“Surely the Sovereign Yehovah does nothing without
revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.”
(Amos 3:7)
End-time experts are talking a lot about the Gog-
Magog war of Ezekiel 38–39, a prophecy that predicts
a powerful confederacy, apparently led by Russia,
that is destined to someday invade Israel. Some
think that its fulfillment is even knocking at our door.
that is destined to someday invade Israel. Some
think that its fulfillment is even knocking at our door.
But a lesser known prophecy is gaining momentum
and importance for our day: Psalm 83, in which a
different confederacy attempts to wipe out Israel.
and importance for our day: Psalm 83, in which a
different confederacy attempts to wipe out Israel.
This psalm seems to be addressing current issues
in the Middle East—nations conspiring to destroy
Israel.
in the Middle East—nations conspiring to destroy
Israel.
Asaph’s Vision of a Future War
“O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear,
Do not stand aloof, O God. See how your enemies
growl, how your foes rear their heads.” (Ps:83:1–2)
Do not stand aloof, O God. See how your enemies
growl, how your foes rear their heads.” (Ps:83:1–2)
Psalm 83 is more than a prayer or a plea to God for
vengeance on Israel’s enemies; it reveals that a 10
member confederacy wants to destroy the Chosen
People and possess the Promised Land.
vengeance on Israel’s enemies; it reveals that a 10
member confederacy wants to destroy the Chosen
People and possess the Promised Land.
This psalm, however, was not written during a time
of war. It was written some 3,000 years ago by King
David’s worship leader, Asaph, during a time of great
prosperity, liberty, and peace.
of war. It was written some 3,000 years ago by King
David’s worship leader, Asaph, during a time of great
prosperity, liberty, and peace.
King David had decisively triumphed over Israel’s
enemies, and Israel could expand freely since the
superpowers of Egypt and Assyria were both
declining. (Aish)
enemies, and Israel could expand freely since the
superpowers of Egypt and Assyria were both
declining. (Aish)
David’s kingdom, therefore, extended from the Red
Sea to the Euphrates.
Sea to the Euphrates.
But Asaph was not just a worshiper; according to
2 Chronicles 29:30, he was also a chozeh (seer or
prophet).
2 Chronicles 29:30, he was also a chozeh (seer or
prophet).
As a prophet, Asaph saw beyond this period of
peace, to a time when this confederacy would
seek the utter destruction of Israel. That time
now seems to be nearing.
peace, to a time when this confederacy would
seek the utter destruction of Israel. That time
now seems to be nearing.
“Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation,
so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.”
(Psalm 83:4)
so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.”
(Psalm 83:4)
Even though Asaph’s vision was received in a time
of peace, it must have been cause for some concern
since many named in the confederacy had previously
demonstrated their hatred.
of peace, it must have been cause for some concern
since many named in the confederacy had previously
demonstrated their hatred.
Of course, even today, conspiring against the Jewish
People is considered nothing new. From the Philistines
to the Nazis, the Jewish People have been plotted against.
People is considered nothing new. From the Philistines
to the Nazis, the Jewish People have been plotted against.
“See how your enemies growl, how your foes rear their
heads. With cunning they conspire against your people;
they plot against those you cherish.” (Psalm 83:2–3)
heads. With cunning they conspire against your people;
they plot against those you cherish.” (Psalm 83:2–3)
The Coalition’s Motive: Break the Abrahamic Covenant
“With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance
against you.” (Psalm 83:5)
The ten-member coalition of Psalm 83 forms a covenant
with each other against not only the nation of Israel, but
the God of Israel.
The coalition is not satisfied to only destroy Israel
as a nation; they want to wipe out the memory of
the name of Israel; in effect, breaking the Abrahamic
Covenant.
as a nation; they want to wipe out the memory of
the name of Israel; in effect, breaking the Abrahamic
Covenant.
In the Abrahamic covenant, God pledges that a Chosen
People will come through Abraham (Genesis 22:17–18),
People will come through Abraham (Genesis 22:17–18),
through Isaac (Genesis 26:2–4), and through Jacob
(Genesis 28:14) and that God would give them the
Promised Land (Genesis 15:18; Joshua 1:4).
“The Lord appeared to Isaac and said,... ‘For to you
and your descendants I will give all these lands and
will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham.
I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars
in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through
your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed.’”
(Genesis 26:2–4)
will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham.
I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars
in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through
your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed.’”
(Genesis 26:2–4)
Of course, if through a human coalition the adversary
could wipe out the name of Israel, that would effectively
make the God of Israel look powerless and a liar in the
face of the entire world.
It would also nullify other promises, including the following:
Davidic Covenant / Eternal Throne (2 Samuel 7:12–13;
Isaiah 9:6–7; Luke 1:31–33)
could wipe out the name of Israel, that would effectively
make the God of Israel look powerless and a liar in the
face of the entire world.
It would also nullify other promises, including the following:
Davidic Covenant / Eternal Throne (2 Samuel 7:12–13;
Isaiah 9:6–7; Luke 1:31–33)
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name
will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal
Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase
of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and
over His kingdom.” (Isaiah 9:6–7)
And the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name
will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal
Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase
of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and
over His kingdom.” (Isaiah 9:6–7)
New Covenant / Eternal Relationship (Jeremiah 31:33;
John 14:16–17)
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of
Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put
my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will
be their God, and they will be my people.”(Jeremiah 31:33)
The Word of God, however, is accurate and reliable
and no adversary can thwart God's plans.
His covenant with Abraham is unconditional and everlasting.
Even after Israel’s disobedience, which He foresaw, He
would bring His people home to their own land after a
period of exile.
“It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going
to do these things, but for the sake of My holy name, which
you have profaned among the nations where you have
gone.... For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather
you from all the countries and bring you back into your
own land.”(Ezekiel 36:22, 24)
John 14:16–17)
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of
Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put
my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will
be their God, and they will be my people.”(Jeremiah 31:33)
The Word of God, however, is accurate and reliable
and no adversary can thwart God's plans.
His covenant with Abraham is unconditional and everlasting.
Even after Israel’s disobedience, which He foresaw, He
would bring His people home to their own land after a
period of exile.
“It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going
to do these things, but for the sake of My holy name, which
you have profaned among the nations where you have
gone.... For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather
you from all the countries and bring you back into your
own land.”(Ezekiel 36:22, 24)
And God has been fulfilling this prophecy and others like
it, much to the dismay of those seeking to wipe out the
very memory of Israel.
The Ten-Member Coalition
While Israel’s many enemies have wanted to destroy the
nation of Israel and the Jewish People, Asaph specifically
identifies ten nations / groups that unite to form a coalition
for this very purpose:
it, much to the dismay of those seeking to wipe out the
very memory of Israel.
The Ten-Member Coalition
While Israel’s many enemies have wanted to destroy the
nation of Israel and the Jewish People, Asaph specifically
identifies ten nations / groups that unite to form a coalition
for this very purpose:
“With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance
against you; the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of
Moab and the Hagrites, Byblos [Gebal], Ammon and
Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre. Even Assyria
has joined them to reinforce Lot’s descendants.”
(Psalm 83:5–8)
Moab and the Hagrites, Byblos [Gebal], Ammon and
Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre. Even Assyria
has joined them to reinforce Lot’s descendants.”
(Psalm 83:5–8)
While these groups are no longer identifiable by their
ancient names, Bill Salus, author of Israelist and
Psalm 83: The Missing Prophecy Revealed ascertains
the modern-day equivalents / descendants of these
coalition members as the following:
Psalm 83: The Missing Prophecy Revealed ascertains
the modern-day equivalents / descendants of these
coalition members as the following:
Tents of Edom: Palestinians and Southern Jordanians
Ishmaelites: Saudis (Ishmael is the father of the Arabs)
Moab: Palestinians and Central Jordanians
Hagrites: Egyptians (Hagar is an Egyptian matriarch)
Gebal (Byblos): Hezbollah and Northern Lebanese
Ammon: Palestinians and Northern Jordanians
Amalek: Arabs of the Sinai area
Philistia: Hamas of the Gaza Strip
Tyre: Hezbollah and Southern Lebanese
Assyria: Syrians and Northern Iraqi’s
Ishmaelites: Saudis (Ishmael is the father of the Arabs)
Moab: Palestinians and Central Jordanians
Hagrites: Egyptians (Hagar is an Egyptian matriarch)
Gebal (Byblos): Hezbollah and Northern Lebanese
Ammon: Palestinians and Northern Jordanians
Amalek: Arabs of the Sinai area
Philistia: Hamas of the Gaza Strip
Tyre: Hezbollah and Southern Lebanese
Assyria: Syrians and Northern Iraqi’s
Salus has worked to identify some of these ancient groups
based upon their ancient locations and others by where
they migrated.
Author Joel Richardson has also identified each member
group, as well, basing his conclusions only on their
ancient location in 10th century BC; therefore, his locations
and conclusions differ slightly from those of Salus.
The Coalition's Goal: Destroy Israel
While this 10-member coalition might not yet be overtly
united in an action against Israel, these nations do exists
today and are already united under the values of Islam.
Moreover, Islam is influenced by a sibling rivalry that
dates back to Ishmael and Isaac, and Esau and Jacob.
This ancient resentment against the son of promise is perhaps
fueling attacks and conspiracies against the existence of a
Jewish homeland.
Of course, these Psalm 83 countries are actively conspiring
today to either take over the land of Israel and make it their
own or to prevent Israel from being a Jewish state. In other
words, they want to make Israel a country that cannot
protect and shelter the Jewish People from those who
hate them.
Palestinians—Tents of Edom (Esau); Moab and Ammon
(sons of Lot)
Although Israel is currently in peace negotiations with
the Palestinian Authority (PA) for a two-state solution,
on January 11, 2014, the PA president, Mahmoud Abbas,
made his intentions about Israel’s existence clear:
“We won’t recognize and accept the Jewishness of Israel.
We have many excuses and reasons that prevent us from
doing so,” Abbas said.
“We will march to Jerusalem in the millions, as free people
and heroes,” he asserted. (JPost)
Jordanians—Tents of Edom; Moab and Ammon
Although Jordan and Israel have enjoyed a peace treaty
since 1994, on February 2, 2014, Jordan’s Foreign Minister
Nasser Judeh told his parliament that Israel should not be
recognized as a Jewish State nor should Jordan take in the
Palestinian refugees (Tents of Edom). (ArutzSheva)
In response, on February 8, 2014, Jordan’s parliament voted
to not recognize Israel as a Jewish state. (i24news)
Hezbollah and Lebanon—Gebal (Byblos) and Tyre
While Hezbollah, the terrorist group based in Lebanon,
has been helping Syrian President Assad wage war against
the rebels, on August 2, 2013, Hezbollah leader, Hassan
Nasrallah, came out of hiding to remind the people of
Lebanon that “Israel poses a danger on all people of this
region ... including Lebanon, and removing it is a
Lebanese national interest." (JPost)
In February 2014, Nasrallah reinforced this idea,
deceptively telling the Lebanese people that “Israel
is still an enemy and a threat to Lebanon's people,
water, oil, security, and sovereignty.”
Hamas—Philistines
Although Gaza is officially a part of the Palestinian
Authority ruled by President Abbas, the terrorist group
Hamas (meaning “violence” in Hebrew) rules Gaza and
is ready to form a coalition with any Muslim group
willing to resist Israel.
Its charter states: “[Hamas] will only be of help to all
associations and organizations which act against the
Zionist enemy and those who revolve in its orbit.”
In January 2014, Hamas Interior Minister Fathi Hamad
said that the goal of Hamas is total destruction of Israel.
“We are coming after the Zionists with all our leaders and
soldiers,” Hamad said. “You have only eight years on the
land of Palestine before your demise.” (JPost)
Egyptians (or possibly Northern Jordanians)—Hagrites
or Hagarenes
A year after the Muslim Brotherhood leadership in Egypt
was overthrown in a coup, this country has been working
to undermine the power of Gaza’s Hamas.
“We cannot get liberated from the terrorism of the
Brotherhood in Egypt without ending it in Gaza, which lies
on our borders,” an unnamed Egyptian senior security
official said. (Reuters)
To accomplish this, Egypt has stationed thousands of
troops and equipment in the northern Sinai, well beyond
the number allowed in the 1979 peace treaty between
Egypt and Israel. With another coup or change of heart,
Egypt is now well-positioned for a southern attack on Israel.
But at least one commentator believes that Egyptians are
not the Hagarenes. Based on 1 Chronicles 5:10, which
Specifies a region east of Gilead, Joel Richardson believes
the Hagarenes are northern Jordanians.
If he is correct, then the peace and cooperation that Israel
is currently enjoying with Egypt might continue through
the coming war. (wnd)
Gilead was a mountainous region east of the
Jordan River divided among the tribes of Gad
and Manasseh. It is situated in what is today
called Jordan.
Saudis (or all Arabs)—Ishmaelites
Salus believes Saudi Arabia represents the Ishmaelite people
in Psalm 83. Like most Arabs throughout the Middle East
and Africa, the Saudis claim to be the true chosen people
(as descendants of Ishmael).
Considering that Saudi Arabia is an ally of the US and a foe
of Iran, it may seem that it is not involved in a coalition
against Israel.
Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia voted “no” to the 1947 UN
resolution to create a Jewish state and supported the Arab
invasions of 1948, 1967 and 1973 with troops, as well as
with finances. They do not have diplomatic relations with
Israel.
Arabs of the Sinai (or of the Negev area)—Amalek (grandson
of Esau)
Bill Salus places the Amalekites in Sinai. He believes they
were a part of Esau’s family (the Edomites) who migrated
into the Sinai area, which is part of Egypt.
Others, however, think that the Amalekites originated near
Mecca and by the 10th century BC, migrated to the Negev
area of modern Israel (wnd). It is possible, therefore, that
some Arab-Israelis currently enjoying citizenship within
Israel are of this group.
Indeed, some Arabs inside of Israel look for its destructionas
a Jewish state, and even have Arab representation in
the Knesset (parliament):
"Israel should be defined as a state of its own nationalities.
There are two nationalities in Israel. One is [the] Jewish
majority, one is [the] Arab-Palestinian minority,” said the
deputy speaker of the Knesset Ahmad Tibi in January 2014.
“Saying that Israel is the Jewish state is neglecting our
existence, our very existence and our narrative, and I will
not accept that," he added. (CBC)
Syrians and Northern Iraqis (and possibly Turkey)—Assyria
Since the creation of both Israel and Syria in the mid-20th
century, diplomatic ties have never been established
between these two countries, which share a border.
Syria has attacked Israel in three major wars in 1948,
1967, and 1973.
The situation in Syria is incredibly volatile. While Syria’s
President Bashar Assad shares the common hatred for
Israel with his neighbors, the U.S. is worried that if he
is defeated in his civil war, the many thousands of jihadist
rebels, including Hezbollah, will take control and eagerly
rally support for a war against Israel. (fox news)
Although the U.S. supports Israel’s defense against these
national threats, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has
unwittingly supported the ambitions of the coalition when
he said on March 13 that Israel should not require the
PA to recognize Israel as a Jewish State.
The Prophet Appeals for Victory
In Psalm 83, the prophet Asaph appeals to God, asking
Him to make the coalition members perish in disgrace
(Psalm 83:9–18).
In fact, Obadiah, Ezekiel 25–27, 37:10, and Jeremiah
49:1–6 prophesy that these coalition members will
indeed perish and be cursed as Genesis 12:3 predicts:
“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses
you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed
through you.”
These connecting prophetic verses seem to refer to
Israel’s victory in Psalm 83.
A resulting sense of regional security may make Israel ripe
for the battle of Ezekiel 38—the invasion of a nine-member
coalition whose leaders say,
“I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will fall
upon the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them
dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gates, to
seize spoil and carry off plunder...” (Ezekiel 38:11–12)
While Israel today is indeed prospering and is a safe
country to visit, she will have incredible riches and live
in unparalleled safety after the victory of Psalm 83 is
complete.
Psalm 83: A Pending Prophecy
Some theologians have argued that the battle highlighted
in Psalm 83:5–8 was fulfilled in Israel’s 1948 War for
Independence; however, the tents (refugees or military
encampments) of Edom (Southern Jordan) only came
into existence in 1949, after the war ended.
And since Psalm 83 lists them first, Salus believes the tents
of Edom will play a key role in this coming war.
Other theologians have made the argument that the 1967
Six-Day War fulfilled this prophecy; still, only a portion
of the ten members listed were involved in that war, so
the Six Day War does not seem to be the fulfillment
of this end-time prophecy.
Since neither of these wars precisely fulfill the prophecy,
we can understand that some future war involving a
10-member coalition will fulfill it.
Today that coalition, which is united under the common
values and motives of Islam, fits the prophecy’s
requirements like no other time in history.
Therefore, many believe the war in Psalm 83 will
happen soon, before the invasion of Ezekiel 38.
In fact, none of the ten coalition members of Psalm 83
are mentioned in Ezekiel 38, though the book of Ezekiel
mentions them elsewhere.
Pitfalls in Interpreting Prophecy
"I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they
will never be silent day or night. You who call on Yehovah,
give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He
establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the
earth." (Isaiah 62:6–7)
There is a saying that hindsight is 20/20. Likewise, Bible
prophecy is more easily understood in hindsight, after its
fulfillment.
Psalm 83 reminds us that we must keep a watchful
eye on the Middle East and pray for the peace of Jerusalem,
as well as diligently study God’s Word.
As we watch, pray and study, God will give us wisdom
as events unfold and the pieces of the prophetic puzzle
come into place.
And when they do, that picture will be illuminated on the
same wall where God has displayed His plan for Israel
And mankind and where the Messianic prophecies are
permanently hung.
“Israel will be saved by Yehovah with an everlasting
salvation; you will never be put to shame or disgraced,
to ages everlasting.” (Isaiah 45:17)
"For I am ready to set things right, not in the distant
future,but right now! I am ready to save Jerusalem
and show My glory to Israel." (Isaiah 46:13)
