ISRAEL UPDATEMarch 28, 2004 – We have all seen the video clips of Yasser Arafat and Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, founder of Hamas, as they would walk together, laugh, and embrace.
With Yassin’s death, Arafat eulogized him with these words after he recited a Muslim prayer, “May you join the martyrs and the prophets. To heaven, you martyr."
Another Hamas leader stated, “Your lessons will stay within our hearts and minds and our generations ". Strong words for a man designated as a spiritual leader.
Was the killing of Yassin the elimination of a national dignitary, or someone of a different political view?
Did his death spill over into the innocent civilian populace, like all of the bus bombings Hamas has perpetrated over the past 10 years? Can we say the Israeli policy was indiscriminate and aimed at parties uninvolved, or aimed at striking terror in the hearts of college students, school children, and women headed for market, or men headed to synagogues to pray? The answer to both is a resounding “NO.”
What did happen this past week was that a brutal man - although confined to a wheelchair - wielded a sword that has caused untold death, suffering, and economic distress.
Yasser Arafat claims he fears being next on the list. If so, it is because he has been too busy turning his back on Hamas activities and their lies on one hand, yet supporting them on the other. Regardless, whether it is Yassin the supposed spiritual leader, or Arafat the national leader, their movement is anti-American, anti-Israel, and uses the excuse of nationalism and religion to murder innocent victims.
March 28, 2004 - In our first article on the teaching of “generational curses,” we referred to Exodus chapter 20, where we find the Ten Commandments. These guidelines were given prior to the Hebrews entry into the Promised Land.
In that article, we defined the word “father,” which can mean many things - including spiritual leader. Because of that, we must ask if Moses was not permitted to enter the Promised Land because of sin. Only Joshua and Caleb were left - where did the “generational curse” begin and end?
Joshua guaranteed the new group prosperity and success if they would adhere to G-d's word. Joshua 1:8. Yet at the end of his rule, we find him having to declare that the choice of serving G-d was theirs. Joshua 24:15
G-d had purged an entire generation that wandered in the wilderness. The new bunch was promised blessing and now, years later, Joshua has to reaffirm what is correct in the sight of G-d.
From this point on, Israel would continue to oscillate from periods of serving G-d to periods of serving idols, including periods of servitude to foreign powers, both at home and abroad.
If there is anything important for all of us to understand, is that each of us has an individual relationship with G-d, and that He will bless if we do what is right.
However, many will suffer if the leaders of the family, church, or government choose to do what is wrong. Therefore, remember G-d will allow trials to perfect us – or - reap the consequences of wrong lifestyles. We must keep G-d at the center of our lives. . . then we can keep a handle on what we need to do.
To be continued . . .