Explore: How We Got Here – Part 1
Balfour Declaration of 1917
This is the first blog of a two-part series known as “How We Got Here.” Wars, rumors of wars, Middle East conflicts, terrorist attacks, antisemitism, nuclear weapons, ruthless dictators are just a few in a long list of traumatic issues we deal with daily. Our world seems to be falling into chaos. How did we get here? What brought us to this point? There are two key historical events which embody why the world has changed so dramatically over the past century. Both the 1917 Balfour Declaration and the Cold War were two initiatives which set the framework that has escalated chaos throughout by world by giving credence to socialist countries led by corrupt dictators, destabilizing governments on multiple continents and exponentially moving the world closer to World War III by driving nations toward the need to hoard large stockpiles of nuclear weapons to protect their sovereignty. Let’s begin by looking at how the 1917 Balfour Declaration set the Middle East on fire.
The 1917 Balfour Declaration was nothing more than a public statement written by British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to Lionel Walter Rothschild, during World War I, announcing their commitment to establishing a national home for the dispersed Jews in Palestine. This declaration, led by the League of Nations, granted Britain the power to create a Jewish nation. This statement proposed the new Jewish state would reside in the Ottoman Empire in the same location they once lived and is known as the “land flowing with milk and honey” (ref. Exodus 3:8). The dispersed Jews, who were nearly exterminated in Hitler concentration camps, now have hope they could unite and thrive as a nation once again. But, the long-term effects of the 1917 Balfour Declaration are still being felt today, thus playing a major role in fulfilling end time events.
In its most simplistic form, the Declaration assigned territory that was still part of the Ottoman Empire for the new Jewish homeland and recognized the rights of the Palestinian people who were already living in this region. The statement is contradictory on merit alone. How could peace ever be achieved? It puts the two groups, Jews and Muslims, against each other. The Jews desire to live in their homeland again. The Muslims were livid that their land was given away by a country who has no understanding for the inhabitant’s local culture or religious beliefs. But Britain was sympathetic to the antisemitic violence in various parts of the world and felt they could provide a haven for the Jewish people. Even though the reason for setting land aside to protect the Jews was a noble cause, many believed the entire process was mismanaged and done in such a manner that showed no regard for those living in the territory or Muslim nations surrounding the new state.
Some in the British government believe the Balfour Declaration was a mistake that would lead to instability and conflict in the region. But regardless the Declaration was signed November 2, 1917, despite Arab opposition. The Declaration led to a great deal of resentment in the Middle East because their territory was given to non-Muslims.
It is true, the Balfour Declaration allowed the Jews to reunite on the same land on which their nation existed centuries ago, as promised by God. The rebirth of Israel is prophesied by Ezekiel thousands of years again in a vision known as the Valley of the Dry Bones. This vision (ref. Ezekiel 37:1-12) speaks to how the dispersed Jews will return to their promised land of Israel. This prophecy was fulfilled on May 14, 1948, when Israel became a nation.
But surrounding Muslim nations could not accept a Jewish nation existing on land they perceive as theirs. This single event escalated conflicts in the area and spawned multiple wars (all won by Israel). To maintain peace, Israel has given up most of the land awarded to them as part of the 1917 Balfour Declaration. Even though the surrounding Arab nations accepted these terms of peace they inevitably break the peace to retake more territory or gain political leverage. These skirmishes have raged on since Israel became a nation and Arab nations have made it clear they will not cease until they “wipe Israel off the map.”
Yes, chaos reigns in the Middle East and chaos will continue to reign until Jesus returns and it began with the signing of the 1917 Balfour Declaration.
