Israel's Terrible Fires

Worst Fires in Modern Era

You probably heard about the fires that were raging in the forests of Mt. Carmel in northern Israel earlier this month—the worst in Israel’s modern 62-year history. Forty-two Israelis died, more than 17,000 people from 12 Israelis towns had to be evacuated, and about 45 percent of the Carmel Forest was destroyed.

No doubt the reason I am still thinking about the fires is because in a few weeks I will travel through the Carmel Mountains with 31 others from the Puget Sound region. Mount Carmel is where the prophet Elijah squared up against 450 prophets of Baal.

Anyway, on December 6, we were asked by a devout Jewish lady we know in “Samaria,” to pray for “G-d” to spare Israel further carnage. So we prayed, as many did, and the next day the fires were out.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu learned of the Carmel fires late on December 2nd. Since Israel does not own any fire suppression planes, he called several foreign leaders for help. “Within 24 hours, said Netanyahu, “we had 10 planes in the air from many countries.” More planes came within 48 hours, including the American ‘supertanker’ that can drop 80,000 gallons of water in a matter of minutes.

“We have to face the possibility of fires in the future that consume a large part of Israel,” said Mr. Netanyahu, differentiating between ‘mega fires’ and normal home, office or factory fires. “This requires a fundamentally different strategic plan,” he said.

The Joshua Fund’s Joel Rosenberg said he couldn’t help but think of Ezekiel 38-39 which indicates that in the “last days” there will be fire raining down from heaven in the region. “The Lord’s purpose will be, in part, to defeat Israel’s enemies. But there could be collateral damage, and Israel will need to be ready to fight such massive fires to protect their own citizens, as well as to be a blessing to their neighbors,” said Rosenberg.

Meanwhile, our Jewish friend followed up with this email:

(Dec 7)—“…Today it is raining in Israel, for the first time in months. Indeed, since March, it has rained maybe two or three times, and each time not very heavily. I have no idea how long the rain today will last and whether it will mark the beginning, finally, of the winter season in Israel, but it is a great day in any case. A day worthy of praise to G-d who has seen to our needs and opened up the heavens.”

Indeed, God does attend to Israel’s needs—and ours—when we cry out to Him. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb 4:16)