Like a composer conducting a symphony, Jesus perfectly orchestrated all the events leading up to His death for the sins of the world. Friends of Israel representative Tom Simcox joins us this week to share profound insight from his latest article in Israel My Glory magazine. He teaches about Jesus’ meticulous arrangement of each detail of His path to the cross—from the donkey He rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to His healing of the high priest servant Malchus’s ear. Enjoy this study of Jesus’ final week with an in-depth look at Israel My Glory!

We’ve got two reasons to celebrate on The Friends of Israel Today! This week, we’re marking the 10th anniversary of Chris Katulka’s service as our host, and we’re commemorating 34 years of broadcasting our radio program! A cherished conversation with our late, former host Elwood McQuaid, Steve and Chris’s memories, and our focus on keeping our commitment to love and bless the Jewish people in obedience to God’s Word make this week’s broadcast extra joyful! Tune in and celebrate with us!

The Middle East is a mess! As Israel battles terrorists, we’re taking time to track how this conflict came about. This week, we’ll analyze Israel’s watershed moment of the 21st century: Hamas’s October 7, 2023 massacre and kidnapping of Israeli civilians and the ensuing war Israel has fought against the terrorist group and other Iranian proxies. Since it began, Israel has decimated Hamas and Hezbollah and weakened Iran’s massive influence over the region, providing a glimpse of hope for the Middle East’s future. Listen to this clear explanation of the Israel-Hamas war, and discover the stories behind the Middle East today!

How did the Middle East become the focus of global attention it is today? Settle in for the story on this week’s broadcast! Hear the remarkable accounts of Israel’s secret ammunition factory, the nation’s unlikely victories in many wars, and the changing borders and international alliances that followed. Israel’s history is the key to understanding how the entire region has taken shape. So don’t miss a minute of this week’s show!

Many people look at the Middle East—its wars and geopolitical alliances—and wonder, “How did we get here?” Chris provides the answers in part 1 of our 3-part series on the makings of the Middle East! Most people aren’t familiar with the 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement, yet it was a significant driving factor that set into motion the State of Israel’s establishment. Enjoy this informational look at the Sykes-Picot Agreement and other major events that led the Middle East to where it is today!

Recently, Chris led a group of ministry leaders to Israel, where he spoke with several individuals to gain a clear picture of the difficulties so many displaced Israelis have faced. Adrian and Hilton, an Israeli couple, share their story of having been displaced from their home for more than a year, separated from their loved ones and the lives they once lived. Then, Shimrit, marketing director for Kibbutz Ein Gev Holiday Resort, explains her hotel’s commendable work in providing refuge for Israelis in need. May these firsthand stories encourage you to continue praying for Israel and the Jewish people in the midst of their pain.

What does truly God-honoring ministry look like? Here’s a hint: It involves less speaking and more doing! When Moses ordained Aaron and his sons to serve as the high priests of Israel, God directed him to place the blood of the ram sacrifice on their ears, thumbs, and toes. Through this instruction, God taught Aaron and his sons that ministering by listening, serving, and walking in obedience opens the door for us to speak the truth of God’s Word to hearts ready to hear its truth. Join us in our study of this key moment from the book of Leviticus!

The Rapture is one of God’s greatest scriptural promises to us. Yet, some Christians reject the comforting truth that He will rescue believers from the trials of the coming seven-year Tribulation. But we can be certain that God will deliver us, just like He promised! Vice President of International Ministries Mike Stallard joins our show this week to share insight from his most recent article in Israel My Glory magazine concerning why Christ will rapture believers “from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10)—not during or after it!

The Jewish people have faced antisemitism for thousands of years, and this shapeshifting prejudice has taken many faces throughout history. In the conclusion of our 3-part series, we examine national antisemitism: the hatred of the Jewish people simply because of the existence of the Jewish State of Israel. Believers in Jesus must boldly stand with God’s Chosen People, seeking to protect them against such evil and recognizing the great blessings the world enjoys because of them. Discover how you can battle antisemitism in a clear, meaningful way in this week’s broadcast!

Last week, we analyzed religious antisemitism—the hatred of Jewish people for their religious practices and beliefs. This week, we’re taking a look at another evil form of Jewish hatred: racial antisemitism. Chris shares an excellent explanation of this deadly sin that antagonizes the Jewish race. While the Holocaust provides the most poignant example of racial antisemitism, Jewish people are still targeted today for acts of hatred due to their ethnicity. But the Jewish people’s survival and resilience remind us that God will always be faithful to the covenant He made with them. Discover how racial antisemitism developed and what we need to understand in light of it!