The northeastern African country is assumed to be the next country to normalize its ties with the Jewish State; Sudan sees an opportunity to better its relationship with the United States as well.

Reports are continuing to surface that the northeastern African country of Sudan is likely next in line to normalize its ties with Israel, despite the doubt that was looming after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to the region. However, confidence in the possibility of such an agreement is on the rise after Sudanese and US officials met in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to discuss the stabilization of the Middle East.

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are also believed to be stepping in the same direction, but the idea that Sudan would be the first of the three is a bit surprising. However, it’s important to note that Sudan certainly sees an opportunity to better its relationship with the United States, as well. The idea of being removed from the list of designated terror states and receiving financial aid from D.C. undoubtedly sweetens the deal.

Aside from the countries already listed, the White House is expecting several others to normalize ties with the Jewish State as well; many of which have not been yet named.

A Deeper Look

How does all of this relate to what should be anticipated for the future in light of what the prophet Ezekiel spoke of 2,500 years ago? After all, modern-day Sudan is listed as one of the countries that will invade Israel alongside Iran, Russia, Turkey, and other countries:

Ezekiel 38:4-6 KJV – “And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.”

If Sudan is to normalize ties with Israel, that would seem to contradict what the prophet is saying, wouldn’t it? Are we actually heading in the direction of the Ezekiel 38 invasion if peace appears to be on the table?

What about the fact that Sudan isn’t mentioned in in Ezekiel 38:5? To simply solve this contradiction, note that when the prophet speaks of Ethiopia, the location being spoken of consists of what he knew as Ethiopia of his time; modern-day Ethiopia and Sudan. The Hebrew word is “Kush (כּוּשׁ),” which was a territory that included what is now Sudan.

A brief review of history will equip us with some much-needed reminders as to how quickly things can change on the world stage.

Israel formed a diplomatic relationship with Turkey in 1949, just a year after the Jewish State was reborn. This relationship was critical, especially in the realm of military tactics. As time went on, there were several other economic and trade benefits, as well as technology. However, after decades of partnership, the relationship began to deteriorate when current President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rose to power in 2002, accompanied by his Islamic Revolution.

Currently, Israel and Russia are on good terms with each other. However, Russia has an agenda in the Middle East, and they will stop at nothing to see it through. It’s only a matter of time. As far as Iran is concerned, they, too, were once friendly towards the Jewish State. But when their Islamic Revolution took place in 1978, hostility became inevitable.

As for the other countries that are normalizing their diplomatic relationship with Israel, the stage is being set for the protest that Ezekiel spoke of:

Ezekiel 38:10-13 KJV – “Thus saith the Lord God; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?”

Just because an agreement of peace is on the table, you can see how quickly things can turn badly. This is the case with Sudan. Therefore, while there may be a temporary agreement to normalize ties with Israel, a time will come when they no longer adhere to the agreement, assuming it ever takes place.

While it may seem “too good to be true” because of how literally the prophet’s words are becoming a reality, we ought not to be surprised. What the Lord says, He will also do:

Isaiah 46:9-10 KJV – “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure”