Apples of Gold Jul/Aug 2026
We in Israel who are believers in Jesus are surrounded by people who come to make trouble for us. There are many of them, and they are loud when they speak against our faith. But I am not caught off guard by their hostility.
The Lord has blessed my wife and me with three sons, one daughter, and now 16 grandchildren. My greatest joy is that they have grown up knowing the love of Christ, and most of them are very active in serving the Lord. He sends us out as lambs among wolves (Lk. 10:3).
An Orthodox organization near us confronts those of us who believe in our great Savior, Jesus; and its members attack us with many cruel words. A few weeks ago, they came to my home to chastise me. They asked me why my children, grandchildren, and I were not serving in the army.
“This is not the first time I have heard this question from people like you,” I responded. “But if you are so sure that we do not serve with the army, I must show you how blind you are. You have followed false teachers, and now you are following others like you. That is why you have come to my home. But everyone who comes here is welcome, including you.”
One man asked, “Is it true that you do not serve? If it is not, give me the truth so that I can correct those who told me this and put them in their place.”
So, I asked them all, “What do you really want to know about me?”
“We know you have four children and many grandchildren,” one in the crowd said, “but we are told you do not serve in the army. Is this true? We have been waiting to hear what you have to say.”
“I am happy you have come here so that you can learn the truth,” I answered. Then, I asked them, “Have you all served in the army?”
“Yes,” many replied.
“Have you taken part in our wars?” I asked.
“No,” they mumbled.
“I have fought in many wars—in 1948, 1956, 1967, 1973, and more,” I said.
“But where is your proof?” one asked.
I retrieved my wartime decorations and medals, signed by military generals, and showed them to the men. Now, they could see the proof for themselves. They were surprised to see my awards; and one said to me, “We will bring this news to our leaders and confront them over the lie they told us about you. We are ashamed, but we will not forget what you have shown us.”
From then on, they grew more interested in me and asked how I came to know the Lord. As I explained that I follow the one living and mighty God, one man asked, “Can you show us where these things are written in the Holy Bible, especially what you believe about This Man [Jesus] from Bethlehem in whom you have believed?”
I opened my Bible to Micah 5:2, which prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, and read, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”
When I finished, they asked for more evidence from Scripture about the Lord Jesus. This time I opened my Bible to Isaiah 53 and gave it to them to read this prophecy of Jesus the Messiah’s death. After they read, they spoke among themselves; and one asked, “Who is this One who was pierced for our transgressions?” They pondered for a few moments and considered what I told them about Jesus. Then, one man said, “Now I am beginning to understand.”
I spoke to them again, saying, “Read these verses and tell me: Is this the Holy Bible?”
“Yes, this is the Holy Bible,” the man replied, “and we believe all that is written here.”
They showed great kindness toward me for the rest of our conversation. They asked me to forgive them for the hostility they showed me earlier. I was happy to forgive them, just as the Lord Jesus has forgiven me.
From The Friends of Israel archives
