The top of the full page pro-Israel advertisement that appeared in the Sunday Times on August 31. (CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW THE FULL AD).
The positive response to a full page pro-Israel advertisement in the Sunday Times of August 31 “has exceeded all expectations” says Vivienne Myburgh who initiated the Christian-funded advertising campaign to counter recent negative media on Israel.
“We have been inundated with emails from the Jewish community in SA and from around the world. The advert continues to be forwarded all over the world. The Jerusalem Post, an Israeli newspaper referred to it in an article this week, making reference to it as an example of the support Israel is receiving from the Christian community,” she says.
Vivienne and Marc Myburgh.
Myburgh, a prominent pro-Israel Christian activist from Stellenbosch, succeeded in raising hundreds of thousands of rands within just over a week to pay for the advertisement.
“Some Jewish people have called me in tears as they endeavour to express their gratitude to the Christian community for standing up for truth, at this very hard time for them. The nations and media continue to lambaste Israel for defending herself and even accuse her of war crimes. Many despair of truth ever been told and this is why there has been such a response ….it has brought a measure of hope and the comfort of knowing that they DO have many friends who do not just accept the misinformation being fed through the media but are prepared to defend Israel if needed.
This extract from a Jewish lady received sums it up…’I am writing to try and express the extreme gratitude I feel, and how deeply moved I am by your powerful show of support and love for Israel and your fellow SA Jews. To be allied with people of faith and courage and goodness such as yourselves is an honour and a comfort. Thank you!’ ” says Myburgh in an email to Gateway News.
She continues: “This has been a special time and opportunity to comfort Zion as the prophet Isaiah asks us to do and also to declare to the nations that He who called Israel is faithful to keep them, watch over them and to restore them according to His Word.
“The incredible favour we received and the way the costs came down (3x) and the way that it all came together testifies to the perfect timing and hand of the Lord on this initiative. We pray that it will continue to bear fruit beyond our understanding.
“When I felt led to do this, I spoke to a few people who were not very supportive of the idea at first. After receiving clear and unexpected confirmation we decided to go ahead, trusting the Lord to work it all out. The cost was crazy ( an advert of the exact type would cost over R500 000). In spite of feeling totally out of my depth and not seeing how we could raise the funds and get it out by the deadline, the Lord had a plan and brought it all together, just in time!
“One of my life prayers has been…’Lord let me make a difference that is totally out of proportion to who I am’, so that I would know that it was only Him and not my own strength that had achieved whatever I felt called to do. This experience has been an example of this. Please be encouraged to trust the Lord, in this way, in these days ahead!
“And so I encourage us all to not forget the instructions in Isaiah 62
v1
“ For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet,
Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness,
And her salvation like a torch that is burning.
v 6-7
“Oh your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen,
All day and all night they will never keep silent.
You who remind the Lord, take no rest for yourselves;
And give Him no rest until he establishes
And makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
“Remember that Israel’s restoration is preparation for her eventual glory!”
According to a message at the bottom of the advertisement, it was funded and placed in faith by Christians in the interest of educating people with Biblical and factual truth about Israel. The logos of ICEJ (International Christian Embassy Jerusalem), Africa for Israel Christian Coalition and Bridges for Peace, who stood together to support the campaign, are also displayed at the bottom of the advertisement.