We are barraged daily with skewed, biased reports and myriads of opinions about events in the Middle East from media outlets of all political persuasions. There are no easy answers here. There are, however, some Biblical perspectives we maintain as we seek to minister in this complex environment.
God loves both Jew and Arab
God loves Jew and Arab equally. For those who support Israel, we must remember that God is not “against” the Arabs, nor does He hate them. God does not love the Jews and hate the Arabs. The Lord loves all of His creation and wants none to perish. Yeshua died for all people, Jew and Arab alike, and desires each member of His beloved creation to be reconciled to Him. We recognize it is our responsibility and privilege to pray faithfully, asking the Lord to touch, heal, reveal Himself and save both Israelis and Palestinians. He is the only way to true peace and understanding.
The Land was given to Israel
Beginning with chapters 12 and 15 of Genesis, there are hundreds of Scriptures that make this truth clear: The Land was given by God as part of His everlasting covenant with the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Regardless of what the U.N. decides or decided in 1948, we affirm that the Bible itself is Jewish People’s Land deed to Israel. We don’t condone every decision that modern, and in many cases, secular Israeli leaders make, but we do support Israel’s right to exist because of God’s unconditional promises in His Word.
Islam is not a religion of peace
Fundamental Islam is a religion committed to world and land domination. Anyone who is not a Muslim is an infidel. One of the pillars of the Muslim faith is Jihad, or Holy War. One of their most cherished, oft-repeated goals is the annihilation of Israel. Arab groups and neighbors in the region have made it clear there is no possibility of co-existence with Israel. Only complete destruction will do. The reality is that Islam, fundamentally, is NOT a peaceful, loving religion. There have been countless acts of atrocity, massacre and inhumanity in tyrannical, Muslim-controlled countries where Christians are being imprisoned, tortured and even crucified.
Jihad not only sanctifies terrorist attacks, but also mandates the destruction of all infidels. Who is an infidel? Anyone who is not a devout Muslim, especially Westerners; Jews and Christians alike.
Until Messiah establishes peace...
There will be no peace in the region or in our troubled world until the Prince of Peace establishes true peace. Most Christians are familiar with the exhortation, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6). But how do we pray? How can there ever be peace? The word for peace in Hebrew is shalom it means “to bring to completion or wholeness.” God has a plan for this Land and People that will come to pass. This plan ultimately points to the triumphant return of Yeshua to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. We must pray for God’s plans to come to completion in this troubled region, and for the Messiah to be revealed in the hearts of Jews and Arabs alike. Only then will true wholeness – true shalom - be realized.
