How To Discern Illness Of Sharon

David Dreiling

Israel

Jan 7, 2006

Please let me begin this document by expressing that what I'm writing here is a "prophetic opinion," which I believe has merit, yet knowing that other prophetic people, both inside and outside of Israel will have differing opinions.

Let me begin by saying that it is G-d, who tears down one and raises up another. I believe the events of the past few days regarding Sharon's health prophetically reflect G-d's purposes, notwithstanding the arguments that the enemy is also involved in these things, of course.

MIDDLE EAST HISTORY OF TRIBAL THINKING

In order to understand these events, one needs to understand the basic governments of the Middle East. Historically, the Middle East has been divided up into tribes that have been at war with each other.

These tribes are very paternalistic, and fierce loyalty is an attribute that is greatly rewarded. Accordingly, it is very common, for example, at least historically-- when one dynasty or family is replaced by another-- that the new leader murders all of the close associates of the original leader and kills all of those others who might challenge his authority.

This was true when Saddam Hussein took power. Furthermore, we see in the Middle East, like nowhere else on earth, kings or warlords who control whole countries as families. Examples of this would be the Saudis, the Hashemites in Jordan, and the ruling house of Syria.

Said another way, the people of this Middle Eastern territory often desire a king, an autocratic ruler, whom they can look up to. The root of this, I believe, goes back to the ancient story of Abraham, Ishmael, and Hager.

Even before that is the story of the descendants of Cain, who were banished from Adam's presence, yet they also helped populate this region.

FATHERLESSNESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

These stories are stories of fatherlessness. That is, they are stories of our needs as people to have a father to look up to. Remember, in this region, people from ancient times have desired a king or leader to admire and sometimes even worship.

They have at times disregarded even the most blatant corruption and nepotism in authority figures, such as Yasser Arafat. That is why most of the leaders in this region, upon obtaining power, are "in power" for life.

GOD'S PEOPLE ALSO WANTED A KING

The Children of Israel were no different in ancient times when they asked for a king to rule over them so that they could also be like the other nations.

So Samuel gave them a king, even though the L-rd was disappointed in the request. The L-rd has always been jealous of his people and has always desired to be their King, rather than a man over them.

. . . And so it is today.

The reason I am sharing all of this is that although Israel is a democracy, the events of the past few months have served to establish Sharon as a virtual "king" in Israel.

LIKENED TO OUR RECENT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Let me illustrate. He was elected on a hawkish platform as a champion of fighting for the Land. However, in 18 months, he completely reversed his stand. Amazingly, he was able to persuade the majority of Israelis that his change of opinion was justified.

After unilaterally withdrawing from Gaza, he drew the anger of his own party, the Likud. Then, as if overnight, he formed a new party, Kadima.

Within weeks, this party had become the dominant voice in Israeli politics. This popularity reflects Sharon's immense standing with the Israeli public. Most Americans, and Christians in particular, simply don't understand the complex and emotional issues concerning the Gaza withdrawal and why after it, even with the nightly shelling of Israeli towns, they still supported Sharon.

MY PURPOSE FOR WRITING ALL OF THIS

But that issue is not my purpose here.

I've said all this to say that I believe that G-d is jealous over Israel, and His desire is to be their only King.

One day, the Son of David will rule from Jerusalem. But today, as Sharon has lifted himself up as a modern-day king, he has come under the scrutiny and the Hand of G-d. In recent weeks, it has increasingly appeared that Sharon could almost single-handedly decide who to choose as Knesset members.

Israeli politics seems a game of who has favor with Sharon and who does not. I believe G-d has, in fact, been offended by this political atmosphere.

We have ample testimony in the Bible of people who have exalted themselves in place of G-d, and it is usually at this point that G-d strikes them. Nebuchadnezzar is the obvious example.

However, I want to hasten to add that I am not being critical of Sharon's character. Although I did not know him, I feel that he was a man who tried to do his best to lead his country. Notwithstanding, when he forsook the loyalty to his party's platform and took to himself the leadership of the nation that is the apple of G-d's eye, he stood in contention against the L-rd, and the Angel of the L-rd has dealt with him--or at least it seems that way. Only God knows for sure.

THE POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE THAT OFFENDS GOD

Today, Israelis are saying on the streets, "If Sharon is gone, who will lead us?"

There is an enormous vacuum of leadership in Israel today.

However, this vacuum is G-d's doing because HE is still sitting enthroned in Heaven. This is a huge thing--equivalent to the vacuum that America felt when John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Let us pray and seize the day as Believers. May the heart of Israelis be turned again to the very Words of G-d. As they fear terror from without and disunity and confusion within the government, let the hearts and eyes of G-d's people look up, and let the L-rd be magnified and praised in Israel.

Finally, I say let us all fear, lest we become wise in our own understanding and exalt ourselves because we think we know the will of the L-rd and what is right for Him to do in other nations and with other peoples.

Let us fear lest we find ourselves poking our finger into the apple of G-d's eye and opposing the L-rd. Let every man who thinks he knows and understands consider that he does not know the mind of the L-rd. It is at least possible that Sharon became wise in his own understanding and too powerful in Israel for his own good.

Please forgive me if I address one other issue. When President Bush was elected in 2004, a British newspaper ran the following headline the next day, "How can 57 million Americans be so stupid?"

CAUTION--YOU'RE ENTERING DANGEROUS TERRITORY

CAUTION: To an Israeli, statements saying that Sharon was killed by their G-d for abandoning Gaza are just as demeaning as that headline above.

Furthermore, it makes the "Christian's" G-d appear vindictive. If we are not careful, we make it appear that we believe that the "Christian" G-d punishes Jewish leaders for not doing what Christians think the Jewish leader should have done. We don't have the standing to authoritatively claim that as truth. We simply don't know for sure.

Never mind the fact that the Jewish leader had the heart and support of the majority of Israelis, as evidenced by the instant ascendancy of Kadima in Israeli politics.

Just as the writer of the British headline assumed that Kerry was clearly the better candidate in the USA and ought to have been elected by the "stupid" Americans, so statements regarding Sharon's demise as a judgment for his Gaza policies seem very offensive to many rank and file Jews. . . and frankly, it should be avoided.

HOW CHRISTIANS SHOULD APPEAL TO THE HEART OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE

Christians should be trying to appeal to the heart of Jewish people concerning the goodness and mercy of God! Rather, they appear to be politicized as right-wing supporters of things that they may not fully understand.

I hasten to add that I am not arguing the case for the rightness or falseness of the Gaza issue claim. I am suggesting that if a person dies of lung cancer because he smoked three packs a day, one doesn't say at his funeral that he was a fool to smoke. Sharon was a great leader in Israel and should be honored for his service to G-d's people--not demeaned for a policy that it is believed unscriptural because some make assessments as to the content and timing of G-d's promise to Israel concerning the Land.

That Sharon devoted his life to service to his country is fact.

Please do not receive this last part as criticism of others. I respect their opinions and believe there is much truth in many points of view. Notwithstanding, I feel that the above issue is not likely to be addressed by many, and so I felt a need, especially in light of my own Jewish Heritage, to express my concern that some Christians, in their zeal, might needlessly damage their relationships with Jewish friends that they have worked hard to develop.

Blessings,

David Dreiling

Email: daviddreiling@comcast.net