By Elisabeth Hinze
I love the way God uses the Bible to introduce Himself to us. It’s there in every book, on every page and in every story. Almost like God whispering to our hearts, “This is Who I am. These is My characteristics. These are the things you can expect Me to do.” Take 2 Chronicles 16:9 for example, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”
That’s a mouth full. God tells us that He is active, attentive, alert at all times. Why? Well, so that He can prove His might, His power and His strength on behalf of those who love Him. What a promise. What a God…
I thought of this verse – and its implication –when reading the story of Col. Ofer Winter, a brigade commander in the IDF’s Givati unit. Earlier on during Operation Protective Edge, as Hamas broke the first cease fire and a ground operation in Gaza seemed inevitable, Col. Winter sent his battalion and company commanders an official message, “History has chosen us to spearhead the fighting (against) the terrorist ‘Gazan’ enemy which abuses, blasphemes and curses the God of Israel’s (defense) forces.”
The message sounds familiar. Because it echoes the words of Israel’s great shepherd king spoken thousands of years ago as he stood facing the giant Goliath. We all know the story. The colossal Philistine warrior challenges the army of Israel to send their bravest man, their fiercest warrior, to face him. The outcome would decide the battle. But nobody steps forward. Until forty days later when a young shepherd named David brings his soldier brothers a care package from home. Again Goliath repeats his taunt. But this time David replies, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26).
It is the same faith, the same commitment to the God of Israel that Col. Winter’s words echo. Because in the rest of his message he calls on the God of Israel to “make our path successful as we go and stand to fight for the sake of your people of Israel against a foe which curses your name.”
It looks like Col. Winter isn’t afraid to speak out for what he believes in. In an earlier interview with an Orthodox magazine, he shared about a tradition he has of sending his men into combat with the same blessing that the priests spoke over the army of Israel before going into battle. He also told of his belief that God often used times of war to reveals Himself through miracles.
Col. Winter got some criticism for his message. A lot actually. But that’s not my concern here. As far as I can see, the important part of his story came later. In Gaza. When Col. Winter and his men experienced something that could only be attributed to God’s divine protection.
It started with what should have been a predawn mission. The soldiers needed the cover of darkness to hide them as they got into position. But the raid was postponed. The sun was about to rise. Which would leave all the soldiers exposed in broad daylight. But out of nowhere, a thick fog covered the group, giving them the necessary cover to get into position. Only when all the soldiers were safe did the fog lift. Col. Winter has no other explanation, “It really was a fulfilment of the verse, “For the Lord your God is the One Who goes with you to give you victory” (Deuteronomy 20:4).
I agree. It is a fulfilment of that verse. But in this story I also see the fulfilment of something else. Because God promised in 2 Chronicles 16:19. He is active, attentive, alert at all times. Why? To prove His strength on behalf of those who love Him and put their trust in Him.
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