War in the Middle East
The battle between Israel and Lebanon continues to escalate this morning. Reports say Hezbollah rockets fell on Haifa killing eight people. Israel has posted Patriot missile batteries around Haifa to protect the fuel depots and manufacturing infrastructure of this key port city. I also saw that rockets fell of the Galilean town of Tiberius on the western edge of the Sea of Galilee. I would recommend this blog site for a full reporting of varied sources of the conflict. They are doing a lot of heavy lifting on this one.
Other reports say the various foreign nationals are being evacuated as quickly as possible. One report I have says that elaborate plans to evacuate the American citizens in Lebanon are underway. This will take the cooperation the Israeli Defense Force to provide cover for safe take off of airplanes from the one functioning runway at Beirut International Airport. When that is completed you will likely see Israel move in force to take out Hezbollah forces.
How far the conflict will escalate is unknown at this time. Israel does not want to see Syria or Iran drawn into the conflict, thus widening the scope and the consequences. It is to Israel, and the West's, interest to keep the fragile Lebanese government intact. Even the Assad regime in Syria, no friend to Israel, is better left in place. There is enough instability in the area already with Iraq. This shooting match could be over in a few days or it could go further. But with each day of hostility the risk of escalation rises.
I spoke about this briefly yesterday to a group of people and I told them that whatever happens in this current conflict we will likely see that the State of Israel will be further ostracized in world opinion. The United States will share in that recrimination and blame. American and Israel are already linked by decades of support and cooperation. The hostility from Arab states as well as other major powers is shared by the two. On the Palestinian issue and relations with other Arab groups Israel is consistently portrayed as the aggressor/oppressor. Because America supports Israel we share the blame. Look for more of these attacks in the aftermath of the current crisis.
Genesis 49:22f is a prophecy of Jacob's descendants in our modern time. Joseph refers to the Ephraim and Manasseh, modern Britain and America. The State of Israel can be linked to them as being part of the same family. Verse 23 -24 says,
"The archers have bitterly grieved him, Shot at him and hated him But his bow remained in strength, And the arms of his hands were made strong By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob..."
America and Great Britain have shared the national blessings from God and today we see the envy from other nations who resent the power and prestige that comes from this dominance. There are other factors, such as great national sin, that contribute to this hatred but the prophecy is clear that enemies lie in wait to attack and harm. Right now America's voice is the strongest in support of Israel's defense of its territory. Other voices, including France, have criticized and condemned the Israeli response.
It is likely that Israel will push back this latest attack and maintain its sovereignty. But at what cost to its prestige and support in the larger court of world opinion? And what will be the fallout for the United States as it surely will stand by its strongest ally in the Middle East? Look for the "arrows" of hate and envy to fly ever stronger to undermine American influence.
