Israel and the Jewish people to acknowledge their sin and rebellion against Him; and for testing and challenging the Gentile believers to show mercy to the Jewish people and nation, and to provoke them to jealousy for their own God and Savior.  The triune God YHVH is holy, holy, holy; and clearly, the Bride is not yet ready.  Just look at ourselves, and within our churches.  We need that purifying baptism of fire for that which is of Christ/Messiah in us; and for destroying everything else that is not worthy of Him. 
     The Holy Spirit is at work getting us ready to bear and to overcome increasingly serious, even painful, labor pains as the expected birth is THERE!  Our faith and trust in our Lord and Savior will save us through the ordeal, but we need to endure it for the desired outcome.  The gold and the silver and the precious stones must go into the fiery furnace to come out with the level of purity required for its purpose.  Yeshua will be there with us through it, but we need to overcome our fears of going through such a way for final purification.  Our love and complete trust in Him will be our victory, just as was His on the cross
     ....This evening -- even as I write -- we are conducting an evangelism "course" with Jews for Jesus for the young adults, ages 18-35.  They will learn why evangelism is important, and receive some "tools" to help them share the gospel with those around them.  Interestingly, Yad LeAchim, an aggressive anti-missionary group, heard about this, and thought that we were going out on the streets and inviting unsuspecting Jews to "come on in" in order to be proselytized to "change their religion".  At first group of believers had received permission for a small building at a city park.  When word came to Yad LeAchim (A Hand to the Brothers), they made the city refuse to receive us on "city" property.  So, it is being done on the property of the congregation.  We are in a spiritual battle, not one of flesh and blood, even though we may suffer in our flesh unto blood at some point.   PLEASE DO PRAY FOR A BREAKTHROUGH IN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE TO HEAR AND LISTEN TO THE TRUTH OF THE MESSIAH BEING YESHUA/JESUS. Our love and support for the Jewish people and Israel must include humbly but confidently calling them to repentance and faith in the gospel. 

Hosting from Tikkun Global Ministry Center a Shavuot/ Pentecost online gathering with 5 prayer watches starting Thurs 5/21 at 11pm Israel Time & 4pm US-EST | Ending in Israel at 5/22 6:30am & In US 5/21 11:30pm EST | INFO |Asher Intrater & Tal Robin write Messianic Pentecost | Asher writes Second Pentecost | Ariel Blumenthal video teaching Jerusalem: Throne of Thrones for the King of Kings | Esther Call for Iran Sun & Tues (3pm Israel/8am US-EST) on Zoom BUT NO ESTHER CALL ON 5/21. CATCH the REPLAYS | VISIT our Israel Ministry Center-Get info |Ariel video teaching God is Restoring Now! | Forgiveness Requires Great Faith by Jeremiah Smilovici | Ariel teaching Prophetic Intercession from Daniel | Guy Cohen article The Example of Stephen |

Beit Hallel pastor Israel Pochtar | Last weekend 500 people from across Israel came to the Shavuot event in Israel! | Pentecost in Jerusalem: A Time for the Gospel to Go Forth | The Burdens We Help Carry for Widows & Single Mothers | She Thought She Couldn’t Pray – then things changed! | Watch The God of Second Chances: When God Makes a Way | A Simple Act of Kindness | Restored Heart: A Stone Lifted 

Arni & Yonit Klein send this enlightening Emmaus Way catch-up letter after a ministry time in Africa had to be extended due to the Iranian war. Arni sees great insight into current spiritual realities: "The need to prepare the way is not a new revelation. Yet it in all our crying out, somehow relating to this aspect of the process seems to have fallen by the wayside. Perhaps a fullness of time was yet to come. In that regard, if our personal lives, calling, and ministry were a measure of anything, it would be that a fullness of time has arrived. Since our calling to Israel in 1989 and our immigration in 1992, we have been specifically led by confirmed words from God. And now at 80 years old, sensing that this moment is what we were created and prepared for, and being sent into such a prepared field, we believe it all testifies about something bigger than us…that the fullness of time to prepare the way is upon us. . . .
     "Once again, with the specter of war and possible airport closure looming on the horizon, we are preparing to travel to Uganda on Friday May 15th for another month of ministry. We are scheduled to have two full seminars and a third gathering to complete a series we began last trip…which is only a month behind us. It’s hard to fathom all the doors that have opened, the number of personal connections we have made, and the scope of future plans formulated during our whirlwind two-month visit there. In contrast to our usual way of doing things, it’s rather quick to be engaged and committed to the depth we find ourselves. Our challenge, with all the open doors and possibilities before us, is to have the wisdom not to build or expand the house beyond the degree to which the foundation has been tested and proved. Time is relative. We trust and pray that God will orchestrate everything. . . .
     "We left Uganda with a sense of fullness and thankfulness for all that was accomplished and that laid open before us. Within even our first day home we found ourselves under a weight of exhaustion and depression. It actually took a few days for us to recognize what we were thinking and feeling. We unpacked our state with a close friend that travels quite a lot. We noted that our totally positive inner sense went dark in a moment for essentially no earthly reason. It dawned on us that we were experiencing the spiritual oppression that sits over the Land 24/7. . . . we had never before experienced the contrast so clearly beyond any shadow of doubt. It’s amazing, as the lead point in our message to our African brethren is a call for spiritual help to counter the extreme demonic oppression that sits over the Land. Realizing it exisits doesn’t make it disappear; however, it does keep one from going into a place of condemnation. The common initial reaction is that the depression is due to something wrong with us personally. All in all, we are very thankful to now be able to issue the call for help from even a more personal position. Please pray with us for the African brethren that God has raised up to work with us there." To read the full inspiring, report write to subscribe.” 

A fashion model in her Israeli youth, now a widowed believer in northern Israel , Ronit Bender is a model for Israeli personal evangelism. She is the message of Yeshua’s love for people who cross her path in living daily to serve the Lord. Her monthly emails speak of the people she meets and how God leads her in connecting with them. Ronit is a people magnet – people of all walks of life, Jew, Arab or anyone living in the Land of Israel. Her stories and walking with many she is asking prayers for are numerous, and inspiring to anyone who wants to know how to go beyond just living daily life to making daily life an ambassador of Heaven experience.
     This month Ronit shared about an Arab salon owner she has become very close to over the years and in whose shop she has broken kingdom ground in the hearts of many. Ronit writes about how (in her ministry to others in the woman’s salon, the woman has responded by returning care and kindness back to Ronit: “….
one day she asked me if I would like help with my food shopping on a Mondays, her only day off. I was delighted. That day a deeper relationship was formed that is not easy to explain. I was rather amazed that someone who is not a believer in Yeshua [yet], can be so loving, without motives or self serving. I guess she became the daughter I never had, making sure I have food in my fridge, go to the health club/gym so I will be fit and she goes with me to doctor appointments….I am no longer by myself for evenings when families would be together. She has filled a big hole in my heart that was left since Tom departed 12 years ago.” This is the power of the love of Yeshua, freely given and freely received. Please pray for “L” to complete the circle of her journey toward receiving the Savior very soon, and for continued blessings and healing for Ronit (see prayer for healing section below). 

In central Israel, Tony and Orna Sperandeo lead a loving congregational family in Kfar Saba, HaMaayan. They post their prayer and ministry letters on a blog, you can read it here and see the pictures taken at various events. One of the prayer requests I would like to share here is “Due to the economic stress caused by the war, we are praying for practical support for our most needy members in Israel as well as our believing partners….While these past 2 months were very difficult in Israel, our trust, confidence and hope are in the Lord. He gave us the peace that surpassed all understanding.” 

Leon Mazin of Return to Zion in Haifa writes, When a Young Heart begins to Ask, “What About Me?” "Over the weekend, some of our young people joined a youth conference getaway together with Netivyah, built around the theme: “What about me?” It was not a light question, and it was not treated lightly. The weekend opened space for honest, searching, and sometimes difficult questions about identity, calling, responsibility, and each young person’s place in the Body of Messiah and in the Kingdom of God." Read in full here. 

Moti Cohen leads the team at Tiferet Yeshua in Tel Aviv. Watch this personal video message. Also: “Over the last couple of months, we have been facing a difficult challenge: the dollar has fallen below three shekels for the first time in 30 years, meaning that we have lost 20% in value on our dollar-based support. As a result, we find ourselves facing a budget crisis. As always, we rely on the support of our friends in the nations to help us keep this congregation in downtown Tel Aviv open. This is the case now more than ever! In this moment of financial challenge, we ask that you prayerfully consider making a special donation to help us overcome this shortfall.” | And a Testimony of Supernatural revelations of Yeshua among Muslims, particularly in Iran.

Ariel and Shayla Hyde, leading the team at Tree of Life Israel, send this video testimony of a woman who survived her mother’s abortion attempt, gives her life to Yeshua. Explore the other great things on  the landing page to this Testimony link.

     Speaking of TREE, Ariel and his brother Avi at Tree of Life, are proof that the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree. In this case the tree are their parents, Carolyn and Richard Hyde of Heart for G-d Ministries who I met in Texas before they moved to Israel (in what seems like decades ago!). Carolyn is a well-known Messianic worship musician and with that background currently is leading Prophetic Artists Journeys (PAJ) in Israel –watch her speak of it this video.  “Thank you for keeping watch with us from May 25-27 during the next PAJ. As the lgbtq+ community of Israel tries to call forth the days of Sodom at the Dead Sea, we will pray as we've been shown for multitudes in the valley of decision to choose wisely! Also a group of us locals plan to repent and pray there soon. Contact them at mailto:hydefamilyisrael@gmail.com 

Revive Israel led by Youval Yanay on the Messianic Moshav at Yad Hashmona write about the tragic car accident that shook their community when a 9 year old boy lost his life in their streets. The community mourned as the child Itai who was so full of life and “whose presence was so deeply part of daily life here in the village.” The young discipleship students, housed very close to where the accident happened, “saw everything, and it shook them deeply. Almost immediately that gathered together and began praying for Itai and for his family. In the middle of the shock and sorrow, there was also the quiet comfort of knowing that Itai walked with Yeshua.” Pray for those who mourn the loss, and for those who need to find the Door to eternity as Itai had before leaving this life.
     In the days since then, a group of 12 to 14 year olds visited the moshav from the Makor HaTikvah, Messianic Jewish middle school in Jerusalem. The current discipleship students spent the day with them guided them through different activities and showing beautiful leadership in the process. It was something “healthy and beautiful” taking root. In the coming week they are heading to Tel Aviv to serve on the streets, preparing and distributing food to the poor and those in need. “Every person we meet carries a story, often marked by loneliness, hardship, or brokenness. We continue praying that through these encounters, people would not only receive practical help but also experience the love and nearness of God.

Jennifer and Eliahu Guetta of Plant Hope Israel, Jennifer got the greatest gift on Mother’s Day – and answer to 14 years of prayer for daughter, Limor’s salvation.
Jennifer writes, "She came to know Jesus miraculously this year, was baptized, and is following Him....she just sent me a picture of herself in an evangelical, Holy Spirit-filled church learning about Israel! Pfff, what a gift from the Lord on Mother's Day!”
   "For years, Jennifer Guetta supervised excavations at Megiddo (Armageddon), digging for evidence of the Bible. But her greatest discovery...came through a miraculous encounter with Jesus Christ through dreams that rescued her from the darkness of the New Age....Jennifer’s journey from the trenches of archaeology to the glory of God is a wake-up call for the modern world....To partner with Jennifer’s upcoming U.S. Speaking Tour (June 25 – August 26....We need to raise $9,000 to cover travel and ministry costs for events in California, Florida, Texas, Arizona, and beyond. Will you help us bring this message of hope to America?"

Avner Boskey, Final Frontier Ministries, writes Standing in a Divided Nation with an Undivided Heart. DD: This is about America and is a serious wakeup call for American Christians who support Israel: “An April 7, 2026 survey published by  Pew Research Center reveals that 60% of US adults have an unfavorable view of Israel, up from 53% last year.” Read online

Kobi and Shani Ferguson of Maoz Israel send out an article, In the Middle of it All that you can read online to see how they help with funding other believers in Israel. This focuses on aid they want to give parents suffering because of lack of steady income through all the war activity of recent months. The link will give access to much more in the Maoz Israel Report.
 

Watch the report from May 1 from Chaim Malespin, Aliyah Return Center:
Update (Day 936) Swords of Iron/Lion’s Roar “Jews Attacked in UK”. This is so important in all Western Nations right now!

Commentaries from Cookie Schwaeber-Issan in AllIsraelNews and Jerusalem Post
email contact | 5/15 Will Americans be Forced to Dress According to Islamic Standards |5/13 How America is slowly abandoning Israel and Jews | 5/11 What they’ll do to you if they think you’re Jewish | 5/9 JPost: The Political Calculation of Sympathy for Jews | 5/8 The gaps that will never be bridged between Hamas and Israel  |5/6 Should Jews fight their country’s antisemitism or move to Israel? | 5/4 What Part of Islamic Terrorism is Lost on Saudi Arabia? |  5/1 The Burden Called Israel

Joseph Magan, the founding visionary of KehilaNews is on top of the trend of how younger generation believers access news – including ministry news. Unlike those of us who actually still read, most of the younger are viewing everything the consume online. That’s why it is so important what Josepth has pioneered in aggregating the ministry videos from Israeli ministries each week. If that is the news you want – and I highly recommend that you get your Israel news in LARGE majority from Israeli ministries (whether print or video) because so few hold the same level of truly understanding what is going on regarding Israel. This week, Joseph is featured on HAPPY JERUSALEM DAY, The Longest Wait in Jewish History Ended on this Day which commemorates the reunification of Jerusalem following the Six-Day War in 1967. It is observed on the 28th of the Hebrew month of Iyar. This year, it begins on the evening of May 14 and runs through the evening of May 15. + 18 other videos released in the last week. Save the link, sign up for a weekly list of what’s new in Israeli ministry videos.

To plant a gift in this ministry I have been doing for the last 25 years, please email me for giving options to Donna Diorio at ArrowsDDiorio@protonmail.com  I do not have non-profit status and all gifts are just that - gifts! No tax deduction to be had. But much appreciation for your blessings on this labor of love calling the Church to support our spiritual kin in Israel - the Israeli Messianic Jewish believers and Arab Christians practicing "one new man" in the faith of Yeshua, Jesus. 

Monday, May 11, 2026

The Barren Matriarchs of Israel, Part 1 Real Women

 


The Barren Matriarchs of Israel Part 1 Real Women by Donna Diorio

I’ve had that phrase “the barren matriarchs of Israel” in my browser since at least February 7th, 2026. I think it was a phrase Mark Chironna used, and as soon as I heard it I knew it was something I had to explore and write about. A mystery of God was singing out loudly to me from the phrase.

I’ve kept that browser page open all these months as I did other things knowing I as going to come back to it for a major exploration. Friday I decided The Barren Matriarchs of Israel would be my Mother’s Day article and so research began. What I found in the original Hebrew words just about Rebekah and Leah let me know I had hit the ‘mother lode’ of gold.

Overnight all my research disappeared from my computer.

I like writing first takes, but if the enemy dares to steal my own writing from me, I know that whatever I write in reconstruction God is going to bless, anoint and multiply my efforts.

That’s what happened on Saturday when I started over again. I took a new run at it because I still know what I found so important in the details researched before. My starting place in writing this time has taken a different route with an overview of major points in the accounts of the four primary matriarchs of Israel: Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel.

This is not going to be an exhaustive accounting of the 4 barren matriarchs of Israel, but there are some specific details in each of their stories that tells me something about God. It is significant that all four of the women who were to produce a specific familial line towards a people who would become a nation representing God, all had a period of infertility. They were a "peculiar people" who would be known for worshipping the particular God who called them, chose them and placed His name on them.

In Deuteronomy 14:2 God calls them a peculiar people, or sᵊḡullâ, a valued possession. That's the same phrase both the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Peter call those who are believers in Yeshua/Jesus.

Called, chosen and a valued possession of God's.

Strange isn't it for God to make promises of bringing forth a great nation out of certain persons, then for those people to each face an inability to get pregnant. Why the hardship? and why did God finally open their wombs to conceive? With each one, the details are different.

These four women - Sarah, Rebekah, Leah and Rachel - each had different stories of personal hardships that come even with the promises of God. There are many prophetic truths in their stories that tell us about our own journey with God. It also speaks of God’s dealings with Israel today after a long period of spiritual barrenness in the exile and the hardships of God's modern day restoration of the State of Israel.

Every Christian who loves God must come to grips with the reality that is expressed in the stories of the barren matriarchs of Israel. This is both on a personal basis and accepting God's continued value of Israel. After a long period of spiritual barrenness in exile, Israel is not only a restored State, it is a people who are going to be restored BY FAITH in Yeshua.

There several other significant accounts of barren women in God's Word. In some of them, when God opened their wombs, they bore sons who be significant in fulfilling God’s plans.

The story of Hannah who was the mother of Samuel and she is the one I strongly related to. According to Acts 3:24 and 13:20, Hannah’s son Samuel was the first of the prophets since Moses, marking the beginning of the era of Israel's national prophets. AI notes that “Moses, Abraham, and Enoch are described as having prophetic roles or speaking for God, but Samuel is distinct as the first to lead an order of prophets and address the entire nation in that capacity.”

AI also identifies other biblical barren women including the mother of Samson, the unnamed wife of Manoah, “and in Jewish tradition, is personified Zion (Jerusalem) based on Isaiah 54:1.

“Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,’ says the LORD.”

Zion is also personified in Galatians 4:26, “But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.”

Zion is a well known name for Jerusalem. In this statement by Paul, he is indicating that the Zion that is coming down from Heaven is free/eleutheros – “freeborn, one who ceases to be a slave, released from slavery." This Zion will include people from every tribe, tongue and nation – including Israel.

Despite her years of barrenness for almost 2,000 years, God has opened the womb of Israel and her children will come forth.

In each of the Matriarchs of Israel, it seems God is working through the hardships to bring forth trust in Him and also freedom to the things each woman was a slave to. That is the journey both men and women embark upon when we place our faith in the salvation offered to us by faith. It is a free gift, but we will wrestle with God just as Jacob did to enter into the fulness of our inheritance.

In my own physically barren life, I have looked at the ministry God called me to in 2001 as my starting point of being pregnant with Zion. My heart has been set on making Christians aware of the body of Messiah in Israel. They are important to us and we are important to them.

I wrote about that on July 3, 2021, Hope Deferred: Pregnant with Zion. Hope deferred was also the state of each and every one of the barren matriarchs of Israel before God opened their wombs.

Currently it is also the state of Christians like myself who are aiding and interceding for the Messianic Jewish body of believers in Israel. Our desire is that other Christians would join us in supporting the Israeli believer ministries so more and more in Israel will be spiritually birthed into the kingdom.

In this study one thing is abundantly clear to me: It is God who opens the womb of every woman to conceive. Unless God opens the womb, no woman could bear children. This is as true as the fact that God gives us all our next breath. If He did not, we would surely drop dead unable to breathe.

This is why we cannot turn our backs on God's will for us. We can struggle against God, but we cannot prevail over His will.

It used to be considered a shame to any woman who could not bear children, but there is no shame attached to barrenness in modern Western society. People today call it "infertility" which takes some of the sting out of the word barren.

Today women have been most thoroughly indoctrinated to the point that many shamelessly use abortion as their personal choice of birth control. They take precious life in their womb and rid their bodies of it as if it were nothing, not regarding it in the reality that the baby being formed within them is a whole new human being of their own flesh and blood. The reality of carrying a baby in a woman's womb is replaced by words like fetus. There is no need to feel compassion for a fetus like there is for the baby growing inside you.

As a Christian unable to bear children, it has grieved me to watch how far we have fallen in the respect of life. There are still women who want to bear children but can't. I always wondered why I couldn't. Was I being punished, or what?

Of the 9 examples of women in the Bible who were barren, only one of them could possibly have been punished by God, and that was Michel. the daughter of Saul and wife of David, when she mocked David for worshipping in dance as he return the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 6:16-20 and 1 Chronicles 15:29 Clearly this is not a form of punishment for the majority of women who were barren.

I can already see from this study that if God does not open a woman's womb, it does NOT mean she is being punished. She may be, but the point is that it is God's will. Seek His will in everything, He may yet open your womb and if He doesn't seek His will anyway.

I am not ashamed and no longer sorrowful because I have never been pregnant, but I can tell you this, I am very pregnant with Zion. It is a spiritual pregnancy desiring to see the spiritual children brought forth to life.

* If anything I've said here makes you ashamed of something you did in your past, if you are willing to confess your sin to God, He is faithful to forgive you. Shame will only keep your from being all He desires for you to be - walking in the abundant life of Yeshua / Jesus. It's between you and Him.

Friday, May 1, 2026

Arrows Summary May 1, 2026 Chronicles of the Body of Messiah in Israel

Two Articles on my blog to clarify our mission

Read The Root Bears You
and
There is no Dual Covenant

Arrows from Zion Summary of Prayer Points for Israeli Ministries
Prayer Requests & Chronicles of What is Happening Among the Remnant of Faith in Israel

From the Carmel Congregation, led by Dani & LuAnne Sayag, elder Andrey Teplinsky delivers a greatly encouraging word in this hour of war(s) surrounding Israel and extremely troubling chaos in the nations. It came at the 78th anniversary of Israel straight out of the book of Ezekiel (36:23-24) where God says,
     I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord,” declares the Lord God, “when I show Myself holy among you in their sight. For I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the lands; and I will bring you into your own land.”
     Andrey concludes his message saying, “Having lived in Israel for the past 28 years, I can confidently say this: the return of the Jewish people to their land is a miraculous work of God in our generation. In this critical hour, as we bring the gospel of the Kingdom to our people, it is vital that Israel has true friends among the nations—those who will stand with her, pray for her, and walk alongside her.”
      Watch Andrey preaching at Kehilat HaCarmel on the Transforming Power of Faith. Here also is a Message from Pastor Dani Sayag, Beauty for Ashes and Vladimir Tsapar, The God Who Sees Me

I  could not help noticing in The Faithful Galilean emailings that there seemed to be a prophetic edge to the titles of each day of Chaim Malespin’s mailings during the “Counting of the Omer” from Passover to Pentecost. An “omer” is a biblical unit of measurement for grain. After Passover, when Yeshua fulfilled the prophetic sacrificial Lamb, He was resurrected as “First Fruits” and the period of counting commenced toward the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost). Not only do the seven weeks of sabbaths mark the outpouring of the Holy Spirit written of in Acts, it also serves a dual prophetic purpose. The seven weeks represent the time period between Jewish salvation in the first century (Acts), and the final harvest of spiritual salvation among the Jews (Revelation). Firstfruits at the beginning harvest season and the Feast of Weeks/Pentecost/Shavuot at the end or final harvest season. Every Christian should know of the meaning of these feasts, so we will also know the part we Christians are to play in the fast approaching final harvest.
     Each day of this period of counting in 2026, Chaim has been daily sending emails with video speaking of raising an altar to the Lord of 120 spiritual leaders from 120 nations to pray for the salvation of Israel. What he shares is a little piece of understanding the prophetic nature of it all based on verses throughout  the Bible. You can watch ALL of the videos on their YouTube channel here as Chaim spells it out and can also see it here on The Faithful Galileans website. There is anointing on each of his title choices every day of this series. “In what place you hear the trumpet, rally there.” Nehemiah 4:20. 

On 4/17 Joel Jelski of Fields of Wheat in northern Israel wrote, “It’s been six weeks since our kids were able to attend school!”  Two days ago, 4/27, again Israel announced school and bus closures due to escalating tensions from Hezbollah rocket fire into northern Israel. This means “the obvious ‘inconveniences’ of being under missile and rocket attack,” as Joel put it, still applies. No school for children means limited mobility of parents who still need to work.  What is the answer? It was in Joel’s title: “Coping with War, Counting on God.”
     Writing about the new situations that have opened up because of the Iran wan, Joel notes that to the dismay of Hezbollah, the Lebanon government is now negotiating directly with Israel. Joel writes, “Could there be a chance that we may finally see peace at some point in the future between Lebanon and Israel? I would love to see that happen. Eitan wrote a book (What About Us? The End-time Calling of Gentiles in Israel's Revival) based on the relationship of King Hiram with Israel’s kings, David and Solomon. Hiram ruled over the region which today is Lebanon. In an alliance of covenant friendship, Hiram and Solomon built the original Temple in Jerusalem. The workers from both nations collaborated in total peace. Could we see those realities restored? Could Lebanon once again play a role in the spiritual restoration of Israel?”  This is what it is all about, dear readers!

 Avi & Chaya Mizrachi report that during the ceasefire, with relaxed Home Front Command regulations, the women of Messianic Israel jumped on the opportunity to come from all parts of Israel to the annual Bat Zion Women’s Conference at long last! Dugit hosts this every year but it has been quite “ify” with the war situation – still hundreds of women came to spend meaningful time with each other during this time national hardship. The Mizrachi’s write, “We serve a mighty and creative God, whose timing is perfect, and who makes all things beautiful in His time….Thank you for standing with us and praying for us, dear Dugit partners - we truly could not have done this without your support.”

     In another post, they write briefly about making their way to the ministry bomb shelter and being joined by someone seeking shelter. As Avi was praying for their safety, the young man said he believed in God, but not in a religious way. It led to “an open, honest conversation” and the man said he has an army service friend who is a believer in Yeshua. Pray this young man will be drawn even closer to the Lord.

Reuven Doron, One New Man Today, does a fascinating piece on how Samson was the last judge in the period of Israel when there was no king and “everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21). This is a powerful parallel to the state of the USA currently. Reuven writes, “It wasn’t until Samuel was born and dedicated to the Lord by his godly and grieving mother that things changed. In fact, most folks miss the profound placement of Samuel in the story God produced throughout Israel’s history…. Samuel served as the LAST leader who JUDGED Israel, and was the FIRST (formal) PROPHET who established the KINGDOM when he anointed Saul and launched the line of Israel’s monarchy. . . . Samson, however, was the last formal Judge in the Book of Judges, and is a picture of President Trump. Both were called by God from their mothers’ womb. Both were familiar with the God of the Bible, yet the main trajectories of their lives were guided by their powerful and carnal personalities. And both have had their character flaws used to accomplish God’s purposes when it was time to smite His enemies.” Personally, I believe Reuven nails this 100%.
     “….As the political circus of “talks” between the USA and Iran goes on, President Trump’s Middle East policies (including both the closure of the Straits of Hormuz and enforcing a new 50% tariff upon every nation who buys from Iran) are in fact setting a death trap for China. At the same time, Trump is creating an American global energy monopoly that will generate unbelievable profits for the American energy industry. Pray for the man. Pray for his mission. Pray for God’s purposes to unfold. Time is shorter than you may think.”

 From Tikkun Global, a new series from Ariel Blumenthal on Daniel – Rest in the Knowledge of the End and Restoration, Resistance, Reign (and Rain). READ Counting the Omer and the Restoration of Israel | Also from Asher Intrater Memorial Day and Independence Day | From Jeremiah Smilovici read When the Trumpet Sounds Become One | The Esther Call for Iran Watch Replays here or JOIN LIVE – scroll down to find how to join the live Zoom prayer calls.
     LATE UPDATE PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for Ariel Blumenthal as he ministers in Germany on Israel and the Church May 1 and also in a May 2 seminar.

Howard Bass of Nachalat Yeshua (Yeshua’s Inheritance) gives a great report of baptisms in their congregation – two young boys of single digit age. They and their parents asked for baptism for months. It had been put off for months. You must understand Israel’s “Missionary Laws” forbid proselytizing to minors under the age of 18 without parental consent, and it is not legal to conduct any ceremony for a minor to change their religion without the writen consent of both parents. They had this, so NOTHING illegal was done – but it is understandably ground that ALL the Israeli congregations are cautious with.
     As Howard wrote, “When Yeshua said to let the little children come to me, and do not prevent them, I don't think He meant to bring them to the Source of Living Water, but don't let them drink it. The parents say the boys are believers; I spoke with them personally, and the boys are clearer about their faith and love for Jesus more than some adults express. Yes, we must become as little children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven/God!”
     A woman who has been a believer for 10 years whose former church in Ukraine did not baptize, also came forward make the public step. And on that Shabbat morning, yet another womanspoke with me that morning in my office and asked if she could get baptized. She told me about herself, and I said, "What about today?" She broke out in a BIG smile, not knowing that we were already planning one. She even had a change of clothes in her car! After our service, a mother asked me about some of her older children, who were asking.  I haven't spoken with them, though.  In any case, it's great to see that the Holy Spirit is moving among and within! Baptism is a major step in Israel (a good discussion for another time). Read Howards articles: God know who He is and Israel’s 78th Independence Day

If you haven’t made the connection, Howard and Randi Bass have a strong connection to Kehila News Video (articles and blogs under constructioion) which is the ministry of their son-in-law Joseph Magen. This is a long standing go-to website for me that has been restructured over the past years and now is the dominant source of videos by, about or for the Israeli Messianic Jewish congregations (kehila) and ministries. You run into all sorts of junk about Israel on YouTube, but the videos on this source are curated by Israeli Messianics and give a real on the ground perspective from a great diversity of Messianic viewpoints. In fact, if you frequent AllIsraelNews, Joseph Magen was the visionary founder of that platform, which he recently departed from. I have 100% respect and appreciation for the great contribution that Magen has been making for the body of Messiah in Israel.  I first discovered his KehilaNews site at the beginning of 2016. There are a great many difficulties and challenges in including Messianic ministries by ANY who cover Israel in news or advocacy. We who do are on the same path of great resistance from all sides – even friendly fire at times. But what Joseph & Rotem Magen do is “unto the Lord” and that is something I am confident God will regard and reward.

Beit Hallel pastor Israel Pochtar has a great heart for evangelism and it shows in the projects they undertake (as well as planting daughter congregations). Watch In Jerusalem this Shavuot and Read this Pochtar Family Update Releasing the Next Generation into their Calling (beautiful!) | Read also A Generation is Rising and The Power of a Simple Connection | Watch A Nation Restored: 78 Years of promise, purpose and prophetic fulfillment.| Watch A River of Peace in Uncertain Times: Finding steady ground in God’s promises with Pastor Pochtar
     LEARN MORE: Beit Hallel INITIATIVES: Helping Holocaust Survivors, Network of Congregations, Return of the Jewish People, Jerusalem Outreach, Wartime Aid Mobilization, Food Security, Widows & Single Parent Families, Evangelism & Discipleship Center, Discipleship Course and Celebrating the Feasts of the Lord.

The team at Shavei  Tzion (Return to Zion) write, “Today we’re sharing a new letter from Pastor Leon (Mazin) in Haifa. He reflects on the emotional toll of recent months, the relief of this temporary calm, and a joyful moment—the Bat Mitzvah of Avigail. As Scripture says, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Read Pastor Leon’s latest letter from Haifa
Also, this report on 4/26 about their youth music program: “In many ways, we see this … quiet, steady work of God in our music school ministry. Week by week, as students come to learn and practice, something deeper is taking place beyond the notes and rhythms. We are grateful to see growth not only in their musical abilities, but also in their confidence and sense of belonging. Empower their future.

 Plant Hope Israel’s Jennifer Guetta writes, “Once again, times are very tense here. The uncertainty of not knowing whether there will be another war soon or whether there will be a false peace is very difficult to live with. It teaches us to live day by day, in His will, and to trust God for everything. Being in His perfect will is, after all, the safest place to be.” Read the prophetic dream and all of the prayer letter here.

Christian Arab prophetic intercessor Rania Sagegh at the Nazareth House of Prayer & Exploits, writes: “We explore the prophetic significance of this season, the legacy of a word spoken decades ago, and what it means for us today as a community and as part of the global body of Messiah. Together, we are stepping into a season marked by a double portion, an increase of His presence, His power, and His purpose in and through our lives. Let us lean in with open hearts and unwavering faith:  A New Season for Luke 4:18

Cookie Schwaeber-Issan | Opinion Columnist at Jerusalem Post & AllNewsIsrael.com
4/29 Replacing Hamas with Hamas | 4/27 Warning to Christians who think the Jews have been replaced  |4/25 Jpost: Getting Americans to turn against Israel  | 4/24 Hurry up and wrap up this war |4/22 What has Israel accomplished in 78 years? |4/18 JPost How bad do things have to get before Jews finally leave?  | The antisemitism problem within America’s two-party political system

Revive Israel which is led by Youval Yanay sent a good report of the 2nd week of their latest group going through the Discipleship Program which they spent out in the desert. While studying in Romans, the young people were sent out each to spend time alone with God – no phones, no conversations. “When they came back, you could see it. Not everything was said, but something had happened.” Watch here as the students enjoy the hospitality of a muslim Bedouin woman whose camp always welcomes Revive Israel’s discipleship students warmly. “This time, the students themselves stepped forward. One by one, they prayed for her and blessed her. It wasn’t planned, it just came from them."

Sally Shiff, intercessor and English-speaking liaison at the HaMaayan congregation in Kfar Saba, writes, "We do rejoice that the face of the Middle East has drastically changed, and soon, hopefully very soon peace will come. My prayer is that real peace, the peace of God and His Righteousness will come.  A few days ago, God started me on the book of Nehemiah. A small yet important book talking about the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem and the Jews returning from exile in Babylon. I believe it is prophetic regarding today and our current situation. (I will speak more about it when I come to the states in June).
     "Personally, my life has been busy with preparation of what Yeshua has in store. This summer, I am expecting two new families to arrive to the guest house in process of them making Aliyah. I suspect more to come as antisemitism is rising at alarming rates all over the world. Israel is the safest place in the world for all the Jews, as this is God’s promised land for us, and His promises are forever." 

Moti Cohen who is the senior pastor at Tiferet Yeshua in Tel Aviv, has also spent the last three years doing IDF Reserves duty. It is God’s grace on his life because as I have followed all that Moti has been doing in these past 3 years especially, it is a marvel of God’s grace on him without a doubt. Read online from Moti’s own recounting of his service during the wars and including be present with family milestones and congregational leading. Next week I’m hoping for the link to his latest report of ministering to the addicts on the street during times when missiles have been dropping and no bomb shelters they could take refuge in. Don’t think the street people took that manifestation of faith and commitment lightly. On their online link launch is also is the account of “Iran Tries to Stop Passover

 Guy Cohen leads the Harvest of Asher congregation in Acco. Prayer Request: “Guy will be travelling out of the country this week. Please keep him and his family in prayer. Pray for all flights and connections as well as the many meetings he is scheduled for. Pray for God's message and anointing on him. | We are grateful for your prayers for safety during these last weeks. Please continue to pray for our soldiers still stationed on multiple fronts here in the land.

Michael Beener who leads the Sderot City of Life writes, A New Generation Taking Shape in Israel.  They will be bringing young people from across the Negev for a City of Life Youth Camp this summer. Read more here. They are also supporting New Immigrants in the midst of the ongoing challenges of war in Israel. Read & Help

 Daniel and Shirya Yahav in Tiberias lead the Peniel Fellowship – don’t let the word fellowship fool you, it is one of the largest congregations in Israel.
     “During this war Israel suffered many rocket launches from Iran and Lebanon on daily basis. They mainly targeted the big cities which are densely populated and strategic infrastructures. Most of the rockets thankfully were intercepted, due to a multi layered defense systems which God has in his grace given the wisdom and ideas, and enabled us to develop and produce them over many years, as preparation for such a scenario as this. If we did not have those systems the damage would be devastating. Thankfully 90% of the rockets are being intercepted, but even if one manages to escape and hit directly, it is causing huge damage to a whole neighborhood. In one such case 18 people died in the city Beit-Shemesh when a rocket hit. But even with the high percentage of interceptions, there are huge Interception fragments that are falling all over large areas and also causing much damage, mainly to property. . . .
     The very low numbers of casualties in person is first and foremost the amazing grace and protection of God, as the number of casualties in person is very low compared to the many ballistic missiles and missiles with multiple warheads shot directly at civilian population. . . .Israelis are trained to run to shelter when alarms go on and most of the people do so. Every house that is built new, must also build a bomb shelter, and in shopping centers and many public places there are some kind of protected rooms. The majority of the casualties are when people either did not go or could not reach a shelter on time.
     Just before the war, we finished a renovation at the fellowship building, after 26 years in this place. It was done with the generous help of professionals from Germany and some volunteers from our side. We are very thankful for the time and effort you friends invested in that project. It also served to improve the electrical and sound systems, as well as installing new requirements given by the fire department.   
     Now there is a cease fire that was declared for two weeks. Many are skeptical as to how long will it hold, but let us pray that God's perfect will would be done, above all. Please pray also God's peace on every heart that has been affected by the continued alarms, sleepless nights after being awakened by the alarms, sounds of explosions,especially children. Continue also to pray for the salvation of our nation, and for the Iranian people, that many would be released from the evil grip of dead and evil religion unto salvation. Pray also for God's protection on our soldiers who are right now operating in Lebanon, on the Syrian border, in Judea and Samaria in hostile villages, to prevent terror attacks that are being continually planned.

From Ariel and Shayla Hyde leading the team at Tree of Life Israel write, “Isaiah 61 is coming alive in Israel today. Broken hearts are being healed, captives are being set free, and new believers are helping lead others to Jesus.” Our Disciples Are Starting to Make Disciples! WATCH this podcast 

JUST A REMINDER There were 29 documented Jewish believers in Israel in 1948. Five took offers from the new government to be relocated in other countries with visas. 25 refused the offer. Today there are estimates of 18-20,000 Israeli Messianic Jews.  In 1948 there were no Messianic Congregations in Israel but today there are well over 100 Messianic Congregations and House Fellowships in Israel. Increase is continuing to multiply as Yeshua’s Living Temple of Living Stones is built in Israel according to the promises.