Butterflies and Rainbows: Israel Will Stand

I woke early; at the break of morning light. I woke in anticipation; excited; and curious as to what exactly would happen. I wanted to make sure I missed nothing of the history-making event that was about to take place.

Sounds corny, I’m sure. But I actually felt anticipation in the air. The Prime Minister of Israel was about to address our nation. That is a history making event any way one looks at it. For some reason, with this administration it created all kinds of controversy. It wouldn’t have at any other time in history, but we have a President who doesn’t think like other Presidents.

This President, since coming into office has shown obvious disdain (to be polite) for Bibi Netanyahu – Israel’s Prime Minister. This President does not seem to understand our long-time friendship with Israel and need to support one another. I will even say, this President’s allegiance seems to be elsewhere. Our President refused to meet with the leader of this great nation and has dissed him on other occasions.

Even if not for the Biblical reasons, it is imperative our nation stands with the only democracy in the Middle East. I simply do not understand any other thought.

So along with my excitement, I worried just a bit. Maybe “wondered” would be the better term. I wondered if the Prime Minister would get the security and protection that he needed. I mean, this administration has not been the most careful administration we have ever had in that regard - even for our own leaders’ security. I was moved at the end of the speech, when Netanyahu left the podium. His security guards surrounded him and escorted him out. I am passionate about things like that. The strength of their demeanor, the serious looks on their faces; the determination of their goal brought me to tears. And I knew they were the Prime Minister's own detail; I could just tell. Certainly, he had the protection of America’s Secret Service, too, but I was struck by the dedication of these who serve in that way.

There were many similar moments like this for me as I watched the speech. I enjoy observing and taking in all. So much so, that I wanted to write about it. I know; I promised I wouldn’t write any more about politics on this blog. I created another blog for that to avoid feeling the need to write it here. But this really isn’t about politics; this is about history; and for me, this is about Biblical prophecy. This is my heart; this is who I am…and I like to write. No one has to read.

In my opinion, Benjamin Netanyahu is one of the strongest leaders of our time. Not even “one of”, but probably the strongest. He has been compared to Churchill in regard to this speech and I found that interesting. I had thought that myself, even before the television news commentators began making that comparison.

Netanyahu was here in defense of his nation. That is what great leaders do. He has seen the weakness in our President and Obama’s tendency to believe we can negotiate with our nation’s enemies. The Prime Minister did an excellent job presenting his case. I won’t go into all of that, but the speech is on video below, which we would all be wise to view - we just lived history!! Suffice it to say, he pointed out that while our nation’s belief is “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”, Iran’s belief is: “death, tyranny and the pursuit of jihad”. It was a powerful and accurate comparison.

We are hungry for great leaders in our nation. We desire to see strength in action. It has been missing in our own government far too long. In an unusual sort of way, Bibi filled that need of ours for just this moment in time. Despite what liberal media would have us believe he was widely received and openly appreciated. 58 Democrats didn’t show; our President and Secretary of State did not show. This fact is despicable and shameful. It was disrespectful not only to this leader, but to the entire nation of Israel, our ally and friend. Those that did show, did so with utmost respect to honor the ally we have in Israel.

Ok, well there were reports of at least one Senator acting up and being disrespectful. It was reported that Nancy Pelosi stood and turned her back to the Prime Minister every time he received a standing ovation. I saw her do it. But in all honesty, I couldn’t tell if she was purposefully being disrespectful and rude, or simply turning to talk to the person behind her. I’m not going to waste my time to validate the story. I think we all have a pretty good understanding of Pelosi’s views.

I have followed the Prime Minister for years. I followed him when he was in office, out of office and then back in office. I know he is a leader. I believe he is God’s leader for Israel “for such a time as this”. He is always the same. Respectful, strong, passionate, classy and deliberate. He is what a leader should be. He is of the same integrity and principled character our leaders used to be. Our nation is starving for that. I think even to the degree that many of us do not realize or understand. This will get worse, however. In my opinion, it is going to get bad enough that this desire for a great leader will lead to the acceptance of one who “will save us" from the chaos. There may be a reprieve or two, before then. I don’t know. But ultimately, the world will eventually accept one that will bring the final chaos to the world.

Anyway, I am getting off on stuff I didn’t intend to get off on with this post. I simply wanted to write about the passion revealed in this address to the Congress of our nation and the feelings I felt as I watched. Netanyahu said that he appreciated the opportunity to address the “most important legislative body in the world.” He thanked Obama, he thanked the Congress, and he thanked the citizens. He reminded us of our decades old friendship that has always been above politics and should always remain that way. That was an important point and it stirred my appreciation for all. Well, almost all.

Netanyahu was here to remind of us so much.

After his speech, I even enjoyed hearing the thoughts of certain commentators. Charles Krauthammer, is one I always especially enjoy listening to. He is a Jew, himself, who has always stood passionately for Israel. He is a liberal who saw the light and became conservative after seeing liberal politics just didn’t work. He is a smart man. I loved it when I heard him say one of the highlights of the speech for him was that the Prime Minister invoked a standing ovation for Queen Esther 2500 years after the fact. Krauthammer was interjecting some humor into the dialogue, but his point was, it took the Prime Minister of Israel to bring the Bible back to Washington. And the Prime Minister did it twice. Not only with the story of Esther on the eve of the Jewish holiday, Purim, but the Prime Minister also reminded us of Moses, whose portrait is in a prominent place in the chamber where they were gathered. “Moses, who led the Jews from slavery to the Promised Land”, Netanyahu stated, and “who has steeled our resolve for thousands of years.” And then he spoke in his native tongue which for my own little idiosyncrasies stirs passion in me every time I hear that beautiful language. “Be strong and resolute, neither fear nor dread them.”

A good reminder for us all.

Toward the end of his speech the Prime Minister introduced Elie Wiesel one of the last Holocaust survivors alive today. Elie stood from the balcony and waved. Fragile with age, but strong with understanding and endurance, he remained standing through a lengthy ovation. I wept. This, in my opinion, led to some of the most poignant comments of PM Netanyahu’s entire speech.

“But I guarantee you this, the days when the Jewish people remained passive in the face of genocidal enemies, those days are over. We are no longer scattered among the nations, powerless to defend ourselves. We restored our sovereignty in our ancient home. And the soldiers who defend our home have boundless courage. For the first time in 100 generations, we, the Jewish people can defend ourselves.”

I got chills as this great leader said that. There was a passion and determination in his voice that only hardship brings. This is a leader.

And then he finished his speech with a prophetic line that I don’t think even the Prime Minister fully understood.

“This is why - this is why. As a prime minister of Israel, I can promise you one more thing: Even if Israel has to stand alone, Israel will stand.”

I thought of the Scripture verse that tells us every nation will turn against Israel. Zechariah 12:3 and Zechariah 14:2. I thought of all they will endure until the Messiah returns again.

I see movements (both secular and faith-based) within our own nation that will allow for this very thing to happen – the isolation of Israel. And I remembered the verse “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” Psalms 122:6. By praying that prayer, we are ushering in the return of our King. I recited under my breath Isaiah 62:1: “For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.”

I believe I have a pretty accurate understanding of what all of this is about. I don’t understand it fully probably, I don’t have to. But I will continue to say with the Jew: “Never again”. Not on my watch. As long as there is something I can do; I will do it.

I have often wondered to myself, why so many in our nation, are so opposed to fighting this age-old enemy who seeks to destroy Israel as the Little Satan and America as the Big Satan. I have often wondered, how can we just stand by and do nothing. I am not in the majority on this, I know that. Most people do not want to risk the lives of anymore American soldiers. I get that. I don’t want to either, but I do believe as long as there are those willing to go, we must send them. Listening to these young men that go, I believe it is actually a calling. Do we really want to be the generation that another generation looks back on and says “Why didn’t someone do something?” Exactly as my generation looked back and pondered how the Holocaust could ever happen, it is nothing different today. But it isn't only the Jew, today; it is also the Christian who is being violently attacked. With our nation’s strength, and wealth and power and understanding how can we NOT do something? That is for a whole other post, I guess.

One more thing I believe, the Prime Minister was right to warn America about the mistake in allowing Iran to get nuclear weapons. For in warning America, the world has taken note. The controversy brought more attention than ever before. That’s God’s way, more often than not. I smile at that. And the Prime Minister’s speech has brought more dialogue and awareness in 24 hours than we have had in our nation for the last six years. I smile at that, too.

"You are wonderful. Thank you, America." he humbly stated, and I could hear the sincerity and emotion of his words. I firmly believe he was glad to have done what he knew he had to do. I think he was surprised the acceptance from the Congressional body went as well as it did. He had to have wondered beforehand how he would be accepted. But he was strong and resolute. He showed nor fear, neither did he dread them. He simply did what he felt was necessary. That is what great leaders do.

One thing is certain; Israel will stand.