A Prophetic Perspective on Choosing National Leaders – Peretz Uzzah

The citizens of America are in the throes of choosing national candidates for upcoming November elections. Newspapers and TV programs are tunneling in to anything deemed newsworthy – from passport details, comments on race, candidates’ pastors, voting records, etc. Does God have anything to say on these matters? Do the Scriptures offer any guidelines to believers – to humanity – on how to weigh these important issues? What is God’s heart for these elections, this country and all other countries?

A son of the people

Moses speaks on behalf of YHVH the God of Israel in Deuteronomy 17, instructing the Jewish people on how to choose a king.

His first point is that the ruler must be a native born Jewish person, and not a foreigner. “When you enter the land which YHVH your God gives you, and you possess it and live in it, and you say, ‘I will set a king over me like all the nations who are around me,’ you shall surely set a king over you whom YHVH your God chooses, one from among your countrymen you shall set as king over yourselves; you may not put a foreigner over yourselves who is not your countryman” (Deut.17:14-15).

This biblical perspective is reflected in the laws of the United States of America, in the fact that Arnold Schwarzenegger was permitted to become Governor of the Golden State of California, but he is not allowed to run for the office of President and Commander-in-Chief.

Keep your heart pure

The leader of God’s people needs to keep his heart and body pure. God decrees that he must not place his ultimate trust in military might (see also Psalm 20:7; Psalm 147:10-14), in his own wealth or in the wealth of his nation (see 1 Tim.6:17-19), or allow himself to have multiple sexual partners (see also 1 Tim.3:2; Matt.19:8).

“Moreover, he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor shall he cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, since YHVH has said to you, ‘You shall never again return that way.’ Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself” (Deut.17:16-17).

Recently New York Governor Eliot Spitzer stepped down as a result of the disclosure that he had frequented a prostitute and had violated his marriage vows. He was replaced by Lieutenant Governor David Paterson, who quickly proclaimed that he and his wife had both had affairs. These two disclosures cast a giant shadow, exposing the gap between biblical requirements and current political realities.

Rule your country based on God’s word

The king is commanded to begin his reign with the following action – he is to copy out by hand the entire Five Books of Moses in the presence of the Levitical priests (no cheating or photocopying allowed!). This handwritten personal copy needs to be beside his bed or in his office every day, and he is to immerse himself in God’s word on a daily basis all the days of his rule and his life.

“Now it shall come about when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear YHVH his God, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted up above his countrymen and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or the left; in order that he and his sons may continue long in his kingdom in the midst of Israel” (Deut.17:18-20).

Moses tells us the results of such personal spiritual discipline: the national leader will learn to respect and obey God from his heart; he will base his rule (legislatively, judicially and executively) on the principles of the Scriptures; he will not become prideful and expect that, as king, he can follow a different law; he can expect a solid and continuing rule for himself and for his spiritual and physical progeny.

* * * *

Whoever is chosen to lead the mighty nation of the USA, all believers need to pray that these values will fill that person’s life and characterize that person’s rule.

One of the conspicuous examples of an absence of these guidelines in the lives of some previous US Presidents has been the lack of knowing the Scriptures regarding Israel and acting on them. Even the present Commander-in-Chief does not seem to be aware of what the Bible teaches concerning God’s judgment on those dividing the land of Israel.

Indeed, it is sad to say that this President (who has been the clearest of all regarding his personal faith in Israel’s Messiah Yeshua) has also called for the establishment of a Palestinian state on the territory of the Promised Land. It is not enough to declare a belief in the Word of God; one must follow what that Word teaches. And one must “not turn aside from the commandment,” either to the right or to the left, all the days of one’s rule.

In 1 Chronicles 13 King David called together the entire leadership of Israel in order to come to a consensus regarding bringing the ark of God back to Jerusalem. A unanimous popular vote got the ark on its way, but not even David knew the Bible well enough to remember that God has specific guidelines and boundaries of behavior regarding how the ark was to be carried. It was to be only carried by Levites and on poles – not by ox-cart (Exod.25:12-14; 40:21; Num.4). Ignorance of the commandment led to Peretz Uzzah, the outbreak of God’s judgment against Uzzah, a well-meaning helper whose well-meaning attempts ran afoul of God’s order.

Pray for the next leader of the USA, that this person will line up with God’s heart and opinions in every area, and especially regarding the Jewish people and the land of Israel!

In Messiah’s bonds,

Avner Boskey

Donations can be sent to:

FINAL FRONTIER MINISTRIES

BOX 121971 NASHVILLE TN 37212-1971 USA

Donations can also be made on-line (by PayPal) through: www.davidstent.org

Terror Attack Wounds 15 year old son of Messianic believers in Ariel, Israel

At approximately 2:30 pm on Thursday March 20, during the biblical Feast of Purim (see the Book of Esther 9:26-32), 15 year old Ami Ortiz (the youngest of six children) opened what appeared to be a box of holiday chocolates. The box, gaily decorated and with the chocolates visible through the plastic wrapping, had been left in front of the Ortiz family door. At Purim it is a tradition to send packages of baked goods or candies to one’s neighbors; the practice is called “mishlo’ach manot” in Hebrew or “shalach mones” in Yiddish.

The package was seen by the Ortiz’ housekeeper, who brought it into the third flood apartment thinking that some friendly neighbor had left it there for the family. David and Leah Ortiz are Israeli believers in Yeshua who have had an active ministry to Arabs, Jews and Samaritans over the years. They pastor a small congregation of approximately 30 people. They have seen some good fruit in their various outreaches. The Ortiz family has a good relationship with the Mayor of Ariel Ron Nachman, and have helped foster good relations between the town and various Christian business investors.

Over the years anti-Messianic organizations have attempted to make life bitter for the Ortiz family. Demonstrations, threats, flyers and “ “wanted” posters plastered around their town with fear-producing warnings and personal information given, vandalism of cars and property – all of these tactics have been used – to no avail. The Ortiz family has continued from strength to strength.

David’s ministry among Arab believers has lead to death threats from the Hamas organization, as well as similar threats from some Orthodox Jews.

Ami had no idea that these threats were about to suddenly become murderous reality as he tore open the wrapping of the box of candies. The explosion ripped through the apartment, breaking windows in parked cars three floors below. Shrapnel wrecked the kitchen and living room, creating a box-sized hole on the kitchen table. Broken concrete was scattered around the room.

Ami was severely wounded, with shrapnel in his chest and his right eye, ten steel bolts in his lungs (the bomber added bolts and nails to increase the murderous efficiency of the bomb), broken arms, second and third degree burns over his upper body, and heavy bleeding from his neck. His mother was outside at the time of the explosion and rushed upstairs to find him lying on the floor, groaning in pain. She applied pressure to slow the bleeding from the neck, while neighbors called the ambulance service. Ami was rushed to Rabin Medical Center at Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikvah just north of Tel Aviv.

He has been operated on many times over the past few days, and the doctors tending to him have called his survival and condition ‘a miracle’. He has had a few toes amputated, but right now needs prayer for the full restoration of his internal organs and lungs; the proper functioning of his right eye; the healing of severe wound on his thighs; the healing of severe damage to tendons on his hands.

The police were originally considering this a terror attack from an Islamist group but, as the investigation proceeds, they are focusing on Orthodox anti-Messianic terrorism.

Caleb Meyers, a Messianic lawyer in Israel, says: “There is a campaign of harassment against the Messianic Jewish community by radical religious organizations that are trying to create dehumanization – especially in religious newspapers.”

This is the first time that an attack of this severity against believers has happened in modern Israel. Riots, firebombing of congregational buildings, physical attacks against individuals – all of these have happened in the past, though Israel’s media have often refused to report on these instances, or have downplayed any significance to these events. In Ami’s case, all the major newspapers and TV stations are reporting in greater detail on these events, with a much greater degree of sympathy.

One of our neighbors called us up this morning and expressed her sympathies, her appreciation for Messianic Jews, and her horror at the possibility that Jews could do such things to fellow Jews.

This bombing has resulted in an outpouring of love from Messianic believers from all over the country who have been rallying to stand with the Ortiz family.

Pray that the perpetrators will be found and arrested.
Pray that Ami and his whole family will be encouraged and strengthened in the Lord.
Pray for the Messianic community in the city of Ariel to be strengthened and emboldened at this very challenging time.
Pray that the testimony of Yeshua will appear clearly on a local, national and international level as a result of this attack.

In Messiah’s bonds,

Avner Boskey

FINAL FRONTIER MINISTRIES

BOX 121971 NASHVILLE TN 37212-1971 USA

www.davidstent.org

A Master Terrorist meets the Book of Obadiah

The simmering Middle Eastern pot is about to break into a full-fledged boil. Islamist forces of jihad have been beating, beating, beating on Israel until this sleeping Jewish giant fitfully awakes, swats at the buzzing bees (see Psalm 118:9-12), and sinks into a drugged slumber once again. Let's look at some of the recent events, and then at a word given 2,600 years ago by the prophet Obadiah.

“As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head” (Obad. 1:15)

On February 12 at approximately 10:15 pm one of the world's top terrorists, Imad Mughniyeh, was blown up in his Mitsubishi Pajero on gray Damascus streets. He was getting into his SUV in the fashionable Kafr Soussa neighborhood, not far from an Iranian school, a Syrian police station and an office for Syrian intelligence. An unconfirmed report by Iranian sources said Hajj Hussein Khalil, politburo director and deputy to Hezbollah chief terrorist Hassan Nasrallah, was also killed in the explosion.

Mughniyeh was born in 1962 in the Lebanese village of Teir Dibbah not far from Tyre. He joined Yassir Arafat's Force 17 special forces as a teenager and fought against Lebanese Christian and Druze forces in the 1970's and 80's. After Israel expelled the PLO from Beirut to Tunisia, Mughniyeh helped found the Islamic Jihad Organization, a Shiite terror arm of Hezbollah (“the Party of Allah”) under the tutelage of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (Pasdaran) in the Syrian-controlled Bekaa Valley. He was responsible for the following terror acts:

Suicide attack on U.S. Embassy Beirut (April 18 1983) – 63 murdered (including 6 of the C.I.A.'s top Middle East agents).

Bombing of U.S. Marine Barracks, Beirut (October 23 1983) – 241 casualties. These two events caused U.S. forces to retreat from Lebanon.

Bombing of French Multinational Forces paratroop barracks, Beirut - (October 23 1983) – 58 casualties.

Kidnapping, torture and murder of Lt. Col. William F. Buckley, CIA station chief in Beirut – March 1984 through June 1985. This led to the Iran-Contra affair. Buckley's kidnapping was morphed into a scene in the recent film 'Syriana' starring George Clooney.

Kidnapping and six year imprisonment of Associated Press chief Mideast correspondent Terry Anderson. Beirut – March 1985.

Hijacking of TWA Flight 847; torture and murder of U.S. Navy Seabee diver Robert Stetham, Beirut – June 15 1985. Mughniyeh was indicted by the U.S. with a $25 million bounty on his head.

Kidnapping of more than 50 foreigners, including Terry Waite (special envoy of the Archbishop of Canterbury), British journalist John McCarthy, Father Lawrence Jenco, Rev. Benjamin Weir, American University President David Jacobsen, etc. – Beirut, 1984 and following.

Kidnapping, torture and murder of Colonel William R. Higgins USMC, Beirut – February 1988 through July 1990.

Bombing of Israeli Embassy, Buenos Aires, Argentina (March 17 1992) – 29 killed, 242 injured.

Bombing of AMIA (Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina - Argentine Israelite [i.e., Jewish] Mutual Association) building in Buenos Aires (July 18, 1994) – 87 killed, 250 injured.

Bombing of Khobar Towers, Saudi Arabia (residence for USAF and families) (June 25, 1996) – 20 killed, 372 injured. This event was morphed into a scene in the recent film 'The Kingdom' starring Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Garner.

Kidnapping of Colonel Elhanan Tannenbaum (IDF Reserves), kidnapping and murder of three Israeli soldiers Adi Avitan, Benny Avraham, Omar Sawaid.- October 2000.

Oversight of PLO/Hezbollah joint weapons ship Karine A, captured by Israeli Special Forces Shayetet 13 (IDF Seals) – January 3, 2002.

Kidnapping and murder of 2 Israeli reserve soldiers (Ehud Goldwasser, Eldad Regev) on jeep patrol (July 12, 2006). This event triggered the Second Lebanese War.

Throughout his life of terror Mughniyeh had deep connections with Iran and Syria, and his death in Damascus draws attention to this fact – though Syria continues to deny any state connection with terrorism. Ali Hassan Khalil, a Lebanese member of parliament with al-Amal (a Shi'ite group allied with Hezbollah) said, “He played an essential role in all resistance activities, especially the last war. ”

In 1985 French intelligence allowed Mughniyeh to evade arrest in exchange for the release of a French hostage (www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/13/AR2008021300494_2.html?hpid=topnews&sid=ST2008021303878). Ten years later, in 1995 the FBI attempted to arrest Mughniyeh in Saudi Arabia on a stop-over between Khartoum and Beirut, but Saudi authorities diverted the plane.

Unlike Osama Bin Laden, Mughniyeh never spoke to the press and was rarely photographed. "He was one of the most dangerous terrorists ever on earth” said Danny Yatom, former head of Israel's Mossad.

“The world is a better place without this man in it. He was a cold-blooded killer, a mass murderer and a terrorist responsible for countless innocent lives lost, ” said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack. "One way or another he was brought to justice."

Terry Anderson, a former AP correspondent and Mughniyeh's hostage for six years, unknowingly reflected the words of the Hebrew prophet Obadiah (1:15) when he said, “I can't say I'm either surprised or sad. To hear that his career has finally ended is a good thing, and it's appropriate that he goes up in a car bomb. ”

“All your allies will force you to the border; your friends will deceive and … set a trap for you, but you will not detect it.” (Obadiah 1:7)

In 2005 on the eve of Israel's unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, former PM Ariel Sharon promised harsh retaliation if even one Qassam rocket would be fired by Hamas against Israel. He promised that in such a case Israel would immediately invade Gaza and decisively stop the rocket fire.

Since that time over 6,000 Qassam rockets have landed in Israel. Sharon lies in a vegetative state in Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv. Former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya’alon recently stated: “The fact that we did not stick to our promise that if Qassam rockets were fired after the disengagement we would react with all our force, eroded our deterrence, adversely affected our status in the region and also encouraged Iran” (Ha’aretz, Ari Shavit, July 7 2006, interview with COS Ya’alon).

On Thursday February 28, 2008 ten longer range Grad rockets were fired by Hamas and landed within one of Israel’s larger cities, Ashkelon. Within a few days dozens more had struck the same city, causing shock and anger within Israel. Across the board Israelis were coming to the bitter conclusion that PM Sharon’s disengagement had led to missile terror on Israel’s southern border – and not the peace and world acceptance that he (and others, including a few Messianic leaders!) had mistakenly trumpeted at that time.

The retreat from Gaza has brought the enemy to the very gates of Israel’s cities. And still many of Israel’s leaders are pre-occupied, while her friends and allies press for more Israeli withdrawals and less IDF retaliation against terrorists.

On February 28, in response to the Grad attacks, the IDF initiated an inconclusive invasion of the northern Gaza Strip. Terror squads firing Qassams and Grads were targeted, and one truck carrying over 160 rockets was blown up by an IAF helicopter. Over 100 terrorists were killed with minimal civilian casualties. One Messianic Jewish soldier was wounded in skirmishes with terrorists, and two Israeli soldiers were killed in firefights with Hamas jihadis.

The invasion was abruptly called off in response to US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice’s impending visit, as well as State Department, UN and EU disapproval and pressure. Hamas continues to build up its stockpile of Iranian long range rockets (smuggled in with quiet Egyptian oversight through Egyptian tunnels in Sinai).

“For violence (Hebrew – Hamas) against your brother Jacob…” (Obadiah 1:10)

On a warm Jerusalem evening (Thursday March 7) Alaa Abu Dheim, a Jerusalem Arab from the Jebel Mukaber suburb, entered the Yeshivat Merkaz HaRav (rabbinical seminary) where he worked as a driver. This time he carried a sub-machine gun, a pistol and belts of ammunition. He shot and killed 8 yeshiva students at point-blank range, seven of them teenagers. He was able to wound 9 others before a religious Paratroop Operations Officer nearby burst into the study hall and gunned Abu Dheim down.

This yeshiva was chosen by jihadi forces because of its symbolism – the Rabbi who founded the movement in 1924 was Rabbi Avraham Kook. Kook believed that the people of Israel were being regathered according to Ezekiel’s prophecy of the dry bones (chapter 37). He championed a threefold spiritual cord – the people of Israel returning to their promised land of Israel in faithfulness to the God of Israel. Not a believer in Yeshua as Messiah of Israel, Rabbi Kook was considered a leading light of the modern Orthodox pro-Zionist youth.

Outside the traditional mourning tent in Jebel Mukaber, Abu Dheim’s Jerusalem family hung up the green Islamist flags of Hamas and the yellow flags of Hezbollah.

History lessons from a servant of YHVH

Obadiah’s name means “servant of YAH” in English. He prophesied about the Edomite invasion of Judah which began in 605 BC. Taking advantage of the Babylonian conquest, the descendants of Esau crossed over from what is today southern Jordan (south of the Dead Sea). They conquered Arad and moved up into the south Hebron Hills, murdering, raping and ransacking the Jewish inhabitants.

Obadiah warns the Edomites that they will be brought to justice by the God of Israel for their heart attitudes toward the Jewish people, for being accessories to a Babylonian crime, and for murderous anti-Israel actions. He points out that even a country which considered itself impregnable, which compared itself to an eagle in its strength and power, could be brought down if it raises its hand against the Jewish people (1:3-4). And to top it all off, in point of fact the Jewish nation was part of Edom's extended family, related to them through Abraham and Isaac (1:10).

Standing aloof while Jewish blood is spilled (1:11a), participating in murder of Israelis (1:11b) and gloating or boasting about these deeds (1:12 – consider the popular victory parades in Gaza when news of the yeshiva attack was broadcast) – the God of Israel says that all of these actions kick-start the promised curse of Genesis 12:3. “The one who curses you (Hebrew meqalelecha, literally ‘makes light of you’, ‘considers you lightweight or insignificant’, ‘mocks you’, ‘ignores you’) him I will curse”.

“For the Day of YHVH upon all the nations in near. As you have done, so it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your own head!” (1:15). Even today these same biblical principles are active, living and sharper than any two-edged sword, dividing the hearts and exposing the motives of men and women as they react and act in regards to Israel. And what is true for individuals, Obadiah teaches us, is also as true for nations.

Modern Geopolitics in the Prism of Prophecy

I am often asked, “Why is it that so much of the modern prophetic movement focuses on personal or church fulfillment and success, but seems to avoid or allegorize the prophecies regarding the Jewish people, their restoration and Satan’s attempts to destroy them?”

My response tends to be that the prophetic movement is still in its infancy, more concerned about personal peace and prosperity than in the apple of God’s eye. In time that maturity will come. In time the scriptures referring to Israel will be dealt with accurately, honestly and humbly. In time the prophets of the nations will receive a deeper revelation about God’s passion for Israel and about the urgency of the hour.

Obadiah draws some prophetic conclusions which have sharp and pungent relevance for our day:

The Jewish people who have been turned into refugees by the nations throughout history – they will return to their ancient homeland where the Holy Spirit will overwhelm and spiritually renew them (1:17).

The Jewish people will execute God’s burning judgment on the House of Esau, burning and devouring Edom until no survivors are left (1:18).

The regathered Jewish people will increase their borders, which will include the mountains of Esau (southern Jordan), Philistia (the Gaza Strip), the fields of Ephraim and Samaria (all of the West Bank), Gilead (northern Jordan in the area near Irbid), and the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath (southern Lebanon) (1:19-20).

The Jewish people will sit in legal judgment on their former enemies (1:21a; see Psalm 149:6-9).

The Davidic kingdom will be raised up once again (the real “Restoration of David’s Tabernacle”), and world government will be centered in Jerusalem (1:21b).

As we consider these fast-paced events in the Middle East, let us keep praying for the fulfillment of this biblical vision for Israel, for the Arab world, and for all our nations – the vision of Obadiah, YHVH’s faithful and obedient servant.

In Messiah’s bonds,

Avner Boskey

Donations can be sent to:

FINAL FRONTIER MINISTRIES

BOX 121971 NASHVILLE TN 37212-1971 USA

Donations can also be made on-line (by PayPal) through: www.davidstent.org