The Enemies of Israel-
Part 2
Also, the Glory of Israel will not lie nor change His mind; for He is not a man, that He would change His mind.” 1 Samuel 15:29
The Seeds of War, Hatred, and Covetousness
The object of most wars is land on earth, aka “land grab,” It is a desire to have something in someone else's possession and take it by force (covetousness). But the fuel that most often drives it is selfishness and hatred. Enemies are created this way, wars erupt, and the death of the adversary is the goal.
But, the unexplainable beginning of covetousness begetting war started with the enemy of all mankind.
“You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity (immoral, wickedness) was found in you.” Ezekiel 28:15
“But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north.” Isaiah 14:13 NASB
The mystery of iniquity bore a desire to take God’s throne, which created hatred. This iniquity led to the first war. It was fought in heaven:
And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So, the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12: 7-9 (NKJV)
Satan lost the war and was cast to this earth with one-third of the angels, but the hatred for God continued. Anything belonging to God, particularly His people, became the object of Satan’s great wrath. He knows his end. He is like a roaring lion looking to mar the image of God in mankind. Deception and lies are His most effective weapons to set his base scheme in motion. John, in the book of Revelation, describes him as the one who deceives the whole world (Revelation. 12:9)
He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature because he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44
This we will keep in mind as we move forward.
In the Beginning, Satan Gains A Victory on Earth
Using his weapon of deception and a lie that seemed to offer an improvement for Adam and Eve in an already blessed life. The father of lies was able to plant a seed of mistrust for God by creating doubt and covetousness in God’s simple statement. He told a lie followed by a truth. This unholy mixture would become his most effective weapon.
Doubt by using a question: “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” Genesis 3: 1b (NASB)
The woman met this doubt with the exact words of God.
“From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’”
Genesis 3:2-3 (NASB)
It was a simple restriction of God, preparing the first couple for the verbal attack of a serpent. Satan contradicted God,
The Lie: “You certainly will not die!
The Truth: For God knows that on the day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will become like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5
God declares a condition: obey and live. God would repeat this simple rule of life many times to the people of Israel and to all who claimed to be His followers (Deuteronomy 4: 1; 20:30; Jeremiah 38: 20). Break the condition, and death would follow. Satan says, no, you won’t. God is keeping something back from you…. something better than your current environment. So, covetousness, believing a lie, and disobedience brought sin upon all mankind. It will be this same deadly trio of sins that will bring an end to planet Earth as we know it.
Indeed, the first couple began to experience a knowledge of both good and evil (Genesis 3:22). A line that has been blurred in today’s society. Evil is called good, and good is called evil (Isaiah 5:20).
God Had A Plan Ahead of Time
God, in His grace and mercy, had a plan “from the foundation of the world.” (Ephesians 1:4). God could not change his words to fit the situation. Death came upon them. They would eventually die.
The seed of doubt, covetousness, and disobedience had been planted and nurtured through the enemy of mankind to the whole world, resulting in an entire world of wars and rumors of wars. Satan wanted to control God’s creation and to take it from the one who cast him to the earth.
But God initiated his plan of grace, mercy, and forgiveness on the very day mankind fell into sin. First, He clothed Adam and Eve by slaying an innocent animal and making garments from its skin and fur (Genesis 3:21). A simple metaphor for the plan of salvation is the slaying of a blameless animal to provide a covering for the shame and nakedness of the sinful couple. Then, God pronounced a curse upon the earth. This curse would provide a safeguard against utter destruction and give daily purpose.
Next, He tells them of the war that would begin and last to the end, with God being victorious over all the lies and evil.
And I will make enemies.
Of you (Satan) and the woman (Her offspring)
And of your offspring (Satan’s followers) and her Descendant (A Promised Redeemer-Messiah);
He (Descendant) shall bruise you (Satan) on the head (Deadly wound),
And you (Satan) shall bruise Him (Descendant) on the heel.” (Injury only) Genesis 3:15
In this first prophecy, the couple began looking for this “Descendant” who would engage the Serpent and restore the broken relationship between God and mankind.
Through the offspring of the woman, a Messiah would come who would deliver a deadly wound to the head of the enemy after receiving a recoverable injury to the Descendant’s heal. Israel is still looking for this Messiah.
The First of Many Conflicts For Mankind
The first war or enemy was between two brothers, Cain and Abel. A Godless world sought their own desires and became so wicked that even their thoughts were wicked all the time.
Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5
Only Noah and his family were loyal to God and escaped the destruction of the earth by water.
After the flood, and from a surviving son (Shem), God would raise up a people of promise through faithful Abram. Abram (Abraham), enemies would begin to rise up, spurred on by covetousness, lies, and disobedience to the one true God.
Next time, we will explore the birth of the nation of Israel and her first enemy. Many more would follow, often the result of Israel's own failure to believe and trust their Creator. But God’s mercy and patience would find a way…