Mar 16, 2015
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Election Watch
I’ve told this story before, but when Ehud Barak was challenging Benjamin Netanyahu in 1999 — three years into Bibi’s first go as prime minister — I was….really worried.I was discussing this fear with a friend who had served as chief of staff for several Israeli prime ministers. We were at lunch in Washington.“Jim,” Eli began, “the issue is not who will be prime minister, but the issue is…the Messiah is coming.”In that moment, I learned something profound.As humans, we put too much emphasis on human problems, and circumstances that are beyond our control. We worry. A lot.However, an increasing theme for me is that we should focus solely on the provision of God, for in that we see a glimpse of the power and majesty of the living God.Israel is in the midst of a high-stakes election campaign, and voters this week will decide which party will lead the nation during a very dark time. First and foremost of course is the security situation regarding Iran. Depending on your worldview — whether you think your enemies can be reasoned with, or whether you think they must be defeated — you will vote either for a Livni-Herzog government, or a Netanyahu-led Likud government.Don’t misunderstand me. From a human standpoint, Israel is besieged and in peril. Bizarrely, the existential threat from Iran is just one of many serious issues facing the Jewish state, not the least of which is (from my perspective, this is more fascinating) a growing pressure from the international community.Lots and lots of my pro Israel friends are wringing their hands, worrying about the unthinkable, the prospect that Netanyahu will be replaced by a left-leaning appeasement artist.That might happen, because the truth is, we just don’t know how the election will go. I read this week a thoroughly confident assessment by a writer in Ha’aretz that it’s ludicrous to think Netanyahu will lose. He made a compelling case that the prime minister will be re-elected.Then we have reports out of the (conservative-friendly?) Jerusalem Post that Netanyahu is in real danger of losing.We just don’t know what’s going to happen. At first glance, Israelis on both the right and the left unify over one thing: preservation. Security is paramount, and why wouldn’t it be? Israel is unique in the world as a small nation surrounded by hostile countries; added to this the alarming uptick in anti-Semitism around the world, and you have a recipe for Something Wicked This Way Comes.However, and here I am really only addressing “Israel Watch” readers who are believers, if we are people Of the Book, then we must not worry.What do our scriptures tell us?Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (Romans 13:1)
He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. (Daniel 2:21)
“God is in control” is not a greeting card sentiment, or a single page in a Max Lucado devotional.It is reality.Look, I’m a big Netanyahu fan. Likewise, I view Tzipi Livni as a dangerous pacifist who would cave-in to Iran, etc. Much like the current American president.Yet, if the Bible is true, we have nothing to fear. Nothing to worry about. God has promised to preserve Israel.Do you know what troubles me? Not that Iran threatens Israel. What troubles me is that too many in our faith community do not really believe God. An honest reading of Scripture alerts us to the fact that Israel and the Jewish people are the linchpin of God’s ending of human history. Further, He not only promises to preserve them (ex: Amos 9:15), but He promises to fight for them (Zechariah 14:3).Does the Almighty really need our help, with our worry, analysis, and doomsday predictions?Remember, too, recent history. In 1967, Israel was led by a man who didn’t inspire much confidence: Levi Eshkol. Yet the Israelis achieved an astonishing, epic victory in less than a week, paving the way for the fulfillment of prophecy, as the Jews settled the biblical heartland.In 1973, facing an apocalyptic defeat at the hands of Egypt and the Syrians, and led by a prime minister (Golda Meir) who would be turned out of office for her tepid handling of the lead-up to war, Israel pulled victory from the gaping jaws of defeat…and lived.The 1948 War of Independence is like something out of a Hollywood movie: rag-tag, fledgling army, made up of many Holocaust survivors, holds off five invading Arab armies. And uses a handful of tanks and planes to do it.I could go on.I certainly hope Benjamin Netanyahu wins this week. I really do. He is the best man to lead Israel. But he is only a man and his nation’s future does not rest on his shoulders.The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has them. He has this. And, as I love to say, by extension we can see through His loving preservation of the Jewish people that He also holds us close, the branches grafted-in.Whether it be circumstances on a grand stage, or whether it be a problem in your life…the God of the Bible, the Creator of the universe, is in total control.Take the time this week to thank Him for that.
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