Psalm 83 predicts an Israeli-Gaza War – Are we witnessing prophecy?

Psalm 83 predicts an Israeli-Gaza War. Are we witnessing prophecy?

Recent events in the Middle East are becoming quite the topic of interest. Political turmoil, violence, and rumors of war has led many Christians to the Bible with renewed interest of scriptural predictions. God’s Word speaks of events and specific perimeters that must take place before Jesus’s return. Now with recent speculations on television, podcasts, and social media, many are asking themselves if a divinely orchestrated plan is unfolding before their eyes. Are the current happenings in Israel a sign of the End Times?

I am not writing this article to answer the above question. As a Seminary-educated, seasoned Christian in her 40s who considers herself to be a bible scholar, my goal is to simply point you to Scripture. You must be daily in the Word, under the authority and advisement of the Holy Spirit, to receive the answers you seek. I feel it is my duty to teach the Word with patience and careful instruction during a time when folks are swayed by others.

Folks, God is real, and Jesus is coming soon. The current events in the Middle East and in our own country matter. It’s time to live as if what the Bible says is true. Spoiler alert – It is!

On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked Israel leaving approximately 1,200 dead and took hundreds more hostage. Hamas is the most critical threat to Israel – at this moment in time. Hezbollah is a close second. But who exactly are these people and why are they involved?

Hamas literally translates “zeal”, but it is used here as an Arabic acronym for the Islamic Resistance Movement “Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya”. They are an offset of the Sunni brotherhood and primarily located in Palestine/Gaza who receive a good bit of funding and backing from Iran. Hamas is opposed to the existence of Israel and what it believes about Palestinian land.

Hezbollah, in comparison, is a militant group/political party primarily based in Lebanon. Hezbollah calls itself the “party of God” and are of the Shia resistance movement. Their primary focus is on rejecting Israel’s right to exist and expel western support from the Middle East. Hezbollah is almost exclusively backed by Iran.

But are these terror groups mentioned in the Bible?

You will find the Hebrew word chamas many times in the Old Testament. It literally translates violence, particularly used when speaking of the Edomites and Amalekites. (Keep these names in mind when you read below!) Could this word chamas be the modern-day identity of Hamas? The Old Testament prophet Obadiah may support this idea. I will encourage you to read this and make your own conclusions from there.

Psalm 83 is at the heart of this article. You need to read this chapter from beginning to end, but I will continue with our discussion here. The psalm describes enemies who “lay crafty plans against your people” and “consult together against your treasured ones.”

WHO is against Israel? Refer to verse 6: Edom, Ishmaelites, Moab, Hagrites, Gebal/Byblos, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia, Tyre, and Assyria. Take time to look up each of these tribes and see why they are cursed by God. It is important to know who enemies are! But for now, I will just identify who they are in modern-day times:

Edom and Ishmaelites – South Jordan and Arabia; Moab and Hagrites – Central and North Jordan; Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek – Lebanon, Syria, and the Sinai Peninsula; Philistia – Gaza Strip/Palestine; Tyre – more of Lebanon; Assyria – Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. Have you heard of any of these places in the news lately? I bet you have!

God warns us that Israel will ALWAYS be hated because many hate God. End of story. These tribes want to wipe out Israel as a nation – the exact plans of Hamas and Hezbollah.

I personally do NOT believe all of Palestine and Gaza agree on this. I do not think they are in favor of mass genocide. But some clearly do.

Friends, if I have held your attention and you have read thus far, here is the most important note of this whole post: Finish Psalm 83. God and the writer of this Psalm do NOT want this to happen. They earnestly beg these tribes to repent and turn to God for salvation. This is exactly what WE should be doing. Not speculating or pontificating our opinions but praying for the souls of the nations.

Is Psalm 83 currently happening? Possibly.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” Psalm 122:6