Hineni (here I am)

Since 7 October, I have been in triage mode in providing protective equipment to our first responders, humanitarian assistance to the survivors, and rebuilding some of the kibbutzim near the Gaza border. Christians for Israel has been a vital partner in these endeavours.

It was important for me, from the outset, that the communities who personally went through the worst tragedy since the Holocaust and the people protecting the country know that Jews and Christians, working together, have helped them. At this moment, we are bringing the residents of Kibbutz Kerem Shalom back home after living in hotels and temporary housing for nearly a year.

In grappling with why the Bible provided all the intricacies in building the Tabernacle, Rabbi Dr Jonathan Sacks of blessed memory provided an incredible revelational insight—“It is what we do for God that transforms us.” The building of the Tabernacle demonstrated the willingness of a nation to provide their generosity and skill. No one complained! In fact, the skilled workers said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done” (Exodus 36:5).

‘It is what we do for God that transforms us.’

Until the directive of building the Tabernacle, every crisis was addressed by a miracle or Moses. When a perceived calamity hit the nation, they would rely on a miracle or their leader. When the predicament was not immediately addressed, they would complain. It took a building project to bring a nation together and glorify Him.

From a biblical perspective, we need to see ourselves as co-architects, under the sovereignty of God, in creating a just nation. The elaboration of the intricacies in the construction of the Tabernacle shows us that everything counts when we are building together.

In the context of rebuilding after 7 October, Rabbi Sacks’ revelational nugget was brought to life each day. Jews and Christians viewed themselves as co-architects in this ‘construction project.’ Socks, battery chargers, flashlights, garbage cans, various kitchen appliances, medical gear, farming equipment, portable toilets and showers and even kosher beef jerky were just some of the items that were needed since the beginning of the war. Nothing was too small or insignificant for people to help with the cause.

We will probably never know all the stories of individuals who helped Israel during this time. Thank God, He has the eternal memory to record these accounts. What I continue to witness every day is His spirit moving in people and their willingness to answer the call of what Abraham once said to God— Hineni (here I am).