“To give them beauty for ashes” – Isaiah 61:3
The Middle East and Israel are places of constant unrest, turmoil, and terrorism. The October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas and the ongoing response by Israel is evidence of that. The present preemptive attack by Israel to deal with the nuclear threat of Iran is further evidence of the volatile nature of the Middle East. There are two ways we can respond to such conflict. We can obsess and be anxious over the battles and how they could lead to a world war, or we could look to the prophetic word of God and be blessed.
Right from the start of this article I want to admit that when talking about war it is difficult to speak of blessing. Wars have casualties, destruction, losses. But because of Who God is, we are able to speak of blessings even in the midst of battles, even wars. This is what the prophet Isaiah meant when he was inspired to write about the coming of the Spirit of the LORD upon Messiah Jesus and that He would be able to even “give them beauty for ashes” (Isaiah 61:3). That’s how great Jesus is; He is able to raise up beauty even from the ashes of our lives. Nothing is impossible for God (Luke 1:37; 18:37). That is the blessing.
The Bible also says that the things people do with evil intent, God is able to reverse and use for good. That is what Joseph in the Old Testament said (Genesis 50:20). In the New Testament we are exhorted to not allow ourselves to be overcome by evil, but rather to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). The sad reality is that in this fallen world there will be wars and wars produce victims. But out of such reality comes opportunity to do good; to share the gospel; love the hurting; offer the hopeless hope in Jesus. All of this we do in the leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:31-39). The Holy Spirit pours out God’s love into the heart of the one who trusts Jesus as Savior (Romans 5:5). And it is in the power of such Spirit provided love that we love our neighbor. That is how all the Law of God is fulfilled (Romans 13:10). That is how beauty rises out of the ashes.
The present conflict between Israel and Iran was preceded by President Trump offering to help broker peace and avoid a war between the two nations.[1] Iran was given a sixty-day deadline to come to the table to address their nuclear capabilities. Iran arrogantly pushed that opportunity aside and continued to forge ahead with their military nuclear program. Now that the sixty days have expired, Israel could wait no longer in the face of such an existential threat. Israel’s military capabilities are second to none and Iran’s military installations and militant leadership are feeling the full force of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The Shia Islamic leadership of Iran, who have subjugated Iran since the Jimmy Carter administration (1977-81) fumbled the geopolitical football, are now on the brink of collapse. No Maddi is coming to help them. They are learning a life and death truth that the God of bible and of this universe enforces the consequences of sinful choices. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5-6).
The forces of Islam want to eradicate Israel. Islam wants a Fourth Caliphate. Israel, the United States, and democratic governments stand in the way of that. Radical Islamists deny Israel’s right to exist. They feel for a nation to be allowed to exist on territory they feel is theirs, is an afront to Allah and Islam. This is the fundamental world view of Islam and is at the root of all geopolitical conflict in the Middle East.
While Islamic states have proved impotent to deal with Israel militarily, they have been successful in propagandizing and commandeering students in our universities and those in woke churches to ally themselves with the Islamic cause. They package their war against Israel and Jews as class struggle and oppression by the haves of the have-nots. It’s the perfect message to wield against those who have been indoctrinated with a Marxist Communist / Socialist worldview in our educational system. The pro-Hamas demonstrations that broke out around university campuses and overflowed into our cities are evidence they are winning the information war.
We may look at tiny Israel, surrounded by enemies who are vastly larger than her geographically and numerically, and we might get bogged down in the battles and our concerns for her. Israel is the size of the state of Rhode Island and yet is the constant center of unrest in the world. It’s not hard to imagine Israel and the Middle East being the oven where the flames of the next World War are fanned. This can be disheartening, depressing as well as distracting to us. But I want to encourage you to not get bogged down in the battles and your concerns for Israel. What you need is an understanding of the Bible’s prophetic Big Picture and how Israel relates to it. Without such scriptural and prophetic awareness, you may miss a mighty blessing of God.
When we consider what the Lord says in His word about Israel and End Times events, we can move from the anxiety caused by a battle focus to being blessed by the Lord and what He promises in His prophetic word. That’s important because God is faithful and true to His word. he is not only faithful and true to His word, but He is omnipotent and able to fulfill the promises of His word.
In early August of 2006 Netscape News reported on an Associated Press article about a miraculous discovery of an ancient book of Psalms dated to the 8th to 10th century found in an Irish bog. [2] Finding such an ancient piece of Scripture preserved despite being in a watery muddy bog for over a thousand years is miraculous. But what makes this find all the more incredible and pertinent to our present study is the Psalm the book was opened to when it was found. The article said in part:
A construction team working in a bog in Ireland’s midlands was digging up bogland to create commercial potting soil when one of the engineers spotted something in the muck just beyond the bucket of his bulldozer.
That something was a 20-page ancient book of Psalms written in Latin script that archaeologists have dated to the years 800 to 1000, reports The Associated Press. It is bound in leather velum and looks like a very thick wallet. This is the first discovery in two centuries of an Irish early medieval document, prompting Pat Wallace, the director of the National Museum of Ireland, to call it a “miracle find.”
The book was discovered in the third week of July 2006, just as war erupted between Hezbollah militiamen and Israel. It was open to Psalm 83 in which God hears complaints of other nations’ attempts to wipe out the name of Israel. Psalm 83 is also known as a prayer for Israel. . ..
Since this archeological find Dr. Bill Salus has written a book about this Psalm and its modern-day prophetic relevance to the Middle East conflict. The title of the book is Psalm 83 The Missing Prophecy Revealed – How Israel Becomes the Next Middle East Superpower. Some scoffed at Dr. Salus’ interpretation of Psalm 83 but looking at the success of Israel against her enemy neighbors in recent years, well, his interpretation at least deserves a second look. In less than two decades since ancient psalm book was found, we just may be seeing its fulfillment.
God is the Worker of miracles, and it seems beyond chance that not only would such a document be found intact in a bog, but that it would be opened to a psalm that is directly pertinent to current events ongoing in the Middle East. What else does God have to do to convince us of His reality and our need of Him as Savior? Rapture the Church? Return in the clouds? Fulfill Revelation 6-18? If that’s what it takes for us humans to finally fall at His feet and accept Him as King, well, that’s what He will do. The only problem with that prophetic picture is that, by then, it may be too late for us. If you die in your sins, you will be judged (Hebrews 9:27). “For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people’s with His truth” (Psalm 96:13). Are you ready?
What does Psalm 83 say? That is what we will look into in this study. We are going to look at this psalm. What we are going to find in it is that we need not get bogged down in the battles of Israel. We can be blessed at the work of God in and through Israel. That’s a message I believe the Lord is trying to get through to us today.
Who was Asaph? The name Asaph means “God has gathered.” The family of Asaph became one of the three families given responsibility for worship in the Temple (1 Chronicles 25:1–9). When God’s people returned from their captivity and exile in Babylon, 128 singers from the family of Asaph were put in charge of worship and sang as the foundations of the second Temple were laid by Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:41; 3:10). There are twelve psalms attributed to the family of Asaph (Psalms 50; 73–83). It was a member of the family of Asaph that wrote Psalm 83. We should keep this in mind as the Psalms are worship. What we read in the Psalms should be read worshipfully.
Worship is an important tool God provides His people to live victoriously through the wars of life. When we are tempted to anxiety because of world events, we should God to God and worship Him in the Spirit and according to His word of truth the Bible (cf., John 4:23-24).
An Imprecatory Psalm?
Is it ever right to ask God to fight for you? The imprecatory psalms and historical examples (e.g., Exodus 17:15-16; 23:22; 2 Chronicles 15 and 16; Isaiah 14:22; 49:45; Jeremiah 21:13) show us that God fights on behalf of His people to protect them and bring victory. An imprecatory psalm is a call for God to fight on one’s behalf. One commentator describes such psalms in the following way:
[Imprecatory psalms are] individual psalms in the Book of Psalms in which the authors call for misfortune and disaster to strike their enemies. The writers of the psalms were often persecuted by ungodly people, so they prayed that God would pour out His wrath and righteous judgment upon their foes. Only by doing so, they believed, could God’s love and justice strike a proper balance. Some examples of imprecatory psalms are Psalms 5, 11, 17, 35, 55, 59, 69, 109, 137, and 140. [3]
Notice that the call to God to fight against one’s enemies was to establish His “love and justice.” An imprecatory psalm is not a call for pointless harm against one’s enemies. The higher purpose is that by God’s intervention an environment would be created where God’s justice and love could prevail. This is not a call for God to carry out a personal vendetta or selfish attack. It is a call for justice to prevail through war if necessary. Sin and evil in the world make this type of prayer an option. So does waiting beyond a sixty-day deadline for a peace negotiation.
Is This a Prophetic Psalm?
What is the basis for looking at this psalm and thinking it pertains in some way to current events? This psalm as well as most other psalms were written with meaning for the particular time in which they were created. But psalms often have significance prophetically and speak to future events. Psalm 22 speaks of the crucifixion of Jesus before crucifixion even existed as a means of punishment. Psalm 110 speaks of the deity and ultimate triumph of Jesus (compare Hebrews 1:13 and its context). Psalm 118 (verse 24) speaks of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem by Jesus.
When psalm 83 was written is uncertain. The King James Bible Commentary comments as follows about the historical context of this psalm:
We cannot be absolutely certain about the historical situation for which this psalm was composed. The most likely time period into which it fits is that of Jehoshaphat. This is the view of Tholuck, Hengstenberg, Alexander, Clarke, Delitzsch, Kay, and a host of others; for there are striking coincidences between the record of II Chronicles 20:1–25 and this psalm. It is highly likely that Psalm 83 was written by one of the Asaphites, the sons of Asaph, a Levite named Jahaziel of the days of Jehoshaphat (cf. II Chronicles 20:14).[4]
The reason for seeing this psalm as being at least partly prophetic in nature is that it calls for God to do a permanent work against the enemies of God. “Let them be confounded and dismayed forever; Yes, let them be put to shame and perish, that they may know that You, whose name alone is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth” (Psalm 83:17). Certainly that complete defeat of the enemies of God and His people has not been accomplished. However, given recent developments in the Middle East, we may be seeing this psalm fulfilled. If there are still enemies of God and in particular enemies of Israel throughout history and even currently in the world today, then God is not finished with His plan and this psalm can be prayed and sung to the Lord when the enemies of God and Israel surround His people.
LORD, Answer, Advance, and Act!
The first verse of this psalm is a call to God to take action. It states:
Psalm 83:1 – Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God!
When you find yourself threatened or in dangerous circumstances the first and best place to turn is to God. That is exactly what the psalmist is doing. The nation of Israel is in danger from surrounding nations, and the first response is to call out to God in prayer for Him to take action. Here the psalmist calls on God in three ways.
First, the psalmist calls on God to answer him saying, “Do not keep silent, O God!” The psalmist is calling out to God to answer him, to give him direction and a word of comfort. The word “silent” (Strong’s #1824 – דְּמִי, דֳּמִי [dâmiy, domiy /dem·ee/]) occurs four times in the Old Testament and is translated “silence” twice, “cut off” once, and “rest” once.” It can mean, “cessation, quiet, rest, silence, pause, peacefulness.” [5] Therefore the psalmist is calling on God to speak to him. The psalmist wanted to hear from God. The psalmist sought for God’s comfort, direction, and help. He wanted a word from the Lord, an instruction or encouragement. It’s one thing to be attacked; it is quite another to go through such an attack with the Lord’s silence. The psalmist is declaring his dependence upon the Lord, his faith in God, by calling on Him to give an answer to his prayer (Cf., also Psalm 28:1; 35:21-22; 50:1-3; 109:1-3). God is our Rock who sees our every circumstance and will intervene on behalf of His people. When we call out to the Lord He will answer us (cf., Psalm 20 and 99).
Second the psalmist calls on God to advance against His enemies, saying, “Do not hold Your peace.” The word “peace” (Strong’s # 2790 – חָרַשׁ chârash, khaw-rash’) has numerous applications and can mean, “to scratch, to engrave, plow; to fabricate; to devise (in a bad sense); to be silent, to let alone; to be deaf ; conceal, be deaf, devise, imagine, leave off speaking, hold peace, plow; be quiet, rest, practice secretly, keep silence, be silent, speak not a word, be still, hold tongue.”[6] The idea is that the psalmist is calling on God to intervene and advance against His enemies in order to not allow enemies to conspire to persecute Israel. One commentator writes of this word:
It is found approximately 50 times in the Hebrew Old Testament. A fitting word for the agricultural nature of Israelite culture, charash is frequently used of “plowing” a field, usually with animals such as oxen (1 Kings 19:19). The imagery of cutting up or tearing up a field with a plow easily lent itself to the figurative use of the word to mean mistreatment by others: “The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows” (Ps. 129:3). The word is used to express the plotting of evil against a friend in Prov. 3:29: “Devise not evil against thy neighbor, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee [literally, “do not plow evil”].” [7]
The psalmist is praying that God is not behind the rise of the surrounding enemies and that God will ultimately thwart this conspiracy of evil. In effect it is a call to God to attack His enemies. And God does advance to the defense of His people (cf., Psalm 5:11; 59; 82:3).
Lastly, the psalmist calls on God to act saying, “And do not be still, O God!” The psalmist is calling on God to not sit by while international treachery is afoot. The word “still” (Strong’s # 8252 – שָׁקַט shâqaṭ, shaw-kat’) means, “to repose; appease, idleness, quiet (-ness), rest, settle, be still.” [8] This is a call for God to act. The psalmist is not going into battle on his own; he knows the odds are too great. Instead he is going to God and calling on God to take action against His enemies.
Meditating on the mighty acts of God in human history can be a source of great strength and encouragement to us. This is a point made by David the psalmist (Psalm 145). The idea is, if God acted in the past, He will act again. God is real and he wants us to call on Him to take action. When we put this cry of the psalmist together we have a call for God to answer, advance, and act.
LORD, We’re Under Attack!
The second part of this psalm is pointing out to the LORD that His people are under attack. The psalm continues:
Psalm 83:2-8 – For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; And those who hate You have lifted up their head.3They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, And consulted together against Your sheltered ones.4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You:6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; 7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. Selah
When we examine these words it is striking how they fit the circumstances of current events in our day. The modern equivalent nations to those listed in Psalm 83 would be Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and the Palestinian territories. These are all territories at odds with Israel today.
These verses end with the word “Selah,” which means to stop and meditate on what you’ve just heard or read. When we prayerfully stop and meditate and think on these words, we see the truth and reality that the conflicts we see today, did not take God by surprise. Because such conflicts are marked in God’s word, we should not be surprised either when what God says actually does come to pass. Israel is God’s prophetic timepiece. God’s word is God’s prophetic plan. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
When we look at this psalm we shouldn’t be surprised at the hateful disposition of Israel’s neighbors. The enemies of God and of His people are filled with hate, making noise, and are rising up (83:2). We also see that these enemies are conspiring and plotting against God’s people (83:3). The chief belief of these enemies is that they do not believe in Israel’s right to exist (83:4). Sound familiar?
The nations mentioned in Psalm 83 originally united with the common goal of eradicating Israel. In our day, this same unifying goal exists primarily because of the religious system of Islam. Islam is the glue that holds Israel’s enemies together. There are other anti-Semitic roots of the opposition and persecution of Israel, but Islam is the frontrunner in denying the right of Israel to exist in territory it believes rightfully belongs to Islam. Islam has fanned the flames of national bigotry that had lain dormant since Psalm 83 was originally written. This is a reality, and no political correctness or willful ignorance is going to change that reality.
Should We Care What Happens to Israel?
Should we care about what happens to Israel on the other side of the planet? Does it really affect us? Does it really matter? The answer to all of those questions is a resounding, “YES!” Why should we care about what happens to Israel? Because Israel is God’s covenant people and they still have a part in His plans (Romans 11). And because the enemies of Israel see the allies of Israel as their enemy too. What happened on September 11th, 2001, should be evidence enough to support that statement.
But what do we see today nearly a quarter century since September 11th? We see invasion by immigration in Europe and throughout the world, even in the good old US of A. We see Sharia Law neighborhoods, areas where, unless you are Muslim, it is not safe to travel. In Minnesota we see the first United States city to allow the Islamic Call to Prayer throughout the day. [9] In London there are Muslim patrols enforcing Sharia Law. [10] Muslim cities are being erected in the United States. [11] The Biden’s Administration’s open border policies fueled these Islamization strategies. These are developments which should give us pause. Islam does not allow for the freedom of speech where the Gospel can flourish. Just look at Islamic nations. It is a crime to share the gospel and for Muslims to convert to Christianity. The enemies of Israel see us as their enemy too.
Such things could bog us down in fear, but they should not. Don’t let the world’s battles rob you of God’s blessings! We know who will win this battle in the end. Read the final chapters of the Bible. God has been faithful and able to fulfill His prophetic words throughout history. He did that with His only Begotten Son Jesus and His redemptive work on the cross and the resurrection. And God has much more to fulfill historically. God has a 100% rating in fulfilling His prophetic word. I would not bet against Him. And His record of fulfilling prophecy is not going to change.
Jesus will reign on earth for a thousand years after He has put all His enemies under His feet (Philippians 2:5-11; Revelation 19-22). Furthermore, Jesus warned us about such things and told us they were a sign to help us get ready and be ready for the End Times. Jesus said there would be unrest in the world leading up to the End Times. He alluded to a seven-year period spoken of by Daniel the prophet (cf., Daniel 9:24-27 and Matthew 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 21; and Revelation 6-19 for details). If you ignore God’s prophetic portions of scripture you are not only missing out on 27% of the Bible, but you are missing out on what is needed to be prepared for the End Times and experience God’s blessings.
Jesus used the illustration of childbirth to convey the coming of the End Times. He said of the events He mentioned in His Olivet Discourse, “All these are the beginning of sorrows” or literally birth pangs (Matthew 24:8 – Greek odin). Such signs are exactly what we are seeing in our world today. I’ll just mention a few of the signs of the End Times Jesus mentioned:
- False teachers and false religions – Matthew 24:4-5; 1 Timothy 4:1-2
- Wars, rumors of wars and general unrest – Matthew 24:6-7
- Persecution – Matthew 24:9
- Lovelessness – Matthew 24:12
We might add to these what the Apostle Paul said about the Latter Days. He said people would succumb to and be deceived by doctrines of demons and a worldview of self-love (1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 3). The way to overcome is with God’s word which is what we see Paul say in the context of these passages (cf., 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Another such sign Jesus mentioned was that a time would come when people would follow their religion and think that by killing followers of God they would be serving God. And Jesus said:
John 16:1-4a – “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. 4 But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.
This is exactly what we see taking place in the religion of Islam. Can there be any doubt that such fervor to kill is rooted ultimately in the devil who is described as a murderer? (John 8:44). Jesus told His disciples about this so that they would not “stumble” when it happened. The word “stumble” is a translation of the Greek term SKANDALIDZO (Strong’s # 4624 – σκανδαλίζω skandalizō, skan-dal-id´-zo) which means, “scandalize; to entrap, i.e. trip up; stumble; or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure; (make to) offend.” [12]
The idea and purpose of Jesus telling His disciples about such persecution and the mindset behind it is so that His disciples would be prepared. Being prepared would enable His followers to stand firm and not waver in their walk with Jesus. It’s scary and disgusting to see how terrorists publicly behead people television or the Internet. It is even more disconcerting to hear how such acts are done to innocent helpless victims in the name of a so-called “peaceful” religion.
Jesus said that His disciples needed to act radically and thoroughly with anything that would cause them to stumble (Matthew 5:29-30). If fear is causing you to stumble, you need to deal with it radically and thoroughly. God’s word says His perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:17-19). We need to trust that God will give us whatever we need for whatever situation we find ourselves in at the time of the need. God’s grace is always sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). But that provision will not come ahead of time, it comes at the point of need. Therefore we need to trust God now to provide for any potential need we might eventually need. Jesus said if we were ever persecuted that we should not worry because the Holy Spirit will be there with us and will give us the words we need at the time (Matthew 10:16-39).
Jesus said the following about these signs:
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Luke 21:28 – 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
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Luke 21:34-36 – 34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
We don’t have to be bogged down in the world’s battles and stumble at the various events occurring in these times. We can be blessed because, if these things are happening, it must mean Jesus is close at hand to come and get us out of here. The more fearsome the world gets, the more blessed the hope of Jesus return for us becomes (Titus 2:13).
So what do we do? Nothing? Should we just do nothing and wait for Jesus’ return? Absolutely not! Now is the time to live for Jesus like never before. That means, don’t be anxious, pray without ceasing (Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Be salt and light; infiltrate and influence this world for the glory of God (Matthew 5:13-16). Cooperate with the Holy Spirit to restrain evil wherever you see it (Ephesians 5:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7). Study and live out God’s word; test all things by God’s word (1Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17). Be joyful always; worship; give thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17). Don’t despise prophecies, study them (1 Thessalonians 5:20). Live holy; abstain from every kind of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22; 5:23-24). And make it a priority to love your neighbor, love even your enemies, by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. Do this, and by the grace of God in the power of the Holy Spirit, your battles will be turned to opportunities for blessings.
[1] https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/trump-says-he-gave-iran-a-60-day-ultimatum-today-is-day-61-now-they-have-perhaps-a-second-chance/ And https://cbn.com/video/shows/trump-warns-iran-time-running-out-iran-may-make-deal-cbn-newswatch-51525
[2] http://netscape.compuserve.com/news/package.jsp?floc=MM-mant2&name=fte/ancientpsalms/ancientpsalms
[3]Youngblood, R. F. (1997, c1995). Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary: An authoritative one-volume reference work on the Bible with full color illustrations (F. Bruce, Ed.) (electronic edition of the revised edition of Nelson’s illustrated Bible dictionary.). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[4]Jerry Falwell, executive editor; Edward E. Hinson and Michael Kroll Woodrow, general editors, KJV Bible commentary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1994.
[5]Strong, J. (1996). The exhaustive concordance of the Bible: Showing every word of the test of the common English version of the canonical books, and every occurence of each word in regular order. (electronic ed.) (H1824). Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship.
[6]Strong, J. (1997, c1996). The new Strong’s dictionary of Hebrew and Greek words (electronic ed.) (H2790). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[7]Vine, W., Unger, M. F., & White, W. (1997, c1996). Vine’s complete expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words (electronic ed.). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[8]Strong, J. (1997, c1996). The new Strong’s dictionary of Hebrew and Greek words (electronic ed.) (H8252). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[9] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/minneapolis-becomes-first-major-u-s-city-to-broadcast-islamic-call-to-prayer-5-times-per-day
[10] https://www1.cbn.com/hurdontheweb-0
[11] https://cbn.com/news/us/texas-city-responds-launch-islamic-tribunal
[12]Strong, J. (1997, c1996). The new Strong’s dictionary of Hebrew and Greek words (electronic ed.) (G4624). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.