A Perspective on Israel's Operation Pillar of Defense

For the moment anyway the eyes of the world are focused upon the Middle East and the renewed conflict between Israel and her Hamas neighbors in the Gaza Strip.  The Israelis, both Jewish and Arab, living in communities near the border with Gaza have endured the anguish of hundreds of rockets launched at their communities from inside Gaza.  Classrooms have been emptied, stores and businesses have closed while families have huddled in the safe-rooms within their homes.  The world has stood by and watched with hardly a whimper coming from the international community. 

In late December 2008 Israel began what came to be called Operation Cast Lead in response to the increase in rockets targeting Israeli communities.  That Operation began with an aerial assault followed by an incursion of IDF forces on January 3, 2009.  Operation Cast Lead was concluded by January 21, 2009.  Of course Israel was accused of unnecessary civilian casualties during that incursion and aerial assault.  But the world tends to forget that Hamas has placed its rocket launchers and weapons storerooms within civilian communities.  (It would be like closing all the American military bases and dispersing those units within major civilian centers - Chicago, New York, Miami, Minneapolis; those potential targets, if attacked by an enemy, would result of many civilian casualties.  Who then would bear the responsibility for those casualties?)  This is similar to what is happening in Gaza.  If you put rocket launchers on school grounds, expect some children to be hurt.  If you put military weapons in rooms in hospital basements, expect some patients to be hurt. 

A week ago Israel began Operation Pillar of Defense in response to the increased number of rocket attacks upon Southern Israeli communities.  The rockets even hit as far north as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem - something not seen since the days of Saddam Hussein.  Damage from those rocket attacks have been kept to a minimum thanks to the presence of the Iron Dome defensive shield that has knocked out many of those incoming rockets before they could hit their intended targets.  Now, over 75,000 IDF forces and reservists are poised to launch a ground invasion into Gaza for the purpose of destroying the military capabilities of Hamas and other Islamic terrorist groups.  As of this writing such an incursion has not happened.

And to complicate any chances of a ceasefire, this morning a terrorist bomber boarded a transit bus in downtown Tel Aviv, planted a bomb and then fled.  The resulting explosion caused nearly two dozen injuries, some serious.  This is the first terrorist attack upon an Israeli bus in quite some time.  Does it represent an escalation in Hamas' plans? 

What makes this renewed conflict different from that of 2008-2009 is the Arab Spring, particularly its results in Egypt.  Back during Operation Cast Lead, the Egyptians cooperated with Israel in closing the borders with Gaza thus preventing any weapons from entering into the Strip.  Today, Egyptian President Morsi has gone on record as giving support to Hamas, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood to which he belongs.  Egypt has said that it would not seal its border with Gaza.  Would the Egyptians chance a war with Israel over Hamas and Gaza?  That seems to be a very viable question.  Another concern is whether Hamas' allies to the north, Hezbollah in Lebanon, will be stirred up against Israel's northern border.  They probably have a greater weapons capability than does Hamas because of their pipeline through Syria from Iran.  And unrest grows within Jordan against the government of King Abdullah.  What are those implications at this particular moment?  It seems that Hamas has become emboldened this time because the response from the Arab world has not been condemnatory.  They feel they have the blessings of the Arab world to continue their assault, for after all, the ones the world holds responsible are the Israelis.  In a way, Hamas cannot lose, no matter the outcome. 

If one looks carefully at what is happening right now, plotting the major players on a map, you will find Israel in the center, surrounded by Hamas and possibly Egypt on its south, Hezbollah and Lebanon and Syria on its north, and Jordan on its east.  Now, let's refresh our memories with regard to the Psalm 83 War.  There Asaph lists a future grouping of nations that will go up against Israel with the purpose of causing Israel's extermination.  Who is included in that list?  Edom, Moab, and Ammon represent the modern nation of Jordan.  Philistia represents the state of Gaza.  Tyre is representative of Lebanon.  Gebal, ancient Byblos, represents Syria.  And many scholars believe that the Hagrites represent Egypt.  Could what is happening today be the prelude to this war prophesied by one of ancient Israel's most notable musicians and seers?  I am not saying that it is, but it is does seem more than a mere coincidence. 

Friends, on this Eve of Thanksgiving, when it appears that the world is spinning more rapidly out of control and we can wonder about who is at the steering wheel, I am grateful to know that my God is still the Sovereign Ruler of this world.  This is a rather unusual Thanksgiving verse, but I have drawn great comfort from it since the election: "The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men" (Daniel 4:17).  This verse is one of the truly great statements of hope and assurance that our God is still in control.  Therefore I need not panic; I need not despair; I need not worry.  I am in good hands when I am in God's hands.  And, friends, I think that is a tremendous blessing for which to give praise this Thanksgiving Season.

So, with that I wish you a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.  And, keep looking up, because I think Gabriel is about to begin warming his lips for that great trumpet blast.