LEARNING DAILY

 

Zechariah 12:1-3, This message concerning the fate of Israel came from the Lord: “This message is from the Lord, who stretched out the heavens, laid the foundations of the earth, and formed the spirit within humans.  I will make Jerusalem and Judah like an intoxicating drink to all the nearby nations that send their armies to besiege Jerusalem.  On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone, a burden for the world.  None of the nations who try to lift it will escape unscathed.  (New Living Translation)

 

Ezekiel 38:4, I will turn you around and put hooks into your jaws to lead you to destruction.  I will mobilize your troops and calvary and make you a vast and mighty horde, all fully armed. (NLT)

 

When was the last time you read the message found in Zechariah?  Open up your Bible and take some time reading through it to see what the prophet had to say about Israel in the last days; it is quite fascinating!  The question I have been asking myself is, “Why Israel?”  What is it about this small area that is drawing so much attention from the leaders of the world?  Even the current leadership of the United States has been openly opposed to Israel, slowly withdrawing from supporting it.  There are many Scriptures that tell of Israel being left in the last days without allies among the nations.  It is happening before our eyes!

 

In the verses above notice that God is going to make Israel and Judah irresistible to the nations in the last days – “like an intoxicating drink to all the nearby nations” and “like an intoxicating drink to all the nearby nations”.   He is going to make Israel the source of ongoing conflict for the world in the last days.  Just pay attention to what is going on there and it becomes obvious that is what is happening.  Former President Trump added “fuel to a fire” when he declared Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel and moving the U.S. Embassy there.  Other presidents have said they would do this but never did.  This is significant because of the prophecies about Jerusalem being the capital of Israel in the last days!

 

 This move has caused waves of protest throughout the Muslim world and where Muslims reside.  Demonstrations occurred by crowds calling for a holy war against the Jews.  Rallies and demonstrations occurred around the world against the Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.  The United Nations passed a resolution to condemn this decision. 

 

This one decision has caused Israel, specifically Jerusalem, to become the center of world-wide concern.  Oh, by the way, the prophecies above said it would happen and it goes back even further to the covenant God made with Abraham.  It has always interested me to see world leaders, usually led by a U.S. President, try to settle the problems in Israel with political solutions.  It never has worked out because it is rooted in spiritual conflict. 

 

Israel has certainly become the center of world-wide conflict.  The drink has been passed and the hook has at least been cast.  But there is more to the nations of the world desiring to get their share of Israel.