The Middle East Conundrum
One commentator wrote about current events in the Middle East as “… this crucial, combustible showdown”. Are we witnessing the spark that will ignite the Middle East?
The Church has long understood the importance of the Middle East in developing world affairs. End-time prophecies focus on that area. As the prime example, Jesus Christ’s return points us toward Jerusalem. Much is to happen in the Middle East before that takes place.
As students of the Bible, we should turn to scripture to look for hints of what we might expect to happen.
As of this moment, the political nation of Israel — the Jews – appear to have the upper hand in their desire to prevent Iran from developing nuclear capability. Their attacks have caused great damage – taking out key personnel and nuclear infrastructure. But it will not always be this way. They see the neutralization of Iran as critical to their survival as a nation, as Iran has made it quite clear that they desire to remove Israel from the map.
One important prophecy tells us of a time when the Islamic/Arab world will unite. Up until now, the Arabs are disunited and wary of each other. Is it possible that Israel’s strikes against Iran may be a catalyst to cause the Arab world to come together against Israel?
This prophecy is found in an unusual place – the book of Psalms, the 83rd chapter. The context is a conspiracy against Israel. A number of nations are listed as opposing the existence of Israel:
“They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, and consulted together against Your sheltered ones. They have said, ‘Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.’ For they have consulted together with one consent; they form a confederacy against You” (Psalm 83:3-5).
It is interesting to note that the psalm is written as though the confederacy is against God. Indeed, any action against God’s nation to whom He is married is action against Him. A lesson that this confederacy has yet to learn.
“Who said, ‘Let us take for ourselves the pastures of God for a possession” (verse 12).
Here Israel is cast as the pastures of God – something He owns.
Who are the perpetrators?
“The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assyria has also joined with them. They have helped the children of Lot” (verses 6-8).
This represents the Islamic/Arab world. Israel’s enemies form a confederacy against Israel to eliminate the nation’s existence. The extent of their success is yet to be measured. But God did promise He would correct His sinning people, so some form of captivity is expected.
This, of course, is the precursor to a European power getting involved in the Middle East. But for now, that European power has not yet coalesced. It appears to be in the formative stages as the United States tries to force Europe to become more independent.
However, for God’s people today, what is our focus to be? There are enough spaces in this prophecy for a lot of speculation. But speculation would not be profitable. There is something concrete God wants us to learn. All that happens to the Arabs and Israel in the future has one important focus:
“That they may know that You, whose name alone is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth” (verse 18).
Don’t get emotionally entangled in the unfolding events. God is orchestrating a lesson for humanity. Mankind must learn that apart from God, we will never have lasting peace and prosperity. Disobedience to God’s laws will, in the end, bring nothing but calamity.
Israel and the Arab nations have yet to learn this lesson. That verse should be our focus.
Brian Orchard
