President Carter’s astonishing initiative in visiting Egypt and Israel seems, at the time of writing, to have been worthwhile. A peace treaty has been signed by Israel and Egypt. But, at what price?
Many political observers thought President Carter was wasting his time, and now his efforts have succeeded they are very apprehensive as to whether the whole effort has been in the best interests of the U.S. They question the wisdom of the U.S. being seen as the architect of an agreement between Egypt and Israel, when the terms of the agreement are opposed by all other Arab countries. Shrewd political judges see this as a dangerous development in view of the political and economic power of the Arabs.
The new situation in Iran has a lot to do with this judgment. The Shah had only given lip-service to the anti-Israel Arabian stance, and, together with Saudi-Arabia and the Oil Emirate States, had not been avidly pro P.L.O. But that is all changed now. Politicians are having to rethink the whole spectrum of political planning. The Arabs are flexing their oil muscles again and world economics are going to be in a mess as the year wears on. Saudi-Arabia in particular is seeing less and less value in supporting American policies. She is conscious of her own vulnerability if she moves very far from the politics of her Arab cousins. She must think deeply to try and contain the religious and political unrest within.
In view of this situation, will an Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty bring any political gains to the United States? It is hard to see any, it is easy to see the reverse! And what of the Sadat? At present Egypt receives around $3,000,000,000 each year from Saudi-Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and other oil rich states. At least some of this income is now in serious jeopardy. Sadat stands to lose more than he will gain. Egypt used to enjoy the reputation of being the leader of Arab Political thinking — but not anymore.
Thus in the judgment of worldly wisdom, it does not make sense for either President Carter or Anwar Sadat to have followed the courses they have.
One of Prince Saud’s top deputies is quoted in TIME Magazine (1973/79) as saying, “The President of the U.S. remains narrowly concerned about peace between Israel and Egypt. That kind of peace is bound to make things worse, not better.” So when you add up the possibilities of benefits to both Sadat and Carter and their respective countries — you begin to wonder why they acted as they did. When political decisions are not according to worldly wisdom, such as when Russia backed the formation of the Israeli state by the partition of Palestine in 1947 or the U.S. announced that she was recognising the new state of Israel within hours of it being proclaimed as a State and despite the fact that Arab armies were poised to overthrow it, then you can be sure that God’s hand is at work.
We are reminded of the Proverb “The King’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will”. (21: I)
This situation is fraught with the possibility of swiftly developing new emergencies that could bring the alignment of nations rapidly into focus ready for the Armageddon showdown.
The other side to this situation is, to wonder what the “will of the Lord” is? Has Israel incurred Divine displeasure in entering into this Treaty? If we are to judge by Old Testament example, the Almighty is displeased when Israel relies on anyone but Him. On this principle Israel’s action will incur Divine anger.
But it may be reasoned that Israel is not relying on Egypt in the same way as in the days of Jeremiah. Egypt is the subservient nation — not Israel. Israel is relying on the U.S.A. rather than Egypt, and since she has relied on the U.S. for the last 30 years, it is difficult to argue that God has been angry with this situation as he was when they relied on Syria and other nations. (see 2 Chron 16:7)
But we cannot be entirely happy with this reasoning for Egypt is a “broken reed” and Israel is in measure relying on Egypt to keep specific promises, such as the supply of vital oil. She is also counting on the “peace” to allow her to concentrate her defences on her other borders.
While “the chosen people” rely on their own strength and their own negotiating skill, we can imagine the disappointment of the Almighty, who is still saying to them, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, and there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3:10)
The Borders of the Land of Israel