THE WEEK IN BRIEF
TOP STORY
Did God Have a Wife? Asherah, Josiah, and the Anatomy of Apostasy
A Nashville pastor’s treatment of Asherah and King Josiah raises a larger question than ancient Israelite religion: Who has the authority to define truth? Archaeology can tell us what ancient Israelites practiced. Scripture tells us what God thought about it.
ISRAEL & THE MIDDLE EAST
Temple Mount Status Quo Shifts Again
Jewish worshipers were reportedly permitted to bring siddurim—Jewish prayer books—onto the Temple Mount, another visible change in the longstanding restrictions on non-Muslim prayer at the site (ToI Staff, 2026). Because the Temple Mount stands at the intersection of biblical history, modern Israeli politics, and Muslim religious claims, even incremental changes can carry enormous significance. Christians should watch these developments closely without treating a change in access or policing as proof that a particular prophecy has been fulfilled.
BIBLICAL PROPHECY
Iran Calls for Muslim Unity Against Israel and the United States
Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, called on Muslim nations—especially the Gulf states—to unite against Israel and the United States (Reuters, 2026; The Associated Press, 2026). Biblical readers often note that Persia appears in Ezekiel 38:5, making developments in modern Iran especially significant in discussions of prophecy. Even so, Christians should carefully distinguish between what Scripture explicitly says and our interpretations of current events.
PERSECUTED CHURCH
Christians Caught in the Violence: Haiti and Nigeria
In Haiti, a major gang assault near Port-au-Prince killed 47 people and resulted in more than 50 kidnappings; 22 victims were reportedly executed in a church compound where they had sought shelter (Luxama et al., 2026; Sanon & Coto, 2026). In Nigeria, at least 25 people—mostly women and children—were killed in an attack on a predominantly Christian community in Plateau State (Open Doors Team, 2026). The circumstances differ, but both stories remind us that Christian watchfulness must include believers suffering far from the headlines.
CHURCH WATCH
Global Methodists Gather in Johannesburg
The Global Methodist Church opened its 2026 General Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, where delegates are gathering to make decisions about doctrine, structure, and leadership (Global Methodist Church, n.d., 2026a, 2026b). The conference is especially significant because it reflects both the denomination's global growth and the ongoing effort to preserve doctrinal clarity while building durable church structures.
WATCH ASSESSMENT
This week’s developments point in several directions at once: the continuing battle over biblical authority in the church, the growing significance of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, the sharpening rhetoric of Iran against Israel and the United States, and the suffering of believers in places the world often overlooks. The task of The Issachar Watch is not to force every event into sensationalism, but to understand the times, test the claims, and let Scripture have the final word.
HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND?
Test teaching by Scripture. The Glendale controversy reminds us that Christians should not accept a teaching merely because it sounds compassionate, scholarly, or culturally persuasive. The church must test every claim against the Word of God.
Pray for Jerusalem and exercise discernment. Developments on the Temple Mount deserve close attention, but watchfulness should never become sensationalism. Pray for peace, wisdom, and truth while distinguishing biblical prophecy from speculation.
Pray for believers who are suffering. Remember Christians and other vulnerable people facing violence in Haiti, Nigeria, and elsewhere. Their suffering should lead us to prayer, concern, and practical support—not merely another headline.
Encourage faithfulness in the church. When churches and denominations seek to remain under biblical authority, pray that growth, organization, and institutional pressures do not replace faithfulness to Christ.
Stay watchful without becoming fearful. Iran, Jerusalem, apostasy, persecution, and geopolitical instability deserve attention. But Christians watch the world from the confidence that history remains under God’s sovereignty.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING NEXT WEEK
Additional material or clarification concerning the Glendale Baptist Asherah/Josiah sermon.
Further changes in Jewish prayer practice or Israeli policy on the Temple Mount.
Whether Iran’s call for Muslim unity produces meaningful diplomatic or military alignment.
Decisions from the Global Methodist General Conference, especially episcopal elections and doctrinal actions.
Verified developments involving persecuted or endangered Christian communities receiving little mainstream attention.
SCRIPTURE FOR THE WATCHMAN
“Test them all; hold on to what is good.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NIV)
SOURCES
The Times of Israel — Jewish prayer books reportedly allowed onto Temple Mount for first time
Reuters and Associated Press — Iran’s call for Muslim unity against Israel and the United States
Associated Press — Kenscoff, Haiti attack and aftermath
Open Doors UK & Ireland — Attack in Nigeria kills 25 people, mostly women and children
Global Methodist Church — 2026 General Conference information, episcopal nominees, and denominational update