Friday the 13th - Timing of Israel's strike on Iran coincidence or intentional?

Coincidence or intentional? What are the chances that Israel would go to war against her most dreaded enemy, Iran on that fated date of Friday the 13th?

Of course, it comes as no surprise to those of us who live in the Middle East, because, for days, we’ve been hearing rumors that, at any moment, we could attack the country which has been working at a fast and furious pace to finally realize their dreams of nuclear capabilities, making it a global threat, not only to us, but to the entire world.

And while few of us had doubt, probably most of us were not expecting to be awakened last night, a couple of minutes before 3 a.m. to the sounds of that all-too familiar blaring siren which usually warns us of incoming rockets, mostly from Yemen, these days.

But, this time, something seemed different, because the moment that we scurried into our safe room, there was the absence of the usual forthcoming State texts, letting us know what’s happening.  Instead, after a minute or two, we got a long, loud eerie buzzing from our phones, which were on silent mode, since it was the middle of the night. Only once before had we received that warning sound, and it was on October 1, 2024 when 200 ballistic missiles had been launched by Iran in their “Operation True Promise II.”

So, very quickly, it became clear to us that this was not a Yemenite rocket attack but something connected to Iran.  That’s when the updates began.  We were informed that Israel’s Air Force had begun her attack, hitting the nuclear facilities of Tehran.  In this daring moment, Israel Live News 118 texted that, “According to reports, Israel had destroyed all of Iran’s air defenses in half an hour,” as explosions took place at the Natanz nuclear facility.

Following that announcement, we were informed that Ben Gurion International Airport had been closed until further notice, meaning that all incoming or outgoing flights were cancelled. Our Home Front Command advised that all schools and most businesses would be closed on Friday, with the suggestion that citizens remain at home if possible. Only essential trips should be made.

With most of us glued to our tv’s, to see the unfolding developments, we began to take in the magnitude of what would, undoubtedly, await us in the coming hours, as it was explained that this operation could spill into days or weeks, necessitating spare supplies of food, water and whatever else might be needed.

Going back to sleep, just a little before 5 a.m., the thought of being awakened, yet again, by some immediate retaliatory measure, wasn’t far from our thoughts, but that did not happen. By morning, we heard that 100 suicide drones, although 850, reported by Iran, were on their way to Israel, with noon as the estimated time of arrival.  In addition, hundreds of ballistic missiles are also anticipated to be launched at Israel.

Needless to say, all American negotiations have come to a halt. This operation named, “Rising Lion,” is based upon the scripture found in Numbers 23:24, “Behold, a people rises like a lioness, and as a lion it lifts itself.” 

This chapter is particularly significant when delving into its full context that relates the story of the prophet Balaam, who was summoned by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse Israel. Fearing the power and success being amassed by the Israelites, as personally seen by the king, he understood that his best strategy would be to bring about a well-known diviner with the ability to reverse the course of direction that seemed unstoppable and insurmountable.

What Balak didn’t count on was that Balaam, although not an Israelite himself, came to the undeniable conclusion that what God had blessed, he, as a mere mortal, was unable to undo. Rather than pronounce disaster on them, Balaam began to lift up and exalt Israel, enumerating the many ways in which God had blessed them – through their magnificent homes, gardens, agriculture, their military defense, their spiritual inheritance and their bravery. 

After seeing such splendor, it was then that he declared, “He couches, he lies down as a lion, and as a lion, who dares rouse him?  Blessed is everyone who blesses you, and cursed is everyone who curses you.” (Numbers 24:9) 

Furious with Balaam, Balak rails against the prophet saying, “I called you to curse my enemies, but you have persisted in blessing them three times!” (vs. 10) Balaam’s answer, in modern-day English was basically, “It’s impossible to curse what God has blessed.”

This is the history of the people who, today, on Friday the 13th, are, once again, faced with a foe who is set on the destruction of God’s chosen.  Does anyone have any doubt how it will end? 

For now, some reports say that U.S. President Donald Trump is furious with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Unlike the ancient king Balak, it is not because he wants to pronounce a curse on us, but because he has held on to the hope that negotiations could avert what is coming.  And while that is a worthy effort, almost no one believes that talks, with a determined enemy, would bear fruit.  

To the contrary, Iran has stepped up its pace, working around the clock, to enrich enough uranium to complete at least 9-10 nuclear warheads.  So close to realizing their greatest aspiration, they have wasted no time, to beat out the ticking clock against them. Those who know them best have expressed their firm belief that no agreement or compromise could be made, because they have consistently proven to be dishonest and dedicated to their one goal – annihilating the Jewish State.

For those of us who still believe in the same God who so graciously and lavishly blessed Israel thousands of years ago, there is no wavering in our faith that He is still in control of the events that are playing out on this particular Friday. 

While we have not always been faithful, from our end, as a people who are supposed to look upward and trust only in the Almighty, we, still, rest in the confidence that He has never forsaken us, nor is He likely to do so now!

The God of Israel is with us and will continue to bless His people.  Likewise, the curse will be upon those who continue to touch the apple of God’s eye!