History, Netanyahu and the Messiah

Benjamin Netanyahu believes in history. It is his comfort zone. Maybe it’s a carryover from his dad, a professor of history in the USA.

History is many things to many people, particularly when it comes to the question of what can be learned from it. For Bibi it has become his theology. It is his guide not only to the past but, more importantly, to the future. Like an ancient oracle, it tells him what he should do.

Wiping out the native population? There are loads of examples throughout history. Not only because there was a specific command in the Hebrew Bible. But look around at major powers today. How many came into power by wiping out the original aboriginal population? It’s the way of the world. Why should Israel be any different?

So what of theology? In Bibi’s thinking, this, too, is part of history. He sees it historically. It doesn’t obligate him. It represents possibilities, choices, alternatives, but not obligation. He is only obliged to history, in making it, in taking it, in shaping it, especially if it comes out in his favor. He creates it in his own image.

Judaism? Another dimension of history, which the religious members of his coalition try to fit their leader into their own brand of spirituality. Perhaps he is the harbinger of the Messiah? Just a tool of the Lord........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)