POSTED 25 MAY, 2006

A Comatose Vision

by Mark Huey
mark@outreachisrael.net

These are disconcerting times for those who have been monitoring events in the State of Israel for the past decade. Ironically, it appears that for the moment, the Israeli government is saddled to a “vision” for the resolution of perpetual conflict that is attributed to a man, who at present, lies in a comatose state. Could this perhaps be a physical representation of what is happening in the spiritual realm? After all, since the expulsion of the Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip, a pregnant pause seems to be lulling many into a state of sober reticence that borders on capitulation to the plans to divide the Promised Land.

It is difficult to fathom that the government of Israel would be an accomplice to the deed of dividing its own territory. Apparently the nations of the world are exerting such excruciating pressure upon the democratically elected Israeli leaders, that they are not only participating, but also in increasing measures—actually accelerating the process.

In his recent speech to the U. S. Congress, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert invoked the words of the incapacitated Ariel Sharon as his inspiration for bringing the elusive peace to his beleaguered country:

“The Palestinians will forever be our neighbors; they are an inseparable part of this land, as are we. Israel has no desire to rule over them nor to oppress them. They, too, have a right for freedom and national aspirations.”

In so many words, the newly appointed prime minister, who has cobbled together an unstable coalition of Knesset members in order to form a government, is declaring the current intentions of Israel to divide their own land, to the international audience. Paradoxically, President Bush has signaled to Olmert that his ambitious plans to secure the elusive “peace and security” are ahead of the schedule anticipated by the Road Map partners. Go figure!

Making logical sense out of all of this is a difficult task. So for lack of understanding about how these machinations will work out, perhaps it would be beneficial to simply recall a time millennia ago, when the Northern Kingdom of Israel was playing harlotry with the nations of the world. Since history has a tendency to repeat itself, while recognizing that the Almighty is consistent in His retributions, perhaps the words of the Prophet Hosea will help bring light to today’s challenges:

“Listen to the word of the Lord, O sons of Israel, for the Lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land, because there is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land. There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery. They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed. Therefore the land mourns, and everyone who lives in it languishes along with the beasts of the field and the birds of the sky, and also the fish of the sea disappear. Yet let no one find fault, and let none offer reproof; for your people are like those who contend with the priest. So you will stumble by day, and the prophet also will stumble with you by night; and I will destroy your mother. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame. They feed on the sin of My people and direct their desire toward their iniquity. And it will be, like people, like priest; so I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds. They will eat, but not have enough; they will play the harlot, but not increase, because they have stopped giving heed to the Lord. Harlotry, wine and new wine take away the understanding. My people consult their wooden idol, and their diviner's wand informs them; for a spirit of harlotry has led them astray, and they have played the harlot, departing from their God” (Hosea 4:1-12).

Whether it is the lack of knowledge or the vision of a stricken secular pragmatist, the fact remains that if history repeats itself, those living in the Land of Israel are certainly in for some difficult times as they currently play the harlot with the nations of the world.

In the interim, as the time of Jacob’s Trouble (Jeremiah 30:7) will eventually come, it is critical that those who have not forgotten the Torah of God be about His business of being prepared. While praying for the peace of Jerusalem is imperative, it is equally important that His people lead a life that has a testimony of salvation in Yeshua, by keeping His commandments (Revelation 12:17; 14:12).

In so doing, perhaps the Lord God will have mercy on all of us:

“Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and thus may the Lord God of hosts be with you, just as you have said! Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the gate!” (Amos 5:14).

May our vision be one that sees the Lord Yeshua returning in all His glory!

Mark Huey (B.A., Vanderbilt University in History and Graduate Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) is the Director of Outreach Israel Ministries (www.outreachisrael.net). He is the author of several books, including: TorahScope, Volumes I & II, and Counting the Omer: A Daily Devotional Toward Shavuot. He is also co-author of Hebraic Roots: An Introductory Study.