Greetings,
This week the American vice-president once again attempted to reignite the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. His offer to the Palestinians of a settlement freeze and a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem in exchange for Palestinian recognition of Israel as a Jewish state was rejected. President Obama has made it clear that he would like to leave a legacy of having made significant progress in the Middle East peace process. Speculation as to what he might do in his remaining time in office is finding its way into the media and no doubt is adding to Israel’s feelings of uncertainty.
The Church of God has long highlighted the importance of the Middle East in the unfolding of end time events. In 1988 the Church stated, “…the Middle East remains the world’s most dangerous hot spot – a political and military powder-keg just waiting for the spark to ignite it” (The Middle East in Prophecy). It continues to be an area of concern for us to watch. The Middle East is disintegrating as disillusionment from many failed attempts to find solutions grows and attitudes harden. The Palestinians want back what they claim to be their land and the Israelis want secure borders. There appears to be a growing sense in Israel that they have exhausted their political options.
If we interject some prophecies given by the prophet Ezekiel in regard to Judah and compare them with recent developments it is very interesting. Ezekiel recorded God’s prophetic words given in regard to the House of Israel and the House of Judah. The message was couched in the terminology of two sisters – Oholah (Israel) and Oholibah (Judah). The sisters played the harlot and God pronounced a judgment on them. God condemns Oholibah for turning to her neighbors for help and not to God. It is described in sexual terms of “lusting for them” to impress upon them the state of mind they demonstrated in turning away from the One they were married to – God (Ezekiel 23:11-21).
In the light of exhausting political options and the sectarian internal disarray amongst the Arabs themselves, the Arab world is engaging with Israel in ways not seen before. For their own reasons, they need each other and Israel is attempting to develop alliances and cooperation with her neighbors. This includes Turkey and Greece. Israel is attempting to bypass the Palestinians and surround and confine them with regional agreements. These alliances will prove to be very fragile.
Through Ezekiel God tells Judah that those she has pursued as lovers will turn on her. God will bring them up on every side (Ezekiel 23:22-35). God concludes His judgment on Judah by declaring; “Because you have forgotten Me and cast Me behind your back, Therefore you shall bear your penalty Of your lewdness and your harlotry” (verse 35).
We may well see some initial positive things emerge from Israel’s alliances with some of her neighbors. Each will be looking for what they can get from such alliances and the turmoil among some Arab states may well drive some of them to work with Israel. But everyone working for their own advantage will prove to be a strategy with a limited shelf life.
The nations themselves will not be able to produce the peace they desire – peace on their terms. There is only one way to achieve real peace and that is in a relationship with God. “And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken. I will make a covenant of peace with them …” (Ezekiel 34:24-25).
This is a lesson that should not escape the Church of God. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). World events are indicating the urgent need for us to be serious in pursuing our personal relationship with God. “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless” (2 Peter 3:14).
Holy Days
On another note, some have wondered about how the Holy Days fall this year – quite late and the question is enhanced by an early spring on the West Coast. This year is an intercalary year where a 13th month is added to keep the calendar in sync with the solar year. In Israel itself the conservationists that rely on sighting the barley have not found suitable barley before the sighting of the new moon. So by this method they have declared the Passover to be the same as we will be keeping, meaning that spring in Israel is late this year.
Feast of Tabernacles
We have filled the block of rooms we contracted for Granbury and this week they opened a second block for us. Please note that the hotel put all the handicapped rooms they had into the first block and none are available for the second block.
Warm Regards,
Brian Orchard
