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
I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops—many people are with you.

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
‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan: You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’— to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land. Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, ‘Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?’”’

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
Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,’