Israel and the Palestinian Challenge

     President Obama’s advice on how best for Israel to preserve their survival:

     “…it has consistently been my belief that you have to find a way to live side by side in peace with Palestinians…You have to recognize that they have legitimate claims, and this is their land and neighborhood as well.”

     To best analyze that statement, both the Bible and Islamic literature should be consulted.

     According to Islamic literature, Ishmael was the progenitor of the religion of Islam.  According to the Bible the land presently called Israel was promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob for an everlasting possession.  Therefore, the Palestinians have absolutely no right to occupy any part of that land.

     Add to that the claim of Islamic leaders that Israel should be totally wiped off the face of the earth, it is easy to see that the battle of the brothers rages on and will come to a head when the Seed of Isaac, i.e. Jesus Christ returns to establish His kingdom in Jerusalem.

     Therefore, according to both Islamic literature and the Bible, there are exciting times ahead.

     President Obama’s foreign policy vision is not only naïve, it is totally irrelevant.

     The president went on to say that with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s poll numbers being so high, it will be hard for him to make ‘some very difficult compromises…’

     The very thought of poll numbers being a determining factor in pre-written foreign policy is beyond laughable. 

     And then closing out the discussion on Israel, President Obama offered a challenge to both Israel and the Palestinians.

     “It’s going to require leadership among both the Palestinians and the Israelis to look beyond tomorrow…And that’s the hardest thing for politicians to do is to take the long view on things.”

     “And I will set your boundaries…from the desert to the River (Euphrates).  For I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you.  You shall make no covenant with them…”  Exodus 23:31-32

     The above verses confirm Israel’s future border to extend to the Euphrates River.  They were not to share the land with those whom God would deliver to them, and the Israelites were not to make any treaty or agreement with them.

     Our president is suggesting just the opposite.

     The Prophet Ezekiel provided great details about Israel’s permanent future in the land promised to them nearly 4,000 years ago.  The Prophet Isaiah also offered details about Israel’s relation with the nations surrounding them during the Kingdom following the great tribulation.

     “Arise, shine; for your light has come!  And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you…The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising…Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you…The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.  The multitude of camels shall cover your land…”  Isaiah 60:1, 3-4a, 5b-6a

     Therefore, Mr. President, even though you think ‘the hardest thing for politicians to do is to take the long view on things,’ the long view has already been provided for you.  Poll numbers or political correctness needn’t even be consulted or considered.  Compromise is not an option.

     Isaiah also records the fate of the nations who choose not to honor Israel and her future King.

     “For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish, and these nations shall be utterly ruined.”  Isaiah 60:12

     The Bible couldn’t be much clearer; it provides succinct prophecy relative to Israel’s future as well as the future of those who will not submit to Israel.

     Recall that Israel wanted a king so they could be ‘like all the nations that are around.’

     Instructions for their king included:

     “And it shall be with him, and he shall read it (God’s law) all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law…that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left…”  Deuteronomy 17:19-20

     That is still good and relevant advice.