The world waited anxiously for President Obama’s recent speech relative to the challenges in the Middle East. Many on the right did not expect the president to mention Israel which is undeniably the central issue of the current unrest. Well he surprised them all by spending a major part of his time discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which confirms that he realizes the centrality of this issue. He then offered proposed solutions. He stated:
“So while the core issues of the conflict must be negotiated, the basis of those negotiations is clear: a viable Palestine, and a secure Israel. The United States believes that negotiations should result in two states…what everyone knows: a lasting peace will involve two states…the dream of a Jewish and democratic state cannot be fulfilled with permanent occupation.”
Firstly, Mr. Obama states that ‘the United States’ and ‘everyone’ knows that peace in the Middle East requires a two state solution. A two state solution is, however, totally at odds with the Bible. Therefore, not ‘everyone’ agrees with Obama’s proposed solution. Such a solution was sadly also supported by George Bush and other recent previous presidents on both sides of the aisle.
Secondly, the Israeli question is not negotiable, and thirdly Israel can not be an ‘occupier’ of their own land.
Suggesting that Israel’s borders revert back to the 1967 pre-six day war lines is absolutely not an option. The six-day war began with Jordan, Syria, and Egypt amassing large armies on Israel’s borders for an offensive attack. Israel then with a surprise pre-emptive strike soundly defeated those who would destroy them. Israel’s resulting geographical gains included the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, the West Bank of the Jordan River and East Jerusalem from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria. This action by Israel was not an act of imperialism; rather it was a defensive action to push back the enemy. Israel subsequently relinquished the Sinai Peninsula as a result of a peace treaty with Egypt in 1979.
There are few issues in the Bible clearer than the future of the nation of Israel and its capital Jerusalem. Equally clear is the geographical boundaries of that tiny nation.
“…To your (Abraham’s) descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates…” Genesis 15:18
“And I will set your bounds from the Red Sea to the sea…and from the desert to the River (Euphrates). For I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you. You shall make no covenant (treaty) with them…” Exodus 23:31-32
“…then the LORD will drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess greater and mightier nations than yourselves. Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the River Euphrates, even to the Western Sea, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand against you…” Deuteronomy 11:23-24
“From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates…shall be your territory.” Joshua 1:4
The Bible, therefore, defines the land of Israel to include much more of the land of its enemies, i.e. especially Jordan and Syria. Israel’s land will also include much of Iraq. Within the boundaries of their land lies what was termed Canaan. The borders of Canaan specifically rule out any possibility of others possessing land west of the Jordan River (West Bank) or any part of Jerusalem.
“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Command the children of Israel, and say to them: When you come into the land of Canaan, this it the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance…You shall mark out your eastern border…the border shall go down and reach to the eastern side of the Sea of Chinnereth (Lake Gennesaret, or Sea of Galilee) along the Jordan, and it shall end at the Salt Sea’” Numbers 34:1-2, 10-12
The Bible is equally clear on Israel’s future capital of Jerusalem.
“And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the house of the LORD (in Jerusalem)…the LORD appeared…and said to him… ‘I have consecrated this house which you have built to put My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.’” I Kings 9:1-3
“And He said to me, (Ezekiel) … ‘this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever.’” Ezekiel 43:7
“The LORD also will roar…and utter His voice from Jerusalem; the heavens and earth will shake…so you shall know that I am the LORD your God…Then Jerusalem shall be holy, and no aliens shall ever pass through her again.” Joel 3:16-17
It would be difficult for any Christian to deny these great truths. If there is ever a peace treaty encompassing a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it will most likely be for a seven year period. Remember one of the actions of the Anti-Christ is to ‘divide the land for gain.’