Guest News Perspective & Prayer Points
by Martin Sarvis in Jerusalem
by Martin Sarvis in Jerusalem
(NOTE: This is an “Israel” Prayer Update—however, we see the events currently taking place in Iraq and Syria as of extreme relevance to Israel, Jordan, Kurdistan—and beyond.)
“‘Had it not been YHVH who was on our side,’ let Israel now say, ‘Had it not been YHVH who was on our side when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the waters would have engulfed us, the stream would have swept over our soul; then the raging waters would have swept over our soul’” (Psalm 124:2-5).
“A mighty flood sweeping down from the strong and abundant waters of the Euphrates” is the imagery used by the prophet in Isaiah 8:6-9 as he foretold the bursting forth of the Assyrian army from its empire between the two great rivers of Mesopotamia, out into the surrounding nations, to extend finally down into Israel, where, as an instrument of God’s judgment, it would overwhelm the Northern Kingdom, bearing it away into exile. This was a grim and fearful army. The prophet Nahum alluded to its terror-awakening methods (a brutality which would eventually be turned back upon itself in the destruction of its capital Nineveh).
“The Assyrians were brutally cruel, their kings often being depicted as gloating over the gruesome punishments inflicted on conquered peoples. They conducted their wars with shocking ferocity, uprooted whole populations as state policy…the leaders of conquered cities were tortured and horribly mutilated before being executed. No wonder the dread of Assyria fell on all her neighbors!” (Zondervan NASB Study Bible (Intro. to Nahum) p.1308).
This week, there is grave danger of a literal “mighty flood” being released in the same region, sweeping this time down from the “strong and abundant waters” of that other great river, the Tigris (Hebrew: Hidekel). And such catastrophic inundation might likewise reflect the aspirations of another army desiring to overflow its banks—an army likewise “brutally cruel, gloating over the gruesome punishments inflicted on conquered peoples”—an army which uproots whole populations as state policy, which subjects those it conquers to torture and mutilation—an army whose long-range goal most certainly also include “spreading out its wings to fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel” (Isaiah 8:8b). We refer, of course, to the rampant scourge which has poured forth out of Syria, flooding into northern Iraq—the “Islamic State” (I.S.), defiant under its black banner and its new “Caliph” (theocratic absolute monarch) Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
North of the city of Mosul (near the site of ancient Nineveh) on the Tigris River lies the Mosul Dam. Constructed between 1980 and 1985 during the reign of Saddam Hussein (it was at one time actually called the “Saddam Dam”), it is the largest dam in Iraq. However, it has a particularly vulnerable “Achilles heal”—the Dam was built on gypsum, which dissolves in water. It has therefore, from the first had to be equipped with some 24 machines which continually pump a non-soluble grout into the dam’s base in order to stabilize it (Wikipedia, Mosul Dam). If the dam were to give way (naturally or by sabotage), it is estimated that a wall of water would surge downstream, covering Mosul under 80 feet of water, and Baghdad itself under 15 feet. 100 square miles of farmland would be destroyed, and as many as 500,000 people would be killed (“Second ‘Flood of Noah’ Threatened After Seizure of Dam by Terror Group”: Mark Ellis, Assist News, 12 Aug 2014).
On August 7th I.S. forces overran the Dam, capturing it from a contingent of Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers. This was truly alarming—with the Jihadist terror-group in control, it might be used for a type of coercion, restricting water flow downstream, cutting off the vast networks of electricity which depend upon it. Or, more grim, in their religious zeal I.S. might threaten to blow it up. Or, lacking the necessary expertise, they might fail to keep the grout machines operable, which would almost certainly result in the same catastrophe. Yesterday, the United States jets began attacking I.S. positions around the Dam, and this afternoon (Monday) it was reported that Iraqi and Kurdish troops had retaken control. So hopefully, at least for the present, the catastrophe of flooding appears to have been averted. May the same be soon said for the flooding of I.S. and its ideals across the Middle East and the world!
A question being asked is how could the famed Peshmerga fighters have come to be so easily defeated at the dam? For one thing, they were spread very thin—this was territory which had taken outside the recognized boundaries of the Kurdish Autonomous Region (KAR). And they were equipped mainly with dated Soviet-era weapons taken mostly from Iraqi forces during the 2003 US-led invasion, and they had very little ammunition—while I.S. having plundered gear left by the routed US-trained Iraqi army—fine new equipment including tanks, artillery and inexhaustible supplies of ammunition—were incredibly well equipped.
However there are other reasons—the Kurds were caught by surprise. It had looked like I.S. was going to skirt them and go directly for Baghdad, so things staid lax. But then they doubled back. Also, the peshmerga have not really seen combat since Saddam Hussein was removed from power—so they are young and inexperienced, while the Islamic State forces are already battled-hardened and experienced. And there are operational problems, a lack of modern military infrastructure, and lack of professionalism, since salaries are low and many have other jobs so they haven’t been able to apply themselves properly to their positions.
But reportedly, they are now bouncing back—“reorganizing and regrouping with the help of the international community” (This paragraph drawn from: “How the Islamic State Seized Peshmerga Territory So Easily”: VICE NEWS, 17 Aug 2014). As the assistance from the international community continues to come in, and as they take account of what has happened, they are thought to be rallying—coming into array. One part of that arraying comes from another special innovation—“Veterans who fought pre-2003 are being brought back;grizzled senior officers and soldiers are being stationed at frontlines, where the ‘heroes’ boost spirits and provide much needed experience” (Ibid).
We see in what is taking place with the Kurds a warning call to the Body of Messiah in the nations, to awaken to the reality of the hour. (An article in today’s Charisma News Daily presented a Word from Chuck Pierce, that “We are in a time of major War…The confrontation of the enemy is at hand.”) We must bring ourselves into a ‘warfare footing’—seek the Holy Spirit to “bring us into array”; receive the training we need, “update” the weapons of our warfare—And veterans, be ready to take your place among the younger less-experienced soldiers!
PLEASE PRAY:
*That the Mosul Dam will not be allowed to come under the purposes of the evil one.
*That the Kurdish warriors will be granted the weapons and equipment which they need to defend their country and the out-lying areas which God places under their stewardship. That they “come into array”—the older instructing and ‘passing on’ to the younger. That the Spirit of the Living God come over them – that they become aware that ultimately “not from the east, nor from the west, nor from the desert comes exaltation, but God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another!” (Psalm 75:6-7 NASB).
*That the thousands of Christians and other Kurds and Iraqi peoples who have been displaced and sought shelter in Kurdistan will find hope, direction and a future in the God of their Souls. Our friend Chris Mitchell (whom we mentioned last week; please continue to pray for his safe return to Israel!) wrote a very good report for CBN on this situation which may be accessed by going here
*That Israel will stay allied with Iraqi Kurdistan—and that alliance be strengthened.
*That the advance of I.S. will be STOPPED. That it will not be allowed to “overflow its banks” out of the timing of the LORD. “YHVH is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him. But with an overflowing flood He will make a complete end of its site, and will pursue His enemies into darkness” (Nahum 1:7-8). Pray that the Spirit of God will flush His enemies out of hiding. That in the Middle East the Kingdom of God will ADVANCE!
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