About two months ago, I had a disagreement with a friend. My friend asked me, “Why does the United States support the nation of Israel? After all, Israel uses guns, rockets, and bombs against the Palestinians, while the Palestinians only use rocks to fight for their land. How is it?” this right?!” he asked. When I asked him if it was fair to deliberately kill women and children by donning a bomb vest through a suicide bomber, he did not answer. I bring this story up because during the course of the discussion I told him to read Psalm 83 and asked, “If the United States doesn’t support Israel, who else would?” King David’s prayer for his nation in Psalm 83 transcends time in its description of how various enemies seek the annihilation of the nation of Israel. After reading Psalm 83, these same enemies who call for Israel’s destruction should be a little worried about her ultimate fate.
Do not be silent, oh God; don’t shut up and don’t shut up, oh God. For behold, your enemies are in an uproar, and those who hate you have raised their heads. Your hidden and precious. They have said: Come, and let us finish them off as a nation; Let there be no more remembrance of the name of Israel (Psalm 83:1-4).”
These scriptures could be drawn from today’s headlines. Iran’s ruler, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has spoken openly on numerous occasions about his desire to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth. Furthermore, Ahmadinejad has consulted with members of the Arab Nation to achieve the goal of destroying Israel. He has proclaimed: “There is no doubt that the new wave [of attacks] in Palestine will soon erase this shameful stain [Israel] from the face of the Islamic world.” Ahmadinejad also asked an interesting question during a speech he gave in Tehran: “Is it possible that we will witness a world without the United States and Zionism? You better know that this slogan and this goal are achievable, and surely achievable.”
Because they have consulted with one accord and with one accord, they make a covenant against you: The tents of Edom and of the Ishmaelites, of Moab and of the Agarenes, of Gebal and of Ammon and of Amalek, the Philistines, with the inhabitants of Tyre. Assyria has also joined them; have helped the sons of Lot [the Ammonites and the Moabites] and I have been an arm for them. Selah (Psalm 83:5-8).”
Who are these ancient peoples? Can we identify these groups today?
“We know that Assyria is the same as present-day Iraq. And that the Ishmaelites, descendants of Abraham and Hagar, were the progenitors of the Arabs. We know that the Edomites and Amalekites were descendants of Esau, and the Moabites and Ammonites of Lot, but tracking them today is nearly impossible. The Philistines inhabited the area now known as the Gaza Strip. The city of Tire was located in what is now Lebanon. Gebal is the same as ancient Gubla or Byblos, located in Phoenicia. Some sources list the Agarites as descendants of Hagar and thus a segment of the Ishmaelites, but the identification is not positive.” (The Believers’ Biblical Commentary) What are the possibilities? The psalmist mysteriously illustrates the current countries that currently surround Israel.
“Do with them as [You did to] the Midianites, like Sisera and Jabin at the Kishon brook, who perished at Endor, who became dung for the earth. Put his nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, and all his princes like Zeba and Zalmuna, who say: Let us take possession of the pastures of God. Oh my God, make them like swirling dust, like leaves or straw before the wind! As the fire consumes the forest, and as the flame ignites the mountains, so chase them and afflict them with your tempest and terrify them with your tornado or your hurricane. (Psalm 83:9-14)”
Here the chapter continues to recount the fate of the Midianite princes Oreb, Zeeb, Zeba, and Zalmuna at the hands of Gideon. When the Midianites sought to destroy the Israelites, the Lord used Gideon to completely destroy the power of the Midianites, so much so that his victory was long recorded in the Bible. From this blow, the tribe of the Midianites never recovered and disappear from history.
“Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek, inquire, and insistently demand your name, O Lord. May they be ashamed and dismayed forever; yes, may they be ashamed and perish, so that they may know that You, whose only name is the Lord You are the Most High over all the earth (Psalm 83: 15-18)”
As recently as September 7, 2006, the Jerusalem Newswire reported that foreign ministers representing the twenty-two Arab states, all of which remain united in their determination to purge Israel from the Middle East, met in Cairo on Wednesday. for a strategic session aimed at reviving the “peace process” that they believe will help facilitate their goal of wiping Israel off the map. The goals of the Arab foreign ministers will never be achieved. Israel will exist forever. History has shown time and time again the fate of the people and countries that tried to eliminate Israel. Sadly, these Arab nations will be shamed and countless people will die for their actions.
I know that some people may believe that Psalm 83 is irrelevant and has no bearing on the state of the world today. However, a discovery last week may give one a reason to change their mind. On July 25, 2006, an archaeologist discovered an ancient book of Psalms dating to AD 800-1000 in an Irish bog. What is so surprising is that when they found the book, it was open to Psalm 83. Pat Wallace, director of the National Museum of Ireland, said: “There are two sets of probabilities that make this discovery truly surprising. Firstly, It’s just that something so fragile is unlikely to survive buried in a swamp, and then for it to be dug up and seen before it’s destroyed is incalculably more amazing.” Is God trying to tell the world something? The Lord grants mercy and warnings before his final judgment. However, based on statements from Israel’s surrounding neighbors, they are not heeding the warning. If he believes that this Israeli-Palestinian conflict is about land, he is kidding himself; nations wish to seek the total annihilation of the Jews and Israel. It may seem unfair, but the Lord will protect Israel. Which side do you plan to be on? The United States is not mentioned in the Scriptures during the Last Days. The US and Britain are Israel’s only allies, what do you think will happen once Prime Minister Tony Blair resigns next year? The United States needs to support Israel while we can because the United States is obviously next on the target list.