“O G-d, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O G-d, be not still. See how your enemies are astir, how your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish. ‘Come,’ they say, ‘let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more.’ With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against You––”  (Psalm 83:1-5)

While the plots against Israel seem to come from a variety of sources, Satan himself is at the root of every evil, lying scheme. Each contrivance of the enemy has the same goal in mind––the destruction of Israel whether in the early days of Israel or today. The enemies of Israel continue to covet the land that G-d gave to Israel by covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to defy G-d Himself. A story from the Book of 1st Kings illustrates today's situation in the Middle East.

The International Mental Illness

Esau’s Everlasting Hatred

“As it is written, ‘Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.’ What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with G-d? Certainly not! For He says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.’” (Romans 9:13 from Malachi 1:2, 3 & Romans 9:14 from Exodus 33:19)

Jacob and Esau

Jacob’s destiny was chosen by G-d before Rebecca gave birth to the twins (Gen. 25:23). G-d told her that two nations were in her womb, and that the stronger, older one would serve the younger. Later we learn, Jacob’s descendants became the nation of Israel and Esau’s descendants became the nation of Edom.

The writings of the Hebrew sages indicate that Esau was an evil man. He violated a woman betrothed to another, rebelled against G-d in taking wives among the cursed Canaanites (Genesis 36:1), and allowed a bitter root to take hold in his life (Genesis 27:41). This demonstrated that he was sexually immoral and godless, not qualified to be the head of the family. The New Testament confirms the rabbis’ assessment of Esau’s character:

“…lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.” (Hebrews 12:26)

Today, many of those in opposition to Israel are from among the descendants of Esau and Ishmael, one of whose daughters Esau wed (Genesis 28:9). The entire book of Obadiah is devoted to G-d’s condemnation of Edom (Esau’s descendants) and all who would commit violence against Israel and divide the land G-d gave to her:

FROM OUR CHRISTIAN BROTHER IN AUSTRALIA

Brother Leo lives in a beachfront community in Australia where they have a 'floating' population so that his witnessing tracts are always 'fresh'. He has numerous opportunities to speak to the many young backpackers from around the world as they wait for their next coaches to take them along their way. Brother Leo reflects on the fact that attitudes are changing among those he encounters. While some are still receptive to the Light of G-d's Word many are no longer interested and turn down the tracts offered them. He witnesses locally every morning to those to whom the L-rd guides him and the then brings them before the L-rd afterward in prayer. 

As a result of his regular, determined witness, the L-rd has opened many doors to Brother Leo. His ministry always bears fruit in the hearts of those that receive him. He says his greatest joy is that he will be able to see all those to whom he has witnessed rejoicing in the L-rd forever and ever [in Eternity].