Today is one of those singular times. No, the conflict in question is not President Bush's ballyhooed "good vs. evil war on terrorism". Rather, it is a conflict regarding which Bush, as well as every other world leader, has placed himself or herself on the wrong side.

What faction is it, engaged in conflict, of whom we can conclusively declare "God is on their side?" It is the settlers, that very special group of universally maligned Jews. Those Israelis who have the courage and foresight to take possession of land God has declared as theirs, those intrepid pioneers who face the wrath of an entire world, these are the men and women whose efforts God now supports.

How do we know this? First, the entire enterprise is His idea, His project. He has sponsored it, declaring long ago what would happen and why. For those who are taken aback by the notion that God might say anything at all, I refer you to His book. The Bible contains the pronouncements of God's prophets, still valid today.

That revelation is, after all, the only way we could know what God is thinking. And we do know what He is thinking about the settlements in Judea and Samaria. The initiation of the settlements is an undertaking with His intense personal involvement. Not only has He made it a centerpiece of His current program of international affairs, He has also staked a great deal of personal credibility to its success.

God is on the side of the settlers. The settlement process belongs to Him. Though the whole world combats the settlers, someone far more formidable than all of the opponents is on their side. Their endeavor will not fail. God's sponsorship of the venture will be a resounding success.

The powers that be do not yet "get it", but they will. In fact, that is the point. The point of this whole exercise is an object lesson on who is God and who is not. On a broader scale, we could even surmise that point as a reason for all of history. But this very special case serves a very special purpose.

The opponents of the settlers can cite supposed international law, convoluted moral rationale, or whatever trendy political argument they fancy to justify their fierce opposition. They can mock the very notion that God has anything to say at all about this issue. They can devise their strategies, their plots, their accords, to formulate the means to remove the settlers. In the end, they will find themselves fighting against God. And who has ever prevailed over Him?

Though the settlers may lose some skirmishes along the way, though they may be forced to temporarily give ground, they will not lose in the end. But their victory will not be through their own abilities or virtue. In fact, that denotes the import of the entire enterprise. God Himself is doing it, for a vindication of His word, and a demonstration of His power. When the process is complete, it will be clear to all paying attention who has accomplished it, and why.

Everybody likes a winner, so the saying goes. But not in this case. Though the settlers will win, yet the settlers are vilified by nearly everyone. I too like a winner, and because I read ahead about the outcome of this particular conflict, I will back the certain winner. This is not just so that I can be right, however; I'm a settler at heart, myself. I wish I could physically stand with them, on their side, to hold whatever town or outpost under assault. Currently, I do not have the means or opportunity, so this supportive missive will have to suffice.

For you who insist on backing a loser, go ahead. But realize that when you lose, you will lose big, very big. The resolution of this issue is described in shocking terms by God's prophets. This is, after all, not just any conflict, not just any plot of land.