Hope, it seems, springs very much eternal when electing political leaders.
I first noticed this as a newspaper reporter covering apartheid’s demise.
If one word summed up the national mood as Nelson Mandela went from prisoner to president, it was hope – exuberant, tremendous hope.
Mandela was the savior who would transform South Africa into a “Rainbow Nation” enjoying equal rights, equal opportunities, equal benefits and universal happiness as it worked its way through “truth and reconciliation” into a paradise of prosperity and peace.
Just how astronomical those hopes were can be measured by how terribly they were dashed; and by the resulting extreme rage and anarchy now destroying that country from within.
Americans – the hundreds of millions who voted for Barack Obama, seeing him as a messiah for their nation in a time of almost unprecedented economic turmoil and the looming nightmare of nuclear-armed terrorists – are also set to learn the futility of putting one’s trust in any one man.
Israel’s voters have not escaped this seduction - time and again placing their faith for their future in an individual’s hands:
Yitzhak Rabin – elected after promising to withstand the creation of a Palestinian state; Benjamin Netanyahu – who vowed to demand reciprocity from the Arabs; Ehud - Mr Security - Barak – an Entebbe hero and Israel’s most decorated soldier; Ariel -the Warrior - Sharon, who “understood” the Arabs and was eminently qualified to defend his people against terrorism and war.
All were “messiahs” with feet of clay. One after the other they fell, betraying the nation whose astonishing legacy and unique existence they had entered office to uphold:
Rabin signed the Oslo Accords, opening the door for the PLO to root itself with its armed terrorist force numbering tens of thousands in the very heart of the Jewish state.
Netanyahu crumbled under pressure, surrendering most of Hebron – the burial place of Israel’s founding fathers and the third-holiest city of the Jews.
Barak yanked the IDF from Lebanon, betraying and abandoning Israel’s ally – the South Lebanese Army – and giving Hizb’allah control of all the area along Israel’s northern border, where Iran’s proxy army promptly deployed tens of thousands of missiles. Barak also offered Arafat Israel’s most precious assets, including the Temple Mount – signaling, like the phony mother in Solomon’s famous judgment call, that the Arabs and NOT the Jews are the legitimate claimants to this land.
Sharon, upon election, turned Judas – betraying his worshipers with deception behind a grim smile. He turned 180 degrees against what he had run for, drove nearly 10,000 Jews from Gaza and gave it to the Arabs who, almost every day since then – including today as I write this – have used it as a platform from which to launch rockets at Sharon’s countrymen in the south.
Still somehow, today, we hear and see again how much store the Israelis’ are willing to set by another prime minister; how ready they stand to put their hope in Bibi again.
Don’t misunderstand me. I consider Netanyahu the best candidate today for this office. I’m not at all dismayed by the fact that so many Israelis want him there.
And not only Israelis. Notice this interesting phenomenon: Just as untold millions of non-Americans almost desperately wanted an Obama win in America, so Christian lovers of Israel around the world want a Bibi win for Israel.
Many of us have been praying for Netanyahu. Individuals have had “words from the Lord.” They have dreamed dreams or seen visions, or just “felt” that this man was ordained to lead Israel again.
In this way we may have heard right: He may be the one at the helm when Israel is forced – as I pray Israel will be – eventually to resist and reject the pressure to allow “Palestine” to be spawned on her land.
I would wish for Netanyahu that strength; that courage; that honor.
But I will not put my trust in him. Netanyahu is not Israel’s hope. He has not proven strong in the face of pressure – not as prime minister in the nineties, and not as head of the opposition since then. Though this may change, he has thus far lacked the spinal steel necessary for real and effective statesmanship; a visionary leader for his hated people.
It is hard to believe that he will be able to lead Israel away from the wrong path she has been following for too long, and onto the one she should have stuck to years ago.
Do I hope he will? Yes. Do I want him to? Of course! I will pray for this, and I will encourage others to pray for this. I will also pray for the men closest to him – people of the caliber of Ze’ev Benny Begin, Moshe Ayalon, Gideon Sa’ar, Gilad Erdan, Reuven Rivlin and Moshe Kachlon – that they will be able to uphold and strengthen Netanyahu.
But my hope for Israel and its future I place exclusively in the Lord. He is more than able to thwart the plans and bring to nothing men’s efforts to inflict their will upon Israel.
For 20 years I have watched Him laughingly at work, scorning and opposing the world leaders and the Israeli leaders who have pushed to realize a lasting peace agreement with the Palestinian Arabs at the expense of the Jews and their land.
These efforts have at times been enormous – massive manifestations of state power to nail down a deal – to no avail.
Thank God to no avail.
So what do the recent election results mean for Israel and for Israel’s standing in the world?
If – as I hold, without entertaining any doubts as to the glorious certainty of Israel’s future – the issue of primary importance right now is the preservation of the Land of Israel under Jewish control; and if, in that case, my primary prayer aim is for the foiling of every effort to establish a Palestinian state on this land, then I believe that Israel last Tuesday moved in the right direction.
If then, on the other side of the coin, the entire international community has rejected the Jews’ right to their historical homeland, and insists on the creation there of an Arab state, then for the world Israel on February 10 moved decidedly in the wrong direction.
Here I am not at all saying that the majority of Israelis – the 73 percent that voted for Kadima, Likud, Israel Our Home, Labor, Jewish Home and National Union – took a stand in the polling booths against the establishment of “Palestine.”
That issue was not even on the ballot paper, and more’s the shame. If it had been, in the present climate, even more votes could have gone to the right.
Most Israelis voted their concerns for their security.
Except for a few faithful souls, Israel as a whole appears to have abandoned any hope of retaining the heart of its homeland – Judea and Samaria – the cradle of its nationhood.
The nations want Israel to relinquish that land to appease the Muslim world and bring a semblance of quiet to the Middle East, thus hopefully stabilizing the price and securing the supply of oil.
For nearly two decades, Israel’s leaders have felt compelled to comply with these expectations and demands.
The new government will probably feel the same way – especially when the inevitable thinly disguised threats are brought to bear.
Thankfully, God alone knows what wheeling and dealing will be attempted; what bartering will take place over pieces of His land. And thankfully, He will oversee the outcome of it all.
Absolutely Stan, it’s futile putting one’s hope in any man, no matter how messianic he or she may appear. And you’re so right about South Africa “Just how astronomical those hopes were can be measured by how terribly they were dashed; and by the resulting extreme rage and anarchy now destroying that country from within.” It really is in a mess, the crime and corruption is spiralling out of control, mainly because our present ANC government don’t honor God or Israel and are sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. We can only trust the Messiah to restore God’s original plan for peace on earth.
Stan,
With so many Christians clamoring for Bibi to once again become PM I am glad to hear you say “But I will not put my trust in him. Netanyahu is not Israel’s hope.”
Bibi may well be the best person for the job–at least out of the current crop of choices–but it seems like everyone forgets he was the man who gave away Hebron. Thanks for the reminder. It is foolish for so many people to set their hopes so high simply because Netenyahu may be the next Prime Minister.
What do you think of Gideon Sa’ar? Have you met or spoken with him? I heard him speak last year and was pleasantly surprised.
Our father, who are in heaven, hallow be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
I pray for the fulfillment of Zechariah 12.
“…I am about to make Jerusalem a cup that brings dizziness to all the surrounding nations; indeed, Judah will also be included when Jerusalem is besieged. Moreover, on that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy burden for all the nations, and all who try to carry it will be seriously injured; yet all the peoples of the earth will be assembled against it …
…On that day the Lord himself will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the weakest among them will be like mighty David, and the dynasty of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord before them. So on that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem…
…I will pour out on the kingship of David and the population of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication so that they will look to me, the one they have pierced…”
“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
Stan:
Your posting is right on the mark. I wrote a similar synopsis on my blog on Feb 2 called: “Israel Elections: What would Bibi Do? ”
http://tsofah.blogspot.com/2009/02/israel-elections-what-would-bibi-do.html
Whether in Israel, or the U.S., it is a comfort to me to know we have One greater than any man to whom we can go. I pray Bibi doesn’t succumb to the “wisdom of man” once again. It would be good to see him act as a leader of Israel who listens to the scriptures of the One True G-d, the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It truly IS time to tell the world leaders they do not have the right to carve up Israel. Any other nation would tell the U.N. to take a long walk off a short pier. I look forward to the day when a leader of Israel will KNOW the people and the land he is leading belongs to the Lord G-d and not the nations of the earth.
amen
Stan, Israel’s future is in God’s Hands and no other. Biblically speaking there is not going to be a Palestinian state, not now, not ever. If the bible is correct and I believe it is, there are no reference to this ever taking place. Can someone show me if it does. Yes, God says to Israel I will bring you home and plant you in this land assuredly with my whole heart and my whole soul. Can anyone give me one verse that indicates a Palestinian state? He has brought to fruition his promises concerning Israel return and restoration. All the Tom and Jerry, cat and mouse peace manipulations are the works of man, which will come to nought. What is transpiring now is God is sifting the nations and dividing the goats from the sheep, exposing the hearts and minds of man and all the political wickedness in high places. So, all this political wrangling does have a purpose, but in the end God’s promises to Israel will stand and all those who oppose God’s Will will be exposed and dealt with once and for all. God is bringing Israel center stage before the world audience to see if they will obey Him or fight against Him. I look forward to see what Obama does, because as always it will continue to reflect on the blessing or curse of our nation. For many years we were a blessed and profitable nation, now look at us. Could our financially dim outlook, moral decline have anything to do with our turn against Israel. If the Word of God is true, then every nations blessings or curse depends on our position we take with Israel. Will the world submit to the Arab oil and Muslim knife at our throats or trust the Living God who has already proven Himself through his faithfulness to Israel. If He can bring Israel back to life as he has promised, surely he can release the world from the grip of blackmail and bondage, God can bring the nations of the world back to prosperity when they submit to being a blessing to Israel and supporting His Work with Israel. We are clearly in the Valley of Decision.
What a WONDERFUL enlightening commentary Stan! AMEN!!! I too have prayed for Bibi for ten years now. This could only have been placed on my heart to do so by God! But do I place my trust in him? NO! He is a mere man. Yet still, without doubt so many have been lead to pray for this man for a purpose. Only time will tell as to why.
Putting, Jesus Christ, the real Messiah first—–now that is being Heavenly-minded.!
Today Bibi is talking about how the Palestinians “must govern themselves” (politician speak for a Palestinian State) and about how Israel must continue to arm and strengthen the Fatah Security Forces (politician speak for giving money and guns to terrorists).
Is that what everyone has prayed for?
BiBi may not be perfect….but he is a lot better than the other choices.
Sometimes we get so emotionally involved in the details of the story, that we forget that the Author has worked out the ending even from before the beginning.
I think any believer in the God of Israel is going to hope that Bibi gets in. Because it’s only too obvious what will happen if the left takes over.
The point we sometimes lose sight of, though, is that the Scriptures make it clear that the ONLY one who will finally settle the “Palestine” problem is the Messiah.
Therefore, if we place our hope in ANYONE else, we commit an act of betrayal, because we should know that there isn’t a man on earth, no matter how brilliant or eloquent, who will succeed in doing what is the Messiah’s privilege alone to do, for which He and only He will receive the glory.
It seems to me that praying people should spend their efforts, therefore, in praying for the Jewish people to turn wholeheartedly to their God and pray for the coming of the only Hope of Israel.
The one thing we can all be sure of is what GOD put in the Bookn of EZEKIEL CH:38-39 will take place & soon & there is nothing that we can do to stop it , the Jews keep putting there faith in there Military, but it will be GOD that will fight there battle for them & the USA will not have anything to do with it ..
Great Testimony to the Mighty Power of God Our Father, Jesus Christ His Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Men will always fail us, but God will never leave us or forsake us.
He is coming soon, stay close to Him.
has the LORD of glory not stated …i WILL send my 2 witnesses and they shall preach for 3 and 1 half years to pull out my elect 144.000 12.000 of every tribe.
if we believe the WORD of the LORD JESUS CHRIST then what are we worried about . GOD upholds his own WORD and it will not fall to the ground but will accomplisth that witch it is sent to. also st’ Paul by the holy ghost said ALL Israel shall be saved.FEAR NOT. even so LORD JESUS COME QUICKLY. AMEN
Great article! But we read the following words in Psalm 33: 12 “Blessed is the Nation who’s GOD is the LORD, and the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance”. It confirms that hope in man is “vain glory” and therefore one must seek Salvation in Christ Alone. He is the only Peace, even in the midst of War and strife!
I believe the spirit of grace that the Lord will pour out on Jerusalem is explained perfectly in Titus 2:11,12,13 &14, ” For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world: Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Supplication means to “to ask for earnestly and humbly”. When Israel begins to cry out to God with grace and supplication their troubles will be eternally over!.
In Hebrews 5 :7 it is written about our Lord Jesus, “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from “feared” that is he was wise and hated evil in accord with these scriptures:
Proverbs 8:13 “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.and Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding”.
The froward mouth means to be ” habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition”.
I pray that Bibi will be the man God uses to lead the nation of Israel to submit to Him — the God who loves Israel with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
And now I can see that I’m not the only one who thinks the way I do.
Bring it on, Lord Jesus … for Your glory, alone.
Alan the Aussie
This was a very good article Stan; let me encourage you to keep up the good work. I know that God will bless you for your faithfulness to Him & Israel.
The sadness expressed in your comment, “All were messiahs with feet of clay.” Really says it all. At the end of the day we must place our trust in the God of Israel & not necessarily in the men & women of Israel. Men may come & men may go but the word of the Lord stand’s firm.
The curious thing about good & bad leaders from a Biblical & historical perspective is that God uses then all to bring about His ultimate purpose for good. What seems to be desired by many at this particular juncture of Israeli political life, is a leader of Davidic proportions.
Is there one on the horizon excluding the messiah?
AMEN Stan ……….AMEN…!!
Did you people forget the, the Capture of Jeruslem by Great Khalid Bin Waleed,
Allah helped Muslim to take over, and will again do in near future
Don’t worry Stan, The Lord has already told us what the future for Israel holds. Hard times will prevail and a ‘leader’ will prevail to bring peace but only for a short while before he sells Israel out and brings about the conditions for the second coming of our glorious Lord.
Whatever ‘the nations’ waste their time in doing, God’s will can not be defied for ever. I am ashamed the England has not taken a complete stand of solidarity with Israel but this government has shown its cowadice in not allowing into the country a man who believes Israel’s enemies are enemies to all who are not of the ‘Umma’
Many of us Brits are praying for Israel, her land and people, because she is the apple of God’s eye and the elder brother to we who are christians.
God bless you Stan and your work.
Linda
Richard Huynh, Amen to your prayer.
“Emanuel shall come to save thee O Israel, Rejoice”
Amen Stan — Believers are prone to being distracted. It’s understandable in view of the world, the sin, the flesh and the devil. It is clear that there is no heaven in hell; and no hell in heaven — however, clearly, the two meet here in this temporary world. I believe our passion and prayer do serve a purpose; as God observes the quality of our hearts — certainly not because we stand a chance of changing prophecy. Even so, Lord come quickly.
Blessed is His Name,
Isaia 9:6 say,and the government shall be upon His shoulder.
He has the last word.! ! !
He is coming and I thank G-d everyday for HIS Word, as only it is truth. I thank Him that in the end HE will rule us all in peace and all Israel will be saved..as it is written.
I’M PARAFRAZING OF COURSE, BUT MY LORD SAID THAT WHEN ISRAEL WAS COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY HER ENEMIES THEN WOUD MY LORD COME FOR HIS CHILDREN. STAND TALL ISRAEL GOD IS WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!
AMEN AND AMEN
RIZWAN ALI YOU ARE IN FOR A GREAT SHOCK AN ASTOUNDING SHOW OF MY GOD’S POWER. LOOK AND WATCH AND REMEMBER THIS ISRAEL IS GOD’S CHOSEN NATION AND HER PEOPLE ARE HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE. RIZWAN YOU STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO CHANGE YOUR WAYS AND COME TO MY LORD, MY ADVISE TO YOU IS DO IT SOON.
Isreal does not need to give away anything and no other country in the world would give land back to loosers of a war. G*D gave the Isralites the lands of Caanan and we have not taken them all back so why doesn’t the world wake up to the factr that althought the Palistinians need their own land - how about all the Arab countries giving a bit? How does that sound as an alternative. Personally I think it is a great idea!
I council caution. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and keep your noses out of politics. He who is slated to come will come and right on time. The Beast and the false prophet will also come and everyone will shout their praises. I’m not going to be on the welcoming committee. Don’t you be either.