Israel's increasing isolation and our response

Yesterday, I attended a prayer meeting for Israel. The host of the meeting summarised very well latest developments in Israel, and the snub Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received from Obama during recent meetings in the White House. Relations between both nations are at their worst in 35 years (according to some high-level aides).

The diplomatic row centres on the Israeli government's insistence on building 1,600 homes in East Jerusalem. Israel believes it has the right to build on this land, which it possessed following a victorious 1967 war. The peace roadmap that the US seeks to broker with the Palestinians sees East Jerusalem as occupied territory, to be returned.

God's word is pretty clear on this ... we are not to divide up Jerusalem ... which God restored to His people in 1967, though they were not the aggressors. To the nations that divide up the land, God says in Joel 3:1-2, that He will "enter into judgement against them".

"In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,
I will gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations, and divided up my land." (Joel 3:1-2)

Says Joel Rosenberg of the latest diplomatic spat between Israel and the US:

The central problem is the White House and State Department are trying to force Israel to divide Jerusalem and divide Judea & Samaria, commonly known as the West Bank.

"Prophetically, I believe Israel will eventually be isolated from all countries in the world, especially as we approach the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 & 39. Eventually, the Lord will wean Israel off of every nation – including the U.S. – so that the Jewish people only have Him to turn to and depend upon. That said, however, the Scriptures are clear in Genesis 12:1-3 and elsewhere that those who bless Israel, He will bless, and those who curse Israel, He will curse.

We want our countries to be blessed by God, to experience repentance and revival and to be blessings to the rest of the world. Now, therefore, is the most critical time for true followers of Jesus Christ to show unconditional love and unwavering support to Israelis and to their Palestinian neighbors. We need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We need to show the love of Jesus to every Jew and Gentile in the Holy Land. And we need to strengthen the Church in the epicenter, encourage pastors and ministry leaders, and help them fulfill Isaiah 60."

My heartfelt prayer yesterday was for Singapore - that we would continue to bless Israel, even if it suffers continuing isolation from the nations of the world in the days ahead. Because the Scriptures are clear that those who bless Israel, He will bless, and those who curse Israel, He will curse. When it is time for us to vote, which way will we cast our vote? Will we fear man, or fear God?