A CONTRARIAN ARGUMENT FOR LOWER INTEREST RATES

Trump has been calling for lower interest rates.  He says Jerome Powell's reasoning for maintaining higher rates is incorrect. 

Trump haters want the opposite of whatever Trump wants. As far as Trump haters are concerned, ANYTHING Trump thinks is wrong and motivated by his own ego and personal financial motives. But many others are starting to agree with Trump when it comes to the Federal Reserve needing to lower interest rates. I'm going to make a case for lower interest rates from a contrarian perspective.  

There's a point where inflation can be deflationary. Costs can rise to a point where consumers are unable to maintain their purchasing levels, thus slowing demand and causing prices to come down.

There is indeed a concept where inflation can lead to a deflationary outcome through a chain reaction affecting consumer behavior and demand. The idea is that when inflation causes costs and prices to rise beyond what consumers can sustain, their purchasing power diminishes to the point where they reduce their spending. This reduced demand can then slow economic activity and lead to falling prices, which is a form of deflation.

Summary of the concept:

- Inflation is generally a rise in prices, reducing purchasing power.

- If inflation pushes prices too high, consumers may be unable to maintain their usual purchasing levels.

- This reduction in demand causes companies to lower prices to stimulate buying.

- When prices begin to fall broadly, this leads to deflation—a sustained decrease in the general price level.

- Deflation increases purchasing power but may signal economic weakness, leading to recessions or depressions.

- Deflation can trigger a deflationary spiral, where expectations of falling prices encourage consumers to delay purchases, further decreasing demand and pushing prices down.

- This dynamic shows how very high or runaway inflation can paradoxically initiate conditions that lead to deflation.

In short, inflation can become deflationary if it severely suppresses consumer demand due to cost pressures, causing prices to eventually come down as businesses adjust to weaker sales. This phenomenon is part of why central banks monitor inflation carefully and intervene to prevent extreme scenarios.

This explanation aligns with economic principles described by experts, noting that deflation often arises when demand fails to keep up with supply, sometimes triggered by very high inflation that consumers cannot sustain.

In such a situation it is possible to maintain lower interest rates because higher interest rates compound the problem and put too great a drag on the economy. it may not be as necessary to have high interest rates if there are other forces dampening demand.

It is possible and sometimes advisable to maintain lower interest rates in a situation where inflation is being dampened by other forces that reduce demand. Here’s why:

- Typically, central banks raise interest rates to combat inflation by making borrowing more expensive, which reduces spending and cools demand in the economy.

- However, if demand is already being suppressed through other channels—such as high price levels limiting consumer purchasing ability, causing slowing demand—the economy may naturally slow without needing high interest rates.

- In such cases, raising interest rates further could overly restrict borrowing and spending, putting an excessive drag on economic growth.

- Lower interest rates in this environment help avoid additional choking of economic activity and can prevent pushing the economy toward recession.

- Moreover, when inflation pressure is weak or demand is subdued, central banks may see less urgency to raise rates aggressively and may keep them lower to support manageable growth.

- This balancing act is part of why monetary policy decisions consider both inflation trends and underlying economic demand factors.

In summary, when inflation is high but demand is constrained due to other forces, maintaining lower interest rates may be preferable to avoid compounding the economic slowdown. Central banks aim to balance controlling inflation with supporting sustainable growth and avoid excessive tightening when natural dampeners on demand exist. This nuanced approach helps prevent excessive economic drag that could worsen downturn risks.  

This understanding aligns with how central banks like the Federal Reserve modify interest rates based not only on inflation but also on the broader economic context of demand and growth conditions. Lower interest rates can provide relief when inflation is being offset by demand reductions rather than purely by monetary tightening.

Impacts of demand-side forces on interest rates:

The impact of demand-side forces on interest rates can be summarized as follows:

- Interest rates are influenced by supply and demand for money and credit in the economy. When the demand for credit increases, interest rates tend to rise; when demand decreases, interest rates tend to fall.

- Demand-side factors refer to how much consumers and businesses want to borrow and spend. High demand for loans and credit pushes interest rates up because borrowing becomes more competitive.

- Conversely, if demand weakens—due to factors like consumers being unable to spend more because of high inflation or economic uncertainty—borrowing demand falls, which tends to lower interest rates.

- Central banks, like the Federal Reserve, adjust policy rates in response to these demand conditions to balance growth and control inflation.

- Studies of recent economic periods show demand shocks have had a significant role in driving changes in interest rates, often more so than supply shocks.

- When demand forces reduce the appetite for borrowing, interest rates decline as banks respond to reduced credit demand.

- The interaction of demand and supply in credit markets determines the equilibrium interest rate, which in turn affects overall economic activity through spending and investment.

In brief, demand-side forces are critical in determining interest rate levels. Low demand for credit usually results in lower interest rates, while strong demand tends to push rates higher. Central banks monitor these dynamics to set rates that support economic stability and growth.

This is why interest rates may be kept lower in situations where demand is weak due to inflationary pressures limiting consumer spending—so as not to exacerbate economic slowdown by further restricting borrowing costs.

This is an argument for the Federal Reserve, lowering interest rates.

This reasoning forms a valid argument for the Federal Reserve to consider lowering interest rates or at least maintaining them at a lower level under certain economic conditions. Specifically, if inflation is high but primarily driven by cost-push factors that lead to suppressed consumer demand—resulting in slower economic activity and some downward pressure on prices—the Fed might decide that raising interest rates further would overly harm growth.

Lowering or keeping interest rates low in such a scenario can help:

- Avoid deepening the economic slowdown caused by weak consumer spending.

- Support borrowing and investment to sustain economic activity.

- Provide the economy room to stabilize without triggering a harsher recession.

- Balance controlling inflation risks with fostering manageable growth.

This argument highlights a nuanced approach to monetary policy where the Fed weighs the source and nature of inflation, the real state of demand, and the overall economic outlook before deciding on interest rate changes. It suggests that high interest rates aren’t always the best tool when inflation coexists with demand-side weakness.

Such a perspective is consistent with economic theory and the practical challenges central banks face in maintaining growth and price stability simultaneously. It underscores why the Fed’s decisions often depend on a broad set of indicators and economic conditions, not just inflation metrics alone.

Lower Interest Rates Can Provided Needed Relief

While inflation is tame by today's standards, there was a significant run up and inflation during the biden years. Household income did not keep up with inflation during those years. so consumers today I really hurting, they are behind. higher than called for interest rates. Compound the problem for consumers. whether it's the cost of carrying their credit cards or their mortgage and car payments, consumers could really use some relief visa v lower interest rates.

My analysis captures the real challenges many American households are facing. During the Biden administration, there was indeed a significant spike in inflation: from January 2021 to late 2024, prices rose by around 19-21%. However, typical household incomes increased by only 16-19% in that period, meaning most families fell behind in terms of purchasing power. This gap resulted in a real squeeze for consumers, leaving them poorer on average by the end of Biden’s term.

Federal Reserve interest rate hikes—implemented to tame soaring inflation—led to much higher borrowing costs. As a result:

- Mortgage and car payments became more expensive, straining family budgets further.

- Credit card interest rates climbed, making it harder for consumers to pay down debt.

- Overall discretionary spending dropped because more income was needed just to service debt and buy essentials.

Even as inflation cooled in 2024-2025, many households had not caught up from this period of financial strain. Higher-than-necessary interest rates under these circumstances compound the pain, reducing disposable income and holding back economic recovery.

Thus, a strong argument exists for interest rate relief today. Lower rates would:

- Ease monthly debt payments for mortgages, cars, and credit cards.

- Allow consumers to catch up, boosting confidence and spending.

- Counteract the lingering effects of earlier inflation that wages have not fully offset.

This situation underscores why lower interest rates are not just a technical monetary policy adjustment—they are essential for restoring household stability and supporting continued economic recovery for U.S. consumers.

High interest rates raise the U.S. federal deficit and debt through direct and indirect channels, but these effects must be balanced against the benefits of a more robust economy that can result from lower interest rates:

- Direct Impact of High Rates: The government’s interest payments on its national debt increase significantly with rising interest rates, with about $952 billion projected for 2025. Higher rates make debt servicing more expensive, consuming a growing share of federal revenues and increasing the deficit.

- Indirect Impact of High Rates: Higher borrowing costs slow economic growth by constraining business investment and consumer spending. Slower growth lowers tax revenues and increases demands on social safety nets, further worsening the deficit. Higher debt levels can also push rates higher over time, creating a challenging feedback loop.

- Benefits of Lower Interest Rates: Conversely, lower interest rates reduce debt servicing costs and support stronger economic growth by making borrowing more affordable for consumers and businesses. This growth can increase employment, wages, and corporate earnings—all of which generate higher tax revenues. 

- Tax Revenue Boost: A more vibrant economy from lower rates leads to expanded tax bases and increased government revenue without raising tax rates. This can help shrink deficits and slow debt accumulation naturally.

- Long-term Fiscal Sustainability: While low rates ease near-term cost pressures, sustainable fiscal policy depends on balancing debt levels with economic growth. Lower rates that promote robust growth can improve fiscal health by raising revenues while controlling borrowing costs.

- Overall Balance: High interest rates impose fiscal strain, but aggressively raising rates may suppress growth and tax revenues, ultimately worsening deficits. A policy approach that considers the growth-boosting effects of lower rates alongside cost savings on interest payments tends to support stronger, more sustainable public finances.

In summary, while high interest rates directly increase federal debt costs, the broader economic context means lower rates can significantly benefit the economy and public finances by fostering growth and increasing tax revenues. This dynamic must be factored into assessing the true fiscal impact of interest rate policies.

The Federal Reserve Is Getting It Wrong, Again.

The Federal Reserve has developed a reputation for being late in adjusting interest rates, either in raising or lowering them. Here are two historical examples:

• Delays in rate cuts during recessions (e.g., the Great Recession of 2007-2009) led to prolonged market volatility and deeper economic downturns.
• During the 1990-1992 Gulf War recession, significant delays in cutting rates required a prolonged and aggressive easing cycle to stabilize markets.

BOTTOM LINE: 

Trump is right -- Interest rates should come down. And they will. Members of his board are voting against him.  Jerome Powell's days are numbered.  

#TrumpIsRight 

Eyes to See and Ears to Hear — Awakening Spiritual Perception

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17

This verse makes perfect since in ancient biblical times very few people could read and even less had access to written scriptures. People would listen to priests, pharisees and rabbis. Those people would speak or read what the prophets wrote. Moses is the quintessential example!

One of the recurring themes throughout the bible is the saying: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 13:9). This phrase — and its fuller form, “eyes to see and ears to hear” — serves as both an invitation and a challenge to perceive beyond the physical senses. It speaks to a spiritual awareness granted by God that enables understanding of His messages, His presence, and His purposes.

We might think of spiritual eyes like a pair of eyeglasses with a special filter. Without them, the world may seem flat, ordinary, and limited to what is visible to the natural eye. But when those lenses are put on, hidden details, meanings, and patterns suddenly emerge — things that were there all along but invisible without the filter. 

In Scripture, the prophets were given that kind of perception directly by God; they saw reality through the lens of divine revelation. Christians believe the Holy Spirit is those special glasses. He places the filter of truth over our eyes so we can discern God’s hand in events, understand His Word more deeply, and perceive spiritual realities we would otherwise miss entirely.

It is this kind of Holy Spirit-enabled vision — along with the capacity to hear with spiritual ears — that the Bible urges us to seek and cherish.

The New Testament as the Key to Unlocking the Old Testament

The Hebrew Tenach, known as the Old Testament, is rich with meaning but can often be challenging to understand. It contains many symbols, enigmatic events, and prophecies that appear complex or even bizarre without context. Over centuries, Jewish rabbis and scholars have worked diligently to interpret these Scriptures, developing traditions and commentaries to explain them.

Jesus, recognized as a rabbi—or teacher—by His followers, engaged deeply with the Tenach. Yet His teaching bore a unique authority unlike any other. According to the Gospels, He demonstrated special abilities — including miracles, prophetic insight, and authoritative interpretation — that confirmed His role as one who not only taught but fulfilled the Scriptures.

In this way, the New Testament functions like a “decryption key” to the Hebrew Scriptures. Jesus and His disciples shone light on the meaning of prophecies and symbols, revealing how they pointed to Him as Messiah. 

In Luke 24, the risen Jesus opens the minds of His disciples to understand “the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms” in light of His death and resurrection. This revelation enabled them to see the Old Testament as a unified story of God’s redemptive plan.

Thus, while the Old Testament lays the divine foundation, the New Testament unveils its fulfillment and clarity, uncovering truths that had been partially veiled until Yeshua Himself brought them to light.

Old Testament Foundations of Spiritual Sight and Hearing

The call to have spiritual eyes and ears is deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures:

Spiritual Sight in the Old Testament

Elisha prayed: “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see” (2 Kings 6:17), revealing God’s protection in the form of unseen angelic armies.  

Isaiah lamented: Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes…” (Isaiah 6:9–10).  

Divine Gift of Perception – Speaking to the Israelites, Moses said: “But to this day the Lord has not given you a heart to understand, or eyes to see, or ears to hear” (Deuteronomy 29:4).  

The Spirit’s Role – “The hearing ear and the seeing eye—the Lord has made them both” (Proverbs 20:12).

The Meaning of Spiritual Sight and Hearing

Eyes to See — the discernment to recognize God’s hand and truth in all things.  

Ears to Hear — the openness to receive, believe, and obey His word.  

"Faith and Spiritual Awakening: Job’s Journey from Suffering to Seeing God’s Truth Beyond Human Understanding"

Spiritual Blindness Is Not Moral Evil

The Book of Job shows that suffering is not always a result of sin, as Jesus taught in John 9 about the man born blind. Job’s friends wrongly assumed his hardships were punishment, but God revealed this was not true. Though Job struggled to understand God’s purposes, his encounter with God opened his spiritual eyes—shifting his perspective from merely “hearing” about God to truly “seeing” Him (Job 42:5). This story reminds us that spiritual sight often comes through God’s revelation amid mystery, and faith means trusting His wisdom even when full understanding is beyond us.

Spiritual blindness is not simply rebellion or moral corruption — many remain well-meaning yet unaware. 

In John 9, when His disciples asked whether a man born blind or his parents had sinned to cause the blindness, Jesus responded clearly: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” but rather this happened “so that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:3).

The Prophets Spoke of Disobedience Born of  Spiritual Blindness

The prophets of the Old Testament consistently spoke of disobedience as a condition born out of spiritual blindness—a blindness not merely of the eyes but of the heart and mind. Their prophetic words were not just warnings but spiritual gifts inspired by the Spirit of God to call people to repentance and deeper understanding.

This spiritual blindness, described vividly by prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, manifests as an inability or unwillingness to truly see, hear, or understand God’s truth, even when it is plainly present. Isaiah lamented God’s judgment on a rebellious people: “Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed” (Isaiah 6:9–10). This condition is a direct consequence of disobedience—when people reject God’s ways, their hearts become hardened, leading to shut eyes and deaf ears spiritually.

Jeremiah also spoke to this same theme: “O foolish people, without understanding, who have eyes and see not, and who have ears and hear not… The word of the Lord is a reproach to them; they have no delight in it” (Jeremiah 5:21). The prophets warned that persistent rejection of God’s message leads to deeper spiritual blindness, confusion, and deception. Ezekiel added that disobedience results in false teachings and deception that further blind the people (Ezekiel 13:2–19).

Importantly, these prophetic words were inspired gifts from the Spirit to awaken the people and to reveal the condition of their hearts, urging them to repent and return to God. Jesus Himself referred to Isaiah’s prophecy to explain why many in His time failed to recognize Him: their hearts were spiritually dull (Matthew 13:14–15).

When Jesus said in Matthew 23:37 ESV, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing”. This verse expresses Jesus' lament over Jerusalem's rejection of God's messengers and his desire to protect its people. 

This pattern of spiritual blindness born of disobedience also illustrates that hearing and understanding God's word is itself a spiritual gift. Where there is rebellion, God may permit a hardness or blindness to deepen as a consequence of persistent refusal to obey. At the same time, the Spirit desires to open eyes and ears, granting understanding and healing to those who repent.

Spirit in the Flesh

Jesus applied Isaiah’s description to His generation (Matthew 13:13–15), pointing to the heart as the true gatekeeper of understanding.

Jesus's ministry is fundamentally the embodiment of God's Spirit, and as such, His communication was direct, clear, and authoritative. Unlike typical human teachers who rely solely on human wisdom or tradition, Jesus spoke with the authority of God Himself, empowered and anointed by the Holy Spirit.

Though Jesus came fulfilling the Torah and Prophets, many in Israel could not see Him due to the blindness foretold by Scripture (Acts 28:26–27; Romans 11:7–10).  

Yet many Jews did believe and follow Him. The earliest church was almost entirely Jewish: all the apostles, thousands at Pentecost (Acts 2:41), and figures such as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. Both rejection and joyful reception coexisted in the same generation. After the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 A.D., the number of followers of Jesus increased substantially, marking a pivotal moment in early Christianity's history.

A Modern Awakening: Many Jews Today Are Opening Their Eyes and Ears to Jesus

Today, history is repeating. Across Israel and the world, many Jewish people are embracing Jesus as Messiah, recognizing His deep Jewish identity and role as the fulfiller of Torah and prophecy. Far from abandoning their heritage, these believers see their acceptance of Jesus as the natural continuation — and completion — of their faith.

Few Will Find the Way

The prophets also foresaw a faithful remnant (Isaiah 1:9). Jesus’ words ring true: “the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:14). 

One the eyes of my heart. 

The Latter Days — Intensification Before the Day of the Lord

In the last days, God promises an outpouring of His Spirit (Joel 2:28–29) to awaken His people. While deception will rise, so will spiritual vision among a remnant preparing for the Day of the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 5:2).

Conclusion

From the prophets, to Jesus, to the apostles, and now to modern-day believers — God’s invitation endures: open your spiritual eyes and ears. Only the Holy Spirit can place the “special lenses” over our hearts to see His truth clearly.  

As Jesus declared: “Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear” (Matthew 13:16).

GOD SAVES

1 Kings 20: 28-30 --  And a man of God came near and said to the king of Israel, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The Lord is a god of the hills but he is not a god of the valleys,” therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’” And they encamped opposite one another seven days. Then on the seventh day the battle was joined. And the people of Israel struck down of the Syrians 100,000 foot soldiers in one day. And the rest fled into the city of Aphek, and the wall fell upon 27,000 men who were left.

In the battle described in 1 Kings 20:28-30, Israel's initial army of 7,000 men, including 232 young leaders, defeated the vastly larger Syrian forces.

The Israelites fought many decisive battles against great odds which are viewed as evidence of God safeguarding the Israelites. Others include the Battle of Mount Tabor (Judges 4-5), where Deborah and Barak defeated Canaanite forces through divine intervention, the Fall of Jericho, Gideon's victory over Midian with just 300 men (Judges 7) and of course God drowning  Pharaoh's men when He lead the Hebrews out of Egypt.  

Physical/military conquests is one way in to think about salvation. Consider the Jewish expectation for a Messiah who would defeat Rome.

Jews and Christians Define Salvation Differently

Judaism teaches that God saves, but the concept differs from many Christian interpretations. 

In Jewish belief, God's salvation primarily refers to collective deliverance rather than personal salvation from sin or guarantee of eternal life.

Salvation in Judaism is closely linked with the idea of redemption (ge'ulah) and is frequently understood in terms of God saving the people of Israel from exile, oppression, or other hardships. The Jewish Bible (Tanakh) records many instances where God delivers or saves, but unlike Christianity, Judaism does not emphasize individual salvation through faith in a savior. Instead, it focuses on collective rescue, living a righteous life, repentance (teshuvah), and following God's commandments. 

It seems to me that the Jewish concept of salvation has a perfect application to what Israel is going through since October 7th. Israel is fighting enemies to the north, east, west and internally. 

Messiah's Role

The Messiah in Judaism is anticipated as a human figure who will bring peace and redemption, not as a divine being who grants personal salvation.

The Messiah in Judaism is expected to be a future human leader—a descendant of King David—who will bring about the redemption of the Jewish people, usher in an age of peace, rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem and gather Jews back to Israel.

Interestingly, despite Jews and Christians having different notions of the role of the Messiah, expectations are running high for the coming of the Messiah by both Jews and Christians! 

Atonement - Are We Ready?

In biblical times, personal atonement from sin was done through a blood sacrifice. Since the destruction of the 2nd Temple and the end of the sacrificial system, atonement is achieved through repentance, prayer, charity, and good deeds—not through belief in an external savior. 

Jewish framework holds that God is just and merciful, and that the gates of repentance remain open to all who return to righteous behavior. Jewish faith asserts that God's salvation or mercy is available to all people, not exclusively Jews, provided they honor God and act ethically. 

The prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 66:18–23) envisions “all nations and tongues” coming to worship God, making universalistic statements about God’s accessibility and concern for all humanity—not just the Jewish people.

Given that there are 613 Commandments, it is hard to feel one is on solid ground when it comes to meeting a Jewish standard.  As a Jew, atonement was always on a year-by-year basis as we fasted and went to temple on Yom Kippur and prayed to be written into the Book of Life for another year. The afterlife was not so much of a focus. 

Jewish repentance (teshuvah) requires apologizing directly to the person you have wronged and seeking their forgiveness.  Jewish repentance (teshuvah) differs from the Christian concept of repentance in some key ways: 

• In Judaism, genuine repentance requires not only confession and regret but also making direct amends and apologizing to those you have wronged; interpersonal sins cannot be forgiven by God until the victim has been compensated or reconciled. 
• In Christianity, repentance is typically understood as sincere regret before God, often mediated through faith in Jesus, and is primarily focused on forgiveness and salvation, sometimes without the requirement for direct restitution to those harmed.

The differences between Jewish and Christian views on repentance and forgiveness are deeply rooted in their perspectives on this life versus the afterlife—this world (Olam HaZeh) versus the world to come (Olam HaBa).

Jewish focus on this world (Olam HaZeh) is why Jew's are so concerned with social justice,  environmentalism and other ways to repair the world (Tikkun Olam).

Christianity, being highly concerned with the Kingdom of Heaven, and a relationship with God, the dominant understanding is that sin primarily damages a person’s relationship with God. Therefore repentance is first and foremost directed toward God.

They're Both Right

The structure of the 10 Commandments indeed reflects this balance: traditionally, the commandments are understood as two sets of 5, where the first 5 are directed toward our relationship with God, and the second 5 toward our relationship with other people.

Interestingly, even though Christianity focuses on repentance to repair our relationship with God, Jesus redirects us back to our relationship with our fellow.  

While Christianity often frames repentance as restoring our relationship with God, Jesus repeatedly teaches that reconciliation with our fellow human beings is inseparable from that. In fact, He makes it clear that you cannot claim to be right with God if you are deliberately remaining unreconciled with others you’ve wronged.

Matthew 5:23–24 — “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there … first go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”

Another perfect example is Matthew 6:12 — “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us..”

What's Love Got to Do with It? Everything!  

"Love" in a Jewish spiritual sense was directed AT God. Judaism teaches that love is directed at God as a central commandment, especially expressed in the Torah: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5)

For the Christian, atonement and the Messiah go hand-in-hand. Please pardon the pun. God's love is directed at us. In the ultimate act of love, Jesus lays down his life for our wrongs.  He asks us to show our love for Him by loving our fellow.

In John 13:34-35, Jesus puts love for others at the heart of discipleship and as the distinguishing mark of His followers -- “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." — John 15:13 (NIV)

Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22:12-13) is "love" in a class by itself.

Two Paths

Ironically, both Judaism and Christianity end up achieving a "better world," even though they get their in different ways. But when it comes to the afterlife, I will simply say that Christianity's view of Salvation brings more to the discussion. In the final analysis, Christianity's premise of how "God Saves" rides on whether or not Yeshua was crucified, was laid in an unused tomb and the rose from the dead on the 3rd day. That's why when some scribes and Pharisees wanted to see a sign, the only sign he offered was the "sign of Jonah" (Matthew 12:38-42).

Hezekiah and the Messiah

Some believe we are witnessing God’s salvation in Israel with the war. Surely Israel's miraculous protection since October 7th is beyond anyone's reasonable expectations. 

King Hezekiah of Judah
Between the late 8th and early 7th century BC.

It seemes to me that the defeat of Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis in Yemen, Syria and Iran warrant a mighty Hallelujah. The amazing protection Israel has had during these wars  could be compared to the moment Hezekiah discovered that the angel of the Lord miraculously struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night during the siege of Jerusalem around 700 BC. 

The Implication of God’s Protection

The Jewish sages say that had Hezekiah sung praises to God after that great victory against Israel's Assyrian enemies, the Messiah would have been revealed as well as Gog and Magog as prophecied in Ezekiel. The Gemara tells us in Sanhedrin 94a: 

Isaiah said: “The burden of Dumah. One calls to me out of Seir: Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The Watchman said: The morning comes and also the night; if you will inquire, inquire; return, come” (Isaiah 21:11–12). Rabbi Yoḥanan says: That angel, who is appointed over the spirits [seirim], his name is Dumah. All the spirits assembled near Dumah and said to him: “Watchman of the night, what of the night? Does God, Guardian of Israel, say that the time for redemption has arrived?” 

The angel answered: “The Watchman said: The morning comes and also the night; if you will inquire, inquire; return, come.” The Holy One, Blessed be He, said that the morning of redemption has come as well as the night of the exile. If you inquire and seek repentance, inquire and repent, and return to God and redemption will come.

In Sanhedrin 94a, "It was taught in the name of Rabbi Pappeyas: It is a disgrace for Hezekiah and his associates that they did not recite a song themselves."

In other words, because Hezekiah and his associates failed to sign songs of praise to God for their redemption, the Messiah was not appointed by God. 

What is especially interesting is that we find a description of the nature of the Messiah in this part of the Gemara. Here is how the Messiah is described, had he appeared in Hezekiah's time: 

The Gemara Describes the Messiah

The Rabbis drew from Isaiah 9 to list the eight names of Hezekiah.  As it is written: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government is upon his shoulder; and his name is called Pele Joez El Gibbor Abi Ad Sar Shalom”. 

The translation of "Pele Joez El Gibbor Abi Ad Sar Shalom" is: "Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" 

There you have it, a description of the One who Saves. That is the description of the Jewish Messiah. This is Israel's "Redeemer."

Speaking of names, the Hebrew name Yehoshua יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, Yeshua for short, and Joshua in English all means "YHWH (the LORD) is salvation" or "God saves".

Jonah Knew Who His Savior Was

With war against Hamas coming to a close the big question I have is whether or not Israel, will say their "Salvation is of God," just as Jonah did when he was redeemed. Three days and three nights in the belly, "Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish." ‐- Jonah 2:9 esv. 

The Prophet Jonah told us in Jonah 2:8-9 esv:

8 Those who pay regard to vain idols
    forsake their hope of steadfast love.
9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving
    will sacrifice to you;
what I have vowed I will pay.
    Salvation belongs to the Lord!”

Today's Hezekiah Moment:

Clearly, the IDF soldiers and Israel's missle defence systems are to be lauded for their protection of Israel and defeat of Israel's awful enemies.  If you ask many of the soldiers, they would give the glory to God. There have been too many miracles not to see His hand and shield over Israel. 

If today’s events are a prophetic shadow of the events the bible in Jerusalem during the time of Hezekiah, the question should be:  To what/who will Israel give the victory?  And will the leaders and people of Israel sing praises?

If those songs of praise are for God and the Messiah is revealed, as the Rabbis in Gemara said He would be, who will He be. Again, we have a description so we recognize Him. Here is the Messiah we'd be looking for:

"Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" 

 This Hezekiah moment will be another moment like Yeshua spoke of in Luke 13.34. 

Conclusion

I called this blog post "God Saves." That is what  Jesus's name means. 

Jews and Christians relate to Salvation very differently. Both Jew and Christian believe God saves, but figuratively and literally they are talking two different languages, Hebrew and Greek. 

When it comes to Salvation, Jews and Christians both begin at the Aleph/Alpha, but Jews end at the Tav and Christians end at the Omega. 

EYES TO SEE

Hebrew letter Ayin  

The Hebrew letter Ayin (ע) is the sixteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet with the numerical value of 70. The literal meaning of Ayin is "eye," symbolizing vision, perception, insight, and the ability to see both physically and spiritually. 

In Hebrew the letter relates to deeper spiritual sight beyond the physical eye.

The number 70 symbolically represents completeness, judgment, and divine order in the Bible, often indicating a whole group or a significant period. Here are some key Bible scriptures and references related to the number 70:

• Genesis 46:27 - Jacob's family numbered 70 members when they went to Egypt, representing the entire Israelite nation at that time.
• Exodus 24:1 and Numbers 11:16-17 - God commanded Moses to gather 70 elders of Israel to help govern the people.
• Jeremiah 29:10 - The Israelites were exiled in Babylon for 70 years as a period of judgment and purification.
• Daniel 9:24-27 - The prophecy of "Seventy Weeks" outlines significant events for Israel and the Messiah.
• Psalm 90:10 - The years of our life are seventy,
• Matthew 18:21-22 - Jesus tells Peter to forgive not just seven times but seventy times seven (490 times), emphasizing boundless forgiveness.
• Luke 10:1-23 - Jesus sends out 70 (or 72) disciples to preach and prepare the way for him.

Hear & See

There is an ayin in the Hebrew word Shema, which means hear/listen, Shema underscores the interplay of seeing to perceive and hearing to obey in the Hebrew spiritual worldview.

As the "Shema" is written in Deuteronomy 6:4–9 the Torah, the ayin is enlarged and crowned. 

The root letters also carry symbolic meanings in Hebrew pictographs:

• Shin (ש) can symbolize "to consume" or "destroy" (like fire) Shin is the 21st letter in the 22nd letter Hebrew Alpha-beyt. It's value is 300. The next and last (22nd) letter is Taw, symbolically pictured as a cross. 
• Mem (מ) can represent "water" or "chaos,"
• Ayin (ע) means "eye" or "to see" and implies perception or insight.

The essence of Judaism's central prayer, the Shema, is to keep God constantly before our eyes and ears, expressed through wholehearted listening, loving, and obeying God. The prayer begins with "Hear, O Israel" (Hebrew Shema means “hear” or “listen”), but this hearing goes beyond just sound—it means to truly understand and respond by obeying God’s commandments with all your heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). This implies keeping God ever present in your mind, heart, and actions, symbolically before your eyes and ears, so that you live in faithful devotion and allegiance to Him

Love One Another

The central message of the Torah and the Bible emphasizes love as a foundational commandment, especially loving your fellow human being.

One of the core commandments stated explicitly in the Torah is “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). This commandment is considered by the Talmudic sages to be the greatest principle of the Torah.  We are to treat others, even to strangers, the same care and respect one has for oneself. (Leviticus 19:34). 

The scriptures command us to love God with all your heart, soul, and might (Deuteronomy 6:5). Since man is created in the image of God, when we love our fellow we are showing God our love. 

Spiritual Sight

Jesus healed the blind on multiple occasions, often using the healings to symbolize spiritual sight and revelation. Some key examples include:

Jesus healed Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, near Jericho, restoring his sight because of his faith (Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43).

In John 9, Jesus healed a man born blind by making mud with his saliva, putting it on the man's eyes, and telling him to wash in the Pool of Siloam, restoring his physical sight and using the event to teach about spiritual enlightenment.

In Mark 8:22-25, Jesus healed a blind man in Bethsaida in stages—first partial sight, then complete restoration—showcasing progressive spiritual understanding.

In John 1:48 Nathanael asks Jesus, "How do you know me?" Jesus replies, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." This indicates Jesus' supernatural knowledge of Nathanael even before their meeting.

In verse 49 Nathanael answered, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

The Hebrew letter Ayin (עַיִן), meaning "eye," symbolizes seeing or insight. Jesus healing sight has a strong spiritual connection to this concept, as these miracles not only restored physical vision but also signified opening the eyes of faith, understanding, and recognizing divine truth. This aligns with the biblical theme that Jesus is the "light of the world" who brings spiritual sight, transforming blindness into seeing (John 9:5)

Love Beyond Feeling

Creation is the first act of Love. God created a house in which to place us. Perhaps that is why the first letter of the Torah is Bet, which is a house.  

The command to love your neighbor is not just about feeling but about action. Our actions are the outward expression of our inner feelings. Action is how we show our love. Sacrafice, charity, compassion and kindness are love put into action. 

Jesus elevated this principle of loving our neighbor as yourself to the foundation of Christian life and faith. 

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." — Matthew 22:37–40

In the Gospel of John, Jesus commands us to love one another:

“A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” — John 13:34

In the next verse, Jesus says He will distinguish his followers by our love for others. 

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

The Opposite of Hate is Love

The absence of brotherly love can be attributed to the first murder recorded in the Bible—the story of Cain and Abel. Cain killed his brother Abel out of jealousy and anger because God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s. This act is widely understood as the tragic consequence of lacking love, compassion, and responsibility toward one’s own brother, escalating to the first act of murder in human history.

Cain’s refusal to love and care for his brother Abel is underscored by his reply to God when asked about Abel’s whereabouts: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9). 

Love at First Sight

The love of Adam for Eve, Rebecca for Isaac, and Jacob for Rachel, where all love at first sight. Jesus' love for his disciples is illustrated by actions such as calling them to follow him. He loved them at first sight. 

Recognition of God's Image

Love at first sight in a spiritual sense means:

• Recognizing the divine spark within everyone.
• A spiritually response to their soul's needs
• Openness, respect, compassion, or even a protective urge whether they’re a friend, or stranger.
• When our spiritual antenna perceives something of divine value or destiny in the other, even before any relationship forms.

 In Matthew 6:22–23 (ESV), Jesus teaches:

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.”

Hebrew letter Bet

After God created a magnificent bet (house) for us, God said, Genesis 1:26 (esv), “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." Now the house was ready for man “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he  him; male and female he created them.” -- Genesis 1:27 (esv). 

In essence, mankind is no different than a beautiful sunrise or the view from a mountaintop or looking down at a tiny flower.  The amazing physical nature of a human being is as complex as any of God's designs.

Eyes Are An Amazing Creation

The human eye is an extraordinarily sophisticated design, consisting of multiple specialized layers and components that work together to convert light into electrical signals sent to the brain for image formation

Neuroscientific research has determined that approximately 50% of the human brain is directly or indirectly dedicated to vision and visual processing. The visual cortex alone has more neurons than the number of stars in our own galaxy (about 100–400 billion in the Milky Way.

Conclusion

In the most fundamental spiritual sense, to love someone at first sight is to use our God given spiritual eyes (ayin) to see our fellow as God’s creation. When we do, we also see God and God recognizes us. 

The Jewish sages say "Baseless Hate" led to the destruction of the 1st and 2nd temple and multiple other tragedies in Jewish history, most on Tisha B'Av (the 9th of the Hebrew month of Av. I have to wonder that the "Baseless Love" Jesus preached is a response.  

Psalm 121:1-2 -- I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." 

Ephesians 1:18 (ESV) -- "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,"

I pray to see with spiritual eyes.  

Epilogue:

The name of this Shabbas's Parshah is from Deuteronomy 3:23 and it is called "Va’etchanan," which means "I entreated*." 

Moses tells the people of Israel how he implored G‑d to allow him to enter the Land of Israel, but G‑d refused, instructing him instead to ascend a mountain and see the Promised Land.

The spiritual meaning of the word "entreated" (as in "Va’etchanan" from Deuteronomy 3:23, meaning "I entreated" or "I pleaded") centers on a deep, heartfelt, and persistent prayer or request made to God, often in a moment of vulnerability and earnest desire. Moses' entreaty to God to allow him to enter the Promised Land conveys intense longing and humility in approaching the Divine with a sincere plea, but God gives him spiritual eyes to see. 

This moment profoundly connects to the concept of Ayin, emphasizing spiritual sight and insight rather than physical possession.

This parsha also contains the Shema, which commands keeping God before your eyes (a direct connection to Ayin as the "eye"), highlighting the theme of ever-present spiritual awareness and devotion.

(BTW, I was unware of the Torah portion when I wrote this blog.)

A GIANT SPIRITUAL MOMENT

On Tisha B'Av, the 9th day on the Hebrew calendar month of Av, I had a spiritual revelation that I wanted to document in order to remember and build on it in future study and meditation. I also want to share it. 

For me, a spiritual revelation is the culmination of long periods of searching, learning, and connecting insights from scripture, tradition, and personal experience. It is a bit like assembling a complex puzzle, each piece—sometimes seeming random or disconnected at first—begins to form a coherent, illuminating picture. 

The Old Testament contains many complex, symbolic, and prophetic pieces that can be puzzling on their own—like separate pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. The New Testament is often described as the "decryption key" or "decoding key" for understanding the Old Testament because it reveals fuller meaning behind many of the Old Testament's messages, prophecies, and laws. 

When a moment of clarity arrives, it brings a uniquely deep sense of satisfaction, peace, and even awe. I feel as though I am glimpsing truths that transcend individual parts, making the whole even more amazing.  

Given the complex interwoven nature of such a process, it is very hard to write an explanation that is clear and concise enough for the reader.  So please give me grace and allow me to entertain you with my wild ideas. 

I will preface this by saying, I am not alone in the sense that mankind, more specifically Israel is on the verge of a giant spiritual moment

God Has Foreknowledge

One of the words used to describe God is "omniscient." This means God is all-knowing, possessing perfect knowledge of everything: past, present, and future. Because of His sovereignty—Adonia has an eternal plan and purpose, so nothing surprises or is hidden from Him.

It is fair to say that God knew the prophet Jonah better than Jonah knew God. While from God's very first word to Jonah, "Arise," Jonah knew God would have mercy on the people of Nineveh, the Assyrians. God knew the whole story when he picked Jonah. Which is to say that God had a plan for Jonah and for the Assyrians even after the Book of Jonah concludes. 

The Book of Jonah is a Warning to Israel

The bible clearly shows that God warns people to give them an opportunity to change their minds, repent, and turn from their sinful ways. This divine warning is a demonstration of God's patience and mercy, allowing time for repentance rather than rushing to judgment. Two such examples: 

• Jeremiah 18:8 (ESV) -- "If that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned."
• Ezekiel 33:11 (ESV) -- "Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?’"

These verses reflect God's desire to give humanity opportunities to repent and be saved rather than be destroyed. His warnings serve as acts of grace, inviting a changed heart and restoration.

The Book of Jonah is one of the most well-known books that touch deeply on themes related to atonement. It powerfully illustrates God's mercy, repentance, and forgiveness—key components of atonement theology.

Some key points about atonement in Jonah include:

• Jonah’s story highlights God's willingness to relent from judgment when His people repent, showing divine compassion and mercy (Jonah 3:10).
• The theme of repentance (teshuva) is central; Nineveh's collective turning from evil leads to their salvation and sparing from destruction.
• Jonah himself struggles with this mercy, illustrating human resistance to God's grace and the universal scope of divine love extending beyond Israel.
• The book is traditionally read on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) in Jewish practice, underscoring its lessons on sin, repentance, divine forgiveness, and renewal.
• Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the fish (Jonah 2) is a profound psalm of distress and deliverance that Christians believe foreshadows Jesus’ suffering and the atoning work.

Thus, Jonah embodies a narrative of God's gracious atonement—inviting sinners to repent, offering forgiveness, and revealing God's justice accompanied by steadfast love.

"He left them and went away." When He returns, He will come to judge the world. 

The Book of Jonah is widely regarded as one of the greatest stories of repentance in the Bible. It powerfully portrays the mercy of God extended to even the most unlikely and undeserving people when they genuinely repent.

So it stands to reason that the Book of Jonah has important relevance to end times and a world facing judgment.  

What Are We to Conclude After the Book of Jonah Concludes?

Jonah 4:5-11 -- Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth (Sukkah) for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city. Now the Lord God appointed a plant (kikayon) and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant. But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” But God said to Jonah, “Do you do well to be angry for the plant?” And he said, “Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die.” And the Lord said, “You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?”

There is so much I want to say about these verses, but I have to be painfully brief and to my point in order to finish the revelation I am trying to summarize. So I will simply say this about my interpretation of those versus in chapter 4.  

Firstly, God is the author and finisher, and He appointed the "great fish" that saved Jonah. 

Jonah 1:17 And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

The Book of Jonah is like a long parable and the images are metaphors. 

Jonah is Israel. The Sukkah is the tabernacle that the Israelites built for the Tablets of Testimony which Adonai gave Moses on top of Mount Sinai. The kikayon plant that shaded Jonah and saved him from his discomfort represented Adonai's manifested glory or presence among His people in the wilderness, known as the Shekinah, which is Hebrew word that means "that which dwells." 

The "worm" in Jonah 4:6-7, as well as Psalm 22:6, is specifically called a tolaath (תּוֹלָע). This word, often translated as "worm," actually refers to a specific type of insect, commonly referred to as the "crimson worm" (Coccus ilicis). It would leave a crimsom stain on a tree as it gave up it's body to feed it's young for approximately 3 days. This particular "worm" produced a vibrant red dye that was used to color fabric, including the scarlet cord, a Tikva, that Rahad hung out her window for Joshua to see so he could spare her and her family from the destruction of Jericho. The crimson worm was used to make the die for the scarlett thread that was tied on the scapegoat and the ancient temple door.

If you apply these interpretations to chapter 4 of Jonah I think you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the Book of Jonah including why the story ends with God pitying the great city of Nineveh and implying to Jonah, in the closing question, that the people need instruction.  They did not know the Torah. Consider how Jonah responded to God’s question. 

History tells us something important about Jonah and God's plans for both him and the Assyrians. History shows that Jonah stayed in Nineveh. His tomb is there. 

Jonah is traditionally believed to be buried in the city of Mosul in Iraq, which was historically known as Nineveh—the ancient Assyrian capital to which Jonah was sent. The tomb, also known as the Shrine or Mosque of the Prophet Jonah (Nabi Yunus in Arabic), stood on a mound called Nebi Yunus. 

The tomb of Jonah is revered by Jews, Christians, and Muslims as Jonah's burial place.  Bringing Jew, Christian and Muslim together is an image of "One Man" unity which has end times implications. 

The mosque and shrine were historically significant and a site of pilgrimage until they were largely destroyed by ISIS militants in 2014. Archaeological excavations beneath the site uncovered Assyrian artifacts and structures, underscoring its ancient heritage connected to Nineveh.

As we know, God had mercy on the people of Nineveh because they repented the moment they were warned of their impending destruction. Unlike the people of the city of Sodom who were not spared!  

What Came of the Assyrians? 

God had a plan for the Assyrians which would unfold approximately 100 years later at the walls of Jerusalem with King Hezekiah. 

As I see it, the sparing of Nineveh is part of a divine plan not out of love for Assyria itself, but so that the Assyrians might be preserved to fulfill God’s purpose as an instrument of judgment against Israel and Judah for their sins, as emphasized by later prophets like Isaiah. 

Isaiah prophesied about an Assyrian attack on Jerusalem. From the early chapters of Isaiah (especially chapters 7–12) through chapters 36–37, Isaiah warned the leaders of Judah about the impending danger from Assyria due to their lack of trust in God and their political alliances. When the Assyrian king Sennacherib ultimately invaded Judah, Isaiah both described and predicted the siege and devastation of many Judean cities, leaving Jerusalem as the final target.

Isaiah also prophesied that the Assyrians would not succeed in capturing or destroying Jerusalem itself. In Isaiah 37:33, God declared through Isaiah that the king of Assyria "will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it... He will go back the way he came". This prophecy was fulfilled when, after threatening Jerusalem, Sennacherib's army withdrew following a divine intervention. Thus, Isaiah’s prophecies included both the real danger and partial fulfillment of Assyrian conquest, as well as God’s promise of Jerusalem’s deliverance during that specific campaign.

Consider the implication of foreknowledge: Nothing is hidden from God: Not Jonah's actions and not the future Assyrians actions. God’s mercy in saving Nineveh is therefore seen as preparing Assyria to carry out the role ordained by God. God shows mercy to Assyria so they can be preserved to fulfill this role, showing both justice and mercy simultaneously.

Point of Fact

While Assyrians originally worshipped their native gods, they became one of the earliest peoples outside the Jewish world to convert to Christianity, believing in Jesus as the Messiah. Their conversion traditionally dates back to the first century AD, very soon after the time of Jesus and his apostles. Today, modern Assyrians are almost entirely Christian. Evidently, the story of Jonah was an influence. This suggests to me that God’s plan for the Assyrians, as well as Jonah, extends long past the story we read in the Book of Jonah. Clearly it does since he was used by Jesus as "the sign."

Thus, Jonah’s mission to Nineveh and their repentance fits into a broader biblical theme: God’s sovereignty extends even to future enemies, using them according to His purpose. The sparing of Nineveh following their repentance is consistent with this plan, which aligns with the Messianic and prophetic reflections connected to Hezekiah’s time and the Assyria threat.

The Connection to Tisha B'Av

The story of Hezekiah and the sparing of Jerusalem is related, in a thematic and historical sense, to Tisha B'Av, the Jewish day of mourning for the destruction of Jerusalem and both Temples.

Tisha B'Av is a day that commemorates numerous Jewish tragedies, particularly the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. It is a solemn fast day marked by mourning practices and reflection on Israel's suffering and exile. Hezekiah's story of deliverance from the Assyrian siege, where Jerusalem was miraculously spared, is part of the broader historical and prophetic context surrounding Jerusalem's trials and the recurring cycles of destruction and deliverance that Tisha B'Av mourns and contemplates.

Importantly, the Sabbath before Tisha B'Av, called Shabbat Chazon, includes prophetic readings from Isaiah, who lived during Hezekiah's time. Isaiah’s vision speaks about Jerusalem’s desolation and eventual hope, reflecting on the same era of Assyrian threat and divine deliverance that Hezekiah experienced. This sets the tone for mourning Jerusalem’s destruction but also anticipates future redemption.

The Story is Deeper Still  

There is a well-known tradition in Jewish texts—particularly the Talmud (Sanhedrin 94a)—that asserts King Hezekiah was almost appointed as the Messiah. According to this tradition, after Jerusalem was miraculously spared from the Assyrian army under Sennacherib, God was prepared to make Hezekiah the Messiah and Sennacherib the embodiment of Gog and Magog (apocalyptic enemies). In this passage the Gemara elaborates on the "eight names of Hezekiah are as it is written: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government is upon his shoulder; and his name is called Pele Joez El Gibbor Abi Ad Sar Shalom” The phrase "Pele (1) Joez (2) El (3) Gibbor (4) Abi (5) Ad (6) Sar (7) Shalom (8)" is a Hebrew phrase from Isaiah 9:6, meaning "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  

In Jewish tradition, interpretations vary, with some seeing it as referring to King Hezekiah or as a description of God's attributes. Christians reading this will no doubt recognize the Messiah, Jesus, in those those attributes. (Could this event be tied to one of the times Jesus refered to in Luke 13:34?)

The Talmudic sages say that Hezekiah failed to sing praises or offer a thanksgiving song to God after the deliverance, so Messiah's presence was not revealed and the future Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem was put in motion.

The logic given in these traditional sources is that singing praise and gratitude to God following a miracle is a sign of righteous leadership and messianic potential. For example, after the crossing of the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites sang praises, which was a model of appropriate response to salvation. Hezekiah, who experienced a similar deliverance, did not respond with song and praise, and therefore, according to the Talmud and rabbinic commentary, the messianic age was not realized in his time. 

I liken this missed opportunity to the scene with Moses who fails to "speak to the Rock" and the belief that exists that God/Messiah would have been revealed had he done so.  We know that Moses paid a high price for denying the Israelites. 

Hezekiah's failure to praise God for sparing Jerusalem was a "giant spiritual moment" and mistake.

Because of this omission, the Talmudic theory is that messianic era did not begin with Hezekiah, and future history, including tragedies such as the destruction of the Temple, unfolded instead.

Christian traditions do not hold Hezekiah as the would-be Messiah, but they do view him as a type (or foreshadowing) of the coming Messiah. 

Jonah Foreshadows the Messiah

In the Gospel of Matthew 12:42, Jesus presented himself as “one greater than Solomon.” 

I mentioned above the the Book of Jonah was like a long parable. Parables transmit understanding of wisdom. King Solomon, renowned for his God-given wisdom, conveyed understanding through concise, memorable sayings—proverbs. These proverbs provide practical instruction for living wisely and righteously, addressing many aspects of daily life and the human heart. Jesus used parables. The Hebrew word for proverb and parable are one in the same -- mashal (מָשָׁל). Parables hide profound truths in everyday imagery, requiring listeners to engage with faith, openness, and contemplation (Matthew 13:10–17). Through parables, Jesus invited his hearers to grasp the mysteries of God’s kingdom—wisdom not just for right living, but for understanding divine grace and salvation.

There is an end times implication in the Book of Jonah. In Matthew 12:41 Jesus says: "The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here."

This statement points to a future judgment day when the repentant Ninevites, historically outsiders and enemies of Israel, will testify against the generation of Israel in Jesus' time for their unbelief and refusal to repent despite Jesus' greater revelation. The people of Nineveh responded to Jonah's call with repentance, turning from their evil ways, while many in Israel rejected Jesus, who came with an even greater message.

The idea that the Ninevites stand in judgment of Israel is a strong theological theme in the book of Jonah and subsequent prophetic reflections. The Ninevites, despite being Assyrian enemies known for their wickedness and oppression of Israel, repent sincerely and quickly when Jonah warns them of God's impending judgment. Their genuine repentance contrasts sharply with Israel’s repeated failure to heed God's calls for repentance over long periods, leading to Israel's eventual judgment and exile by Assyria itself, whose capital was Nineveh.

The Problem with Saying "Never Again"

I want to challenge a famous expression that Jews use. Jews say "Never Again." The problem I see with this phrase is that I think it implies too much that man is in complete control, and that God isn't a factor.  

The concept of "never again" is a powerful slogan and ethical directive, most famously associated with the remembrance of the Holocaust and Jewish history. 

"Never again" emerged after the Holocaust, where 6 million Jews were murdered by Nazi Germany and its collaborators. Survivors, Jewish leaders, and the wider world embraced the phrase as a commitment to ensure genocides like the Holocaust would never be allowed to happen again. It is a rallying cry. We have to do our part!  

By the same token, saying "Never Again" is also like saying we will never let Tisha B'Av happen again. If we are in God's hands, Tisha B'Av is in God's hands. Who are we to say that Tisha B'Av can never happen again? If God spares Israel, like He spared Jerusalem during Hezekiah's time, will Israel sing praises God? 

Never Again Is Now

I'd posit that Israel is facing a similar moment now with historic spiritual parallels and significance.  Israel's enemies, Hamas, Syria, Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iran surround Israel and threaten it's destruction. Like the Assyrians at Jerusalem during Hezekiah's time.

Israel has a secular majority. While religion plays an important public and political role in Israel, many Israelis—especially in major cities like Tel Aviv—live largely secular lifestyles with Jewish identity expressed more culturally or ethnically than religiously or spiritually.

The war with Hamas appears to be coming to a close. Hamas soldiers are coming up from the tunnels and surrendering their weapons in large numbers. This started happening literally in conjunction with Tisha B'Av!  President Trump and several Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar, have also just demanded at the same time that Hamas give up it's weapons, control of Gaza and hand over ALL the hostages!  

Who will Israel praise?! 

WARNING

After the Holocaust, during the Nuremberg trails, one of the chief prosecutors, Benjamin Ferencz, gave a stark warning to the world about the consequences of unchecked hatred. Ferencz famously, and I believe prophetically, said that the world could not withstand "another Holocaust." 

Jews are living in a world of unchecked hate, and not just the hate of non-Jews. There is the hate by Jews of Israel's Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. There is hatred by Jews of Jews who support Donald Trump, who supports Israel. I think their is the kind of "Baseless Hate" that is attributed by the rabbis to causing Tisha B'Av. 

If we continue to hate one another, rather than love one another, and we fail to praise God for miraculous protection, the final Tisha B'Av may be close at hand. We should take a lesson on repentance from the Ninevites, otherwise they  may stand at our judgment.  

Throughout History 

The bible is made up of multiple stories of God trying to guide and instruct us on a righteous path back to Him.  One can imagine God weeping over all the times we were so stubborn and would not let God gather us to himself.  

The big question I see facing the Nation of Israel, including Jews around the world, is whether the Nation of Israel at large will praise God for the miraculous protection Israel it has recieved since October 7th 2023. If we don't, Israel may face the final Tisha B'Av when we will be faced with such utter destruction that we will say what is written:  

Psalm 118:26 (ESV) -- Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord.

Conclusion

Israel is at what I am calling a "Hezekiah moment." The Nation of Israel and Jews collectively must sing praise to God for His protection. Isreal must shout a mighty Hallelujah for the protection the nation has recieved from it'senemies during present wars. Israel must acknowledge "Salvation is of God!" (Jonah 2.9). The miraculous protection Israel has experienced is beyond Israel's weapons and warriors alone. Israel should show the world that "Salvation belongs to the Lord" by giving all the praise to Adonia. This is something Jew, Christian and Muslim will appreciate. 

Psalm 150:1-6 (ESV)
"Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!
Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!"

Israel is nearly at a Hezekiah moment. Victory is at hand for Israel in the current war. Woe to Israel if it fails to sing songs of praise that satisfy Adonia.  

VIOLENCE HAS TO BE ENDED

David & Goliath

Remember the bible story of "David and Goliath." The ancient enemies of Israel, the Philistines migrated from the area of ancient Greece to the coastal area of Gaza on Israel's southern coast in roughly the 12th century BC.  The inhabitants of Gaza have been enemies ever since. 

Before King David, Gaza is where the biblical Samsom was taken captive and put in shackles in the 11th Century BC.  Samson is written about in the Hebrew Book of Judges.

Judges 16:21-30 -- And the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes and brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles. But the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaved. Then Samson called to the LORD and said, “O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.” And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life.

David’s sling defeated Goliath, the giant Philistine, and when the shepherd boy grew up and became King, he returned to settle the score with the Philistines. 1 Chronicles 18:1 in the Hebrew bible states that David defeated the Philistines and captured their chief city, Gaza, incorporating it into the Israelite kingdom. 

Israel Has Long Been Dealing with Cursed Gaza

In the 8th century BC., the biblical prophet Amos prophecied:

 
Amos 1:6–7 -- So I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza, and it shall devour her strongholds.”

In the 7th century BC., during the reign of King Josiah of Judah, the prophet Zephaniah prophecied that "Gaza shall be deserted." (Zephaniah 2:4) 

In the mid-6th or early 5th century, Zechariah prophecied that Gaza would "writhe in anguish" because its "hopes are confounded" it's leaders would "perish" and Gaza would be "uninhabited." (Zechariah 9:5)

Hamas is Wrongdoing and Wrongdoing is Hamas

The coastal area of Gaza has been a curse to the Israelites for almost 3100 years. Hamas took that curse down to the next level, figuratively and literally. Hamas built a 450 mile hellacious tunnel system underneath virtually all of Gaza.  That's larger than the NYC subway of 245 miles or London's subway of 250 miles. Hamas's subterranean transportation system was only for their evil intentions, hiding and transporting terrorists and storing weapons.  

Everything Hamas does for killing Jews and destroying Israel. Palestinian women and children be dammed! 

"Israel protects it's civilians with missiles. Hamas protects it's missiles with civilians." 

The greatest tragedy is that Palestinian children have been taught to desire to kill Jews from the time they can walk. Jew hatred is a cancer in the Nth stage by the time a boy is 15 years old. All Hamas has to do is hand him a rifle and point him toward Israel. 

The Name "Palestine" Haunts Israel

After the ancient Romans destroyed Jerusalem, demolished the Temple and scattered the Israelites, the Roman Emperor added insult to injury by renaming Israel to "Philistia,” after the the Israelites' ancient enemies the Philistines. 

Like the Romans, the actual "Colonizers," Europeans, want to take a portion of biblical Israel and rename it "Palestine" after our ancient enemies from 3100 years ago. 

Enough Is Enough 

Those days are over and Israel has had enough! No more renaming.  Israel is not going back to boundaries mandated by Britain, France or any other foreign country. 

No more taking away or giving away the Land that God gave to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob which Joshua and David battled for, won and united into Israel nearly 3000 years ago.  

No more "West Bank" which is part of ancient Judea Samaria and was fought for and won back again, along with East Jerusalem and the Golan when Trans-Jordan, Syria, Egypt attacked tiny Israel in the "Six-Day War" of 1967.

No more Palestine. It is all Israel. Gaza is and has been part of Israel since David slew Goliath. Israelies have fought and bought their biblical lands since David purchased the threshing floor from Arunah the Jebusite to build an altar.

In the Book of Samuel (2), King David replied to Araunah: 

“I will buy them from you at full price. I won’t offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for 50 silver shekels, built an altar to the Lord there, and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord answered David’s prayers for the land and the pestilence on Israel was averted. (2 Samuel: 24-25 isv)

Israel has paid a high enough price for it's homeland.  It is time to rid Israel of the pestilence that is Hamas permanently. The violence, Hamas, has to end. Hamas, violence, has to be ended!

Isaiah 60:18: "No longer will violence [hamas] be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise". 

Am Yisrael Chai! 

Son of Hamas Founder