God’s Purposes in the Middle East

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

By the time I was in my early twenties, it was the 1970s. I think every generation tends to look back at the time of their youth with nostalgia, but I think the generations that have arrived since the 1970s have no real clue what life was like about five decades ago. In fact, during the 70s, we didn’t really know what life was like either because we had no idea what life would be like in 2023, but now that it is 2023, I can look back and notice a remarkable (though not necessarily good), amount of changes that have occurred between the 70’s and now.

During the 70s we did not have the following (not a complete list):

• Wireless Digital signals (everything was analog)
• Cell phones/cell towers
• Internet or Internet of Things (IoT)
• Wi-Fi
• “Smart” Phones (aka mini-computers capable of making telephone calls)
• Downloadable Apps to your phone
• Computers
• “Smart” appliances (dishwashers, refrigerators, etc.)
• Google
• YouTube

The things we did have were hard-wired telephones that connected to telephone wires outside your home and phone calls were carried along those lines. We also had newspapers, magazines, television and radio. News didn’t come at your 24 hours per day, seven days per week. It was broadcast generally at about six o’clock each night. There were only three networks then, ABC, CBS and NBC (plus Public Television).

If you went out at night, you didn’t have a phone to carry with you, so if you needed to call someone, you used a pay phone. You didn’t use your “debit” card to pay for gas, food or other things. You used cash or a credit card. When my parents were young adults, there were no credit cards. Only rich people could have “lines of credit” at department stores. Everyone else put things on Layaway, paying for it over time without interest and getting to take it home when it was paid off at the store.

Our cars had no computerized equipment in them. Most had carburetors and points. I often worked on my car, not only changing oil and filter, but adjusting the timing and points and other things. It seemed pretty straight-forward compared to today. Because everything is computerized, it’s really not possible for most to work on their own vehicles even if they wanted to because they need to have a computer that houses the expensive software needed.

Since my time as a teen, life has changed dramatically because of the addition of those things highlighted above. Technology was and is always presented as something that makes life “easier.” However, how many times have you been inconvenienced because computers were down or something else related to technology?

Today, instead of technology making life easier, in many ways, life has become far less manageable and far more hectic. We try to use our phones and the apps on them for all things, all to help us order our lives and help us keep track. Unfortunately, the truth is that technology has unleashed the beast of massive information and the worst part of it is that it is very difficult to know what the truth is because it comes at us so fast. Who can fact-check things as quickly as we learn of them?

For instance, Hamas attacked Israel just recently. In spite of the fact that Hamas killed hundreds and kidnapped others while continuing to hold them hostage and/or executing them on video, it is difficult to know what is actual truth. In spite of this difficulty, many to most malign Israel, believing their presence in the Middle East to be the reason for the events there. In other words, Israel is seen by many as the “enemy of peace” therefore, Israel must be eliminated or at least not believed.

Case in point…just within the past few days, a rocket was launched that landed on part of a hospital, but mainly on the parking lot near the hospital. Israel was accused of launching the rocket and deliberately targeting the hospital and innocent people and it was claimed that over 500 innocent people were killed by this “Israeli” incident. Days later however, video and audio between terrorists proves that the rocket was launched from Gaza itself, further west toward the Mediterranean and deeper into Hamas territory. Because Israel was initially accused of the launch though, the world became unglued demonizing Israel unmercifully. The world is now learning that one of the terrorist groups in Gaza is the guilty party.

In spite of Hamas’ claim that hundreds were killed and hundreds more injured, they simply haven’t provided proof of it, yet those who vociferously hate Israel and Jews don’t need proof since they go by how they feel. By the way, that can happen to anyone regardless of the side supported.

The more the Gazan hospital situation is analyzed, the more it seems clear that rather than a targeted hit that would have completely destroyed the hospital and left behind a large crater, it’s more clear that a failed heavy rocket shot by Hamas (or other terrorist group), failed to go into Israeli territory as intended and instead, the rocket clearly takes a sharp turn and lands in the parking lot of the hospital. The intercepted audio of a phone call between terrorists highlights their admission that they (terrorists) did the failed launch, not Israel.

The new claim is that Israel directly targeted a Christian church in Gaza. When the dust settles, will we learn this was fake news or even another failed rocket launch by Hamas? They seem to like using Gazans as shields to be blown up or injured. That’s Hamas. The bottom line in all of this is not knowing what is truth and what is falsehood. I believe God has other purposes for us than to be focused on all the information out there.

What is that better thing? Well, first of all, we can pray and we should be doing that. We certainly should pray for Israel and all people living in Israel (Jews and Gentiles alike and yes, including Arabs). Psalm 122:6 tells us point blank, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you!” (ESV) Notice the condition mentioned. It says “May they be secure who love you!” That is part of the prayer and we should understand that not everyone who is Jewish or who lives in Israel or Jerusalem is a devout Jew or Christian. In fact, there is a high percentage of “social Jews.” They love being Jewish because of the culture but God is often fully left out of that picture.

We should be praying for peace in Israel/Jerusalem while also praying that God would turn the hard hearts of people there toward Him so that they can learn the truth about God, His salvation and His love for them in order to begin to love Him back. There are many passages that pertain or allude to Israel and what God is going to do with that nation in the future. You can find some at this link. [1]

Consider Israel’s history and how God chose a group of people who turned out to be extremely stiff necked. They fell away from God often with hardly any provocation. They complained a good deal when things didn’t seem to go their way. They often denied that God was/is God. They worshiped with their mouths but their hearts remained far away from Him. They spent decades at times ignoring the very God who created Israel, gave them safe passage from Egypt to the Promised Land under Moses, then Joshua and most of the time, wanted to go back to Egypt and indulge in sinful practices. Most Jews today are little different from their ancestral counterparts.

Israel as a nation has been ungrateful, sinful, deceptive, hateful and blasphemous time and time again. Yet, though God has sent judgment on that nation many times throughout history since Israel’s creation, the nation itself seems not to have learned anything from one generation to the next. Even today, Israel relies on itself or other countries for their safety, instead of on God. Most Jews in Israel have absolutely no clue who God is and what He intends for that nation.

The prophet Ezekiel states clearly what God’s end design will be for the nation of Israel.

“As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “surely with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out, I will rule over you.” (Ezekiel 20:33 NKJV)

God will have His way with Israel, period. Unfortunately for Israel, it will come with quite a cost. God will bring the people of Israel to the end of themselves. They will be brought to the point where they realize they must and will want to trust God only. God has not allowed the complete obliteration of Israel because of His purposes for that nation, which will come to fruition. It will be against that nation’s will, which is why there is so much struggling now within Israel and outside forces who seek to destroy that nation.

Another prophet – Isaiah – states without equivocation God future plans and how He sees Israel now.

In that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel. And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem, when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning. Then the Lord will create over the whole site of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day, and smoke and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory there will be a canopy. There will be a booth for shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.(Isaiah 4:2-6 ESV)

Currently, in God’s eyes, Israel is “filthy,” stained with blood for their ongoing corruption and evil. Their evil is little different from unsaved Gentiles of other nations. However, the one difference here is God’s plan for the “survivors of Israel” (the final remnant), and those who are “left in Zion” after His wrath empties itself onto them. This remaining remnant of Israel – after all is said and done – will be fully washed and cleansed to the point that God will call them “holy.” I personally believe this section of Isaiah refers to the Millennial Kingdom, which follows the coming seven year Tribulation period when God will pour out His wrath out onto the world (including Israel), and He will use His wrath to purify the final remnant of Israel who will enter the Millennial Kingdom.

Even now, Israel relies on the Biden Administration, yet it seems clear that Biden honors Israel with his lips while advocating a path that ultimately harms Israel. But if Israel falls for it, then they will reap the consequences of it and God will use it to bring His remnant to Him.[2]

We must continue to pray for peace in Israel/Jerusalem even though that peace may not appear any time soon and in fact, war will likely continue instead. Ultimately, we know there will be peace in Israel and it will become the capitol for worshiping the One, True God, throughout the entire earth. It will be the place where God is worshiped, revered and honored, in Jerusalem and it will happen during the Millennial Kingdom, following the Tribulation.

It is deeply disturbing to watch what is happening in the Middle East now. Even if this current battle blows over, chances are good that wars and rumors of wars will continue. In fact, it is very likely that this particular conflict, unlike the Ukraine v Russia war, will actually usher in WWIII and possibly go nuclear as well.

Christians need to align ourselves with God and His purposes. Do not depend on the news to provide an accurate portrait of what is happening. Satan is the prince of the power of the air and he uses and controls whatever is at his disposal to whip up people’s opinions against Israel because Satan hates the Jewish people especially since Jesus was born into this world through the nation of Israel (Revelation 12).

Currently, the hatred of Israel and Jewish people is palpable. Christians who spend their energy hating terrorists seem also to be missing the point. We can certainly hate their actions but we need to understand that they are being used and energized by Satan. We must pray for all people, that God’s love and grace would be seen by those who are currently enemies of God as we all were once in that place (Colossians 1:21).

God will not allow Israel to be completely destroyed. He has claimed a remnant in every generation and this current generation is no different. He will save for Himself a final remnant (if we are at the time close to the start of the Tribulation), and that final remnant will become head over heels devoted to God Almighty. Nothing will shake their faith in Him and they will willingly die for Him if called upon to do so.

Psalm 99:1-9 commands us to tremble and rejoice at God’s holiness and rule over all the earth.

The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples. Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he! The King in his might loves justice. You have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!

Because of who God is, there is nothing that can keep His purposes from coming to fruition. Join me in blessing the Lord for His graciousness, His love, His commitment to a people who are so recalcitrant that they seem unable to know the truth much less follow it. In the end, may God grant us wisdom and discernment to understand what He is doing in this difficult days.

[1] https://www.openbible.info/topics/pray_for_israel

[2] https://carolineglick.com/what-is-biden-doing-in-israel/

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective