By Tom Brennan
Hezekiah and Hamas
The amazing complex of tunnels along the Gaza frontier surprised the IDF and changed their battle plan. The man hours, materials and sophisticated techniques for constructing them were certainly expensive, and someone paid the bill. It begs us to ask where the money came from and who supplied it? The intent and purpose for these tunnels was evil from the start. But in Jerusalem there is another tunnel, an architectural and engineering marvel that saved a city and its people. It brought lifesaving water into Jerusalem and it was authorized by good King Hezekiah. There are often times when the same thing can be put to use for evil or good.
Few if any knew of the extensive network of cement labyrinthian tunnels from Gaza underneath into Israel. Not satisfied with bombarding Israel’s cities and civilians, Israeli citizens of all faiths and persuasions, they came out at night to kill. Innocent civilians on both sides have been put at risk, brave IDF soldiers have entered the tunnels to root out the masked terrorists. The IDF’s former way of entering Hamas-occupied territory has been altered by this maze of underground rats’ nests. The usual speedy campaigns have been changed by the necessity of adding a “search and destroy” strategy. All this adds up to a needless loss of life among Gaza men, women and children due to the human shield tactics of Hamas. But Hamas’ use of tunnels is nothing new, merely the misuse of ancient technology. We must look to Scripture to see a good use of tunnels; we must turn to the story of good King Hezekiah of Judah.
After the splitting of the United Kingdom of Solomon, the lists of bad kings of both far outnumber those who honored the Mosaic Covenant. One of the best Kings of Judah was Hezekiah (715-686 BCE,ruled.) Hezekiah was the son of Ahaz, who did evil in the sight of the Lord. Happily, Hezekiah did not take after his father. Hezekiah is remembered for undoing much of what his father did. Perhaps one deed comes to mind that mirrors today’s news. He built a tunnel.
Hezekiah became King when Assyria was building itself an empire. His father Ahaz had allied himself with Assyria through tribute. Hezekiah saw things differently, from The Almighty’s perspective. Assyria was on the march and Hezekiah knew this. One of the favorite tactics of ancient warfare is to isolate a walled city and cut off water and food. These are bottom line necessities of life. The Spring of Gihon supplied water to Jerusalem. But it could be cut off from access by an encircling enemy. At this point intervention was introduced and Hezekiah’s faithfulness was rewarded. He was moved to build a tunnel. Assembling the engineers and miners of Judah, they began to cut though the solid rock to dig a tunnel to bring water into Jerusalem. By using a tap and direct method, two separate teams of engineers began to chip and carve through the very solid rock. Eventually the two teams met at a point, shook hands through the last fissure and the water began to flow into the city. No one would die of thirst. In 1880 a plaque in ancient Hebrew was found inside the 1,750 foot long tunnel that was put there to commemorate completion of the tunnel. Its discovery further confirms the Biblical narrative for the benefits of those who continue to doubt the Bible’s accuracy
Here is a lesson: Hezekiah cut one tunnel that saved Jerusalem, Hamas built many tunnels that threatened Israel. One inspired tunnel still flows with water today, another mass of tunnels are being destroyed as weapons of war as they are found. There is the 2,600 year narrative of a heroic King whose name is spoken with honor and respect, and the news reports a modern series of concrete tunnels built by anonymous masked men whose names are secret is being systematically destroyed. The Almighty has His ways to keep His promises. Israel is still here: what about Hamas and their allies? Time and Scripture will tell.
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