A Covenant With Death: The Dangers of Making Deals With the Devil

A lot has happened in the last week and, in this short time, we wouldn't be able to cover it all so I want to focus on a couple of the larger stories, at least in my view. 

To begin with: The Mexican border state of Chihuahua issued an alert regarding a violent Venezuelan gang called Tren de Aragua, or TdA. Apparently members of this gang have been moving through Chihuahua in order to cross into the U.S. near El Paso, Texas.

TdA is considered as a transnational criminal organization, which in involved in human trafficking, extortion, money laundering and drug trafficking and poses a "deadly criminal threat" across the Western Hemisphere. U.S. officials warned earlier this month that the gang, which originated in Aragua, Venezuela, is infiltrating the U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, has described TdA as "MS-13 on steroids." Members of this gang are suspected of taking over an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado. Video footage shows members of TdA patrolling the property with guns causing residents to bunker down in fear. The gang has also been seen dealing drugs from the apartment building, and according to an Aurora City Councilwoman, "without a doubt that there is sex trafficking now going on."

The Councilwoman also said: "We currently have entire complexes under gang control — complexes where staff have been beaten up, they've been threatened, their families have been threatened [and] complexes where there are no staff left on the property. These complexes are being run by this gang. They start brokering apartments themselves when someone leaves out of fear or whatever. They go in and take pictures of the apartment themselves. Then, I've been told, within hours, a Venezuelan family moves in. Furthermore, the local media is downplaying this. Politics is being played with people's lives. ... Nothing is being done to help the American citizens that are being trapped under this gang's control."

Rep. Greg Lopez, a Republican from Colorado, confirms that this Venezuelan gang has indeed infiltrated Aurora, a suburb of Denver. The mayor of Aurora said that TdA has taken control of several apartment complexes in the northern part of the city in what he described as "a nightmare situation." Rep. Lopez went on to say: "These gangs, they operate like wild dogs. They come in small cells, they attack others. They're out there looking to control an area. If you allow them to control it, they're going to breed and they're going to spread."

The Democratic governor of Colorado, Jared Polis, first denied this was the case, but when video footage proved otherwise, he changed his tune. It should also be pointed out that Aurora, though a suburb, doesn't share Denver's sanctuary city policies. However, the influx of illegal migrants into the Mile High City has spilled over and outward into the surrounding communities. Consequently, Denver's smaller neighbors are facing a wave of criminal activity from this dangerous Venezuelan prison gang. 

In a somewhat related story, in California, a group of around 20 suspected illegal migrants attempted to board a school bus that was in the process of picking up elementary students. This incident occurred just 24 hours after a smaller group of migrants tried to board a different bus in the same district. Both incidents took place in San Diego County, about 11 miles north of the southern border. According to reports, a group of migrant males were walking in the middle of the highway and allegedly tried to stop the bus, prompting it to go around the group. None of the migrants boarded either bus but it should be noted that the brazenness of some of these migrants seems to be growing and becoming more widespread. No surprise there considering that the response by school officials is instructing bus drivers to drive past stops if migrants are nearby, and instead, proceed to the next stop on the route, "for the safety of students and bus drivers."

While we're on the subject of the state of immigration in California, here's this interesting development: California has proposed giving illegal migrants in the state up to $150,000 in down-payment assistance in interest-free loans. Of course, the cost is to be incurred by California taxpayers. And if that's not bad enough, this proposal comes at a time when the state is facing almost a $50 billion deficit.

In still another related story: Massachusetts Republicans submitted a formal request with the state's government for information on the alleged "$1 billion in secret migrant crisis spending." The group demanded that Governor Maura Healey's administration provide a detailed cost breakdown of the toll that the migrant crisis has caused for the state's residents. The Massachusetts GOP chairwoman argued that the Democratic supermajority has created a "veil of secrecy" surrounding the migrant crisis. She contends that "the public deserves transparency. Release the details on the vendors profiting from this crisis and the public safety issues affecting our communities."

The report noted that the state has already spent more than $1 billion on a sheltering program that houses migrants. One of these shelters is in Boston's Logan airport, parts of which appear to be completely taken over by migrants. In addition to housing, taxpayers will have to cover schooling, social services, medical care and public safety. One Boston area school district recently told 150 students that they would no longer have school bus service because those assets were being diverted to "students living in hotels/shelters." It should be noted that Massachusetts functions more or less as a Sanctuary state.

I realize that raising an objection to the seeming preference of migrants over citizens risks being labeled as a racist, an isolationist, as uncaring and insensitive. However, my reason for sharing these stories is not to condemn immigrants per se but to highlight the fact that, because there has been a complete lack of regard for law and order -- beginning with an unsecured border -- things across America are quickly spiraling out of control. If one believes we should accept anyone and everyone, so be it, but apparently that view has not thoroughly considered the enormity of the fallout -- the crime, the murders and the busted budgets. These problems serve to remind us that good intentions don't always render good results. As the old saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Likewise, lawlessness never ends in goodness. 

Are illegal immigrants to blame for all of America's ills? Of course not. We've always had violence and misbehavior, and yes it is true, we are a nation of immigrants. As far as present crisis, the lion's share of the blame should be placed on politicians and government officials who, for political expediency, don't see the need to enforce established law. Not only that but some, in an effort to save face, are unwilling to admit there is a problem because they are the ones who manufactured it. And who pays the price? American citizens certainly do, most literally -- in treasure and, in some cases, with their lives. But it is also accurate to say that, in some cases, many of these migrants suffer. For instance, to the smugglers who get rich by dumping them on the border, they are considered to be no more than cargo -- simply a way to make money. Moreover, many of them are victims of human trafficking. It is my view that the Biden-Harris administration has created a market for human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable people by relaxing any kind of standard when it comes to immigration.

And why wouldn't these poor people try to come to the U.S. any way they could? The Biden administration has essentially thrown open the doors to America and let it be known that those who enter illegally will suffer little if any consequences. So who could blame them? But for all the warm fuzzies that our generosity and inclusivity might conjure, we should remember that, along with those who come here seeking a better life, others come willing to take another's life. Our leaders need to acknowledge that, among the common people, there is an invasion of very dangerous actors. 

There are groups like TdA, comprised of many who were released from foreign prisons and sent into the U.S. We shouldn't be surprised that when they arrive, they continue doing what landed them in prison in the first place. Compounding the problem is the fact that there are far too many people in power who are simply unwilling to call a spade a spade -- or for that matter, a terrorist a terrorist. And let's not forget this: it has been known for years that, among those coming across our southern border, there are operatives and terrorists from other lands. As far back as 1984, the head of the CIA, William Casey, was informing President Reagan that Islamic militants were infiltrating the groups of migrants who were crossing the Rio Grande.

Why is this happening? Yes, there are political and economic reasons but is there more to it than that? In my view it is as simple as this: we have forgotten God. We took His goodness and His blessings for granted, and now, what was once a blessing is becoming a curse. It is just as He told Israel what they should expect if they turned their back on Him to go flirting with other gods.

The Bible says that the nation whose God is the Lord is blessed. So what happens when that nation abandons the relationship with the Almighty? For starters, dangerous people infiltrate your country and pose a legitimate threat to the innocent, and apparently, without being challenged by authorities. What happens when we embrace practices and ideologies that oppose His Will and purpose? Pro-Hamas activists brazenly spring up on the campuses of America's universities, as they did at Cornell and Columbia on the first day of the new semester, threatening other students with intimidation and worse, without fear of consequences. What happens when a nation breaks covenant with God? In short, we make a covenant with death. It seems to me that America, at some point, changed partners; we turned our back on God and started dancing with the devil. As a result, our enemies are within our gates.

I want to pivot to a story from Israel that began last week. As Israel's war on her northern border continues to escalate, there were developments on her southern border with Gaza. This past Saturday, Hamas terrorists killed six hostages including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin. This apparently occurred as Israel Defense Forces closed in for a rescue attempt in the tunnels below Gaza's Rafah settlement. According to IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari: "They (the hostages) were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them." Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said, "He who murders abductees - does not want a deal. We are in a difficult day. The heart of the entire nation was torn." The spokesperson for Hamas' armed al-Qassam Brigades said that the Palestinian group has issued new instructions to guards on handling hostages if Israeli forces approach detention sites -- kill them -- all the while blaming Israel for the deaths of hostages. 

President Biden said he is "devastated and outraged" by the news, adding, "Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages." But it should be noted that Biden seemed to lay the lion's share of the blame on Netanyahu rather than on Hamas. In a statement he indicated that a final deal for the release of the hostages was very close but that he did not think Israeli Prime Benjamin Netanyahu was doing enough to secure such an agreement. In response, senior Israeli sources said it was "remarkable" that President Biden was pressuring Netanyahu to reach a hostage deal in Gaza rather than Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

Vice President Harris, the Democratic nominee for president, said, "Hamas is an evil terrorist organization. With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands. I strongly condemn Hamas' continued brutality, and so must the entire world. The threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel — and American citizens in Israel — must be eliminated and Hamas cannot control Gaza." Those are strong words but confusing seeing that Harris was quick to pressure Netanyahu to approve a cease-fire with Hamas when the Prime Minister was in Washington. Also the Harris campaign has stated that they are reviewing what their policy toward Israel would be in a Harris administration -- in short, it would not be nearly as cooperative as previous administrations. And it has just come to light that the woman tapped by the Harris campaign to head Arab-American outreach is reported as saying, pro-Israel factions "control" U.S. politics. 

As for what others had to say about the development: the British government has elected to suspend the sale of certain arms to Israel in an effort to pressure the Jewish state to reach a cessation of hostilities. Regarding these murders, CNN's initial headline read "Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin has died, family confirms via statement." In other words, CNN forgot to mention that Goldberg-Polin was actually murdered by Hamas. Likewise, the UN Secretary General refused to condemn Hamas for the atrocities, instead continuing to focus on "the need for the unconditional release of all hostages and an end to the nightmare of war in Gaza." It seems that no one is willing to admit the obvious anymore; to do so would acknowledge the world's flawed mindset and philosophy. It might also be that, in some cases -- perhaps in the case of the Secretary General -- refusing to admit the obvious reveals the world's contempt for God and His people.

And then there is this: at the news of the murders, Israeli protesters took to the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv demanding a deal that would secure the release of the remaining hostages. The protests included a rare call for a general strike in Israel which led to business closures and other disruptions around the country, including Ben Gurion airport. Clearly, not all Israelis believe that Netanyahu should strike a deal with Hamas, but a large number of Israelis do believe that securing their release is paramount. This position suggests that some Israelis are willing to allow Hamas to remain at their southern border, thus continuing to pose a threat to the nation, which would certainly include a barrage of rockets or maybe another October 7!

So then, is it reasonable for anyone to expect the Israeli government to make a deal with the devil? Is it reasonable to demand that Israel concede to the demands of terrorists and cold blooded killers, thus allowing their southern border to be vulnerable to those who seek their destruction? Some will say that no price is too great to pay in exchange for the hostages' lives. Some way will say no price is too great to ensure the destruction of Hamas and stability along Israel's southern border. One gentlemen, the father of an Israeli-American hostage still being held by Hamas had this to say: "It is absolutely clear, the only way to get hostages home alive is by some kind of negotiated agreement with Satan." 

If I were in this man's shoes, I know that I would be trying everything in my power to get my son home safely. Most of us can appreciate the grief and desperation he and others must be feeling in regard to their loved ones. But this gentleman said something that speaks to the perils, not only present in this issue, but inherent in so many other issues transpiring all over the world, and that is our willingness to court the devil and made a covenant with death.

In the Bible, God clearly stated that, in our life's journey, there are only two paths set before us  and we are compelled to choose one or the other. One is the narrow road that leads to life and blessing or the broad road that leads to death and curses. Just as there are only two genders, (not the imagined unlimited number of genders), there are no alternative choices when it comes to selecting the path we will follow. Either we choose the hard way which leads to life or we choose the easy way that leads to death. It seems it would be an easy decision -- choosing life. However, even though we say we want life and blessing, we typically and instinctively choose the path that takes us in the opposite direction of life and blessing. 

Granted, it is hard to do the right thing and sometimes, many times, heavy costs are incurred. It means that some will hate and despise you, accusing you of incredible things, simply because they want you to do what they want you to do -- i.e. fix all their warm fuzzies. While I sympathize greatly with those whose loved ones are suffering under the tyranny of Hamas; while I have sympathy for poor migrants who simply want to have an opportunity for a better life; making decisions based on emotions -- sympathetic or otherwise -- never ends well. Making decisions based on feelings almost always chooses the path of least resistance, and almost always results in lawlessness, chaos and death. In short, if we are on the easy path, the one that soothes our feelings, we are on the road that leads to death and destruction. As it is written:

It is a dangerous thing to kid ourselves and think we can continue embracing lawlessness and not reap the fruit of chaos and violence. It is even more dangerous to pretend that the chaos we see  isn't real. It is foolish to think that we can reason with the unreasonable or that we can make a deal with the Devil and not come out on the short end of things. If we take a snake to our bosom, we will suffer the consequences. As the Lord said:

In other words, our tolerance of lawlessness will never produce goodness or prosperity; embracing death or those who promote it will never render life and peace. We must face the fact that tares will never agree to coexist with wheat -- tares will always steal, kill and destroy. Taking the easier path will never bring about values that endure. Only the pursuit of truth, righteousness and Godly order can enrich a society with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. There are some hard choices to make in the days ahead, both on the global scene and right here at home -- not to mention in your house and in mine; hard choices that will cause many to turn away. And so, as was said so long ago: choose this day who you will serve and with whom you will come into agreement with? If you choose life, you have chosen the hard path, but it is the one that promises great reward.

Bill Cloud was raised in a traditional Christian home in South Georgia. Yet it was a trip to Israel to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, in 1990, that truly provoked him to become more interested in his faith. It was during this "appointed time" that God gave him a deep love for the land, the people and the language.

Soon thereafter, Bill began learning Hebrew under the tutelage of a local rabbi and has since spent many hours studying, not only the Hebrew text, but the Hebraic roots of Christianity as well. This interest in the language is tied to Bill's desire to unlock the hidden treasures within the Word of God and to teach them, along with our Hebraic roots, to believers in Messiah. Furthermore, this insight has allowed Bill to better understand the prophetic element of Scripture. As a result of this study, Bill has developed a variety of media resources dealing with prophetic themes as well as teachings related to our lost Hebraic heritage.

Bill is a featured speaker in venues throughout the country and has appeared with notable teachers such as Perry Stone, Jonathan Cahn, Joel Richardson and Hal Lindsay. He has also made several appearances on a variety of television broadcasts seen on different Christian networks throughout the world. Recently Bill, along with his wife, Beth, and their children started a fellowship in the Cleveland TN area.

Through Shoreshim Ministries, Bill and his family strive to re-introduce Christians to the Jewish Yeshua and to educate believers in the Hebraic roots of their faith. As a result of this information, disciples of the Messiah can more accurately interpret end-time events and better discern our role in these last days.
Bill and his family reside in Cleveland, Tennessee.