Dividing the Land:  What God's Word Says

On the January 5 edition of Christian Broadcasting Network's (CBN) The 700 Club, host Pat Robertson suggested that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's recent stroke was the result of Sharon's policy, which Robertson believes is "dividing God's land." Several of our website readers have asked me to comment on this.

Pat Robertson has a large bullƒ_Ts eye upon him, and he is being targeted, not only by earthly political forces but by spiritual entities as well. Unfortunately, there may be times when Pat is so focused on his Christian audience, that he doesnƒ_Tt consider that the world is always watching and listening to him. I truly donƒ_Tt think he intended to come across so unsympathetically to a man fighting for his life. As one of my closest friends has often said, you can say anything, as long as it is in the right key. In the wrong key, you can't really say anything.

Thereƒ_Ts no underestimating how spiritual warfare affects our prayers, and our communication. Even the prophet Daniel explained how his prayers had been delayed because of spiritual warfare in the angelic realm (Daniel 10:13).

Pat has since apologized in writing to Sharonƒ_Ts family, acknowledging that his remarks were ƒ_oinappropriate and insensitive in light of a national grief experienced because of your fatherƒ_Ts illness. I pray for the future security of your country and, when I speak, it is always as a friend. I ask your forgiveness and the forgiveness of the people of Israel."

While I am not defending all that he said, I know that Pat Robertsonƒ_Ts words were broadcast very much out of context. In addition to expressing his tremendous love and respect for Ariel Sharon, he stated his opinion, which is, that it is wrong for Israel to give up land. Whether you agree with him or not, it is a subject worthy of discussion.

As for me, I too have a great and deep respect for Ariel Sharon. I think he has been someone who has really put the interests of the Jewish people and the Israeli people in particular above anything in his life. He has flaws, and feet of clay, as any man does.

On the giving up of the Gaza land, I understand from a human, political perspective what and why he consented to it. He didnƒ_Tt really want to, but feels as many Israelis do, that if they do not establish their borders now, they are in danger of losing their entire country to the growing population of the Palestinians. They fear that in a democracy they could eventually be voted out of existence. It is a pragmatic approach. But not necessarily an approach based on faith and Godƒ_Ts Word.

So, now let me share my views based upon the Bible. I believe the land is holy, that it was given by God to the Jews, and that even though He gave it to them, Heƒ_Ts still the ƒ_olandlord,ƒ__ and the land is not really theirs to negotiate with. "The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenantsƒ__ (Leviticus 25:23, NIV, emphasis mine).

Prophetically, we read in Joel 3:1-2: ƒ_oIn those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.ƒ__ (Note here, that divided is past tense. God knew that the day would come His land would be divided.)

So, we are living in a time when God is gathering His people from the Gentile nations around the world and bringing them into the fulfillment of Ezekiel 37:11-13: ƒ_oThen He said to me: ƒ_~Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ƒ_~Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.ƒ_T Therefore prophesy and say to them: ƒ_~This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from themƒ_Tƒ__ (NIV).

To say that Ariel Sharon had a stroke directly because he gave away Godƒ_Ts land sounds harsh and mean-spirited, or at the least disrespectful of a man who dedicated his life to the nation of Israel. As one commentator stated, Ariel Sharon is a man in his late 70s working under extreme pressure and stress. It would not be surprising that anyone might suffer a stroke under such circumstances.

On the other hand, to say that there is no correlation between these circumstances, or that there are no consequences for going against Godƒ_Ts Word, is not honest! The entire book of the prophet Jeremiah declared that Israel went into captivity for 70 years because of their idolatry:

ƒ_oDo not follow other gods to serve and worship them; do not provoke me to anger with what your hands have made. Then I will not harm you. I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, the sound of millstones and the light of the lamp. This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy yearsƒ__ Jeremiah 25:6 ,10-11(NIV).

What I know for sure is, that God wants to bless His people. When we circumvent the wisdom of His Word with our own ideas and plans, things just donƒ_Tt work out. Mankind has been learning that lesson since the beginning of time.

I hope we will all continue to pray for Ariel Sharon and the people of Israel. Pray for God to bless them, pray that we can be a blessing to them.

I hope this helps. Let us continue to Watch and Pray!
Blessings,
Pastor Ray Bentley