On Wednesday, 12 EU nations announced their willingness in principle to contribute troops to the 15,000-man UN peacekeeping force to be deployed in Lebanon. Among them was Germany. Germany’s decision to participate in the force, wrote the Australian, “ranked as its most delicate foreign-policy move since it was held to account for the Holocaust in 1945. Since then, it has been unthinkable that Germans would put themselves in a combat situation that could have their soldiers shooting at Jews” (emphasis ours).

As it turned out, it appears the decision was just a little too delicate, when, following high-level meetings, the German government yesterday ruled out (for now) sending ground troops equipped for combat into south Lebanon.

None the less, the Germans have proposed sending a “maritime protection component,” with their navy helping to secure the seaways off the coast of Israel and Lebanon (Agence France Presse, August 17). Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany may also contribute forces for logistics, air transport and reconnaissance. It addition, it has offered to contribute to a force patrolling the border with Syria (Guardian, London, August 18).

While the news may appear to be that Germany has declined to send ground troops into southern Lebanon, the real news is that Germany has set a precedent for increased military involvement in the Middle East. What’s more, the German Navy—already active in the Mediterranean—looks to be positioning itself right off the coast of Israel, primed to respond to any future crisis involving Israel.

Ironically, the appearance Germany gives of being hesitant (quote Merkel: “We as Germans should approach this region with the greatest caution”), only serves to reassure Israel.

This, perhaps, is the most remarkable aspect of Germany’s willingness to get involved: Israel’s position. As reported by EUObserver.com, in a recent interview with the Suddeutsche newspaper Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he had told the German chancellor that Israel had “absolutely no problem with German soldiers in southern Lebanon.” “There is at the moment no nation that is behaving in a more friendly way toward Israel than Germany,” Mr. Olmert said. “If Germany can contribute to the security of the Israeli people, that would be a worthwhile task for your country.”

Taken together, these are ominous signs of a future betrayal. The book of Hosea declares, “When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound” (Hosea 5:13). Biblical Ephraim is modern Britain. Judah is the nation we know as Israel today. Assyria is Germany. Here is a prediction, made over 2,500 years ago, that the Jews will seek help from Germany.

We can see that starting to happen!

Luke 21:20 and Matthew 24:15 speak of a time coming soon when Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies. “The Enemies of Jerusalem” will explain where those armies are from—and why the European deployment heading for Middle East—and Germany’s involvement in particular—is something we should watch intently.