The Valley of Jehosaphat

Submitted by Michael S (United States), May 18, 2015 at 10:29

Hi, Tovey

I just noticed, that you had responded to me here but I did not respond to you.

You write in a poetic style that generally zooms right past me, with its "contrail-streaked skies" and "stupified" powers plunging into "oblivion". If you want to really connect with me, I suggest you try to copy the writing style of technical manuals and assembly instructions for hardware. I think my brain resides somewhere between that and your poetry. I did catch a bit of what you said, though:

"As an aside, the debate to 'delegitimize' the Iranian military option has become a moot consideration and all that may be remaining to be seen is the outcome of Iraq's debacle with ISIS/ISIL/IS after Syria is finally silenced. The the true ambitions of the Iranian mullah military will be on the move and her proxies given the 'go' by separate proxy of the U.N. resolution on the 'Palestinian' occupation."

That turns out to have been prophetic of events this past week, when Obama's hope in the Middle East -- namely, "moderate" Sunni Arabs -- again deserted their posts and fled before the ISIL advance on Ramadi. Iraq seems to be settling into a three-way split between Kurds, Sunni Arabs and Shi'a Arabs; which may continue in the making for years, but will probably formalize itself along lines already drawn (with ISIL representing the Sunni Arabs).

In Syria, I think the situation is more suspenseful: Eventually, I expect Al-Nusra and what is left of the Free Syrian Army to merge with ISIL. The Syrian Kurds may also fall prey to a joint Turkish-ISIL vise crushing them; but I expect the Assad government in Damascus to continue indefinitely. Hizbullah, meanwhile, may, at Iran's direction, try some foolish move against Israel: That always provides some excitement in what otherwise tends to be a dull opera of Islamic madness. I don't know what the outcome there may be; but I suspect that the Turks will ultimately invade Syria and butt horns there with Israel.

I continue to be in awe, at YHVH's provision for Israel. The Muslim-on-Muslim turmoil playing itself out the past four years all around Israel, reads like the battle in the "Valley of Jehosaphat":

2 Chronicles:
[14] Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;
[15] And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.
[16] To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
[17] Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
[18] And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.
[19] And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.
[20] And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
[21] And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.
[22] And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
[23] For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
[24] And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.

Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel!

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