Attack on Israel—Where Will It End? - Part 2

After our in-depth analysis of Psalm 83’s first stanza, let’s move on to the second:

2. A POWERFUL ENEMY ALLIANCE
The neighboring nations held a summit and agreed to the complete annihilation of Israel. The Psalmist describes this conspiracy in detail:

“For they conspire with one accord; against you they make a covenant—the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites, Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; Asshur also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot” (Ps 83:5-8).

Such an impressive assemblage of Israel’s hostile neighboring states isn’t mentioned anywhere else in the Old Testament. Some interpreters believe these verses are referring to wars that David fought, but David never battled against such a large coalition of enemies. Others believe that they were fulfilled through King Jehoshaphat, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 20, but that passage doesn’t mention all of the nations of Psalm 83. Still others see this as an alliance of the Jews’ enemies at the time of the Maccabees, which is reported in 1 Maccabees 5. But in that instance, it was the sons of Esau that led the attack, not the sons of Lot.

Dr. Roger Liebi has proposed a very interesting explanation in light of the Arab League’s 1945 resolution to eradicate the Jewish State: The ten regions from Psalm 83 map exactly onto the seven founding states of the Arab League, which then played a significant role in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War:

1. Edom, Ammon, Moab: Jordan
2. Hagrites: Syria 
3. Tyre, Gebal: Lebanon
4. Ishmaelites: Saudi Arabia 
5. Ishmaelites: also included Yemen
6. Asshur: Iraq
7. Amalek, Philistia: Egypt (which was in possession of the Gaza Strip at that time)

Theologian William MacDonald, in turn, saw great similarities between this Psalm and the Yom Kippur War of 1973. All these things are an indication of the final march of Israel’s hostile neighbors who intend to destroy the Jewish State—and an indication of end-time fulfillment.

Asaph reminds God in the third stanza:
 
3. OVERWHELMING VICTORIES IN THE PAST
This passage quotes military events recorded in Judges 4­­—8: “Do to them as you did to Midian, as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, who were destroyed at En-dor, who became dung for the ground. Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, who said, ‘Let us take possession for ourselves of the pastures of God’” (Ps 83:9-12). Here is another plan of destruction by Midianite princes.

The pastures of God had been given to His people, and like a shepherd, this is where He intended to lead them to graze. The plotters intended to tear it away from the Jews, yet God Himself would once again give a great victory over the enemies. These great victories of the past encouraged Asaph to pray for victory over Israel’s current and future enemies.

God allows hardships so His people realize they cannot manage on their own. “Surely, falsehood comes from the hills, commotion from the mountains, but the salvation of Israel is only in the LORD our God” (Jer 3:23).

In the fourth stanza, Asaph prays for:
 
4. IMMENSE INTERVENTION IN THE FUTURE
“Make them like tumbleweed, my God, like chaff before the wind. As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze, so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm. Cover their faces with shame, LORD, so that they will seek your name” (Ps 83:14-16). Very strong language, but its aim is not complete destruction. This isn’t a matter of gratification or revenge. The ultimate goal of this song of Asaph is God’s glory: “So that they will seek your name.”

Events in Israel are showing us that the stage is being set, and all the pieces are being put in place. On November 20 last year, one newspaper wrote on its front page, “Next year will be a hellish one for the West. Can it get any worse? It can….” And one weekly headlined its October 19, 2023 issue with, “Where will it all end?”

Aren’t these the kind of anxious questions that friends of Israel are also considering? Where will it end? Where will this lead? There is genuine fear across the globe that the world’s superpowers (the US, Britain, Russia, China…)  will form factions on either side of Israel, plunging humanity into a third, unconventional world war.

Far to the south, Yemen (one of the world’s poorest nations) declared war on Israel, firing rockets and drones from over 1,000 miles away. To the southwest, it is Hamas. To the east, on the Golan Heights lies Syria, and to the north is Hezbollah, all supported by Iran. Additionally, further to the north lies Turkey, which has publicly announced its full support of Hamas, describing Israel as a terror state. On November 15, President Erdoğan announced to parliament in Ankara, “I am telling Netanyahu, you have atomic bombs, nuclear bombs and you are threatening with them. We know this. And your end is near. You can have as many nuclear bombs as you want. No matter what you have, you are on your way out.” His declaration was met with thunderous applause. Even further north lies Russia, recently allied with Iran.

If we evaluate the constellation of nations in Psalm 83, current developments concerning Israel are actually alarming. Just a few days after the terrible attack on October 7th, President Biden, French President Macron, English Prime Minister Sunak, and German Chancellor Scholz traveled to Israel one after the other. What were they discussing?

Consider that 80 NATO warships have been deployed in the eastern Mediterranean, a number unprecedented since World War II. Thus, let’s ask the question: Is a comprehensive war in the Middle East imminent? Chronologically, we see Israel’s restoration in Ezekiel 36 and 37, followed by the destruction of Gog and Magog on the mountains of Israel in Ezekiel 38 and 39. Is that when the great peace treaty with the Antichrist will be signed? This would begin the seven-year Tribulation. But for that to take place, the Rapture would have already occurred.

I just don’t know. And, as much as we’d like to know, methodically searching the Scriptures, we must be careful not to speculate. We simply don’t know. We must also be careful not to hate Muslims. As Christians, we are compelled to love our neighbors and forgive our enemies. And Muslims aren’t our enemies! That’s why we should pray for them, that they will recognize and accept Jesus Christ. Then they will be saved, secure in God’s hand, receiving peace with God and certainty of eternal life.

Through this Psalm, we know where everything ultimately leads. The outstanding conclusion of this prophetic song speaks of this as well: “Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace, that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth” (Ps 83:17-18).

Who is Most High over all the earth? Isn’t He the same One who will be called King of kings and Lord of lords when He returns (Rev 19:16)? Our Lord Jesus Christ! Arno Gaebelein wrote, “‘The Most High God’ is one of God’s millennial names.”

Psalm 83 is therefore pointing to the time when Isaiah 45:23 will be fulfilled: “To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.” And this will happen when Jesus returns with great power and glory (Matt 24:30).

Which is why I believe that all of the events that have taken place in Israel’s history thus far are prophetic depictions of the final, end-time fulfillment that is yet to come. It’s likely a prelude to the invasion of Gog and Magog, and ultimately to the end-time all-out attack on Israel during the Tribulation period, which will end at Jesus’ return.
 
ARE YOU READY?
Twenty-eight towns and kibbutzim were attacked, and there was only one with no fatalities. It was all because of a single young woman. Each kibbutz has its own security officer, and in Kibbutz Nir Am (founded in 1943), it was 26-year-old Inbal Rabin-Lieberman. She had served in the army as a combat soldier. When she woke up to the sound of rockets on October 7th, she immediately received a text message telling her to remain quiet and wait it out. But these explosions sounded different, and she didn’t trust the instructions she’d received. She immediately called together her security team and issued heavy weapons, dispersing them to all of the kibbutz’s strategic points. She then ran screaming from house to house, ordering everyone into the shelter. When the terrorists appeared at the kibbutz fence a little later, all 25 attackers were shot.

One lesson we can take from this is that we need to recognize the signs of the times and remain vigilant. Jesus emphasized these two principles with regard to His return:

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake” (Mark 13:32-37).

Are you ready to meet the Lord? Perhaps today? “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28).

News from Israel - 07/2024