ISRAEL UPDATEJuly 31, 2005 – Have you noticed how Israel’s history repeats itself, especially regarding her hostile neighbors? Sometimes her enemies attack directly, while at other times they wait to ravage what is left…
Edom, descendants of Esau (actually extended family to the children of Israel), were enemies of biblical Israel. They were harshly judged by G-d: “Thus saith the L-rd G-D; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them; Therefore thus saith the L-rd G-D; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword. And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the L-rd G-D.” (Ezekiel 25:12-14)
Today, the Palestinians claim to be related to the Israelis. The Arab world claims the same father as the Jews… Abraham. Yet, every modern neighbor, especially those in close proximity, i.e., Jordan, Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon, are in one way or another waging war against Israel.
As a whole, these nations, as well as the distant countries of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, and other Persian Gulf nations, cannot wait to see the demise of Israel. However, regardless whether these people claim to be “blood brothers,” or purpose-related due to the Koran – it is still the spirit of Esau that drives them.
Jesus spoke about the treatment of His people when He stated, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.” (Matthew 25:40) The spirit of Esau is alive and well, however, so is G-d and His Covenant - Israel will prevail…
July 31, 2005 – A few weeks ago, while driving on the city streets, a bumper sticker caught my attention. It declared, Women that behave don’t make history.
Actually, there were many other bumper stickers on that truck, but the content would be inappropriate for polite conversation. My question is, “What about the first one?”
The Scriptures tell us of several women, who although not perfect, were nonetheless great examples of making history in a positive manner. Sarah, Rachel, Leah, and Rebecca helped the beginning of the patriarchal family.
Jochebed had the wisdom to preserve Moses… Hannah desired for a son to serve G-d, and she conceived Samuel… Vashti lost her seat on the throne, but held onto her virtue… Esther saved her nation in a bold way, as did Deborah…
Ruth denied her pagan background, and embraced the G-d of Israel… Rahab, the prostitute, was the key to protecting Israel’s spies in Jericho…
We have Mary, the mother of Jesus… Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist… Mary Magdalene, the woman at the Samaritan well… as well as Dorcas, along with a host of others too numerous to mention here in this brief writing.
The point is - not women making history, but how they make history. On one hand, we have the likes of Jezebel, Marie Antoinette, and Lizzie Borden… on the other hand; we have the aforementioned women who served Almighty G-d to His Glory.
Ladies, it’s your choice…
To be continued…