If you’ve been following middle east news recently, the main story is the mushrooming move by Arab states to recognize and sign mutual cooperation accords with the nation of Israel. United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have already signed such accords with up to nine others considering the same. These accords, brokered by the Trump administration, came suddenly and as a shock to most of the world. Particularly stunned were Israel’s avowed enemies such as Iran and Turkey, and especially the “Palestinians” (who are primarily Arab). While these events surely seem beneficial to those Arab nations and Israel, is there a down side ? Are these pacts referred to in the Bible ?
In Exodus, God, through Moses, warned Israel not to ever make a covenant with the people surrounding them (Isaiah 23:32, 34:12). He told them that He as their God was sufficient for all their needs and they should never rely on other nations – for anything. Historically, when they did just that, it did not turn out well.
Some prophecy teachers are pointing to these current events as a fulfillment of Isaiah Chapter 28. Many of these teachers on the internet and elsewhere are calling this the “Covenant with Death” in verse 15. I agree that these verses seem to be eschatological in nature, referring to a disastrous covenant entered into by Israel, perhaps in the near future. But, is this it ? I don’t think so. My current understanding is that these agreements are primarily political, social, and economic in nature. If they were military in nature, more than a non-aggression pact, also including a mutual defense treaty (like NATO), then I might believe Israel is entering her prophesied covenant with death. Of course, there is the possibility that these accords could develop into a mutual defense pact in the future-not good for Israel.
I would encourage you to read Isaiah 28 for yourself and continue watching for a near fulfillment of these scriptures. We certainly live in interesting times. Jim