ISRAEL UPDATEMay 15, 2005 – Thirty-eight years ago, the Arab neighbors of Israel gathered masses of men and material on their borders, moved shock troops into position and attacked crucial Israeli settlements.
After several weeks of crippling the Israeli economy - due to the lengthy commitment of reserve troops - Israel launched their preemptive strike. She soundly defeated her enemies, taking possession of a huge land mass that included the Golan Heights and the Jewish section of Jerusalem.
Today, Syria is building missile bunkers and redeploying troops, while Egypt is allowing tunnels to be dug from their country into Gaza – for the express purpose of arming Palestinian militants.
Iran is flexing her nuclear muscles, taunting Israel, hoping to provoke the tiny nation into war.
So in essence, Israel is in worse shape today, as they have given back almost 100 percent of the area taken in 1967. However, they now have much more political opposition and religious affliction than ever before.
Even as this article is written, the threat of major war breaking out hangs over Israel like a swollen balloon.
Even sadder, thirty-eight years ago, Israel was the hero and the “good guy” in the Middle East. However, today, good is called evil and evil is called good… (Isaiah 5:20) Fortunately, the G-d who has guided Israel the past six decades neither slumbers, nor sleeps. He will prevail…
May 15, 2005 - Jesus said in Matthew 7:16, “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?”
We can apply this principle directly to one of the great Patriarchs. Although not called a disciple in New Testament terminology, he exemplified the lifestyle.
As G-d surveyed the corruption of man with his decadent lifestyle that continually moved further and further away from Him, He realized that He would have to purge the earth completely.
It is against this backdrop that G-d designates Noah as the man to declare His message, and that this man would remain faithful to the end.
Genesis 6:8 states, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the L-RD.” It can also be stated that prior to the judgment and destruction, Noah was found worthy because of his godly lifestyle.
It was not the 40 days on the ark that purified Noah - making him ready for the task G-d had for him....It was the century-plus years prior to the flood… building the ark, keeping family continuity, and constantly declaring G-d’s message.
One mistake we make in Christian circles is that we arbitrarily designate specific timeframes to get people “over the hump” and teach discipleship.
Noah is but one example of someone who was prepared. That is why G-d called upon him, he was ready to go, and he completed the mission.
To be continued . . .