Egypt - What Is It All About?

This is a special Weekend Edition of "Christianity for Today." I received an e-mail yesterday from one of my students asking if I would write about what is happening in Egypt. I am sure that by now you have seen the pictures of the mass demonstrations occurring in Cairo, Alexandria, and Suez. Tens of thousands of Egyptians have taken to the streets demanding that President Hosni Mubarak step down after 30 years of autocratic rule. These protests followed those occurring in Tunisia two weeks ago when Prime Minister Ben Ali was ousted from office following 23 years of corruption and power. Now similar scenes are occurring in Yemen. Will Jordan and Saudi Arabia be far behind.

We are so used to having a transition of power in government every four years. Since the days of Franklin Roosevelt, the American people have limited the term that a president can serve to no more than eight years. However, that has not been the case in the Middle East. Take Egypt for example. President Mubarak assumed power after the assassination of President Anwar Sadat in 1981. Both men were military leaders. In fact, since the days of General Nassar in the 1950's, the military has been the defacto leader in Egypt. President Mubarak is now 82 years of age and is suffering with cancer. Rumor had it that he had designated his son, Gamal, to be his successor. Now the people are saying they have had enough of a Mubarak ruling their country.

If you look at these Arab states, the primary causes for unrest include: high unemployment and devastating poverty. These are among the wealthiest nations because of their oil reserves, but most of that wealth is kept within the ruling families. I am amazed at how much aid the American people give to these wealthy nations. Not much of it filters down to the people. Now the people want their share of the pie.

I know what you are saying, "Max, why should I be interested, let alone concerned, about what is happening in far off Egypt and Yemen?" The answer is two fold -one very pragmatic, the other very biblical. First for the pragmatic response: Since the protests began in Tunisia, have you noticed how oil prices have risen dramatically, approaching $100 per barrel. You know what you are paying at the pumps now. Suppose these protests impact Saudi Arabia, the world's leader in oil production. Can you imagine what that will do to oil prices. Some analysts believe it is possible to have oil reach $200 per barrel. I will let you do the math regarding fuel prices. Not only will you pay it at the gas pump, but at the clothing store and the grocery store as those costs will be passed along to the consumer. Pragmatically, what is happening right now, today, in the Middle East could decimate the world's fragile economic conditions.

But, there is also a biblical concern. From the surface these protests seem to have a democratic flavor to them. In fact, I was reading in the paper this morning that President Obama is applauding those in Egypt who have dared to stand up. However, always lurking in the shadows is radical Islamic extremists. In Egypt, it is the Muslim Brotherhood. In Yemen, it is Al-Quaida. In Lebanon, it is Hezbollah. And we know what the intent of these organizations is: the destruction of the Western World and the extermination of Israel. Might not these organizations seize this opportunity? I found it very interesting when you look at these nations that are in turmoil, the map begins to look very much like that of the Psalm 83 War. Might we be seeing the birthpangs of that war? I don't want to commit myself, but I do not think it is merely a coincidence.

My friends, it is time to become aware of what is going on. It is also time to be excited that God is still in control. Stay tuned.