REFUTED BY HISTORY & FACT <strong>In</strong> <strong>Touch</strong> is the newsletter of Christian Friends of Israel UK CFI-UK seeks to bless Israel by means of practical and moral support, and to serve the Church in teaching about God’s purposes for Israel and the Hebraic roots of our faith. CFI also produces a monthly News Report, a monthly Prayer Letter and a Middle East Update CD/MP3. Please send for full details of the practical projects and also of the many teaching resources available. As an educational charity, we carry a variety of resources relevant to our purpose. We do not necessarily endorse every view expressed by our guest writers or authors of these resources. Published by: CFI Communications PO Box 2687 Eastbourne BN22 7LZ Tel: 01323 410810 Fax: 01323 410211 Email: info@cfi.org.uk Websites: www.cfi.org.uk www.isrelate.com www.keshercourse.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1101899 Front Cover Image: Judgement seat at the gate of Dan © BiblePlaces.com CFI Annual Conference images pages 4 and 5: © P. Pawley CFI-UK’s Chief Executive Jacob Vince teaches on the importance of seeing the big picture <strong>In</strong> June 2010 an article, in the immediate aftermath of the ‘Flotilla’ episode, appeared in the Irish Times written by Zion Evorony, A m b a s s a d o r of Israel to Ireland. <strong>In</strong> it he suggested that “future historians will puzzle over the western media’s portrayal of the flotilla activists as humanitarians, ignoring evidence of motive. An impartial historian analysing, 20 years hence, the events … will be perplexed by several aspects of the media’s coverage of the episode.” (Irish Times Jun, 2010). Well, it has not needed 20 years to elapse before analysis. The Palmer Report (Report of the Secretary-General’s Panel of <strong>In</strong>quiry on the 31 May 2010 Flotilla <strong>In</strong>cident July <strong>2011</strong>) which expressed the conclusions of the UN commission chaired by the former New Zealand PM Geoffrey Palmer is now public. The report states that, “Israel faces a real threat to its security from militant groups in Gaza. The naval blockade was imposed as a legitimate security measure … and its implementation complied with the requirements of international law …” Yes, there are aspects upon which Israel is criticised, but these criticisms could only be made with hindsight and I am sure Israel will learn from an event in which a regrettable loss of life occurred. Now you may wonder why, when there are such immediate pressing issues once more being confronted by Israel and the Middle East, I should focus upon this historical, if recent, event. Well the reason is that we must always be careful, as apostle Paul writes in (1 Corinthians 4:5), not to judge anything before its time or in other words arrive at premature conclusions. This is a lesson we must learn, but even more so those who report and interpret events in the media. They, with their position of influence and privilege, carry a much greater responsibility and, as a consequence, much more is expected from them. Moses, when instructing upon how to determine whether a message that has been spoken is of the Lord, suggests the hearer wait to see whether what has been spoken of takes place. The instruction goes on to suggest that as events unfold, if something has been spoke of incorrectly then the speaker should be ignored. (Deuteronomy 18:17-22) Likewise we must not let the immediate, and at times frenetic, happenings distract from seeing the broader overview events as they unfold. Neither should those who commentate on such events “We must be careful not to jump to conclusions in our own strength.” get away with claiming presumptions and perceptions as fact, in the expectation that by the time they are fully known they will be lost in the avalanche of the next pressing issue. So, as we consider the more immediate prevailing events of our day, we too must be careful not to jump to conclusions in our own strength. We are to bring matters before the Lord in prayer and at times intensive prayer. Remarkably, He persists in graciously choosing his Church and Israel in different ways to accomplish His outcome. This is not without cost and doesn’t happen immediately or when we might like. But God has a strategy and will work it out. Our prayer is that we all may be working with Him in this, but should He wish to work in spite of us then may it be His will that is done. For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (Philippians 2:13) 2 // IN TOUCH
CONFERENCE Crawley, West Sussex November 12th <strong>2011</strong> Tickets: £20 in advance Dial: 0800 032 2088 for more information CFI.ORG.UK // 3
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