21st Century Israel Seen through the Psalms!

Psalm 83 Prayer

Israel has been at war, one way or another, for the last 64 years since its rebirth as a modern nation in 1948. No other country in the history of mankind has been under so much pressure from the international community for all the wrong reasons if any reason at all. Yet no other country in the entire world has ever survived this level of aggression from its neighbors. Something is going on in Israel that is far greater than the undeniable military might of IDF.

For the last few days, Operation Pillar of Defense has been underway, emphasis on the word "defense". As the launching of rockets on Israel has escalated in frequency and numbers over the last month, something had to be done. This little democracy tucked in the center of the Middle East and surrounded by enemies, has no choice but to defend itself. This could possibly turn into a full-blown war in the region, and considering the fragility of several of the "Arab Spring" surrounding countries, it would behoove the rest of the world to pay attention.

This being said, I feel like this is more of a media war than a real conflict over land and/or socio-political hegemony. Hamas is funded by Iran and other enemies of the Jews, but yet, is ill-prepared to take over Israel. Is it possible that the reason behind all the commotion is mostly to attract the world's attention on "the victims" – the Palestinians, and "the perpetrators" – the Israelis? This is another case of Pallywood (media manipulation)! If you don't know what I mean by that, simply watch this BBC reporting on the killing of Ahmed Jabari (Hamas head of armed forces) and notice how the same person acts as a severely wounded Palestinian civilian at the 2:14 min. marker and then quickly gets completely healed at the 2:43 min. marker. Amazing recovery wouldn't you say?

This is not unusual for the BBC to be so biased, but most people really don't take the time to scrutinize the footage they watch, they see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear. Of course, France is not far behind as Euronews reported the event as an Israeli strike killing 3 people and wounding 25 innocent civilians as a response to Hamas wounding of 4 Israeli soldiers. No mention was ever made of the myriad of rockets sent on Israel and indiscriminately falling onto civilians. It remains to be seen what the United-States will say or do in defense of Israel. Don't hold your breath!

On the other hand, as Israel is making a move into Gaza that will last several weeks according to Netanyahu, they have showered the area with leaflets warning civilians to take shelter and to stay away from Hamas operatives because of the upcoming conflict. What other country in the world goes out of his way to prepare civilians in enemy territories before they strike? Last time I checked, and every time I checked for that matter, civilian casualties were part of the unfortunate collateral damage found within any conflict. Is this coming from those Islamists and liberal alike call the "perpetrators"?

So, from a purely human perspective, there is little hope for peace in the Middle East and let alone for the survival of Israel. This conflict is to be taken seriously mainly because it is part of a much greater scheme of spiritual warfare lead by Israel's archenemy: Satan himself. So if we are to consider the source, let us consider the rest of the story as well.
 

ISRAEL'S ENEMIES VOW ITS FULL DESTRUCTION

Psalm 83:4
They have said, “Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, That the name of Israel be remembered no more.” 
 
In the context of Psalm 83, ten countries or people groups are listed as the enemies of Israel conspiring with one mind to eradicate the tiny sliver of land in their midst. Among them are modern-day  JORDAN, EGYPT, LEBANON, IRAQ, SYRIA, SAUDI ARABIA, GAZA, AND SINAI PENINSULA. They are to join forces against Israel and frankly, the somewhat blurred picture of a complicated Middle East conflict of the sort is rapidly coming into focus when you consider the current events. Understanding the next verse is crucial to bible believers as it says: for they have conspired together with one mind, against You they make a covenant. Simply said, the enemies of Israel are the enemies of God. Period!
 

GOD IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE PROTECTING ISRAEL

Psalm 125:2 
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.
 
The promises of God regarding the preservation of Israel are unconditional and eternal. As we go to sleep at night and see the stars in the sky or wake up and see the sun rising, we are reassured that God has not forsaken Israel (Jer. 31:35-37). The mountains surrounding Jerusalem are a constant reminder that God surrounds and protects Jerusalem.
 

GOD NEVER CEASES TO WATCH OUT FOR ISRAEL 

Psalm 121:4
Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.
 
Not only God watches over Israel, but we also have the assurance that absolutely nothing will escape Him because He never sleeps. Israel's enemies might be motivated by hatred and antisemitism from Satan the ultimate enemy, but he needs to be reminded that even though he is roaming the world today, he has lost the battle against God and the apple of His eye (Zech. 2:8).
 

BELIEVERS MUST PRAY FOR JERUSALEM

Psalm 122:6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. 
 
It is clear that God wants all the disciples of Yeshua (Jesus) to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Now would be a good time to start if you have never done so. For many of us, it is a regular prayer that is almost second nature. We must also remember that any peace or semblance of peace prior to the return of Israel's Messiah will only be short-lived. Yeshua, The Prince of Peace, will establish the only everlasting peace in the region and in the world. Yet, praying for peace is still incumbent on the believer today.
 

GOD ACHES FOR THE SALVATION OF ISRAEL

Psalm 81:13
“Oh that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! 
 
Ultimately, one day all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26). It is God's desire that Israel would return to Him (Hosea 14:1). While this is never meant to mean that all Jewish people of all times will enjoy the presence of God, we know that at some point in the future, all Jewish people will turn to Yeshua (Zech. 12:10). If God aches for Israel's salvation, how much more should we ache for it?
 
The fact that much about the welfare of Israel and Jerusalem could be found in the Psalm is an indication that Israel is HERE TO STAY. Much more is said about it throughout the whole counsel of God and while we ache for the many casualties (on both sides), we are reminded that the lies of the enemy will only endure for a time. The media, the liberals and the Islamists have vowed destruction of Israel in the name of  WORLD PEACE  while the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has sent His only begotten son to die for us all and establish WORLD PEACE upon His return.
 
IT IS TIME TO TELL THE WORLD WHICH SIDE WE'RE ON!
 

 

© Olivier Melnick
www.newantisemitism.com