ISRAEL UPDATEAugust 17, 2003 - On Sunday, August 10, 2003, a Phoenix newspaper published an article describing the concern for U.S. military personnel in Iraq - as Muslim militants are returning to that country to carry out terrorist attacks.
This dynamic truly shows the flaw of the United States / British attempt to pressure Israel into peace with Palestinians - because of the so-called successes in Iraq.
Consider the current scenario. . . On one hand, Mahmoud Abbas cannot guarantee that terrorist groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad will lay down their arms and accept peace. But on the other hand, Israel is expected to go headlong into the Road Map peace plan without hesitation.
Yet if we look east to the situation in Iraq, we see the U.S. military in the same predicament - not fighting the Republican Guard, but elements of terrorist groups. That concerns our leaders - as well it should.
It is this double standard that has placed the nation of Israel in a precarious position, especially as far as her immediate and long-term security is concerned.
Israel is now at a dangerous crossroads, and the world pressures her to do what other nations are not willing to do. And… expecting the Jewish state to do it at breakneck speed.
There should be no demands made on Israel by the United States, Britain, or any other country until after Abbas and Arafat totally disarm and accept peace. If not, the Israeli government should be left alone to fight terrorists as they see fit - just like America is doing in Iraq and Afghanistan.
August 17, 2003 - The second order of Pharisee is the Nikip or stumbling Pharisee - one who bumps his feet together as he walks, thereby exaggerating his humility.
We know this one as he who says… spare me a moment that I might do a good deed. The “wait a little” Pharisee begs for time to carry out a noble action – so as to be seen of men.
A good example of this can be seen as Jesus addresses the giving of alms with the proper attitude. "Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." Matthew 6:2
The collection boxes in the Temple were shaped like trumpets. If you put your money in carefully, very little noise was made as a coin fell to the bottom. But by dropping the coin at the right angle, it bounced all the way to the bottom… thus letting all know you had given.
The stumbling Pharisee is sincerely wrong in thinking that his obvious piety draws people to G-d, when in reality it is quite detrimental.
James 2:10 tells us that violating one part (or any part) of the law is to violate the whole. Why? Because the fulfillment of G-d's commandments is to be done as a condition of the heart. His law is not a set of dos and don’ts, but rather a concept of lifestyle which the stumbling Pharisee of old, along with the Pharisee of today fails to see.
To be continued…