First, let us consider that the many nations in the Middle East are now entering into conditions of escalation in open conflict otherwise not seen before.  The so-called Arab Spring of 2011, which actually began in the winter in 2010, has resulted in complete turmoil for the nations of Tunisia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Libya, Egypt, Kenya, Somalia, Yemen, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

However, in this last year, we have seen several things emerge.  A group called ISIS has coalesced into a fighting force engaged in barbaric atrocities of a kind not seen since Genghis Khan.  The success of ISIS in Iraq, has been met by the introduction of Iranian troops in Iraq fighting against ISIS to regain cities once controlled by American forces just a few years ago. 

However, Iran has also deployed as many as 10,000 troops within a stone’s throw of the Golan Heights in Israel, continues to arm its proxy army in Gaza (Hamas), and has now made a major move to overthrow the government of Yemen in a bid to capture the most strategic waterway in the Euro-African trade world. 

In response to this move of the Iranian Shiites, a Sunni coalition of nations have formed under the leadership of Saudi Arabia.  It is called Al-Tahaluf Al-A’shari, which means the Ten Nation Confederacy.  In English, they are known as the Ten Sunni-led Arab states.

Is this referenced in the words of Scripture?  It sure is.  As we discuss this, keep in mind that Edom is Esau, and Esau has intermarried into Ishma’el. However, Edom is that portion of the Levant to the southeast of qodesh adamah (the Holy Land), i.e., Arabia.  Let’s see what is said: 

Ovadyahu (Obadiah) 1-9

The vision of Ovadyahu. Thus says ADONAI YAHUAH concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from YAHUAH, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle. 2 Behold, I have made you small among the heathen: you are greatly despised. 3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, you that dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that says in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? 4 Though you exalt yourself as the eagle, and though you set your nest among the stars, thence will I bring you down, says YAHUAH. 5 If thieves came to you, if robbers by night, (how are you cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to you, would they not leave some grapes? 6 How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up! 7 All the men of your confederacy have brought you even to the border: the men that were at peace with you have deceived you, and prevailed against you; they that eat your bread have laid a wound under you: there is no understanding in him. 8 Shall I not in that day, says YAHUAH, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the Mount of Esau? 9 And your mighty men, O Teyman, shall be dismayed, to the end that everyone of the Mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.

Let’s take a look at this word confederacy. The Hebrew translated in Yesha'yahu as confederacy is q’sher, which means an unlawful or even treasonous confederacy or alliance.  The resemblance to the Arabic A’shari is notable.  It is also notable that there are ten nations that are a part of this confederacy. We will discuss this number below as well. Should Israel join this confederacy?

Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 8:9-18

Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. 10 Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for EL is with us. 11 For YAHUAH spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, 12 Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye את eth-their fear, nor be afraid. 13 Sanctify את eth-YAHUAH TSEVA’OT himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Yisra’el, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Yerushalayim. 15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. 16 Bind up the testimony, seal the Torah among my Talmidiym.  17 And I will wait upon YAHUAH, that hides his face from the house of Ya`aqov, and I will look for him. 18 Behold, I and the children whom YAHUAH has given me are for signs and for wonders in Yisra’el from YAHUAH TSEVA’OT, which dwells in Mount Tsiyon.

YAH says specifically that the prophet should not walk in the way of this people who are saying “a confederacy.”  There is another part of this verse, however, that harkens back to the Stones of Fire discussed in last week's blogs.  Here, the verse declares that YAHUAH TSEVA'OT shall be a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Yisra’el. 

What was it that Kepha (Peter) said?

Kepha Ri'shon (1 Peter) 2:2-8

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that YAHUAH is gracious. 4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of YAH, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to YAHUAH by YAHUSHA HAMASHIACH. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Tsiyon a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.  

And when we consider that the tribes if Yisra’el are marked by the stones of fire on the breastplate of judgment, and that the twelve blood moons are given in the heavens during the tenure of the nation of Israel under the prophecy of Daniy’el 9:24, signifying the twelve tribes, is this consistent with Yesha’yahu’s statement “Behold, I and the children whom YAHUAH has given me are for signs and for wonders in Yisra’el from YAHUAH TSEVA’OT?