Israel oozes supernatural
By Jim Fletcher
If we can believe the latest report, that a ceasefire has been hammered out between Pakistan, Iran, and the U.S., we can be forgiven for being frustrated. With Witkoff, Kushner, and the evidently lukewarm-at-best-on-Israel VP Vance negotiating with Hamas, Pakistan, and Iran, I don’t exactly feel safe. IF we can believe the latest report, it’s incredibly disappointing that Trump seems to have taken his foot off the gas regarding Iran. I don’t think genius business skills have much value in foreign policy, especially when one is dealing with 7th century psychopaths.
And the most infuriating part is, within minutes (seconds?) of the ceasefire being announced, Iran began attacking the rest of the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia. But the really galling part is that letting Iran continue to hang around really endangers Israel. Four Israelis were murdered after a missile attack in Haifa this week. I have to believe they would still be alive if we had taken care of business last summer.
However, as frustrating as modern geopolitics is, there are pretty visible clues that God is watching over His People. From crazy low casualties after hundreds of missiles and rockets, to Israel’s resilient economy, God is making Himself known.
Most countries’ economies would be decimated beyond repair if they had experienced what Israel experiences. It helps that Netanyahu is a finance guy. His handling of the economy, for years, has saved Israel in more ways than one. It is another indication that the country is guided by the Supernatural.
Matan Shitrit, the Chief Economist at Phoenix Financial, has written a remarkable piece in this week’s Jerusalem Post. Shitrit, while realistic and not all rosy, paints a remarkable picture of what Israel is able to achieve while simultaneously fighting savages 24/7.
“After more than two years of multi-front conflict, Israel unfortunately already has considerable experience in how its economy responds to security confrontations. One month into Operation ‘Epic Fury’ we can begin to understand the direction things are heading. These are not yet final conclusions, but several clear patterns are already emerging.
“The first is that the Israeli economy continues to demonstrate resilience. The second, no less important, is that resilience does not mean there is no damage. The economy is not collapsing, but it is certainly taking a hit.”
The biggest areas hit are tourism and the absences of workers, who are fighting at the front. Yet the economy still performs and outperforms neighbors. By a lot.
It seems that the constant razor-sharp focus necessary to maintain safety contributes to how quickly the economy bounces back. Business activity and the financial markets alike are thriving considering the situation. If they get a break, things look good.
“On the other hand, if there is a quicker resolution and a decline in tensions, the Israeli economy could return to its trajectory relatively quickly, along with a drop in the risk premium and an improvement in the economic environment.”
Now, we always have to be careful about projecting prophetic passages on geopolitics and headlines, but we could be seeing the opening of the scenario necessary for Gog-Magog. Remember, there must be a situation where Israel feels safe. This will be a false peace, but it will exist for a period of time. Gog sees this and wants what Israel has. We know Iran/Persia and Russia play a key part. Only an Israel that prospers financially will be looked upon by an historic enemy. If Israel were fighting and losing economically, they would not be an attractive spoil.
Shitrit says financial markets are not only seeing what is going on at present, but looking at “the day after.”
“They see an economy that has already demonstrated impressive recovery ability over the past two and a half years, a strong high-tech sector, defense industries that may benefit from increased demand, and the possibility that the risk premium will eventually decline. In other words, the market is already beginning to price not only the cost of the war, but also the potential of the period that follows it.”
The potential of the period that follows it.
Yes, we are living through chaos most of us did not foresee. But we are living also through historic times. Times our ancestors wanted very much to see!
That is supernatural.