Inside The Epicenter With Joel Rosenberg

What do America’s midterm elections mean for Israel—and how should Christians respond?
In this episode of Inside the Epicenter, Joel and Lynn Rosenberg share their perspective from Jerusalem on what Joel describes as one of the most troubling weeks in U.S.-Israel relations. They discuss the election results, the debate over American military assistance to Israel, and the concerns Israelis are expressing about the future of the alliance.
Joel examines the role of economic frustration, the war with Iran, and attitudes toward Israel in shaping voters’ decisions. He and Lynn also explore evangelical participation in the election and why Christians must remain engaged without placing their ultimate hope in political leaders.
Drawing on Isaiah 41:10 and Genesis 12:3, they offer a call to prayer, faithfulness, and practical action. Discover how learning, praying, giving, and going can help strengthen the church and bless Israel and her neighbors—even in uncertain times.
Episode Highlights
00:00 A warning about America’s relationship with Israel
01:23 Joel and Lynn introduce the conversation from Jerusalem
02:12 Israeli concerns about American support and regional security
03:57 Trusting God when political developments bring uncertainty
05:20 Joel’s concerns about the direction of the U.S.-Israel alliance
07:30 Examining voter attitudes toward Israel
08:59 The Iran war, economic pressures, and the election
12:04 Joel’s assessment of the changing balance in Congress
14:39 A call for Christians to stand in the gap
15:26 Verse of the Day: Isaiah 41:10
16:36 Learn, pray, give, and go
18:50 Becoming an Epicenter Ally
19:38 The upcoming Epicenter Summit and Israel tour
20:54 Evangelical participation and civic responsibility
24:31 Genesis 12:3 and Joel’s warning for America
27:20 Lynn’s encouragement: keep walking faithfully with Jesus
Verse of the Day
Isaiah 41:10
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Prayer Requests
•Pray for America, Israel, and the relationship between the two countries.
•Pray for Christians to stand for biblical truth with courage, wisdom, and love.
•Pray for the church in Israel and across the Middle East to remain strong and faithful.
•Pray that believers will trust God, stay grounded in Scripture, and teach the next generation to walk with Jesus.
Get Involved
Learn more about The Joshua Fund, become a monthly Epicenter Ally, and explore the upcoming Prayer and Vision Tour and Epicenter Summit at JoshuaFund.com.
Share this episode with someone who wants to understand the U.S.-Israel relationship through a biblical lens, and follow Inside the Epicenter with Joel and Lynn Rosenberg wherever you listen to podcasts.

Joel and Lynn discuss the reported attack on Christians attending a funeral in Jordan, the grief facing local families, and the importance of standing with believers across the Middle East.
They also encourage American Christians to participate in the upcoming midterm elections and share a recording-time update on Israel’s election results and possible coalition scenarios. Throughout the conversation, they call listeners to pray for wise leadership, national unity, and a growing church whose ultimate hope rests in Jesus—not political power.

Learn about The Joshua Fund’s upcoming Israel Prayer and Vision Tour and the 2027 Epicenter Summit.
https://joshuafund.com/2027-epicenter-summit-landing-page/

Chapters
(00:03) Jordan, elections, and a call to prayer
(02:05) Grieving with Christians in Jordan
(03:44) The reported investigation and the royal family’s response
(06:50) Remembering the persecuted church
(08:11) Blessing Israel and her neighbors through The Joshua Fund
(10:19) Scripture and prayer for persecuted believers
(11:56) Why Joel and Lynn encourage Christians to vote
(16:35) Israel’s election update: what was known at recording
(18:03) Party results and the coalition challenge
(21:56) Possible paths toward Israel’s next government
(23:57) Praying for a national unity government
(26:46) An invitation to experience Israel and meet local believers
(27:42) The 2027 tour and Epicenter Summit
(28:49) Closing encouragement: citizenship, prayer, and eternal hope

Bible verse of the day
Matthew 5:10–12 — “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Joel and Lynn’s discussion invites listeners to pray for believers facing persecution and to hold fast to hope in Christ. The passage read extends through verse 12, although the spoken introduction identifies verses 10–11.
Prayer requests
Pray for the grieving Christian families in Jordan, for the wounded, and for the protection and strengthening of local churches.
Pray for wisdom and integrity among leaders in Israel and the United States, and for a willingness to place public service above personal ambition.
Pray for unity in Israel as leaders navigate the process of forming a government.
Pray that believers throughout the Middle East would remain focused on the Gospel and the Great Commission.

Links and related episodes
Learn more about The Joshua Fund: JoshuaFund.com
Support the ministry: Visit JoshuaFund.com to learn about giving.

Israelis have just cast ballots in the most consequential national election since October 7th, with a record turnout of 77.7%—higher than in any election in Israel's history. Yet a day later, no clear winner has emerged. Joel and Lynn break down the complex math behind the results, explain why Prime Minister Netanyahu's Likud and Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party are both claiming momentum, describe how Israel's parliamentary coalition system works, and outline the possible scenarios, from a national unity government to another round of elections, that could determine who leads the country next.

(02:27) Record turnout: 77.7% of Israelis vote
(07:37) How Israel's paper ballot system works
(09:24) Breaking down the seats: 67 vs. 53
(11:50) Why the Arab parties complicate the math
(17:10) Likud vs. Yashar: how the final results flipped the polls
(18:30) What happens next: President Herzog's role and the 28-day clock
(24:44) Bible verse and prayer for Israel's leaders
(26:35) How Netanyahu supporters and opponents are feeling
(34:37) The real divide: military service for the ultra-Orthodox
(36:05) Scenario one: a national unity government
(39:26) Scenario two: Eisenkot partners with Arab parties
(40:26) Scenario three: Netanyahu brings Bennett and Lieberman back into the fold
(43:57) Closing thoughts and how to pray

Join us in Israel in 2027
https://joshuafund.com/2027-epicenter-summit-landing-page/

Learn more about The Joshua Fund: JoshuaFund.com
Make a tax-deductible donation: Donate | The Joshua Fund
Stock Media provided by DimmySad / Pond5

Bible verse of the day:
1 Timothy 2:1-3 - First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.

Prayer Request:
1. Pray for President Isaac Herzog and his advisors as they decide who to give the first chance to form Israel's next government, that they would have wisdom and discernment.
2. Pray for the leaders of Israel's various parties, that they would be humble and consider the best interests of the country above personal or political ambition.
3. Pray for the nine Jordanian Christians killed and nearly forty wounded in a terrorist attack just days before the election, and for the Christian community and leaders in Jordan.
4. Pray for a quiet and dignified national life in Israel, that the church would have the opportunity to grow and that many would come to know the truth.

Related Episodes:
Inside the Epicenter #391: In the War Room, Part 1
Inside the Epicenter #392: In the War Room, Part 2
Inside the Epicenter #388: Benny Gantz
Inside the Epicenter #367: Part Two — Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett

Welcome to Inside the Epicenter, where we explore the latest events in the Middle East through a biblical perspective. In this episode, join host Joel Rosenberg and guest Yonah Jeremy Bobb as they go inside Israel’s war room for a rare look at the risky decisions behind Israel’s strikes on Iran. Hear how changing intelligence, U.S. politics, and mass Iranian protests led to dramatic military action—and how these moves are shaping Prime Minister Netanyahu’s controversial legacy.

Learn more about The Joshua Fund: JoshuaFund.com
Make a tax-deductible donation: Donate | The Joshua Fund
Stock Media provided by DimmySad / Pond5

Bible verse of the day:
Psalms 20:7 - Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of Yahweh—our God.
Prayer Request:

Pray for Israel's leaders and military decision-makers as they confront threats from Iran and other enemies that surround them. Ask God to give them wisdom, discernment, courage, and justice as they make decisions that could affect millions of lives throughout Israel and the Middle East.
Pray for the people of Iran, especially those who are desiring— longing, really— for freedom and have suffered during periods of unrest and government repression. Ask God to protect the innocent people, to strengthen His church, and to open doors for the gospel to continue spreading throughout the nation of Iran.

Related Episodes:
Inside the War Room: Netanyahu vs. Eisenkot Pt.1 #391
Inside the War Room: Netanyahu's Riskiest Wartime Decisions Pt.2 #391
Special Episode - Unpacking the FlyDubai Hijacking Attempt #389
War, Rumors of War, and the Gospel #381
https://joshuafund.com/2027-epicenter-summit-landing-page/

Welcome to Inside the Epicenter, where we explore the latest events in the Middle East through a biblical perspective. In this episode, host Joel Rosenberg is joined by Wall Street Journal editorial board member Elliot Kaufman, co-author of "In the War Room." Together, they offer a revealing look into Israel’s hardest wartime decisions following the October 7th attacks—exploring why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resisted striking Hezbollah, the heated debates among Israeli leaders, and the mounting pressure from the U.S. Kaufman shares exclusive reporting from inside Israel’s war room, showing how strategy, hesitation, and daring gambles determined the outcome of hostage negotiations and the evolving course of the war.

(00:00) Netanyahu vs. Eisenkot election battle
(03:22) Decision on Preemptive Attack
(07:20) Considering new military strategies
(11:50) Netanyahu's risky Doha airstrike
(16:33) Failed strike and peace implications
(17:31 )Trump's tactics with Qatar
(21:52) Inside Israel's War Room Decisions

Learn more about The Joshua Fund: JoshuaFund.com
Make a tax-deductible donation: Donate | The Joshua Fund
Stock Media provided by DimmySad / Pond5

Bible verse of the day:
Proverbs 21:31- The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.

Prayer Request:

Pray for Israel's leaders and their military decision-makers as they make extraordinarily difficult choices involving national security, military operations, and relationships with Israel's allies. Ask God to give them wisdom, discernment, courage, and restraint to know not only what actions to take, but when to take them.
Pray for the peace and security of Israel as the country continues to face threats from multiple directions. And pray for the families that have grieving loved ones who did not survive captivity as hostages and those that have been lost in these last three years.

Related Episodes:
Inside the War Room: Netanyahu vs. Eisenkot Pt.1 #391
EXCLUSIVE: Benny Gantz - Three Years Since October 7 and Leading Through Crisis #390
Special Episode - Unpacking the FlyDubai Hijacking Attempt #389
War, Rumors of War, and the Gospel #381
https://joshuafund.com/2027-epicenter-summit-landing-page/