by Michael G. Mickey
(1-19-09)

Israel known for its great wealth?

In Bible prophecy, particularly Ezekiel 38, we see that a future attack on the nation of Israel by a Russian-Middle Eastern confederacy of nations will be, partially at least, believed by many to be motivated by GREED.

The Ezekiel 38 confederacy will consist of the following players in the opinion of most:

• Magog - Most agree this is a reference to Russia.
• Meshech - Most associate this with modern day Turkey, ancient Anatolia, but some say it refers to the Moscow area.
• Tubal - Most associate this with modern day Turkey, ancient Anatolia.
• Persia - modern Iran
• Ethiopia
• Libya
• Gomer - eastern Europe or Turkey
• Togarmah - southeastern Europe or Turkey

Ezekiel 38:13 details the reaction many in the world will have to all of these nations making a shocking, surprise attack on Israel (emphasis added mine):

Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?

A great spoil of silver and gold? From tiny Israel when a large portion of these nations have abundant oil wealth? Yes, that's the picture painted and, as I seem to be finding myself saying more and more frequently of late, this prophecy makes more sense to me today than it ever has before!

The Jerusalem Post is reporting that Israel has found an "historic natural gas reservoir" offshore from Haifa. The implications of this find can't be understated in terms of significance to Ezekiel 38 if what's being reported is accurate!

If this natural gas find is as substantial as initial reports indicate:

1. Israel's natural gas demand has just been met for approximately 15 years.
2. Israel's dependence on gas imports from outside sources will be reduced.
3. Israel will go from being a gas importer to a gas EXPORTER.
4. Israel's electricity costs will drop.
5. Israel's economy will be invigorated for generations to come!

That's how dramatically finding what is estimated to be a natural gas reserve containing over 88 billion cubic meters of gas can do for a nation the size of Israel. A find like that may also prove to be a preliminary indicator of why a group of nations will suddenly look at the tiny nation of Israel as a gigantic cash cow - one so attractive it'll hook and drag them into a fight!

Ezekiel 38:3-4: And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:

A cautionary word

Is our God preparing to dangle a golden carrot in the face of Israel's enemies? I most certainly wouldn't bet against it, but thinking this single event is a sure thing to turn Israel's economy into enough of a hook to bait Gog-Magog into occurring may be premature.

Economist Jonathan Katz has been quoted as saying, "It's a nice little perk but nothing that will change the fundamentals of the macro picture in Israel." There are two sides to every story as the saying goes, huh?

Regardless of impact, God has blessed Israel through this discovery. Not only that, this disovery is going to encourage more poking around in the ground and, potentially, more finds for those of us keeping an eye on the news of our world today as it relates to Bible prophecy reason to read our Bibles with amazement. God has laid His prophetic plan out perfectly for us to behold in wonder and recognize at appropriate times. Bearing that in mind, it will be intriguing to see how this developing news impacts Israel and the region.

Keep looking up!

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UPDATE 2-16-09: Gog-Magog Update

UPDATE 8-11-09: Natural Gas Field Off Haifa Coast Bigger than Thought