Might Water Shortages Contribute to the Rise of the King of the South

جامعة الدول العربية
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In its latest weekly update, LCG had the following two world news items:

Water Woes in Egypt. The Nile River flows through 10 nations before reaching Egypt. It is Egypt’s major source of fresh water. Experts estimate that Egypt’s demand for water will exceed its supply by 2017. Nations “upstream” from Egypt want to implement water-related energy projects, but are prevented from doing so by a 1929 British-initiated treaty that gives Egypt veto power over these nations. Referring to Egypt’s control of the Nile, a western diplomat observed “Egyptians are behaving with the Africans the way they accuse Israel of behaving with the Palestinians: they say they are ready to negotiate but without committing to the difficult issues.” An Egyptian diplomat countered, “Egypt only has water coming from the river. The Africans have it from the rains.” Egypt’s large population and strong military ensures its access to waters that originate in other nations (AFP, May 12, 2010). For millennia, Egypt has played an influential role in world affairs. God prophesies that, at the end of the age, a king of the south (south of the Holy Land) will arise that will oppose a king of the north—and Egypt could play a powerful role in this “southern” kingdom. According to Bible prophecy, the northern king will overcome the southern king and take Egypt captive, along with its riches (see Daniel 11). Meanwhile, Egypt’s water shortages will put pressure on the nation and those sharing the Nile’s tributaries. This could foment future turmoil in this region where peace is scarce.

Jordan River Is Dying. “Jordan River Could Die by 2011” claims the environmental watchdog Friends of the Earth, Middle East (FoEME). More than 98% of the river’s flow is diverted by Israel, Jordan and Syria. A report presented in Amman in April noted, “The remaining flow consists primarily of sewage, fish pond water, agricultural run-off and saline water.” The river was full of rapids and waterfalls 150 years ago. Today, it is a stream not more than a couple meters wide. With a flow of 1.3 billion cubic meters at one time, today’s flow is only 20-30 million. A dam just south of the Sea of Galilee cuts off the river’s flow and now raw sewage flows from a pipe below the dam. An estimated 50% of the Jordan valley’s biodiversity has now disappeared. Experts also fear that when Israel ceases dumping sewage into the river basin, the river will totally dry up (AFP, May 2, 2010)

Just like it will take economic problems and perhaps severe civil unrest for the King of the North to rise up, it will probably take a combination of factors for the King of the South to rise up. Water may be a factor as it is also an issue for the nation of Israel.

Two articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be–but they are in error. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might the King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?