God will defend Israel against the relentless attacks from their enemies. The military of the modern state of Israel is capable of defending itself. Many feel as though they can provide their own protection. Their defenses are strong and their enemies are weak in comparison. But when those enemies combine their forces and attack in unison the story will be different. Those surrounding nations are beginning to realize they must unite in order to defeat Israel. Iran is working with other nations and militias. Turkey is urging the same. Even Saudi Arabia is working to unite Sunni Arabs.
In the future, at the appointed time, things will change for Israel when its enemies unite. The defeat of the mighty defenses of Israel will appear certain and swift.
Where will the Jewish people turn when that happens?
But, you may ask, is that possible? Will the Lord allow Israel to suffer defeat at the hands of her enemies? Some will argue, “Doesn’t the Bible say they can’t lose?”
“I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David my servant.” NIV
Jerusalem is the city that the Bible declares God will protect until the time comes in which the Lord will let her enemies defeat her. The defenses are firm now, but how long will it be before those defenses fail and the Lord lets the enemies come in like a flood?
After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. NIV
The ‘flood’ is the flow of enemy nations pouring into the Land of Israel.
This is one verse among many that should make the Israelites tremble. Their pride in their own abilities will betray them in the end. But, it’s clear the Lord will not allow them to suffer a total defeat. His unfailing word will assure that.
The Lord of hosts shall defend and protect them, and they shall devour and they shall tread on [their fallen enemies] as on sling-stones [that have missed their aim], and they shall drink [of victory] and be noisy and turbulent as from wine and become full like bowls [used to catch the sacrificial blood], like the corners of the [sacrificial] altar. AMP
Verses like this one in Zechariah Nine have led many people to believe that Israel cannot be defeated in battle in the final days before the return of the Lord. As the world will see, that will not prove to be true. God will protect them until the appointed time. At that time a force of combined enemies will flood into the tiny nation and overwhelm it. The valiant soldiers of Israel will once again need the help of the Almighty.
In that day will the Lord guard and defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and he who is [spiritually] feeble and stumbles among them in that day [of persecution] shall become [strong and noble] like David; and the house of David [shall maintain its supremacy] like God, like the Angel of the Lord Who is before them. AMP
When the appointed time arrives, the flood of enemies will sweep across the land of Israel. The enemy forces will rejoice at the sight of Jerusalem under siege. They will sense that their bitter enemy, Israel, is soon to be vanquished. But those enemies will realize they have chosen to fight against the Almighty God. The Angel of the Lord will rise up to snatch victory away and the Lord will claim that victory as His own.
May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. NIV
King David wrote this simple prayer for those who trust in the Lord. The king knew that God would protect those who trust, but he also knew very well that the Lord would judge those who live in rebellion. David knew both sides of that issue. He was a failed human like the rest of us. God will fiercely protect his own but will also discipline when the need arises.
Prepare to defend yourself; I will question you, and you shall answer me. NIV
I love this book and especially the several chapters at the end in which the Lord speaks plainly to those who listen to him. If we wish, we can choose to try to defend ourselves. We can try to defeat our own enemies. Or, in the case of Job in this verse, we can choose to defend our behavior to God. That’s a foolish effort. God knows the heart and intentions of all of us. Job, a wise man, knew he stepped over the line. He sat quietly and listened to the Lord’s rebuke. We should do the same when those rebukes are directed at us.
And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city. NIV
This verse was fulfilled when the Assyrians attacked Jerusalem when Ninevah was the ruling power. One last time, an Assyrian leader will bring his soldiers into Israel. The Jewish People will cry out for help and the Lord will deliver–again.
Yet their Redeemer is strong; the LORD Almighty is his name. He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land, but unrest to those who live in Babylon. NIV
Similar to the preceding verse, this verse saw a historical fulfillment but some prophecies repeat in kind until all things are fulfilled. A leader from Babylon, modern-day Iraq, will also bring his military into Israel. They will be part of a massive combined force of nations hoping to rid the world of the Jewish people. On the cusp of total victory, the Lord will put a stop to them.
God will defend Israel when they can no longer defend themselves. Then, they will know it’s not by their own strength that they gained the victory.
Many things I’ve just written are different from what many modern-day prophets foretell. I believe the Bible is clear that a united army will swarm into Israel in the last days. Expect it. The Bible predicts it.
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