The Governors of Judah

 The Governors of Judah A news story hit the wire this past week, one that received little attention, perhaps due to the ongoing holiday season or perhaps to it not fitting the media's ideology: A senior officer in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was killed Monday in an alleged Israeli airstrike in the Syrian capital of Damascus. According to the semi-official Iranian Tasnim news agency, Brig. Gen. Razi Mousavi was killed ina strike in the Damascus suburb of Sayeda Zeinab. Iran's president Ebrahim Raisi vowed that Israel "will certainly pay for this crime." (Timesof Israel) This report is not cheerful news by any means, but the Israeli government determined General Mousavi to be a threat to the region and needed to be removed. While the Israel Defense Force (IDF) spokesman declined to comment on the strike, theJewish state had justification for it under international law: Mousavi was responsible for coordinating the military alliance between Iran and Syria, and was believed by Israel to be heavily involved in Tehran's efforts to supply weapons to terror proxies in the area, including Lebanon's Hezbollah terrorgroup. (.ibid) As the article states, the Iranian general acted as a top military adviser to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated foreign terrorist organization. At his death, he was Iran's most influential commander in Syria and spent muchof his career facilitating arms transfers to Hezbollah, the Lebanese terrorist group. Lately, Iran and its affiliated terrorist organizations have been targeting Israel and its allies, including U.S. forces across the region. Israel considered Mousavi a kingpinof the concerted anti-Western effort and acted on its intelligence of his whereabouts in Damascus. Jazz Shaw, writing for the conservative website Hotair.com, asserts that the world should thank Israel for its actions: The only reason that Seyed Razi Mousavi is no longer plaguing the civilized people of the world is that Bibi Netanyahu is doing the job that Joe Biden refuses to undertake. Iran has been attacking international targets including American militaryvessels with impunity recently. In their latest onslaught, Hezbollah militants attacked Erbil Air Base in Iraq using Iranian drones, injuring three American service members, one of them critically. While Shaw admits that the American president "finally" ordered a few counterstrikes on Hezbollah militants, killing an unconfirmed number of them, he contends that American weakness has forced Israel to act as the region's hegemon, doing thedirty work the U.S. military once did. He places his praise for decisive action squarely on the shoulders of Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Like several prime ministers before him, he intends to defend his beleaguered nation by whatever practicablemeans. An intriguing passage in Zechariah 12 prophesies of God's deliverance of Judah at the end time. It opening verses set the scene, one much like today's geopolitical situation: Thus says the LORD, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him: "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkennessto all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations ofthe earth are gathered against it." (Zechariah12:1-3) Daily news headlines echo God's description of the madness of the State of Israel's neighbors in the Middle East and the world's interest and participation in its downfall. Since its founding in 1948, Arab nations and Islamic terrorists havebeset it, vowing to exterminate it and its people ruthlessly and utterly. Those who have dared to try to resolve the age-old conflict between the Jews and Palestinians have not fared well. Without the support of other Israelite nations, its enemies would haveoverwhelmed the tiny country long ago. Then, after saying He would strike opposing forces with madness and blindness, God foretells: And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, "The inhabitants of Jerusalem are my strength in the LORD of hosts, their God." In that day I will make the governors of Judahlike a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in the sheaves; they shall devour all the surrounding peoples on the right hand and on the left, but Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place—Jerusalem. (Zechariah12:5-6) What we see happening today is probably not the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy but a precursor, or perhaps more accurately, a series of increasingly bold and triumphant military actions against Israel's encircling enemies that will soonculminate with a spectacular fulfillment. With the backing of the populace and some religious fervor, the governors of Judah—the prime ministers—will refuse to cower before their besieging foes and become catalysts of a policy to respond to enemy aggressionwith maximum force, sparks that ignite an inferno among their adversaries. This strategy is the only way the State of Israel can remain viable, and Jews can inhabit their inheritance before Christ returns to set matters straight. The world's reaction to Israel's response to Hamas' attack has been one of grudging acceptance; as a sovereign nation, Israel has a right to defend itself from external aggressors. Except for ideological extremists, most people acknowledge thatHamas' actions on October 7 were barbaric and brutal. However, as Israel's retaliation on Gaza lengthens, the world becomes less patient and more critical, emphasizing the humanitarian failings of the IDF and Israel in general. Many are claiming moral equivalencebetween Israel and Hamas, opining that the Israeli response has been excessive, even genocidal. This swing of opinion will ensure that any Israeli gains will have to be returned, and its international reputation will not improve. It may even decline further,setting the stage for the next conflict, whenever that arises. As interested observers of biblical prophecy, we would do well to keep our eyes on the governors of Judah. - Richard T. Ritenbaugh