Yes, the Israeli government has been discussing doing just that. Recently, Benjamin Natanyahu, the Likud Chairman, spoke out against such an action and other policies of the Israel government. Interestingly, it has been 40 years since Israel recaptured Jerusalem during the 1967 war, and now, many want to give it back to their enemies in exchange for empty promises of peace.
The parallels are strikingly similar to the 10 spies giving the evil report after spying out the land in the book of Exodus. Because of those ten leaders making the people afraid, Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years before entering into the Promised Land. Now, 40 years after gaining back Jerusalem, fear and unbelief could result in similarly devastating consequences. You can read one of the news stories here from The Jerusalem Post.
In a related story from VOA News, the very last statement of the article echoes Zechariah’s prophecy about Jerusalem:
Zechariah 12:3: “And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.”
Following is an exact quote from the last line in the article: “Old Jerusalem is a focal point of religious aspirations and tensions, and it remains a stumbling block to a peace deal.” Stumbling block, indeed. It seems to have never occurred to anyone that maybe Jerusalem is the one fixed constant in a world where everything else is in chaos. The majority may rule in a “democratic” society, but even the most basic reading of the scriptures will show that YHVH isn’t really concerned about poll numbers and man’s opinion. And Jerusalem will continue to be problem until all factions there come into alignment.
And we’d better not hold our breath on that one.
