Biblical Israel or West Bank?

Recently I heard a well informed pastor tell of the many biblical events that happened in Judea and Samaria – that part of Israel that the modern world has come to call the West Bank. Although I’ve studied these events many times and am very familiar with them, I don’t believe I had ever lined them up to have actually happened in Judea and Samaria – I knew it, I just hadn’t thought about it.

It was here, on the mountains, valleys and in the streams of Judea and Samaria that Israel grew and became a nation, united and then divided, but a nation the same. When Joshua brought the people into Israel it was first a Jericho then again at Shechem, between the mountains called Ebal and Gerizim, where the power of God flowed down on them.  They marched to Shiloh where they set up the Tabernacle they had carried through the wilderness and they established worship on that holy mountain. It was this same valley that God brought Abraham through and promised him the land as far as he could see; then two generations later, he brought Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, back into Israel through that same valley. These are the mountains of Samaria, in northern Israel, where life is established and thriving today by religious Jews who know and believe the promises of God.

The mountains and valleys of Judea are the settings for so much of biblical history. Bethlehem was the place where David was first anointed king of Israel; Hebron was the place where David was first crowned King of Israel and where he reigned for seven years before taking his kingship to Jerusalem. The prophets, Amos and Jeremiah were born and ministered in Judea. Battles were fought by Gideon and other leaders in the hills and valleys of Judea as well as Samaria. Israel grew and became a mighty nation in these same hills, valleys and mountains.

It was on the mountain top of Moriah where Abraham offered up Isaac, and where the Temple Mount now stands, in the Old City of Jerusalem, surrounded by modern Jerusalem. Steeped in history, powered by God, maintained and kept by the Jewish people, all in Judea.

Jesus was born in Bethlem of Judea – that’s right, Judea. Think about it. He lived and grew up in Nazareth, a village north of Samaria and no doubt, as he made his many journeys to Jerusalem he must have traveled through Samaria to Judea, the location of Jerusalem.

If the so-called Palestinians were to win in the court of world opinion and be able to rip Judea and Samaria – the West Bank – from the hands of Israel due to world pressure, there is a strong possibility this would all be lost. As surely as they’ve attempted to rip all vestige of Jewish life from the Temple Mount, the Temple Steps, and anywhere else Jews have walked, they would try to erase this history as well. It wouldn’t be just Jewish history they would be erasing, it would be Christian history as well. We can’t have one without the other, for it is our savior – Jesus, the Christ – the Jew – who lived, worked and walked the mountains, hills and valleys of Judea and Samaria, His country, His homeland, along with his Jewish brothers and sisters.

Stop and think about it. Not understanding the situation is no excuse – we must understand and we must stand – the West Bank is the ‘west bank of the Jordan River’ and it IS Biblical Judea and Samaria. Can we afford to lose that?

http://www.randywhiteministries.org/2012/05/03/west-bank-or-biblical-israel/

For Crying Out Loud!

Okay – let’s face facts. The current President of the United States is a divided man – he’s half black AND half white. Why on earth is he always referred to as the first “black president?” Why can’t he be referred to as the ‘first president who decidedly, determinately, and completely set out to destroy America?’ Wouldn’t that be more fitting than these constant racial slurs and innuendos the media is making toward anyone who disagrees with him. For me, and all whom I know, it isn’t about race – we don’t like his white half either – it is about the fact that he is a socialist determined to bring down America, the land we love.

I just read an article about the media starting it’s hacking job on Mitt Romney because of his Momonism. Romney is not my choice of candidates, but if he is the nominee, I’ll support him and vote for him over 0bama. Now make no mistake about it, I am a born-again, spirit-filled, committed Christian and I do not embrace Mormonism; but! I don’t embrace Socialism either. Therefore, being of sound mind and able to reason, I believe Mormonism – at least for the moment – is far better than Socialism and I will do everything I can to facilitate Romney winning this campaign.

There are concerns though – many concerns  – and they are directed at ‘the Church.’ So many Christians will shake their head and back away from this election because they ‘cannot support or vote for a Mormon.’ In making the decision not to vote, they are casting a vote for 0bama, the Socialist who may very well destroy America and take away our freedom to worship as we choose. Is that really what we want? If it is, then stay home in November and watch the remaining pillars of this country tumble down. Or, if you have the courage and wisdom to take the road lesser traveled, then get out there and work for Romney, as much as it may scrape against your skin. Let’s save America if we can.

A Man’s Castle?

Ah, the American Dream. The Israeli Dream, for that matter. To own, live in, pay for and enjoy your own home. To have a place that is yours, where you are king, your wife is queen and your children feel safe and secure from the evils of the world. Most likely that is the legitimate goal of almost all human beings, and in some countries – democracies for instance – it can be realized with hard work, consistency and commitment.

That’s the way it was until recent years in both America and Israel. In America, in the last ten plus years, many people have lost their homes due to the mortgage crisis. It’s understandable – if you can’t pay for it, then you usually have to give it up. Whether it is fair or not, is up to the courts to decide.

However, in Israel, there seems to be a different criteria. If you’ve bought and paid for your home, and have even moved into and established residence, it is only your home until some politician decides otherwise. Oddly enough, this seems to be happening to more Jews than to Palestinians and one has to wonder why that is. Case in point:

Recently, a group of Jews who truly believe that Judea and Samaria belong to the JEWISH nation of Israel, went together and purchased a piece of property – a small apartment building – near the Cave of Macpelah, where the Matriarchs and Patriarchs of Israel are buried, in Hebron – where King David was anointed as king of Judea. Just as Abraham purchased the burial plot of Machpelah in Hebron from an Arab for 400 pieces of silver they, too,  purchased it legally, paid for it and got the deed to it. All was fair, square and legal.

Then the families began moving in. Jewish families, of course. Why not Jewish families? This IS Israel, isn’t it. They moved in and began setting up housekeeping. All was Kosher – except for one thing. Enter Minister of Defense Ehud Barak – remember he is the same smiling former Prime Minister Ehud Barak that shook hands with Yassir Arafat and began negotiations with the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization). Barak didn’t like the fact that the Jewish families moved into their new home without his specific permission, so he ordered them evicted by the IDF. Barak had the authority to do this because Hebron isn’t governed by civil law, but comes under the military auspices and, alas, he is the head of the military in his role as Defense Minister.

The new owners had moved into the home in haste because they feared that the home would be vandalized or possibly inhabited by Arab squatters, which happens frequently, and then they’d never get possession of the home they had paid for. The same day they moved into the home, they filed the necessary papers with the Ministry of Defense. A minor technicality in most cases, unless you are Jewish, living in Hebron and Ehud Barak is in charge.

To quote my Israeli friend and writer, Arlene Kushner, “Yet this is not the way Barak and the Civil Administration (which works under the IDF) saw matters.  The house was declared a closed military zone and an eviction order was issued — the residents were originally supposed to leave by 3 PM yesterday [April 3, 2012].

“And here is where law and politics become conflated.  Ostensibly, the eviction papers were issued because the Civil Administration had not had an opportunity to examine the purchase documents to determine their legitimacy, and thus could not yet issue a permit for the owners to move into the house. But this is the statement in the eviction notice:

“…in Hevron a fragile status quo is maintained between the Israeli and Palestinian population. Upholding this status quo prevents confrontations that may lead to loss of life.””

At this writing, the Hebron House issue is still up in the air. The evicted residents are living in front of the house, on the street in tents, waiting on a decision from king Barak and his cronies. It doesn’t appear that the issue is about examining the deed to make sure that all is in order. It does appear that this is about political correctness and Barak’s desire to do whatever it takes to have peace with the Palestinians, no matter how uncomfortable it makes Jews.

Obviously, Barak – who is a well educated man – has no understanding of the Bible. If he did, then surely he’d understand that this land, these houses, this territory, this Israel belongs to one people and they are Jews. For those who don’t like it, perhaps it isn’t politically correct but maybe they should consider moving to the real Palestine whose current name is Jordan and leave the land of Israel to the Jews. Perhaps Barak ought to lead them in that move.

Is This the Match?

In the last week to ten days the media has been replete with reports of the death of seventeen year old Trayvon Martin, Sanford, Florida. According to the media, this young black boy was innocently walking through a neighborhood when he was mercilessly hunted down and shot by one George Zimmerman, an alleged self-appointed vigilante. We’ve watched as various black leaders have rushed to Florida to whip the crowd of incensed residents, and non-residents, into fury over the ‘unfair’ death of this boy. Rewards for the ‘turning over’ of the shooter to the New Black Panthers have been posted and, once again, we see black fists raised into the air with cries of racial injustice.

No one knows for sure what really happened on that dark night in Florida. There was a boy, a man, a gun and one witness. But little credence or report has been given to the witness by the media. Instead, cries of injustice ring out throughout the land as the media hype up attention and increase their sales by alleging racial prejudice and implying that this was a ‘hate’ crime.

Perhaps it is a hate crime, but not necessarily the hatred of the alleged shooter against a black boy. Maybe it is a crime of hate being forced upon the American populace by those of all races who would hype this tragedy into something that it isn’t. While there is no doubt that there are grieving parents and friends of the boy, and that the alleged shooter is fearing for his life by those issuing rash statements, there is another victim here. That victim is the American populace who, once again are being.pushed into judgment and forced into racial crisis by those who would, and do, profit or grow their organizations by increasing hatred and bigotry.

Over the past several decades some of America’s prophets have predicted that New York and/or America would burn. While those predications have seemed somewhat bizarre and caustic, I can’t help but wonder if this is the match that will start the fire.

Voter Who Art Thou

As I write this, the Department of Justice is bringing a law suit against the State of Texas for voter discrimination. The Crime – requiring identification in order to be able to vote!

Last year, the State of Oklahoma presented the voter identification issue to the voter’s of the state and it passed – overwhelmingly. You see, those of us who live in this part of the country – the Heartland, if you will – believe voting is a privilege, not a right. And, as a privilege it should be treated with the highest degree of respect, dignity and understanding that there are some things you should have to do in order to qualify for the privilege. First, you have to be a citizen of the United States, or at least one who is here legally. Secondly, you have to have registered with your local precinct, which is made very easy by registration locations in almost every government building, the libraries, political offices as well as numerous other places including tag agencies – you know, where you buy the license plate for your car or where you have to appear once a year to have it renewed.

The point being, it is easy to register to vote. You appear. You present identification – just as you would have to do if you were boarding a plane, buying something on time, writing a check or using a credit card and so on. Identification is not something foreign to this country. In fact, it is something we need to present proudly as it certifies, verifies and states that we are citizens who’ve done our diligence.

Now I understand there are some states that don’t require voter identification. In fact, they don’t even require that you be alive to vote. If you walk in and say who you are, you are allowed to vote – in some cases, as many times as you wish. But, in my personal opinion, those states are corrupt in being lax in voter responsibility and in being conscientious when it comes to voter rights and requirements.

There is nothing prejudicial or biased in asking for voter identification; in fact, it is the right thing to do. If you are here as a natural citizen or even a naturalized citizen, then you need to vote responsibly. I don’t care which party or which candidate you vote for – that’s your business. I do care that you are voting legally. It is your responsibility and it is my responsibility as your co-citizen to make sure that your vote is respected by assuring that those not qualified to vote don’t do so.

Does this make me a racist? Nope! It makes me a responsible and proud citizen of the United States of America and the beautiful State of Oklahoma. To my sister state, Texas, I pray that you’ll stand strong in this fight and not be defeated by those in Washington who hail from states where anyone – dead or alive – can vote. This is important. This is the true American way.

When No One Else Will

When I was a child my parents taught me specific things that were to carry over into adulthood and become building blocks for the foundation of my life’s standards. Things like honesty, integrity, loyalty to God and country, loyalty to family and friends, and to never be mean to those who have less or are smaller than you. If you can’t play nice, then don’t play. These were all good lessons that, if employed, would and did bring balance into my life. Unfortunately, it seems not everyone’s mother taught them these same guidelines, especially that of being loyal to one’s friends.

Case in point, the relationship between Israel, our only true friend in the Middle East as well as the only real democracy, and the United States.

Since the re-birth of Israel on November 29, 1947, by vote of the United Nations, the United States has stood with her; we’ve applauded her growth, her maturity, and her amazing ability to stand against all odds. When other nations attacked Israel, as seems to be their favorite past time, we’ve not interfered with Israel’s right to defend herself. In fact, we’ve even been known to supply weapons and emergency assistance, whenever necessary. In doing so, our own country has also grown and prospered.

The tide has changed now. Under the current administration it appears that any enemy of Israel has to be an accepted friend of ours. In the last year, many Middle Eastern administrations – dictatorships if you will – have been toppled; some rightfully so. While they might not have been the most socially acceptable governments, they, for the most part, were at least fearful enough of what might happen if they messed with Israel that they refrained from doing so. Now, we see these governments, wobbly as they are, under the tutelage of the Muslim Brotherhood with what limited freedoms that were once there being completely strangled out by this repressive regime of hatred.

Other governments of the Middle East are standing on the brink of annihilation as crowds of freedom seekers are being fanned into action by that same Muslim Brotherhood. We stand by and watch silently as their citizens are murdered in the streets by the armies of the ancestral dictators, shaking our heads and giving a ‘tut-tut’ warning of no strength. These nations know we’ll not bother to be involved or intervene; we’ll merely shake our heads and listen to the sounds of the tele-prompter as it whirrs out another speech.

A strong army “is the only guarantee of peace,” Benjamin Netanyhu, Israel’s Prime Minister told his cabinet in their weekly meeting, “and Israel’s only defense if peace unravels.” While Israel stands alone in the face of an ever-growing tsunami of hatred, she prepares for war knowing full well that she will have to strike before the wolves become completely nuclear capable. Time is of the essence. If we – the United States of America – turn our backs and refuse to stand with Israel, then how can we expect our once great nation to ever recover.

Fair vs Fear

I should be use to it by now, but I’m not. Never in my life would I have believed that the so-called leaders of this country would bow down to a Muslim ideology, but I’m seeing it in every venue. Washington is screaming separation of church and state at the same time they are  forcing Christian and Jewish organizations to employ such things as free birth control to their congregants, at the same time pushing Islamic teachings on every day citizens, no matter their faith. Of course, this is all being done out of a concern for “women’s health.”

Five years ago I would have thought you crazy had you told me that school children would be required to live, eat and dress as Muslims for a week, all in the name of sensitivity training, yet it has been happening. Isn’t it odd that this would be a requirement in public schools, but we’ve never insisted that our children live in a concentration camp for a week, do slave labor while being watched over by vicious dogs and half crazed guards, just waiting for a chance to kill. Maybe that’s too sensitive – I don’t know.

Way back then, the idea that I would be finding Halal (Muslim) certified food in my local grocery stores would have been preposterous when I can hardly find anything marked with the Jewish certifications, and Jews have been in this country for a very long time, in fact, they helped found it. Why is it that anti-Semitic (really, anti-Jewish) remarks, jokes and cartoons are considered to be hilariously funny and acceptable, no matter who is presenting them; but, let anyone present a remark, joke or cartoon about Muslims, and screams of “off with their head” echo through the streets of America.

Some of our mayors, school principals, and members of government on all levels, are pushing for more and more inter-action with Muslims, as ‘our friends.’ We must respect them because if we don’t they may kill us. Sharia Law is already here, slithering its black shadows underneath the benches of judges who rule in favor of one Muslim against the wishes of 70% of the voters in the State of Oklahoma. Or what about the Muslim prayer meeting that is held on the streets of NYC once a year, blocking all traffic, while the worshipers face Mecca. Would a Christian or Jewish group be allowed to do that? I think not. Or what about the town of Dearborn, Michigan, where you probably shouldn’t go unless you are dressed in Muslim garb. Yeah, that’s fair.

If we truly are so concerned about women’s health issues to force organizations that are against birth control to provide free contraceptives, then why aren’t we concerned about the Muslim women that are beaten, raped, tortured, stoned and murdered by their fathers, brothers, or whomever? If women’s issues really are important, then lets be fair across the board and rescue those women instead of sending them back into murderous hands.

If we truly want to be fair, then lets call someone who runs into a crowd firing a weapon shouting Allah Akbar, a terrorist. Let’s not cover it up as work stress? Let’s not say “he was the exception.” Let’s call it for what it is. I’m all for being fair but forget the fear. It is fear that is causing this country to surrender without a shot being fired. How very sick is that. May God – the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – just to be clear – help this country!