Moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem Is the Right Move, but Is Trump the Right Man to Do It?

The move of the United States embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is the right thing to do, and should have been done a long time ago.

In fact, when Bill Clinton signed the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 into law, stating that the United States recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the wheels should have started moving, then.

Lawmakers at that time put an escape hatch into the bill, stating that “waivers” could be signed to avoid moving the embassy, every six months, as they worked on creating some peace agreement that would stick.

Over 20 years and 3 presidents later, the wheels are finally turning, even though we’re no closer to peace in the region than we were in 1995.

Given the rising tide of anti-Semitism in the world, some would say we’re actually further away from peace.

As we speak, riots have broken out on the border in Gaza. The Associated Press is reporting a rising number of deaths, with 37 Palestinians killed in clashes with the Israeli army.

I don’t even think we’ve seen the worst of what this day may hold. I pray I’m wrong.

Speaking of prayers, today’s events in Jerusalem will include prayers by two prominent evangelical Trump supporters, Pastor John Hagee, and Dr. Robert Jeffress.

Hagee said of Trump’s decision to move the embassy, while speaking with Breitbart:

“I told him that the moment that you do that, I believe that you will step into political immortality,” the news site quoted Hagee as saying. “Because you are having the courage to do what other presidents did not have the courage to do.”

That’s just the kind of talk a man of Trump’s ego likes to hear, regardless of the fallout.

Make no mistake, Trump has no idea why he’s doing this, or why this is important to Israel or the Christian community. He was advised to make this move, told it would make him popular with the Christian base that has supported him.

He’ll do this, with no thought of what happens afterwards, because he doesn’t think that far ahead.

Besides Hagee, Jeffress will be saying a prayer at the opening of the embassy.

“In that prayer, I’m going to be recounting God’s history of faithfulness to his people, the Israelites,” he said. “I’m going to be thanking God for the strong leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu, who is absolutely determined to protect Israel. And I’m also going to be thanking God for our President Donald Trump, who had the courage to do what no other US President has done, and that is to officially recognize Jerusalem and to move the embassy. This is another example of promise made, promise kept.”

In other words, expect his words to be more Trump-centered than God-focused. This is a political move for Trump and his supporters.

That’s unfortunate.

This is a risky move. It’s the right move, but it is one that needs the covering of God, more than ever, because so many are against this.

Trump has done this thing to hear the world say his name. He has not done this to honor God, or even the state of Israel.

With that in mind, I would remind you that Jerusalem, more than any other city in the world, holds significance for all of humanity. Because of that, knowing what is going on now is the design of an intellectually, morally bankrupt reality TV host should concern us all.

Zechariah 12:3 AMP – “And in that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will come and be gathered against it.”

No man or worldly political system will hold this together. Were that possible, it would have happened before now.

Pray for Israel. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.