by Matt Sieger
“And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.” (II Chronicles 20:30)
One of the first issues Barack Obama had to tackle after clinching the Democratic presidential nomination last week was Israel’s security. In a speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), Obama claimed that Bush administration policies on Iran and Iraq have made Israel less secure.
“Because of the war in Iraq,” said Obama, “Iran . . . is emboldened, and poses the greatest strategic challenge to the United States and Israel in the Middle East in a generation.”
Two days earlier, John McCain made the opposite argument to the AIPAC. He said that Obama’s plan for a phased U.S. pullout from Iraq would result in the formation of a “potential terrorist sanctuary” that would threaten Israel’s security and “invite further intervention from Iraq’s neighbors, including a very much emboldened Iran.”
Senator Joe Lieberman, McCain’s most prominent Jewish supporter, said that Obama is mistaken in blaming Iran’s resurgence on the Iraq war. “If Israel is in danger today,” he said, “it is not because of American foreign policy. It’s because Iran is a terrorist, expansionist state.”
When a Hamas official said in an April radio interview that the group would like to see Obama elected president, McCain seized on the opportunity to portray Obama as a Hamas-supported candidate. But when Obama issued a statement last week in which he called Israel’s security “sacrosanct” and promised to support an “undivided” Jerusalem, Hamas reversed itself and said it doesn’t want either McCain or Obama to win!
Will the Obama or McCain approach make Israel more secure? Both strategies can’t be right. Both could be wrong. Or insufficient.
It’s not as if this is the first time that Israel has been threatened. Around 850 B.C., the Moabites and Ammonites set out to attack Judah and Jerusalem. King Jehoshaphat called out to God in prayer, saying, “We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you” (II Chronicles 20:12). Then God told Jehoshaphat through a prophet, “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you” (II Chronicles 20:17). When the men of Judah went out to meet the enemy, God caused such confusion that the Moabites and Ammonites destroyed each other!
I know it’s not politically correct (or expedient) for candidates to admit that they don’t know what to do about the powder keg that is the Middle East today. But admitting that and looking to God worked for Jehoshaphat. I hope that our next president will be supportive of Israel and savvy about the situation - but in any case, Israel's survival will not be determined by Obama or McCain or whoever else may one day be in the White House.
Israel’s only real security is in the Almighty. As the psalmist said, “Where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:2-4).
I would welcome your comments about Israel’s security—or our own. Where do you look for your security?
10 comments:
Why is Jehoshaphat called jumpy of the term jumping Jehoshaphat used?
You are absolutely right. Israel's security is in God. Regardless who the next president would be, God will go on with His plans and keep Israel safe.
National repentance, yes
Thank you so much for this thought-provoking blog. Often I look at both candidates and am torn between them based on what I think they will do or not do for peace in the Middle East. Ultimately, however, God is sovreign. What we must do is pray that He will guide the American presidents of the future and that they in turn will rely on His wisdom regarding these matters. Israel is His, belonging to both Abraham's children and to those of us who are adopted by the King through the great sacrifice. We must trust our Father for His will and remember that in the end we will be joining Him in His good and perfect kingdom. All of these things will pass away. Until then, fervent prayer is required for all of those who love the Lord. Thanks for giving me something wonderful and profound to ponder.
Harvey C. Kimmey
According to "christiansstandwithisreal.com
72 percent stated that they will vote Senator John McCann.
His wife, Cindy, is involved with hopetrust.com which has 7,000 people locating and exploding landmines in many countries.
I've visited Israel 2x and always "felt" safe, because I knew I was pleasing G-d by being there. No matter what earthly or demonic forces may persecute Israel it is sure that G-d will preserve her in one form or another, and it could be that Jews are in the land forever now. As one poster indicated, no matter which US president is elected this is not Israel's salvation... Messiah, G-d is.
I spent 10 days in Israel and had no preconceived ideas on the thoughts of the people of this wonderful country. I do now. If you think Obama will protect and support Isreal you are sadly mistaken. His voting record should be proof within itself of his policies. Many Americans are bainwashed and want a quick fix for our own country. Stop, research and pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for America
According to Michael Quinion, "the name of the king of Judah. . . was used in the United States around the middle of the nineteenth century as a mild oath, a euphemism for Jehovah or Jesus. The phrase Jumping Jehoshaphat is first recorded from Mayne Reid’s Headless Horseman of 1866, but is probably older. It seems to have been in the tradition of exotic imprecations that Americans of that period were so fond of, with the repeated initial sound greatly helping its acceptance."
I used it in my blog to indicate that Jehoshaphat actually was not "jumpy" or scared, because he trusted in his God.
God bless the Jews and especially the Jews for Jesus, God bless all Human Beings here on planet Earth, God is being patient, slow to anger and rich in mercy, time is passing, the History of Mankind on Earth is marching on, We are maturing, making a commitment to truth, light, peace, reasonability, discernment. God tells us 'to cast all our cares upon Him for He cares for us'. God says to 'pray unceasingly'...so Jumping Jehoshaphat is fast to jump to calling on God for help as it should be! God says, 'Man, come to Me, though your sins be many and be stacked as high as Heaven and be as red as crimson, Man, come to Me, for I can make them as white as wool, as white as new fallen snow, just come to Me'. God prepared all Mankind to approach Him in a 'Forgiven State' by giving to the Jews, and through them to the whole world, the action of offering the Blood of a Spotless Lamb for the Forgiveness of Sin when approaching the Temple, and the True Lamb of God, the Messiah is Jesus the Christ, born of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who after 8 days of His Birth was Circumcised in accordance with the Law of Moses, just like the candle of Hannukah, here, The Light, lasting officially until more holy oil can be prepared, lasting until official circumcision-----all Jews and Christians need to celebrate this to the world especially the Muslims who are very misguided----the Jews need to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem and Proclaim their Heritage, for the Land belongs to them and them alone, they are not the occupiers as Palestinians and News companies portray, God gave the Land to Abraham, to Issac, to Jacob, not any of the Ishmaelites or other ancient people who lost hold on land because they defiled it with sex sins and killing their own children offering them to false enitities of power. Proclaim Truth, God is Love!
Israel will never be destroyed again according to the Bible! My obligation is to vote for the president that assures me he is as passionate about Israel as I am and will carry out this mission! Obama is not the one!!
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