May I have this Vance?
By Jim Fletcher
There is a problem in the U.S. government.
This week, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said this:
“US Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday that Washington can’t let its policies in the Middle East be ‘subservient’ to those of Israel, and must place its own interests first.
“Speaking to a conference organized by the All-In Podcast, Vance said of US-Israel ties: ‘Obviously Israel has been an important partner when it comes to military technology, when it comes to intelligence sharing, but also sometimes the United States doesn’t… agree with Israel.’”
He then said that Donald Trump of all past presidents has the ability to say no to Israel. Vance of course has said terrible things about Israel, and his view of the Middle East is at best naïve. A friend of Tucker Carlson, Vance is also Catholic and so is less likely to have a biblical view of all this. In short, he is no friend of Israel and for some reason, feels emboldened to present himself as such. He also has no idea that his views on the subject endanger the U.S. per the Bible. I do think he would be amused at the notion.
Stan Goodenough wrote this week on Facebook:
“The spanking years [divine punishments for Israel] are over… the nation has ‘paid double’ for its iniquity… and then some. He has brought them back home to bind up their wounds, circumcise their hearts, and pour out upon them His spirit of grace and supplication.
“The sun is setting on the Gentile nations, who are going into gross darkness as His light is rising to shine again upon Zion.
“God will force the Gentile nations to drink the dregs from the cup He caused Israel to drink from. His day of vengeance for the controversy of Zion is coming upon all the nations. Only those who show love and compassion to His brethren will know blessing.”
Stan is right, of course.
Western politicians have never embraced a biblical view of Israel and the Middle East. I’ve told this story before but back in the day, I was at an international book convention, Christian-style. I was talking to a very famous pro-Israel pastor. He excitedly told me that the day before, he had been in the White House and he outlined for Condoleezza Rice the biblical view of Israel: territorial aims in the last days included. He was so happy to have had this opportunity. I looked at him and thought, I wonder how many times she rolled her eyes after he left? Rice has zero understanding of the Bible when it comes to the Jews and Bible prophecy. Neither did her boss. His advisors were actively anti-Israel, such as James Baker.
We are so naïve.
Whoever pushed Vance on Trump did the country a disservice. Only a few years before, Vance trashed Trump, because he thought that was the politically expedient thing to do. He’s pure politician. So when Trump emerged strong after 2016, Vance had to recalculate: what do I need to say in order to advance up the ladder of power? Once in power, he has felt emboldened to adopt Carlson’s view of the Middle East: Islam good, Jews bad.
Think I’m being too harsh? Read Stan’s assessment again. J.D. Vance has no idea what is in store. Israel will continue to live and thrive. The West will decline.
We should all realize by now—no matter how much we want the world to improve—that all other nations are going to punishment. To drink from the poison cup that God is taking from Israel’s hand and handing to the world.
As I often say, it isn’t Israel that’s in trouble.
It’s everyone else.