Welcome back, travelers!  Hey, if you didn’t catch yesterday’s post, go back and catch up!  Current events through the lens of Scripture are absolutely fascinating!

 

So, what do you think of this week’s Who’s Who?  Not the group with whom you wish to befriend, is it!  Now that we know the alignment of nations who will come against Israel during the Northern Invasion, let’s talk about why.  What is the motive for the invasion of Israel?

 

The most obvious motive is the pure hatred those nations have toward Israel.  In this week’s introduction, we heard some of the venom that drips from the lips of world leaders who hate Israel.  Before we dive more deeply into today’s study, let’s review some of those quotes and a few others.

 

“The Arab people will not be embarrassed to declare: We shall not be satisfied except by the final obliteration of Israel from the map of the Middle East.”   – Egyptian Foreign Minister Muhammad Salah al-Din  (Al-Missri, April 12, 1954)

 

“We aim at the destruction of the State of Israel.  The immediate aim: perfection of Arab military might.  The national aim: the eradication of Israel.”   – Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser (March 8, 1965)

 

“The existence of Israel is an error which must be rectified.  This is our opportunity to wipe out the ignominy, which has been with us since 1948.  Our goal is clear – to wipe Israel off the map.”   – Iraqi president Abdur Rahman Aref (May 31, 1967)

 

“We are announcing a war against the sons of apes and pigs [the Jews] which will not end until the flag of Islam is raised in Jerusalem.”  – Hamas leaflet (September 1, 1993)

 

“Israel is doomed to be ‘wiped from the map’ in ‘a war of destiny.’”   – Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (April 28, 2006) 

 

“Israel is a regime based on evil that cannot continue and one day will vanish.”  – Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (May 11, 2006) 

 

It is clear that the hatred of Israel by Arab nations is not a new phenomenon.  Later in our study we will discover just how vile those threats are.  But for now, let’s get back to our question, “What will be the motive for the Northern Invasion of Israel?”

 

We’ll return to our previous passage to determine the true motive.  Re-read Ezekiel 38:10-13.  According to the last phrase of verse 12, what is Israel’s position in the world?

 

Not only did God place Israel at the center of the world, but this passage also implies that God provides tremendous resources.  What is the spoil?  What is there to plunder?  Ezekiel mentions cattle and goods.  Exactly what goods will those nations be after?

 

Today, tourism is big business in the Middle East, and tourists that are seized and plundered don’t return!  Thus, tourism is not the industry these nations are after.  There must be other goods they want.

 

In a previous teaching, we got a clue.  But let’s look at Scripture, then at today’s news, to consider what resources may be coveted during the raid of terror from the north.

 

Read Genesis 49:22-25.  As a reminder, Joseph is a descendent of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, so we know we’re talking about the Israelites.  Though God bestows four blessings in verse 25, one seems to be especially pertinent, given current news.  Can you identify the four blessings in that verse?

 

Now, discover the blessing Moses placed upon Joseph in Deuteronomy 33:13.  With what three things was Joseph’s land blessed?

 

Now, drop down to Deuteronomy 33:24 to check out the blessing handed down to Asher during the re-uniting of Israel and Judah.  According to that verse, what are the two blessings?

 

Based on these passages, and previous teaching, what natural resource might Israel have that the Russian/Iranian-led coalition want?

 

Let’s review some headlines.

1.5 Billion Barrels of Oil Discovered Near Rosh Ha’Ayin (YnetNews.com, August 17, 2010)

A Geopolitical Game Changer (Haaretz.com, June 11, 2010)

 

Indeed, an argument could be made that the invaders may attempt to plunder oil from suddenly oil-rich Israel!  Keep an eye of this development because it is now coming into its own!

 

Let’s close our day today by examining God’s reaction to this invasion.  Return to Ezekiel 38 and read verses 17-20.  Did you notice God’s reaction?  That sounds serious, doesn’t it?  God means business, and it is never in anyone’s best interest to “touch the apple of His eye!”  In the end, though, His purpose will be fulfilled.  What does verse 23 say?

 

We’ve covered some ground today and I’m so proud of you for following along!  See you tomorrow!