The current Middle East situation is confusing. That’s a significant understatement. Between war, claims of victory, sudden ceasefires, denials of ceasefires, threats of resumption of war, actual resumption, and again sudden ceasefires, the region is in upheaval.
At the center of much of the confusion is one person, US President Donald J. Trump, as he conducts a foreign policy marked by his declarations at any given moment. And he expects everyone to step in line. It’s hard to know where he is leading this situation since his declarations often seem contradictory and erratic.
When the current conflict with Iran began on February 28, his oft-repeated goals were to destroy Iran’s nuclear bomb and ballistic missile capabilities.
To the consternation of Israeli government and military officials, Trump inexplicably announced a sudden end to combat, a ceasefire, on April 7. Neither of the two military goals were fully achieved, though they were in sight per Israeli experts.
He had also made ambiguous statements about regime change as a goal, but today Islamists remain thoroughly in charge and continue oppressing their people. The US president had urged the civilian population to revolt, but they had no means to do so. Nor was any real attempt made to provide those means.
The goal of US military action then transitioned into an economic one: Keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and oil flowing to the world. With bilateral negotiations announced by Washington, the initial nuclear goal began to look ambiguous, with troubling similarities to the nuclear deal under President Barack Obama.
Trump even hinted that Iran had a right to keep some undefined number of ballistic missiles, like other nations in the region, for self-defense. Strange that, since Iran, the chief sponsor of terror in the world, is the only nation threatening others with destruction, and actively using such missiles offensively, against Israel, Iran’s neighbors and US military bases in the region.
Having previously described the Iranian regime as evil, Trump now referred to them as “nice people to deal with” and “not radicalized.” These “nice people” were the same ones who had killed an estimated 50,000 Iranian civilians in three days during protests against the government in January this year.
In the meantime, a new round of US attacks, followed by another ceasefire and renewed threats, have occurred.
What sent shockwaves throughout Israel, and shocked friends of the Jewish state worldwide, was a sudden change in tone coming from Trump regarding Israel, and especially about its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Previously, Trump had spoken of his warm personal relationship with “Bibi” and the close alliance between the USA and Israel.
Now he referred to the prime minister with expletives, called him crazy, and criticized Israeli policy openly. Israel’s enemies were giddy over this apparent rupture in US-Israeli relations. Trump even suggested the current Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (a former al-Qaeda jihadist leader) would do a better job of defeating Hizbullah in Lebanon than Israel. Those are the same jihadists who massacred thousands of Druze and Kurds in 2025.
It is difficult to gauge the American president’s twists and turns. Some attribute his erratic pronouncements to his business-like negotiating style: keeping opponents and all others off balance and guessing. It is often said Trump thrives in chaos.
On the other hand, business interests and “America first” issues are also at work in the White House. US Vice President JD Vance is known as having significantly less sympathy for Israel and opposing the war with Iran altogether. Too, some of Trump’s chief foreign policy advisors and negotiators with Iran have considerable financial connections to Qatar and Saudi Arabia. A war that affects oil supply is bad for business.
Another compelling explanation: The November midterm elections in the USA, with the possibility of Trump’s party losing control of the US Congress. The war against Iran is criticized harshly by Democrats and increasingly by the far-right wing of the Republicans, who are among nationalist conservatives and America firsters. Achieving a lasting ceasefire or an enforceable memorandum of understanding could reverse Trump’s waning popularity and influence the election outcome. Nobody wants a forever war with shrinking weapons inventory.
Despite Trump’s seemingly inconsistent policies and tone towards Israel, it must be remembered: No US president or other world leader has done as much for Israel in the last fifty years as Donald Trump.
During his first term in office, he recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, relocating the US embassy there from Tel Aviv. Since President Jimmy Carter, most US presidents have referred to Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, or promised to move the embassy there, but none acted on it.
Additionally, Trump recognized Israel’s sovereignty on the Golan Heights. He cancelled the deeply flawed nuclear deal that President Barack Obama had signed with Iran. Trump initiated military action to destroy Iran’s threatening nuclear potential against Israel and others.
Since the October 7 massacre, he maintained military supplies for Israel’s defense, when others, including Canada and many European nations, boycotted such supplies or even attempted to thwart American shipments to Israel. He also consistently used America’s veto and other means at the United Nations to shield Israel from votes of condemnation and other antisemitic attacks.
All of these are extremely significant measures that Trump undertook to support Israel, for which it is enormously grateful. No other world leader is comparable in this regard.
Rebuilding Jerusalem
For this reason, President Trump is often likened to Cyrus, the ancient King of Persia, by his many Jewish and Christian admirers.
Recall that Cyrus, the conqueror of Babylonia, was chosen by God to facilitate the return of the Jews to Israel and the rebuilding of the Temple:
“Thus said the LORD to His anointed one, Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him, that I might loosen the loins of kings, to open doors before him, and that gateways not be shut. I will go before you and straighten the twisting paths; I will smash copper doors and sever iron bolts; and I will grant you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, in order that you should know that I am the LORD Who has proclaimed your name–the God of Israel–for the sake of My servant Jacob and Israel, My chosen one; I have proclaimed you by name; I dubbed you, though you did not know Me” (Isai. 45:1-4).
Just as Cyrus was the agent to restore Israel 2,500 years ago, so do many see Trump in a similar role today for having recognized Jerusalem and the Golan Heights as Israel’s territory–especially since our generation has witnessed the greatest return of the Jewish people to their land in the last two millennia.
A further comparison can be seen in Cyrus subduing other nations, smashing through the copper gates and iron bolts. Trump’s approach in dealing with other nations, whether regarding international trade and tariffs, NATO members’ financial obligations, Venezuela or Iran, can certainly be described as aggressive. Less charitably, his opponents might even label him the proverbial “bull in the china shop.”
From a Jewish perspective, the comparison with Cyrus is meaningful. It is generally accepted among Orthodox rabbis that all the prophecies in the Bible have a purposeful relevance today, including the narratives and prophecies already fulfilled long ago.
The prophecies regarding Cyrus were, of course, fulfilled in his time, but the fact that they are recorded in the Bible implies they are also relevant today. The scriptures may contain many historical narratives, but their purpose is not primarily to record historical facts.
As we know, there were many prophets, at least a hundred and more than likely hundreds, that are referred to in the Bible (1 Sam. 10:5, 10; 1 Ki. 18:4, 13; 2 Ki. 2:3, 5, 7, 15; 6:1). There appear to have been communities of prophets, often referred to as “sons of prophets.” And, of course, there were Abraham (Gen. 20:7), the 70 elders, and Eldad and Medad (Num. 11:24-30). But besides those we all know well (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc.), we do not have the prophetical utterances of these others in the Bible.
Another stark example from 2 Kings 14:25 refers to a prophecy by Jonah, son of Amittai (yes, of the big fish episode). While the narrative refers to that prophecy and a general description of its themes, the actual prophetic text is nowhere to be found in the Bible. Yet, the prophecy is called the “word of the LORD God of Israel.”
If ancient prophecies, fulfilled back then, and despite being called “the word of the LORD God of Israel,” were not included in scripture, then, it stands to reason, that previously fulfilled prophecies that were included in the Bible (such as about Cyrus) are there for a reason. Already in antiquity, the rabbis explained (see Megillah 14a) that the prophecies that were relevant only for their times long ago, were not included in scripture. Those that were also pertinent to future generations, having a “double fulfillment” as it were, a near-term and a longer eschatological one, were included.
Considering the ancient prophecies of the Bible then, is there any compelling scriptural reference that can shed light on the situation described at the beginning and the central role of the US president? I heard one rabbi compare the current situation with the prophecies regarding the King (Prince) of Tyre in the Book of Ezekiel.
Hiram, the Phoenician King of Tyre, was an ally of Israel. When King David built his palace in Jerusalem, Hiram sent cedar logs, carpenters and stonemasons to help in its construction (2 Sam. 5:11). When King Solomon built the Holy Temple, Hiram likewise sent materials and workers to help (1 Ki. 5:1-18). They even made an alliance (v. 12) and conducted naval trade together (9:26-28).
Centuries later, however, Tyre and its new king were subjected to severe condemnation by the Prophet Ezekiel. After the conquest over Israel by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, Tyre had seen an opportunity to plunder Israel (Ezek. 26:2). It had turned from an ally of Israel to an enemy.
Additionally, this prideful king (prince) of Tyre saw himself as God, as if sitting on His Throne, and his heart as the heart of the Almighty (28:2, 6), thus earning himself Divine judgment (vv. 7-10). His self-deification preceded his downfall.
On several occasions, Trump has emphasized his personal achievements on behalf of Israel, which Israel has acknowledged. But one declaration seemed too boastful, even for Israelis. “Without me, there’d be no Israel….” And: “If it weren’t for the United States of America, with me…Israel would not exist right now.” The notion that Israel would not exist if not for Trump’s actions flies in the face of numerous Bible references, central among them: “Behold, He neither rests nor sleeps, the Guardian of Israel; the LORD is your Guardian….” (Ps. 121:4, 5).
Does President Trump presume to be the Guardian of Israel? We can be assured, Israel exists and will continue to exist because God has a covenant with Israel, not because it is subject to the whim of any man.
Just hours after Trump’s reckless remark, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, a former pastor, countered: “Without Israel, without the Jewish foundation, there would not be an America. We owe our very existence to what happened in this land.”
I do not believe Trump insinuated he is in God’s place. But God’s glory is not a trifling matter, and He shares it with no one (Isai. 42:8; 48:11). It is precisely Israel’s survival and restoration that God uses to sanctify His great Name (Ezek. 36:22-24). I also do not think that the US president is comparable with the later king of Tyre. Nevertheless, the dire message of the Prophet Ezekiel stands as a warning to those who would turn against Israel, thereby defying God.
As threats continue to loom over Israel, we must affirm our faith in God, not mortal men:
“It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to rely on princes” (Ps. 118:8, 9).