A Holy War

“I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness,” declares the Lord. “I will keep a watchful eye over Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations. the Lord Almighty is their God” Zechariah 12:2 – 5 (NIV)

In light of current global unrest that is one of the most significant texts for the hour. If you didn’t read it, go back and read it before going further.

What Israel is doing in Gaza is horrible.

The Islamic Resistance Movement, known as Hamas, first released their Covenant August 18, 1988. It is a comprehensive manifesto consisting of 36 separate articles which actively promotes the annihilation of Israel by means of Jihad, a holy war.

The preamble of the Covenant is unequivocal in its declaration of the destruction saying, “Israel exists and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it.”

Article eight of the Covenant serves as a slogan for Hamas, “Jihad is its path.” Further resolve is contained in the Covenant: “There is no solution for the Palestinian problem except by Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are but a waste of time, an exercise in futility.” (Article 13)

Yes, again I say what Israel is doing in Gaza is horrible. But, in light of the Covenant what is Israel to do, wait until Hamas complies with the intent of its covenant and does to Israel what Israel is having to do in Gaza in order to preempt being annihilated?

The above text has several aspects. Nations will aggressively come against Israel posing an ominous threat. God will supernaturally intervene. He will stupify the nations that come against Israel. What He can do is substantiate earlier in the text by identifying Him as the creator of all things. If He could create the universe surely He is sufficient to act?

Whether this text applies to this war or not might be debatable. However, conditions are ripe for the fulfillment. Read the entire 12th chapter of Zechariah to see the followup.

What are we to do? Hamas has declared this is Jihad, a holy war. We are to do what the Lord God, Jehovah has commanded and “to pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6).