Of Earthquakes, Famines, and Negotiations

There is a very interesting text in the little post-exilic prophecy of Haggai that says, "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.  I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come (a reference to the coming of Jesus), and I will fill this house (speaking of the temple in Jerusalem) with glory,' says the LORD Almighty." (Haggai 2:6-7). 

Have you been noticing how the earth is suddenly shaking at an almost alarming rate?  For the past couple of years, the frequency and intensity of earthquakes around the globe has been rather subdued.  But, recently they have increased in both frequency and magnitude.  Last Saturday, a 5.1 magnitude quake rattled the cities in Southern California.  It caused people to wonder if the "big one" was soon to come; even one seismologist said that there was a 5% chance that the "big one" would come in a matter of weeks.  The earth has been rumbling in Oklahoma for the past couple of months - nothing severe, but just enough to catch people's attention.  There have been some quakes reported in Yellowstone National Park, perhaps associated with the volcano that lies under the park.  Then last night, off the coast of Chile, an 8.2 magnitude quake was felt, prompting a tsunami warning all along the western coast of South America.  Is God shaking the earth as the ancient prophet proclaimed?  We remember that Jesus shared with His disciples that in the last days "there will be famines and earthquakes in various places" (Matthew 24:7). 

Speaking of famines, a report issued this past week by one of the United Nations Commissions, predicted that global warming will increase the likelihood of continued famines around the globe causing a stress upon food production worldwide.  (Now, let me state that I am not a supporter of the theories of global warming - and that is just what they are - theories).  But one cannot deny that there has been some strange weather patterns lately.  I live in the Twin Cities and the forecast for tomorrow and Friday - April 3 and 4 - is for a major snow storm with up to a foot of snow predicted.  Let' see: we have had mudslides in Washington State, drought in California, deadly heat in Australia, crippling floods in the UK, record snows in Chicago and points east, and one of the coldest winters on record in the Upper Midwest.  Could it be that the changing weather phenomena is part of God's plan and has nothing to do with flatulence from cows or exhaust from cars? 

I have been known to grumble about weather - just ask my wonderful wife and she will confirm that truth.  Perhaps, instead of grumbling, I should be rejoicing because it is another sign that God is giving to us to encourage us to look up because the coming of Jesus is near. 

On another front, I have been following the on-again, off-again peace negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians.  Our President is desperate to have a peaceful settlement of this decades-long conflict come under his watch.  Just this morning I read that Palestinian Chairman Abbas has requested that 15 commissions within the United Nations recognize the legitimacy of the State of Palestine.  Friends, as part of the agreement reached last July that led to these negotiations, Abbas agreed that he would not seek to go to the United Nations with such a request.  What is his reason for doing so now?  It is because the Israeli government did not follow through with the final release of some 400 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.  And why did the Israelis refuse to release those prisoners?  Because of the recurring and intensifying strife going on in the West Bank between Jewish settlers and Palestinians.  Do the Palestinians actually want peace?  If a settlement is reached, within the space of months would the West Bank become another Gaza?  These are the legitimate questions Israeli leaders are facing.  Furthermore - I have to admit I show my bias here - I have often wondered why Israel is forced to make all the concessions with regard to peace.  Unless there is an unconditional surrender following a war, it takes two parties to create a peace.  The burden of responsibility falls equally upon both parties.  Yet, as long as I can remember - and I have been following this conflict for the past two decades - the burden has always been upon Israel to yield to the wishes of the Palestinians.  Prisoner release: how many and when.  Settlement stoppage: just tell us when.  Surrender of land: hey, we will give you 90% of what you are asking.  And what has Israel asked in return?  A guarantee of a peaceful border and the recognition by the Arab world of their existence as a Jewish state, yet both requests have been continually rejected by both the Palestinians and the Arab world as a whole

Because of the breakdown in negotiations, I read this morning that Secretary of State Kerry has told the Israelis that there is a new bargaining chip - the release of Jonathan Pollard, who was convicted in 1985 of being a spy for Israel.  Mr. Pollard has been serving a life sentence in an American prison.  His health is rather fragile and Israel has been seeking his release for the past several years.  Suddenly the American government says it can release Mr. Pollard if Israel will agree to releasing those 400 prisoners and having a partial building freeze within East Jerusalem and the West Bank.  Friends, it will be interesting to see how this new wrinkle plays out because Mr. Pollard has said that he had no desire to be part of a prisoner trade that would permit many Palestinians terrorists back onto the streets. 

Friends, there is so much going on in the world right now.  Ukraine - is Putin playing a game of "chicken" with the West and seeing who will blink first?  Egypt - are the recent death sentences placed upon over 500 members of Morsi' party the death knell for the Muslim Brotherhood?  China - is its declaration of an increase in military spending an indication that China wants to reclaim the role of defender of the Pacific Rim?  If so, how will that impact Taiwan?  North Korea - do they really want a war with their southern neighbor?  And, of course, the burning question of the upcoming weekend is: which animal will win the Final Four - a badger, a huskie, a gator, or a wildcat?  Oh if life were as simple as that final question!