The times in which we live are certainly complicated, particularly when we consider the Middle East.  Chaos seems to abound as Hamas antagonizes Israel, ISIS overpowers parts of Syria and Iraq, and Syrian rebels (backed by al-Qaeda) take UN peacekeeping forces captive on the Golan Heights.

However, consider this: Egypt was once a conduit of ammunition supply to Hamas in the Gaza Strip, yet was the catalyst in the Hamas-Israeli truce, which was favorable to Israel.  Furthermore, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have conducted once-secret (though not so secret any more) talks with Israel.  Why?

To begin to understand the chaos and confusion in the Middle East, we must attempt to understand the underlying, opposing currents of ideology in the Middle East.  I am certainly no expert, but one thing is coming clear: the conflict between Sunni and Shia Muslims may be a critical as the conflict between Jews and Arabs.  You see, soon after Muhammad’s death, Muslims split over who should succeed him.  Those believing leadership should remain in the family line became known as Sunni Muslims, while those who believed the most qualified follower should ascend to leadership became known as Shia Muslims.  

That’s only a very brief, partial explanation of Sunnis and Shias, but suffice it to say that the issue is so contentious that the two groups have no hesitation whatsoever to enforce jihad upon one another.  They can’t stand one another, and consider the other infidels.  Thus, though we hear about Sunni-backed ISIS rampaging through Syria and Iraq killing Christians (which is true), the reality is that they are killing Shia Muslims by the droves in order to rid the area of Shiites, because they stand in the way of a Sunni-dominated world-wide caliphate!  They have killed far more Arab Muslims and destroyed more Shiite mosques than Israel could ever think of doing in the Gaza Strip!  (Yet, do you hear THAT on the news?)

And what about those secret talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia?  Aren’t those two enemies?  Yes, but Saudi Arabia is the mother of Sunni Islam, while Iran is the mother of Shia Islam.  They hate one another!  Should Iran develop nuclear capabilities, they are as likely to use it against Saudi Arabia as they are against Israel and/or the United States!  Thus, if Israel wants to take a shot at destroying Iranian nuclear facilities, Saudi Arabia is more than happy to let them fly through their airspace to do so!  Just don’t expect Saudi Arabia to admit that publicly!  And, don’t be surprised if/when it happens, if Saudi Arabia condemns Israel for doing so!

Finally, why would Egypt negotiate a truce favorable to Israel?  Well, remember the Arab Spring and the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak as Egyptian president in 2011?  Who succeeded Mubarak as president?  You’re right…Mohamed Morsi, a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood!  Egyptian’s took wise survey of that situation and realized that the same oppression levied by Hamas against the citizens of the Gaza Strip could be their fate as well.  Understand: Hamas is an off-shoot of the Muslim Brotherhood!  Egyptians saw how Hamas treated the citizens and they did not want to be taken hostage by the same tyranny that emanates from the Muslim Brotherhood.  Therefore, power was seized from the Mohamed Morsi.  Egypt clearly sees the threat of Hamas and, thus, were willing to broker a truce deal as favorable (if not more so) to Israel than to Hamas.

Why does it all matter anyway?  I’m glad you asked!  We continue to see Bible prophecy line up right before our very eyes!  Ezekiel 38 describes an invasion into Israel from the north, and the opponents of Israel are named in that chapter.  Interestingly enough, Egypt is not named as an opponent!  In fact, Isaiah 19 tells us that God will ultimately make Himself known to Egypt, and they will be a friend of Israel!

Ezekiel 38 does mention Saudi Arabia (“Sheba and Dedan” in v13).  However, read it in context and you will see that they do not join in the invasion.  Instead, they see through the rouse presented by Russia and recognize that Russia is not interested in the Arab-Jewish conflict, but only in going after the “spoils” of Israel….probably oil and gas.  

Egypt and Saudi Arabia may be far from “friends” of Israel at the moment, but they are certainly not acting as stout enemies.  Could the Lord simply be lining up events of our day as prophetic evidence that He will indeed come back soon?  Believers, it is time for us to awaken from sleep, for salvation (our redemption) is nearer to us than when we believed. (Romans 13:11)