Jerusalem, an immoveable rock
Pastor Charles Cooley
4/1/08

History is full of nations who tried to control Jerusalem, but only to their hurt. In our recent history, the Turks, the English, and now the Americans have all tried to set the course for the disposition of Jerusalem. But Jerusalem proved more than they could handle: the Turks and the British lost empires and influence over it, reminding me of Zechariah's word -

"I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day when the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immoveable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves." (Zechariah 12:2-3) (italics mine).

America's so-called Road Map for Peace is just another effort by man to reverse God's stated plans for the city of Jerusalem, and it too will fail. I wouldn't care except as an American, I may suffer the consequences of my government's unwise actions! Joel Rosenberg recently wondered about this problem in his Flash News Headline:

Now consider this new headline: "US Ambassador: Jews will just have to leave Jerusalem." Excerpts from the Israel Today and One Jerusalem websites: "US Ambassador to Israel Richard Jones suggested during a tour of overcrowded Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem on Monday that many Jews will just have to move out of the capital rather than expand into parts of the city claimed by the Palestinians. Jones told said in an interview with The Jerusalem Post that Washington is growing increasingly displeased with Jewish housing projects on the eastern side of Jerusalem, which are certain to hinder efforts to conclude a peace deal along the lines of US President George W. Bush's vision for the region. The American envoy said he is well aware of the lack of Jewish housing in Jerusalem, but in a remark betraying a lack of understanding regarding Jewish historical and spiritual connection to the city Jones concluded that 'sometimes people do have to move to a different location. They cannot always stay close to their families.'"

I am sorry, this makes no sense. Jerusalem is Israel's capital. It always has been. It always should be. It should not be carved up like a Thanksgiving turkey. Repeated Congressional votes have urged the U.S. to move our Embassy to Jerusalem in recognition of this. Yet the Bush administration refuses to get it done.
 

Perhaps this article from Arutz Sheva, February 21, 2008 will clarify some of the problem,:

Former Israeli Consul General to the US Yoram Ettinger revealed at the Jerusalem Conference Wednesday that Israel prevented a move that would have relocated the US Embassy to Jerusalem.

“The US Senate was ready to do away with the waiver that allows the president to defer the moving of the embassy to Jerusalem,” Ettinger said during a round-table discussion at the Jerusalem Conference. “There were over 80 senators – enough to override any [presidential] veto.”

It was the Israeli government, Ettinger said, who intervened on behalf of leaving the Embassy in Tel Aviv. “The problem is that both houses of congress have been firmer on Jerusalem than any Israeli government since 1993.”

Ettinger did not elaborate which Israeli government it was that told Congress to stand down.
 

Neither Israel's government nor the United States' has any Biblical concept of this situation. The Palestinians certainly do not. They do not yet realize who they are dealing with - Almighty God. The One who chose Jerusalem, saying "I will put my Name there." Even though He allowed it to go into captivity because of its rebellion and unbelief, He has always stated that the Jews would return and Jerusalem would once again be His capital. As time quickly draws to a conclusion, God is going to have a rebuilt Temple waiting in Jerusalem for His Son to return to in glory. That means Jerusalem will be Jewish and under Israel's control. The nations (Gentiles) may not like it, but the choice is theirs, accept it or be injured trying to move an immoveable rock!