The Middle East continues to be a fascinating corner of the globe. The clash of cultures, ideologies, and religions continues unabated. The alignment of powers grows. Yet overshadowing all of the clashes and alignments is the hand of a sovereign God.
Two events in the past couple of weeks demand our attention. First, on April 17 Russian President Vladimir Putin made an historic visit to Libya and its radical leader Moamer Kadhafi. The announced purpose of the visit was to create a strategic alliance between the two nations and to negotiate a $2.5 billion arms sale to Libya. Now a person familiar with prophetic scripture immediately recognizes a relationship with Ezekiel 38. There, in verse 5, we read: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet (KJV). The "them" in verse 5 is Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal (verse 3). Historically Meshech and Tubal have been interpreted as Russia and her satellite nations. So, in the 6th century BC, the prophet Ezekiel is describing some type of last days alliance between Russia, Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya. We already have witnessed the relationship between Russia's Putin and Persia's (Iran's) Ahmadinejad. Now there is an alliance between Russia and Libya. What I found interesting was that this visit garnered no attention from Western media sources. I believe the Russian bear is beginning to stir from its hibernation of the past 20 years. Putin has a plan. But so does God. And after reading Ezekiel 38 and 39, I know whose plan succeeds.
The second event was the visit to the Middle East by former President Jimmy Carter. What attracted so much attention was the meeting of Carter with the exiled leader of Hamas Khaled Mash'al in Damascus. Carter had been warned by the American and Israeli governments not to meet with the acknowledged leader of this terrorist organization. But Carter ignored those warnings. Afterwards, Carter announced that Hamas was ready to accept the reality of a state of Israel. Does this mean that Hamas has changed its charter? Does this mean that Hamas terror brigades, operating within Gaza, will cease firing rockets into neighboring Israeli towns like Sderot? Does this mean that Hamas terrorist groups will suddenly turn in all weapons to authorities? It is easier to believe that those of us living in Minnesota will experience a snowstorm in May than that those events will occur. Hamas's stated intent is the destruction of the State of Israel. They will not stop until the Palestinian flag flies over all Israeli territory.
These people may play verbal games with America. They know what words will sound correct in our hearing. However we must remember that "actions always speak louder than words." Thousands of Kassam rocket attacks later, I think it is safe to define what Hamas's intent is. It is sad that a former President has willingly been used to convey a false message.
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