Is Coalition Building Wise or Foolish?

     When the leaders of the United States consider confronting an enemy nation, do they consult God’s word or seek alliances and coalitions with other nations?  The answer is fairly obvious. 

     A consensus from other nations is sought primarily to justify our actions and convince the electorate that the correct action is being taken.  Another reason is to convince ourselves that combined military strength will certainly prevail to accomplish our purpose.

     Remember the Apostle Paul reminded those of the present age that God’s dealing with Israel provided examples for us. 

     “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning…”  Romans 15:4

     “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.  Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”  1 Corinthians 10:11-12

     The ‘them’ in the above specifically describes God’s dealing with the Israelites during the 40 year period between the Exodus and entering Canaan.  It describes the consequences of disobedience to God’s commands and instructions.

     The Israelites wanted to return to Egypt, the very nation in which they were enslaved for 400 years.  Many generations later they would seek to build a coalition with Egypt for their protection against new enemies.

     In the 14^th year of Hezekiah’s reign over southern Judah approximately 700 BC the Assyrian king Sennacherib’s army began to overtake several of Judah’s cities.  They were about to enter Jerusalem when Sennacherib sent word to Hezekiah that it was foolish for him to trust Egypt for help and protection.

     “Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: ‘What confidence is this in which you trust?  You speak of having plans and power for war; but they are mere words.  And in whom do you trust, that you rebel against me?  Now look!  You are trusting in the staff of this broken reed, Egypt, on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it.  So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.’”  2 Kings 18:19-21

     Sennacherib really did make a valid point, i.e. it was utter folly for Judah to place their trust in a coalition with Egypt and to trust in their military strength for security. 

     God utterly renounced such thinking.

     “Woe to the rebellious children…who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit…who walk to go down to Egypt, and have not asked My advice, to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!   Therefore the strength of Pharaoh shall be your shame, and trust in the shadow Egypt shall be your humiliation.”  Isaiah 30:1-3

     Judah was not only placing their confidence and trust in man instead of the One who created man, but was placing their trust and security in an enemy nation.  They were further placing their trust in Egypt’s military strength for protection.

     God’s response?

      “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!... Now the Egyptians are men, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit.  When the LORD stretches out His hand, both he who helps will fall, and he who is helped will fall down; they all will perish together.”  Isaiah 31:1, 3

     Is there a time in recent history when America turned to God for counsel for protection against an enemy nation instead of focusing on building multinational coalitions?

     Even now, is America relying on such a coalition to confront ISIS?  Is America even now seeking counsel with Iran; a nation with the expressed goal to eliminate Israel?

     Mr. President, congressional leaders, military advisors and all who profess to be Christians; where is God in this challenge?  If you have consulted Him, please let the people know.

     And if God has not been consulted, then be prepared for the consequences; they are sure to come.

     The end has already been written.