Drought, Defiance, & Deliverance

The state of Israel is experiencing one of its worst droughts in history. A fire is presently engulfing the Mt. Carmel region of her land. Reforestation and lack of rain is a bad combination.

Here is some video. As a historical parallel that is hard to dismiss as inconsequential, Mt. Carmel was the location of the "Firefight" between Elijah and Ahab, really God vs. Baal. Human actors in a divine drama (see 1 Kings 18).

It is always necessary to be cautious when trying to connect the dots of the Almighty's actions to events on earth, yet the Bible is quite clear over and over again that God acts in real time in creation, not just providentially behind the scenes. If He appears to not be active, be careful in that conclusion. He is in the Fire.

Recently, Lina and I watched the film Defiance about Jews in a forest fighting back against Nazi occupiers . It is based on a true story. God, in the film, is not portrayed as taking up the cause of the Jews in the sense that He takes out the enemies Himself like He did over and over again in the Old Testament (Red Sea, yada, yada, yada). So, the Jews must pick up guns and fight back themselves. God could be at work in the bullets, but it can also be argued that He is absent.

The modern state of Israel has also taken this posture. Her people see their defense in their own hands and hope for deliverance from God, especially in light of the Holocaust, as misplaced and foolish. So, they try take out two top Iran nuclear scientist and go one for two. The Jews are depending on their wits and smarts to neutralize and eliminate their enemies. It is a Christless calculus that is doomed to fail.

Both secular Zionism and Islamic fundamentalism operate by the same creed of burn and blow up the other before he does it unto you. Yet, as Jesus says, "He who lives by the sword, will die by it." Islam will immolate itself in seeking to torch Jews. In the process though, expect the fires of hatred and destruction to rage out of control. Neither system has a way out of the fire death trap. Only God will be able to puts this fire of animosity out.

James 5:7

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.

Let us pray for the latter rains.


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