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How Does Ḥōšeḵ Connect 9/11 & Saudi Arabia?

How Does Ḥōšeḵ Connect 9/11 & Saudi Arabia?

Last updated on: September 13, 2026 at 11:01 pm by Martin Thomas Johnson

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How Does Ḥōšeḵ Connect 9/11 & Saudi Arabia? 2026-09-13T23:01:35-04:00 Martin Thomas Johnson

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This weekend, the big news has focused on the 25th anniversary of one of the darkest days in American history, 9/11. News media outlets around the country aired tributes and testimonies to those who lost their lives on that tragic day, or since then due to the dangerous environment they were in.

Image by Wikipedia Commons

The CIA released presidential documents and briefs about Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda leading up to those tragic events on 9/11. While the remaining living presidents were in New York at Ground Zero area to commemorate the anniversary, President Trump was seen falling asleep at the Pentagon’s anniversary event.

Back in New York, a widow of one of the 911 victims spoke out against Saudi Arabia’s alleged ties to the terrorists and asked Pres. Trump to look into any connection between the nation and the tragedy that took the lives of nearly 3000 Americans:

Residents
Funding
Government support

Instead of investigating Saudi Arabia’s connections, President Trump has boasted about his business connections to the Middle East nation. After pressure from his supporters, the president stated he would look into the allegations after he returned from his trip to Ireland.

Family members and survivors are still hoping for more light to expose this dark day in American history (Daniel 2:22, Ephesians 5:11). As God’s people, we are to be the light that fights against this world’s darkness (Matthew 5:14-16, 1 Peter 2:9).

What Is Darkness

It has never been clear that we live in a dark and fallen world. Darkness can be spiritual or physical. Darkness is defined as, “The total or near total absence of light: a gloomy or depressed state or tone.”

Image by Pixlr

Despite what MAGA and President Trump believe, we all have a dark and sinful nature, not just one political party or nationality (Romans 3:23). God’s people aren’t immune to sin as many believe they are.

That is why the ball has a lot to say about darkness (Isaiah 9:2, Acts 26:18, Luke 1:79, Ephesians 5:8). The Bible is clear that this world is full of darkness and evil (Genesis 6:5, Ephesians 6:12, 1 John 5:19).

Before we come to God, even God’s people walk in darkness like the world (Ephesians 2:1-5; 4:17-18, Colossians 1:13-14, Titus 3:3-7, 1 Peter 2:9-10). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about darkness and where it comes from.

Ḥōšeḵ

The Torah tells us that God spoke and created light to overcome the darkness that covered the earth after He created it (Genesis 1:2). God created light to give you life and overcome the darkness that existed in the beginning, but mankind chose darkness and death over light in life (Genesis 3:1-7).

The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for darkness isḥōšeḵ, and it can also mean “Dark, obscurity, or night,” depending upon the context in which it is used. God set His people apart from this fallen world to be a light in the dark kingdom, not to rule it with earthly might (Leviticus 20:26, Deuteronomy 7:6, Isaiah 60:1-3).

Image by Pixabay

God gave His people the 10 Commandments to help them fight the darkness within themselves (Exodus 20:1-17):

I am the Lord thy God.
Thou shalt have no other God before me.
Don’t take the Lord’s name in vain.
Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.
Honor thy mother and father.
Do not murder.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Do not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness.
Do not covet your neighbor.

When Jesus came into the world, God’s people were in bondage and oppressed by another nation. Just as it was prophesied, Israel was in a dark place (Isaiah 9:1-7, Micah 5:1-4, Matthew 2:13-23).

When Jesus began His earthly ministry, He affirmed Himself as the Light in the darkness (John 8:12; 12:46). Our Lord shone a light on the darkness of the religious leaders of His day (Matthew 23:1-39).

He cautioned His followers and rebuked His own disciples about the darkness within them (Matthew 15:18-20, Luke 11:34-36). Jesus taught His followers not to seek power like the rulers of this dark world (Mark 10:42-45).

Saudi Arabia

In other news this weekend, Saudi Arabia had set down an oil pipeline after it was attacked by drones. The entire region is experiencing the dark consequences of living in a fallen world.

Image by Wikipedia Commons

Fighting in Yemen intensified as the government launched attacks against Houthi rebels who were firing on Saudi Arabia and along the Red Sea. The rebels also seized an island at the entrance to the Red Sea and threatened to close that waterway.

It should be no surprise that nations are fighting over the resources in the Middle East because we live in a dark kingdom:

Oil
Money
Control
Waterways

This dark world has always sought temporary power, pleasure, and greatness (Genesis 6:5, Ecclesiastes 2:1-11, John 3:19-21). America, or God’s people, will never be the light as long as we keep trying to be like or rule this fallen kingdom.

When we stop being the light, darkness will spread (Luke 11:33-36). Jesus gave us specific details on how to be the light to this dark world. Love our neighbor and enemies alike (Matthew 5:43-48).

Care for the immigrants and those who have broken our laws (Matthew 25:35-40). Take care of the least of these (Matthew 25:31-46). When we fail to obey His teachings, we are walking in ḥōšeḵ!

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