Page 4 - Torch Magazine #28 - Summer 2025

Rising up
like a Lion
How a Bible
promise
led Israel
into battle
against Iran
W
hen Prime Minister Netanyahu
visited the Western Wall on
the eve of striking the Iranian
regime, few would have
recognised that it was a foreshadow of
what was about to happen a few hours
later.
Thursday 12 June was the official
deadline of President Trump’s 60-day
ultimatum to Iran’s supreme leader. At
2am on Friday morning, Israel unleashed
“Operation Rising Lion”.
One person who did know, of course,
was Benjamin Netanyahu. Visiting the
Western Wall, Netanyahu slipped a
handwritten note between the ancient
crevices. As soon as Israel struck Iran,
Netanyahu posted a photo of the note
on social media, revealing what he had
written. His note quoted Numbers 23:24a
in Hebrew, which in the English translation
reads:
“Behold, the people shall rise up as a great
lion” (KJV)
Netanyahu’s act wasn’t just ceremonial.
It was a declaration of faith by the Israeli
leader, who clearly demonstrated that
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the imminent military action was part of
a battle that needed Sovereign leading.
Israel’s enemy – the Iranian regime – is
just as evil as all those who have desired
to wipe out the Jewish people in previous
generations. In a similar manner to Israel’s
leaders in the Bible, those who feared God
turned to Him to lead them into battle.
Notice the phrase “the people”. This
is symbolic because it does not solely
reference the armies of Israel, but it is
on behalf of the Jewish people, who
themselves rose up like a great lion.
Notice the continuation of this verse:
“Behold, the people shall rise up as a great
lion, And lift up himself as a young lion:
He shall not lie down until he eat of the
prey, And drink the blood of the slain.”
Israel is an old lion, but it is also a young
lion. Being over 3,000 years old, the lion
is ancient. But the restored nation is also
77 years young. Who can fathom how an
ancient lion can rise up like a youth? But
this is the miracle of Israel today. The
ancient lion was restored in 1948, and with
a youthful spring, the young lion has roared
at those who wish to kill it.
Photo: Western Wall Heritage Foundation