UK television viewers have been treated to something of the reality of what life is like on the frontline of the Middle East conflict.
Appearing on Simon Barrett’s Middle East Report for Revelation TV were Rev Aaron Eime, new head of the Church’s Ministry among Jewish people (CMJ) in the UK, and his son Micah, an Infantry Brigade soldier with the Israeli Defence Force.
Despite being born in Bethlehem, military service was not compulsory for Micah as he is not Jewish. But he chose to serve out of love for the country in which he grew up. His parents had arrived there from Australia before the turn of the century with Aaron subsequently serving as deacon at Christ Church in Jerusalem’s Old City, CMJ headquarters in the Holy Land for nearly 200 years.
“No parents ever want to send their children to war,” he told the programme, recalling how he urged his son “to go and be brave.”
“However, we are not fighting flesh and blood, but the antichrist spirit of Amalek that seeks to enslave people.”
As for Micah, he is still a reservist waiting for further postings, having completed his military service and then been called up at a moment’s notice when the latest Gaza war broke out.
Asked how he prepares for going into battle, he said: “I pray a lot, but also find inspiration from reading the Psalms. For example, Psalm 144 speaks of how the Lord trains our hands for war.”
But it’s his faith in Christ that has always been his strength. “I made the decision to be baptised a week before I got drafted as I was about to go into this very difficult environment and I wanted something strong to ground me.”
When he heard about the October 7th, 2023, massacre, he recalled: “I was seething inside. How dare they? We were lulled into a false sense of security. It was a complete shock to the system.”
But he got stuck in as he took part in what has become the longest war in Israel’s history and was surprised to discover how the enemy were running away as they advanced.
His dad, meanwhile, reminded viewers that one of the first casualties of war was the truth, that there are refugees inside Israel as well as in Gaza, and that the IDF is trying to save people and rescue hostages often in impossible situations.
Taking up his new role here after 26 years in Israel was quite a shock. He was especially stunned by the antisemitism prevalent in the church, and by the claim, for instance, that modern Israel has no link with the Israel of the Bible.
“This has to be challenged, and we are going to do that because it amounts to losing the very roots of your faith.”
CMJ have since written to every Jewish community in the country explaining how we Christians owe them a spiritual debt and that we are here to stand with them.
Charles Gardner is author of Israel the Chosen, available from Amazon; Peace in Jerusalem, available from olivepresspublisher.com; To the Jew First, A Nation Reborn, and King of the Jews, all available from Christian Publications International.
