How to deal with Middle East Whiplash Syndrome (MEWS)

I am suffering from a very challenging condition. It is summarised by the acronym MEWS. Which stand for “Middle Eastern Whiplash Syndrome”.

What is MEWS?

Well, just when you think things are going well in the Middle East, something happens which seems to up-end everything. Hope gives way to despair. Quiet confidence that perhaps, maybe, just possibly, peace might break out for a season is replaced by dismay. A thousand instant experts flood your feeds with the latest hot takes on the latest announcement. Trump is the messiah. Trump is not the messiah, he’s just a very naughty boy. Israel goes from a position of great strategic advantage to vulnerable and exposed.

How to treat MEWS?

History shows us how to survive the emotional whiplash of changing fortunes. 

1. Don't ignore God and just trust in human provision - military, political, financial etc.

Sometime around 750 BCE (so around 2,800 years ago), Israel was facing the threat of invasion, destruction, and exile from the Assyrian Empire to the north. The political leadership of Israel in that day was looking to form a military and political alliance with the other great power of the day, Egypt, in order to protect themselves from catastrophe.

In this context, the Prophet Isaiah writes these famous words of warning

"Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord." (Is 31:1)

As the events of the past couple of weeks happened, my mind kept returning to these words. This is the forever challenge for us humans, and the forever challenge for Israel. I’d phrase it like this:

Woe to those who go down to Washington for help…but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.”

2. Trust God and act.

We need to say our prayers and build our military capacity (this is the philosophical position called compatibilism). 

In the story of the rebuilding of Jerusalem under Nehemiah, facilitated by King Cyrus of Persia (modern day Iran) no less, there are threats of death and destruction from enemies all around. And the prophet Nehemiah says these words to his assembled people:

“Don’t be afraid of them (the enemies surrounding them, threatening their destruction). Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” (Ne 4:14)

For Israel, and for you and me, the take home message is this:

Don’t trust any person, instead of God, for your ultimate safety and security. And be ready to fight for the safety and security of yourself and your family.

Unlike the myriad of middle eastern pundits, I have not idea what is going to happen in the future. In the middle east or in Australia...

But I find comfort in the biblical strategy of praying and acting - afterall, this is why the Jewish people are still here after 3,500 years and their enemies have come and gone…

Yours in praying and acting

Mark Leach