Page 2 - CUFI Autumn Update 2025

The Tree of Life is more than just imagery; it
symbolises that God will eventually restore
everything under the sun. As Charles Hadden
Spurgeon taught, our Redeemer is the “Tree
of Life, whose leaves are for the healing of the
nations.”
One of the defining differences between Israel
and its enemies is their viewpoint on life and
death.
The Hebrew word for life is “chai” and a
popular saying in Israel is “Am Ysrael Chai,”
or “the nation of Israel’s lives.” Jews around
the world use the phrase “l’chaim” or “to life”
as a popular toast and there are two Jewish
holidays in particular where this phrase is
repeated over and over again – Purim and
Simchas Torah.
The day that Hamas invaded Israel was
Simchas Torah, which, in 2023, happened to
fall on October 7th.
There are numerous spiritual significances
behind the reasons that Hamas attacked Israel
on that particular day, but it is interesting
that they chose one of the most joyful days
for Jews, as Simchat Torah means “Joy of the
Torah”. It was on this day that Jews around the
world were toasting “to life,” Hamas unleashed
death and slaughtered Jewish men, women,
and children in their own homes.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh once famously
said of the Palestinians, “we love death like our
enemies love life.” Haniyeh was assassinated in
Iran by Israel during this war. He is now dead
realising that he should have chosen the way
of life.
Haniyeh’s views are not unique to Palestinians,
however, as the inspiration for radical Islamic
martyrs comes from the inspiration of al-
Khansa, the “Mother of Martyrs”, who was
a famous poet during Muhammed’s time.
According to Islamic tradition, in AD 636,
during the first period of Muslim conquests,
al-Khansa’s four sons all died in battle against
the Persians. She responded by saying, “Praise
to Allah who has honoured me with their
deaths.” Many Palestinian women aspire to be
“Khansa’s of Palestine”.
Jesus conquered death. Therefore, we don’t
need to fear those who glorify a defeated foe.
Peace Over Conflict
We mentioned before about the phrase
l’chaim. Some Jews even have the custom
of extending the blessing and spelling it
out explicitly when toasting “l’chaim tovim
ul’shalom,” or “for good life and for peace.”
Mankind has sought peace since Adam
and Eve were expelled from the Garden
of Eden, and Israel today seeks peace with
its neighbours, though many sadly seek
Israel’s destruction.
Israel’s desire for peace is ancient and is
reflected in the blessing given to Aaron
and his sons: “The Lord bless you and keep
you; The Lord make His face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift
up His countenance upon you, and give
you peace,”’ (Numbers 6:24-26).
As Christians, we have the assurance that
our Saviour Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
We are reminded in a Scripture that we
read every Christmas: “For to us a child
is born, to us a son is given; and the
government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called Wonderful
Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace”. (Isaiah 9:6)
There will be times of peace on earth in
our lifetimes. Global peace, however, will
not come until the Prince of Peace returns.
Joy Over Despair
We have witnessed joyful reunions in
recent months as the last living hostages
were released from captivity in Gaza. To
see the entire nation celebrate as all living
hostages were returned is something we
have prayed and yearned for, and those
heartfelt moments of reunion showed us all
what the last two years has been about.
As Nehemiah 8:10 says, “… the joy of the
Lord is your strength.” And as Jesus Himself
taught, “These things I have spoken to you,
that My joy may remain in you, and that
your joy may be full,” (John 15:11).
The Lord is our source of joy, and the joy of
the Lord is our strength.
CHRISTIANS UNITED FOR ISRAEL UK • WWW.CUFI.ORG.UK