Psalm 83
A Song. A Psalm of Asaph.
Psalm 83 was probably written some time after the end of King Solomon’s reign (about 900 BC) but the Bible contains no account of such a coordinated effort by all of Israel’s neighbors to destroy them, either during that time or since. A partial fulfillment may be in view in 2 Chronicles 20 when Moab, Ammon, and parts of Edom invaded Judah during King Jehosophat’s reign (872-848 BC) Interestingly, Jahaziel, a Levite who prophesied Judah’s victory in that battle was a descendant of Asaph, who wrote Psalm 83. Applying one of his favorite tactics, the Lord set Israel’s enemies against each other and they defeated themselves. Ezekiel 38:21 tells of a future use of this same tactic.**
1 Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God! 2 For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; And those who hate You have lifted up their head. 3 They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, And consulted together against Your sheltered ones. 4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.”
Sounds like today's headlines from one of Israel's newspapers. As of this writing, Egypt and Jordan are the only neighboring countries that have a treaty with Israel, albeit, a cool relationship. However, recent developments have Egypt in an uproar and protests have begun in Jordan.
Thousands protest in Jordan
Egyptian Cabinet officially resigns after days of protests
Now the news pundits I have been listening to, and I have listened to a lot of them from various networks, are saying that all the protesters really want is freedom and democracy. That may have been true when these protest started out. President Mubarak was known to be a dictator and the living conditions of the everyday people, wasn't the best. Like all people everywhere, they want a better life.
The problem is, now the Muslim Brotherhood have stepped into the picture. Now why should it matter if the Muslim Brotherhood take over?
If Brotherhood takes over, IDF will face formidable enemy
Muslim Brotherhood Wants War With Israel
An Overview of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood's Stance on U.S. and Jihad
Now look at a map of Israel, and the surrounding countries. If Jordan and Egypt are led by the Muslim Brotherhood, Israel will have no "friends" left among the surround countries.
Without Egypt, Israel will be left with no friends in Mideast
5 For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You: 6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; 7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot.
The countries lined up against Israel in this Psalm inhabited the lands of Israel’s current neighbors. Edom and the Ishmaelites were in land occupied by southern Jordan today while the territories of Moab and Ammon make up the rest of that country. Ahman, the modern spelling of Ammon, is the capital of Jordan.**
The Hagrites were part of Aram, whose capitol was Damascus in modern Syria. Gebal (also called Byblos) and Tyre can still be found in present day Lebanon. The Amalekites lived in Israel’s southern desert and Philistia settled in Gaza on Israel’s southern border. Assyria would conquer Aram shortly after Psalm 83 was written and the descendants of Lot is another reference to Jordan. Remember, Moab and Ammon were the sons of an incestuous union between Lot and his two daughters (Genesis 19:30-38).**
So here we have all of Israel’s next door neighbors, all of them sworn to Israel’s destruction, and all of them being whipped into a frenzy by Syria and Iran.**
9 Deal with them as with Midian, As with Sisera, As with Jabin at the Brook Kishon, 10 Who perished at En Dor, Who became as refuse on the earth. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb, Yes, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, 12 Who said, “Let us take for ourselves The pastures of God for a possession.” 13 O my God, make them like the whirling dust, Like the chaff before the wind! 14 As the fire burns the woods, And as the flame sets the mountains on fire, 15 So pursue them with Your tempest, And frighten them with Your storm. 16 Fill their faces with shame, That they may seek Your name, O LORD. 17 Let them be confounded and dismayed forever; Yes, let them be put to shame and perish, 18 That they may know that You, whose name alone is the LORD, Are the Most High over all the earth.
Midian was defeated by a vastly outnumbered force under the command of Gideon. It was another case of the Lord turning Israel’s enemies against each other and causing them to defeat themselves. (Judges 7)**
Jabin was a king of the Canaanites and Sisera was the commander of his army. The Lord lured the Canaanite army into a trap and the Israelites destroyed them.(Judges 4) The commander of Israel’s army was named Barak, just like Israel’s current Defense Minister. Probably a coincidence.**
Oreb, Zeeb Zebah, and Zalmunna were all leaders of the Midianite army defeated by Gideon.**
Watching today's news is exciting if you look at Biblical prophecy. Reading sections such as Psalm 83, Isaiah 17 (the burden of Damascus), Isaiah 19 (the burden of Egypt), the little book of Obadiah (concerning Edom aka Jordan), and Ezekiel 38-39 (prophesy against Gog aka Russia and Persia aka Iran). Of course there are many other sections of prophesy, but these are the ones I have been concentrating on recently.
Now I asked in the title, why should it matter. Knowing that we are living in the generation (Matthew 24:34) that saw the first sign in 1948, the reestablishment of Israel as a nation. (Matthew 24:32 - Israel is symbolized as the fig tree.) If you read the God-Magog war in Ezekiel, you will notice that some countries are not mentioned. I believe that is because they were destroyed during the battle mentioned in Psalm 83 and Isaiah 17. I also believe that the 7 year peace treaty mentioned in Daniel 9:27 will happen after the Gog-Magog war.
Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate.
And I believe that the Psalm 83 war, along with Isaiah 17 will happen before the Gog-Magog war. I also believe that this war is immenent. Of course, once the covenant is confirmed, the 70th week of Daniel will start, meaning what we call the 7-year tribulation will commence. And I also believe that before the tribulation begins, Jesus will come back and remove His Church in what we call the rapture.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Are you excited yet?
So, do I believe that what is happening right now in Egypt and Jordan is a precursor to these wars and the rapture. I like to believe so, however, an Almighty God is in control. I believe He is putting the pieces together so He can redeem the world. So my answer will have to be, only God knows.
Are you ready to stand before Jesus? Do you know him as your personal Saviour? If you don't, you're running out of time.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
In order to accept Jesus, just admit to Him that you're a sinner and you need a saviour. Ask him to forgive your sins. It's that simple. When you do, your sins will be covered by the blood of Jesus' sacrifice and you will be able to stand in front of a Holy God.
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10
For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Thessalonians 5:9
Jesus is waiting and soon he will be returning for his Bride first, then to execute judgement on an evil, unbelieving world. Which side will you be on?
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20
God willing, until next time
Maranatha
** http://gracethrufaith.com/ikvot-hamashiach/psalm-83-preview-of-a-coming-attraction/
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