Be Strong and of Good Courage

by Joseph Hunting

November 14^th, 1974 was one of the great milestones of history, not only for Israel, but for all mankind. That was the date the U.N. officially welcomed Yassir Arafat as spokesman for the P.L.O. amidst applause from the packed galleries of the U.N. Predictably, Mr Tekoah's speech echoed futilely from a nearly deserted auditorium. (emptied in time for his speech)

This disastrous state of affairs is not to be wondered at. Jewish people, and in particular the nation of Israel, are surely becoming accustomed to being thrown to the lions by fickle governments.

However, in spite of duplicity in high places two great Divinely inspired promises will shape Israel's destiny through the troubled days which lie ahead. Firstly, no matter how much political intrigue and Arab oil blackmail will bring pressure to bear upon Israel, God is using current events to wean His people away from dependance upon U.N. for it is written Israel "shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations" (Numbers 23:9). The truth of this statement has been positively demonstrated by the desertion of Israel by almost all its friends ever since the Arabs implemented their powerful oil distribution policy.

The second promise guarantees Israel's survival inspite of P.L.O. designs to eliminate the Jewish State. Jeremiah prophesied: " FOR, LO, THE DAYS COME, SAITH THE LORD: THAT I WILL CAUSE THEM TO RETURN TO THE LAND THAT I GAVE TO THEIR FATHERS, AND THEY SHALL POSSESS IT." The fulfilment of this promise after nearly two thousand years of dispersion guarantees the nations survival come what may. Everything now points to Israel being forced into an intolerable position both economically on the home-front and with her Palestinian neighbours. The Bible predicts that Israel will one day confirm "a covenant" with a coming "prince" for seven years, (Daniel 9:26,27) which period embraces the time of "Jacob's Trouble" or "The Great Tribulation" . The days which lie ahead hold little promise of peace for Israel and her Arab neighbours. Nevertheless, the God of Israel, blessed be His holy Name, has promised: "FOR I AM WITH THEE, SAITH THE LORD, TO SAVE THEE: THOUGH I SHALL MAKE A FULL END OF ALL NATIONS WHITHER I HAVE SCATTERED THEE, YET WILL I NOT MAKE A FULL END OF THEE ..." (Jeremiah 30:11).

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