ISRAEL UPDATEMarch 20, 2005 - With Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad under the encouraging eye of Syrian dictator Bashir Assad, just how serious can this nation's overtures of peace really be?
The last suicide bombing in Tel Aviv on February 25, 2005, is but one more example of the passive-aggressive traits of terror groups aimed at destroying Israel.
Syria seduces the uneducated and the unwilling to learn about the Middle East. For example, they stage a pullout from Lebanon, then strike Israel just hard enough… hoping that Israel will engage in a limited action, thereby derailing the tenuous peace process.
Isaiah 17:1 states, “The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.”
The first portion of this passage clearly defines the role of Damascus government in relation to the modern state of Israel - it could not be better stated.
Although not as rich as the Gulf States, and not as populated as Egyptian cities, Damascus, along with its ties to Iran poses a far greater threat than the media, or for that matter, our own government will admit.
Over the next several weeks, follow these articles closely and note the tactics that Syria will use, both passive and aggressive. This will serve to seduce many into a Utopian sense of peace and safety… only to be followed by sudden destruction. This is especially true of Damascus.
March 20, 2005 – During the 10th of Nissan on the Jewish calendar, (April 6, 32 CE), the city of Jerusalem bustled with the fervor of Passover preparations.
Roads and bridges were repaired, while tombs and sepulchers were whitewashed for identification, lest a pilgrim touch one and become defiled.
The lamb dedicated for household sacrifice was brought indoors at this time for final preparation. Josephus tells us that 256,000 lambs would be offered at this time of year in the Holy City.
It is against this backdrop that Jesus comes, first accepted, and then rejected. Cries of hosanna were replaced with “crucify him” and “give us Barabas.”
The important factor here is understanding that Jesus already knew His fate, yet he was not distracted by the hustle and bustle of social interaction.
He was not deterred by the brutality of the Roman government, or the betrayal by a close personal friend… but His eyes were fixed and His heart determined.
The Gospel of Luke chapter 19 is where we find Jesus preparing for the ultimate Passover. As early as Luke 9:51, He was determined to finish and stay the course. “And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.”
This predetermined disposition clearly defines Jesus… not as a confused or frustrated messianic hopeful, but rather defines the fact that He was who He said He was... doing what He said He would do. May He always be our example and let us pray we never forget.
To be continued…