ISRAEL UPDATEFebruary 2. 2003 - When Israel launched a preemptive strike against Egypt for closing the Straits of Tiran, American President Dwight D. Eisenhower compared it to the Russians crushing of the 1956 Hungarian Revolt.
England and France, although desperate to intervene on behalf of the international community – waited - thereby allowing Israel to “fly solo”. This caused Israel to be labeled the aggressor, thus allowing the European nations the freedom to be considered intermediaries - acting on behalf of all.
Could this be the goal of some of the U.S. allies disavowing loyalty, waiting to intervene, or is it the nations of the world hoping that Saddam Hussein will go after Israel - provoking an attack - then justifying an intervention in the name of peace?
Israel's leaders were deceived by this type of mentality as we read in Joshua 9 – where two nations forge an alliance with Joshua to be protected from the wrath of the G-d of Israel.
Because of this covenant the Israelites were duty bound not to attack the people of those countries, in order to honor the allegiance. Joshua 9:27 tells us these kings were forced to serve the congregation by chopping wood and drawing water.
One cannot help but wonder if the nations of the world are trying to placate the Arab oil machine - because of fear of no oil. In reality, they are only becoming servants, leaving Israel in the midst of an angry sea of enemies without any true support – appeasing man and, missing out with G-d.
February 2. 2003 - One of the great theological debates that still rages today - is the Christian belief that by one man (Adam), sin entered into the whole world. Romans 5:12
The complaint is that one man's sin should not condemn every man after Adam to be born into sin. But in analyzing this thinking, we must consider some key points.
We review history and ask - did World War II start because of one madman - whose twisted thinking left a continent in ruins?
Hirohito, Mussolini, Stalin, Jones, Koresh, bin Laden, and Arafat are but just a few modern examples of men whose wretched nature brought woeful consequences to those who willingly followed, or sat under their oppressive control.
But in the spiritual sense, Paul clears up the issue by telling us, "Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him (Jesus) that was to come.” Romans 6:14
Consider Adam, born into Paradise wanting for nothing and failing… but the second Adam – Jesus - came into a sinful world, was tempted in the wilderness, yet He lived a sinless life.
Knowing this, we can look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, because of his example. One Adam brought sin and bondage into the world, but the second Adam, Jesus came and broke the chains of sin and bondage. All of man’s sin redeemed by one man’s life – the Son of G-d – In G-d's economy, a more than fair exchange…
To be continued . . .