I’ve had some time over the last week to observe the middle east situation, the media, and folks in forums. I’m going to venture into the conversation, but only according to biblical parameters.
From what I’ve seen, most people view Israel as just another geopolitical entity. We still haven’t come to terms with the fact that it’s not.
Where the history of most nations begins in clouded obscurity–of nomadic tribes, myths, speculation, Israel is the rare nation that can track its inception back to its very first member. The book of Genesis introduces us to that person–Abraham.
I realize a great many people consider this claim irrelevant, dismissing the Bible as though it had no trustworthy historical witness. And this is exactly where a lot of folks wander into the danger zone. Because in the Bible, as in life, if you don’t read warning signs, ill-effects are sure to follow.
For, in God’s initial encounter with Abraham, He made promises to the man, including this one:
Gen. 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse…
As we see later in Scripture, God kept this promise to Israel, Abraham’s descendants. Whenever enemies attempted to destroy the Jews, they would collide with this heavenly backing. For a short time the detractors would prevail with great noise and celebration, until curse would unerringly catch up to them, exacting awful judgments.
Does this mean that everything Israel has ever done is therefore sanctioned by God? Of course not. Scripture bears abundant witness to Israel’s rebellions against Him, and the fearful consequences that resulted. Many times in history when the people lost sight of their spiritual legacy and adopted secular values, other gods, syncretism with surrounding nations, God used painful circumstances to discipline them.
Yet God knew from the beginning that this chosen man, and the nation that was in him, would always have enemies. Regardless of whether they were at fault, or not. Sometimes it would be for no other reason than bearing a divine stamp–God’s choice.
Nothing excites the devil’s envy and abhorrence more than God’s pleasure in choosing something, or someone. By the time this peculiar Satanic hate seeps into men, it appears rational. The Nazis blamed their passionate antisemitism on years of Jewish economic oppression. Activists today credit their antisemitism to payback for various forms of political oppression, land disputes, and other offenses.
That’s a dangerous game to engage in. While the enlightened mob waves banners and chants slogans, most of them are not aware they’re running afoul of an ancient promise to Abraham that God intends to keep.
Worse though, they run the risk of missing the promised rewards:
“I will bless those who bless you…and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (12:3).
I echo your thoughts John. It appears that people have forgotten the Jews are God’s chosen people, who God has bound Himself to with an oath and a covenant.
Hi, thanks, Lincoln! Yes, sometimes obvious things escape our attention. Dangerous obvious things.
If we don’t read Bible, we’ll never understand what’s going on in this world. Adam’s disobedience to God, led to the beginning of human suffering. At the same time, God, by His grace, started His rescue plan of mankind through his chosen people (Isaiah 19:25) until all lands hear the Gospel so that they may willingly commit themselves to follow Jesus Christ, our Lord to the new World (Rev 21)