Page 6 - TORCH Magazine #15 - February 2020

the Carnmenellis area between Redruth and Helston.
A shift in power
It was on the strength of this trade that the Phoenicians established their empire. Furthermore, they never
went to war with Israel,
but instead were an
ally, with the ships of
Tarshish bringing an
array of commodities
every three years to add
to Solomon’s wealth (1
Kings 10:22).
Britain has today to strengthen its relationship with Israel.
In the areas of trade and maritime, there have been some very significant developments recently.
On 4th February 2020 following its exit from the EU,
Britain took its seat
on the World Trade Organisation as an independent member for the first time in 47 years, positioning Britain as major player in global trade. Last year, Israel became the first country to agree a post-Brexit trade deal with Britain with bilateral trade booming between the two countries.
Also in February, although somewhat underreported, Britain was
significantly handed control of the maritime security operation in the Gulf to protect global shipping from the threat of Iran. The UK
took over command from the United States leading a seven-nation coalition, including commonwealth nations such as Australia. This historic development means that Britain now has oversight of the world’s two most important shipping routes – the Strait of Gibraltar and the Persian Gulf – both of which hold significant proximity to Israel and her security.
Meanwhile, Britain continues to align itself closely with the Arab states that are warming towards Israel through new trade agreements. Meanwhile the UK is at a crossroads regarding its position with Iran, a known enemy that has threatened to wipe out Israel.
Whichever way one interprets the geographical location of Tarshish, the prophetic role of Tarshish clearly defines it as a nation that separates itself from a coalition of Israel’s enemies and is strategically positioned to come to her defence. To this end, our prayer is that Britain will fulfil this destiny, using its unique place and position on the earth to stand with Israel and the Jewish people. And as young lions gather round the roaring lioness, our hope is that other pro-Israel nations will have the courage to stand with Israel also.
As previously
mentioned, the most
important trading post
for the Phoenicians was
Tyre, located in what we
know today as Lebanon.
Isaiah 23 speaks of a
transfer of maritime power and influence from Tyre to Tarshish. Amazingly, the Phoenician trading routes were remarkably similar to the trading roots under the British Empire, leading some Bible scholars to conclude that this maritime power was later passed to Britain.
Others have also pointed to the role Britain had in aiding the return of the Jewish people to their historic homeland:
“Surely the coastlands shall wait for Me; And the ships of Tarshish will come first, To bring your sons from afar, Their silver and their gold with them, To the name of the Lord your God, And to the Holy One of Israel, Because He has glorified you.” (Isaiah 60:9)
Even though Britain made many mistakes in its handling of the British Mandate of Palestine, it cannot be denied that Britain and the Commonwealth, and later the United States, first helped the Zionist dream become a reality.
And as young lions gather round the roaring lioness, our hope is that other pro- Israel nations will have the courage to stand with Israel also.
The dawn of
a new era
Today the world looks on as global superpowers again take their positions in relation to standing with Israel. The last few years have seen a dramatic shift in US policy towards Israel, for example. Also, one cannot ignore the unprecedented opportunity that
6
CUFI.ORG.UK