Trump Rebuffs Netanyahu
Yesterday in the online publication of “Israel Today” a headline read; “Trump Rebuffs Netanyahu, Says Embassy Won’t Move This Year.” The article went on to say; “US President Donald Trump poured cold water on his friend and ally, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Wednesday by rejecting the notion that America’s embassy could move to Jerusalem by the end of 2018. A day earlier, Netanyahu had gleefully told reporters during his ongoing visit to India that the relocation of the US Embassy to Israel’s capital would happen “much faster than people think, within a year from today.” When reporters in Washington asked Trump about Netanyahu’s remark, the president didn’t sound impressed, stating: “By the end of the year? We’re talking about different scenarios — I mean obviously that would be on a temporary basis. We’re not really looking at that. That’s no.”
“like clouds and wind that bring no rain”
God’s Word says; “It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows.” (Proverbs 20:25)… “Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2)… “A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.” (Proverbs 25:14)
“Running off at the mouth?”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not the sort of man that makes public statements lightly or flippantly without giving due diligence in his thinking before speaking his mind before the media. In his dealings with President Trump ‘Bibi’ has had every reason to believe that President Trump will keep his word concerning the relocation of the US Embassy to Jerusalem. It is clear that President Trump promised or gave the distinct impression to Prime Minister Netanyahu that the US Embassy would be relocated by the end of this year. ‘Bibi’ is most certainly not one to ‘run off at the mouth.’ It would seem that President Trump has either somewhat ‘rashly’ spoken his mind without giving due thought to his pronouncement concerning relocating the US Embassy. Whether he is having second thoughts or fearing retaliation or seeking to appease all parties somehow it seems he is ‘back tracking’ on his promises. When you consider the past American presidents have they not sacrificed Israel on the altar of political expediency or for oil deals with the Saudi’s or nuclear deals with Iran?
“As good as his word?”
President Trump is undoubtedly an outspoken man but is Donald one who gives thought to his ways or is rather ‘rash’ to dedicate himself to some course of action but then afterwards having after thoughts about what he said? At times he comes across as almost boasting of his prowess in ‘wheeling and dealing’ as he did in the Business World but does he have the luxury to show this kind of ‘bravado’ concerning the situation in the middle-east which is already as unstable as Nitro-glycerine when shaken? Will he give into the pressure of those mammon-loving bureaucrats in the hallowed walls of Washington who love filthy lucre before liberality? In making promises where Israel is concerned is no light matter with the LORD but does Donald realise this? Has he forgotten or is he somehow ‘blissfully ignorant’ of the fact that “to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows” is the same as a person “who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.”
“His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse.”
Time will tell if President Trump will make good on his promises. Procrastination or idleness in this matter is “the devil’s workshop.” In all of this the LORD is trying to get Israel’s leaders and His people to realise that; “His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a warrior.” (Psalm 147:10) When will the leaders of Israel learn that “a horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.” (Psalm 33:17) As God has also said; “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord!” (Isaiah 31:1)
What will it take?
What will it take for the LORD to get His people to trust Him? Indeed through applied pressure the LORD is going to have to bring His people through the furnace of affliction to that point where they will one day loudly proclaim; “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7) The Lord Jesus Himself said to His Jewish brethren who were not ready for His first coming; “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see Me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”(Matthew 23:37-39)
“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!”
When the Lord Jesus the Messiah comes back His people, with the full realisation of who He is, will gladly welcome Him back crying unashamedly; “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!” God loves His people Israel, He has “engraved them on the palm of his hand” and sworn an oath in covenant blood to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and to their descendants to give them the whole land of Israel to be for them “an everlasting possession.” God has “put His name in Jerusalem forever”; Israel is still “the apple of His eye!” and “He remembers His covenants to a thousand generations” and even beyond that! But it is going to take the Time of Jacob’s Trouble to bring about Israel’s return to Himself but we are also told that, “he (Israel) will be saved out of it!” (Jeremiah 30:1-7) “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! They shall prosper that love thee!”
