An Election and An Anniversary

Yesterday Israeli voters went to the polls to elect members to the Knesset.  Like our House of Representatives, all members of the Knesset are elected every four years.  And the Knesset is a much smaller body - 120 seats.  The pre-election polls had strongly hinted that Prime Minister Netanyahu and his strong coalition of Likud and Yisreal Beytenu parties would easily have a strong showing (they presently had 42 seats in the Knesset). 

But pre-election polls often are not good predictors of outcomes.  Yes, with nearly all returns counted, the Prime Minister has held on to win the opportunity to form a new government.  But, the Likud-Yisreal Beytenu parties only secured 33 seats in the new Knesset.  Finishing second was the Yesh Atid party (There is a Future), headed by political newcomer Yair Lapid, with 19 seats. 

Of the 32 political parties that contested the election, 12 parties won enough support to have seats in the new Knesset.  And, what I found most interesting, was the there was a near even split between those parties that were center-right and center-left. 

The Prime Minister now has six weeks to form his coalition government.  He will need at least 61 seats in that coalition, but will try to have even more to keep a coalition together.  What will become very interesting in the forming of the coalition is America's response to the new Israeli government.  As we all know, our President and PM Netanyahu have not been exactly the best of friends these past four years.  How will the new Israeli government respond to the continued threats from Iran?  From the increased volatile rhetoric from Egypt?  From the continued violence in neighboring Syria? 

Yesterday marked the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision on abortion, known as "Roe v. Wade."  I read a statistic that over the past 40 years, over 54 million children in America have been aborted.  That is 54 million opportunities to find a cure for cancer - snuffed out; 54 million opportunities to help bring peace - never allowed to live.  Yesterday two articles caught my attention.  Both have to do with the treatment of fellow human being. 

The first article was from the Telegraph, a paper published in England.  It was titled, "David Attenborough - Humans are plague on Earth."  You can read the article at www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/9815862/Humans-are-plague-on-Earth-Attenborough.  David Attenborough is an acclaimed television reporter, best recognized for his documentary on the BBC called "Planet Earth."  He said "the only way to save the planet from famine and species extinction is to limit human population growth.  He went on to say, "We are a plague on the Earth.  It's coming home to roost over the next 50 years or so.  It's not just climate change; it's sheer space, places to grow food for this enormous horde.  Either we limit our population growth or the natural world will do it for us, and the natural world is doing it for us right now."  Well, David Attenborough, in America we have slaughtered over 54 million children these past 40 years.  How many more do you want us to sacrifice so that a few more animals can survive? 

The second article also came from a British paper - The Guardian.  It was titled, "Let elderly people 'hurry up and die', says Japanese minister."  It can be found at www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/22/elderly-hurry-up-die-japanese.  "Japan's new government is barely a month old, and already one of its most senior members has insulted tens of millions of voters by suggesting that the elderly are an unnecessary drain on the country's finances.  Taro Aso, the finance minister, said on Monday that the elderly should be allowed to 'hurry up and die' to relieve pressure on the state to pay for their medical care."  The article quotes Mr. Aso as saying, "I see people aged 67 or 68 at class reunions who dodder around and are constantly going to the doctor.  Why should I have to pay for people who just eat and drink and make no effort?  I walk every day and do other things, but I'm paying more in taxes." 

I guess that last quote struck home with me - I will soon be 66.  Are Mr. Aso's comments typical of the way the younger generation views its aging parents and grandparents?  Are his comments typical of the way that governments will soon view seniors?  Sadly, I am afraid, those comments are more typical than we want to give thought to.  If we have no pangs of conscience in taking the lives of over 54 million unborn children, why should society have any pangs of conscience in seeking the "hurry up and die" mentality toward its seniors?  We truly are living in a moral vacuum. 

My friends, aren't you glad that we have the rock solid hope in the coming of the Lord Jesus.  He is our everything. 

Have you ever had a desire to go to Israel, to walk in the footsteps of our Savior, to visit the city where He will reign as King someday?  Let me share an opportunity with you.  I will be leading a tour to Israel this coming October.  The dates are October 17-31.  We will fly from Philadelphia to Tel Aviv for 12 wonderful days in Israel and Jordan.  We will travel up the Mediterranean Coast - visiting Caesarea, Haifa, and Acco.  Then spending time in the Galilee - remembering those places where Jesus spent His time.  Then it is down to Jerusalem - one of the most fascinating cities in the world.  We will conclude our trip with a journey across the Jordan River and down to Petra.  Cost for this tour is $4899 - includes airfare, all hotels, entrance fees, a wonderful Israeli breakfast buffet in the morning and a delicious dinner buffet in the evening, bus, guide, all taxes, tips, and others incidentals.  If you would like to receive more information, just let me know - maxprincipal@aol.com.  Will be excited to have you join us for this trip of a lifetime.