New Israeli Theme Park

If the Knesset is a theme park, then the most popular ride is “Bibi’s Rollercoaster!”

Seriously, the negotiations between Benjamin Netanyahu and rival Benny Gantz have taken more twists and turns than a Turkish cab driver in downtown Istanbul.

One week, it looks like Bibi’s political career is over (he’s also under indictment on corruption charges), the next week it is clear Gantz will never be prime minister and the incumbent will survive.

In the last two months, various experts have claimed a definitive outcome, only to be outdone by the wily Netanyahu, surely the shrewdest politician in recent memory.

What we know is that through three (3!) election cycles, Gantz can’t get across the finish line.

Now, at this point, we should note that it’s almost incomprehensible that in the 10 years Netanyahu has been back in office—a remarkable accomplishment in itself, given the revolving door among prime ministers the previous decade—the country would want new leadership. Netanyahu’s almost supernatural achievements economically and strategically are the stuff of legend. Israel, while still surrounded by implacable enemies, is relatively safe. Iran has been neutralized to some degree, the country outlasted the menacing Obama, and the US Embassy sits in Jerusalem.

Stunning resume, to be sure. And yet, also in these last three elections, Netanyahu could not quite get over the threshold. His enemies are the same in essence as the ones trying to bring Trump down. They hate a strong Israel and a strong US.

It looked like last week that Gantz would never become prime minister. President Reuven Rivlin gave him the mandate to form a government and he couldn’t…again.

The wizard Netanyahu had looked to be back in complete control (pending his legal challenges, of course).

Now comes word that the two sides are negotiating a unity government, and Netanyahu has dropped his demand of new legislation that would allow him to continue as prime minister even if the High Court of Justice rules against him.

Gantz served in the IDF with distinction, yet it is galling (to some of us) that he would want to unseat the man that has kept Israel safe and prosperous for a decade. I think this comes down to one thing: In his years in power, Netanyahu has made many political enemies. Gantz is one of them.

Unless a new prime minister goes by the name, say, of Naftali Bennett, I am not impressed with any new leadership in Israel. Gantz would be weak in foreign policy. We shall see.

Remember, 30 years ago Israel formed a national unity government, with Yitzhak Shamir rotating the prime minister slot with Yitzhak Rabin. Rabin of course “guided” Israel into the disastrous Oslo Accords, and I’m concerned Gantz would do similar things.

As we’ve said many times in different ways, if we didn’t believe God is in control (and I do), then it would be time for concern or despair.

There is imperfect justice in this world today, and we just have to put up with it. Just like in America today we have to put up with insane attempts to put Trump out of office (or we must listen to Media claim that Joe Biden leads in the presidential race; Biden vs. Trump is like a fourth-grader going up against Joe Louis, and everyone knows it).

Continue to pray for Bibi and for the marvelous country he still leads.

Jim1fletcher@yahoo.com

He is Risen!

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. (John 20:1)

Truth be told, most of us are thinking anew about Resurrection Sunday. The pandemic has caused that. Bible sales are spiking (as they did after 9/11).

That’s just how us humans are.

But it’s good to be reminded—even the hard way—that we are different from the world because our Savior is truly unique.

Many are frustrated that our civil liberties are being taken and in some cases, by unelected bureaucrats. I’m as frustrated as anyone. This weekend, millions are barred from their churches and places of worship, due to Washington’s seeming fear of the Coronavirus.

And that makes this the perfect time to think on something else, something pure and majestic and eternal.

I remember the first time I visited the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem. Not the one in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre—thought by Catholics to be the location of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. I mean the one known as “Gordon’s Calvary,” located just north of the Old City. The “Place of the Skull,” Golgotha, is a small rock hill and only yards from it is an ancient tomb cut out of solid rock. The tomb itself fits the descriptions in the Gospels.

A lush garden has been planted around these spots. Birds sing and the fragrance and color of the plants and flowers are breathtaking. A truly peaceful place to spend an afternoon.

But that tomb…

Inside, it’s small. One has to stoop down to get inside the door. A gap between the entrance and a “curb” running along the front would easily have held in place a large stone. One can’t help but be drawn to a stone bench inside; iron bars have been placed there so that pilgrims don’t chip the whole thing away.

In your mind’s eye, you can see Him sit up on that bench that morning so long ago. The sun would have shined through the door. One fascinating aspect of the location for me is the stone winepress just up the hill, uncovered only recently by archaeologists. Jesus would have walked over it on his way out of the garden. A forerunner of the coming judgment at the end of history, when we are told He will crush His enemies, like one pressing grapes.

I mention all this to say: it is there. The place exists. It is the most written-about event in all of history. A dead man came back to life. It is our great hope for the future.

Most of us will not meet each other in this life. But we will in the next! And we will live forever with our Creator.

I cannot fix the problems in my own hometown, much less world issues. I cannot gain justice for the myriad injustices in our world. Tonight, I am praying and I am meditating on the power of Jesus Christ. He alone has all power, and He is preparing to stand on the stage of History again. He is preparing a place for us.

God the Father raised Him from the dead, just as the prophets foretold. We are going on to glory. We are going on to other things.

We know where we’re going.

I hope it is soon.

Happy Resurrection Day!

Jim1fletcher@yahoo.com