LEARNING DAILY

 

Ezekiel 38:11-12, You will say, “Israel is an unprotected land filled with unwalled villages!  I will march against her and destroy the people who live in such confidence!  I will go to those once-desolate cities that are again filled with people who have returned from exile in many nations.  I will capture vast amounts of plunder and take many slaves, for the people are rich with cattle now and think the whole world revolves around them!” (New Living Translation)

 

The question is, “Why Israel?”  The hook has been set and nations who hate Israel are gathering to destroy Israel and take over this area.  Notice the above verses show the evil plan that these nations are developing to do that.  Verse 10 shows that God knows what is happening and is bringing this to pass – perhaps right now!  Israel is not safe from attack as we have seen.  However, Israel is safe from defeat as we have seen in previous attacks on Israel (since becoming a nation).  God is protecting His people!  God is causing Magog and allies to believe they can defeat Israel’s defenses.  Notice a time reference has been given.  “I will go to those once-desolate cities that are again filled with people who have returned from exile in many nations.”  This has been discussed.

 

The question goes back to why this area is so desirable.  Let me try to explain some reasons I have found that might answer this question.  First, the location in world geography has always been an important location as a land bride between Europe, Asia, and Africa.  If the trade routes were to be controlled, the land area had to be controlled.  Control of this area is absolutely necessary for nations to plunder the area; this is the “hook in the jaw” from the past two blogs.

 

Moses took the Hebrews to the “promised land’, a “land flowing with milk and honey”.  It was a rich land – it still is.  It is in the heart of the world’s gas and oil reserves.  Recently, one of the world’s richest natural gas deposits was found.  It has been named the Leviathan Gas Field and is located off the shore of Israel in the Mediterranean Sea (look it up on the internet).  This is a big deal because Israel can compete on the international scene with countries like Russia.  Not only is natural gas being found but oil is being found in the Golan Heights area.  That area has been highly contested for years.  According to internet articles, guess who has their sights set on these oil reserves – Russia.  Is there any wonder Russia is exercising its influence with Arab countries?  The hook is being set.

 

But wait – there’s more.  Israel has been able to turning saltwater into fresh water.  Water has become a valuable commodity.  Could it become so valuable that it leads to war?

 

There is one more possible reason that could draw Magog and Arab nations to war with Israel.  The Dead Sea is not really dead!  It is the source of many valuable minerals that people are becoming rich from.  Did you know that there is a health and beauty care brand called AHAVA that markets its products in various retail places around the world.  The important part of this is the Dead Sea is a very rich source of valuable minerals that countries would like to get ahold of.

 

I do not believe that God led Abraham and later His people from Egypt to this land by accident.  Nothing done by God is by accident!  Is the hook being set?  It seems to be. We can see not only the hatred of the Arab nations toward Israel but the desire for plunder of natural wealth by Russia (Magog) and even China.  Examine the evidence for yourself.  Look at what is happening in the world around Israel right now.  There are a lot of signs pointing to the last days!