May 2026 Personal Letter

FROM JOSHUA & CALEB COLSON,
THE BEARDED BIBLE BROTHERS®

The price of war transcends any monetary value. Every human life represents a sacred worth that cannot be quantified. Yet throughout history, countless soldiers have willingly risked —and readily given — their lives for the freedom of others. This profound, sacrificial attitude testifies to the courage that God gives when we humans look beyond ourselves. As Yeshua taught, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).

Since the Vietnam War (1955–1975), many Americans have become disconnected from the realities of war. Rather than honoring and supporting those who serve, civilians sometimes criticize or vilify military members, often because of partisan division in our country. Even more concerning is that some Evangelical Christians oppose the U.S. military’s partnership with Israel to stop Iran’s plan for world annihilation. This disassociation from both reality and Biblical truth can’t be justified.

President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Israeli Knesset on Oct. 13, 2025. credit: Haim Zach / Israeli Government Press Office

At a basic level, alliances like the one between the U.S. and Israel are based on formal, sacrosanct commitments. These agreements require mutual support, including economic aid and military cooperation. Breaking these trusts jeopardizes America’s credibility in the world. However, in a culture where many people no longer value truth or loyalty, standing with an ally is sometimes viewed as radical or deplorable.

These issues intensified following Hamas’ attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. At that time, America’s response was inadequate. Later, when President Trump returned to office, the Israel-support pendulum began to swing the other way. Still, the earlier damage remained, as anti-Semitism had become more normalized and acceptable. Even many Christians began to believe teachings that take Scripture out of context, including claims that Jewish people shouldn’t live in the Promised Land.

President Trump’s support of Israel’s defense has been precise and calculated. He has sought to avoid comparisons to past conflicts like Operation Iraqi Freedom. Though some view his actions toward Iran as inconsistent, they reflect his “Art of the Deal” business tactics. Like a chess player, he anticipates his opponent’s potential moves. Facing an adversary like Iran — whose leaders promote a suicidal, destroy-the-world mindset — requires intelligent strategy. The actions of Israel and the U.S. have helped expose the global threat posed by this ideology.

As more American troops are sent to the Middle East, unity in the U.S. should be a natural response. Unfortunately, many Americans don’t understand the dangers posed by Iran’s Shia Islamic regime. Rather than joining in prayer and support for God’s mission that could bring a prophetic shift in our world, many Americans focus on temporary, minor inconveniences. America hasn’t had a full-scale war on our soil since the Civil War (1861–1865); thus, many American citizens aren’t aware of war’s true costs. Likely this ignorance is why many people — heavily influenced by TikTok and other unreliable media — are easily swayed by anti-American and anti-Israel lies.

In contrast, Israel shows a strong national unity. Despite political differences, most Israelis know that supporting their military is vital for their survival. Living with ongoing conflict has cultivated their understanding of loyalty and sacrifice. The Jewish people, shaped by a long history of persecution, must be persistent and vigilant. They recognize that their enemy has a long-term strategy, working steadily toward its goal — the Islamic takeover of the world. Israelis know that Iran’s leadership will make profound sacrifices as they seek to please their demon god.

While we pray that war won’t reach our shores, we can’t ignore the threats from Iran and its proxies. Concerns about Islamic infiltration and potential attacks inside America’s borders should increase our awareness and readiness. Trust in God is essential, especially in times like these. A strong prayer life and daily reliance on God’s Word — including passages like Psalm 91 — should guide us, no matter what is happening in the world.

Therefore, we are calling on our faithful partners of Zola Levitt Ministries to act. Not everyone is called to serve in the military, but every Believer can engage spiritually. Our primary battle is against deception from the devil, the father of lies (John 8:44). He seeks to destroy and devour humanity (John 10:10; 1 Pet. 5:8). Though he opposes our Heavenly Father, he cannot defeat God. Instead, he works by attacking God’s children — “the apple of His eye” (Deut. 32:10; Zech. 2:8).

God called our ministry’s founder, Zola Levitt, to teach the Jewish roots of Christianity, highlight Israel’s importance in Bible prophecy, and affirm God’s eternal Covenant with the Jewish people. Today, many churches and organizations reject these Biblical truths. As the Bearded Bible Brothers, we continue Zola’s ministry of teaching truth from Scripture and standing with Israel and the Jewish people. We ask for your continued prayers and financial support as we stand on the front lines in the battle against Satan’s deception.

Love, Joshua and Caleb

P.S. Read on for Sarah Liberman’s letter, where she shares the challenges that Israelis are facing during this tumultuous time of war.

FROM SARAH, OUR SABRA
ON THE GROUND IN ISRAEL

Dear Friend,

Shalom from the Holy Land. Weeks two and three of the second Iranian War brought a noticeable shift to daily life in Israel. During the first week, Iran launched nearly 100 ballistic missiles a day at Israel. By week three, however, that number had dropped to about 10 per day. The decrease was largely due to coordinated Israeli and U.S. airstrikes targeting missile stockpiles and launch systems. Despite this progress, Hezbollah’s rockets and attack drones continued to pummel northern Israel — approximately 30 miles from our home.

A New Threat

Site of an Iranian missile attack in Arad (Southern Israel) where Sarah’s children have volunteered. credit: Sarah Liberman

As the war continued, Iran unveiled a more dangerous weapon: the cluster bomb. These missiles release 40–80 smaller rockets in midair, with each following a different trajectory, which causes widespread damage. Because of their indiscriminate targeting, cluster bombs are illegal under international law.

These munitions have proven difficult for Israel’s air defense systems, since the main missile disperses its payload before interception can occur. Most Israeli injuries during this war resulted from these cluster rockets. Tragically, many casualties occurred when people didn’t reach a shelter quickly enough or failed to close the shelter door in time.

The stone wall where Sarah sheltered from a missile attack. credit: Sarah Liberman

Lived Experience

During the first week of the war, I stayed home constantly with our children. By week two, as conditions improved in our area, I tried to resume my daily prayer walk. One day, I was outside during a nearby missile attack. The Lord protected me as I sheltered behind a large stone wall and watched as the interceptors flew high in the sky. Moments later, I heard the loudest explosion of my life. Inside our safe room, those booming sounds are muted because of the heavy metal panels covering the window and door. Thankfully, no debris fell near me — a serious concern for anyone who is outside during an attack.

Despite the difficult circumstances, I can confidently proclaim that I have no fear. The Lord’s hand is clearly upon my family and our faith community. We continue to meet, pray, and eat together. In addition, we are supporting those around us, including non-believing family members and friends.

Israelis sheltering at IKEA. credit: Sarah Liberman

By week three, Israelis began resuming some normal tasks. Even so, children around the country are still learning online, much like during Covid. One day, I traveled north to Haifa — to the IKEA furniture store — to help a friend who had moved days before the war began. I prayed for a safe journey, and we experienced no sirens along the way. But once inside the massive store, an alert sounded.

At first, we didn’t know what to do. Within seconds, however, an employee guided us to a shelter. About 25 people — mothers with young children, elderly adults, and others — stood quietly and calmly. There was no panic or fear. The employee turned on the important air filtration system and offered us bottled water. We remained there for about 25 minutes as two alerts came in rapid succession.

Standing in that crowded shelter, I marveled at the resilience and courage of the Israeli people. Their strength during constant threats is remarkable. I wouldn’t want to go through this war with people from any other nation!

Spies and Surprise

Throughout the war, reports surfaced regularly about Israelis caught spying for Iran. Thankfully, their impact appears limited. At the same time, new details emerged about the Israeli military’s extraordinary measures to maintain secrecy before the initial strike against Iran.

The element of surprise was critical. On Friday before the attack, media reports suggested that two key military leaders were away — one on vacation in Eilat and another at home for the Shabbat meal. These strange announcements, we later realized, were intentional deceptions.

In reality, one commander returned to the IDF command center using a civilian car to avoid detection. Likewise, the building’s parking lot was arranged to appear mostly empty, suggesting that hardly anyone was working there. Even food deliveries — which are typically scheduled before Shabbat due to closures in the cafeteria and nearby restaurants — were avoided so that no one would suspect the increased personnel presence that weekend.

By Friday night, February 27, all the decoys were in place. Once Operation Roaring Lion began on Saturday morning, food was secured from Abu Gosh — a nearby Arab village where businesses remain open on Shabbat — to feed the command center workers.

In addition, Israel hacked into Tehran’s traffic cameras years before the attack, which allowed the IDF to monitor the location of Iran’s key leaders. These and other intelligence operations were crucial to the precision attacks on Iran. Ultimately, the war has been a collaborative effort by Israel, the U.S., and local Iranian operatives all working to topple the Iranian terrorist regime.

Possible Outcomes

Several unexpected responses followed the first few weeks of the war. One major surprise was the Iranian missile attacks on neighboring Arab countries. In addition, many Israelis are baffled by President Trump’s statements about negotiations to end the war before achieving key objectives — such as limiting Iran’s nuclear capabilities and weakening the regime so that it topples.

In my next letter, I will delve into the important longer-term outcomes of this war. Beyond just a focus on Israel, the decades-old conflict relates to interests of the U.S., Europe, and the whole Middle East.

Im tirdefu lada-at oto“Press on to know HIM!” (Hosea 6:3 NLT)

Many blessings from Israel,

Sarah Liberman

P.S. Please “sha-a-lu sh’lom Yeru-shalayim” — pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Ps. 122:6). Most Israeli Believers rest in the Lord’s shalom, yet many in Israel don’t have a relationship with Yeshua or the peace that He gives. Thank you for praying for the people of Israel. Also, thank you for giving to and praying for the outreach of Zola Levitt Ministries during this crucial time.

Zola Tours: Greece & Ephesus—Call Today to Join Us

This October, we’ve planned an eight-day Bible study tour that follows the Apostle Paul’s steps in Greece and Ephesus, but sadly not in Israel. Join Joshua and Caleb Colson on a tour of Athens, Delphi, and Corinth. Then, sail with them on a three-day cruise to the charming Greek Isles of Mykonos, Patmos, Crete, and Santorini, as well as a visit to the magnificent ruins of Ephesus in Turkey. We’ve reduced our prices to ensure that many people can join us on this trip of a lifetime.

To secure your spot on our October trip, it’s important to contact us before April 30, after which the price may increase and space could be limited. For more information or to reserve your place for our special Fall Tour, please call today. Contact Sandra, our tour manager, at 214-696-9760, travel@levitt.com, or via levitt.com/tours.

Fall Tour 2026
From Greece to Ephesus:
Ancient Ruins and Apostolic Lands Tour
(Land-Sea)
Oct. 13–20 $4,588

Airfare is not included, but we can recommend a helpful travel agent.

Bearded Bible Brothers® TV programs in May

This month we finish our encore performance of Josiah and the Last Reformation, which was filmed in Israel before and during Hamas’ assault on October 7, 2023. Just like Judah in ancient times, our whole world needs a spiritual reformation. People must rediscover Scripture, apply God’s instruction to our lives, and strive to purify our land with a passion for justice.

Josiah and the Last Reformation

Cleansing the Land — Josiah’s reformation moves into overdrive! The young king, guided by the Law, enacts extreme religious reforms. This leads the nation into a great awakening. How can Believers today act with the same zeal as Josiah? Is it too late for the Church to stand and change the world’s downward spiral?

The Bones of the Prophet — While Jeremiah prophesies judgment against Judah, King Josiah feverishly labors to atone for the sins of the twelve tribes of Israel. From the ancient Tomb of the Prophets to the high place of Bethel, Joshua and Caleb reveal the shocking prophecy that would forever change Josiah’s life.

The Coming AntiChristFrom Tel Megiddo, we uncover Josiah’s greatest mistake, which led to his demise. How easy is it for today’s Believers to succumb to pride and legalism? Although God temporarily held back the coming of the antiChrist Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire in Josiah’s time, will He restrain the coming of Babylon the Great and the Beast in our day? As Joshua and Caleb stand outside the Knesset in modern Jerusalem, they issue the call for both Israel and America to repent.

Stand Alone Program

Israel’s First Responders — For three years, the people of Israel have dealt with trying circumstances resulting from the seven-front war with Iran. The Bearded Bible Brothers reach out to some of Israel’s first responders — including Magen David Adom, Vision for Israel, Chimes Israel, and Friends of the IDF — to discover how Christians can help support Israel.

For expanded descriptions of each BBB TV program, please go to levitt.com/schedule.


Feedback

Dear Joshua, Caleb, and Sarah,
I trust God’s promise, especially in difficult times: “… I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10).



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