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Jul 18, 2011

Babylon Rising

The discovery of ancient Jewish manuscripts, and their transfer to the U.S., has opened a window into the future of Israel-Iraq relations. Remember, while everyone is watching Iran, the devastated nation of Iraq is still there. Saddam Hussein’s former playhouse still possesses oil reserves and will be a player in the region.

Iraq, of course, in ancient times was part of a vast empire and included Babylon. The present capitol city of Baghdad is nearby. In the days of the Hebrew prophets, Babylon played a prominent role during and after the conquest of Judea in 586 B.C. It was the Babylonians who first destroyed the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, and carried away thousands of prophecy told the Jews that they would return after 70 years, and that they did, although significant numbers stayed behind. Today, it is estimated that less than 10 Jews remain in Iraq!

In June, 1981, Israeli jets bombed Saddam’s nuclear reactor at Osirik. The present-day relations between the two nations has never been good. The question is, what is coming after the Americans leave Iraq?

A clue came in the story related to the discovery of the manuscripts:

“Among those voicing indignation about the transfer of the archive to America is Liwa Smaysim, the minister of archaeology, who belongs to a fiercely anti-American party in the government coalition.”

Anti-American. Anti-Israel.

I remember when Ariel Sharon was in power in Israel, and he expressed hope—while visiting George W. Bush—that Iraq and Israel could enter a new and hopeful chapter in the “new Middle East.”

I seriously can’t believe that the wily old Sharon really meant that, or even thought it possible anytime soon. He once told me that he thought peace could come with the Palestinians “in 500 years.”

If Iraq’s minister of archaeology expresses such anger at Jews and Americans over old books, what will he and his countrymen do over something really important on a regional or global scale?

The leadership in the Arab countries has always been corrupt and I can’t see how that will change anytime soon. It is one thing for young people—students—to protest for democratic freedoms. It is another thing for us to believe they have a chance to assume power.

Why?

The Muslim Brotherhood.

Reports last week that the Brotherhood is now flexing its considerable muscle in Jordan is alarming indeed. King Abdullah, hapless now as his friends like Mubarak in Egypt, has promised “reforms.” He is buying time like Bashar Assad in Syria is buying time, although the latter is buying his with bullets.

Although we shouldn’t be dogmatic about it, I can’t see how Egypt can emerge as a peaceful neighbor for Israel. And if Jordan crumbles into another Muslim Brotherhood stronghold, Israel will truly be surrounded by a menacing trifecta (remember Hezbollah in Lebanon). Iraq, like the Gulf states and Syria, will provide another block in the wall of extremism encircling Israel.

On the Temple Mount last month, I watched several groups of Muslim men holding what I can only describe as “Bible studies,” seated in white plastic chairs in a circle. I looked at the Al-Aksa Mosque, the scene of the assassination of Abdullah’s grandfather in 1952 (he had been friendly to the Israelis).

I thought about the days when Saddam would pay the families of Palestinian homicide bombers $25,000. I thought about the fact that Iraq participated in the wars against the Jews in modern times. I thought about the fact that the Palestinian people themselves identify so strongly with Iraq, and to some degree, vice versa.

My conclusion was and is that while Iran is certainly a threat, they are not the only one.

jim@prophecymatters



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Zechariah 12:3,9:
And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people; And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.


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