Psalm 83 War?

We have addressed the possibility of a war in the Middle East as described in Psalm 83 previously in our Blog, however, current events there necessitate looking at this possibility again. Psalm 83:4 says about the enemies of Israel, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more."

The rise of an Islamic Caliphate known as ISIS who has gained control of Northern Iraq and Northern Syria on a murderous campaign has caused prophetic Bible Theologians to look at Psalm 83 again. ISIS has even had an influence in the Gaza conflict and an ISIS flag has been seen in Nazareth. Their overt stated goal is to invade and destroy Israel and the United States.

Psalm 83:5 continues in describing the enemies of Israel, "For they have consulted together with one consent; they form a confederacy against you." The next three verses six - eight go on to describe exactly the locations of the enemies of Israel who surround them: vs.6 "Tents of Edom (Palestinians in Southern Jordan), Ishmaelites (Saudis), Moab (Palestinians in Central Jordan), Hagarites (Egypt), vs.7 Gebal (North Lebanon) Ammon (Northern Jordan) Amalek (Sinai) Philistia (Hamas) Tyre (Hezbullah) vs.8 Assyria (Northern Iraq)."

The word of our Lord God clearly indicates that Israel currently is surrounded by enemies planning to destroy them. Now the addition of ISIS causes the scenario to be more dangerous and intense than ever. The last couple verses of Psalm 83 encourages us to turn to our Lord asking Him to protect the people of Israel. Verses 13, 16, 17 say "O my God, make them like the whirling dust, fill their faces with shame, let them be confounded and dismayed forever." Let us pray similar prayers to our Lord on behalf of the people of Israel.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day,

Frank

      

Ceasefire?

New headlines indicate a five day ceasefire has been declared in Gaza and Israel. However, there is still activity from both sides but much less than in the past. Peace talks also are taking place in Egypt. Hamas keeps asking for the Gaza Seaport blockade by Israel to be lifted while Israel wants Gaza to be declared a Demilitarized Zone. Will a true ceasefire ever come?

Another news headline has surfaced during this past week that is very hard to comprehend. The United Nations is considering investigating whether Israel has conducted any "war crimes." Why are they not considering investigating Hamas or investigating how ISIS is treating Christians in Iraq? By the way, the Israeli Government already is investigating whether their own troops have indeed conducted any "war crimes."

Let us do a mini-investigation for ourselves of the warfare techniques used by both sides. Hamas in the last month has fired 3,530 rockets into Israel with the primary purpose of killing as many Israeli civilians as possible. I am not sure any other military unit in history has had a similar goal during a conflict! Additionally, Hamas fired their rockets from civilian neighborhoods, hospitals and schools using civilians as shields. A massive tunnel network was constructed from Gaza into Israel so that Hamas terrorists could surface and cause a massacre during a Jewish Feast Day.

Conversely, the goal of the Israeli Defense Forces during this conflict was to have the least amount of Palestinian civilian casualties as possible. Prior to an air force attack, leaflets were dropped in the area alerting the civilians to vacate the area along with warning telephone calls. A large medical tent was established along the border to treat Gaza civilians injured during the conflict. At one point during the time when there was no electricity in Gaza Israeli teams worked to restore necessary power. Even during rockets landing in Israel, trucks loaded with humanitarian aid were moving from Israel to Gaza. A Palestinian leader commented, "It is time to get rid of Hamas, the Israelis treat us better."

An Israeli soldier Oron Shaul was captured August 1st. There was jubilation in Gaza as women and children pranced and danced. At the same time, sweets and pastries were given out to all the celebrants. In Israel thousands of Israelis gathered at the Western Wall and prayed Psalm 121 and 130 for the safe return of Oron. Unfortunately, Oron did not survive. Psalm 121 says, "I will lift up my eyes to the hills - from whence comes my help. My help comes from The Lord, Who made Heaven and earth. He Who keeps you will not slumber, behold, He Who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." Let us be those who pray similar prayers for Israel during these challenging times.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Each Day,

Frank  

        

"The Hiding Place"

I would think most of us recognize the title of today's message which is also the title of a book written by Corrie ten Boom. Corrie shares how her family in Haarlem, Holland in the early 1940's, after the Nazi invasion of Holland, helped the Jewish people evade persecution. Most of us know the story but I want to share how their deep faith and trust in God protected them.

The ten Boom family owned a watch repair shop but before the doors to the shop were opened at 8:30 every morning father ten Boom read one chapter of the Bible and the family prayed. This was repeated at 8:45 each evening. This was Corrie's heritage. 

Corrie remembers vividly the night of the invasion as she was in bed and an explosion shook her bed. She immediately went to be with her older sister Betsie and the two prayed many hours for their country. Betsie even prayed for the invading Germans. For five days people came to the watch shop to have the ten Boom family pray for their husbands and sons who were in battle.

During the first year of the Nazi occupation, there were growing signs of the persecution of the Jews. A shop window said "Jews will not be served," a public park sign said "No Jews," and a Synagogue was burned down. The ten Boom family befriended a man who everyday walked his three bull dogs in the neighborhood. One day the dogs were gone. He said he put the dogs to sleep so when the Nazi's came to take him away they would not be left alone.

Word spread that the ten Boom family were friends of the Jews. Suddenly, Jews would show up at the watch shop door saying they had no place to stay. They were always welcomed to live with the family as long as necessary. The living quarters were expanded and hiding places were constructed that were impossible to find.

As all this started happening, Corrie wondered "How should a Christian act when evil is in power?" She then made a commitment to her Lord Jesus, "I offer myself for Your people, in any way, any place, any time."

Corrie and her sister Betsie eventually ended up in concentration camps where they led Bible studies and prayer meetings. By mistake Corrie was finally released as it would appear The Lord intervened. After the war, she administered a large home in Haarlem, Holland where those needing physical and spiritual recovery received continual ministry. She even opened a similar place in Germany.

The story of Corrie ten Boom is an extraordinary example of a child of God sharing His love in difficult and challenging surroundings. Isaiah 62:1 says, "For Zion's Sake. . .I will not remain silent." Are we willing to be those who speak out on Israel's behalf as many countries in the Middle East are determined to destroy them; terror attacks are happening again in Israel; and Anti-Semitism world wide is similar to the Holocaust Period?

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care This Day And Each Day,

Frank